# 1985 RV with GMC P30 chassis - transmission gone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, transmissions\ **Created:** [March 1, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974 "2014-03-01T06:45:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![civicforever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@civicforever](https://community.cartalk.com/u/civicforever)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/1 "2014-03-01T06:45:02Z")
My friend is on the road with a recently purchased 1985 Itasca Sunflyer. It has a GMC P30 chassis (light-duty truck, 23’ model RV). They were driving down the highway when suddenly the gas pedal was gone. There was no sound as it happened. The gas pedal just suddenly revved the engine instead of powering the rv. It could still go in low gear, at about 15 mph, but all the high gears were gone. They drove to a place to park, but the engine was overheating after a short distance. Does that sound like the transmission needs to be replaced? How much would that cost? Or could it be something repairable, and how much would that cost? They’re in a small town with no garages open on the weekend so no diagnosis until Monday at the earliest. Any sound advice appreciated–thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/2 "2014-03-01T08:16:46Z")
Your description is quite informative but without inspecting the transmission all I can offer is that the transmission will most likely need to be removed and opened and at that point a total overhaul is in order. Often a factory rebuilt (crated) transmission is a quicker and more reliable alternative than rebuilding the original. There is likely no quick fix to get home from this point. A shop capable of lifting the truck needs to be found to discuss the options for the owner. If there is a NAPA store in the area they would know which shops are equipped for such work. The transmission is most likely a General Motors Turbo Hydramatic 400 which is quite common. Look online at O’Reilly Auto Parts for some ball park prices on a crated bebuilt transmission. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/3 "2014-03-01T08:23:25Z")
Did they check the transmission fluid level? ---
**Author:** ![civicforever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@civicforever](https://community.cartalk.com/u/civicforever)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/4 "2014-03-01T08:42:04Z")
Thanks for the great suggestions. Yes, they did check the transmission fluid and it was full. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2014, 8:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/5 "2014-03-01T08:46:43Z")
Rod Knox has some good suggestions I believe the weight of the RV isn’t the problem The real problem is most likely the width It’s likely too wide for a regular twin post lift We have P chassis vans at work, which my rack will lift, but they’re walk-ins, not RVs ---
**Author:** ![civicforever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@civicforever](https://community.cartalk.com/u/civicforever)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 11:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/6 "2014-03-05T11:08:21Z")
I haven’t heard yet what it was, but they only needed to replace one part! They said because it hadn’t been driven after it went out, the rest of the transmission didn’t need replacing. The total cost, including fixing a loose wire to the running lights, was $270! ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/7 "2014-03-05T19:19:12Z")
Boy, are they lucky! ---
**Author:** ![Joshuah\_Lewis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@Joshuah\_Lewis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joshuah_Lewis)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/8 "2018-05-21T00:30:50Z")
I’m in same situation. I’m really in need of how they fixed it so I can get back on the road myself. It’s Sunday. But I can do all the work myself Be ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 12:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1985-rv-with-gmc-p30-chassis-transmission-gone/83974/9 "2018-05-21T00:57:09Z")
And you also have a 1985 P30 chassis . . . ?