Quality of Gulfstream

[HarveyP]

Hi, we are still shopping. Several dealers have tried to steer us away from used Gulfstream units, saying they aren't made to stand up to a lot of use. Can any of you good folks give comments that may be helpful? Thanks, Harvey

[HarveyP]

Hi, we are still shopping. Several dealers have tried to steer us away from used Gulfstream units, saying they aren't made to stand up to a lot of use. Can any of you good folks give comments that may be helpful? Thanks, Harvey

[RV Wizard]

We have been living in our 2000 Scenic Cruiser for going on 3.5 years now. If I were going to buy a new one, I don't think I would go with Gulf Stream. Our uit on the otherhand has been litteraly problem free as far as the house. I have had a generator, refrigerator, tire and microwave need repairs and replacements. I think that Gulf Stream at the time (1999) making the "Mellinium" edition may have put some extra effort into it's quality. We are very satisfied with our decession.

[DriVer]

Gulfstream gas powered motorhomes in the upper 30s come in a model called the "Trio" I know that the biggest factor as to why folks buy them is the high ceilings. Our friend Scott has one of these motorhomes and I don't recall him ever complaining about the coach work. I initially helped him winterize his motorhome and I didn't see anything that wasn't what I expected. Working on Scott's MH, I learned how to winterize an ice maker.

I did see some features that would be more attractive to a potential owner than what I would expect but it's different and people sometimes appreciate the differences.

One of the observations that I have made on the Trio is what I would say a pretty low coach body to the ground clearance. I have repeatedly seen flat spots on the bottom of the exhaust nozzles from being grounded. Now that's low.

I think a big improvement there would be a half round cut-out and to raise the nozzles up 3 to 4 inches. The challenge there is that the nozzles exit right under a storage compartment so it wouldn't be easy but not impossible.

I don't even think that the 2 into 1 exhaust tailpipe Workhorse has as an option would work either because the skirt on the MH is consistent and there aren't very many locations where you could exit a 4" nozzle.

[Novi]

Hello HarveyP: I have a 98 Gulf Stream, gas. Have had it 4 years, it was 3 years old when I bought it. Have not had many problems, just had to have the Kwiki step motor and gears replaced after 7 years of use. Had to have one hydraulic lever fixed due to a line leak. And on the chassis had to have both rear wheel seals replaced because they leaked. We have 97000 Km (60000 miles) on it. It has been all over North America. I would not say any one manufacter is "best". Some manufacturers have made more RV's and therefore have more opportunity for errors, screw-ups, and failures. I've not heard of many complaints about Gulf Stream quality, and since I have one I kind of keep an ear open for that. What model or make was the dealer pushing? and why?.
Whatever make and model you chose just check it out closely, take hours and try everything and use it well during any warranty period.

[Lockman]

I own a Gulfstream Sun Voyager "Trio", meaning three slides, model 8378MXG, 37.5 ft. 2002 model.

I bought it new, and the quality is great. It is on WH W22 chassis, has dual exhaust. I have not found it necessary to add Banks system as I did on previous MH, Georgie Boy with Ford V10.
It has plenty of power.

Only issue is that it has the levelers (DeWald) integrated into the slide system, and are not adequet to level MH properly.

Gulfstream would do nothing for me to correct problem.

[GStream40]

We own our second Gulf Stream. The first was a 2003 36' Yellowstone diesel pusher w/two slides that we purchased in August of '02. We had no serious problems with it. Just a couple small ones that we took to the factory for service.

The present one, 40' four slides, we purchased last Sept. '04. It had several small items that the dealer took care of when we took it back. This coach had been used for a show coach, most of the items were the result of being used as a show coach.

We are members of the Gulf Streamers International RV Club that is ran by Gulf Stream. It is a terrific club and the International is really active. We really love the "Back Home" rally that they have every year.

I really like the fact that Gulf Stream is Family owned by the Shea family. At the "Back Home" rally I have talked to Brian Shea, President Motorized Division, on a one to one.

They also hold a round table to get the owners feedback to make sure that they are producing what we want, the way we want it. Believe me, the do get some "ear full feedback".

Gulf Stream sents their Factory Service Techs and will do three minor repairs that are needed to any GS product warranty or not, for FREE. They also will have any of the suppliers coem to repair your coach if you are having a problem with levelers, air conditioning, Etc.

We also get the full factory tour, not just the one that most get when they stop at the factory. Afterwards we get to eat the best steak and shrimp at the GS country club. Yes, GS has their own country club and golf couirse.

The main problem is the dealership, their service department is the worst. They are slowwwwww and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

As far as the coach, the quality is top knotch, better than most that I looked at when at the PA RV Show at Hershey last month.

Ron

[HarveyP]

Hi, thanks for the input. We have been looking at short diesel pushers, in the 33 to 35 foot length range. Budgetwise, we're probably in the early to mid 1990's. I have seen some that had front entry doors and white laminate cabinets that I thought looked great. One dealer showed us a new one that he said was "cheaply made", another one said they had spent months rebuilding the interior on one they were in the process of getting sold again. This one will need to last us a number of years, and I'd love to be able to make the Alaska trip sometime. Please continue to give me feedback, we are thinking older and higher quality instead of newer and entry level. Thanks again, HarveyP

[Bushman512003]

Hi Harvey:I am also looking at D.P.and seen some Gulf Stream,low end units I thought were great just I am not in a hurry.A good used top line would be O.K. this way also.I do like the Freightliner under the Gulf Stream.I have been trying to stay clear of springs and still reading the prow&cons.Price is a factor I just can not under stand why a $50k diff.from gas to Oil My truck was about $4k?? John

[GStream40]

Another Gulf Stream coach that one of you might want to take a look at is the new Tourmaster that GS just reintroduced. They had stopped making the Tourmaster for a few years.

The new Tourmaster is not the one of yesterday, it is a completely new one. The new Tourmaster price range is $200k. I looked at three of them at the PA RV Show last month, quite impressive.

The Tourmaster is not sold with the regular GS line. Longview RV has them with some options that are usually only on the luxury coaches.

I must say that if the wife and I hadn't purchased a new coach last year that we would definitely be taking a serious look at the new Tourmaster.

Ron