Where does Gulf Stream rank in Class A line-up?

[carebbean]

We're about ready to pop for a 2004 Friendship with a 400 Cat and 4 slides.

We are very familiar with the "biggies" in the industry (and certainly know of Gul Stream), but ... is it a Chevy, Caddilac or BMW in the world of Class A?

We're psyched but also just wondering!

Thanks

[jeanie]

In as much as we are really newbies...and in fact...wannabees, I don't know how much weight you can put into this answer, but we were recently at a VERY large RV dealer in Florida called Lazy Days. They sell a lot of different brands, one of them being Gulf Stream. We were there test driving a Tiffin Phaeton and I mentioned to the rep that I liked the floorplans of the Gulf Streams we saw at the Tampa Bay RV Show. He said to me, "....we sell them here, but I personally will not sell you one....when I get someone wanting a Gulf Stream, I give them to a new salesperson...I don't need the grief of dealing with all the manufacturer problems". Perhaps you should check out their reputation with a long time owner.

[babybear]

There is one thing that holds very true in the motorhome industry: You Get What You Pay For!
Personally I'd never buy a Gulf Stream, but if you are retired and have extra time to look around I'm sure you will find Better units. Better yet, look at
the deaership as service is the most important area!

[carebbean]

Thanks for the feedback jeanie and babybear. I must admit that I am taken aback by the implications your replies create.

I really appreciate your imput, though.

I'm looking forward to more comments/opinions.

This is a great venue!!

carebbean

Actually, this is a trade for my yacht ($=$). Kind of puts a interesting perspective on all of this, doesn't it? W goals.e would both accomplish our

[stubeje]

We purchased a new diesel Gulfstream in 2005 and drove it from Missouri home and then to Virginia...we had so many problems with it that we went directly to the factory in Nappaneee,Ind. We were told that they couldn't get to us before Feb. of next year...this was in October. We struggled with it until then and were so disapointed and upset with the piece of junk that while they were trying to repair all off the problems with it that we just dropped another $45000.00 into a new Newmar and dumped the Gulfstream.
Had we have had any sense we would have stayed with Newmar in the first place...was our third one...perfect coach...never a problem with it or service.

[teofff]

I have talked to owners of various brands, and unfortunatly, it seems as if most manufacturers idea of quality control is the consumer, who then struggles to get teh mfg. to stand behind their lousy workmanship! I have a good friend with a top of the line Holiday Rambler who could write a book on the problems he had/has with his unit. I am lucky I guess (knock wood...(my head usally works for that)!!), I have had no major problems with my 01 Monaco Dynasty 40' DP...But the comment of you get what you pay for is sooooo true, and it boils down to the luck of the draw.

[orvhazelton]

To more directly answer your question: not Ford or Chevy, more like a Yugo. Last year I spent 2 weeks at Master Tech in Elkhart, IN getting a new paint job and carpeting in my MH. They are a warranty shop for Gulf Stream and they LOVE them as they bring in so many repairs. They may love 'em but their advice would be to NEVER purchase one. I agree that they are quite innovative and look great, but. . . as for me, no way. JMHO. . . oRV

[atrium1]

We bought a 2004 Atrium, one of their first models out, at the Pleasanton Calif. RV show. We fell in love with the Atrium slide which opened up the coach so you didn't feel so claustrofobic it also offered such a wonderful vantage point to view the great outdoors. Their were many other features that we thought were great.

Now the down side. I can't tell you how many times we took the coach back to the dealers, JC's RV's in Livermore Calif. for repairs and each time we took in in with a pre scheduled appointment they would keep the coach for about a month on average and usually be working on it the day we were to pick it up.

We were so frustrated with the dealer that we took the coach to the factory.

They scheduled us for 3 days to repair the list of items we had. Three weeks of work with one of those weeks spent in a hotel because they couldn't get the coach out of the shop and about $10,000.00 worth of labor later we got our coach back. Which Gulf Stream picked up the tab.

I will say that the personal at the Gulf Stream factory were thorough and professional. They took care of our list and a few things that were not on the list.

We enjoy our coach now that the problems have been taken care of. Would I buy another Gulf Stream coach...most likely not.

This is not to say other manufactures are better or worse as we have heard horror stories about other brands that you would think had better quality control but I think that the demand is such that the companys are pushing them out as fast as they can and leave it up the the consummer to find the problem and have the dealers do the repairs.

Having said all that I will say that the options and meteral used in our coach were top notch. We have larger holding tanks than most others. Our fuel tank is a 150 gal. tank. I won't list all the options that were standard but their were a lot.

My best reccomendation is to shop around so that you have a good idea of what you want in the motorhome then before you hand over the money have the dealer demonstrate every thing on the coach. If something doesn't work have it fixed before you take it home. I would even have them run water on the roof and check for leaks. Don't let the dealer/sales person tell you that all problem will be taken care of under the warranty process. You will most likely have other issues that will need repair but the more you identify and have repaired the better off you will be.

Good luck and happy trails

[hyall]

As a actual Gulfstream Tourmaster owner and with experience with service and quality I would not recommend listening to hear-say from buddies or freinds they told me so, but check into yourself and you will see more options and quality and most important price