Greetings all!
As indicated in the subject, you have a brand new newbie on your hands, so be ready for lots and lots of questions!
We just looked at a 1993 Grand Villa, 3600 022c and fell in love with the fit and finish of the cabin. Additionally, it will (with small accommodations for my wife) do exactly what we need.
I have read the sticky listing 50 things to check, and it appears to be orientated more to new units.
I was wondering if anybody out there has specific issues for this year/model I should look out for?
TIA for any assistance!
Moby,
Welcome.
Where is the coach located/link to listing? Someone here may be familiar with the coach.
Reminds me of our first FT, same model and year. Oshkosh and hydraulic brakes on mine even tho; Beamalarm shows air on this model year??
JohnH
As long as you understand the spring chassis and hydraulic brakes those were good coaches.
Slow down on grades going down. Change all the brake fluids regularly from the heating up of it
The V-814 chassis like I have is hydraulic brakes and usually come with the gas engine I think.
I just got my 1986 GV a month ago. Welcome fellow noob.
When I get home, Ill cut and paste the link.
Pretty coaches, draw back would be (besides the above mentioned) (IMHO) no engine brake and lack of a six-speed Allison trans.
Here's the link;
1993 Grand Villa Foretravel 3600 022C, Ossipee NH - - RVtrader.com (https://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/Big-Moose-RV-2994450/listing/1993-Grand-Villa-Foretravel-3600-022C-120850028)
I would look closely at the undercarriage to make sure it hasn't been driven on salted roads.
Winter arrives early in Ossipee.
Double up on T-man's advice. Outside photos don't tell much. Generator, engine compartment, undercarriage photos are what you need. Most look good from above. Location is in a "salt the road" state.
Does this one have air bags, brakes?
Mike's comments are good too. I love our Jake brake and a six speed would be the frosting on the cake. Having a Jake or retarder makes a difference when traveling in the west, especially with toad. Without aux brake, I would not go over a 3000 lb toad.
Asking price seems a bit high.
Pierce
Did not find info on the 1993 model, but suspect VERY close to this-- for 1992 model:
1992 Foretravel Ored Specifications (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1992_foretravel_ored_specifications.html)
1992 Foretravel Ored Floorplans (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1992_foretravel_ored_floorplans.html)
Layout looks like the 36' SBID with custom table instead of dinette.
Don Hay and his bride had a 92 U280 with the single bench dinette. They loved it and used it all the time.
In the link that Brett shows there is no mention of frame used ( just noticed the Oshkosh at top) and air. Just say's "power disc brakes"
JohnH
Not enough information from pics or print. She sure is sitting low! Must be a rear-mount radiator, which I don't like, which means it's prolly a Cummins B5.9 (230 hp) engine, since the exhaust is on the opposite side as ours. Could be FT went to side mount in the middle of the model year? The build # would be handy. I'd be rooting the interior for paperwork that would indicate upgrades/service.
At this point, she looks good, but not worth it without some more info. ^.^d
No, should be Cummins C engine (8.3 liter) 250 HP with 4 speed Allison hydraulic (as opposed to electronic 6 speed) transmission.
So, THAT coach is all different from the U-225 & 240? :-\
Motorcade number 15098 if anyone has a book, my 2008 doesn't list it. ^.^d
CORRECT.
It is not a unibody. It has a frame rail chassis by Oshkosh. Oshkosh sold out to Freightliner.
6 bolt wheels . @ 22.5 . Might weight about that without toad. Should get maybe 11-12MPG
Look at the BB wanderlodge next to it?? Nice also. But fat and gets maybe 6-7 MPG
Inside looked ok. My wife has mobility issues so it would never work. She did love the outside though.
Floor plan most like sbid, with changes. Straight table, no dinette. In head vanity and commode reversed, but I noticed was listing for 92 not 93
It has a sign on the side saying unihome, so most likely not an Oshkosh chassis, probably u225 so then yes it would have air brakes and would have torsilastic suspension.
Absolutely has air brakes.
WTH is torsilastic suspension?
Here are a handful of things to start with. Or put a full search in for torsilastic with user wolfe10 ;)
240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=30272.msg261202#msg261202)
TORSILASTIC SUSPENSION (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22653.msg173325#msg173325)
Torsilastic suspension ride height adjustment (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=13936.msg79142#msg79142)
I always thought the 022C meant it had an Oshkosh frame ??
JohnH
Correct.
The GVWR plaque on the wall outboard of the driver's seat will have that information.
Spring coach, hydraulic disk brakes, 4 speed Allison
Moby,
Go back and turn a front wheel and look behind for an airbag or spring or toralastic deal and what brakes it may have. Air disc, air drum, hydro drum? The air bag buses may sit low unpowered due to lack or pressure. Mine sits 3 in lower de-pressured . The Toroslastic may have some issues and always sit low if the rubber bands need to be reset.
The tag says "Unihome" and thus could be anything. Most likely , hydro / spring or rubber according to those who know the history .
The air pressure gauge on the dash is an easy give away.
Before I bought mine, I ran the number and figured out the specs. I called FT and verified that I could buy glass if needed. I also checked for the rubber band parts and they said ,not so much. Somebody posted a link to some spares, so maybe they are available.? a
Making arrangements to go back next week to go though her in more detail, so I'm taking lots of notes.
Thanks for all the comments!
Type of brakes keeps coming up: she has air, witnessed by air gauge and parking brake knob.
Will crawl under to check suspension. If Toroslastic, may be issues. Check ride height! (How? Where?)
Bags - I noticed on the lower left side of the dash a panel with two rocker switches with a knob below each rocker. Could this be the controls for the bags?
You people are great!
No Oshkosh chassis Fortravel has Torsilastic suspension.
It could be leaf spring or air.
But researching the chassis (022C) should tell you which it has.
One thing I have found most helpful is the search feature in this forum. It will likely be your most valuable resource. I enter my coach year and model and search the entire forum. That gives me plenty of information about my specific coach that I have used to learn about my FT. Be aware that using a specific search topic that is not limited to coach year is more efficient. This is a most helpful group. "You have not because you ask not" (The Bible) so fire away with issues. You will find a knowledgable and responsive group.
Oddly enough I just spotted a picture of this coach on one of our local RV storage sites. Who knows how long ago this was taken, but #15098 once belonged to someone in the Kansas City area that cared enough to store it in an underground temperature and humidity controlled space. I knew that coach looked familiar. The site is at: SubTropolis Storage - RV Boat Storage Kansas City (http://subtropolis.biz/) It is actually visible in about three pix, but only one shows the number.
I did some work in those huge man made underground caverns in the late seventies drove several hundreds of yards with businesses lining both sides of the "streets". Truely amazing underground facilities. But probably can be only can be a storage occupancy now due to lack of exits if a fire should occur. Salt mines in Hutchinson KS are available for tour. over 600 feet below grade and cover many acres. Much of the world's historical artifacts documents are stored there. Woops sorry for the thread jack quick edit
Hot daym! That IS Alice!
Really good eye there!
BTW: should be picking her up next weekend!