2004 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager

[Uncle Sam]

Just returned from a 7 week trip. ON the first day out the air Conditioner started making a lot of noise and it was cooling poorly. I elected to continue the trip and just use the roof air and the generator. I took the MH to La Mesa for Workhorse warrenty repair on the AC and told then what I had read on the forum about the condensor being too small and that in some cases the factory had replaced it with a larger unit. I am wondering just how many have had the same problem and have had new condensors installed to correct the problem. La Mesa called today and they said they were going to replace the compressor and put a new drier on it and it should be ok, but I am afraid it will happen again if the condensor is too small and the head pressure is too high.
Another problem I had was that the rear wheel dropped into a hole and with the MH being so low it damanged the bottom of several compartment doors. I never realized it was that low, I guess I will have to be a little more careful where I go with it.
Otherwise it drove very nice and we are happy with it. It is a Gulf Stream Sun Voyager, 2004 model 8379. 36 ft with triple slide outs.

[Uncle Sam]

Just returned from a 7 week trip. ON the first day out the air Conditioner started making a lot of noise and it was cooling poorly. I elected to continue the trip and just use the roof air and the generator. I took the MH to La Mesa for Workhorse warrenty repair on the AC and told then what I had read on the forum about the condensor being too small and that in some cases the factory had replaced it with a larger unit. I am wondering just how many have had the same problem and have had new condensors installed to correct the problem. La Mesa called today and they said they were going to replace the compressor and put a new drier on it and it should be ok, but I am afraid it will happen again if the condensor is too small and the head pressure is too high.
Another problem I had was that the rear wheel dropped into a hole and with the MH being so low it damanged the bottom of several compartment doors. I never realized it was that low, I guess I will have to be a little more careful where I go with it.
Otherwise it drove very nice and we are happy with it. It is a Gulf Stream Sun Voyager, 2004 model 8379. 36 ft with triple slide outs.

[Royza]

We can relate to your situations. We also have the same model from Gulfstream had one small problem with the AC but it was the control valve. We have also found that it is low to the ground and dropped the right rear tire in a hole one day and also remodeled a couple of the compartments on the right side. Nothing major just have to pay closer attention.

[rvcrazy]

I to had this problem on our 2003 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager and living in Texas we use the dash air almost year round. It took my MH and Workhorse dealers five attempts at solving this problem before I personally contacted the air conditioning vendor and they finally solved the problem by adding an auxilary condenser. Now we are able to travel in 90 degree plus temperatures with just the dash air. I might add that I also had the driver and passenger side glass filmed to help keep out the heat.

Best of luck!

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rvcrazy:
I personally contacted the air conditioning vendor and they finally solved the problem by adding an auxiliary condenser. Now we are able to travel in 90 degree plus temperatures with just the dash air. I might add that I also had the driver and passenger side glass filmed to help keep out the heat. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Oddly enough I saw a Gulfstream motorhome today at Turning Wheel RV in Ocala, FL and I saw the auxiliary cooler sitting right there mounted on the centerline of the vehicle in front of the radiator.

The cooler didn't appear exceptionally large perhaps 16W x 14H with an electric fan positioned in front.

Now what was bothering me about this entire setup was that the heat shield fabric appeared dry and tattered and it was completely removed from its upper attachment points and was simply lying down flat on the automotive components. The fabric was the old thin rubber style and I do believe that the auxiliary cooler which appeared new might have been installed in reaction to the missing heat shield.

Although I didn't ask questions of hang around to see the outcome of this installation the heat shield is one of the most important components of the cooling system AND in my opinion although the auxiliary cooler is installed the missing heat shield fabric could come back and haunt that owner if its not restored.

Make sure your heat shield is in place, WCC uses a much thicker fabric now days and it should remain in place and last the life of the vehicle.

I ran in triple digit desert heat this summer and the AC worked to the degree that it was supposed to. I used coach air to supplement the dash unit when outside temperatures were above 100 degrees.

[ronboc]

Hi Uncle Sam -

Today being Veteran's Day, very aptly-named. BTW, a hearty salute to all Vets!

I have the same coach (see my sig), and some of the same issues/questions ...

I've been trying to find the specs as to just how low these things are supposed to sit. I feel like a 'lo-rider' in comparison to a lot of other coaches. Scary at times.

My AC does 'ok' here in North TX when I'm running on the road, but if that 55+mph wind ever stops blowing across the coils (like city-driving, stop-lites, gas-stations, etc), I can watch the AC vent temp gauge start to creep up and up and up, til I am actually BLOWING HOT AIR! Oh, and I've installed a positive-acting shut-off valve in the hot-water line to be sure it's not fighting itself. I've been told, and heard, as to how this situation is normal and there's nothing wrong with the design and so on and on and on, but then how come WH has just come out with an "Upgrade Kit" (for big $$$) which is supposed to rectify the situation?
And how come I have had 5 other rv's and at least a dozen autos since has AC become a perceived necessity, and NONE of them had this problem? In fact, I'd consider my other experiences as being normal, and the WH as NOT normal, wouldn't you?

Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now. I feel your pain (or should I say heat and bruises?)

Ron

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ronboc:
Today being Veteran's Day, very aptly-named. BTW, a hearty salute to all Vets! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>God bless them all.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I've been trying to find the specs as to just how low these things are supposed to sit. I feel like a 'lo-rider' in comparison to a lot of other coaches. Scary at times. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes but you have tall ceilings. Can't figure out why Gulfstream runs the skirts so low but it seems to work for most folks that buy them.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">WH has just come out with an "Upgrade Kit" (for big $$$) which is supposed to rectify the situation? And how come I have had 5 other rv's and at least a dozen autos since has AC become a perceived necessity, and NONE of them had this problem? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>All very good observations and questions. The only question that comes to my mind is why "don't" I need the "Upgrade Kit". Hmmmm must have something to do with the coach work I would think but I can't really put my finger on it for sure.

Just yesterday I saw a rig, a Workhorse, in a service center and the owner had a screen kit across the front of his motorhome obstructing the grill openings. I'm just wondering when this owner will melt down his engine.

[ronboc]

Hi DriVer -

Somehow I just KNEW you were going to say that about yours being ok.

Now, I'm not necessarily talking about cruising down the road at hiway speeds, but more commonly at slower speeds or stationary, which should take out a lot of the bodywork/airdam differences since the airflow is going to be mostly from what the fans provide.

You're saying you are able to sit there at a stop-lite or the time it takes to fill the fuel-tank (seemingly forever)without it heating-up? Have you stuck a set of gauges on it, when hot and cold, to see what you're getting?

I'm assuming your chassis-bits are pretty much the same as mine and others (ie, no special/different electric fans, different coils, etc), yes?

I've tried to rationalize it out too, but I have lots of airspace in front of and behind my coils as well, so what makes it different? Dunno.

You know, this might be a good experiment for us all to share who has what, and why a seemingly identical system should be displaying such different results.


I tried those screens when I lived in Florida. Also had someone once tell me to smear baby-oil across the front of the vehicle, so the bugs couldn't stick and dry on. It worked really well, but then the hot baby-oil (hey, get your mind out of the gutter!) would slowly migrate across the hood, onto the windshield and windows and over the roof. Heaven help you if it rained before you could clean the goo off the windshield and wipers. That clean-up job was worse than the bugs were!

Thanks!
Ron

[BellaBo]

I felt compelled to jump in here as the Gulf Stream dujour is in context. As for air conditioning, I had similar problems in traffic where the dash air would blow hot air. Even turning it on to MAX air didn't seem to help much until it was moving and air was pushed across the condenser. After reading several posts I rigged a bypass valve for the heater system. This past week down to St. Peterburg Fl. I didn't even have to run the dash air and had no hot air blowing from the vents.

As for low riders, a comment from the manager at Turning Wheel here in Ocala, "well it appears to be a little low in the rear" and yes, I have scaped a rear lower storage door by cutting too close to a curb.

Just an observation... It's funny that Workhorse seems to be coming out with all these high priced options to fix or remedy issues that to the most casual observer should have been cured by the design folks long ago.
Streamerman

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Streamerman:
As for low riders, a comment from the manager at "Turning Wheel here in Ocala", It's funny that Workhorse seems to be coming out with all these high priced options to fix or remedy issues that to the most casual observer should have been cured by the design folks long ago. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Did you happen to ask Sue, Dean or Tony about your air conditioning issue?

[BellaBo]

Hello DriVer,
Actually this was some time ago when I was fighting bouncing and steering issues and a rock into the windshield. The A/C didn't really come up until a trip this past June to Memphis and Hot Springs dodging hurricanes.

Armando was the guy that made the comment about the coach sitting low in the back. By the way, I was very pleased with the work Turning Wheel has done for me and their whole mangement team are great to work with.
Workhorse authorized them to do a caster adjustment for me and it really helped the handling of the coach. Even after replacing the shocks with yellow Monroes, the caster tweak really dialed it in. I still get the tail wagging the dog a little but so far I'm adjusting to it. Before the shocks and alignment I was afraid to drive it and this is my 5th motorhome.
Cheers,
Streamerman

["007"]

Streamerman, x-mas is coming ask for a Henderson Track bar should take care of tail wag dog. Never had a problem with the wag until getting the wind this fall. Early x-mas for me got on sale Oct at CW. Waiting now for some warm weather. "007"

[BellaBo]

Hey 007... I thought it was still summer up in MA.

I've been looking at these Trac bars and think they would help with the wag. Mine handles so much better with the new shocks and alignment I've been reluctant to put out the extra bucks. Like you say, maybe Mrs. Claus will open her purse strings this year.
Streamerman

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Streamerman:
By the way, I was very pleased with the work Turning Wheel has done for me and their whole mangement team are great to work with. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Streamerman, You know that's my experience as well. TW accomplished an FEA for me last April and it's been true ever since and the MH has been so much more fun to drive. I was out by almost a 1/2" and they zeroed out my steering box and centered my steering wheel.

When we come to central Florida and we need work done to our motorhome, Turning Wheel in Ocala get the nod from me.