Page 4 - Vintage RVing - Winter 2017

Transmodes...The Motorhome UpfittersCOMPILED BY JANET FREY | MILFORD SQUARE, PA | 1976 PALM BEACH HISTORICAL ASSISTANCE BILL BRYANT | PLEASANT VALLY, NY | 1976 PALM BEACHThe TransmodeLast time, we explored the Transmodes known as the Coachman Royale and Birchaven. Just to review, a GMC Motorhome is only those coaches actually completed by GMC in total (inside & out). A Transmode is an empty GMC coach upfitted by someone else.GMC TRANSMODE MOTORHOME UPFITTERSAvion – Benton Harbor, MichiganBelmont – CanadaBizi-Bodi Recreational Vehicles – San Jose, CA – Bizi-Bodi Coachmen, Jimmy Motors – Royale and BirchavenEl Dorado – Minneapolis – PrincessForetravel – Nacogoches, TexasHughes – Orangeville, Ontario, CanadaLandau – Anaheim, CALeisure & Recreational Products (L.R.P.) – Wisconsin Midas Intl. – Elkhart, Indiana – CrestmontNorrisRed-E-KampRekVee Industries – Scarbourgh, Ontario, Canada – Funcraft Roll-A-Long – Long Beach, California – SantanaWinnebago – Forest City, Iowa (only one produced)GMC Motorhome UpfittersThis time, we will look at some other lesser known upfitters and their products. Keep in mind that there is only limited information available on upfitted Transmodes since they were manufactured from 1975 through 1978, often in very small quantities and that is over 40 years ago!Fun fact: As of 1975, GMC no longer upfitted the 23 foot motorhome. In other words, all 23 foot GMC Motorhomes starting in 1975 were Transmodes. Coachman upfitted the largest number of GMC transmodes, but there were also models from varies other upfitters. (See list at left.) After November 1977, when GMC announced that the manufacturing of the motorhomes wouldcease during 1978, there were more Transmodes built than GMC Motorhomes.Judging from the literature and specs that are still available, most of the specifications listed as standard would be items with which we are familiar: color-coordinated interiors, soil resistant upholstery, dinettes and love seats or sofas, carpeting, stainless steel double sinks, two way refrigerators, ceiling fans, holding tanks and fuel tanks. Interestingly, options included the exterior accent stripes and a generator.Transmodes have certainly made our GMC life interesting. When someone who is familiar with the GMC upfitted motorhome encounters a Transmode, it is fascinating to see what another manufacturer had done to the same basic area inside the GMC Motorhome. So, next time there is an open house at a GMCMI Convention, be sure to look for one of these unique vehicles!4GMC VINTAGE RVING MAGAZINE | GMCMI.COM