GMC Collectible Motorhome

In the 1970's, General Motors entered the RV market. Drawing on the exuberance of the times, the company set out to create the ultimate American Motor home. Their aim was to produce a top-of the-line vehicle with cutting-edge design and construction, not just another competitor in the already crowded vacation vehicle market. The common design in this era was a boxy, ungainly and top-heavy unit on a truck chassis. The GMC vehicle was intended to be a completely new design in every way. Design work began in 1970, with the market introduction planned for 1973. "Doesn't look like a box or ride like a truck" was the GMC ad slogan.

The new vehicle would be unusual for this era in several ways. First of all, it was to have a front wheel drive, a rare concept in cars of that day and unheard-of in mobile homes. The drive train and suspension were taken from the design of the Oldsmobile Toronado. The 265 horsepower 455 cubic inch Oldsmobile engine was attached to a Turbohydramatic 425 transmission with torsion bar suspension. The rear suspension was a product of GM's bus design, using dual swing arms, one leading and one trailing, with a single air spring on each side. Instead of a autobody steel, the body was to be made of lightweight aluminum and molded fiberglass-reinforced plastic such as was used in the Chevrolet Corvette.

The front wheel drive and independent swing arm rear suspension brought great improvement to the standard motorhome design. The lack of drive shafts and axles underneath the coach allowed a very low floor height, leading in turn to a low overall vehicle height and lower center of gravity. Aside from easier entry and exit, this reduced rollover risk and wind resistance and made the vehicle much safer and easier to operate for buyers accustomed only to car driving. A six-wheel braking system, with disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on all four rear wheels, further enhanced drivability.

Previous motorhome design focused mainly on the use of the vehicle as a temporary home once it had reached its destination, an extended stay in a mobile home park or a camping spot. Ease of getting to the destination was of secondary concern, and cumbersome handling on the road was taken for granted. GMC made a special point of targeting this feature for improvement by adding visibility from the driver's seat with a panoramic expanse of glass.

The motorhome was featured in 23 foot and 26 foot lengths, fairly small even for this era. Nowadays, much larger models are common. The motorhome's interior design was compact, with no permanent sleeping areas in the original design. All beds were converted from seating areas when required.

Hot water was provided by water heaters using engine coolant loops, which produced water so hot it could actually present a scalding hazard since coolant temperatures usually exceed 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerator was powered by a standard automotive battery, adequate only for overnight use before recharging.

By J Shipper.

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2008 GMC Yukon Review - A Review of the 2008 GMC Yukon SUV

The 2008 GMC Yukon is a favorite choice among large SUVs because of its attractive interior, comfortable cabin and strong towing ability. Its strengths also lie in its smooth powertrains, comfort, and accommodation capabilities. It is an ideal vehicle especially for large families seeking the convenience and luxury of a traditional full-size SUV.

The '08 Yukon has two available trim levels namely the base SLE and the SLT. The SLE trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, full power accessories, front bucket seats with a console, OnStar telematics, keyless entry, a six-way power driver seat, dual-zone air-conditioning, a trip computer, and an eight-speaker CD audio system with satellite radio, an auxiliary input jack and rear-seat controls. Meanwhile, SLT1 adds leather seating, triple-zone automatic climate control, a six-disc CD changer, power-adjustable pedals, remote vehicle start, rear parking assist and the "Turn-by-Turn" navigation feature for the OnStar. However, the SLT2 adds a premium Bose sound system, 12-way heated front seats, power-folding mirrors with turn signals and a 50/50-split third-row seat. On the other hand, the superior Yukon Denali include all of the features mentioned plus a unique grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension, a power liftgate, and heated second-row captain's chairs.

The 2008 Yukon is packed with a variety of engines to choose from. The most popular is the 5.3 V8 engine with GM's cylinder deactivation technology for fuel economy. Yukon SLEs may have a 4.8-liter V8 with 295 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque or a 5.3-literV8 generating 320 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. The SLE can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Buyers may also have a choice of two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive.

Safety features like antilock disc brakes, stability control and full-length side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor are standard in all '08 Yukons. Moreover, the Yukon scored a five-star rating in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2008 GMC Yukon is a quiet cruiser equipped with a suspension that guarantees a comfortable ride even on bumpy roads, making it one of the best SUVs in town.

By Shaun John Bourne.