RE: Scangauge
A good place to buy them is Amazon. I got mine there and it did not work on the International platform. They charged me no shipping when I bought it and they paid for the return freight when I had to send it back. Good luck, I really wish it had worked for my coach.
RE: Supernova Ride While Towing
I only tow a Jeep Wrangler or a 10' motorcycle, ATV trailer behind my 34' SuperNova and have not experienced the problems you have had. I do not know how long your unit is but, IMHO, most class C coaches have a longer than necessary overhang behind the back wheels to the bumper that can cause some severe chassis motion especially while towing a trailer with either too much or too little tongue weight. The higher the wheelbase to overall length the better. The three most popular SuperNova lengths are 34. 37, and 40 foot. Their wheelbase to length ratios are .65, .59, and .58 respectively. The shorter the coach, the better the ratio in this case. Have you tried using an equalizer hitch with your trailer? I hope you find some resolution to your issues because I have found, after over 20,000 miles, my SuperNova to be a great coach.
RE: OBDII
At least you guys can use a scan gauge. I bought one for my International chassis and found out that the plugs are not standard on class 6 and above. I called Scan Gauge and they said until they are regulated, the scan gauge will not work. Not even an adapter available because the format that runs with the OBDIII is standard along with the plug and on the big rigs, the format and plugs are proprietary to the manufacturer. I hope all this changes in the future because I see more and more Super C's going to class 6 chassis.
RE: Supernova vs. Endura
The SuperNova was the original Conquest (Gulf Stream's C class division) to be offered uniquely on the International class 6 chassis. Now Conquest offers the Endura, Independence, Conquest Super C, Ultra, and Yellowstone brands as either a gas Chevy C5500 or a diesel International class 6. To my knowledge, the only difference in all these coaches are the floor plans and decor options. Unless something changes for 2009, the SuperNova is the only one that offers a king bed option. Also, the 31 and 37 foot Gladiator toy haulers are offered on the International diesel chassis.
RE: cevey 5500 with 6.6 duramax using oil
I had a 2006 Four Winds with the Duramax diesel and it did use a little more oil between changes than I thought was normal. I asked the dealer about it and was told it was normal. Good luck.
Winter camping Northern states
My kids and grand kids may be transferring from south Florida to Chicago. We use the coach once each quarter of the year to visit and stay for a week or two each time. Are campgrounds even open during the winter in the Midwest and what, other than heated holding tanks, insulation, and double pane windows are required for the coach to survive in the harsh winters?
RE: 26,000 pound GVWR Kodiak?
It is about time the RV industry started using the class 6 Chevy chassis. That should have been the norm for the Super C's all along. As for the VT365 in the International chassis, don't confuse it with the Ford Powerstroke. International uses their own electronics and fuel system and they put 300 hp in the RV setup. It has more pulling power than I had with my C5500 Kodiak coach with the Duramax diesel probably because of the 2500MH Allison transmission. I have always been a Chevy fan but the International drives much better and handles exceptional as compared to the Kodiak. I do hope that the Chevy class 6 has a better front end package than their class 5. Mine was very loose and not at all fun to drive.
After months of speculation that Navistar (International) was going to buy GM medium truck business, this release came out today:
FOR RELEASE: 2008-08-20
CONTACTS
GM Statement Regarding Medium Duty Truck Business
Due to significant marketplace and economic changes, GM and Navistar have decided not to renew the memorandum of understanding to purchase GM's medium duty truck business, which has expired. GM will continue to run the medium duty business as it has in the past, including providing sales, service and marketing support to GM dealers for its medium duty trucks.
GM will continue to review strategic options for the business, including continued discussions with Navistar.
RE: 39c...the one that got away
I really enjoyed reading your adventure and wish you well in your continued search for the perfect coach for you and the family. I, like you, am frequently not a very patient person. Well, I have learned to be more patient since my venture into the RV world. It seems everything in this universe runs a little slower than the normal world. Learn to slow down and don't let things bother you or RVing may not be for you. Wife and I really enjoy our coach but slow parts, wrong diagnosis of problems, slow and incompetent RV park (and bank) employees, persistent little things could make my life not too pleasant if I had not learned to not sweat the small stuff. My first coach gave me a great experience of things to come so I have been more patient with the second coach and, surprisingly, we enjoy this one much more.
Again, good luck and I hope you get the coach that is right for you.
RE: Gulf Stream super C quality?
I just returned from a 2800 mile trip to Florida to visit the kids and grand kids in my year old SuperNova. I now have over 20,000 miles on this coach and it runs better and better with miles. I do not think you can find a better handling coach on the market than the International at this price point. No handling upgrades necessary (like those needed on most Chevy Kodiak chassis) and winds, road conditions and other high profile vehicles have no adverse effects on the International chassis. I had my normal first year new coach issues but not any more than I had with my first coach, a Four Winds Fun Mover. Gulf Stream and my dealer, McClain's RV in Denton, Texas did everything I asked during the warranty period and I was extremely satisfied with the service provided from both. My wife and I think that the SuperNova is just about the perfect coach for us.
RE: 35 or 39, that is the question
I owned a Four Winds Fun Mover and now a Gulf Stream SuperNova. From a quality standpoint, I like the SuperNova much more than the Fun Mover. However, I do agree that the diesel will have a better value down the road than the gas coach.
My Fun Mover was a 35' model and we decided we wanted more living area than hauling. That big garage in the back uses a lot of living area and we find the 34' Gulf Stream much more livable than the Fun Mover. The 39' will have more living area than we had with the 35' but not as much as the traditional 35' coach.
Unless you need the cargo area, I would keep looking for a traditional coach in the 35' range with a diesel power plant (just my humble opinion).
