I'm interested in this 2003 295 in Florida.
2003 FORETRAVEL U295 36-FT (http://www.coachworx.net/2003-Foretravel-U295.html)
I had an oil sample analysis performed and I'm just awaiting the results.
Might anyone know anything about it? Or know how it was maintained? Anything else to look out for with this particular year and model?
This link is for a 2004 Monaco, not a 2003 U-295.
Dang you're quick! I changed that within seconds of posting.
It should be the correct link now.
If this is the coach at Coach Worxs in Clearwater Fl. there is a member of the forum that has looked at this coach and passed on it because it has rear cap issues, tell them you want photos of the rear cap repair on both sides.
In addition to Bill's input:
A few basics for 2003 based solely on owning that year ;) None of these are problems, but things that could be unintentionally overlooked:
If the maintenance log is available, check to the history. At the bottom of this post is an Excel file that shows the general service intervals for 2003 (don't worry about the valve/injector adjustment; that's actually not due until around 120K, I believe)
A couple in particular to note:
Date of last air dryer service (often forgotten, a mess if it fails).
On the outside chance it has original ELC coolant, engine (and genset) coolant change (new ELC) would be warranted.
Also, if original smoke/LP/CO monitors, those are overdue for replacement.
If a Dometic NDR1492 fridge, check operation of the icemaker. Many of us with '03's have had the water line disintegrate with age/heater line in the past 2 or 3 years. Parts are around $80; pain in the backside to change.
Michelle
I saw this coach too on line (only) while looking for a 36' for a friend. He subsequently bought a Country Coach 36'. Also, we have almost the same coach with very minor differences. When we bought it from FOT almost three years ago, it had about the same mileage. Paid about $20K more than what they are listing it for. These 36' U295s are in short supply. I think there is another one listed in Texas somewhere, but the price, I think, was about $150K. Looked nice though and owner claimed excellent care.
Concerns...
1. Dark color on top... pain when it is hot and can lead to defects in the paint.... look for little cracks in the dark colors. I think it is called "checking."
2. Check the bulkheads.... I have seen Florida coaches in the past with problems in this area.
3. No private head.... big issue for us, but might not be for you.
Problems we have had with our 2003...
1. Replaced microwave (Sharp)....easy job
2. Inverter was replaced just before we bought it.
3. Tires were replaced just before we bought it... make sure load range H in front. G's OK in back.
4. Refrig OK now that we have added fans on top of heat exchanger. Expect to have to replace it soon.
5. AC units still OK. Again, expect to have to replace them soon. They get a lot of use.
6. No big drive train problems. The 400ISL has plenty of power, but you will still be going 30mph up very steep passes.
7. Have gotten about 8.5 mpg over 20K miles
8. Had slide bladder problem.... double stick tape that holds it to coach wall had to be replaced... $1000
9. House batteries replace just before we bought it. I replaced the engine batteries soon after we bought it.
10. Also had sewer and water sensors replaced when we bought it. Monitor is probably on its last legs. It will blank out occasionally. Leave it off most of the time.
11. Had key fab system reworked.... did not work. Now works great. Done soon after bought it.
Overall a wonderful coach. We got very lucky. The previous owner really took good care of it.
Bill, do you know that it was repaired?
Thanks for the attachment and also for the items to check, I really appreciate it.
Thanks George for all the details, great info.
I think the member Memory Roads looked at this coach and there had been some repair done on the coach,try to contact him,he had some photos of the repair and was not impressed.
PS.the correct repair can coast between 15 and 20k
I had looked at this coach, as I had been considering moving my goal post from 99-01's to include 02-03's. There were several around the country that looked interesting, but this one was in Clearwater, close to my base in St. Petersburg, Fl. The price at the time was higher.
Usually I would spend quite some time looking a coach over but this one showed cracking developed on 3 corners at least. Roof chalking and sides streaked with while runnoff. There was some other paint issues i believe in the front. Was surprised a rig could be advertised for sale and shown without detailing, but I have been surprised this way at major dealerships usually. (used car lots do better in this respect)
Tile interior floor tile, had grout broken near front step area ....and loose/possibly one broken. yes, this can be minor and a quick fix but thought anyone selling should do this stuff first.....just my thoughts. Interior condition, OK but not outstanding.
Salesman had been telling me how this coach had been stored inside, yada yada yada while we walked out to it. I left in 2 minutes.
Sorry, don't mean to upset anyone, but that was my view of this coach and dealer.
Thanks everyone for the excellent help here. I was able to check it out myself and on first impression, found it to actually be quite nice. The coach was freshly waxed and pretty clean inside. I think that, as in most cases including this one, the first impression is key. I was able to find the complete repair history with the help of the dealership. The end cap and bulkhead were both retrofitted at the factory prior to delivery to the first owners. There is a paint crack at the front end cap and some on the roof, but after having a fiberglass expert give me his opinion, it sounds like the cracking at the end caps is inevitable. Just as concrete needs expansion joints, the joints at the end caps need room to flex. If there's not a joint and trim piece, it has the opportunity to crack. I am in agreement with the factory on this issue, it is only cosmetic. Once it's fixed, it may last for a while, but there's a possibility it will return in five or six years, as others have reported.
Other than that, after taking a look, it's easy to see that this motorhome was well cared for. Compared to what I've seen previously, it is a 10, and probably a 9 on its own. Not sure why there was not much interest on this one. The dark color is a negative, but fortunately I love green. The front looks terrible right now as the 3M cover needs to be removed. Once that's removed and the paint cracks are repaired, the outside will be practically flawless. There are only minor rock chips and the slide awning needs cleaning.
The inside does have a couple of grout lines that need to be refilled, but other than giving the sofa and fridge a bath, it will also be returned to a practically new state. There's not one system that is inoperable. The only items that were not working upon pickup were the doorbell and safe. Both just needed new batteries. I originally wanted a 320 for the larger motor, extra airbags, shocks, and Aqua Hot. But since I'll only be using if for vacations, I can certainly live without Aqua Hot. Plus, my previous 30' Bigfoot was fine with one 28,000 BTU heater, and I never even as much as opened the access panel for it other than to vacuum out the spider webs. I can sure appreciate the maintenance free aspect of regular LP heaters. With a 35,000 BTU and additional 16,000 BTU heater, I'm sure we'll be in good shape.
I love the upgrades made by the previous owners. Nice LP drawer, water and shoreline reels. The open bath is awesome. I also love the reading light over the sofa. All the furniture is Villa as opposed to standard Flexsteel. Of course the new TV's are great and along with the in-motion satellite dish, entertainment is definitely taken care of. The tile entry is so much better than the full carpet that was originally installed. And it can't hurt to have electric sun visors.
I had a terrible experience in seeing a coach up near Seattle a few weeks before viewing this one. It was after that experience I learned to ask specific questions. The only good that came out of that trip was getting to talk to fellow member Wyatt, who was so nice and helpful I was almost speechless. That's one nice guy right there. And I feel terrible, it was his birthday and I forgot to wish him a happy one. So, Happy Birthday, Wyatt!
After a ton of research on this one and getting in contact anyone who would listen, and even after getting some strong opinions both for and against regarding this motorhome, I decided to make an offer. We came to an agreement and it's mine! I was even able to talk to the first –owner sellers who also gave me a complete history. They couldn't have been any nicer and even asked me to call them with any questions.
Everyone at Coach Worx was a pleasure to deal with. Mike worked with me for over three hours in inspecting the coach. Of course I was armed with all the lists and info made available here. He was super responsive in getting the pictures I requested and answered all of my questions beforehand. Everything I asked him to do was done almost instantly. He turned around an oil sample in one day and was quick to respond to emails and phone calls. Living in California and trying to check out a coach in Florida is not an easy task. Of course, as with any large purchase, there were a few tense moments, but it was a relatively quick and painless process. On pickup day there were no surprises and the coach was detailed nicely. They have a former Foretravel service manager who knew the coach inside and out and went over every last detail of the coach. Mike went the extra mile and I really can't thank him enough for making this happen.
I sure do owe all of you a huge debt of gratitude. What a great group of individuals here on this forum. I can't wait to use it a lot! I'm sure I'll have a million questions, and hopefully I'll soon be making contributions of my own. It made it home to California safe and sound and it has already been on a big jeeping/mountain biking/canyoneering trip to Arizona, Utah, and Colorado and another trip over Thanksgiving to the sand dunes. Luckily I figured out the search function and was able to answer many of my questions already, thanks everyone!
Congrats on the new to you Foretravel! As FT newbee's ourselves I can tell you that this forum and it's members and moderators are a huge help when it comes to anything Foretravel and I am sure you are going to have a blast learning all the in's and out's of your new coach.
We bought our 03 U270 last March and we are still discovering and learning things about it. Have not had one moment of buyers remorse!
Have fun....Dean & Dee
Congrats on the find & purchase. Welcome aboard the Foretravel train. You'll enjoy many miles and memories in the future with this fine coach. Don't be a stranger and stay in touch!
Welcome to the Foretravel family. What part of California are you in? I'm in San Diego.
Thanks guys!
rbark, I'm in Thousand Oaks.