We have located a 1997 Foretravel U270 Unicoach and we are seriously considering purchasing it. It has a 325 Cummins C8.3 diesel, 6-speed Allison (MD3060R) transmission and approximately 90,000 miles. It appears to have been very well maintained.
As we are newbies concerning MHs and not very familiar with the Foretravel MHs, what are your comments, thoughts, suggestions concerning this as a first motor home. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this model unit?
Are there any items we should specifically check for?
Any suggestions on what a reasonable purchase price range might be for this model?
Thank you very much.
One important question is whether it has a Retarder. We had a 1997 Foretravel with the great 325 Cummins C8.3 diesel and 6-speed Allison (MD3060R) transmission and loved it. Now we have a 1999 U320
___
best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon) "Life is what happens when you are doing other things!" "If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much room!"
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
The listing says "325 HP Cummins (C8.3), 6-speed Allison (MD3060R), Transmission Retarder Auxillary Brake".
I presume the Transmission Retarder Auxillary Brake is preferred. Is this correct?
1997 the retarder was standard. To be certain, look for the joystick or look at the data plate on the side of the trans. If you call FOT with the coach number (Foretravel 4 digit number) they can tell you for certain. But the 'R' designation tells you.
It sure is! The retarder really makes a difference slowing down, going down hills, etc.
Here's a post with a great list of things to check that John Sichenze put together a while back. There's also additional great feedback and ideas in that thread as well.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=9895.msg44874#msg44874 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=9895.msg44874#msg44874)
Welcome to the ForeForums!
Michelle
Yes once you drive with a retarder you'll never want to drive without one. It really helps going down hills safely.
best, paul
Hi BBall Fan,
Not all 1997 models come with the joystick retarder controller. They can have the three step brake pedal operation type. Joystick is the way to go. The joystick controller is fairly easy to add, and for less than five hundred dollars. Enjoy your search. You picked a great brand to start with.
If it has a joystick, it will have a retarder. However, it may have a retarder without a joystick. Our 1997 U295 had no joy stick when we bought it. We added it, and were pleased when we traveled through several mountain ranges.
Our coach did, however, have a "Retarder" rocker switch on the panel below the transmission control. That may be a better clue as to whether the retarder is present.
The specifications at http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1997-u270-foretravel_specifications.htm (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1997-u270-foretravel_specifications.htm) indicate that the 1997 U270 would have a retarder. The MD3060R also indicates that the retarder is present. There are people who will inspect a coach for you. There are also lists of issues to check. Search for PDI in the Foreforums.
We bought a 1997 U295 in April and have put about 6,000 miles on it during one long trip and several shorter ones. We find it to be a remarkably better coach than our previous diesel pusher that was about the same size and vintage.
Dear Mr. Basketball (I hope you don't mind, but you did not sign the post),
As a current owner of a 1997 U270, I can tell you that you'll be very happy with this model Foretravel. To establish value you'll need to have an appraisal done by someone who knows what to look for, you can do it yourself. e.g. Coach length, bulkhead condition, tire age & wear, oil analysis, condition of the gel coat, condition of appliances, and the like.
Welcome to ForeForums...you will learn about these very well made coaches from the best forum in the internet.
ncaabbfan, glad to see you on the foreforum. You really can't go wrong with a good solid Foretravel. Lots of things that are standard on a FT are extra on others. You do want the retarder on the joy stick. Check out the wood work and construction of the FT. At 90K on the odometer it it just getting broke in. The foundation of the FT (build quality) will enable you to drive and up grade for the next 10 years or so without worry about your investment. They last forever when maintained. If you have more questions there are plenty of owners on this forum who can help , or you can contact the factory. Support is everything with a motorhome and FT certainly has it.
Hello BB Fan,
Welcome to the ForeForum.
I will comment on just one of the many great features of a Foretravel: the HWH leveling system.
We are at the Albuquerque, NM Balloon Fiesta. When we were led to our parking spot I thought: "Oh Crap - I don't think we will get our coach level." the guy who led us there even apologized for the site not being level and the guy to our left suggested we move closer to his rig where the ground looked flatter. I thanked him and said I'd see if the coach would level itself. He looked at me like I was from Mars.
