We owned a '97 U320 in the past and am now actively looking for another Foretravel. My question is this: I have heard that the '02-'05's with the single rear axle had weight issues with the bedroom slide. All of these mentioned coach's only came with 2 slides, the living room, and the bedroom. Does anyone have comments on if this is/was a problem? Would really like to stick with a 38' in length with two slides. Just seem to see those for sale with the non-tag axle in those years. Yes, some are 270's and 295's, not sure about the 320's. Even the '01 with the single slide has no tag. Is there a weight issue there as these are normally 40 footers?
Thanks in advance for your help on this!
Joe & Dottie
The weight issue/weight capacity may be a little more complicated than first appears.
Until recently, Federal weight limits were 20k per axle.
That was recently raised.
While the GVWR sticker may indicate 20k, the weight capacity of the rear axle, brakes and tires that Foretravel actually used may be higher. Worth checking on before eliminating a coach that otherwise meets your needs.
Thanks, Brett, good point!
We monitored our rear axle weight on our 2002 36' U320 - 2 slide - quite often using the Escapees scaling services and were close to the Max rear capacity a couple of times . We also monitor the axle weights on our 42' but not as often. The 38' tag does a great job of distributing the additional weight of the slide and length.
Have no experience with a non-tag 40'.
Load distribution, as with a boat, is important.
decrease in underneath storage with a tag.
Your 97 40' u320 had the most inside and underneath storage made up to and including 45's that I have seen.
I have not filled every internal cabinet yet. I carry lots of firewood underneath with no issues
Bob, you are right on there, that 40 footer of mine had huge storage! Thanks for reminding me!
So you went from an '02 back to an '01 and increased the length? Was the '02 36' a tag?
As far as I know, FT only used tag axles on U320 coaches, 38' and longer. My coach is a non-tag U295 38' with single slide. I believe all 2-slides made in 2003 were either non-tag U295 under 38' or tag axle U320 38' and longer. My non-tag 38' has almost as much bay storage as a 40' with tag, much more than a 38' with tag.
The '02 was not a tag. The '01 has an east west bed which was why we are now her caretakers. Our '01 is comfortable. No regrets.
Think you will have to look at models. The 270/295's in your model range will be quite a bit lighter than the 320's because of the engine and transmission weights. Tile flooring and counter top materials will also affect weight. My 320 40 ft no slide with all tile flooring was 33000 lbs loaded, my 320 40 ft two slide tag axle coach is 40500 lbs, too heavy for a non tag. Agree that a 38 ft tag would be a great coach and you would probably not have to worry too much about loading.
Yes, I'm not sure if I have ever seen a 40' U320 with 2 slides that didn't have the tag. And yes, I agree that the tag decreases the storage space for sure!
7500 lb increase is substantial! Thanks!
2002 was the last year for a U320 4020 with no tag. I don't know the build number when they quit. To get some weight off of the back they put the diesel tank and the aqua hot forward and that made the front axle pretty much at the limit.