Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Paully on August 02, 2017, 09:13:17 pm
Title: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 02, 2017, 09:13:17 pm
I am seriously in the market for a solid Foretravel. Early 90's... unibody with a strong diesel.
Going mobile, living fulltime, pulling a small car, definitely going through Colorado. Fewer owners and fewer miles preferred but most important is the maintenance... tires and batteries can easily be replaced.
If you have one that you might sell... if you see one the looks good... please, please let me know. Thanks!
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on August 02, 2017, 09:14:48 pm
1991 Foretravel Motorhome - Diesel 36' Gran Villa Reduced - ,000 - rvs -... (https://asheville.craigslist.org/rvs/6245954386.html)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 02, 2017, 09:18:45 pm
That's a hot lead.. thanks!
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Caflashbob on August 02, 2017, 09:23:45 pm
A 93 and up are widebody. Plus side radiator
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: prfleming on August 02, 2017, 09:34:03 pm
Actually I think the wide body started in '92. The definitive evidence is the width of the center vertical bar in the front grill.
I would not reject a solid coach just because it is not 102" wide.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 02, 2017, 09:47:27 pm
The side radiator started in 1992 as well... there is one in Eugene, OR. Sweet coach! Looked at it last weekend.
Own the ORIGINAL LUXURY MOTORHOME...40' Foretravel "Grand Villa" - rvs - by... (https://eugene.craigslist.org/rvs/d/own-the-original-luxury/6216056970.html)
It was a one owner bought at an estate auction. Currently air compressor/auto level is inop. The two fellows that found this gem are working on the repair.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Old phart phred on August 02, 2017, 11:35:54 pm
My 89 Oshkosh chassis has 10 lug wheels with simple cat 3208 totally mechanical engine. 6V92 DD is a beast of an great engine with a boatload of torque, that being said, I have read that it has more moving parts in just one of the cylinder head than an entire cat or Cummins Engine. Downside of this awesome powerplant may be a shrinking pool of mechanics who have experience with repairs on this complex engine.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 03, 2017, 12:05:26 am
Why drive one house when you can have a main house, guest house, and garage...
FL 50 8.3ltr Cummins 6spd auto with 07 40' carhauler both with AC - rvs - by... (http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/rvs/6239984050.html)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 03, 2017, 12:21:57 am
The engine is still in production, just not for domestic use. Some shops like to use high profit parts when they do work on them but Mercedes/Detroit have the parts and ebay has cylinder/piston kits by Clevite for the turbo engine for $204.98. All you hot rodders know Clevite's reputation. Factory MTU parts are about $100 more each. So, you get all new cylinders and pistons for a hair over $1200. Anyone with basic tools and some ability can do an inframe overhaul in a barn.
All the special skills to "run the rack" are only a distant memory now with the electronic DDEC engines. There IS NO RACK to run. I just watched a Pro-Link 9000 with a Detroit DDEC I & II cartridge along with a Meritor ABS cartridge sell for $46 delivered on Ebay. The reader takes about 10 minutes to do about 50 procedures/tests on the engine with a very short learning curve.
All the parts including the lift pump, injectors, etc., etc. are very trouble free as any engine can be. You can even change the oil without worrying about stripping threads off some aluminum oil pans. The only problems can be the type of oil required and Foretravel's crazy placement of the block heater. Why they didn't use the normal Detroit location, I will never understand.
The owner's spouse said they didn't do any maintenance on ours while they owned it. It has 100,000 miles with zero trouble and after our coast to coast and back trip last fall, it used exactly 2.5 quarts. Over the 100K miles, the Pro-Link reading the DDEC has shown the coach has averaged exactly 8.0 no BS mpg . The later 6 speed Allisons with the higher final drive would have improved on this.
You can see why after decades of driving Detroit 2-cycles, why I had to have a coach with one. It sleeps at 350 hp as in marine use, they produce 535 hp up to 614 hp (probably not for too many hours) out of the 9 liters. Fire dept ladder trucks are usually 520 hp.
On the other hand, the CATs starting with the 3208 and all the Cummins are all excellent engines. Even the 8.3 Cummins produces 380 hp and lots of torque in several new SOBs. Each one has it's little secrets to a long life. Unless abused, they will outlive the owner or even owners. Our Mercedes OM617 has been semi retired at 440,000 miles with not even the injectors cleaned, just regular oil changes. Starts instantly in freezing weather but our paint is shot. Just change oil in your coach and keep the correct coolant in it and they go forever.
