I am looking at a 1993 U240 with a CAT3116ATAAC 250 HP, with an Allison transmission.
Although I have owned two later model FT's, I have no experience with this vintage. Can any of you experienced owners offer advice?
What was the lineup for this year? Are there any common problems with the coach or the drive train?
All information is very much appreciated.
VERY familiar with that model. Sold our 1993 U240 with 170,00 miles on it.
Drive train pretty bomb proof. Of course it had to have received reasonable "care and feeding" during its long life.
Only unique issue is the suspension-- Torsilastic. Absolutely measure ride height. The OE rear springs were marginal at best. Many of them (15k springs) have been replaced with 19k springs. If so, ride height will not be a problem. If you need the "how to" let us know.
As with all Unihomes/Unicoaches, you need to check the bulkheads.
1993 Foretravel U225-U240 GV Specifications (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1993_u225-240_gv_specifications.html)
1993 U225 - U240 GV Floorplans (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1993_u225-u240_gv_floorplans.html)
Thanks for the information.
Did this year have a frame under? Any bulkhead issues?
What sort of fuel mileage did you get?
If it has the lighter springs, where would I get the heavier ones installed?
Thanks again.
Which we now have! A sweetheart coach, but as in all these old dears, attention should be paid to previous service. There is a lot of stuff easily missed that could come back to haunt you. I know those things, now, not Brett's fault, the PO that bought ours from Brett was more concerned with "cutsey" stuff. I am now facing some serious (to me) CB outlays because I did not ask the right questions. The suspension is a great idea and with KONI shocks, rides great!
No frame, it is a Unibody. So, indeed, it does have bulkheads-- one of the stickies in Tech
New springs are not available, except from a company in Mexico. I know nothing about them. If below ride height and out of ride height adjustment shims, and a custom "air over torsilastic" would be what I would pursue.
Alcan springs in Grand Junction Colorado can make up springs to your specifications. Visit their website or give them a call. Worth the time it you need springs.ihav I dealt with them great company good product priced reasonably.
Roland
Roland,
Just to be clear, they can make TORSILASTIC SPRINGS???
They were only made by the Aerospace Division of B.F. Goodrich.
I believe the Eagle bus company in Tennessee is still installing torsilastic springs to they must be available somewhere.
The Eagle Buses use a completely different spring.
BUT, checking with them for their source is an excellent idea.
Will these work?
Foretravel suspension on Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORHOME-SUSPENSION-TORSILASTIC-FOR-FORETRAVEL-SAFARI-/201533838561?hash=item2eec5a54e1:g:7-IAAOSwUuFW15M4)
Guess I have no idea what torsilastic spring is....... Should not have commented. Alcan makes steel suspension springs.
Roland
Those are the ones made in Mexico that I mentioned in my first post. No idea of the quality. A suspension engineer who toured their facility several years ago said they were using old tires for the rubber. Their process is not known to me, nor was the formulation of the original ones by B.F. Goodrich.
I vaguely remember a Foretravel owner installing a pair of the rear springs. Might be worth a post/search to see if you can locate him and ask him to measure his ride height and number of shims to see how they are holding up.
Looks like he copied and pasted my ride height measurement-- they are correct.
Brett,
Due to numerous random posts, I've been aware of this suspension since joining the Forum, but never paid any attention to it. The writeup in the eBay ad implies that the rubber part of the "spring" is only there for vibration and noise damping, and that the steel torsion bar does all the work. Is this "fact", in your opinion, accurate? If so, doesn't seem like the source or composition of the rubber would be all that critical. Thoughts?
Chuck,
As I mentioned above, I have no knowledge about the construction inside the beam. VERY familiar with the beam's use, ride height adjustment, etc.
Many years ago, I met in person with the engineers at B.F. Goodrich Aerospace Division in Jacksonville FL, as the 15k rear torsilastic springs were basically loaded to max. Got their recommendation for replacements (19k springs) and loaded two in the basement. Foretravel installed them. And to my knowledge, all future springs for the U240 ordered by Foretravel were the stronger springs.
We just never got into "how do you build it or what is the difference between a 15k and 19k spring."
[quote author=wolfe10 link=msg=240225 date=1469453183 the 15k rear torsilastic springs were basically loaded to max. Got their recommendation for replacements (19k springs) and loaded two in the basement. Foretravel installed them. And to my knowledge, all future springs for the U240 ordered by Foretravel were the stronger springs.[/quote]
I've read my torsilastic paperwork on Brett's Coach, he spent a lot of time (& $$) on getting her where she still is. ^.^d I would wonder, for others, is there a way to I.D. whether a coach has the 19k springs?
If replacement springs were purchased/installed by Foretravel, their Parts Manager, Mike Grimes may be able to tell you whether they are 15 or 19k (newer PN) ones. At least worth a call.