'89 Gulfstream class C MH?

[Gary - K7GLD]

Anyone here with pretty direct experience with an '89 or so Gulfstream class C motorhome - Ford chassis - and (sigh!) 460 V8 drivetrain - it's 24 footer with a rear bed in addition to the usual overhead above the driver. We're sorta looking for something like this so we can pull our fishing boat without needing to drive 2 vehicles, one for our 5th wheel, and the other for the boat.



Is Gulfstream of that vintage a good brand, generally well made and of good quality? All comments appreciated.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary,

I don't know much about motorhomes but don't think Gulfstream is one of the premier brands by any means. You would probably get better information over on the Escapees Forum where there are lots of motorhome owners.

As you know, with an older model like that the most important factor now is probably how it was used and cared for, whether it was stored under cover when not in use, and whether the roof edge seams and window moldings were caulked from time to time to avoid damaging water leaks.

The old Furd 460ci V8 was a decent engine, the better of the three choices among Furd, Dodge, and GM at the time IMO. It was a relatively long stroke slow revving engine with a torque band fairly low for a gasser. I had a '94 Furd F-250 w/460 that I pulled a heavy triple axle Airstream with in the '90s. IIRC it produced 405 ft. lbs. of torque at 2200 which made it a decent gasser tow vehicle.

A 24'er is probably on the basic F-350 dually chassis with a three speed Furd C-6 automatic which was a tough one.

You know trucks and mechanical machines as well as the next guy, probably better than most. If it is mechanically sound and clean, priced right, I'd say buy it.

 

[AClayton]

I'm gonna agree with Harvey... . Gulf stream was not one of the best but certainly not a bad coach. The Ford chassis with the 460 was very good and the C-6 made it even better. Mileage will probably be 10 or slightly less. The only real issue with the chassis was the in-tank fuel pump... . which should offer you no problems as I see you have a 24V 2nd Gen. I think the 460 in that era was rated at 245hp and close to 400ft. lb and with a 3spd auto and probably 4:10 rears,it should be able to haul your boat quite well... . at the expense of extra fuel of course. Does it have a generator?



Alan

 

[Ram4Sam]

Heck Gary, instead of getting another set of fan belts and radiator hoses to worry about, just hook the fishin' boat to the back of the 5er.



Sam

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Heck Gary, instead of getting another set of fan belts and radiator hoses to worry about, just hook the fishin' boat to the back of the 5er.



Sam

That would be totally ideal - except that Oregon is 1 of only *2* states in the USA that doesn't allow that practice - drivers from OTHER states are allowed, but not our own citizens...



Yes, the MH has an Onan generator with VERY few hours - and the few pics provided by the seller look quite decent - but Internet photos can be VERY misleading...



Most of our fishing trips are decently local - 150 miles round trip - so MPG isn't a BIG concern - but still deserves consideration, especially if more distant trips start looking attractive. Seems, from questions I've asked other similar MH owners, that around 10 MPG is pretty much the norm - and that's what my BIL gets with his much later model Minni-Winni with a Ford 10 cylinder - and IT is a real DOG for power, especially in our steep grades in this area - I'm pretty sure a decent running 460 would run off and leave it for power.



The asking price for this one, is $7000 - not any particular bargain - and FAR above what NADA calls for on their website for this model. I'll keep looking, and if it is still available when we can plan a trip over where it is 100 miles or so from here for something other than just to look at the MH, we'll see...



On the other hand, maybe something better and cheaper will pop up too. .

 

[AClayton]

The V10 boasts more power than the 460 but those are just numbers because the 460 is low rpm,high torque engine and the 10 is a revver. My old MH had a V10 and it had power as long as you revved it like a drag car..... 4500rpm was not uncommon for this engine in a downshift situation. Much like a diesel,the 460 makes power on the lower part of the rpm scale. Big power gains are easily achievable through the exhaust... as the factory exhaust is very restricted.



$7K sounds very high..... maybe $5. 500 at best in good shape.



Good Luck!!





Alan

 

[mickeyblueyes]

From what I have been reading over at escapees is that the exhaust manifolds on the 460 seem to be the week point. Most need replacing and are difficult to get to.

 

[AClayton]

What did you ever decide with this MH Gary??



Alan

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

What did you ever decide with this MH Gary??



Alan

Haven't made any decisions as yet - the Gulfstream appeared clean in the Internet photos - but pretty much ALL brands I've seen listed of the type I'm interested in, are about double or more in price than what NADA shows for them - though admittedly, the NADA pricing seems unrealistically low - most list in at about $3000 tops!



Still looking, have several of interest, and yesterday placed my own "WANTED" ad on Craigs list - will see what comes up.



I suppose my next question SHOULD be, "What is regarded by most as the BEST brand Class C MH in the early '90's?"



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