Pierce
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Old phart phred on August 03, 2017, 12:52:14 am
The engine is still in production, just not for domestic use. Some shops like to use high profit parts when they do work on them but Mercedes/Detroit have the parts and ebay has cylinder/piston kits by Clevite for the turbo engine for $204.98. All you hot rodders know Clevite's reputation. Factory MTU parts are about $100 more each. So, you get all new cylinders and pistons for a hair over $1200. Anyone with basic tools and some ability can do an inframe overhaul in a barn.
All the special skills to "run the rack" are only a distant memory now with the electronic DDEC engines. There IS NO RACK to run. I just watched a Pro-Link 9000 with a Detroit DDEC I & II cartridge along with a Meritor ABS cartridge sell for $46 delivered on Ebay. The reader takes about 10 minutes to do about 50 procedures/tests on the engine with a very short learning curve.
All the parts including the lift pump, injectors, etc., etc. are very trouble free as any engine can be. You can even change the oil without worrying about stripping threads off some aluminum oil pans. The only problems can be the type of oil required and Foretravel's crazy placement of the block heater. Why they didn't use the normal Detroit location, I will never understand.
The owner's spouse said they didn't do any maintenance on ours while they owned it. It has 100,000 miles with zero trouble and after our coast to coast and back trip last fall, it used exactly 2.5 quarts. Over the 100K miles, the Pro-Link reading the DDEC has shown the coach has averaged exactly 8.0 no BS mpg . The later 6 speed Allisons with the higher final drive would have improved on this.
You can see why after decades of driving Detroit 2-cycles, why I had to have a coach with one. It sleeps at 350 hp as in marine use, they produce 535 hp up to 614 hp (probably not for too many hours) out of the 9 liters. Fire dept ladder trucks are usually 520 hp.
On the other hand, the CATs starting with the 3208 and all the Cummins are all excellent engines. Even the 8.3 Cummins produces 380 hp and lots of torque in several new SOBs. Each one has it's little secrets to a long life. Unless abused, they will outlive the owner or even owners. Our Mercedes OM617 has been semi retired at 440,000 miles with not even the injectors cleaned, just regular oil changes. Starts instantly in freezing weather but our paint is shot. Just change oil in your coach and keep the correct coolant in it and they go forever.
Pierce
I agree that the DD 6v92 is a awesome engine capable of more miles than my garbage truck/school bus motor Cat. Just possibly easier for me or locals to fix in my third world location cat Engine.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: wolfe10 on August 03, 2017, 09:33:24 am
That depends on what model you are talking about. U300 and U280 earlier than others. U225 were all narrow bodies. U240 was narrow body through 1994 with only the 1995 model year being wide body.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Caflashbob on August 04, 2017, 12:38:28 am
I figured correctly that the smart in the know members would correct my incorrect post. Thanks
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 04, 2017, 01:05:46 am
I agree that the DD 6v92 is a awesome engine capable of more miles than my garbage truck/school bus motor Cat. Just possibly easier for me or locals to fix in my third world location cat Engine.
CAT (Ford) 3208s are not garbage truck/school bus engines. Lots of them in marine use and with turbos, they can produce a lot of power. 375 reliable hp is nothing to complain about. They start quickly and get good fuel mileage. The big advantage they have is their compact size. They will fit in pickup trucks without too much trouble. Try that with a 8.3 Cummins or 9 liter 6V-92TA Detroit plus the CATs are over 10 liters too.
Pierce
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Travelin' Man (RIP) on August 04, 2017, 03:45:56 pm
1989 Fore Travel Grand Villa - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://tricities.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1989-fore-travel-grand-villa/6231492985.html)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 04, 2017, 04:58:01 pm
1989 Fore Travel Grand Villa - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://tricities.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1989-fore-travel-grand-villa/6231492985.html)
That's a good one! However, I seriously doubt it's a manual transmission... if it is that's awesome, but it would be the only manual I've ever seen.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: kb0zke on August 04, 2017, 05:10:09 pm
Seller must have seen your comment and immediately corrected the ad. I don't see any reference to a manual transmission. The JACKS, though, can be operated either manually or automatically.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Protech Racing on August 04, 2017, 05:28:33 pm
That's a good deal for maybe the best FT made.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: stump on August 04, 2017, 06:40:55 pm
Did You See AndyR's U300 for sale in the classifieds 89 U 300 For sale. (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31822.msg282083;topicseen#new)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 04, 2017, 07:01:49 pm
Did You See AndyR's U300 for sale in the classifieds 89 U 300 For sale. (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31822.msg282083;topicseen#new)
I did. 30k for an 89.. is about 15k more than the others. I am still learning what is worth what.. so far.. pre 1990 20k. Pre 1995 30k. Newer than 95. 45k.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: stump on August 04, 2017, 07:19:43 pm
Research the different models if you are looking at Grand Villas . There are Grand Villas, and there are Grand Villas that are Unihomes. You have the different models the U300 being top of the line. The Unihomes are on the monocoque chassis. It's hard to look at the price of a U225 or a U240 and compare it to a U300 or a U280 two different units,they look similar but have big differences. Not saying one is better than the other just different.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on August 04, 2017, 07:35:20 pm
Yes, they look alike, but am I wrong that the 300 series is wider than the 225/240, which could be important to some?
