Yesterday, we looked at a 1990 Foretravel Grand Villa 29ft. It has a gas engine with 60,000 miles on it. The whole interior looks very solid, no soft spots at all. It started right up, generator started right up. Air was very cold. She just had the a/c fixed in the front area and has 2 new batteries. It needs new tires all around. She wants $7500 for it. Good price?
I'd hold off myself and find a diesel.
I agree with Stump.
Sounds like a nice little down size project, and the price isn't bad. I would look at it.
I am not an expert by any means, and I did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but.....
A '91 gas engine? I would be sure to have someone check that power plant out very carefully. The chassis and body, well others with more experience will chime in here I'm sure, but my unit is only 2 years younger than the one you're looking at and I bought Alice.
A 1991 29" gasser... That would be a front engine chassis, correct?
Yes, front engine ford 460
if rear engine - (which it is probably not) RUN away!!!
If Front engine, Chevy or Chrysler? Heat is the enemy of longevity on these overworked gassers - cracked manifolds and burnt exhaust valves (compression check on the valves, visual check on the manifolds) are the first failure points. Parts easy on the big block Chevy, less so on the Chrysler, especially manifolds.
I have no opinion on front engine gasser, but rear engine, run away, unless you want to take it somewhere to park and use stationary.
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
It is a front end gas with ford engine 460
Tim, the one you had was 36ft wasn't it
Yes, I think a shorter one is front engine, hence my comments Mine was a rear engine gas ford 460
A 91 gasser is probably carbureted and I would definatly stay away from that. As previously mentioned, Heat is a big factor and can suffer from air locking as well as other issues. They didn't stick with them for reasons. Have a great day ---- Fritz
To me the most relevant questions:
Are you a really good shade tree mechanic.
Do you want to spend your free time working on it.
If not a resounding YES to both questions, MOVE ON!
Remember, it is a 26 year old gas chassis with basically a HD Ford PU drive train.
Most of the 29' that I've seen advertised asking price was about $9k to $10K. As others stated a diesel is preferred, but will be at least $15K up. You won't likely find a 29' diesel, there may be a few, but a very few. The gas engines are cheaper for a reason, if you plan on lots of use the extra cost of a diesel may be worth the difference. The gas is cheaper to service and has a shorter life. The heat problems are mostly the chevy/gmc 454 engines that run hot any way. A gas engine will get 5+ mpg as a diesel will get 7 to 10 but will pull or push a bigger load. There's a lot more gas RV's than diesel so don't be afraid, they are not uncommon. Everything is a trade off.
Wantabe
Spend the approx 3 to $400 from a reputable rv repair garage to have checked out and estimates given for necessary repairs and make sale subject to if you find something you want to invest in. Do not be afraid to voice any concerns you have you want checked as 3 to $400 is a lot of money. If all is in perfect condition, I'd still budget $5,000 to spend the first year. If you do not spend it all, you will have something to move over to the next year and then you can reduce that budget by an amount you feel comfortable with. Pay particular attention to any recommended roof sealing needed , brake, or engine issues as these can get very expensive very fast. Mold in the roof or walls could make a nice rv worthless. If you do not have all of that $5,000 for the first year repairs, do not be afraid to offer less. Remember, it is a lot easier to buy a motor-home than sell one.
We did the inspection on Thursday. Everything looks pretty good. No major problems. We offered her $6700 on Friday and she accepted. She got us a deal on tires, since her ex-husband repairs RV's and could get them cheaper. The tires are going on Monday. She saved us $600 which more than paid for the inspection. RV life starts now
Ah a RBT. Rear Bath Twin. Rare. I asked a older customer 30 years ago with that same floor plan if there were any disadvantages to it, he sheepishly said "when you commute(between the beds) you commit." I thought it was cute
It looks to be in great shape @ a great price Nicole. Well done.
Congrats.
Nice ride have fun ^.^d
Looks great from the photos! Of course, when you have the time, we will want to see a complete photo tour of your new ride. On those older GV model photos, the first thing I look at is the ceiling. If it is tucked up nice and tight with no sagging spots, I take that as a good omen. Yours looks to be in factory new condition!
Rear bath (IMO) would be a "good and a bad" thing. Good: it is much more private and separated from the living quarters and the kitchen area. Plus, it comes with the very rare rear window! Bad: you have to walk through the sleeping quarters to get to the John - not as convenient if one person is up early and the other is trying to sleep in. But you will work it out, I am sure.
I notice the absence of air horns and spotlight on the roof. Makes it look kinda naked...
Question to our long-term Forum members: When did the Hadley horns and the spotlight become more or less "standard equipment" on GVs?
Wow, so short! I like it. Would really be able to park anywhere in that. I think you did good on the price by the look of it!! Congrats!
Very good find. I am so happy for you. Sometimes the "world" does take care of you. For me most recently, it was finding this forum. The information here has saved me many headaches, money, and time. Please update your signature and continue to post the fun your having with this rv on this post. You truly have something no one else has on this forum. A 29 is what my darling wife wants. It was nice for the previous owners to take such excellent care of your new motor home for all these years.
Sweet!!!
That should be a bunch of fun! Hopefully almost all good "fun", and not much bad "fun".
Twins and rear bath, good NASCAR boys coach! Time to soup up that Big Block! Just try not to run it so hard you heat it up, yes, mileage will be not so good, but try 60 mph or less. If not in a hurry, not towing big loads and not in the hills you may do just fine.
Thanks for all the info. I'm sure we'll be back here with plenty of questions!
Nicole.
Sweet looking GV. Just be prepared for lots of attention everywhere you go. A cute little GV like yours will get more.
Lots of people can buy a big fancy rv but try to find a distinctive one like you have....... 😊 enjoy.
Congrats! Was following on FB and happy to hear you pulled the trigger. Good buy!
Thanks everyone. We are very excited to start our journey
Not long term but:
Did the ever offer Hadley horns on a gasser?
spotlight was probably an option
just a guess.......
DUH! :facepalm:
Of course you are right - GAS engine...no air compressor on engine...no air horns. Thanks for pointing out the obvious (to all but me).
FWIW,
I like it. I would think you should have some fun with it. I like the smaller size. I used to have a sob with a rear bath and the twin beds, it will work just fine. The rear bath seemed larger than normal. Agree with the overheating issue. Watch the temps. Best of travels.
And....
Chuck becomes the newest member to the "Capt. Obvious" club.
Some one warn Nicole about me!
I think some of them with the hydraulic brakes had an auxiliary compressor to run the Hadley air horns.
Kinda correct. beam site lists dual electric trumpet horns as standard, air Hadley's we're optional on the 815d chassis.
What a neat little Foretravel. I like the looks of it! There has been much discussion here of folks wanting a smaller rig - this is a great alternative. Foretravel should look at reviving this length coach, in my opinion. I hope you have lots of fun in this.
There was one like that for sale near me at an RV lot recently, and I saw a price of $8500 on the windshield. It did not look to be in nearly in as good shape as yours. So, I think you got a deal. Enjoy!
Chris
Chuck, hadleys need air and this one will be spring suspension and hydraulic brakes (oshkosh)
You can of course put in a small compressor for them but??
JohnH
We just bought a 91 grand villa 29' front engine gas, love it
Welcome to the 29' crowd. I think there may be three or four of us on here now. Gas mileage sucks, but everything else is still a GV. 😋
Mj
Still classy, even in shorter form! Looks like a nice one!