Hello and Merry Christmas!
1998 Foretravel U270 3600, Flint TX - - RVtrader.com (http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Go-Play-RV-Center-2982196/listing/1998-Foretravel-U270-3600-116334157)
I contacted this dealer and asked if there are any leaks and how's the roof (the price seems too good to be true) and he said there is no leaks. So I drove 4 hours one way (few days ago) and it looked nice like in those pictures. But when I opened the back cabinets of the bedroom, oh man major leak on entire back roof, parts of wall were warped and lots of molds. Disappointed that dealer lied to me.
So far three FT (two that I checked out last year) that I checked had leaks in back roof/corners. Repair to that entire back roof would cost maybe $10,000 or so I guess. It is shame that those nice FT would be ruined by leaks. Just annual proactive checks and sealing would have prevented those problems!
Jamie
Jamie,
Very unusual. The Foretravel roof design is one of the better ones out there. But, as you said, like any roof to cap joint, they do require occasional re-caulk. Just one of the things that need to be checked on the roof.
Agreed, it is case of sitting in hot Texas sun and not giving attention it deserves.
A dealer that fails to disclose hidden "flaws" in the merchandise...what a shocker!
Sorry to hear your search has been (so far) unsuccessful, but
glad to hear you are taking the trouble/expense to perform a in-person inspection. Your experience underlines the importance of a
thorough pre-purchase examination. Kudos for being a wise shopper!
Keep the faith! Your coach is out there, waiting for you. When you find it, you'll be glad you held out for a good one.
The price actually seems high to me, without even knowing about the leaks. I'd expect an original, non updated (original couch, with stains visible in pics, original CRT tvs, no flatscreens, ammonia fridge) u270 to go for 5-8k less. Without knowing the condition of anything else, tires, brakes, seals, bulkheads, plumbing, etc... thats a $25k shot in the dark. I bid and won an identical 98 u270 36' on ebay with documented mechanicals, newer toyo tires, and foreforum previous owned unit based on the motorcade #. Got it for 29,100 out the door. a good deal, but these older non slide rvs are getting less and less desirable to todays mcmansion owners who want a rolling castle, which should mean better and better deals for those of us who actually want to camp!
I saw a 2000 U320 40ft on Atlanta Craigslist for $25400. The ad title is 2000 Foretravel U320. Know nothing about it just saw the ad
My best guesstimate...a Scammer at work. Trust me on this, I have a feel for the "truth". :))
My coach has stains on the rear inside walls, but no mold, from leaks prior to my ownership. Note that while leaks can be repaired, stains will likely live for the rest of the coach life.
There are those used and abused and neglected, foreclosed, ended up in some auction, then for sale by dealer or ebay for what ever ...
Then there are those who just simply give it a away for what ever reason health, etc ....
Then there are those owned by guys like me and many like me here on the forum, who not only use it but also "love" owning a Foretravel so truly take care of it ... it is also a hobby.
IMHO person who buys a Foretravel from a long time forum member also gets a lot of history .... you cannot get that for 25K sorry! Also you can not get it from ebay or dealer.
I agree that the coaches that are for sale by forum members are generally well maintained.The coach in flint had damage that
the dealer did not disclose.Remember MOT and Foretravel are dealers and all dealers are not dishonest.
You make it sound like ebay is an evil entity,its a means for people to sell things,everyone out there does not know about this
forum.
I found our coach on craigslist from the original owner,inspected it myself bought it and am happy with the purchase.
At some price below the asking price the coach in flint will be a good deal for somebody,I did not see the damage but would
a good DIY person have to spend 10K to fix it?
My foretravel has a history and I love working on it.
Remember a story about a guy who responded to a craigslist ad, for a 2 year old porsche 911 for $10000.
Guy was there right away, gave the woman the money, and got the car and the title. The guy then told her the car was worth 5 times that price, and why did she sell it so cheap? She replied that her husband had run off with his secretary, and needed money, and to sell the porsche and sent the money to him.
I once found 2 Macintosh power amps at a salvation army for $20 each.
A buddy changed out two, 20 cent capacitors, ended up selling them for $800.
