Введение
Американский рекреационный автомобиль
The GMC Motorhome is a recreational vehicle that was manufactured by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for model years 1973–1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA — as the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer. Manufactured in lengths, the design was noted for its front wheel drive and its low profile, fully integrated body. In contrast to most motorhomes which were manufactured on drivetrain equipped frames supplied by a chassis manufacturer; GMC designed, engineered, and built the entire vehicle, and in most cases the interiors, completely in house. Empty shells were also supplied to other RV manufacturers for interior outfitting and to specialty manufacturers for custom outfitting, ranging from mail delivery and mobile training facilities to people movers and ambulances. Industry rumors had been circulating for some time that GM was going to build a motorhome. On February 7, 1972, it was made official. About this time the new vehicle was known as the TVS 4, Travel Vehicle Streamlined. The motorhome design continued to evolve in the two main areas of styling and chassis. The Design Center was continuing with both the external and interior designs. There were twelve designers working with sketches and 1/8 scale (A scale) clay models. Three or four of these 1/8 scale clay models were made, each with unique design characteristics, each refining their shapes closer to the final form. Once these models were completed, evaluated, and approved, full sized drawings were made using 1/4 inch tape to outline the front, rear and side design. These drawings would guide the designers in the next stage: a full size clay model. The clay full scale 26 feet (8 m) motorhome was created. Once the shape was completed, the clay surface was "polished" with a sponge and cold water and finished with a silver blue film of DI NOC, replicating the painted surface of a vehicle. Upon completion of the full scale clay, plaster cast segments were made of it. Dimensional drawings were made of this final design for tooling and early fiberglass prototype parts for the first prototype bodies. The motorhome had a front wheel drive transaxle, which GM called Unified Powerplant Package, originally used in the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado with an Oldsmobile V8 from the Toronado, but the later models made use of the V8. (At the time, the Buick Riviera, which shared most of the same components, and used the same E body platform, as the Toronado and Eldorado until its 1977 downsizing, was still using the conventional rear wheel drive layout.) Both used the GM designated Turbo Hydramatic 425 automatic transmission, with a wide roller chain drive to connect the output of the longitudinally oriented engine to the transmission. The final drive was connected directly to the transmission, and power was fed to the front wheels using half shafts that ran under the front portion of the engine. The engine was fueled with regular gasoline stored in two tanks. The GMC was equipped with front disc brakes and drums on all four rear wheels. The front drive configuration eliminated the driveshaft and rear differential and the solid axle found on most front engined motorhomes. As a result, the floor could be built with about clearance above the roadway. The floor was too low for a rear cross axle, and GM designed the rear suspension as a tandem pair of wheels, mounted on bogies that rode on pins attached to the sides of the low profile frame. With the exception of the wheel wells, the rear suspension does not intrude into the living space. The rear bogies are suspended using a double ended reversible sleeve airbag that is pressurized by an automatic leveling system to maintain the designed ride height. The leveling system can also be manually controlled to level the coach at a campsite. The overall chassis design, from the use of an existing GM E platform powertrain and a modified rear suspension, has been considered an early ancestor of the crossover. The motorhomes were built in either 23 feet (7 m) or 26 feet (8 m) length, with about 90% of the total production being the latter. The wheelbase from the front wheels to the centerline of the rear tandem pairs is for the 23 feet (7 m) coach and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. All GMC Motorhomes are wide and about 9 feet (3 m) tall including the usually installed roof air conditioner. Interior head room is
Gross vehicle weight rating for the 23 feet (7 m) coach was and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. Most GMCs with factory interiors have a freshwater tank and a holding tank. Body construction consisted of a rigid frame made of welded aluminum extrusions. The body frame was mounted on the chassis steel ladder frame using body isolators. The floor was marine plywood, except where it sloped up at the extremities, where they were plate aluminum. The body panels are fiber reinforced plastic (fiberglass) below the waistline frame extrusion and at the ends. The upper side body and roof panels between the ends are sheet aluminum. GMCs are notable for their large expanse of windows, which redefined the RV industry at the time. They often had luxury features common on upper models of GM brands, such as cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/8 track sound systems, an aluminum/fiberglass body, as well as air suspension. Rear lower compartments provide space for generators and propane tanks. GMCs were optionally supplied with generators from Onan in 4,000 Watts and 6,000 Watts, many of which are still in service. There were no driver's or passenger's doors at the front of the vehicle. A single door amidships on the right hand side provided access to the main passenger compartment. At the back of the vehicle, the entire rear body panel could be removed by loosening the bolts around its edges. This allowed beds, appliances, and other bulky items to be installed or removed.
GMC Motorhome — это рекреационный автомобиль, который производился подразделением GMC Truck & Coach компании General Motors в 1973–1978 модельных годах в городе Понтиак, штат Мичиган, США, как единственный полноценный автодом, построенный крупным производителем автомобилей и грузовиков. Производился в различных длинах, дизайн отличался передним приводом и низким профилем, полностью интегрированным кузовом. В отличие от большинства автодомов, которые производились на рамах с установленной трансмиссией, поставляемых производителем шасси, GMC самостоятельно проектировала, разрабатывала и строила весь автомобиль, а в большинстве случаев и интерьер. Пустые корпуса также поставлялись другим производителям автодомов для внутренней отделки и специализированным компаниям для индивидуальной комплектации, начиная от доставки почты и мобильных учебных центров до транспортных средств для перевозки людей и машин скорой помощи. В отрасли уже некоторое время ходили слухи, что GM собирается построить автодом. 7 февраля 1972 года это было официально объявлено. В то время новый автомобиль был известен как TVS 4, Travel Vehicle Streamlined. Дизайн автодома продолжал развиваться в двух основных направлениях: стиль и шасси. Дизайн-центр продолжал работать над внешним и внутренним дизайном. В проекте участвовало двенадцать дизайнеров, работавших над эскизами и глиняными моделями в масштабе 1/8 (A). Было изготовлено три или четыре глиняных модели в масштабе 1/8 с уникальными особенностями дизайна, каждая из которых уточняла форму, приближая ее к окончательному варианту. После завершения, оценки и утверждения этих моделей были сделаны полноразмерные чертежи с использованием ленты шириной 1/4 дюйма для обозначения дизайна передней, задней и боковой частей. Эти чертежи служили руководством для дизайнеров на следующем этапе: создание полноразмерной глиняной модели. Была создана полномасштабная глиняная модель автодома длиной 8 метров. После завершения формы глиняная поверхность была "отполирована" губкой и холодной водой и покрыта серебристо-голубой пленкой DI NOC, имитирующей окрашенную поверхность автомобиля. После завершения полномасштабной глиняной модели были сделаны гипсовые отливки ее сегментов. На основе этого окончательного дизайна были созданы размерные чертежи для изготовления оснастки и ранних прототипов из стекловолокна для первых корпусов прототипов. Автодом имел переднюю колесную трансмиссию, которую GM называла Unified Powerplant Package, изначально использовавшуюся в Oldsmobile Toronado и Cadillac Eldorado с двигателем Oldsmobile V8 от Toronado, но в более поздних моделях использовался V8. (В то время Buick Riviera, который имел большинство тех же компонентов и использовал ту же платформу кузова E, что и Toronado и Eldorado до модернизации в 1977 году, все еще использовал традиционную схему заднего привода). Оба использовали автоматическую коробку передач Turbo Hydramatic 425 с широким приводом с роликовой цепью для соединения выходного вала продольно расположенного двигателя с коробкой передач. Конечный привод был соединен непосредственно с коробкой передач, а мощность передавалась на передние колеса с помощью полуосей, проходящих под передней частью двигателя. Двигатель работал на обычном бензине, который хранился в двух баках. GMC был оснащен передними дисковыми тормозами и барабанными тормозами на всех четырех задних колесах. Конструкция переднего привода исключила карданный вал и задний дифференциал, а также сплошную ось, встречающуюся в большинстве автодомов с передним расположением двигателя. В результате пол можно было построить с зазором около над дорогой. Пол был слишком низким для задней поперечной оси, и GM разработал заднюю подвеску как тандемную пару колес, установленных на тележках, которые скользили по штифтам, прикрепленным к бокам низкопрофильной рамы. За исключением колесных арок, задняя подвеска не заходила в жилое пространство. Задние тележки подвешены с помощью двухсторонних реверсивных рукавов подушки безопасности, которые накачиваются автоматической системой выравнивания для поддержания заданной высоты езды. Система выравнивания также может управляться вручную для выравнивания автодома на стоянке. Общая конструкция шасси, основанная на использовании существующей силовой установки платформы GM E и модифицированной задней подвески, считается ранним предком кроссовера. Автодома производились длиной 7 метров или 8 метров, причем около 90% от общего объема производства приходилось на последний вариант. Колесная база от передних колес до центральной линии задней тандемной пары составляет для автодома длиной 7 метров и для автодома длиной 8 метров. Все GMC Motorhomes имеют ширину и около 3 метров в высоту, включая обычно установленный кондиционер на крыше. Высота потолка внутри составляет.