I got into the driver's seat and pushed one button. Less than two minutes later our rig was fully level. All around us we could see other rigs with blocks of wood and plastic Lego-looking blocks under metal jacks deployed to the ground, and in some case wheels OFF THE GROUND to make coaches level. When we go to leave, we press the same button. We don't have to crawl under our coach to retrieve blocks and when it rains, we don't have leveling jacks that get suctioned into the mud.
One of the best things about a Foretravel is that you get the SAME quality and commitment no matter which model you buy. The only difference is options. Construction of each is the same. Same frame, same build techniques. One construction line, same people. That makes the 270 every bit as good as a 320.
We bought our first motor home a little over a year ago, a 1997 U270. We love it. It still looks good and drives like a dream. We've had a few minor problems but so do new ones. Like others have said, be sure and have it inspected if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.
The people on this forum have been great and have helped me tremendously. Even though I bought from an individual the factory has helped whenever I called .
1997 is generally the model year that first had insulated dual pane windows and ducted ceiling roof air conditioning. It also has the 'bullet-proof' mechanical (non-computerized) C engine with the maximum 325 horsepower.
We have ours for 10 years and it is like new to us.
When I looked at it last night, I asked the owner about the joystick. She placed her hand on a short lever left of the driver's seat on the armrest and said here it is. So it sure looks like this unit has the joystick.
Thank you.
Oh, yes, another question we had was about gas mileage? Thanks! It has the 325 hp Cummings diesel and Allison 6 tran. :))
Perhaps we have gone off on a tangent.
The OP is asking "Are there any items we should specifically check for?"
The only item I am aware of that is unique to Foretravel (vs other quality coaches of the same age) is to check the front and rear bulkheads. See Message #38614.
And, as with any coach this age, I would recommend checking it out/having someone competent check out all the mechanical systems as well as house systems.
BTW, where is the coach-- one of us may be familiar with it.
Brett Wolfe
I believe there is a pretty extensive pdi check list in the archives http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=9895.0 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=9895.0)
or Barry's web site. http://beamalarm.com/Documents/pdi.htm (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/pdi.htm)
Over the past 7 years I've averaged 8.3 MPG.
Here's two PDI check list I found some place in my travels... one thing I never thought of was to fill all the tanks to make sure there is no leakage. .. Good luck..
Cheers
Ted
Not a dumb question .....
Start here
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10668.msg50881#msg50881 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10668.msg50881#msg50881)
Michelle
Basketball Fan,
I'd like to suggest that you read the very last post in that topic first. Then begin reading the others. The last post tells you where the bulkheads are located.
And ---- are we helping you with all of our input?
Yes, all the input is very helpful. I just wish I had more time to check more things.
I want to thank everyone very much.
NCAA, Let us know where you are, someone here will probably be nearby and glad to help out.
Gary In Georgia
We are in Norman, OK.
Thank you very much.
Morris
Morris,
Don't overthink the purchase of the Foretravel. Remember that the bulkhead issue is going to be an annual maintenance item to ensure integrity of the coach. The cost of this item will depend on whether you have it repaired by a competent shop, or you do it yourself. The range of cost is anything from a couple hunderd dollars (DIY) to a couple thousand (max. at a repair shop). But once you've repaired & inproved the area, the annual costs will be minimal.
Of course the price you will pay for buying the coach also depends on the general condition and wear of the coach and chassis.
Concentrate on the big ticket items like tire life remainiing, maintenance records, manuals, major components like the refrigerator, water tanks, roof & dash A/C's, etc.
Morris, If I was at home and not in West Virginia, would be glad to look at it with you.
Foretravel are great coaches, we are on our 4th. You can't go wrong if you check it out.
First of all, I want to thank everyone for their input/comments/suggestions. They have been very helpful to us since we are new to all of this and new to the Foretravel units.
We will know more about the specific coach in the next couple of days.
