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ol__yeller's avatar
ol__yeller
Explorer II
Sep 02, 2013

Who Knows About Yellowstone Class Cs?

I am considering a very well kept 1999 Yellowstone Class C. I think they were made by Gulfstream. As this one is a ways from me, I'd like to know more about the brand prior to making the trip. I don't think there are any new Yellowstone class Cs being produced. That really doesn't worry me. Any info would be appreciated. They appear to be step above entry level but not the best in class. I know about checking for tire dates and leaks in the cabover etc. Thanks.

5 Replies

  • Yellowstone was a Gulfstream brand, used for rental market, in that era. Sort of a Gulfstream equivalent to Winnebago's Chalet brand or Coachmen's Pathfinder. Rental market build quality was usually the same as retail lines, but furnishing chosen to be harder to damage, easier to clean, at the expense of glamour.

    Later in Gulfstream's history, before they stopped making motorhomes, I think just before maling them all come from a Conquest "division" and changing to that as a make, Gulfstream used the Yellowstone brand as a retail brand, as it had been in a more distant past, both motorized and towable.

    Gulfstream has since gotten out of the class C business, not to say they couldn't get back in if the investors so decided.

    Don't try to read too much into RV brands. Marketing departments at most manufacturers are constantly changing how they position these names, just as do auto manufacturers. Top of the line like Belair or Fairlane can become entry level in a few years, or the name of a whole new model line years later (Malibu, Nova, Galaxy, Impala, Ranger all started out as trim levels rather than model lines).
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    We rented an '05, maybe '06 Yellowstone 29 from ABC in Anchorage in 2009. It was the coach's last year of service in their fleet. In that last year, they reduce the rental price, then it's sold off. The coach was still really decent. The dinette cushions were shot. They had springs not just foam, looked great, but were like a worn out booth in an old restaurant. You sat down and just kept going DOWN. Alse the dinette backrest wasn't adequately mounted to the wall. Factory shortcoming, they just used a little bracket. Could be corrected with metal angle and more fasteners. Everything worked, floorplan was nice, we had 4 people overnight plus day/evening visitors and enjoyed the coach.
    UNABASHED PLUG: We found ABC very good to rent from. We later found that they are very helpful to RVers, even those who didn't buy or rent from them.
  • We have an '06 and it has been decent first MH for us. I don't like that roof is flat vs crowned but it hasn't caused any issues. After tailgating a few ball games with college aged kids, I had to add some extra structure to the back of dinette booth next to sofa. I screwed a 1X1 into corner between side and back of booth and its been fine since.