GMC 1977 motorhome User manual

A WordTo The GMC Motorhome Owner . . .
Congratulations on your purchase of a GMC Motorhome .
You have opened the way to an endless variety of happy
holidays .
This manual has been prepared to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your Motorhome, and to
provide important safety information . It is supplemented
by convenient folders which provide additional information
on vehicle maintenance and warranties . We urge you to
read these publications carefully and follow the recommen-
dations to help assure the most enjoyable and troublefree
operation of your vehicle .
When it comes to service, remember that your GMC
Motorhome Dealer knowsyour vehicle best and is interested
in your complete satisfaction . Return to him for service and
any other assistance you may require .
GMC Truck and Coach maintains a number of Zone
Offices throughout the country . Should you have a problem
that cannot be handled through normal channels, please fol
low the procedure described under the "Owner Assistance"
section .
Thank
you for choosing a GMC Motorhome . We
extend our best
wishes for many years of pleasant traveling .
Cordially,
General Sales
Manager

GMC
MOTORHOME
OPERATING
MANUAL
IMPORTANT
This manual should be considered a permanent
part of the vehicle
and must remain with the
vehicle at time of resale
.
All information, illustrations
and specifications
contained in this manual are based on the
latest
product information available at the time of
pub-
lication . The right is reserved to make changes at
any
time
without notice .
For vehicles sold
in Canada, substitute the
name General Motors of
Canada Limited when-
ever the name GMC Truck & Coach
Division
appears in this manual .
Service
Publications
GMC TRUCK &
COACH DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS
CORPORATION
Pontiac, Michigan 48053
X-7721 A
Part No . 2015844

SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Important Information on
Vehicle Loading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1
Before Driving Your MotorHome . . . . . . . . .

5
Driver Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
Inside Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
Outside Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . .

6
Keys . . . . . .. ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Entrance Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6
Seats . . . . .. ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Belt
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9
Restraint of Pregnant Women . . . . . . . .

10
Lap Belt Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Child Restraint
... . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11
Trailer Hauling ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11
Operation In Foreign Countries . . . . . . .

12
Trip Tips . . .. ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Driving Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13
Starting and Operating Vehicl e . . . . . . . . . 15
Engine Exhaust Gas Caution . . . . . . . . 15
Steering Column Controls . . . . . . . . . . 16
Anti-Theft Steering Column Lock . . .

16
Theft Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Starting Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Automatic Transmission . . . . . .. ... 18
Turn Signal and Lane Change Feature 19
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . .

19
Horn Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... 19
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . .. ... .. 19
Tilt Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . .

. . . .

19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Floor Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Brake
System . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Headlight
Dimmer
Switch . . . . . . . . .

22
Headlight "Flicker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
InstrumentPanel and Controls . . . .. . . 22
Speedometer and Odometer . . . . . . . 22
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Charging System Warning Light . . . .

23
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . 24
Tell-Tale Warning Light Cluster . . . .

24
Headlight Switch . . . . .. .. .. .. ... 25
Windshield Wiper Lever . . . . . . . . . .

25
Windshield Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Fuel Selector Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Battery Boost Switch . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 5
Cigar-Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . .

26
Automotive Heating and Air
Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Radios and Tape Deck . . . . . . . . . . .

2 7
Mobile Radio Transmitters . . . . . . . . 29
Standard Rear Suspension System . . .

29
Electro-Level System . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Operation of Living Area Facilities . . . . . . . 33
Living Area Facilities Caution . . . . . . . .

33
Living Area Electrical System . . . . . . . . 33
General Information . . . . . . . . . . ... 33
120-Volt To 12-Volt Converter
and Battery Charger
.. ..
. . . . . . .
34
External Power
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34
Lighting System .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
35
Monitor Panel .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35
Motor Generator
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

36
Exterior Receptacle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

37

SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Living Area Water System . . . . . . . . . . .

38
Filling Water Tank
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38
External Water Connection . ..
. . . . .

38
Water Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .

40
Water Heater . . . . ..
. . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Kitchen Facilities . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .

41
All-Electric
Refrigerator
. . . .
. . . . . . 41
Kitchen Range/Oven . . . . . . . . . .
.

42
Kitchen Sink and Faucet . . . . . . . .
. 45
Water Purifier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45
Bathroom Facilities .. ... .. . . . . . . . . .

46
Standard Toilet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
Recirculating Toilet . . . . . . . . . . ..
. 47
Ceiling Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Roof-Mounted Air Conditioner . . . .
.
. . 51
Furnace . . . . . . . . .. ... .. .. . . . . . . . 52
Furniture
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
In Case of Emergency
... ..
. . . . . . . . . . . .

