Well after many month of hard work and quite a few coach bucks we finally took the 94 U280 out on the road. Although only a couple of hundred miles, It felt good to finally get it out. Many thanks for all of the info and advice I have received from this forum! I still have a ways to go to get it 100% (like that is actually possible).
We took it to Texas A&M for a weekend long tailgate. We sure were not the newest...or the fanciest...bet we turned a lot of heads. Our 94 has just over 25K miles and has been stored inside since it was new....So the exterior looks like brand new. Not the fanciest but I am not in debt 500K either. Below are a couple of pictures form the day we pulled it out of storage after being stored for about 15 years untouched and this weekend at the tailgate. Thanks again for all the help and advice!!
After a good bath
This weekend at the tail gate with new 55" exterior TV!!
Congrats!
A very nice coach and a truly rare find!
Looks awesome...............
Very nice. What a find.
Thanks! It was my fathers coach. He bought it new in 94 and got cancer in 95 past away in 96. It was only used for short trips with my mother for the next couple of years ....so it really has not been used since 96. I think I understand now why he bought it..It really is an amazing piece of equipment!
Karl, you are honoring your father by getting this coach up and running, extending his memory and his dream. I am sure he bought it to share with his family. He still is. A wonderful story. Congratulations.
Enjoy the opportunity to ride along the trails that your Dad most likely wanted to share with you. Floor it...once you get a feel for the air brakes! Wear that coach out! Paul
I saw the first pics of it dirty and thought "it was stored indoors, wut??" but then once I saw it cleaned up, it puts my 95 to shame! beautiful! sucks to hear the story of how a 25k mile 1994 came to be, but good job getting it going!! I'm jealous!
I think it has more history and meaning then any new coach would have. Great job getting it going again.
Well when I say indoors...It was a corrugated building with corrugated doors on it (you can see it in the first picture).....gravel floor...mice and squirrels. Water would blow through the doors so humidity was high. This made everything inside and out dusty and moldy. Only thing that it really kept out was the sun which was the biggest blessing. That kept me from adding a paint job to the long list of repairs.
Looks beautiful. More tailgating to come. Enjoy it, as your Father would have.
Karl,
Very fortunate indeed. Now you can give it all the TLC it deserves in honor of your father and have fun doing it!
Jerry
WHOOP! Best looking coach in the entire lot! Wish we were in our spot there this season and we'd have a Foretravel rally on our hands. Is that the lot on Agronomy Rd?
It's a beautiful coach, and your using (and enjoying) it will serve as a tribute to your father.
Yes! Lot 88 There was one other Foretravel in the lot but did not get a chance to meet him.
Looks like it was a diamond in the rough! Nice!
Karl,
Very nice coach, but a much nicer story.
Congratulations on your first trip.
Karl, she's gorgeous.....what a difference a good bath makes!
On the low mileage issue, how did she run after you started her up & got her going the 1st time? Were all the systems still in good shape? (yes, I know, maybe that's a dumb question for a FT!) My engine was fine after sitting for about 8 years, (only had 41,000 miles) but some of the systems needed tweaking & the hot FL sun/humidity really took a toll on the decals & paint job.
Your coach just turned out beautifully & best part is your dad will always be with you now & enjoying the trips & sharing all the fun down the road! Many happy trails & good memories to you all, hope to meet you all & see this treasured gem in person one day.
Thanks!
The engine ran perfect! Luckily it was stored inside so the sun had not destroyed the exterior....However condensation had caused mold or mildew on every surface...inside and out. Here is what I have done so far to get it on the road.
1. Installed new AGM start batteries.
2. Installed Lifeline AGM house batteries.
3. Had the alternator rebuilt.
4. Replaced engine belts and tensioner.
5. Had the Allison ECM and remote rebuilt (would not go into gear in order to back it out of storage). Before I realized that it was a bad ECM I cleaned every electrical terminal that I could find ...front to back...I spent days looking for the problem....
That's when I realized what a help this forum is!!Then I was able to get it out of the storage unit6. Removed 1993 dated Michelin tires and installed new Michelin XZE's. I had road service do this as I was afraid to drive very far.
7. Removed and replaced all of the carpet in the basement after a good cleaning and disinfecting ...rodents had had a huge party and they brought pecans!!
8. Pulled water tank to replace plastic lines on top that had been eaten by rodents.
9. Replaced old Heart inverter / charger with Xantrex SW-3012 300W pure sine inverter / charger.
10. Rebuilt leaking Sheppard steering box.
11. Rebuilt air dryer
12. Oil and filters.
13. Antifreeze and filters.
14. Transmission and filters.
15. Fuel filters
16. New upholstery to captains chairs, dash and sun visors.
17. Installed new Atwood helium refrigerator.
18. Replaced broken anti-siphon behind toilet...pouring water when flushed.
19. Oil and filters on generator
20. Replaced generator shut-down solenoid.
21. Shampooed carpet, headliner and curtains...they came out looking (and smelling) amazing considering the age.
22. In the process of converting all bulbs to LED's.
23. In the process of removing and replacing engine and generator compartment insulation.
Still have a long list but mostly minor things and updating that I want to do.Need to attack the dash A/C (doesn't work and needs to be converted to 134a), fuel lines, rear camera, indoor TV upgrades flooring and upholstery among other things.... If you don't have a to-do list ....you aren't looking hard enough! It just takes time and $$.
