Alaskan military Newbie, Gulf Stream, could use advice

[Wildblu]

Hello--I'm new to the RV world. I've wanted one for at least 15 years, but never could justify the cost as being practical. Well, I'm currently finishing a year military deployment to Iraq, my girls are growing up, and my wife and I just decided that we need to enjoy life while we can. Yes, for all I know, we might be rich and financially secure 10 years from now, but our girls will be much older, and very well may not want to go camping with mom and dad then. So, above all, we're looking at an RV purchase not as a material acquisition, but intended to be an enabler for quality family time.

So we're in the process of buying a 37' 2008 Gulf Stream Conquest Endura 6362 Class "C+", International Chassis w/VT365 engine that I found. 13,800 miles. I actually don't think I've come across anybody else here, on RVNet, or Gulf Stream Owner's Forum that has this particular model. I don't know if I should be concerned by that, or enjoy that I might have a rare unit? We really like this model so far. We should be picking it up in June, and then driving it as a family cross-continent back to our home in Alaska. It'll give us time to get reacquainted with each other after being apart for a year, and get me refamiliar with my own country. Will be making a couple stops along the way to see family or cross more vacation spots off our list. (i.e. Calgary/Banff)

Would love to hear input, experience, and advice from other users. Has this model experienced problems others have, with the "turbo fart", leaking seals, etc? Indications so far are that the particular unit we're acquiring has NOT had those things. We're having it thoroughly inspected, bumper to bumper as part of the purchase, comes with a warranty, and will be setting up a support network for the trip up to Alaska. However, it's a pretty long stretch from Calgary/Edmonton to Anchorage without International/GS service locations.

I would also be curious to hear if there's anything people would recommend "you really should consider XXXXX as a modification/purchase", as we'll be more limited in access to certain things in Alaska, and it might be better to have certain work done or purchase items while we're in the lower 48 before going up north.

Hello, all.

[Wayne M]

Welcome.

Thank you for your service to our country.

I hope you get some answers, and mostly, enjoy your sightseeing.

[RV Wizard]

I also want to thank you for your service and . We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums. Good luck stay safe and keep us posted.
I don't know the unit real well but I would want to verify that the tanks are well insulated and heated somehow; especially going to Alaska weather.

[pa0gri]

Don't know what/where you park your RV for winter time, if in open air I would suggest getting a good quality cover for the wintertime while in the lower 48.
I was lucky finding one with free transport but most won't ship a cover to AK.
A tarp will be ripped apart in half a winter.
I got my Tioga in Bend OR and drove it up to AK via glacier HW and Grand Prairie (low tax shopping there). Then the Alcan with lots of service and things to see and do.
Happy trail. Gerard.

[Dbowlsby]

Hi glad you are coming home. My one piece of advice is don't leave the dealer until you have a good surge protector. Nobody ever told me this one. We hit a campground in Oregon that had a bad leg on the 50 amp hookup. We fried the entire digital systems of our 2008 Sun Voyager. Thank heavens for the extended warranty as the final cost was well above $4k. Also took over 2 months to get it all fixed. I now have a inline surge protector installed.
Enjoy your trip while the kids enjoy it. They grow out of it way to fast.
Doug
Retired US Army

[Dixieray53]

Welcome to our little group ....We do not have your model...But we love our Gulf Stream...And your model is too cool...
Post pics. soon.....D

In NOLA tryin' to remember what I did last night

[Wildblu]

Thanks, all. This will be a bit longer of a process for me, as I'm still a couple months from coming home. But that just gives me time to get everything arranged for the RV, and straighten out loose ends like what to do for a TOAD, (if anything) before taking delivery of the RV and driving up to Alaska. Can't wait to be back home and enjoy the Alaska summers. Nothing like it.

I'll do pictures eventually for sure. I have ad pictures from the seller, but none of mine until June.

[Midniteoyl]

You bought one of these?:





Cool!

[Wildblu]

Well, yes, I'm in the process of it. Not finalized yet. Very interesting that you found that. The one I'm working with is identical to that one in every way, except the one in that picture is on the Chevy Kodiak chassis, and the one I'm working with is on the upgraded International Trucks chassis w/ VT365 diesel engine.

Good find. That's the only other unit of this model that I've seen for sale or that anybody owns on the internet. There's a couple guys that have Supernova 6362's, but not exactly the same thing.

[John H...]

Welcome to the forum and thank-you for your service...Stay safe.

[Midniteoyl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildblu Well, yes, I'm in the process of it. Not finalized yet. Very interesting that you found that. The one I'm working with is identical to that one in every way, except the one in that picture is on the Chevy Kodiak chassis, and the one I'm working with is on the upgraded International Trucks chassis w/ VT365 diesel engine. Good find. That's the only other unit of this model that I've seen for sale or that anybody owns on the internet. There's a couple guys that have Supernova 6362's, but not exactly the same thing.

Heres the website... Prolly cant find much since they are actually Conquest Motorhomes. Dont know right off hand if GulfStream made them first or if only for a limited time...

Endura Luxury C Home

I like the International version better