In my never ending searching on the internet I found this interesting 1993 Foretravel in Florida with low miles:
1993 Foretravel 36 ft Wide Body (https://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/rvs/5186100610.html)
36 ft
50,000 miles
Cummins Diesel
New fridge
I think this must be a U280, the 1993 U280 has the Cummins C8.3, right?
1993 U280 Brochure (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1993_u280_foretravel_specifications.html)
No retarder or Jake, correct?
LP generator, correct?
Might be a good coach for someone looking for a 36 ft Unihome wide body...I think I would offer less...
My 1990 U280 had a diesel generator...so I suspect this could be as well. Retarders started around 1996, I think.
It could have a diesel or a propane generator
It has the WTBI floor plan like mine which makes for more room in the bathroom and an overall feel of more space inside.
Jerry
I believe the use of retarders started in 1995. Ours has the six-speed Allison 4000 series with the retarder.
It's clearly not a U240 or U225 because of the height of the basement bin doors. Looks like a '93 U280 although some U300s were built with Cummins engines (I didn't see which Cummins). It has the shift lever (not pushbutton) and I don't know what Allison would have been around in 1993 to handle an 8.3 (the limit on a 643 is about 250hp).
Looks like it's priced about right, I think. $24,000 for a '93 U280 would be a pretty decent price. Depends on the condition of tires, engine, transmission, etc. Looks like it's been well-kept. The mileage is a bit low for '93 (ours has 78,000 with 10,000 on it over the past 4 years) but it may indicate regular use to nearby destinations.
These can be fitted out with PacBrake (exhaust brake) and Banks for about $10k and would really be a snappy machine. Our U225 with Banks has a better hp-to-weight ratio than most new 500hp motor homes.
Craig
We have the same floor plan that Jerry has in our 36' U300. Love it!
Think the price may not be that bad as the condition appears to be excellent. Ours had 62K so 50K sounds good. Looks as if they did quite a few improvements from wood on the entry stairs to the new airbags. The front seats also look good, at least in the photos. Decals also indicate it may have spent at least some of the time garaged. Extra rear view cameras down low in the front indicate a involved owner.
Would have to check the undercarriage for corrosion from driving in northern states before giving it a "pass."
$24K is close to what it's worth if everything checks out in my opinion. We paid $21,500 for ours six years ago but decals were tired, needed a fridge, batteries, front seats needed recovering, etc. Did have new tires and two new roof ACs.
If not a good DIYer, a less expensive coach can easily double the purchase price fixing things and still not be as nice. I would be on the next plane to check it out!
Pierce
Our 1993 U280 has the 8.3 Cummins and a 6-speed MD3060 Allison. No retarder - aftermarket exhaust brake.
If memory serves me a 1989 u300 had a trans retarder on it. Automatic only. On and off switch. No handle
Not a bad price. However, ours had just about everything re-built/replaced including new paint & stripes and we paid 32K. It came with paperwork of all work done over the years, important to older coaches. In my experience with Airstream mo/hos, most coaches will need another 10K to get them road-ready. :dance: