Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship RV Exposed: Leaks, Delamination, Slide-Out Failures, Electrical Risks

Introduction: What shoppers should know about the Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship

AI-powered research tools have systematically collected and analyzed public information to produce this report. The Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship (often marketed simply as the “Friendship” or “Friendship G7”) is a legacy Class A motorhome line produced by Gulf Stream Coach during the 2000s era, typically positioned as a luxury diesel pusher on major chassis platforms of the time. While some owners praise roomy floorplans and high-end ambitions for the era, a substantial body of owner reports across forums, consumer complaint sites, and video testimonials indicates recurring quality, service, and durability concerns—especially around water intrusion, slide-out reliability, electrical problems, and long delays for repairs. This report synthesizes those public signals to help buyers manage risk.

Because models evolve over time and many Friendship units are now used or aging, problems can vary by year, floorplan, and chassis. Buyers should research the specific year, chassis, and build details of any candidate unit (verify via the VIN and manufacturer documentation) and use the resources below to validate the patterns discussed here.

Where to find unfiltered owner feedback right now

• Google reviews and broad web search: Scan for patterns in complaints and repair timelines: Google Search: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship Problems
• YouTube owner experiences: View walk-throughs and “what broke” videos: YouTube Search: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship Problems
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): See patterns in complaints and responses: BBB Search: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship
• Reddit communities: Ask owners and read long threads on issues and fixes:
  • r/rvs Search
  • r/GoRVing Search
  • r/RVLiving Search
• Owner review sites: Read candid, model-specific reviews:
  • RVInsider Search: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship Problems
  • Good Sam Community Search
• Forums with deep technical threads: Use each forum’s search for “Gulf Stream Friendship Problems”
  • RVForums.com
  • RVForum.net
  • RVUSA Forum
• Recalls and safety actions: Check by VIN and model: NHTSA Recall Search: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship
• Facebook owner groups: For real-time, unfiltered feedback, join multiple groups after searching: Google: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship Facebook Groups
• Complaint aggregators: Search by brand/model manually on PissedConsumer (browse and use site search)
• Industry watchdog commentary: See investigative consumer content and search her channel for your model: Liz Amazing’s YouTube channel exposing RV quality trends

Why a third-party inspection is non-negotiable

Before buying any Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship—especially an older diesel pusher—hire an independent NRVIA-certified inspector or seasoned RV technician to perform a full pre-purchase inspection. This is your leverage window: if major faults are found before signing, you can negotiate repairs, holdback funds, or walk away. After the deal, owners often report months-long service delays, cancelled trips, and rigs stuck at the dealer awaiting parts. Start your search here: RV Inspectors near me. Make the inspection contingent upon moisture readings (delamination risk), slide floor assessments, electrical load testing, chassis/air system check (if applicable), and generator load bank testing.

Have a story about your pre-delivery inspection—or regretting not getting one? Tell the community what you learned.

Major recurring problems owners report

Water intrusion, roof leaks, and sidewall delamination

Multiple owner accounts point to water ingress around roof seams, cap transitions, and window frames. Over time, intrusion can cause soft spots, mold, and costly sidewall delamination—particularly on older fiberglass/laminated walls. Friendship-era construction relies on sealants that require vigilant maintenance. Once moisture wicks into substrate or luan, repair bills escalate quickly and resale value plummets.

• Investigate for bubbling or “waves” on the sidewalls, especially near slide openings and roof-to-wall joints.
• Demand a moisture meter report in the pre-purchase inspection, with readings near corners, slide pans, and window frames.
• Corroborate owner experiences: Google: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship Water Damage, RVInsider model complaints, and YouTube owner videos.

Slide-out failures, alignment, and floor rot at the slide

Owners describe slides that bind, fall out of alignment, or chew through seals—followed by water ingress and subfloor rot at the slide perimeter. Hydraulic components, controllers, and rams can work loose or leak with age; poor gear timing or seal wear in full-wall or large slides multiplies stress.

• Have an inspector run every slide multiple times under load; check for asymmetry, noise, and seal condition.
• Review forum threads specifically on slide-out repairs: r/rvs Search: slide problems, Good Sam threads.
• Inspect for soft spots near sofa/dinette slide openings; probe gently and read moisture.

