Gulfstream Atrium, 2003? or Winnebago Journey DL 2001 - RV-Dreams Community Forum

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Gulfstream Atrium, 2003? or Winnebago Journey DL 2001

PrairieRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, Marilyn.

We're in very similar situations. I'm 63 and live with my 90 year-old dad. But he's determined not to go anywhere and I'll stay here as long as he's here. Then I think I'll be a full-time RV'r. I'm also looking at class As, and have bus driving experience. I just wish I was able to do maintenance, etc. I think it's great that your Mom will live in the MH with you.

As to which MH to buy, of course, it's going to have to be to your tastes and lifestyle. From my Dad's extensive experience with RVs, though, I'd favor the longer one over the 35ft. Actually, I'd generally favor a shorter MH for ease of motoring, etc. But many mid-30 ft MHs are built on the same chassis as a 30 or 32, but they add length behind the rear wheels. Going over dips, etc., cause the tail end to scrape. I understand the longer MHs have a different chassis all together. This may be something to ask the sellers of the MHs about.

I'll be interested to hear which one you end up with.

Patti

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Howdy! Good to hear from you and your thoughts. Very interesting about the chassis and extended lengths. I had read something about "not having an extra long butt on the RVs" and had been checking them out on their pictures, I must have missed the part about using the shorter chassis and just extending the RV itself! Thanks for the heads up. I've done so much research I feel like my brain is going to explode!

In addition to dog grooming and dog sitting, I will also be doing hand embroidery on clothes and linens for RVs, jewelry making, refurbishing/decorating antique window frames, and beach themed decorations . I am sorta a jack of all trades, what I don't know I go online and watch as many videos until I feel brave enough to tackle it!

Sat a friend of mine who is looking to trade her Winnebago in for a newer model, are going to the big RV show in the morn and then in the afternoon we are meeting my long time mechanic/restorer to look closer at the two I mentioned.

I am in Wichita, Ks, where are you?

Marilyn
Eskiehouse@cox.net
American Eskimo Dog Rescue and Adoptions

PrairieRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm in Junction City, Ks. I'm planning to go to the RV show at the Kansas Coliseum tomorrow.

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

We will be there in the morn!!!!!!!! You want me to page you around 10:30 to 11am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PrairieRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

I had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn and her friend Pat at the Wichita RV show today! It's nice to start putting some faces to the names of other RV-Dreamers!

Patti

-- Edited by PrairieRV on Saturday 9th of January 2016 06:24:00 PM

LifeBeganInaWinnebago · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Marilyn, we live in Salina, not far from you or Patti. I would have to agree with Patti, not knowing the platform either RV is built on, it is likely the 40 footer is a diesel pusher and the 35 is a gasser. They both have their advantages. We opted for a diesel, that is what I have always wanted. This past summer we went to Houston and found one at PPL. So far it has been good. We have made a couple trips to KC and a trip to New York. It is a 41ft Holiday Rambler Imperial. We have yet to have it in a campground. We may have trouble at Milford or Kanopolis putting it where we normally camp.
The best advice i have is to check for water damage and review the maintenance records for any RV you are interested in. Many of the RV we looked at that were 10 years old had water damage. Good luck in the search.

Mark & Becky

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

First of all, I got to meet Patti today at the Wichita RV show just north of Wichita at the Coliseum Pavilions. What fun to meet in person another of the RV-Dreams Family! We all browsed many RVs, mostly the Class As. Mark and Becky, thank you so much for pitching in with some experience and advise.

The 35ft Winnebago was at the show and the wood was even darker than it showed in the pictures, talk about depressing, I could never live in a cave! Other than that is wasn't a bad RV. There were lots of options in many of RVs, no two are ever alike!

After lunch, we parted company with Pattie and bid her a safe drive home, while my friend and I headed out to the dealer that had the Gulfstream Atrium.

As we came around the smaller RV parked in front of it I was taken aback some at the size of the monster! Since I was never intimidated by buses I figure it was due to the RV having a lower ground clearance and height than the buses! We went inside to look around and we were not disappointed. My biggest concern was whether or not my mother would be able to step into the shower. I will have to build a freestanding removable 2 inch platform step in the hallway when she is getting in and then out. Also I was pleased to see a built in shower seat! Just never trusted those pull down on a hinge type! It is a real roomy shower too!

Everything was in pristine shape including discovering that the mileage was 18,000 less than originally stated in the online advertisement, turns out the wrong number is actually the mileage of the of the Winne were looking at! There is a missing piece of stove top cover, but I could order a replacement, the fridge is a new whirlpool. I was glad we went today because the dealer will start prepping it for sale, detailing, listing all the actual equipment, sizes, etc. and I got to see it before "everything was touched up"! I will be going out in a few days to spend more time reviewing the records, and going over everything with a magnifying glass and tape measure! I will also be going topside to inspect the roof. I plan on installing a solar power system for auxiliary power. Then I should be able to boondock more often. I also want to see the top side of the Atrium skylights and of course inspect slide out seals. After some drive time of the "Monster" will make my final decision as to what to start my bargaining at!

Marilyn
Wichita, Ks

PrairieRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

Marilyn, I checked out that Atrium on line and it looked really nice. If you're ready to buy, I think that would be a great one to get. Being January, you should be able to get a good deal.

