cbmbfam
Maryland
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Joined: 09/25/2008
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Regarding the Super Nova 6400... I will try to make this as brief as possible. We purchased ours on March 1st this year. We have only put about 2500 miles on it - mainly because it has spent most of that time in the shop for repairs... leaks, poorly designed fresh water system, electrical, audio visual system problems, the list goes on and on. There just does not seem to be very good quality control going on at Gulfstream! The RV has spent over 6 weeks in the shop! We do love the set up, bunks etc, aside from these issues which have been fixed by my dealer in a very timely fashion. Just don't expect a "luxury" unit - as is categorized on their website! There is just NO attention to detail.
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31 tundra
Elizabethtown, pa.
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Joined: 11/22/2007
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cbmbfam, were you at Old Millstream last weekend, if so, send me a PM. I'm interested to hear the rest of the story.
05 E-350 15 pass.van
08 Tundra 31 BH-DSL
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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My comment about a rough ride.
Motorhome owners will have complaint about one of two issues.....
1) Not enough cargo carrying capability (CCC)
2) Too harsh of a ride
But these two complaints generally are not heard by the same individual.
Did you ever rent a truck for a day, to move from one home to another? Driving the truck from the rental company to your old place, the ride is very harsh. After you load it up with all your belongings, the ride is so much better. What does that tell you?
Any vehicle that is near it's CCC will have a much softer ride than one with a lot of extra CCC. How to address this properly? I really don't know.
I had a 3rd complaint with my motorhome.....handling issues. $4000 later and all is well. But no real change in a soft/hard ride or CCC.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
See The Inside by clicking on "View Profile" and scroll down
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Texas TC
Corinth,Texas
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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When I chose to sell my bad handling Kodiak and buy a new coach, I drove both A class and C class coaches. I only drove the A because my A friends told me I should try one and I would love it. Well, I did. But, only the A class with the 8 air bag suspension systems with a price tag well above what I wanted to pay. The entry level A's and class 5 C's all handled as bad as the Kodiak I was trying to rid myself of. Then, at a Dallas RV show, parked in the back of the lot (it had only arrived the day of the show and there was no time for the dealer to ready it for the main floor of the convention center) I saw the SuperNova. That was in February, last year. I looked all around it and on Monday following the show, I test drove that very coach. After about ten miles on a windy February Texas day on I35 south outside of Fort Worth, Texas, I fell in love with the SuperNova. I ordered the 6331 (34') model with the colors, interior, and options I wanted. Twelve long weeks past and the coach arrived a day before I was to leave on a trip.
I will admit there have been issues. I had a leak, rear TV had to be replaced, and the chassis had a parking brake and injector issues. Being one of the first models, Gulf Stream and International even paid to have my rear gear ratios change from 617 to 529. Gulf Steam, Mc Clain's RV in Denton, Texas (my dealer that is only a mile from my house), and Southwest International in Dallas all worked together to take care of every issue I had. Now, after 21000 miles of happy traveling, I still love this coach as much as the day I test drove that model back in February, 2007.
I like the way the truck chassis drives. I know their will be some rough rides on our freeway systems (especially in Louisiana and Mississippi) but the way the coach handles grooved roads, winds and other high profile vehicles makes it a dream to drive. I do not think you can find a better coach than the International chassis Gulf Stream at this price point. There are definitely better, flashier, better quality units available but you will pay a higher price point for them.
As for the engine noise, yep, it is loud when the cooling fan cuts in (between 190 and 210 degrees), but, I do not find it to be any louder than the Kodiak was. You have to prefer the truck chassis over the bus chassis to drive a Super C. The size is virtually the same as the A class so the decision is simple, truck or bus. I simply prefer to drive the class 6 truck chassis over the bus chassis.
2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova (6331)
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az99
N.Y.
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Joined: 12/26/2006
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Texas TC wrote:
As for the engine noise, yep, it is loud when the cooling fan cuts in (between 190 and 210 degrees), but, I do not find it to be any louder than the Kodiak was. Yea, right. Why did they have to add a noise insulation package if it was so quiet ?