The GMC Motorhome is a recreational vehicle that was manufactured by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for model years 1973–1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA — as the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer. Manufactured in lengths, the design was noted for its front wheel drive and its low profile, fully integrated body. In contrast to most motorhomes which were manufactured on drivetrain equipped frames supplied by a chassis manufacturer; GMC designed, engineered, and built the entire vehicle, and in most cases the interiors, completely in house. Empty shells were also supplied to other RV manufacturers for interior outfitting and to specialty manufacturers for custom outfitting, ranging from mail delivery and mobile training facilities to people movers and ambulances. Industry rumors had been circulating for some time that GM was going to build a motorhome. On February 7, 1972, it was made official. About this time the new vehicle was known as the TVS 4, Travel Vehicle Streamlined. The motorhome design continued to evolve in the two main areas of styling and chassis. The Design Center was continuing with both the external and interior designs. There were twelve designers working with sketches and 1/8 scale (A scale) clay models. Three or four of these 1/8 scale clay models were made, each with unique design characteristics, each refining their shapes closer to the final form. Once these models were completed, evaluated, and approved, full sized drawings were made using 1/4 inch tape to outline the front, rear and side design. These drawings would guide the designers in the next stage: a full size clay model. The clay full scale 26 feet (8 m) motorhome was created. Once the shape was completed, the clay surface was "polished" with a sponge and cold water and finished with a silver blue film of DI NOC, replicating the painted surface of a vehicle. Upon completion of the full scale clay, plaster cast segments were made of it. Dimensional drawings were made of this final design for tooling and early fiberglass prototype parts for the first prototype bodies. The motorhome had a front wheel drive transaxle, which GM called Unified Powerplant Package, originally used in the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado with an Oldsmobile V8 from the Toronado, but the later models made use of the V8. (At the time, the Buick Riviera, which shared most of the same components, and used the same E body platform, as the Toronado and Eldorado until its 1977 downsizing, was still using the conventional rear wheel drive layout.) Both used the GM designated Turbo Hydramatic 425 automatic transmission, with a wide roller chain drive to connect the output of the longitudinally oriented engine to the transmission. The final drive was connected directly to the transmission, and power was fed to the front wheels using half shafts that ran under the front portion of the engine. The engine was fueled with regular gasoline stored in two tanks. The GMC was equipped with front disc brakes and drums on all four rear wheels. The front drive configuration eliminated the driveshaft and rear differential and the solid axle found on most front engined motorhomes. As a result, the floor could be built with about clearance above the roadway. The floor was too low for a rear cross axle, and GM designed the rear suspension as a tandem pair of wheels, mounted on bogies that rode on pins attached to the sides of the low profile frame. With the exception of the wheel wells, the rear suspension does not intrude into the living space. The rear bogies are suspended using a double ended reversible sleeve airbag that is pressurized by an automatic leveling system to maintain the designed ride height. The leveling system can also be manually controlled to level the coach at a campsite. The overall chassis design, from the use of an existing GM E platform powertrain and a modified rear suspension, has been considered an early ancestor of the crossover. The motorhomes were built in either 23 feet (7 m) or 26 feet (8 m) length, with about 90% of the total production being the latter. The wheelbase from the front wheels to the centerline of the rear tandem pairs is for the 23 feet (7 m) coach and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. All GMC Motorhomes are wide and about 9 feet (3 m) tall including the usually installed roof air conditioner. Interior head room is
Gross vehicle weight rating for the 23 feet (7 m) coach was and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. Most GMCs with factory interiors have a freshwater tank and a holding tank. Body construction consisted of a rigid frame made of welded aluminum extrusions. The body frame was mounted on the chassis steel ladder frame using body isolators. The floor was marine plywood, except where it sloped up at the extremities, where they were plate aluminum. The body panels are fiber reinforced plastic (fiberglass) below the waistline frame extrusion and at the ends. The upper side body and roof panels between the ends are sheet aluminum. GMCs are notable for their large expanse of windows, which redefined the RV industry at the time. They often had luxury features common on upper models of GM brands, such as cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/8 track sound systems, an aluminum/fiberglass body, as well as air suspension. Rear lower compartments provide space for generators and propane tanks. GMCs were optionally supplied with generators from Onan in 4,000 Watts and 6,000 Watts, many of which are still in service. There were no driver's or passenger's doors at the front of the vehicle. A single door amidships on the right hand side provided access to the main passenger compartment. At the back of the vehicle, the entire rear body panel could be removed by loosening the bolts around its edges. This allowed beds, appliances, and other bulky items to be installed or removed.
