I see there's a 95 240 for sale here in Tucson. Cat engine and one of the photos shows a retarder joystick. It's at Pedata RV which is a reputable dealer here. 25 Gs. Just noticed it is "sale pending" but you never know.
jor
95 240 (https://www.pedatarvcenter.com/database/1995-foretravel-grand-villa-u240-used-diesel-pusher-az-i2343294)
Yup, been out there about a week.
Being a 1995 U240, in addition to the "usual checks including bulkheads" one needs to check ride height (it is torsilastic suspension), as the 1995 was the heaviest U240 (only year of the wide body, retarder transmission, chassis batteries in the very back, etc) and still only had the 15k rear springs found on earlier, lighter coaches. Springs may have been upgraded to 19k in which case this is not a big concern. But, an important consideration.
I've been following it, too. Love those pics with the plates, cups and planter! Big changes in the cockpit from ours; that's a OEM retarder, I guess? JOR would be the man to look at it, I'm a little too far away. Question: how come we never see coaches for sale with THIS PIC?
Yes, the retarder was an option on the 1994. And, I believe standard on the 1995. Some of the retarder-equipped U240's had overheating issues-- quite likely related to water flow through the extra transmission cooler (that is my speculation ONLY). I know one owner who spend a LOT of money chasing that.
Compared to the 1994 and earlier U240's, the interior is different as it is 6" wider (a 102" vs 96") and crowned vs flat roof. And different floor plans offered including the walk through bath (WTBI).
Pretty darn good looking rig I think.
Like Brett said, I would be concerned with whether or not the torsilastic suspension was upraded (I have a after-market mfgr.in my files). I'd be checking (especially with all that weight in the stern) if the coach has ever been been weighed. I don't know if that was the same 3116 CAT as we have. I like our stainless bumpers better, but that's jus' personal. The price is not bad, IF, it has the sort of loving, nutcase care, ours had. Paperwork, please?
Caterpillar 3116 is the same: 250 HP, 650 lb-ft torque.
I think I posted already about this, but when I first started driving it, I was passing semis, and realized, I was doing eighty! This coach likes to romp! b^.^d