I am so glad we found this forum and thank you very much for your assistance. We hope we can meet some of you in the forseeable future.
Thanks again.
Morris
Morris,
When you get on the road in your new-to-you Foretravel, please let us know where you are at. We are a gregarious bunch.
Well, guess what..... We took the plunge.... We purchased the 1997 U270 Unicoach. We had the Cummins tech check out the engine and transmission and the only thing he found was the serpentine belt has a number of age cracks in it and needs to be replaced. That is the only thing he found. He told me it looks like the engine and transmission are in great condition.
So we bought it!! I have it over at a shop to replace the serpentine belt and to check the brake pads to see how much life is left on them.
We are so very happy right now!!! If we can figure out how to post pics of it, we might do that in the near future....but you know what it looks like....
Congratulations, and welcome to the "family". Hope we meet up somewhere for a look at her. ;D :)) :P
Morris,
Congratulations on becoming one of the family. I took the plunge 7 years ago and I still love this coach. You'll always want to maintain it and keep it up to date on all items of maintenance. Don't forget to do some research at Barry's web site also, "beamalarm", which is linked from this site as well. There's a wealth of years of knowledge in there, and you'll become a better owner by knowing as much as you can.
The Foreforums is the place to go when you get stumped as we all do from time to time.
Congratulations....and welcome.... remember, no stupid questions here....feel free to ask anything...no matter how "minor" you may thing it is...
see you down the road
Awesome! Welcome to the fray - errr family...
Actually, it's more like a cult....
___
best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
Where's my Kool-Aid? I need another drink of it.
Morris, welcome aboard. You got yourself a great coach.
Hi Morris,
Congratulations, and welcome to our family. You will love your coach. Just remember to share some of the good times with us!
Congrats on your new to you F.T. Now the fun begins in using it and learning how to operate and maintain it. No doubt you will enjoy the experience and the use of the Foreforum. I bought our F.T. almost one year ago and got on this forum and have learned so much. I knew I was in a learning curve buying a diesel. I just didn't know how BIG it was going to be. The knowledge here is second to none. And it's all free.
You are going to like the experience.
Happy and safe travels.
First of all, I want to thank everyone for the greetings and welcomes to the "group". We are looking forward to it very much.
I want to thank everyone for the comments/assistance provided so far....I am sure that is just the beginning of my questions.
I have already learned a lot from this group. One of the things I have learned is how much more I have to learn. So I am sure I will be "bugging" you quiet a bit.
We had a tech from Cummins check out the engine, transmission and diesel generator yesterday morning. The only thing he found was the serpentine belt on the engine had a lot of age cracking. So the first stop yesterday afternoon was a repair shop to replace the belt as I did not want it to break while the engine was running. The tech seemed to be very impressed with the engine condition. So hopefully it will run for a long time for us.
I also want to check out the brake pads. The brakes work fine, but I just want to know a bit more about how much life is left on the pads.
Now, the learning really starts. Since the coach is already winterized, I do not anticipate us taking it out for any over night stays until sometime in early spring 2011. So that will give me some time to learn the coach and to drive it for short distances for familiarity.
I will have to say that I was very surprised at how easily that engine handles the coach. I had to drive a couple of miles down the interstate. When I checked the speedometer, I was already going 60.....I was surprised!!
Again, THANK YOU very much for everything so far....and I know I will be asking you a lot of details before too much longer now.
Morris, welcome aboard. The fun is just beginning. I am sure you will find your nitche just as we all have but the freedom and relaxation a Motorhome provides is amazing. What Peg and I did our first winter was to purchase a Portapotty and get a bunch of jugs of water so we could overnight in the Motorhome without disrupting the winterization. We spent several weekends at Thunderbird and never used the onboard water or the porcelain facility until spring.
We look forward to hearing of your future adventures.
I hadn't thought about the portapotty and jugs of water.....I bet you really enjoyed those week-ends!!! I want to learn as much as possible about operating it and driving it this winter....so hopefully we will be ready to travel in the spring.....
Thank you and thanks to everyone for the sentiments...we really appreciate them.
I am sure our paths will cross.....