Максимальный вес брутто для автодома длиной 7 метров составлял и для автодома длиной 8 метров. Большинство GMC с заводским интерьером имеют бак для пресной воды объемом и бак для отходов объемом. Конструкция кузова состояла из прочной рамы из экструдированного алюминия. Рама кузова крепилась к стальной лестничной раме шасси с помощью изоляторов кузова. Пол был сделан из морской фанеры, за исключением мест, где он поднимался к краям, где использовались алюминиевые листы. Панели кузова изготовлены из армированного волокном пластика (стекловолокна) ниже линии пояса и на концах. Верхняя боковая часть кузова и панели крыши между концами изготовлены из листового алюминия. GMC отличаются большими окнами, которые в то время переопределили индустрию автодомов. Они часто имели роскошные функции, общие для верхних моделей GM, такие как круиз-контроль, кондиционер, аудиосистемы AM/FM/8 дорожек, алюминиевый/стеклопластиковый кузов, а также воздушную подвеску. Нижние задние отсеки обеспечивают место для генераторов и баллонов с пропаном. GMC опционально поставлялись с генераторами от Onan мощностью 4000 Вт и 6000 Вт, многие из которых до сих пор в эксплуатации. Спереди автомобиля не было дверей водителя или пассажира. Единственная дверь посередине с правой стороны обеспечивала доступ к основному пассажирскому салону. На задней части автомобиля вся задняя панель кузова могла быть снята путем ослабления болтов по ее краям. Это позволяло устанавливать или удалять кровати, бытовую технику и другие громоздкие предметы.
The GMC Motorhome is a recreational vehicle that was manufactured by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for model years 1973–1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA — as the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer. Manufactured in lengths, the design was noted for its front wheel drive and its low profile, fully integrated body. In contrast to most motorhomes which were manufactured on drivetrain equipped frames supplied by a chassis manufacturer; GMC designed, engineered, and built the entire vehicle, and in most cases the interiors, completely in house. Empty shells were also supplied to other RV manufacturers for interior outfitting and to specialty manufacturers for custom outfitting, ranging from mail delivery and mobile training facilities to people movers and ambulances. Industry rumors had been circulating for some time that GM was going to build a motorhome. On February 7, 1972, it was made official. About this time the new vehicle was known as the TVS 4, Travel Vehicle Streamlined. The motorhome design continued to evolve in the two main areas of styling and chassis. The Design Center was continuing with both the external and interior designs. There were twelve designers working with sketches and 1/8 scale (A scale) clay models. Three or four of these 1/8 scale clay models were made, each with unique design characteristics, each refining their shapes closer to the final form. Once these models were completed, evaluated, and approved, full sized drawings were made using 1/4 inch tape to outline the front, rear and side design. These drawings would guide the designers in the next stage: a full size clay model. The clay full scale 26 feet (8 m) motorhome was created. Once the shape was completed, the clay surface was "polished" with a sponge and cold water and finished with a silver blue film of DI NOC, replicating the painted surface of a vehicle. Upon completion of the full scale clay, plaster cast segments were made of it. Dimensional drawings were made of this final design for tooling and early fiberglass prototype parts for the first prototype bodies. The motorhome had a front wheel drive transaxle, which GM called Unified Powerplant Package, originally used in the Oldsmobile Toronado and Cadillac Eldorado with an Oldsmobile V8 from the Toronado, but the later models made use of the V8. (At the time, the Buick Riviera, which shared most of the same components, and used the same E body platform, as the Toronado and Eldorado until its 1977 downsizing, was still using the conventional rear wheel drive layout.) Both used the GM designated Turbo Hydramatic 425 automatic transmission, with a wide roller chain drive to connect the output of the longitudinally oriented engine to the transmission. The final drive was connected directly to the transmission, and power was fed to the front wheels using half shafts that ran under the front portion of the engine. The engine was fueled with regular gasoline stored in two tanks. The GMC was equipped with front disc brakes and drums on all four rear wheels. The front drive configuration eliminated the driveshaft and rear differential and the solid axle found on most front engined motorhomes. As a result, the floor could be built with about clearance above the roadway. The floor was too low for a rear cross axle, and GM designed the rear suspension as a tandem pair of wheels, mounted on bogies that rode on pins attached to the sides of the low profile frame. With the exception of the wheel wells, the rear suspension does not intrude into the living space. The rear bogies are suspended using a double ended reversible sleeve airbag that is pressurized by an automatic leveling system to maintain the designed ride height. The leveling system can also be manually controlled to level the coach at a campsite. The overall chassis design, from the use of an existing GM E platform powertrain and a modified rear suspension, has been considered an early ancestor of the crossover. The motorhomes were built in either 23 feet (7 m) or 26 feet (8 m) length, with about 90% of the total production being the latter. The wheelbase from the front wheels to the centerline of the rear tandem pairs is for the 23 feet (7 m) coach and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. All GMC Motorhomes are wide and about 9 feet (3 m) tall including the usually installed roof air conditioner. Interior head room is
