GMC Sierra Crafted To Do Good

The GMC is a brand of vehicles, cars, and trucks that has constantly and continually been described as the “Professional Grade”. At present, this vehicle brand is the truck manufacturing division of the General Motors Corporation, and this brand also manufactures and markets various kinds of trucks. These trucks could actually range from the light duty pickup trucks to sport utility vehicles to medium duty commercial trucks. Some models that are sold under this brand include the GMC Sierra, the GMC Savana, the GMC Safari, the GMC Envoy, and the GMC Yukon.

However, before this brand became a part of the whole General Motors Corporation, GMC has been known as the Grabowski Motor Company. This company is the manufacturer of the earliest commercial trucks in the automotive business. Come 1909, General Motors then purchased this line of vehicles. Later, this then became the basis of the present line of vehicles that we know today. In 1912, the trucks that were manufactured by the General Motors Company was known to be the “GMC Truck”, however come the year 1996, these vehicles then carried the name and brand “GMC”. At present times, this line of vehicles produce and craft medium duty trucks, stylish light duty pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.

One of the vehicles that run under the GMC brand and mark is the GMC Sierra. The latest vehicle model has been redesigned just for the year 2006. The newest vehicle boasts of new and improved features for its exterior and interior. It also sports a bolder look for its front end. The interior of the GMC Sierra has an improved function and appearance. It also has brakes that received the latest upgrades. This vehicle offers an array of the best and advanced engineering features among its segment, thus also providing a better and quality ride. As per functionality, this vehicle would not want to be left behind in the dust, for it has been given the capacity and capability to do hauling and towing.

This vehicle comes with either as a two wheel drive or a four wheel drive. It has also been manufactured in light duty models and medium duty power capacities. It as short bed and long bed bodies. There is also a choice between fenders or full width beds. The GMC Sierra also has an electronically controlled four wheel steering system, which is known as the Quadrasteer. This enhances the vehicle’s ability to do high speed with great stability. There are many options that come along with this vehicle. The list includes a special full length console with concealed storage for a personal digital assistant or PDA, a cellular phone, a seven quart cooler, as well as a cooled or heated cup holder.

By Terry Brown.

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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.