I was considering that coach, sorry to hear about it's issues. From what I've seen, that is a good price if its in good condition.
...got my coach from a tip on the forum, (thanks MAZ) an e-bay baby...yes, she was a bargain baby....put a deposit down sight unseen after "late night consultations" with Mark Z. (MAZ) & Gary O., Mark did a couple of PDI's next day....finished the deal that night....made the usual initial upgrades (mechanically) for a coach that had sat, prettied her up inside & out, & now she's getting younger everyday. :)) So there are good ones to be found on e-bay. Still can't believe how perfect she is, everything in her is just what I'd have ordered had I gotten her new + in comparing her to the coaches I went thru at MOT (all quite nice) she's got all the good stuff & more, 'cause I've personalized her in every way...she was from a dealer too, but not a bad experience overall. One of the 1st items addressed was the roof being completely re-sealed but all her bones/basics were good to begin with.
"all her bones/basics were good to begin with. " Because as you & I both know ... it was a Foretravel to began with.
My story is the same .......
Never the less it required my attention .. they all require attention .. for wants & needs ....
Just some folks are looking for a turn key Foretravel & a bargain at the same time ... I think you get what you pay for .. one way or another ... you pay up front or later ... later also requires time, energy and some frustration .... you can't have it all :-) or maybe some folks can .. i don't know 8)
I wouldn't be terribly concerned about the stains in the back cabinet or even slight delamination of the paneling. The main thing to look for is whether the fiberglass on the roof is warped or sounds hollow farther than 6" from the edge when you tap on it. That's an indication of delamination of the fiberglass from the plywood underlayment. Leaks at the seams can occur without notice and cause the stains you described but typically don't damage the structure unless neglected for long periods of time. Just on occurrence of a leak can stain the carpet on the ceiling or interior of the cabinets.
I once had a similar leak right after having that cap joint re-caulked by a professional. He missed a spot. It created a stain that I can't remove even though I fixed the leak immediately.All but the most meticulous owners don't re-caulk until a leak is discovered so seeing a stain is pretty common. From my experience, all roofs leak whether on a coach or a house. IMHO
I live just down the road from this unit in flint. Looked at it and needs a lot of work to bring back. Not sure if they put batteries in it. Appears to have been stored outside for long period. Current owner only has had it for short period of time. Count on more than you can see to bring her back to Foretravel condition. Should still be a better price which would give you some cushion. Would do light conversion and complete interior. Good thing about a purchase you are close MOT and FOT and Berdie and Infinity and Extreme. All you need is the coins. When you do the remake nice coach to be had. Dan
I don't believe in Craigs List, E-Bay or dealers (except MOT and a few other honest outlets). They seem to pick a number out of a hat and hope the would-be-buyer will be un-educated enough to get sucked in. When we were looking for this coach, we saw one (same year) on a lot where they were asking $28,000: it was so trashed and abused that I did not even make an offer! We ended up paying more for ours, but she was in pristine condition and both POs have been generous with help and advice. That counts!
1998 Foretravel at Flint, TX - Google Photos (https://goo.gl/photos/jmcHC7eLi9rzWGRg9)
Also the sales guy had trouble opening the engine bay door, as well generator bay door. I asked him if I can go up check the roof
And then as I climb up the ladder, he told me not to walk on the roof, just look at it (wanna keep it clean?).
There is some insulation in engine bay falling off.
That's where it would be fun to have a five dollar bill in your pocket and say, "here's my offer".
No question, the salesman did not now the product. I spend a lot of time walking (and crawling) on RV roofs. Need to check end cap seams and any through-roof penetration. NO WAY to do that from the ladder.
The failing engine room insulation is pretty common on that age coach (any make). Several good threads here of the Foreforum on replacing the OE insulation. And, because of the good design and access from above, not that bad a job. Be sure to put a tarp over the engine before peeling off the old insulation!
Our's has been replaced and (so far) looks great. I'd be wondering if the habit of "warming up the coach" for too long contributes to heat that trashes the insulation.
Very unlikely. Diesels are too efficient at idle to produce much heat.
But, particularly the foam-based insulations do have a finite life.