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: stump on August 04, 2017, 07:49:33 pm
There are 96'' coaches and 102'' coaches research will define the year introductions etc. There might be narrower coaches I'm not sure. my 91 is 96''. Jeff and Sandy's is 102''
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on August 04, 2017, 07:59:03 pm
The site we are in is perfect for us, but a bearcat to get into! This would be something to consider when looking at width.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: stump on August 04, 2017, 10:04:28 pm
So 3 inches extra on each side would make your parking spot unmanageable? You need to see me for a driving lesson! ^.^d
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: kenhat on August 04, 2017, 10:18:32 pm
So 3 inches extra on each side would make your parking spot unmanageable? You need to see me for a driving lesson! ^.^d
No Stump. Both those 3" were put in the center aisle not on the sides. :)
see ya ken
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: stump on August 04, 2017, 10:24:56 pm
;) Ken!
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 06:13:25 pm
I traded emails with this owner... 94 Foretravel 36 foot Grand Villa Unihome - rvs - by owner - vehicle... (https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/rvs/d/94-foretravel-36-foot-grand/6241015425.html) Somebody needs to save it from its possible fate of being sold to a lady with 20 cats! She plans to modify the bedroom into a kitty multiplex.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: FourTravelers on August 05, 2017, 06:32:18 pm
Is this a U240? Looks to be in nice shape.
Statement: "there are many of these with over 300,000 miles". I would really like to know just how many there really are with that many miles. There was a post a while back "how many miles on your coach" from those that tesponded I didn't see many forum members with that kind of mileage.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: wolfe10 on August 05, 2017, 07:02:24 pm
Yes, it is a U240. I talked with the owner, but did not get a "warm and fuzzy" that he had any idea what I was talking about when I asked about bulkheads and ride height-- two critical items on that coach.
Were it close to us, I would go see it. But not with it across the country.
And, he has talked about the "cat lady" buying it for over a month.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 07:09:52 pm
Yes.. some that are for sale belong to people that don't know what they have... he said he's waiting on a part for the jacks.. I didn't think these had jacks??
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on August 05, 2017, 07:13:01 pm
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 07:32:05 pm
I like the wide body.. those extra 6 inches... room for ice cream.
The two front runners are this coach.. owned me a fellow that has a steakhouse. Pretty sure I can get a free dinner out of the deal. Foretravel Grand Villa - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://boise.craigslist.org/rvs/d/foretravel-grand-villa/6215079183.html)
And this one.. owned by a guy that is in no hurry to sell. 1995 Foretravel Unihome U300 4000 — RVs for Sale (https://www.smartrvguide.com/1995-foretravel-unihome-u300-4000-a258)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on August 05, 2017, 07:40:57 pm
"This is the CAT 3116, with 250 HP and lots of torque, not a little 3208 Kitty Cat." OK, the "big" 3116 CAT is 6.6 liters while the "little 3208 Kitty Cat" is 10.4 liters. So the 3116 is .7 liters larger than a Cummins 5.9 and 1.7 liters smaller than a 8.3 Cummins. *#@* for brains is all I can think of.
Pierce
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 07:45:55 pm
"This is the CAT 3116, with 250 HP and lots of torque, not a little 3208 Kitty Cat." OK, the "big" 3116 CAT is 6.6 liters while the "little 3208 Kitty Cat" is 10.4 liters. So the 3116 is .7 liters larger than a Cummins 5.9 and 1.7 liters smaller than a 8.3 Cummins. *#@* for brains is all I can think of.
