The Affordable Camping Act [Vanity]

Self | Nov. 30, 2013 | Self

[trueamerica]

Since camping with a tent is uncomfortable, the federal government has decided to make camping with a tent illegal, effective January 1, 2014. Everyone must upgrade to a camping plan approved by the federal government. This camping plan is also known as the “RV Plan” since an RV will be required.

Even if you have never gone camping, or never plan to go camping, you will have to purchase an RV on the government website. You will have to pay full retail price for the RV, except if you are poor, or a member of congress, or work for a member of congress. Then you will get a 70% discount off the retail price.

If you refuse to purchase an RV, you will have to pay a penalty (sorry “tax”). Camp sites will hire 16000 federal agents to make sure no tents are used on camp sites. Navigators will be hired to help people pick the right RV plan.

You will be happy to know that in the near future, the federal government will start to work on the “Affordable Car Act” and many other “Affordable (fill in the blank) Acts”. Eventually you will not have to make any decisions for yourself, since decision making is difficult. It will all be handled for you by government experts.

[bert]

Mine is a Dodge (Mercedes) Sprinter that gets 23 or 24 MPG

We travel light and long distances

The point though is that there are going to be tons of boomers hitting the road

[Cyber Liberty]

RV’s are like boats. The second-best day of your life is when you buy your first one. The best day of your life is when you sell your last one.

[Charles Martel]

Yeah, I remember those GMCs - the interiors were wild, even by the standards of early '70s decor. To this day, I can't see one without thinking of the "Urban Assault Vehicle" from Stripes.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Class A

Class C

Class B

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Thanks

[RegulatorCountry]

They weren’t all wild, those GMC’s, it depended upon trim level and interior layout. The early Canyonlands model was wild as far as colors but a later top of the line model with black walnut cabinetry is nice enough to want to keep largely as is. That trim level with the side bath and rear U-lounge layout seem to be the most coveted. I’d love to have one as I mentioned, if I had covered parking for one.

[Charles Martel]

Yes, I suppose the "earth-tones" versions were more sedate. I was thinking of one that had a more tropical theme and lots of lime green inside. IIRC, there was one with red velour upholstery, too. Not that the interior really matters, as long as it's serviceable.

I always liked the Toronado power train, though. I'd have one, as well, if I had room to properly store it on my property. I can't justify the storage lot costs. The GMCs have a very devoted group of fans, rather like the Corvair.

[RegulatorCountry]

I’m going to sound like a geek, but the lime green was the Palm Beach model, not usually desirable, louvered blonde wood cabinet doors that tend to squeak. The red velour was a special edition Coca-Cola model, gaudy but highly collectible. A ‘78 Royale with the right interior layout is top of the heap for people who actually use them, here are photos of a really nice renovated one for sale in Ontario, CA for $22,500:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4931-1978-royale-enhanced.html

Love the walnut, lol.

[Charles Martel]

Palm Beach... See, I knew there was a tropical reference to that one. Gawd, such artifacts in the ol' brain sludge. Do the GMC fans have a tech forum? I'd like to read more about possible engine and transaxle swaps.

Perhaps I should start with researching the one that holds the RV land speed record from Bonneville...

[RegulatorCountry]

There are plenty of tech posts to be found but not so many dedicated specifically to engine swaps. There’s a co-op, I think in Florida, that does a lot of it, as well as some of the wilder interior upgrades and renovations. The diesel swap has been done several times for obvious reasons of economy but mating a transaxle to the torque poses a cost problem, apparently, althought the 455 is pretty much a torque monster itself, you could just about pull the moon out of orbit, lol, so I’m not exactly sure what the issue might be. Several marine engines have been used, the Cadillac 500 ci has been used. There are gearheads who are into them, as evidenced by the several burnout videos on YouTube. That’s not something you see every day, an RV doing a burnout, lol.

[RegulatorCountry]

You weren’t kidding, lol, I didn’t know about that, 2013 Land speed record in an RV, 120.8 mph in an old GMC motorhome. Looked pretty rock steady at speed, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwFnGRiZx-A

[Charles Martel]

Looks like they’re aiming for 130 mph next year. They might just do it, too - the Chevy 502 crate motor looked pretty basic. Lots more power to be tapped there.