I really learned a lot today by looking at some "real" RVs instead of just brochures and online ads. I was disappointed to see that what looked like tile backsplash in the pics is actually wallpaper border!! Also, they mostly had TTs and 5ers, and most all the RVs were geared to families, with the number it could sleep as a big selling point. That may also be why we didn't get much attention from an of the salespeople. I don't think three women shopping for homes for themselves fit their expected demographics! (But it could just be my imagination.)

Anyway, I really enjoyed the day and will start touring MHs this year. I'll be Spydering all over the country and I'll just make RV dealers part of my touring stops.

Patti

LifeBeganInaWinnebago · RV-Dreams Family Member

Glad you and Patti were able to get together and check out the RVs. We love going to the Wichita RV show and talked about going but we really don't need to now.
We are like you and don't prefer the dark interiors. The dark woods are pretty and very popular on the new RVs. I did some looking around on the net and found some of the Atrium models. They look nice and the Atruim would let in a lot of light which I need more of with every passing year. We have the same issue with our tub/shower and are in search of a short stool. For now we put a rug on the tile floor outside the shower to help with slipping. We brought Becky's parents with us to NY and knew there was no way they were going to be able to get in the shower. They stayed in a hotel with other family members while we stayed in the RV in the parking lot. We were there for a wedding so it was a quick trip. I have to say the shower is the only thing about the RV that would be troublesome for an older person. The first time I stepped out I slipped and about fell, much caution is used now. The several Gulfstreams I found on the Net had 330hp diesels, I have heard others say that might be a little small for a 40ftr. I am going to guess the new fridge is a residential model and runs only on 110v, that could make boondocking more difficult. Just some things to keep in mind when looking. As for the size of the RV, it does take more room to make a turn but once you get behind the wheel and get a feel for how much room you need, the "Monster" will be tamed. lol

Mark & Becky

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you Mark and Becky, I really love being able to discuss all this with current "lifers" to get more feedback. I will double check the size of the diesel on the "Monster". I have toying with what to name my new home, Monster is in the running!

Sushidog · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does the Gulfstream Atrium have double pane windows? If not, you might find the atrium slide lets out too much heat in the winter and has a "green house effect" in the summer making it harder to keep cool, especially when boondocking. The extra light is nice but I'm afraid the atrium would have a poor "R" value to make it practical for a full timer in all but the mildest of climates.

You can always sit outside under the awning to read or just enjoy nature when the weather is nice, and huddle up inside a well insulated RV when it's not.

Chip

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks for the heads up Chip. I will definitely check into that. My hobbies aren't conducive to winds outdoors. No problem going outside for reading which I love, and walks with the dogs. I would not be living in any extreme temperatures, except for short periods before moving on. I have thought about the possibility of sliding in the atrium on occasion if needed and insulation on the inside vertical windows, parking with the atrium facing east in the summer and west or south in the winter. I will add your thoughts to my list I am taking with me to the Wednesday inspection day! Thank you.

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hey Chip, I was reviewing in my mind when I was looking over the atrium windows and my friend confirmed that the top windows were in fact two separate windows, the inside one was a plexiglass of some sort and the side windows were double glass. On Wednesday I will be spending a few hours inspecting and measuring stuff all over, inside, roof and undercarriage and will be taking extensive notes!

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Well got a better look at the Atrium today. She is a Freightliner chassis with a 350 Caterpillar diesel and Allison transmission, which my long time mechanic says is the "holy three"! mileage is 30,400 with auxiliary big rig horns, (they are really cool, will definitely have to honk them occasionally when out on the open road).

We didn't get to go topside, will do that on Monday. The tires have weather cracking so would need new ones. There was a W/D combo when new but it is gone now. Suggestions of brands for replacement welcomed. Brand new Whirlpool Fridge is in fact a 110 only. Microwave is also convection. One section of stove cover is missing, will look around to see about replacement. Crack about 10 inches long on the body over the driver side front tire, entrance door was allowed to slam into the awning bracket so the "bumper" didn't do its job, and the siding on door has a hole. There is an awning for all three slides, including the atrium. Drivers side windshield has crack in lower corner, will cost about 500 to 900 to replace. Monday Charlie will get under to check out "stuff" after we drive her around a bit, while i check every nook and cranny inside, lights, windows and edges looking for any tell tell faults. It has not been "detailed" so should be no clean up to cover problem things.

Brought home all the books and papers to look over. Interesting note: the original owner was one of my assistant principals in high school! Unfortunately he passed away about 3 years ago and his wife just last September, spoke with one of their kids though.

PrairieRV · RV-Dreams Family Member

It sounds like you've pretty much decided to get it, baring any big negatives in the remainder of inspections. Good luck on the dealing!

eskiehouse · RV-Dreams Community Member

Yea, Charley wants to slide under and check out the chassis and look for any leaks, rock damage, hoses, etc. I just looked up WD combos and I don't think I want one, too many requirements and if I am boon-docking I have enough clothes for 3 weeks and can always wash out delicates or just buy enough to last that long. It seems the huge majority of sizable rv parks have laundry facilities. I will just use the WD closet for sewing machine and related stuff.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

One small advantage to the washer/dryer hookup, is you will have an electric circuit available that is not on the inverter. It is a good one to hook a space heater to, if the power goes out the heater won't drain your batteries.

If the fridge is a residential, I recommend getting a remote thermometer to know how long you can go without electricity before you need to run the generator. Our Whirlpool can only go 4 to 5 hours. This is the remote thermometer we use, http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-Refrigerator-Freezer-Wireless-Thermometer/dp/B004QJVU78, and it does require a lithium AA for the freezer sensor.