Did your slide-out derail your travel plans? Share what went wrong and what fixed it.

Electrical gremlins: inverter/charger, transfer switch, parasitic drains

Reports cluster around intermittent power loss, failing automatic transfer switches (ATS), tripped breakers when running multiple loads, and house batteries chronically undercharged due to aging converter/inverter systems. Some owners trace issues to loose connections, overheated ATS enclosures, or outdated components not up to modern accessory loads.

• During inspection, perform a load test on the inverter/charger, cycle the ATS between shore and generator, and thermal-scan the electrical bay for hot spots.
• Check owner photos and how-tos: YouTube: electrical problems search and Google: electrical problems.
• Look for evidence of prior electrical fires or melted wiring at the ATS. This can be a safety hazard requiring immediate remediation.

HVAC shortcomings: weak cooling, ducting issues, furnace faults

Owners describe roof A/C units struggling in peak heat, poor duct insulation, and temperature stratification between front and rear zones. Furnace ignition or sail-switch faults are also common with age. While these are often fixable, they can make camping miserable and force generator overuse.

• Ask the inspector to measure delta-T across vents and evaluate duct integrity.
• Research on-owner fixes and upgrades: r/GoRVing AC problem threads.

Chassis and drivability: wandering, suspension wear, braking and steering components

Gulf Stream Friendship coaches were built on major diesel chassis of the era (often Freightliner or Spartan, verify your VIN). Owner complaints include steering wander, air suspension leaks, bushing wear, and brake system maintenance neglect on older rigs. Some safety recalls have applied to components used broadly across Class A platforms in this period.

• Inspect tie-rod ends, kingpins, bushings, air bags, ride height valves, and track bars; road test at highway speeds for “tail wag” or porpoising.
• Run the VIN on NHTSA for recall history: NHTSA: Gulf Stream Coach Friendship.
• Read threads on suspension upgrades and steering stabilizers: r/rvs handling issues.

Plumbing leaks, fixtures, and tank sensor reliability

Common reports include PEX connection drips, water pump cycling unexpectedly, and notoriously inaccurate black/gray tank sensors. Over time, minor leaks cause cabinet or subfloor damage—especially under sinks and behind shower walls—while false tank readings complicate boondocking and dump scheduling.

• Use a borescope and paper towel test on PEX joints; request recertification of pressure checks.
• Cross-reference owner complaints: Google: plumbing leaks and RVInsider reports.

Fit-and-finish: cabinetry, seals, hardware, and paint/gelcoat checking

Owners flag squeaks, rattles, peeling trim, delaminating cabinet veneers, and weathered seals. Full-body paint and gelcoat from the era can show checking/crazing or clearcoat failures, especially on sun-exposed caps. While some issues are age-appropriate, there’s a pattern of workmanship complaints that pre-date typical wear.

• Budget for resealing, seal replacement, and at least partial paint correction on older units.
• Scan for complaint clusters: Google: fit-and-finish problems.

Generator faults, exhaust routing, and propane system safety

Reported issues include generators that won’t carry load, fuel pickup problems at 1/4 tank, failing voltage regulators, and improper exhaust routing creating fumes near entry doors. Propane system leaks or regulator failures also appear in owner threads, raising significant safety concerns.

• Demand a generator load-bank test and CO monitoring during operation.
• Perform propane leak-down tests and regulator age verification; replace hoses/regulator proactively if original.
• Watch owner troubleshooting: YouTube: generator problems.

Dealer service delays, parts scarcity, and warranty friction

Even routine repairs can become multi-month ordeals due to parts sourcing and dealer backlogs. Owners report frustration with warranty denials on borderline items and repeated “waiting on parts” updates that derail camping seasons. For older Friendship units, OEM parts may be obsolete, pushing owners to custom solutions.

• Before purchase, ask the dealer for a written service turnaround estimate and parts availability for known issues; document everything.
• Scan BBB complaint patterns: BBB Search, plus community threads: Good Sam: warranty complaints.