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JimBob2353
Greenwood, SC
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Joined: 07/02/2005
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Because they listened to consumers, who felt that the cab noise was excessive.
What is closer to the facts is that most drivers are comparing apples and oranges. Driving a super C is in essence driving a truck with the engine right in front of you. Driving a Class A diesel pusher means that the engine is 35-40 feet away from you, and makes no noise to speak of. I, like Texas TC have owned a Seneca and a Super Nova, and the noise level is comparable in both. Using the economy mode, to me, the noise level at 55-65 mph is quite acceptable in the Nova. TC explained the situation very well. If you want to talk quality issues with no factory back up, or dealer network, let me tell you about the Alfa Cya we owned....
JimBob
08 Super Nova
Greenwood SC. Currently off road while wife is recovering from back surgery.
http://jimbobmissbetteandbuster.blogspot.com
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homeiswhereweare
Moab
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Joined: 09/20/2008
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We've only had our 09 Supernova 6400 for a couple of weeks and we love it. The noise levels are what I expected for a truck - and haven't been an issue. We can hold normal conversations and still hear what the kids are up to behind us. The SN handles like a truck - guess what - it is one. I prefer driving it to the type As I tested. The handling on rough Utah mountain and desert roads has been great. Smoother than my jeep but rougher than a luxury car. Again, it's a truck. We are transitioning in to full-timing and the SN is exactly what we where looking for. I posted separately about our first impressions after picking it up. Also it rides and tows much better with heavy loads - and frankly was designed for it. We're happy with our decision. And now is the time to buy one. We found ours new for less than most of the 'used' listings on RV trader and elsewhere.
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j darlich
littlestown pa
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Joined: 07/11/2008
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We took the test drive yesterday. Totally empty weight, so I am kept that in mind. My husband drove first while I did the sitting in different areas. The dining table area ride was basically no different than what we currently have. Sofa area was bumpier, it reminded me of the old wooden roller coaster when you get hooked onto the chain that pulls you up to the top of that first big hill. Our 4 year old actually did the aaaaaaaaaaa (make the sound and tap your chest) The Tv above the fireplace was not latched correctly and proceeded to flap around. The first bathroom you could use if you had to, no worse than on an airline flight in a little turbulence. The bed has to be crawled across to get to the back bathroom (have to have a slide out to be able to get in any of the closets) If you had to lay down, no way would you stay in the bed. Did not have the upper side to side sway (we are tipping over feeling) but definitely up and down bounce.
My turn to drive. First comment, nice seat!!! No park P on the selector. The way it shows you what you are in Drive, neutral etc will take getting use to. Engine noise was louder but nothing that would not make me buy it Had the salesman turn on the radio as well to see if that drowned out the noise, nope.
Husband was talking in the back. I could hear him going blah blah but not what he was actually saying. To me and I am sure to him a good thing. I hate his driving (pull up on the bumper, let off the gas, pull up on the bumper, pass, get right back in the other lane when you can see that you are going to need to pass the next vehicle in 30 seconds, back into the other lane, back in the previous lane, on the bumper, off the gas ) and he thinks that I cannot see the semi in the next lane or the car on the brakes in front of me. Anyhow, it handles great, when you push the pedal to floor and off it goes. (Would like to have been on the hills there on rte 30). Brakes, it has great brakes! Yeah!! I feel as if someone pulled out I have a chance of not giving them the convertible that they always wanted.
Did not like the fact that there is no way for you to see what was going on behind you unless you actually turned around, not a good thing to do while driving. Definitely need a courtesy mirror or something. Unit handles great backing and turning. Does not feel like a 40 foot unit. Arrived back at the dealership, put the thing in whatever gear the guy told me and attempted to pull the brake. OH MY GOD!! I go to the gym so I am no light weight when it comes to bicep muscles, it took all I had to get that thing up. My husband just laughed. I have no clue how others are going to accomplish this feat.
