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Old 03-30-2020, 02:49 PM   #1
RobBain
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Hello,
My name is Robert Bain
I live at Lake Whitney,TX
I have a 2007 Gulfstresm BT Cruiser MB
I am interested with communicating with other owners.
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Old 03-31-2020, 09:55 PM   #2
Frutza
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Hi rob, jump in anytime
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Mike & Becky
2005 Crescendo 8356
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Old 04-02-2020, 08:26 AM   #3
Diggingashes
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Hi Rob,
My wife and I are now owners of a 2006 BT 5291 that we purchased last Fall. We has been RVing for a long time and decided to downsize to the BT from a 37' class A. We are in Vermont so the season hasn't started but with the Covid-19 it may not start for some time.
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Old 04-05-2020, 09:40 AM   #4
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Hello, Purduepete2 here.
We bought our 2007 BT Cruiser model 5291B new 2007. We have lots of experience in modifications to improve ride and handling. We have traveled to all 50 states and Puerto Rico, not all with the RV.
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Old 04-05-2020, 12:18 PM   #5
Diggingashes
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Hi,
Would be interested in what you have done to your 07 5291 to improve it. We downsized from a 37' class A to the 06 5291 last Sept. I have installed air bags on the rear but haven't had it long enough to do much because we live in the Northeast and it went to bed for the winter. The exterior was heavily oxidized and I found that Protect-All fiberglass restorer did a nice job restoring the shiny finish. Be safe!
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Old 04-05-2020, 12:59 PM   #6
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Hey Dg,

I'd say the best improvement was the last one and it was the least expensive. I changed the camber/caster bushings to increase the "Caster" setting and it really improved drive handling, The Ford factory "Caster" setting is -1 to +7. I could only get it to +1 with the factory bushings. I replaced them with Ingalls 59400 adjustable camber/caster bushings ($30) and set them to maximum caster and had wheel alignment checked and it increased to +4.5. It made a world of difference in the drive handling and now it's like it's on rails. No more wandering at all!
Other improvements include:
1) moving generator from rear storage compartment to front passenger side compartment means no more dragging tailpipe on ramps. It also moved weight to front end and relieved weight on the rear axle.
2) added two extra leafs to rear spring packages. (Go to a truck stop and check rear axle, front axle and total weights and you'll know why)
3) installed Koni shocks all the way around.
4)Had additional storage compartment installed behind rear wheels on passenger side allowing storage for full set of golf clubs.
5) Tightened bolts in cab ceiling to eliminate constant squeaking!
6) Added insulation to front nose fiberglass shell and paneled inside of TV compartment
7) Replaced heavy 26" crt TV with 28" LED (68 watt) LCD TV
I'm probably boring you now!

Pete
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Old 04-05-2020, 02:49 PM   #7
Diggingashes
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Hi Pete, Thanks for the info. I have done some research on the Ford caster issue and concur that it needs to be adjustable. In the short time we have owned ours I did notice it wandered. I agree the generator should never have been put in the far rear, but don't think I will tackle that job. I put the air bags on the rear and believe it will make a difference in the handling. Until we get used to the smaller size I don't plan to put too much into it.
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Old 04-05-2020, 03:34 PM   #8
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I did not do the generator work myself. My rig was still under warranty so I complained enough to the factory and showed them the scale weight on the rear axle which was a safety issue. While I was on a roll I complained that none of the compartments was large enough for my golf clubs.
They came and picked up the unit and had Mor-Ryde add the springs while they moved the generator and added the new storage compartment for my clubs. Once again, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". No Charge! Also, it doesn't hurt to have "Pavlack Law Indianapolis, IN" on your side, but that's another story!

Pete
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Old 04-05-2020, 03:49 PM   #9
Diggingashes
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Interesting that you say Mor-Ryde added the springs. I have a label on the drivers door post that states that Mor-Ryde modified the suspension. Possibly I have the additional spring leaves as I can't see where anything else was changed. I have put the airbags on an F350 dually and the class A with Workhorse chassis, but this was a bear to install.
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Old 04-07-2020, 06:30 PM   #10
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The E-450 super duty cut-away comes from the factory with an 11 leaf spring package.
I now have 13 leafs in each spring package.
Gulf Stream sends the cut-away chassis to Mor-Ryde to extend the chassis before GS adds the RV box.
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Old 04-08-2020, 06:54 AM   #11
Diggingashes
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Interesting, I had not done much research into GS and how and who is involved in the construction of their units. Their workmanship seems to be a little sloppy in some areas. I will be putting a slide topper over the dinette shortly. GS never pealed the plastic off the inside of the top windows!!
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Old 04-08-2020, 09:42 PM   #12
purduepete12
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Are you going to put a slide topper over the sky light windows?
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Old 04-09-2020, 09:32 AM   #13
Diggingashes
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I am, we went out last fall and were close to trees which commenced to dump everything on top of the slide. I can also see the top windows causing a lot of heat in the summer sun. The topper will let the light in without the heat. Had to be very careful in ordering the width due to the narrow space between the slide and the awning arm. I saw a 5291 on line for sale that had the awning. It should also deflect rain water from the top of the slide.
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Old 04-09-2020, 10:10 AM   #14
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I know what you mean about the hot sun coming through the sky lights. I made sun blockers from aluminum foil sided insulating material that I slide between the overhead shades. I had to remove the slide toppers from the other slides as springs wore out and were putting too much load on the slide out motors. I spoke with a dealer and he said that is the first thing they do when they get in a used unit.
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Old 04-09-2020, 10:44 AM   #15
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Rarely see a slide without a topper, can't see why a dealer would remove the toppers, certainly not a selling point. Then again you see people that never clean off the top of the slides and drag everything in when they close the slide. Mine has toppers on the left side slides with no issues. Appears to be a rather interesting slide mechanism.
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Old 04-09-2020, 11:25 AM   #16
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Make sure you lubricate the mechanism as that's what put the load on the slide Drive motor and the gear box on it exploded. Replacement cost for these motordrives (they are a one piece motor drive gear box) are about $850 just for the part.
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