59
Four-Way Hazard Warning Flasher
. .
. . 59
Emergency
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
.

59
Jump
Starting . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . ...

59
Jump Start Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Alternate Procedure ... .. . . . . . . . . . . 61
Engine
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Engine
Coolant Caution . . . . . . . .. .. . 62
Jack Usage Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . .

62
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
TABLE OF CONTENTS
m
SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Freeing Vehicle From
Sand, Etc . . . . . . . 64
Emergency Exit . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 65
Fire Extinguisher
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Appearance Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

67
Care and Cleaning of Interior
. . . . . . . . 67
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Belt Restraint Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Glass Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Kitchen Sink
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Vacuum Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Drapery Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Cleaning Fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

68
Exterior Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Polishing and Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Protection of Exterior Bright
Metal Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Foreign Material Deposits . . . . . . . . .

71
Finish Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Cleaning White Sidewall Tires . . . . . 71
Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .

71
Undercoating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
GM Vehicle Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Bathroom sink and
Shower
Control
Valve . . . . . . . .
. . 48
Shower Head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
Bathroom Warm
Air
Duct . . . . . . .
. . 49
Cleaning Fabrics
(With
Cleaning Fluids)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Cleaning Fabrics (With
Detergent Foam Cleaner) . . . . . . . 68
Cleaning Leather or Vinyl Trim . . . . 69
Bathroom
Exhaust Fan
. . . . . . . . . . .
49
Removal of Specific Stains . . . . . . . . 69
Ventilation . . . . . . . . .. . .
. . . . . . .
.
. . 50
Window Screen Removal . . . . . . . . . 70
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50
Window Screen Installation . . . . . . . 70

SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
Exterior Compartments
. . . . . . . . . . .

74
Engine Accessibility
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Engine Compartment Light . . . . . . . .

76
Hoisting Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

76
Lubrication Details . . . . . . . . . . . ..
. . . 77
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 77
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
79
Final Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
BrakeSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Servicing Details
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .

82
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Cooling System Care . . . . . . . .. ... .

82
Engine Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Carburetor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Chassis
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . 85
Wheels and
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Front Suspension . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 92
Rear Suspension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 93
Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .
94
LP Gas System . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 94
Living Area Electrical System . . . . . .

95
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
SUBJECT

PAGE NO .
Onan
Motor Generator Maintenance . . 97
Standard Toilet

.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Recirculating Toilet . . . . . . . . . . . . .
104
Draining Holding Tank . . . . . . . . . .
105
Draining Living Area Water System
. . 105
Water Tank Filler
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Sanitizing Living Area
Water System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
108
Winterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Vehicle Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Vehicle Trip Preparation . . . . . . . . . 111
General Data and Specification s . . . . . . . . . 113
Owner Assistance
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
GM of Canada Limited-Zone Offices . .124
U .S
. Zone Territories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
U .S .
Zone Offices
. . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
General Motors Overseas Offices . . . . . . 123
24-Hour Phone
Assistance
. . . . . . . . .
. 125
Emergency
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ..
125
Maintenance Manual and
Parts Book . . 125
Facts About
Gasoline Mileage . . . . . . . 126
Index
(Alphabetical)
. .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
. 127
Gas Station Information . . Inside
Back Cover

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ON VEHICLE LOADING
The
components
of your - vehicle a
deslrpned-to provide satisfactory so-mice
if the vehicle is not loaded in ey'cess of
either
the
Gross
Vehicle
.
Weight Rcdif4 -
(GVWR) or
the- moximurn -Front sand
Rear Gross Ax4e
Wei0t Ratings
(GAWR's) specified on the .
vehicle Men--
tification- number (Vlk~'~Ofafe ;_
tilted
behind- the right frord .access .door_
:
Overloading can create serious paten- ;-
tial safety hazards, -and shorten the
service life-
of
your vehicle, Your dealer
can advise
you
concerning proper
load- - :
ing conditions of
your vehicle :
When loading the Motorhome, it
is impor-
tant that it is properly loaded . All items should
be loaded as centrally and as low as possible .
This is essential to maintain proper
vehicle
handling . Even though a single item may
not
FRONT
GAWK
4,200