Have you faced month-long delays waiting for parts? Add your voice to the record.

Overpromised amenities vs. real-world usability

Some owners say marketed features—like “residential feel,” quiet A/C, or “all-season” capability—don’t match experience. Insulation typical of the era can struggle in temperature extremes, and storage access can be awkward despite ample cubic feet on paper. Entertainment and connectivity gear is outdated in many units, requiring upgrades to meet expectations.

• Audit your use case (boondocking, extended stays) and price necessary upgrades into your offer.
• Check video ownership diaries: YouTube owner reviews.

Weight, towing, and cargo-carrying capacity (CCC)

As Friendship units are loaded with gear and upgrades, owners sometimes discover limited remaining CCC. Overloading worsens braking, tire wear, and suspension fatigue. Some shoppers also misread tow ratings, not subtracting the real-world gross weight when fully loaded.

• Weigh on CAT scales loaded as you’d travel, compare to the placard, and verify your hitch and towing math.
• See owner cautionary tales: r/RVLiving: weight issues.

Safety, recalls, and regulatory oversight

Safety risk in a Class A diesel pusher spans multiple systems—chassis, fuel, electrical, propane, and structural integrity. While recall status varies by year and component supplier, owners should treat safety verification as essential due diligence.

• Run the VIN on NHTSA’s recall tool: NHTSA Recall Search.
• Check for known component recalls typical of the era (e.g., refrigerator fire hazards from certain models, seat belt anchor compliance, lighting and marker lamp noncompliance). These may be supplier-wide, not brand-specific.
• Confirm that recall remedies were actually performed—ask for written proof and cross-check with a dealer or chassis manufacturer service center.

Independent creators have helped shine light on systemic RV quality problems affecting multiple brands and models. Consider searching this channel for investigative discussions and repair realities: Watch Liz Amazing’s consumer warnings and do your own model search.

Legal and regulatory warnings for buyers

Consumers have legal protections when RVs don’t conform to warranties or present safety defects:

• Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal): Manufacturers and warrantors must honor written warranties and cannot require you to use specific branded parts or services to maintain coverage. Keep meticulous records of defect reports and repair attempts.
• State Lemon Laws: Many states include motorhomes under lemon statutes, at least for the chassis/drive components; coverage for the “house” portion varies. Document repeat repair attempts and days out-of-service to meet thresholds.
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): Implied warranties of merchantability and fitness may apply unless disclaimed; consult local counsel for used RV transactions.
• Deceptive trade practices and advertising claims: If advertised amenities or capacities materially differ from reality, state consumer protection acts may provide remedies.
• NHTSA safety defects: Hazards involving brake systems, steering, fuel leaks, or fire risk should be reported to NHTSA. Unrepaired recalls can bring liability to sellers.
• FTC Complaints: Misrepresentations and unfair repair practices can be reported to the FTC, and to your state Attorney General’s office.

If you encounter warranty denials, “no parts available” responses, or repeated failed repairs, escalate in writing to the manufacturer, the chassis maker (if chassis-related), and the dealer. Consider mediation, BBB Auto Line (if applicable), or small claims litigation. Keep photos, videos, dated work orders, and communications.

Product and safety impact analysis

Across owner reports, the most consequential risks involve water intrusion, slide system failures, and electrical system faults. Left unattended, these can swiftly transition from nuisance to safety hazard:

• Water intrusion: Structural rot and mold undermine safety, air quality, and crashworthiness of cabinetry and wall-seated furniture. Delamination can spread, making repairs economically irrational.
• Slide failures: Poorly aligned or failing slides can trap owners inside, expose the interior to the elements, or stress structure and seals. In some cases, they prevent travel until repaired.
• Electrical failures: Overheated transfer switches, loose lugs, and overloaded circuits can spark fires. Battery mismanagement and parasitic draws impair generator start ability in emergencies.
• Chassis wear: Steering and suspension issues elevate crash risk. Braking problems, particularly on overloaded rigs or those with neglected air systems, are critical safety concerns.
• Generator/propane hazards: CO exposure and LP leaks are life-threatening; always carry calibrated CO/LP detectors and replace them by expiry date.

