I see a 2002 "G320" (model 4020) for sale on the Foretravel factory website. Foretravel Motorcoach - 2002 Foretravel 4020 G320 (http://foretravel.com/coach-view.php?id=724)
I've been reading about, and searching for the "U320" model - and I'm not familiar with the "G". I think this "G320" is a "GV320" (Grand Villa) as there are no "G320" specs on this page. Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs)
On the "Foretravel History" page Foretravel's Company History (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=foretravel_general:start) it says for 2002 only 3 "speical order" Grand Villa Unicoaches where produced. I'm probably misunderstanding the statement. Maybe the Coach I looking at is something different (not a special order).
What is the difference (other than floorplan) between a Grand Villa and a regular "U320"?
Is a "G320" and a "GV320" the same? Is a "Grand Villa" and "Grand Villa Unibody" the same thing?
Do they use the same chassis and engine/transmission?
I thought I was beginning to understand these Foretravel MHs, but this has me confused. Thanks for your help.
I have a 03/GV295. Grand Villa is mid door entry and front, windshield is slanted back. Look at the pictures, other than that, engine, trany, etc is same for the most part. Mine was a custom order, but then again I believe lot of the FTs were made to order. I am not 100% sure but I think GV production was ended at the end of 2002.
Thanks.
I like the location of the door (mid coach) and the slanted windshield. Do you think it would be more difficult to get a replacement windshield for a GV?
Also I think the GV has a "door" for toilet area, whereas on the "U" the open toilet room has no door, so the doors to bedroom and living area need to both be closed for privacy (although there may be other floor plans on the "U"s that differ. I'm still learning).
Don't know about the GV320 windshield availability/cost. Might be a good thing to ask the parts guys at FOT - they could tell you.
As to floor plans, there are a good number of them found in the "U" models. Availability was often dependent on model year, trim level and length of coach. Some have the "private" toilet space, some don't. Every floor plan has plus and minus features...each buyer has to decide what is most important to them.
We had to have a windshield replaced last summer on our 1993 GV. No problem in getting one.
Foretravel brought out the Unicoach in 1995. For a year or two you could get either a Unihome (aka Grand Villa) or a Unicoach (bus style). After that it was all flat face, front entry coaches unless you were willing to special order a GV. That was basically a standard U320 (Unicoach) with the GV front cap and a slightly different floor plan because of the mid entry of the GV. Otherwise, the coach you are looking at is a 2002 U320.
Just an FYI on that coach, a friend looked real hard at that one and it needed alot off work to the tune of 15 k buyer beware.do your homework.
The GV320s that I have seen do not have front overhead cabinets, for some a loss of useful storage.
The GV looks cooler. :)
I have met FT bus owners that admitted our GV was the best looking coach FT ever did! ^.^d
Kim and I also looked at that coach (along with the salesman who seemed bothered by us looking at the USED coaches...). It did indeed need a lot of work, did not look like it had been taken care of and they wouldn't budge on the price. Really disappointing as I love the Grand Villas and had high hopes for it...
That's disappointing. I love the look of that particular coach. I'd totally buy a GV like that. Would be a perfect upgrade from our front engine gasser GV.
What kind of work does it need?
As I recall on the exterior, there was some delimitation and other rough areas, needed new tires, new air bags. The interior had a lot of wear, loose panels - what appeared to be a considerable amount of "lack of maintenance" that over time, stacked up. Left me with the impression that what I can see looked poor, what's under the skin could be worse. For the life of me, I can't recall mechanical issues on it.
We'd came up to Nac specifically to look at that coach and a few others. I was open to bringing a coach "up-to-date" and repairing usual stuff but this coach seemed like it could be a bottomless pit. FoT has had it on their lot for quite some time...
Being it has been on the lot for some time a lower price might be accepted making it a decent buy. It is 15 years old also it's going to have a few bruises.
Noting that it's a 40' U320 (ISM 450) with 2 slides yet no tag axle, it would be prudent to get axle weights on this coach if you were considering it.
Perfect application for a Sleep Number air mattress filled with helium.
Chuck,
At least that will be a dry gas.
Mike