L BS .
*FRONT CURB
FRONT CARGO
8,
PASS .
LOAD
TOTAL
3,700
LBS
.
500
LBS .
4,200 LBS .
GVWR RATING 11,700 LBS .
REAR GAWR
7,500 LBS .
MAXIMUM TOTAL WEIGHT AT
GROUND 11,700 LBS .
*Curb weight is the
maximum weight of the vehicle without driver, passengers,
or cargo,
and empty fresh water, LP, and holding
tanks, but does include fuel and coolant .
Vehicle Loading (ZEO 6581)
1
weigh much alone, several
of these items may
have considerable
weight . Proper loading is
essential .
MAXIMUM
FRONT AND REAR AXLE
WEIGHTS (AS MANUFACTURED)
The weight of the cargoload must
be properly
distributed over both the front and rear axles .
The plate shows the maximum weight that
the front axle can carry (front
GAWR) and
the maximum weight that the
rear axle (rear
GAWR) can carry .
The GVWR represents the
maximum
permissible loaded weight of the vehi-
cle and takes into consideration the engine,
transmission, frame, suspension, brake, axle and
tire capabilities . Actual front and rear end
weights can only be determined by weighing the
vehicle . This can be accomplished through high-
way weigh stations or other such commercial
facilities . For assistance in this regard, consult
your dealer . The cargoload should be distributed

FRONT GAW R
4,200 LBS .
%L
*FRONT CURB
FRONT
CARGO
& PASS . LOAD
3,700 LBS .
500 LBS .
TOTAL

1 4,200 LBS .
GVWR RATING 11,700 LBS .
MAXIMUM TOTAL WEIGHT AT GROUND 11,700 LBS .
"`Curb
weight is the maximum weight of the vehicle without driver, passengers, or cargo,
and empty
fresh
water,
LP, and holding tanks, but does include fuel and coolant .
on both sides of
the centerline of the
vehicle
as
equally
as possible .
ALLOWABLE LATERAL
WEIGHT
VARIATION
The independent suspension on this vehicle could
be adversely affected by an unbalanced load on
either side of vehicle . The allowable front lateral
weight variation is 250 pounds . The allowable
rear lateral weight variation is 600 pounds .
Lateral weight variations in excess of the
above, can result in abnormal vehicle
handling
.
I Q
GENERAL MOTORS
CORPORATION
Q
WARRANTY
MAY
BE
VOIDED IF WEIGHT EXCEEDS ANY Of
RATINGS SHOWN . GROSS
VEHICLE WEIGH F INCLUDES
WEIGHT OF BASE VEHICLE, ALL ADDED
EQUR'MENT, DRIVER
AND PASSENGERS, AND
ALL PROPERTY LOADED INTO OR ONTO
VEHICLE .
RATINGS IN POUNDS AS
MANUFACTURED
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT FOR THIS
VEHICLE
MAXIMUM FRONT END WEIGHT AT GROUND
MAXIMUM
REAR END WEIGHT AT GROUND
VEHICLE
IDENTIFICATION NO .
Vehicle Identification
Plate
Vehicle Loading (ZEO 6584)
REAR GAWR
7,500 LBS .
REAR CARGO
& PASS . LOAD
TOTAL
1,400 LBS .
7,500
LBS .
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Plate
The vehicle identification number plate shows
the GVWR and the front and rear GAWR's for
the vehicle to which they are attached .
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
is
the weight of
the vehicle itself, all items added to the vehicle
after
it
has left the factory,
the driver and
all
occupants, and
everything that is loaded into
(or
onto) the vehicle . The GVW must not ex-
ceed the GVWR and the front and rear weights
of the loaded vehicle must not exceed the front
and rear GAWR's .
CAAJ
-
WN
When using your- ehioh+
to
Jromport
Luggage or . other cc4o,
_it is
recom-
mended
that-af--articles
be=assured- in
place
.
This -
precaution wilt he4p"prevent
such items ff43Tf-6ecofS'iin9 dlger*us
prdjectites
in -the event . : of cm -accident .
EFFECT ON WARRANTY
O
Your New Vehicle Warranty does
not
apply to
any part of your vehicle "which
has been subject
to misuse ."
Any part which fails because of over-

loading has been subject
to
misuse within the
meaning of this provision of the warranty .
TIRES
It is important that the tires on your vehicle
be
of the proper size, and
be properly inflated .
It is important to avoid over-inflation
as
well
as
under-inflation .
See the SERVICE
AND
MAINTENANCE
section for proper tire infla-
tion pressures .
For continuing
satisfaction keep your vehicle all
GM . General
Motors Parts are identified by one
of these trademarks :
GM
V
Delco

GMC MOTORHOME
NOTES