New GS member saying hi

[Wildblue]

Hello--I'm new to the RV world. I've wanted one for at least 15 years, but never could justify the cost as being practical. Well, I'm currently finishing a year military deployment to Iraq, my girls are growing up, and my wife and I just decided that we need to enjoy life while we can. Yes, for all I know, we might be rich and financially secure 10 years from now, but our girls will be much older, and very well may not want to go camping with mom and dad then. So, above all, we're looking at an RV purchase not as a material acquisition, but intended to be an enabler for quality family time.

So we're in the process of buying a 37' 2008 Gulf Stream Conquest Endura 6362 Class "C+", International Chassis w/VT365 engine that I found. 13,800 miles. I actually don't think I've come across anybody else here, on RVNet, or IRV2 that has this particular model. I don't know if I should be concerned by that, or enjoy that I might have a rare unit? We really like this model so far. We should be picking it up in June, and then driving it as a family cross-continent back to our home in Alaska. It'll give us time to get reacquainted with each other after being apart for a year, and get me refamiliar with my own country. Will be making a couple stops along the way to see family or cross more vacation spots off our list. (i.e. Calgary/Banff)

Would love to hear input, experience, and advice from other users. Has this model experienced problems others have, with the "turbo fart", leaking seals, etc? Indications so far are that the particular unit we're acquiring has NOT had those things. We're having it thoroughly inspected, bumper to bumper as part of the purchase, comes with a warranty, and will be setting up a support network for the trip up to Alaska. However, it's a pretty long stretch from Calgary/Edmonton to Anchorage without International/GS service locations.

I would also be curious to hear if there's anything people would recommend "you really should consider XXXXX as a modification/purchase", as we'll be more limited in access to certain things in Alaska, and it might be better to have certain work done or purchase items while we're in the lower 48 before going up north.

Hello, all.