Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: ohsonew on November 18, 2013, 08:15:12 pm

Title: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: ohsonew on November 18, 2013, 08:15:12 pm
Looked at a 1990 36' ORED from Craigslist this past week in the KC area. The coach is in good condition. A few minor things on the outside, faded decals, small dings. The tires are going on 3 yrs. Interior was very clean. The couple bought it 3 yrs ago, took 2 trips and then bad health hit husband. Has mostly sat the last 2 yrs. They had some service work done on it in Oct. to get ready to sell.

They are asking 18,500 with 151K miles on it. If you want more info, PM me & I will put you in contact with owners. I have no association with them, but they are nice folks. We are looking for Unihome or Unicoach. Otherwise, we would have probably worked a deal and taken her home.

Thought someone might have an interest.
Larry
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 18, 2013, 09:09:36 pm
Larry,

What engine-- Caterpillar 3208 or Detroit 8.2 liter 4 stroke V8?
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Brad & Christine Slaughter on November 18, 2013, 09:25:41 pm
A 3208...if this is the right one:  1990 36ft. Foretravel Diesel Pusher (http://kansascity.craigslist.org/rvs/4177218055.html)
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Brad & Christine Slaughter on November 18, 2013, 09:29:07 pm
While I was there on CL...  This looks like gas?  Used Class A 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa 3300 (http://topeka.craigslist.org/rvd/4195375711.html)
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 19, 2013, 09:08:48 am
Yup, Gas. 
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Alex P. on November 19, 2013, 01:05:03 pm
This may be too much of a tangent, but.... maybe there are others in my position who are also curious.  My question is, what do I "give up" if I go with an Oshkosh chassis Foretravel.  IIUC that is a Grand Villa that is not a Unihome.

I think I know that means no air suspension or leveling, and no retarder (but then many Unihomes don't have that either), and it looks like smaller grey/black tankage.  I would suppose smaller storage bays, but... what else?  I see the interiors look similar to a Unihome.  What else is "missing" if one goes that way?

Also, does anyone know what the "real world" towing capability would be?  I have looked them up on the Beam Alarm site, but the information gets a bit sparser in the older years, and plus, even if I can see a GVWR and a GCWR I have no idea what the usual GVW would be (because sometimes some of that capacity is "available" to put into the GCWR if a coach is more lightly loaded).

I think I'm looking for a Unicoach, but sometimes I do wonder about some of these well-preserved ORED coaches.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 19, 2013, 02:53:24 pm
First, some terminology: 

ORED= Oshkosh Rear Engine Diesel.
OREG= Oshkosh Rear Engine Gas (one to really avoid)

The front engine gas Oshkosh such as the one being discussed: Ford 460 gas with 3 speed non-locking transmission.  Far less power and burns far more fuel than an ORED or other diesel powered coaches.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Alex P. on November 19, 2013, 03:30:31 pm
Sorry if I got things confused:  I'm asking about a coach such as the ORED at the beginning of the thread (CAT engine).

(I see an OFEG - is that even an acronym - got slipped in near the end of the thread, but I was curious about the ORED -- not just the one in KC but many similar ones I see for sale at various times.)
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Bob_B on November 19, 2013, 03:36:21 pm
This may be too much of a tangent, but.... maybe there are others in my position who are also curious.  My question is, what do I "give up" if I go with an Oshkosh chassis Foretravel.  IIUC that is a Grand Villa that is not a Unihome.

I think I know that means no air suspension or leveling, and no retarder


I have been wondering about these coaches too. I am a Foretravel wannabe and the ORED coaches are getting to the price range for a CASH purchase (I'm done with EZ Finance for a while). My current coach is a '93 Itasca which is riding on top of an Oshkosh diesel chassis. There are no airbags, only Leaf springs. It is a rough choppy ride and steering it is a chore. My leveling consists of a leaky hydraulic kick-down jack system.

If the Oshkosh chassis is different on a Foretravel, I might be comparing Apples to Oranges. I suspect that my chassis and the ORED chassis are the same.

Because I am already driving a coach with an Oshkosh chassis, I'm not sure I'd be happier with an ORED. I might keep looking for a Foretravel that is on a Foretravel-built monocoque frame.

Forgive me if my facts are a little off, I am still learning about these great machines.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: fouroureye on November 19, 2013, 04:12:32 pm
Some ORED models had 4 air bags. Our 88 with the CAT did had it 9 year and 50k+ miles no problems. Devils tower to northern Mn to all points rode great!
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 19, 2013, 04:17:01 pm
Bob,

Yes, I suspect there are more similarities between a Foretravel ORED and your chassis than differences.  But, Oshkosh, like Freightliner who bought them DID offer different options on the chassis. 

Suggest you compare your spec sheet with the ORED Foretravel spec sheet for: brakes, suspension, radiator location (side vs rear), engine, etc.  As an example, later model Foretravel ORED's came with the Cummins 8.3 C engine and side radiator. Quite different than a Cummins B with rear radiator.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Bob_B on November 19, 2013, 04:27:45 pm
Thanks Brett.

It is the quality of ride that interests me the most. I don't want to buy something that rides as rough as what I already own.

I rarely (if ever) see a complaint about ride from any Foretravel owner, regardless of their chassis. When the time comes, I will not overlook the ORED, but I will give it a good test drive.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 19, 2013, 04:46:03 pm
Bob,

Spring chassis can give quite a good ride IF (big IF) they are properly designed so that the springs are properly loaded.  Even the highest price OTR truck tractors have leaf spring front suspension.  They ride well because the weight on the front axle is known.  Air is used on the rear, because weight on rear axle(s) varies between empty and loaded.

But, if the springs, particularly front springs are underloaded, the ride will be harsh.

On your '93 Itasca what is your front axle GAWR and the actual weight on the axle?  And, is tire pressure per your tire manufacturer's recommendation for your actual weight?

Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: ohsonew on November 19, 2013, 08:33:08 pm
Brett, Sorry for the delay, just checked in. I can't verify whether the engine was the Cat 3208 or not. The owner did tell me that it put out 210 hp. Between that and the lack of Pac brake I decided against it. I plan on lots of time in the Rockies and I don't like to drive with white knuckles :o :o :o

For others, it is a pretty clean unit. Probably rates 8.5/10 IMHO.

Larry
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: wolfe10 on November 19, 2013, 09:09:00 pm
210 sounds very much like the DD 8.2 4 stroke-- not to be confused with the tried and true DD 2 strokes.

Have not seen a Cat 3208 with that low a HP rating.

This is not a Chevy vs Ford issue-- the 8.2 is just not one of the better diesel engines out there.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: fkjohns6083 on November 19, 2013, 09:25:36 pm
We have a 91 ORED GV and it is a pleasure to drive.  It has the 4 airbag suspension and drives like a large car.  Ours has the Cat 3208T and is rated at 300hp.  Runs all day at 70 mph in summer or fall up hills or where ever and doesn't heat up.  It has the side radiator with a hydraulic fan.  It holds 150 gals of diesel, 75 gal of propane, 80 gals of FW,  60 gals of gray water, and 50 gals of black water.  We really like this machine and at this point , we would not trade up for a newer, wider, longer, slide out, etc.  If your looking for a very functional classic, you cant go wrong with an ORED.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Caflashbob on November 19, 2013, 09:33:30 pm
210 sounds very much like the DD 8.2 4 stroke-- not to be confused with the tried and true DD 2 strokes.

Have not seen a Cat 3208 with that low a HP rating.

This is not a Chevy vs Ford issue-- the 8.2 is just not one of the better diesel engines out there.

210 hp 3208 cats were ca smog legal and I sold a few
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: danieljeff545 on November 19, 2013, 10:41:31 pm
I second Fritz's post!! Love our ride.
Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: MR B2 on November 20, 2013, 05:55:46 am
Mines an 89 Grand Villa, Has exactly the same as Fritz's one, 300 Cat, ORED,

Its doesnt know what a hill is, It idles up my drive, 450 feet long and 1 in 3 gradient, with ease,

Super Comfy Leather Arm Chair Floating along the Highway in a 11 Ton Coach, How easy, Cruise control,
400 mile days are a breeze.

I have the V17 Chassis, I have been under My Coach and have had a real good look at it, Its built like a Tank,

But it just floats down the Hiway, A real pleasure to drive,

Title: Re: 1990 36' ORED for sale in KC
Post by: Caflashbob on November 20, 2013, 11:10:10 am
We have a 91 ORED GV and it is a pleasure to drive.  It has the 4 airbag suspension and drives like a large car.  Ours has the Cat 3208T and is rated at 300hp.  Runs all day at 70 mph in summer or fall up hills or where ever and doesn't heat up.  It has the side radiator with a hydraulic fan.  It holds 150 gals of diesel, 75 gal of propane, 80 gals of FW,  60 gals of gray water, and 50 gals of black water.  We really like this machine and at this point , we would not trade up for a newer, wider, longer, slide out, etc.  If your looking for a very functional classic, you cant go wrong with an ORED.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

58 actual gallons of propane at 80% and 75 gallons of fresh water if memory serves me.  Big car feel.  Will make turns at intersections and not hit the curbs or cross the center line.

Bob