I've found a 95 36' U295 that I think I'm going to make an offer on. I learned a lot on what to look for and plan on using the 50 pt checkist sticky, but curious if you mid 90s U295 owners have any feedback or issues I should look out for?
Is it the one in Redding, CA that's on eBay? Looks like a nice coach for about $25k asking price.
Craig
No, I believe that's a 94 U280. Looks to be in decent shape though!
Lookup Kerry on the member list. He has a 1995 U 295. He may have some info for you.
I almost wish I'd seen that U280 before I bought the U225! Although I'm not sure we're ready for a 40-foot coach and it darn well won't fit in the shop bay! LOL
Still... unless there are some serious problems that looks like a great deal!
Craig
Well, I think I just purchased the subject line RV today! I still have a few things to verify on it, but the thing drives SOO much nicer than my 89 ORED. Couldn't believe how quiet and nice the ride was! Plus I could really feel the additional power that 50 HP adds. So EXCITED! It has some work that needs to be done, but I'm up to the challenge and I think my offer was reflective of the condition it was in! I know I'm going to have some questions. Hope everyone is OK with the rash of posts you'll see. Hopefully, it won't be quite as bad as my first time!
Congrats!
Here's a link. Some of the wood needs touch up and its dirty, but with a little TLC I think she can be a beauty!
Foretravel 1995 UNICOACH (http://www.rvoutletmall.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?sid=04494287X11K22K2011J9I21I54JPMQ4484R0&veh=2372673)
No, I did not spend anywhere near their asking price. Not sure if its OK to state what I offered and was accepted? My purpose would be to get some feedback/validation as I don't actually sign papers until tomorrow, but I know that can be a sensitive subject.
Looks nice. Enjoy the new ride!
Good! Does it have the trans retarder? Graphics look pretty good.
Yes, it does have a trans retarder. I'm new to this retarder thing. I haven't tested it yet, nor do I really understand it yet as I haven't done any research. It looks to just be a switch you turn on. I didn't see a joystick? Can you have one without the joystick?
Yes, you can have the retarder w/o the joy stick. The joy stick can be added.
Thanks. I was just looking at that online. Anyone know how FT sets it up? Auto on at closed throttle, one-step apply with brake, or three-step apply with brake?
Dave Head knows all, just make sure it has retarder, not Jake.
I also have a 95 295. Same floorplan CAI. Our build number is #4751. This was first year of Unicoach.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as we have ours.
Brad
Benjie, Congrats, I know you will enjoy this coach. The 300 Cummins 8.3 is about the most reliable and easy to work on engine that you will find. First chance you get check the mount for the hydraulic pump, belts and the idler pulleys.
Gary B
Gary, thanks for the well wishes! After my ORED w/rear radiator experience, I'm really looking forward to an engine where I can actually look at the belts from ground level!
While I've learned a lot, I want to be sure I'm not assuming anything here. What am I looking for when checking the hydraulic pump mount?
When you mentioned the belts and idler pulleys, I assume you were just saying to check them for wear (i.e. - no cracked belts)?
Thanks again!
Benjie
Benjie, These 8.3's with the side radiators have a hydraulic pump on the street side. The mount is bolted to the engine and the design is such that the stress is on the long end away from the bolts and the mount cracks. Pull had on the belt while watching the pump and bracket, it it moves the bracket is either loose or cracked. ( thanks to Brett W for teaching me this ). I think most of us have had them taken off , reinforced and welded.
The idler pulleys tend to wear out causing the belts to jump and wear. Easy replacement while you are replacing belts, less than 50 bucks each. Search the forum for GATES tensioners, I don't have the part # at hand.
Good luck, be sure to ask question's, no dumb questions, BUT sometimes dumb answers. :)
Gary B
Congrats! I'm still amazed how well these older Foretravels hold up over the years. I just got a 2000 U320 that was almost "like new." Says a lot about how much people like these RV's because they just keep getting updated/renovated instead of ending up in the scrap yard. We LOVE ours! One day my DW is going to turn me loose on it and I'm going to FOT to have some fun stuff done :)). But first... gotta pay those taxes and get the 2nd car paid off. HA!
Good for you Benji.
Yes. You would have the pressure switch install. When it is on, it will be activated in 3 stages by pressing on the brakes.
Joy stick can be added for about 3-400 as I recall. I posted the prices and part numbers about 5 years back. The joystick adds six stage control independent of the brake system... You install the joystick and a 'Y' cable. Very simple.
Congrats and it will be a perfect size for Inks Lake State Park! We hit that park about 3 times a year. It's just 15 min down the road, not even far enough to warm up the engine!
Enjoy working on the coach!
Some additional info on installing the joystick with part numbers
Installing Joy Stick Retarder Control (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/installing_joy_stick_retarder_control.html)
Thanks Barry. Had found that last night and was looking at it. Great info!
Having no experience with a retarder, so in your opinion is it worth the $$ to move from 3 stages to a 6 stage system brake independent? I'm assuming the joystick system would mostly be used on steep grade terrain to avoid brake wear?
I use the joystick for all braking. It reduces the use of the service brakes and prolongs life of the brakes. (I recommend that the service brakes be "stomped-on" every time you drive when in crawling speeds to ensure the calipers don't seize from lack of movement.) I'm so used to it that when I get in the car I often reach for the joystick in the Honda... ;) to no avail, however.
We should definitely do an Inks Lake SP meet up next spring!
Yes - it gives you flexibility and added safety.
With the retarder on and the joystick in position '0', it will act as if there is no joystick. You brake and the retarder starts to operate via the 3 stage pressure switches.
Joystick in any other position, it will brake to the % of the joystick setting as soon as you let off the accelerator. As I recall, each position is like 16%.
If, for example you are coming off the interstate with the joystick in position 2, as soon as you let up it starts to brake. Increase the joystick to add braking power. You may not have to touch your service brake until like 10 mph...
I have the retarder with just the switch. I leave it on all the time in case you're wondering. Joy stick would be nice, but you can get by till you run out of other things to spend your money on.
Hi Benjie,
I added the six position joy stick to my 1997 U 320. It is the best modification I have made. There is no way the two systems compare. Foot pedal control is good. Joy stick control is the ultimate. It is makes all driving so much more enjoyable. Remember, the retarder should not be used in the wet stuff.
Raymond
Congratulations on your new vehicle.
We added the joy stick to our 1997 U295. I seldom use the joy stick in relatively flat country. We have used it in mountains, and it is very useful there. We have descended significant mountains passes without touching the service brakes. I have used the joy stick to control speed in short rolling hills. I am very pleased that we added it to the coach.
The cost for the parts and labor was between $400 and $500 dollars in 2010.
When using the retarder for braking, do the brake lights come on as they would when the foot brake is applied? I ask because this past weekend we lost some friends when their car was rear-ended by a semi. They were slowing and the semi was too close. We don't know whether they had applied the foot brake (which would turn on the brake lights) or whether they had just taken the foot off the gas. They were in a car, not an RV.
Yes, The brake lights come on when the retarder is activated whether it is the single switch type or the joy stick. A friend of mine was the leader in a caravan one time in AL and the rest of us could not figure out why his brake lights kept activating, each time he let off the throttle.
Gary B
However, check for your specific coach - this subject has come up before, and not all coaches were wired this way, especially early models. I'm almost certain my jake isn't wired to turn on the brake lights...
Congratulations on the new coach!
Tony
Congratulations, I'm sure excited about my new Foretravel. (new to me that is)