It seems to come up occasionally that a new or prospective owner needs to determine some basic information that is not readily obvious to them. This seems to be especially true on Grand Villas where that's the only badge on the exterior of the coach. As far as I know Grand Villa only signifies the nose shape: it could have any variety of engine, chassis, floor plan or length. There are two different numbers on the plate next to the drivers seat: VIN and Model which I think get confused with each other sometimes.
Attached is my first cut of what all the Model numbers mean. In addition, on the second page I included a VIN decoding "map" (which I think was created by Foretravel) along with where one can find the VIN stamped into the steel frame - sometimes used in the VIN verification process when first registering in a new state.
Like I said I'm not 100% sure of everything contained in it. For example, I'm not sure the starting "G" stands for Grand Villa. As best as I can tell the U320/U295/U270 series start with an "F". I invite any additional or corrective information on the subject that anyone might have. The idea is we will have something we can give to newbies.
-John Fitz
Here is one by the door on my '81 am I right in build 1500?
Does this secret decoder ring help?
That might be the information the insurance company and DMV were reading when I gave them my VIN and they said it was not the VIN. Also the insurance company said there were no 40ft Foretravels in 1981 mine must be a 38 I finally got it insured and never changed companies for 18 years as I didn't want to go through the hassle again.
Yes that is the build number 1500