We will be looking at this coach next week. 65,000 miles on the engine with 710 hours on the generator. This coach has sat in a garage for ten years. That is correct, ten years. New batteries and belts just installed. Both engine and generator run well per owner. Recent state inspection. Not sure if the fluids were change recently, will find out more information in a couple days.
Two questions at this time. If we buy it, we'll have 100's of questions. By the way, this will be the sixth or seventh Foretravel we've looked at.
#1) Is it possible, that this could work out to be a good coach? Has anyone had experience with this sort of situation?
#2 After sitting for ten years, so many major items could fail prematurely due to lack of use. How does one come up with a price to make an offer?
That's it for now,
Al
Kulpmont, PA
Al,
Many, many variables - too many to offer uninformed opinions. Your sig says you're looking for a GV. Is this coach under discussion a GV? My personal feeling is that a older coach (GV), with mechanical Cummins and much simpler "systems", would be more tolerant of extended storage than a newer model. But I could be wrong.
I'm going to refer you to Forum members John and Genni. They were the prior owners of our GV, and have a good overall knowledge of Foretravel coaches. When they sold us their U280, it was because they had purchased a extremely low mileage '97 U320. I believe the low mileage was due to a similar long-term storage situation, so they may have some words of wisdom. Send them a PM, and tell them what's up. They are good people, and I know they'll try to help, if possible.
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1084
Agree with Chuck. Too many variables for even an educated guess:
How was it stored-- all fluids fresh, or did the engine sit with old oil in it?
Stored in humid area or desert SW/Where is the coach located?
That's a long time for a coach to be stored. First thing of course is confirm all systems work, ac, water heater, fridge, and so on. Then enlist the aid of someone that lnows Foretravel's to do an inspection for you, may be able to find someone here on the forum. Then unless you are real handy and have time and space to do a lot of work yourself you could easily spend half of your purchase price getting the coach up to snuff. As far as establishing a fair price you would need to look on the internet and see what like coaches have sold for and go from there.
If it has the inspection that means it was drivable to the inspection place,being inside makes a big difference,many components
on a coach wear from time so some things would have worn if the coach was being used,let us know what the coach is and we
can give better opinions.
Fuel lines, airbags will be needed sooner or later, Normal
This is not a GV. Changed my signature. Located in Martinsville, VA. Stored inside. Will know more about the fluids later, maybe. Coach has sat for 10 years and the owner might not remember. Will see if records are available. Should know more in a day or two.
Bob, most FT's we have looked at need fuel lines, tires, air bags, shocks and so on. If not now, in a year or two. Don't forget the air dryer, engine and generator insulation. "What air dryer" they say? "Shocks, I don't need shocks, I have air bags". "Tires, they only have 1,000 miles on them". And so on. Plus, don't the fridge, roof AC's etc are 15 years or older. All adds up to a good many coach bucks. If I keep going, maybe I'll talk myself out of it?
John, agree driven to an inspection station is a plus.
Al
Al, a good PDI will go a long way in letting you know what the condition of the coach is in. Good luck.
Albert, keep looking it over you may have found a gem service tires fuel and use it. As others have said stored inside makes a big difference, these coaches are well built. Also you never said how you plan on using it, vacations, full time, seasonal. A lot of things can wait they all don't need to be done at one time. I have a friend that bought a 97 got in it fulltime and drove to the east coast.
Bruce, Fulltime. Yes, it could be a gem. I have driven two FT's, put a smile on my face and wanted to keep going.
Thanks
We purchased a 96 u270 with 218k miles,most of those thing you mentioned can wait,shocks,air bags,fuel lines unless undrivable
can wait,if you want help with some work bring it down here buy me a few meals and I can help you.
I love lots of paperwork! ^.^d
Hi Albert
We bought a similar situation coach in 7/2015. Coach only had 80k on it. It was 8 hrs from home. Looked it over with a couple of friends, who own FT's. It didn't show much use, but some wear and tear. We've been in it full time for 6 months since selling our house. LOVE it. Replaced tires first, airbags next, water heater, furnace fan motor, still under 10 CB's. b^.^d I expect to continue with upgrades and replacements, as needed. It is 16 years old.
Our coach is the same year and model. 2000-u270 CAI 40ft.
Hope the coach checks out,,good luck with it. Ric 8)
Forgot to mention. We'll be in Quartzsite this year, first timers
I bought my 1995 after it had sat for many years untouched, 6 years is my guess. (Only 60k miles in nearly 21 years) The engine oil filter was completely rusted out. Two popped airbags, the rest showing cords. Bad tires, water heater froze and the ice did some funky things to the case. Several broken water lines. Damaged brakes. Busted bulkhead bolts.
