Hi all,
Been dealing on a 2000 U320 40' at MOT. This is a very attractive full body paint done by Extreme some years ago.
It is unusual as the interior is exotic with dark brown CS leather with alligator accents. Yesterday Jeff Bowser sent me
the service records. Wow, lots of issues. Looks like approx. 10k spent on running down problems. I don't think it had been driven
much since 2012. Tires and batteries are older. One note on the record was from the owner was to "fix things enough to sell"
That bothered me. I think the owner who had the coach painted and the interior done name was Cochran. I've had a 98 u320
a few years ago and NEVER had the service problems this coach has had. DW thinks I should look at CC. What to do. Any opinions
would be greatly appreciated. Lowell in Colorado
Lots of threads on the board right now with folks asking for opinions...so you will probably find something that applies to your situation. When I was looking someone on the board mentioned "things at rest tend to remain at rest and things in motion tend to remain in motion". Of course the quote is meant to illustrate the fact a coach that has not been used will typically have more challenges than one that has more miles/use. As far as the cash...if you search for posts from me over the past 12 months of ownership you will see I am over the 10K mark and still going! :) :) If I had to do it all over again I personally would stay with FT because of this board and the facilities in the Nacogdoches area. As far as Country Coach, they have their known issues also...check the fridge (they do not use Dometic), Transmission, and the radiator...has it been replaced...CC uses aluminum/copper radiator which wear/rub at the mounting points....my good buddy has a CC....he is waiting for his 8 thousand dollar radiator (steel/copper) as I type this...do your research!...good luck.
Be Safe
dave
We looked at the coach and found several things that caused considerable pause. The main slide scrapes on the tile floor (the whole slide!), enough to have left etched skid marks and had issues with the top slide valence staying on when the slide extended-retracted (the whole valence). Tile throughout the coach needs re-grouting, drivers seat looked close to be needing some restitching... and perhaps most significant is the main slide has de-lamination on the rear wall just under the side window (would be the window at your back sitting at the dinette) - large maybe 2' diameter bulge and some smaller... uh... burps beneath. After we saw that, we stopped looking at the coach... Did not take the time to check out anything else.
Got the feeling what we saw right off was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg and we hadn't yet begun to look closely at things. With the alligator theme/upholstery, we figured we'd be feeding it a lot of $$ to keep it happy.
Sure was a fine looking coach on the surface - the recliner & sofa in the salon were very comfortable and it looks like Extreme had a great time making it into the Foretravel "Extreme Edition" they named it.
Would give a hard look at the 2004 in the classified section.
I don't see photos on MOT but it sounds a lot like one we looked at while in North Carolina about 6 or 7 years ago. It had a 3rd AC added because the owner was a shooter who used the coach as a hospitality place for his friends during meets. He was high on it and we just didn't have a good feel. He called months later when we were back in Oklahoma to see if I'd trade our U295 and some boot for it. The Corian was a little rough and a few other things I just couldn't put my finger on. I'm sure it's changed hands since then.
.
I believe that is the one - we were told the owner had the 3rd AC added to help cool down from outside sporting events. The coach did have a bumper sticker that referenced competitive shooting club - Marksman?
How much $ for what is always the equation. A major project requires a major price reduction.
Seems the paint money might have been better spent on the rest of the coach?
All the first generation slide coaches have delay on the slides. They used a mastic that ate away the blue foam and did not stick. I had both of my slides repaired when I owned it. It was a 10k total fix.
Unclear if you own the coach now or looking at buying it?
I was considering buying it. I love the FBP but not so much as to put myself in a lemon.
not being used for 5 years and all the other issues I think I will keep looking.
I do want a u320 but not a 42'. That's just to big for me. Would consider a 36' u320
thank you all for your input
l
Lowell
10k chasing down problems over the entire lifespan of the coach? That does not seem like that much since 2000.... 700ish a year?. Or was this all in one chunk as an unsolvable mystery.
James,
that was paid out all in 2012 in a chunk
not so sure they even cleaned up all the issues.
in fact I know they did not as MOT had gone through it
and there were a lot of things left to do.
To bad as it does have nice paint.
But you don't drive paint
Lowell
Not sure where you are located, but my 2001 40ft 320 could be available??
It will be sold as a fully equipped turnkey operation with everything in it and a Daihatsu Rocky Toad.
Just back from NAC where it was inspected and gone over. I have also just had the alignment done and the dash A/C will be done later this week.
I am in Montana and since my DW passed away I don't feel that I will use it any more.
Send me a PM.
Speedbird 1
Speedbird1
I forgot to mention we are in western Colorado
Lowell