Gulf Stream Coach has dramatically expanded a small, but growing motorhome segment with the introduction of its all-new Endura Class C. The 34-foot Endura is the first motorhome based on the Chevrolet C5500 Kodiak medium-duty commercial cab and chassis, a factor responsible for the motorhome’s substantial 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight rating and 26,500-pound gross combination weight rating. Gulf Stream claims the Endura, as configured, offers a nearly 2,000-pound payload capacity, along with towing capacity to spare.
“That’s enough weight capacity for a family of four, fuel and water tanks filled to maximum capacity, a spacious basement storage stuffed with vacation supplies, and still leaves you with literally a ton of room left over,” says Brian Shea, co-CEO of Gulf Stream.
Superior forward visibility, engine access, drivability and towing capability are among the claimed benefits of the Kodiak chassis. On the safety front, standard driver and passenger air bags are included on each Endura. The Kodiak chassis features GM’s big-block Vortec 8.1-liter gasoline-fueled V-8 engine as the standard power plant, and it’s backed by the five-speed Allison 1000-series automatic transmission. The engine is rated at 325 hp at 4,000 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm in stock form, and a Duramax 6.6-liter diesel engine is also available. Standard suspension components for the C5500 include leaf springs and solid axles front and back. Braking is supplied by 15-inch hydraulic discs all around, with four-channel ABS standard.
The chassis is designed for a 54-degree front-wheel cut, or steering angle, which gives the coach a sharp turning radius. Traditional high-end Gulf Stream motorhome construction techniques and materials are utilized on the Endura, including the company’s Cradle of Strength chassis system.
These materials include fiberglass exterior skin, a fiberglass roof, steel and aluminum framing, polystyrene insulation and fiberglass end caps. Inside, solid-ash hardwood woodwork and high-end fabrics and carpet enhance the rig’s luxury image. Dual 10-foot flush-floor slideouts highlight the 34-footer’s standard floorplan, which includes a sofa bed and a dinette in the forward streetside slideout and the galley positioned curbside, adjacent to the lounge up front. A self-contained bath is located streetside midcoach, and an island-style queen bed and closet are in the curbside slideout out back, along with the streetside vanity opposite the foot of the bed. Additional floorplan options have been scheduled for
development.
Gulf Stream outfits the Endura with a complete list of comfort, convenience
and self-containment features suitable for a full-feature RV. Fluid capacities include 34
gallons of fresh water, 36 gallons each of gray and black water, 13.4 gallons of LP-gas and
80 gallons of fuel. The Endura’s MSRP is in the mid-$80,000 range. Gulf Stream Coach Inc., (800) 289-8787, www.gulfstreamrv.com