RE: cleaning the batteries in my MH
Performed procedure as outlined here today on my coach as I prepare to leave on a trip early tomorrow morning. All of you left out a major step or caution. The rust from the battery box mixed with the baking soda and post corrosion made a big mess on my previously clean drive when I rinsed off the baking soda mixture with clean water. Next step for me was to power wash the driveway ( and it is still stained and will be for some time to come). I will definitely put down some sort of plastic catch pan when I do this cleaning the next time.
RE: Are dealers giving up on Class C's and A's?
I talked to a local dealer last week and the sales force has been decentralized. In the past, they had trailer sales specialists and coach specialists. Now they all sell everything and the trailers are selling better than the coaches. The lower price point was the reason I was given for the current phenomena. The lower priced trailers are easier to finance these days and it is easier to qualify for credit. When I asked about gas vs. diesel coaches, they said diesel is still outselling gas at their dealership.
RE: New Gulfstream Super C
Searching for the Caribbean, I found this information from a dealer in Florida:
39.5 ft. Class A
Price: $ 129,998 Brand New!!
Location: Sanford, Florida
Description: This is a Brand New Coach with all the new warranties!! LaMesa RV bought the remaining chassis at the National RV going out of business auction and had Gulf Stream build the coaches. This is a NEW COACH with a price over $200,000!!! Won't find this deal anywhere. Freightliner chassis, Allison, Thermopane windows, Vinyl Ceiling, Power Awning, Side Cameras, Diesel Generator, Full Body Paint w/Graphics, 350hp Cummins. WOW!! Have them at 38C (39'11") or 35A (38') After this, it's over.
RE: 2008 INTERNATIONAL (diesel) Gulfstream Endura.s
I hope you can work it out to your satisfaction. As has been discussed many times on this and other threads, RV's unfortunately are not perfect. I have owned two class C coaches, one on a Kodiak and one on an International chassis. As I have discussed on here many times, there, IMHO, is no comparison. The class 6 chassis is far superior to the class 5.
Both coaches had their "issues" including a leak on the current International chassis SuperNova. Between myself, Gulf Stream, and Mc Clain's RV (my local dealer), all have been repaired to my satisfaction. Both coaches took most of the first year to get all the "bugs" worked out. I knew what to expect and quite frankly, was much more tolerant with the second coach than I was the first coach. I think it was partly because I had been through it before and partly that I really love the SuperNova.
DW and I travel with two other couples that have class A's. One is a Monaco Diplomat and the other is an American Eagle. Both coaches are fairly new and both owners have had as many or more problems with their coaches as I have had and both paid a lot more for theirs than I did mine. Unfortunately, a house on wheels just seems to give you some problems.
I hope you get your issues resolved to your satisfaction. I would not give up too quickly because all RV's (at least the ones I have seen) are going to have some new coach issues.
RE: Where do you take your MH for service?
All my chassis service thus far has been at International (chassis manufacturer), they charge around $250 for full service, oil, lube, oil and fuel filter. I have a guy in town that charges about half that but feel comfortable taking to International while it is under the five year engine warranty. I change everything every 8000 miles rather than the 10000 the book calls for. I feel fresh oil along with a clean fuel filter in a diesel is important. I have not had the coach systems worked on yet, other than the dealer changing the generator oil ($89.00), but will probably continue to use my dealer. They have been great during the first year warranty period and are only a mile from my house.
RE: Wheel Chocks
I, like you, simply set the brake and lower the jacks most of the time. If the coach needs to jack a wheel off the ground to level, I use chocks in front and back of the rear dual wheels. I really do not know if they are necessary, but it makes me feel better to have them in place.
RE: What do you pack where?
We also leave everything stored. Our big mistake several years ago was buying kitchen plates of all sizes. To keep them form rattling, we sandwich spongy shelf liners pieces in between them. The real key is we don't use real dishes. We have found it much easier to use plastic cups and paper plates. I think we have used our real dishes maybe twice in the last two years. We take our folding clothes out to the coach in laundry baskets and fill the wardrobe drawers. We have a rolling clothes hanger unit that we fill with hanging clothes, roll it out to the coach and fill the closet from it. We, too, can pack for a long trip in less than an hour. The basement stays filled with tables, chairs, grills, tools, all the things you need for camping. I am fortunate that we have of excess capacity. When full of fuel, water, and gear, we are still 4000# under our GVWR. Just try things till you find out what works for you.
RE: Long Travel and water
The 85 gallon fresh water tank on my SuperNova is at the very back behind the axle. I fill it to capacity before a long trip because it helps balance the coach and makes it ride smoother. My coach completely full only weighs 20700# off the GVWR of 25999# so I do not have a weight issue. I have tried driving with full and empty tanks and I prefer full. On the way home, we use the water in our tank the last couple of stops rather than hooking up to the RV park water so I get home with little left over water.
RE: Got some bad water - how to clean fresh water tank...
Add a cup of bleach to your fill hose and connect to fresh water spigot to fill your tank. This should clean out your hose and your holding tank. Be sure to run some of the bleach/water mixture through your faucets to clean out any water that got in to the water system in your coach. I routinely do this about 2-3 times a year whether I got in to some bad water or not.
RE: Considering buying a Super C
As I have well documented on this forum over the past year, I sold my year old Kodiak chassis coach and bought the SuperNova the same day I took a test drive in one. The class 6 and above chassis coaches are a dream to drive and have no adverse effects from rough/grooved roads, wind conditions, or other high profile vehicles. I drove the Kodiak for 12000 white knuckle miles and have over 17000 miles on the SuperNova enjoying every minute of them. Many have spent a lot of money on the Kodiak suspension and say they can get them to handle well. The class 6 coach drives and handles great stock.
