In my quest to own a GMC Motorhome, I now have TWO of them. While living in my Mom and Sister’s home. Retired. On a very fixed income. But let me explain.
I have been working on my horrid little 1978 GMC Birchaven for a little over a year now. It’s hovering on the edge of being disassembled to be reassembled, but on the less than 50% side of being “ready to go.”
These little GMCs are unique vehicles – and are luckily adored by a nearly fanatical base of enthusiasts. Parts availability is hit and miss, and everything that’s not a standard GM piece is expensive.
The Birchaven is a cozy little floor plan, with good potential for a single person. If I happen to get the correct lottery numbers before I sell this little beast, I’ll just keep it and take my time upfitting it in my new 24,000 square foot hobby shop. LOL!
I was looking through Facebook Marketplace and ran across this GMC, a “Transmode” model. It was priced at $6,000 – which is a bit on the expensive side for a “core coach” – a good starter unit. Especially since I already had the Birchaven, and had spent around $10,000 to get it to this point. The Birchaven has good potential, being one of about 175 of the popular side bath models built in 1978, the last year of production.
So, back to the Transmode – the Birchaven needs windshields. They will cost nearly $2,000 installed – but it’s a non-negotiable. I have put new tires on the Birchaven – not cheap – but the stock wheels require 16.5″ tires, and they are hard to get. Especially out on “the road.” The Transmode has very decent windshields as well as a set of Alcoa aluminum 16″ wheels that take commonly available truck tires. It has 6 and a spare. A set of these wheels will cost at least $2,000, likely $3,000. So with the good windshields and wheels, the $5,000 I offered (and bought it for) is not a bad deal. The Birchaven has 95k miles, the Transmode is showing 35k miles, and appears to be accurate. So it should last a lot longer – with fewer mechanical problems. Perfect for my intended use as my Nomad Chariot.
I will be 67 years old this summer. Although I feel pretty good, I’m not in great health. I feel that good health is attainable for me, but it won’t be for much longer. I am going to drop weight and get stronger…for at least one more time. It’s probably going to be my last chance – and try and ride it into the twilight. I’m not happy, and I know having “things” won’t help – but having some more adventures sure will!