We all piled out of the unit, checked out all of the compartments. Realized very quickly that 8 of the compartments are non usable. Only 1 very small compartment on the driver's side is available and I think 4 possible 5 rather small compartments on the passenger side. The doors swing out instead of lift up which limits where you can place an outside tv. We decided it would need to go in the first compartment in front so I had them get me a tape measure. The tv could be no larger than 20x20 and would have to be mounted on a swivel arm as well (how much space would that require). How would the rest of our stuff fit (canopies, kid's toys, chairs, grill, tents etc)
Went back inside to check out storage. Kitchen area has very little storage and I realized no oven. Salesperson said you have a micro/convection oven. I opened the microwave and yes it is larger than most. But no way to put a 16 inch pizza in that thing. Frig and freezer size is good. Table is a little wobbly. it only has one leg now to allow it to be moved in and out (basically to accomodate your ever increasing butt size due to age) Decided that we could install some type of shelving where the washer/dryer area is to create a pantry. Closet space is adequate for our needs. Less clothes taken, means less laundry for me to do when we return. We limit outfits taken, others may have a problem. Where do you hang everyones wet towels? No real space to install hooks due to the french doors. Shower when stepping in seemed a little soft directly under the drain. Husband pointed out Tv in the bedroom area is much smaller than the built in surrounding it. We could use that tv outside and get a larger one for there.
All in all I would say a very nice unit. But could we justify spending the money.
The inside of this unit more family friendly than any unit we have seen. But with family in mind, needs more storage inside and out. But to accomplish this, you are back to family unfriendly space.
We did alot of talking on the drive back home. I also posted under Class A asking for third opinions on what we should do.
In the end, we have decided to stick with our current motorhome. Take what would be a drop in the bucket compared to the new unit and get some excellent tents and outdoor equipment and get as many years as possible (hoping for at least 5) out of the old girl and re-address purchasing something (mabye this same model) at that time.
A big thanks to everyone!!!
Jay, Tina, Austin, Kaelonnah, & Cashton
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Groover
Pulaski, TN
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Joined: 10/17/2007
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j darlich,
I think that this is one of the best posts I have ever read.
I saw where you said that the closets and back bunk cannot be accessed with the slides in. Are there any other areas that cannot be used? From the floor plans it looks to me like the bunks may be hard to access also. I have not been able to see for myself since I have not found one at a dealer.
I am really curious about the 16" pizza comment. Can you get one in your current RV oven? One barely fits in my built in convection oven at home and I cannot imagine having that much space for an oven in an RV.
I am surprised that everyone talks about the Supernova 6400 but not the Endura 6341. I saw one recently and really liked it. It seems to offer a lot of the advantages of the Supernova with a little less bulk and price. Also, with the exception of some drawers it was fully usable with the slides in. I anticipate spending a lot of time on the road and this is important to me. Comments, anyone?
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j darlich
littlestown pa
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Joined: 07/11/2008
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Thanks for the compliment on the post.
No way to access the bunks while the slide is closed, you can basically peak in the area through a crack, which brings one other thing to mind. There are doors on each side of the bunk area, which need to be opened flat against the 1/2 bath wall before you close the slide. If you would forget, the doors will be toast from the start. Also the bed when the slides are closed is not flat. The head area raises up and the mattress is raised as well. We commented on the tight fit,the salesperson said that the mattress is not placed correctly. So you need to make sure the wardrobe area doors and drawers are shut properly as well and nothing is left on the floor at the foot of the bed.
Not sure if I mentioned in my earlier post, but the table now that it has one leg instead of two, it definitely wobbly. If someone is getting in or out of the seating and uses the table for assistance things on the table are definitely going to move around. Take that in mind when filling glasses and such.
As for the pizza fitting in our current oven, I am pretty sure the pre-made Walmart pizza is a 16" one I will have to measure it the next time. It fits in with the pizza touching front, back, and sides. Kids love it.
Tina
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