Looking at a Gulf Stream

[ktmnoel]

Any advise would be helpful.

I'm looking at an '08 Yellowstone 8359, really like this model because the boys will have a bed to sleep in instead of the floor or incredible uncomfortable couch in our current unit.

I just wanted to see if anyone has had any issues with this model, any warnings or most do's if I pull the trigger on this coach.

I've scheduled a test drive next week and wanted to be prepared when I arrived.

Thanks

[RV Wizard]

If you like the drive, asked to spend the night in it or take the remainder of the day and try everything out and look for any problems with water intrusion.
If you get serious about a purchase and this is a dealer, be sure that a complete pre-delivery inspection is done. Any thing you see that you want fixed, make them put it in writing and in the deal. I recommend that the fluids be changed as well as belts and hoses at the time. If it does not have new tires on it, it may need them in just a couple of years so keep this in mind when negotiating. Take your time and be sure that everything is as near perfect with the coach as possible. There are a ton of used coaches on the market and with patients, one can buy well below what a couple of years ago was fair market value. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Dixieray53]

Best of luck.. We love our Gulf Stream....But I agree with Mike ...make your list, get it writing and take your time.. There will be another if this falls through...Peace and Safe Travels...D

[Thewellz]

Hi ktmnoel I just recently checked out an 07 Independence, being a coach owner already I kind of knew what to look for...on the positive side Gulfstream has really put thought into making maintenance easy with accessible batteries, water pumps fuse panels, plumbing ect. however I quickly found two sepeate water intrusions one on the bottom bunk in the slide-out with black mold and the other on the floor in the bedroom behind the bed, also in the slide out. The kitchen counter was also delaminating a little, and the awning was falling apart as well, the unit drove well and handled well, but the moisture definatley scared me away. I spent a good hour and a half looking over the unit......and make sure you go up on the roof!!

[buck454]

My wife and I put downpayment on a 2006 G7 yesterday. Although I have heard factory customer service is horrible, we could not be more pleased with dealer whom we are dealing with and they are giving us a three year service warranty. We are very impressed with the standard extras GS put into this G7 where other makes might call these options (example...Hydro Hot, two 15btu AC, electric power cord reel, electric awnings a plenty, slide out toppers, arctic package, thermopane windows, etc). We were also lucky to be able to talk to previous owner about any problems and how he felt about unit.

In our case it was good to know that our dealer was a previous GS motor home dealer of recognition, now Newmar/. GS will discontinue motorhome sales in 2-3 years and this dealership is pretty much MHsales only,.

Good luck.

[Dixieray53]

On our last trip we had two major problems. Turbo went out on the Cat engine. And now it seems what I thought was a small problem with the Onan generator might be a $1800 control board. My point is these are not Gulf Steam's problems. They could have happened on any coach made by any manufacture. We love the quality and layout of our GS. We still look at DP's that are sellng in the same price range $250,000 to $350,000 that
ours was priced. We would not trade for any we have seen. There are happy GS owners out there. Welcome to the club.

Peace and Safe Travels....D

[Conquest102]

First thing is to leave your heart at home. You need to be thinking with your head as far as what shape the RV is in. Go over EVERYTHING Start at the roof and go all the way down to checking date codes on the tires. I wish I would have had the chance to go over mine before I setteld on the price. We were 1400 miles away and only had pictures and the word of the dealer. Plan on putting in a couple of hours either do this now or find issues down the road that will cost you BIG BUCKS. As far as GS customer service they have been great to me my RV had NO owners manuals at all(not even a sewerhose) they emailed me everyone they had the next day.

[buck454]

Certainly agree with you Conquest. I know I did not look our unit over as good as I should have much because we were so egar and pleased with deal. However the 3-year service warranty helps in thought but not on the road. We do plan to stay in it for a couple of nights and spend time around it before driving it home. Input from previous owner sure helped us a lot in decision.