I recently purchase my first motor coach, luckily a Foretravel. It is a 1991 Grand Villa and from it's ID# I have determined that it is 36' long with a 300 HP 3208 Cat Turbo Diesel engine. From the forum, I see many Foretravel coaches with model designations beginning with U and followed by numbers. I know that they are considered Unihomes, but what is mine called? Is it simply a Grand Villa? Where does mine stand in the model lineup as far as original pricing and options? What is the difference between a Grand Villa and a Unihome? Thanks in advance for any information on model designations that anyone can provide.
buddyspeed,
You're gonna have to help us a bit more on the details. Can you give is the vin and model numbers as they appear on the coach plackard in the driver's seat area?
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1037 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=1037)
VIN Number: 10T9M9A80K1039006
This is the Model Number and what I think is the correct interpretation of it's meaning:
Model Number: G91386036SBIDORED300
G=Grand Villa
91=1991 Model Year
3860=Coach Production Number
36=36' Long
SB=Side Bath
I=Island Bed
D=Dinette
O=Oskosh Chassis
RED=Rear Engine Diesel
300=300 Horsepower
Looks like you are reading it right.
http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/vehicle_identification_number.htm (http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/vehicle_identification_number.htm)
It would be called a Grand Villa. Model: ORED (Oshkosh Rear Engine Diesel)
Welcome buddyspeed,
It does get a little confusing if there's no placard on the outside to tell you what model it is.
Barry Beam's website is a wonderfull resource http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-links.htm (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-links.htm)
In terms of the line up, yours sounds like the top end before getting into the unihome series. I don't think there were very many 300 hp Oshkosh chassis around - it must move along pretty good. Barry website has all sorts of history, model specs, and other information - you can spend hours going over all.
Grand Villa, as far as I can tell, means it has the front sloping windshield and a mid entry door. The term doesn't indicate the chassis it's sitting on.
Unihome is Foretravel's name for their own design of chassis. It's unique in that there are no frame rails running between the front and rear axles. The walls, floors and roof are the actual load bearing structures. It's the equivalent of the unibody car.
The Unihome also has a Foretravel designed suspension system with 4 airbags per axle.
In 1995 Foretravel came out with the bus front entry style - they decided to call it a Unicoach. Has the same structure and suspension as the Unihome.
By the way, mine rolled off the production line right after yours. My build number is 3861 !!