Pierce
Lol.. can always count on you guys to keep me straight. Ok.. the more expensive one looks a lot better now.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: wolfe10 on August 05, 2017, 07:49:21 pm
No question the U240 owner is not among the better informed Foretravel owners. Hence, no cross country trips to look at it for us.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Old phart phred on August 05, 2017, 07:58:11 pm
225 & 240's have velvet ride torilastic suspension and ride height is adjusted by shims. Many you see are low riders. No air bags, so no air leveling, and hydraulic Jack's are used. Ored's with 4 air bags also use hyd jacks, along with the coaches with the 8.2 DD. Torilastic replacement parts availability is somewhat limited now, but Brett is confident in them enough to buy another.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 08:01:49 pm
I really liked this one.. the guys know nothing about it.. I asked the to air it up so I could look at the bulkheads. That's when we figured out the air compressor and HMH aren't working. I have to sell my house to buy, so the one near Spokane, WA is better for me. The Eugene guys want to sell asap.
Own the ORIGINAL LUXURY MOTORHOME...40' Foretravel "Grand Villa" - rvs - by... (https://eugene.craigslist.org/rvs/d/own-the-original-luxury/6216056970.html)
Really hard to walk away from the low mileage 6v92 though! If anybody wants a low miles non smoking replacement engine... less than the price of an in frame rebuild!
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on August 05, 2017, 08:02:00 pm
Lol.. can always count on you guys to keep me straight. Ok.. the more expensive one looks a lot better now.
If the paperwork proves it, yes. We had two "slow pokes" (15mpg!), so when we bought this I'd figured it would be the same. When I left to bring her home, I put my foot down on the on-ramp, that Allison shifted fast and, before I knew it, I was doing 80mph! I still have to be carefull with her, likes to romp! ^.^d
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Old phart phred on August 05, 2017, 08:10:07 pm
The 34k one in Millwood, wa got pissed off at me when I emailed a list of questions. And sent me a nastygram.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 08:14:07 pm
The 34k one in Millwood, wa got pissed off at me when I emailed a list of questions. And sent me a nastygram.
Lmao... I told you he doesn't want to sell and I'm first in line. Maybe I can answer your questions..
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 08:27:11 pm
This one looks like a good deal too... but I haven't seen any of this body style in person. 1996 Foretravel U270 - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1996-foretravel-u270/6188738499.html)
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Mike Leary (RIP) on August 05, 2017, 08:31:13 pm
The 34k one in Millwood, wa got pissed off at me when I emailed a list of questions. And sent me a nastygram.
It happens, for a good reason, I guess. The owner has no clue about the coach, got it from uncle bubba, and has had so many calls, that he's fried! With ours, it was on R.V. Trader, and the PO was kind enough to send me pics and service records, after a while, I made him a offer. He said, "I'm sick of tire kickers, what I'm asking is what I've got into it", and hung up on me. I thought for a minute, called back, his wife answered, and I said, "We'll take it". ^.^d
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Paully on August 05, 2017, 08:34:58 pm
Indeed... he took it off craigslist because people were wasting his time showing up and saying.. "I can buy these for 5k all day."
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Old phart phred on August 05, 2017, 11:02:08 pm
This one looks like a good deal too... but I haven't seen any of this body style in person. 1996 Foretravel U270 - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1996-foretravel-u270/6188738499.html)
Joe hueber IRC owned this one, racedad let me know it might be for sale, after several phone calls and conversations with the former mechanic/owner. Newer tranny and only 700 miles from me it was very attractive. Now it's $3000 more from a flipper I think. Probably would have bought it except I wanted a mid entry GV and the DW hates oak woodwork, as I do. Have more pictures of it on my office computer. I may still have Joe's phone#.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Miz Dani on August 06, 2017, 08:01:00 am
Dani is buying another coach? That coach has been for sale forever. As usual, I'd go look at, but my travel time gets a little pricey that far. :-[
:o ....no, am not the cat lady! No, am not buying another coach, this one will go to the grave with me...am about to do more interior renovations....am full timing in spring/summer 2018.....Paully, if you don't find anything great, I'll be up in your neck of the woods, at least you can see 1st hand the vast amount of 'fun' one can have with a 20 year old coach with more than a few CB's poured into her, 'cause this old girl's gonna go me another 20 years.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: George and Steph on August 06, 2017, 11:34:43 am
My sentiments exactly. Sure hope our paths cross Dani as I would love to have a family picture of ours side by side.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: Kay on August 06, 2017, 02:05:34 pm
I've been monitoring for some time and decided to register to ask the questions now found on this thread. I'm interested in finding a good quality early to mid nineties unit. My Dad had one with a Detroit for a little over twenty years and now I'm looking.
Title: Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty
Post by: craneman on August 06, 2017, 07:37:13 pm
I've been monitoring for some time and decided to register to ask the questions now found on this thread. I'm interested in finding a good quality early to mid nineties unit. My Dad had one with a Detroit for a little over twenty years and now I'm looking.
Check the classified there is a good one just listed.