I know what you’re thinking: at first glance of the listing, you notice there’s only one picture. I too was a bit skeptical at first glance, but then I read the advertisement itself, and when I saw the mileage, I decided to take the risk of writing about it. This 1995 GMC Top Kick features a 26-foot moving van body and has only covered 800 miles for the past 22 years. Find it here on Hemmings in Garden City, New York, with an asking price of $6,500.
Since there is only one picture, there is a lot of holes to fill in terms of details, but from the picture provided, the truck appears to be in decent condition, with only fading of the paint on the moving body. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of the engine, but it is listed as an automatic transmission (probably a 5-speed), so I’m guessing it’s either a gas 6.0L or 7.4L V8, rated at either 205 horsepower or 270 horsepower. The old-school split-rim wheels in red look cool, but I’m pretty sure they’re either illegal or at the very least frowned-upon due to safety reasons (they are considered very dangerous), so they might have to be swapped. The tires appear to be in excellent condition, but the seller makes no mention of whether or not they are original. Overall, there is a lot of questions about this truck, so I would contact the owner and arrange an inspection of the truck in person, but if everything checks out, this might be possibly the lowest-mile moving van in existence. I personally would repaint the moving van body to match and convert the truck into a race car hauler, with perhaps a Caterpillar diesel swap some time down the road. What are your thoughts, viewers?
I once read a story of a truck bought during WWII. Due to the war the company parked it in a warehouse and was essentially forgotten about. Had under 100 miles on it until recent times
The way the tiny house movement is expanding, this could make the ‘foundation’ for someone’s home on wheels. That’s a good price for a house :)
This is big by tiny house standards. But yes, I would think this would make a great base for a motorized house.
thinking the same thing
Why do a write up on this?
Why not do a write up on this…?
I find it interesting…..
This picture was taken when that corolla parked next to the truck was still new. The truck was clearly worn out way back then.
Plus the add mentions a newly updated number with no email. This is 100% scam.
I don’t believe those are split rims, but they are actually Dayton wheels. the hub stays on the truck and the wheel is on a hoop that is held on by 5 wedges with lug nuts.
Thanks Casey for correcting this guy. Where do these writers get their information? I realize this is a money making business now but some of your post are in left field.
One with low miles might be worth getting at the right price. The only thing I ‘know’ about modern moving vans was an online thread where person after person piled on about the shortcomings of GMC topkick vans versus other makes. They were ‘you-rent’ owners and their customers, for what it’s worth, and I put ‘know’ in single quotes for a reason. One owner, careful maintenance use as a tiny house might be an ideal use if local codes allow one to park it where your hookups are.
If it’s a gas pot it’s likely to be running the smaller motor. I would find it strange to find something like this running on gas. The vast majority of these out west run Cat 3116 diesels. Not a bad engine, maybe a little short on power. I’m not sure when the 2-piece rims were discontinued. I don’t think they are illegal but they need to be inspected. And it’s getting harder to find a tire shop that is willing to work with split rims. There’s lots of small town shops that have no problems.
Can someone explain what the big deal is with split rims? My dad thought they were the be-all/end-all and wanted them on his pickups, but every time they’re mentioned on BF, it is with disdain. Anyone? Thanks.
Hi Puhnto. Your dad and mine must have gone to the same school. Dad had split rims on his 1/2 ton pickups from ’61 till ’77 when they were no longer an option. He just liked the heavy duty wheels; he was disappointed. You sure didn’t want to be around when you had a flat with those rims. Quite often you lost the ring.
Mounting the tires is dangerous. If the split ring does not engage the grove properly it can blow off when filling the tire with deadly force.
In the mid 70’s when I was driving school bus, we had the mechanics assistant actually got launched with the ring when it let loose. He was in hospital, and it didn’t seem to phase him too much because he got back to work after he re-couped.
After the incident he looked like somebody pummeled him in a bar fight.
Scared the snot, (wish I could say what I really wanna say, so this’ll haveta do) outta me with how much damage could, and was done.
In the 1980’s I worked at a auto parts store that supplied a race shop that still used split rims for their mud swamp buggies. One of the mechanics that was nicknamed “the father of flight ” due to his excessively high out of control jumps exiting the mud bog, was struck by an improperly seated split rim ring fracturing his skull. Rest in peace father. Search YouTube for split rim fail. You’ll get the idea.
We had quite a few of these on the railroad some with boxes some with booms and stake beds. I think most were powered by cat 3208 motors and Allison automatic transmission AT540 I think. And Casey J is right they are Dayton wheels.
The rail road orders trucks with uneque specifications. Some of these did have junk 3208’s (cat won’t even support those any more) but most were gas. Uhaul had thousands of them with 366 big blocks. The wheels are called Dayton, spoke, cast, or Gunite,
Your right Dave. Most of those trucks were back at the dealer for new motors within a year.
Only useful if you have 5 miles or less to drive to your weekly swap meet spot. I hate Gunite (spoke) wheels…….few guys today can even make them go straight down the road.
“Always maintained”,,,800 miles? What’s to maintain? Clearly, someone bought a truck, and never used it. I suppose it could happen,,
Here’s the thing on split rims ( take it from an old trucker that made his living with them) These are called, 10×20 Dayton split rims. They are still legal, and any truck tire shop will still do them. RR trailers still use them. Dayton also makes a tubeless 11×22.5 that are open style too( different rim) and will fit right on these spokes, the way to go. Budd wheels are the 10 hole tubeless disc type requiring different axle hubs. For years, I never drove a truck with tubeless. Tube type was just the way it was long before I became a trucker, and yes, flat tires were a regular occurrence. It was a PITA, but that was trucking. I didn’t have a truck with tubeless until the mid 80’s, and flats were history. There you have it. This truck, no interest.
With the single axle rear this truck could have an under 26000 GVWR which means that anyone could drive it on a Class C license. It would make a great moving cab or some other type of hauler or convert it to a very nice weekend track camper. With the momma’ attic over the cab I would put a queen size or 2 twin beds, then take up 10′ on the floor for living quarters, leaving 16′ in the back for a service area for your vehicle of choice. It it were me I would put an elevator style door on the back and a second floor in it to put 2 race cars in it.
Great ideas…….but for the money they want, you could start with a much better truck. Like a newer diesel version.
800k miles?
FYI, split rims are legal and still in use by a lot of farmers and grain haulers!
Off course…..but something to be avoided thereby lowering the value of trucks equipped with them.
I would replace them with Alcoa Aluminum rims and keep the single axle dually rear instead of upgrading to a super single.
You can’t put Alcoas on it unless you change the entire axle….on both front and rear……
Even if the chassis has 800 miles on it (highly doubtful), the body has 800k on it. Notice the primer everywhere these bodies would rust. Also not the first chassis this body was on. Note the improper fit of the rear wheels with respect to the opening. Also notice where the original fuel fill hole in the side of the body is, behind the step tank. Stay away.
Ya, Bad Ass Motor Home !!
The Dayton style rims were original equipment on some topkicks through the late ’90s. Solid hoop, not a split rim. I’ve changed a few over the years.
I drove a couple of these Chevys. If it lacks AC, the cab will be a 110 degree oven in the warm months, with not the slightest of breeze with the windows down. If it does have AC, odds are the fan blower will be considerably under-powered. My guess is it doesn’t have AC, has a bench seat and spring suspension. You’ll have to search for your kidneys after a 50 mile jaunt.
The 17″ ‘widow maker’ 3 piece split rims on my ’52 F-3 were easily changed at my local truck tire place. The used a wire gage when inflating them.