Its been a heck of a project, but a lot of reading, studying, atwood manuals, and sweat and it is fully functional and other than a starter failure has many thousands of trouble free miles.
I wouldnt commit unless youre ready to drop major coin on repairs or can do the majority yourself.
If you need help looking it over from a longtime RVer and self proclaimed non expert, im not far at all from it.
It does not matter about fluids. Records could be incorrect, etc. Always include in cost, changing ALL fluids, so you have an accurate baseline. All other regular maintenance should be performed right away for the same reason.
FWIW,
Get that baby checked out first. If you are knowledgeable, great. If not, get some help. I would not drive very far before changing tires. That is one expensive issue when they go and take part of a fender with it (assuming you don't have injuries or MVA). Agree, fluids, and filters. Sounds like a good one to me. Be ready for some issues. That is why it is good to know what you got and what you need to do before you dive into a project (heck its just money and time, ouch). Best of Travels!
I would Not be afraid of an older, low mileage coach, that has sat in a garage for 10 years. Yes, it could need some T.L.C. - tires, batteries, lubrication of the latches, etc. but if it is rust free underneath, no moth holes, interior clean, as a low mileage coach should be, no wear from being lived in, then I would strongly consider buying it. My 1994 U300 GV only had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2007, it sat for 7 years or more. Best move I ever made. Needed tires and batteries, interior was in like new condition, however I have been slowly replacing the black foam insulation in the engine compartment, and generator compartment. these rubber components tend to dry out. I have owned this coach for almost 10 years and have No regrets. As long as it was not lived in you could have a "Gem" . ^.^d
Since there are so many hidden things that can be a problem I think I would consider hiring someone
that knows FT MHs deep down. There might be a qualified person in your area which I imagine someone
on here can recommend. The best person to do an evaluation would be Brett Wolf. There are members on
here that have done the same thing as you and have spent a ton of Coach Bucks after the purchase on
things that did not show on first inspection by someone that did not get into the technical insides of the
coach they were buying. As far as tires I would put two new ones on the front to get the coach home then
add the others when it is ready to hit the road. I bought a FT once and all of the cosmetics looked good and
I think that clouded my thinking, that and really wanting a FT to begin with, should have had a professional
evaluate it, in hind sight.
Best of luck in your purchase,
Carter
Nac-
Would worry about rodent damage to wiring
My son bought a ft u300 this last spring with 94k miles and had been stored 8 years. After doing some things to it, we made a 8400 mile trip with a great out come, I posted this on the blog. Basically r and r, tires, fuilds, batteries, and a cooling unit in the refer. It's a 94 model and listed "shake down trip.
Boy do I know that feeling...!
As has been said, assume that you will need new tires and batteries right away. The rest can either be replaced as finances permit or as needed. Our coach is a 1993 that basically sat for the two years prior to our purchase from the second owners. They knew the first owners personally (traveled with them several times), but health issues forced the sale. We replaced the four rear tires and two house batteries right away, then moved on to other things. Yes, we've had some problems that weren't foreseen, but overall it has been a good 3 1/2 years. We've been full-timing for the past two years. Next major upgrade will be a/c. Two new front tires will also happen soon.
I would figure about everything on a 2000 needs replacement. ALL the things listed by other reply's.
This is NOT a bad thing. If you can purchase the RV for a very good price you will have the funds to replace everything with new .
A/C units, Refrigerator, Air bags, Batteries, fuel lines, fluids and filters, tires, TV, bulkheads?, If aquahot is damaged it may be a deal breaker because of cost of replacement. As mentioned, check wiring for rodent damage, electronics issues could result in BIG expense to track down and fix.
IF YOU CAN DO A MAJORITY OF THE WORK YOURSELF I would not have a problem with the challenge.
IF YOU PLAN ON PAYING TO HAVE THE WORK DONE FOR YOU, forget it!
Fortunately, as a U270 the coach in question should have propane furnace(s), not an AquaHot :)
The '81 that I bought in 1994 had been in a trailer park for 10 years on full hook-ups and the only lack of use problem I encountered was set valve springs on the generator. We used it for 18 years and it is still able to be used today with tires put on it. I think being indoors with 65,000 miles on it is equal to the same year coach that was continually used with the same miles on it but had nothing changed, air bags fridge etc. I wouldn't think the air conditioners stored inside, to prevent corrosion would have any problems the compressors are hermetically sealed. I don't have the experience with absorption refrigerators to comment on them. As for freezing indoors damaging items, would have to be checked. I am in Southern Cal. and nothing freezes outdoors.