Gross vehicle weight rating for the 23 feet (7 m) coach was and for the 26 feet (8 m) coach. Most GMCs with factory interiors have a freshwater tank and a holding tank. Body construction consisted of a rigid frame made of welded aluminum extrusions. The body frame was mounted on the chassis steel ladder frame using body isolators. The floor was marine plywood, except where it sloped up at the extremities, where they were plate aluminum. The body panels are fiber reinforced plastic (fiberglass) below the waistline frame extrusion and at the ends. The upper side body and roof panels between the ends are sheet aluminum. GMCs are notable for their large expanse of windows, which redefined the RV industry at the time. They often had luxury features common on upper models of GM brands, such as cruise control, air conditioning, AM/FM/8 track sound systems, an aluminum/fiberglass body, as well as air suspension. Rear lower compartments provide space for generators and propane tanks. GMCs were optionally supplied with generators from Onan in 4,000 Watts and 6,000 Watts, many of which are still in service. There were no driver's or passenger's doors at the front of the vehicle. A single door amidships on the right hand side provided access to the main passenger compartment. At the back of the vehicle, the entire rear body panel could be removed by loosening the bolts around its edges. This allowed beds, appliances, and other bulky items to be installed or removed.
Отмена
Всего было произведено 12 921 автодом GMC с 1973 по 1978 год. Интерьер автодома изготавливался на заводе корпорации Gemini в г. Маунт-Клеменс, штат Мичиган. Питер Р. Финк, владелец автодомов Travco, был генеральным директором Gemini. Производственный процесс Gemini был организован по прогрессивной командной системе, когда бригады рабочих полностью собирали помещения автодома, а не выполняли однообразные операции на конвейере. Завод, начавший работу в 1972 году, был оснащен передовым оборудованием, включая один из первых программируемых маршрутизаторов. Gemini закрылась спустя несколько лет после того, как General Motors прекратила производство автодомов. В международном реестре в настоящее время зарегистрировано более 7000 экземпляров. По оценкам, как минимум от 8000 до 9000 из первоначального тиража находятся в рабочем состоянии. В пресс-релизе, датированном Понтиак, 11 ноября 1977 года, говорилось следующее: «Дивизион грузовиков и автобусов GMC компании General Motors планирует прекратить производство роскошных автодомов MotorHome и аналогичных многоцелевых автомобилей TransMode и перепрофилировать эти производственные мощности для расширения производства грузовиков, заявил сегодня вице-президент GM. Роберт В. Трукселл, генеральный директор GMC Truck & Coach, отметил: «В результате этого решения GMC сможет более эффективно использовать производственные мощности для удовлетворения растущего спроса на грузовые автомобили». Еще одним фактором стало то, что трансмиссия для новой платформы E 1979 года, которая подвергалась уменьшению габаритов (и на которой Buick должна была представить свою первую переднеприводную Riviera), была менее мощной и несовместима с полной массой автодома GMC, в то время как существующая трансмиссия Oldsmobile постепенно снималась с производства (двигатель 403 и трансмиссия THM425 были заменены двигателем Oldsmobile 350 и трансмиссией THM325 в процессе разработки уменьшенной платформы E).
Влияния
До появления GMC Motor Home несколько других производителей использовали аналогичную конструкцию с передним приводом и послужили вдохновением для конструкции GMC. Среди них – Cortez Motor Home от Clark Equipment Corporation, который изначально предлагал четырехступенчатую механическую коробку передач с передним приводом, доступную с 1963 по 1970 год, пока подразделение не было продано компании Kent Industries. С 1972 по 1977 год производился модернизированный Cortez SD, сначала компанией Kent, а затем группой инвесторов, с использованием того же двигателя Oldsmobile 455 и трехступенчатой автоматической коробки передач, которую GMC Motorhome перенял в 1973 году. Еще одним параллельным проектом был автодом Revcon, который, начиная с 1971 года, имел полностью алюминиевый кузов и передний привод, изначально с той же трансмиссией Toronado, что и у более поздних GMC. Начиная с 1978 года, Revcon получил более аэродинамичный дизайн, похожий на только что снятый с производства GMC Motor Home, включая наклонный перед и двойную заднюю ось, а также двигатель Chevrolet 454 и автоматическую коробку передач Turbo Hydramatic 475. Производство продолжалось до 1990 года, и один автодом был построен в 1991 году из оставшихся компонентов перед закрытием завода.