NEW to rv's, 2003 Gulfstream 8408

[rostevens1]

OK first off I'm new to rv's Ive never owned one of any kind before, my wife and i are close to retirement and would like to have one. we have been looking now for about 9 months and we came across this 2003 friendship 8408, it looks very nice is well keep, has all the records since it was new. It is 40ft has 52k miles and Cat 330 engine/allison 6speed trans. the owner is asking $60k.

Having said all of that I need everyone to advise me on this motor home that can give me knowledgeable information on this coach please. If you know on any problems that this model has had, or some where i can go to check on the quality/reliability of this model please let me know. We will for the most part be driving in the eastern part of the US but we could and might take a trip out west, would we have any problems in climbing in the mountains in this unit?

I really don't know what to say here, I just would appreciate all the information you can give me , good, bad , or ugly about this motor home. Like most of us I just cant afford to put this kind of money in a motor home to find out i bought a lemon. Im putting my faith in you to help me buy my first motor home.

Thanks Ron Stevens

[Steve N Sal]

Well first Glad you joined us and hope you enjoy your time on the site. Yes I have to agree it is a good outlay of $$$. For the mileage you indicate on the coach it isn't even broken in yet. You can go to NADA and check the pricing to see if it's in line. Just click on the rv section of the site put in the year and mfr of the coach, mileage does not have to be input for a diesel and I wouldn't add any of the add on ammentities. This will give you a good guideline as to the price. As far as the coach itself I really can't comment as I'm not familiar with all the diesel stuff chassis, powerplant and the like. I do recommend having it inspected by a qualified tech though unless you feel qualified to do it yourself. I'm sure someone here will be along that can pass some info along on the coach itself. Don't be in any big hurry as there are plenty of coaches out there for sale. Good Luck and can only hope all works out.

[Fred1609]

Welcome to IRV2. You picked the perfect forum to learn about a MH. Lots of knowledgable folks here. I pass on the same info as Steve n Sal, have a licenced RV mechanic give the rig a once over. Nothing worse than buying a rig and finding out it has issues. Be patient theres lots of rigs out there.

[butterbean]

Originally Posted by Fred1609

Welcome to IRV2. You picked the perfect forum to learn about a MH. Lots of knowledgable folks here. I pass on the same info as Steve n Sal, have a licenced RV mechanic give the rig a once over. Nothing worse than buying a rig and finding out it has issues. Be patient theres lots of rigs out there.

Howdy Ron,
Welcome to the greatest forum on the ethernet and folks who'll give you info whether they know what they're talking about or not!! There are some on here who are experts on RVs & RVing and some who are 'expert' at giving!!
There are many sites & forums on the Gulfstream brand, PLEASE, USE THEM..
Check the RT Reviews on ANY you want to look at.. The GS HAS been a !st
rate MH ???.... Please, PM me..

[buck454]

Welcome. We just purchased a 2006 GS G7 last August. If you are buying from dealer it might be good to purchase a extended warranty to help if trouble arises from appliances, etc. Motor is just broke in however I would be concerned to the HP if you plan to tow. Others may perhaps chime in on this. Also understand GS will soon be out of the coach production, granted most things are another brand (appliances, tires, motor, etc).....at least that was part of our thinking in our purchase.

Good luck.

bb

[bsirby]

Hi Ron! Welcome to IRV2. I can't help you but wanted to say glad you joined us and good luck with your search. Besides mechanical, etc., be sure you like the floorplan as well. You will be living in it 24/7 so it has to be comfortable. Enjoy your travels once you decide on the rig for you.

[Mr_D]

The problem with using NADA is that you have to also know what options were offered and what was on the rig as standard equipment.
The value shown for a model is for the base model with no options added. So if a certain model comes with three slides you don't add for slides. If it came with a 10 gallon water heater and 6 is standard for that model then you would add the add'l. Gets very confusing! When a dealer goes by NADA the give only the low wholesale without options, but them they go to resell the unit they add the stuff in to pad their profit.

[ghoststories]

Hello and welcome to iRV2.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Ron! Welcome to IRV2! Sure glad you joined us! Sorry I can't help on your questions but I bet someone on here will give you some good advice! Good luck & God bless!

[historyljc]

Hi Ron, welcome to the forum. That's an average of about 6,500 miles a year on the Gulfstream. That's kind of a low average, average usually about 7,500. Properly maintained and serviced that CAT 3126E has a life expectancy as good or better than you. It's on a Freightliner chassis. You can see the specs at http://freightlinerchassis.com/image...C1001-2003.pdf . Like the engine, properly serviced and maintained the chassis was designed and built to go for hundreds of thousands of miles. I'm not familiar with the Gulfstream box. But this age, again properly maintained and serviced, it should have all the bugs out and be a reliable coach. You might look around the Gulfstream Owner's Forum further down and see how they like them. Do a Google search and you see the prices on some other '03s like that listed in various places. Good luck with your purchase.

[LogansPapa]

Originally Posted by rostevens1

OK first off I'm new to rv's Ive never owned one of any kind before, my wife and i are close to retirement and would like to have one. we have been looking now for about 9 months and we came across this 2003 friendship 8408, it looks very nice is well keep, has all the records since it was new. It is 40ft has 52k miles and Cat 330 engine/allison 6speed trans. the owner is asking $60k.

Having said all of that I need everyone to advise me on this motor home that can give me knowledgeable information on this coach please. If you know on any problems that this model has had, or some where i can go to check on the quality/reliability of this model please let me know. We will for the most part be driving in the eastern part of the US but we could and might take a trip out west, would we have any problems in climbing in the mountains in this unit?

I really don't know what to say here, I just would appreciate all the information you can give me , good, bad , or ugly about this motor home. Like most of us I just cant afford to put this kind of money in a motor home to find out i bought a lemon. Im putting my faith in you to help me buy my first motor home.

Thanks Ron Stevens

The friendship cost about $250,000 new, If their selling it for $60,000 expect problems with it.........Take it to a Gulf Stream dealer and have them check out every thing on it before you buy. If I'm not mistaken you can't but an extended service plan on anything over 10 years old. That $60,000 RV could end of costing you over $100,000 if it has issues. Also drive it at least a hour before you buy it, on all types of roads and up to high speed like around 75 MPH and hold it there.

[jponyboyace]

extremy smart u r comming here!!!!

[jponyboyace]

gen...hours?.....so..many...'rvs out there

[jponyboyace]

Ron....cat is no longer put in rv's....try cummings diesel...diesel is best