Our '89 GV sat in storage down south somewhere for 10 years
When we bought it it had a new front AC, a new refrigerator, new microwave, new tires, custom paint job, propane generator rebuild, radiator repair, and it had 62,000 miles on the odometer. As I understand, it wasn't the owner prior to us that had all those things done, but the owner before him.
Since we have had the coach (over 5 years) we put a new 135 amp alternator, new tires, new toilet seals, repacked the front wheels, resolved one plugged suction supply line, pulled the carpet, put in floating tile floor, new batteries, changed over most of the 12V lights to LEDs.
I talked with the owners today. More issues with the coach revealed. All adds up to a no-go for us. If the coach was closer, we would take a look at it. We are talking about 800 plus miles round trip plus a couple nights in a motel. Over the past two years we have spent well over $4,000 on travel expenses to look at FT's, CC's and an Alpine. The owners all had a highly inflated opinion on the condition as welll as value of their coaches. We will be in Virginia Beach over the holidays visiting relatives and will look at a 38" CC Magna W/O AH in the area.
Someone might get a good deal on this FT. Evidently it has been for sale for over a year and the owners sound motivated to sell. The coach had belonged to their father. It is listed on craigslist Danville, VA as a Fore Travel. If you search under Foretravel it will not come up.
Really appreciate all the comments. What a great group of knowledgeable and helpful folks.
Thanks again,
Al
AL,
Yes, you can spend a LOT of money "kissing toads" traveling the country.
Sometimes you can get a screaming deal, but usually, unless you can do a lot of work yourself, it is hard to beat going to Meccadoches, looking at all the coaches for sale at the various dealers and maybe pulling the trigger.
Good luck in your search!!
Craigslist 2000 36 270 (https://danville.craigslist.org/rvs/5851061082.html)
Wow, some nice Foretravels are popping up for sale...
Fall & Winter are good times to shop for RVs. Owners who only use them once a year on vacation start getting antsy about having all that money parked in their driveway. A low-ball cash offer will often sound like a easy way out of debt...
I copied the link, here it is; 2000 36' Fore Travel Motor Home (https://danville.craigslist.org/rvs/5851061082.html)
Looks nice to me. ::) The more I look at this coach the better it looks !!!!
Looks nice but after sitting so long it is hard to say. And a U270 at $50K seems high.
That inside tire is flat and bead is off rim.
I talked with the son a couple days ago. He found and removed a couple mice nests. Sitting in a garage for 10 years, I wonder how many nest he might have missed? Could be a mice condo? Since moving the coach outside the garage, they have had a good bit of rain. Leak developed in ceiling near front A/C and another leak where the steering column goes into the floor area.
As mentioned in a previous post, they want to sell. Someone is going to get a good price. Whether it is a deal or not remains to be seen. I had thought of making an offer, but was afraid she might have accepted.:)
Al
I think somewhere in the high teens would be my price,from what your saying the water may be coming from the ac area and
channelling to the steering area.(or they had some high water).
IMO, $35-40K would be plenty to pay and that is if you are willing and able to work on it yourself. New tires and lots of elbow grease might get it in useable shape for another $5K minimum. Potential wiring problems from the mice could be a nightmare. The supposedly ready-to-go '98 U295 @$47.5K in the classifieds seems like a much safer bet.
Al,
My 2 cents for you and every potential coach owner is "don't loose track". Why do you want to buy this thing and how are you going to use it? Absolutely, spending your resources wisely is important but at the end of the day you want to enjoy. No matter which direction you take (repair, upgrade, travel or a combination) take some time again to review your long term goals.
I know, free advice is what it is worth. Happy hunting.
Mark,
Agree 100%. Just too many issues popping up with this coach for me, and for the sake of my marriage:), decided not to pursue it. I want to enjoy our 43rd anniversary next month, not trying to explain to my wife why we have to put another few coach bucks in this coach. She was hesitant from the start, but agreed to go look at it. Then the water leaks and possible mice condo came up. That put her over the edge, and rightly so. Whatever coach we may buy, will be one we both agree on.
Albert, I don't know exactly what you want but I have recently talked to an owner of a 97 U 320 , painted, low mileage, always in a garage, that they want to sell because of various reasons and, they don't use it any more. It is located in the Melbourne , Fl. area and it is not publicly listed any where yet. If you would call me, I can give you what I know about the coach and the number to call.
Gary O 615-849-2377