I drove it about 220 miles and ran the generator for about 40 hours... +/-40 gallons of diesel.
What about the 21 year old air bags?
As far as I can tell they still look good....I am amazed! There are a couple that have very small cracks. I sprayed them down with 303 protectant. They are on the list.....but for now way down the list. Have you had to change yours?
Your wheels look great. I bet it took a good bit of polishing to get them so shiny.
Do the roof air conditioners work well after all this time?
What a neat story and outcome. Hopefully we can meet you, if we make it to a game this season. Will PM you if so.
Chris
Wheels took quite a few hours with the Power Ball! Both A/C's work....bedroom t-stat only works on med speed. Since they are not replaceable, I am waiting a while before I buy a used one or have it rebuilt. With my luck I would spend $$ on thermostat repair and then the compressor would fail. Plan on being at the rest of the games...Lot 88 #23...Let me know if you are going to make it up!
John said exactly what I would say... Good job Karl
I had the airbags changed on my '99 320
I would rather do it on my schedule than when something happens.
Suggest you air it up as high as you can and look at the airbags then.
I did so and they didn't look as good where they are normally covered, and so I had them changed.
Eric
Thanks Eric...sounds like good advice. I will do that ASAP.
Karl
Congratulations Karl! What a great story and and a testament to your father. I'm sure he would be proud. Safe travels.
Jeff
Not yet...... they look good on the outside, just some very small cracks, no leaks.
We do plan on replacing them before our "Out West" trip next summer. Some have advised to just buy a couple new ones, toss in the cargo bay and change them when they go out. I just dont want one to blow out on our trip. "Murphy's Law" it will always fail at the worse possible time.
Read my prior post on blow out of 8 year old Michelin steer tire that looked perfect on the outside
but that was a michelin tire... he is discussing the condition of firestone airbags. not exactly apples to apples.
Sorry!! My bad. Bernd tried to convince me to replace mine, elected to buy one and carry for now, going to do 4 in spring and 4 next fall.
Regarding air bags, we replaced our fronts (significant cracking) and tag (leaks) last year and drive axle this year.
Significant ride improvement which we found very interesting (and are enjoying).
Same experience. This summer we replaced
all airbags and tires. Yes it was a significant ride improvement. After just 2000 miles we are lovin' it!
Interesting that two of you noticed the improvement.
Sorry for posting my experiences...........I thought that was what this forum was for...My bad. Some of us are not as experienced as a "Super Hero"....some of us are still learning the drill...so I will just read old post I guess.
Karl - it IS what this forum is for and we love reading your story.
Good time to gently remind everyone of these aspects of the User Agreement:
You can challenge others' points of view and opinions, but do so respectfully and thoughtfully.
We take these "Be Courteous" rules VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness.
Karl,
Please don't let the remarks of one old curmudgeon affect your (and our) enjoyment of this forum and each other.
I looked back through all 36 messages can could not find the offensive one. I assume that the moderators removed it. With all they have to do, it is a shame that they have to also clean up after OUR thoughtless outbursts.
Keep your thoughts and reports, as well as your questions coming. We all live vicariously through your adventures.
Don't get discouraged. This forum is still the best one out there.
Trent
Keep your enthusiasm! I made a thoughtless remark once about someone's coach and I still wish I could take it back.
I don't post a lot anymore, but please stick with us. There are grand people here!
I will just say one more thing on the subject and I am done with it...I come here to learn (and I have learned a lot) and to hopefully someday be able to pass on the things that I have learned to someone else. I come here to get ideas and dream of my future upgrades by seeing all of yours. I come here to see places that I have never been ...hear about experiences that I have never had. When I finally know it all and have no more knowledge to gain...and don't want to share what I have learned. It is time for me to leave....NOT troll some forum and make people feel like their posts are stupid...this is not facebook. There are no stupid questions.....just stupid answers....
Ok...moving on :)
Well I for one have enjoyed following your progress. So, thanks for posting and you are so correct - there are no stupid questions! Keep participating...
Chris
Hey Karl, sounds like a great time in the parking lot. Hope to hear more of your progress and adventures!
Hey Karl as another newbie with an old coach (seems to be a few of us at this junction). If you don't ask the question that makes some one shake their head then I will end up asking so don't stop now. Here's to many trips with lessons.
It is better to ask your question then sit and worry. There are those of us on here who have owned multiple FTs and have many years of experience. The other thing is to enjoy and also you can ask in the proper forum for ideas on where to go as well. You will get lots of information as I have found that FT owners are some of the best travelled Motorhomers out there.
All is well... But......I did not even ask a question.....just stated what I had accomplished so far. I have moved on. There might be a problem on the left coast but all is well in TX!
Your next post-trip headline should read,"Second Maiden Voyage" me thinks! Have some fun--Floor it! Paul