Why now is it more important to be attached to a RV club these days? Just like the way of classic cars we are entering a new era. With an economy that looks like it will be years before,( if ever) we see growth again like the past 20 years to where average folk people can afford luxury items like RVs again. People had money, homes or retirements accounts to invest and could save to be able to afford RVs like we have developed over this time period. I don't see many people soon to retire who can afford to go out and take the chance of their retirement money to buy like we could in past.Unless you are luck enough to have a successful business and some have worked hard to have that grace on their side.
This economy has forced many manufactures to either go out of business or drop complete lines and go away forever.
In fact it looks like in the next few years their may only be a handful left manufacturing motor homes and with that the costs will be out of reach for many. Gulf Stream was smart and did what they did to try to remain in th business by down sizing. I hope they can stay a float for many years to come and adjust product lines to meet the needs at affordable pricing. I think it was smart decision to open up club free to all owners past and present, it builds a foundation and people like brand association. As more go to rallies or get involved with chats on the site it will build a stronger customer base.
My point is this
, owning one of the Rvs from this past era and taking pride in maintaining it by keeping it like new, then being able to attend rally's like the Gulf Steamers to show it off to others brings a great deal of pride. Not only to the owner, but to the company who built it and others who can appreciate the coach and who built that coach.
So being part of a club like Gulf Streamers and owning a 2004 Bt Cruiser 5270 like myself is owning a piece of history from what seems to be a soon to be past great era in RV manufacturing. Just like a classic car like a 65 Mustang, a mint condition a C class B plus or A class will be something to see from this era as well to Rvers.
Now that Gulf Stream has stopped manufacturing motor homes of all types as well as a lot of coach companies gone leaving those of us who own them to try to preserve them in a unique situation.
I myself who is lucky enough to own and have a garage kept 2004 in mint condition coach a great challenge. To own a piece of Gulf Stream RV history like a classic car and to keep it from deteriorating, use it as I would, but also have great pride in keeping it like new for years to come to share and pass on as a classic Rv from a era past. It becomes a hobby as well as a lifestyle for us as we travel across the country
The fact that the development of fiberglass units and aluminum frames on most motor homes past 12 years or so means they will hold up and not rust like old classic cars you still need to paint and remove any rust that forms under chassis and compound and wax fiberglass finish and roofs to keep elements from getting to it.If it stored outside a good cover will surely help keep off the sun
It takes a lot of work to keep them up if they are stored outside as many have no choice. As years pass on and people pass on these motor homes will become rarer plus the fact they are not being sold like they were means less on the road. So the rallies will be a special place to see those classic Rvs, owning one maintained in new looking condition will make the rallies or being parked at a campground a great sense of pride to own one!