This is a GMC list of owners/supporters who are making themselves available for what ever assistance they can offer to other GMC'ers while on the road traveling. This list is for those who will offer help to others on a 24 hour basis, rain or shine. Sorry no help for those in SOB's. Just a GMC.

YOU MAY USE THE LIST EVEN IF YOU AREN'T ON IT. We would like to have you on it though.

To sign up for the list, which is not mandatory to anyone, use this Handy Online FORM and you will be added to the list. Please send name, city, zip code, state, country, area of coverage, phone number, and any other pertinent information such as "facilities and knowledge to do off frame restoration." We are just trying to have someone with local information to avoid rip-offs to fellow travelers who have problems. Also, list size of coffee/tea pots/Beer inventory.

Roger of the Black List

The list was a suggestion by GMCnetter Tom Winslow on December 5, 1998, regarding an assistance list for Triumph owners. He also holds the distinction of being the first member of the list. As a non GMC owner (AM NOW), I felt keeping the list was a sort of payback for the information and friendships I got from the GMC Net. As for the name, the list was and is The GMC Motorhome Assist List. The Black List came from some of the member's twisted minds and it stuck. {:>) It started by being posted as an email to the GMC Net until it got too large to handles by email.

The main thing I've done regarding the list is summed up by one on the list, that I have been "cajoling and even shaming folks to join."

There would be no list without those who signed up. It's your list, ALL GMC'ers, use it. No cost, no club, just a nice friendly group waiting for your call of help.

To add your name, use the Online FORM and you will be added to the list. If you have any trouble with the form, send the information asked for on this printable form to

Don't leave home without it!!! Believe me!!!!!

Roger of the Black List

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Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005
From: Jim Melberg
Subject: Black List

I have been working on this file for quite awhile now. The map is based on Microsoft's Streets and Trips. I took your map and Roger's latest list and updated the map accordingly. I took each name in your list and tried to verify addresses, telephone numbers, etc. I used Yahoo's people finder to find peoples addresses and phone numbers, used MapQuest to verify locations. Canadian participants are a kind of special case and I was not particularly successful there.

The version of Streets and Trips that I used to update your map is 2005. I think it is backwards compatible with older versions. I do not know how to export/import into DeLorme's Street Atlas or any other map programs out there. I am reasonably sure it can be done.

There are two different markers on the map. One is a Red Stick Pin which indicates a relatively accurate location, usually within one hundred yards. The Blue Dots indicate locations that are less accurate, say up to within 50 miles.

Jim - KC0SQS
75 PB - F260206
Twin Cities, MN

Some Success Stories Submit stories to Date: 10-19-03 Got a Black List call from Dr. Bruce Fogle and his lovely wife Julie around dusk Sat. PM. They were stranded about 2 miles east of Franklin, thinking maybe they had water in the gas. Dr. Bruce is a veterinarian and was quick to say "I don't know anything mechanical - not my talent". We discovered the negative cable on the engine battery had pulled loose at the battery, and had intermittent contact at best. A quick trip to Walmart for a $1.80 bolt on cable end fixed that, but the real problem was the negative cable was the main thing holding the battery in the coach, and the battery was dead. We tried the boost to no avail, and then jumped, got running, and drove to our place. Dr. Bruce was born in Ontario, lives in London, and has completed about 12.000 miles through the States composing a book about traveling with Macy, a Golden Retriever. His wife, an actress turned antique dealer, had just joined up with them in Houston earlier that day. He started the journey in NC after purchasing the GMC from Bethune, and will end up back in NC before returning to London. He has limited GMC knowledge, no knowledge of rear batteries, etc, etc. I don't think we will find any good batteries in the coach, but we shall find out. He has had zero problems to this point and has been through the Rockies, down CA 1 to San Francisco, Sequoia, Mojave, Sante Fe, and all points in between. His goal is to follow John Steinbeck's route. You meet the most delightful and interesting people when you own a GMC! More to follow when we get them back on the road. Al & Carol Scott 75 PB Franklin, LA "Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone" Date: 10-19-03 18:29 Follow up on Dr. Bruce & Julia Fogle. Got them back on the John Steinbeck trail on Sunday PM. Required new coach battery, new alternator belt (old belt missing), new negative battery cable, bolt down plastic marine type battery box. Onan took 1.5 qts oil. Advised him to look at things occasionally. He had seen the alternator belt on the ground way back, but thought it was from someone else’s car. The lord looks out for.................. Great people, great dog, great conversations, left us 2 of his books. Raved about the Black List (kudos to Roger) and said it would have cost him 3 days and probably $1000.00. I feel good. Al & Carol Scott 75 PB Franklin, LA From: "Terry Skinner" Subject: [gmclist] Black List/short story Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 08:47 Quite frequently I use the "Black List" to find out where people that are on this net live. Or if I want to call them directly by phone. In fact I think I will go ahead and put my e-mail address on there too. Just in case. A short story: We were down at Cannon Beach for the Christmas rally. It was 7PM and we had just rolled into town. Stopped in town to get some groceries and the GMC would not restart. While I was under the coach removing the starter the cell phone rings. It is Heinz broken down in Olympia with one of his alternator brackets broken. I call my son in Graham to go to my hangar and find out if I have a bracket and be ready to take it to Heinz. In the mean time I am back under the GMC installing the starter (loose solenoid bolts) and Heinz is driving in a piece of 2x4 to wedge the alternator out far enough to hold the belt tight. Well, my kid didn't get to make the midnight run to help Heinz because he made it home on his own. And I didn't need any parts to repair the starter. Just some loose bolts. But all in all it was really neat to know that help was so accessable even if it was only someone to commiserate with. Thanks for the "Black List". Terry in Tacoma Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2006 23:19 From: Mike Frothinger Subject: [gmclist] Help from the Blacklist - Propane Leak Had occasion to use the Blacklist last month in Oregon, When I had the propane tank filled it started leaking back out the fill valve. At my wife's suggestion, I looked for help on the list. Rev, Ron Meyer, Springfield, Oregon saved the day. He said the problem was probably an ice crystal in the check valve and suggested I set a dowel rod against the valve and gently tap the dowel with a wooden mallet. I did and it cleared the problem. It was a great feeling to talk to someone who not only knew what a GMC motorhome was, but also knew a fix for my problem. Ron, Thanks Again. -- Mike, The General's driver, Santa Rosa, Ca --- Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2006 09:16 From: Mike Frothinger Subject: [gmclist] White on Black -- White(knight) on Black(list) On a 4,700 mile journey through the Midwest last month, we had serious need of the Black list. Leaving Rock Springs Wy, headed east, I detected a nasty growl coming from somewhere under the co-pilot's seat. By the time I reached Rapid City, SD, I knew we were in serious trouble and I was still unsure of the cause (denial!!). Jim White was listed in Wakonda SD, only another 400 miles ahead. Jim cautioned me that it might be further than I should go with that noise, but graciously agreed to help if I wanted to drive that far. My wife wanted to attend a conference near Jim's home so it seemed like a great compromise. (She was ready to grab alternate transportation and head back to California.) By the time we arrived, a second problem had developed. The air bags were airless, not a good thing !! I asked Jim to help with my problems (actually, he fixed, I helped). After fixing the suspension, Jim, a retired airline captain and super technician/mechanic, diagnosed and fixed a destroyed wheel bearing. We spent two days with the Whites, left with great new friends and a roadworthy GMC. We are back in Santa Rosa, looking forward to a visit from the Whites and any other GMCer passing our way. PS: Thank You, Roger Black, your list has 'saved my bacon' twice in the short year and a half we've had the General.  -- Mike, The General's driver, Santa Rosa, Ca --