Gulf Stream Owners RV Forum - View Single Post - Adding storages to 2003 Gulfstream Independence

Snowbird 2 · 09-26-2009, 11:14 PM

[I purchased a 33' Gulfstream Independence a year ago. It was in mint condition with only 12,000 miles on it. Last winter we used it for 4 months in CA and AZ and were not happy with the amount of outside storage space. I took it upon myself to purchase 3 new storage doors at an RV dealer in CA($90 total) and made their installation a summer project. I think they turned out great and provide for much more storage even though I don't intend to fill them all to capacity--it is convenient to have items spread out more and distribute weight away from the large rear pass-through storage to reduce the weight behind the rear axel. I matched the paint(computer scan) and used 3 clear coatsover it, used and made the storages out of 3/8" plywood and painted them with a tough marine paint. I used angle iron to support them bolted between the frame and steel sidewall rails. It was a bit nerve racking cutting holes through the walls of the RV but after the first one went well, no problem. The largest storage was placed under the drivers side slide and is 8' long 30"" wide and 1' deep. Te two others are smaller but still very roomy. I also installed a slideout awning and replaced the old type TV with an LCD TV and added shelves in the old TV compartment. What more is there to do?--we'll find out after next winter's wanderings--I'm sure we will think of something.

09-26-2009, 11:14 PM	#1
Snowbird 2 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14	Adding storages to 2003 Gulfstream Independence [I purchased a 33' Gulfstream Independence a year ago. It was in mint condition with only 12,000 miles on it. Last winter we used it for 4 months in CA and AZ and were not happy with the amount of outside storage space. I took it upon myself to purchase 3 new storage doors at an RV dealer in CA($90 total) and made their installation a summer project. I think they turned out great and provide for much more storage even though I don't intend to fill them all to capacity--it is convenient to have items spread out more and distribute weight away from the large rear pass-through storage to reduce the weight behind the rear axel. I matched the paint(computer scan) and used 3 clear coatsover it, used and made the storages out of 3/8" plywood and painted them with a tough marine paint. I used angle iron to support them bolted between the frame and steel sidewall rails. It was a bit nerve racking cutting holes through the walls of the RV but after the first one went well, no problem. The largest storage was placed under the drivers side slide and is 8' long 30"" wide and 1' deep. Te two others are smaller but still very roomy. I also installed a slideout awning and replaced the old type TV with an LCD TV and added shelves in the old TV compartment. What more is there to do?--we'll find out after next winter's wanderings--I'm sure we will think of something.