Because many Friendship units are now well over a decade old, aging alone magnifies these risks. Your best mitigation is a truly independent inspection, immediate safety remediation, and a budget for catch-up maintenance.

Action plan if you already own a Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship

• Document everything: Create a fault log with dates, conditions, and photos; gather all work orders and parts invoices.
• Check recalls and TSBs: Run your VIN on NHTSA: NHTSA Recall Search.
• Moisture audit: Have an inspector perform moisture meter scans quarterly and after major storms. If you skipped a pre-purchase inspection, find one now: search local RV inspectors.
• Electrical safety check: Tighten all accessible lugs, inspect ATS for heat damage, test GFCIs, and confirm battery health with a load tester.
• Slide-out preventive maintenance: Clean and condition seals, verify synchronization, and recheck alignment annually.
• Weigh your rig: Use CAT scales, set tire pressures per axle weights, and confirm you’re not exceeding axle or GVWR limits.
• Join owner groups and forums: Collective knowledge shortcuts repairs. Search for multiple groups: find Facebook owner groups via Google.
• Learn from investigative creators: Search your exact model and issues on Liz Amazing’s channel covering RV defects and buyer rights.

What maintenance or upgrade made the biggest difference for you? Post your tip for fellow owners.

Examples of verifiable complaint themes and where to check them

• Service delays and warranty disputes: Browse model-related BBB filings and look for repeated patterns of communication breakdown: BBB Search.
• Owner testimonials of failures: Scan YouTube 1-star ownership recaps and repair diaries: YouTube search results.
• Forum troubleshooting rabbit holes: Targeted threads often reveal the root cause and real fix costs: RVForums.com and RVForum.net (use site search for your year/issue).
• Aggregate complaints and repair costs: Owner review sites can show common break points: RVInsider: model complaint search.

Have you documented a major repair on your Friendship? Please add your experience to help others.

Pre-purchase checklist tailored to the Friendship

• Identification: Confirm exact year, floorplan, chassis (Freightliner/Spartan), GVWR/GCWR, and recall status via VIN.
• Structural: Moisture readings across roof, slide pans, cap joints; look for soft spots and wall bubbles.
• Slide systems: Operate each slide repeatedly, inspect seals, check for square and even travel; inspect for past water damage.
• Electrical: Inspect ATS for discoloration, test inverter/charger under load, confirm shore/gen switching; verify battery age and condition.
• Chassis: Road test for wander, check suspension bushings, air system leaks (if applicable), steering components, and braking performance.
• HVAC/Plumbing: Delta-T tests on A/C, furnace cycle tests, pressure test plumbing, inspect water pump and fixtures.
• Generator/Propane: Load bank test, CO leak monitoring, LP regulator age and leak-down test.
• Documentation: Obtain full service records, recall completion proofs, and proof of any structural repairs.
• Independent inspection: Make your offer contingent on pass/fail results from a third-party expert: Find an RV inspector near you.

Objectivity note and limited positives

Balanced against the heavy caution above, some owners appreciate the spacious layouts, large storage bays, diesel torque for mountain travel, and the ability to modernize electronics, solar, and suspension. Many defects on older rigs can be methodically remediated by skilled owners. However, these wins do not erase the cost and time exposure documented across public reports; shoppers should price these units accordingly and plan for immediate catch-up maintenance.

For broader industry perspective and buyer education, consider searching your model on investigative channels such as Liz Amazing (search your exact RV model on her channel).

Final recommendation

Based on the weight of public complaints and the severity of recurring issues—water intrusion/delamination, slide failures, electrical safety, and protracted repair timelines—the Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship demands extreme due diligence. Unless a specific unit demonstrates exceptional maintenance history, clean moisture readings, verified recall completion, and passes a thorough third-party inspection, we do not recommend it over better-documented alternatives with stronger reliability signals. Shoppers should actively compare other brands/models and be prepared to walk away if the inspection turns up systemic risks.

Comments

What was your experience with the Gulf Stream Coach-Friendship—good, bad, or mixed? Your detailed story (year, chassis, failures, repair costs, and timelines) helps other shoppers make safer decisions.