We're doing a bit of research on 2000-03 coaches for fulltiming and wonder what major repairs are typical on units of that age. Obviously, everything depends on something, but what repairs have you done on your 2000-03 rigs?
Thanks.
OK, I'll get this started.
Specific to those year models:
Creeping window seals.
Slide seals, structure, mechanism
Fuel lines if OE are at the end of their life
Air bags if OE are at end of their life
Cap seams on some
In general:
Service air brakes
Change all fluids and filters
Service/replace air dryer
Tire age/condition
Battery age/condition
Check hydraulic fans for leaks
Check power steering box for leaks
BULKHEADS
Tires, Bladders and manifolds in both slides and batteries. Nothing else really major..
If you want to talk major.. its all the extra stuff I did to make it mine.. that other stuff is small in comparison ^.^d :))
For half of us a 2000 and above is a new coach.
Just had a couple axle seals fail on my 2002 U295
On our 02 U320 we had to replace the radiator which isn't unusual at that age, we had to put new seals in the hydraulic fans, new air bags, and a few things we didn't expect but a well cared for coach is definitely worth making repairs on. The good thing is that we never needed to add oil between changes, after the radiator repair we never had to top off the coolant, and the transmission worked flawlessly. The brakes were superb and even at 16 years old the coach was comfortable traveling or parked.
Presently and over the past few weeks we've replaced the radiator, PS hydraulic pump, refrigerator, cranking batteries and both ACs. In 2016 we did the steering gear. The PO did a full slide service with bladders and he replaced house batteries. We're happy with the coach.
So far we have had to replace the radiator, have the rear bulkhead rebuilt and replaced the differential pinion bearings. The brake caliper slide pins have been an issue and were replaced on the steer and drive axles. Everything else was just routine maintenance.
Overall we have been happy with the coach in the 3 years and 25,000 miles we have owned it.
Steve
It will all depend on what the previous owner(s) did. There are a lot of really well maintained coaches owned by people on this forum and occasionally one comes up for sale, with the chances being that 99% of the things listed above have been already taken care of.
Over the last few years I owned my coach, I replaced fuel lines airbags transmission cooler radiator and had the slides fixed. They new owner found the bulkhead issues that we were unaware of and was checked every year. I also put in a resonator as the muffler died too. I had to put a new head unit on the generator as well. That was because power tech shipped the wrong voltage regulator. I also replaced all the shocks twice in my time of owning it.
Only unexpected repairs on my 2003 U295 were a radiator leak, alternator rebuild, lift pump, and cracked cylinder head repair.
Expected repairs were air bladder, shocks, air bags, and all six batteries.
Just had the bulkheads inspected at FOT, all is well.
Interesting post..I'm seeing lots of radiator repairs/replace in that era coach....Did FT change vendors..???
Hans
I noticed that too - I wonder if it is age or mileage related.
Depends.
Is replacement because if fin decay (like driven on salty roads) OR from failure of mounting "ears"?
Could be the wrong mixture or type of coolant also?
We had our radiator rebuilt, it might have been less that just buying a new one, it wasn't quicker. It was a small leak but more than I was willing to put up with.
Air bags and fuel lines seem mostly due to age, miles and temperature related. The are going to need replacing sooner it seems, on coaches that live in warmer climates. Slide bladders have a finite life. Ours are nearly 18 years old and still good. Some slide mechanisms might be harder on them than others. It might be operator and maintenance influenced as well. Shocks are mostly miles. Tires mostly time. Batteries mostly time.
All of these are normal maintenance and repair sort of things. At 15 - 20 years old expect to do them all sooner or later.
When you buy a coach do so understanding that there needs to be an annual maintenance budget, an annual set aside for periodic expenses (tires and batteries) and another set aside for things that may or may not happen while you own the coach (air bags, fuel lines, bladders). With some good planning and realistic budgeting owning a coach is much easier.
Save enough money to travel and enjoy it too.
Rear air bags, lift pump, and a simple electrical pin problem on ECM, everything else were improvements to suit our wants and needs. This is in 9 yrs of owning it.
JohnH
Added, rebuilt starter, hydraulic pump hose replaced, repaired CAC myself.
My 2003 was maintained by the book, but had a tiny radiator leak when I bought it in 2008. After 5-6 years of ownership, and no luck finding the leak, my new mechanic found it and sent the radiator out for repair. It's been fine ever since. Now I only have to replace a leaking radiator cap every couple of years.
I also had the fuel lines checked at FOT last month. All are good.
Rebuilt alternator rebuilt starter replaced house batteries replaced start batteries in process of replacing radiator ( fin rot see radiator and fan earlier post) May have to replace inter cooler have found several pin holes. The radiator and inter cooler appear to be from road salt .
Have refrigerator out and waiting for new one to come in.
Took couch out and replaced with 2 recliners in its place replaced loveseat with lift TV cabinet
We are just making it ours!!!
Chris
Replaced lower left slide hydraulic cylinder on our 2002 36.
1) Slide seal,
My 2000 320 is on its 3rd slide seal, I'm thinking the HWH installed one in 2012 had problems that caused it to only last 16 months. I purchased my current 320 in 2014.......$2762.94 in 9/28/2012... $3600 Knoxville Tenn. 2014
2) Fuel lines are starting to crack at connection points.
3) Window snakes. I haven't replaced windows..."don't bother me that much"
4) aquahot has a tiny leak on one of its pumps.
5) Rear bulkhead repaired/reinforcement...Thru bolts...."fixed myself"
6) Air bags cracking/deteriorating ... It wasn't that difficult with a few tools. .... $1300 parts /my labor
My radiator replacement was due to rust (NY coach) and fin decay. There were no issues with the mounting "ears".
Let's see, replaced rear ABS control module, was leaking air and no kits available for DIY. Had the rear brakes done due to sticking slide pins, replaced potty room wall due to window seal not installed properly replaced all tires two years ago, replaced bedroom slide seal and manifold due to leak, replaced house and chassis batteries at 9 1/2 years old, and replaced steering box to see if it would help in steer wandering, which it did. Anything else has been regular maintenance and cosmetic stuff done to the inside of coach.
Since this thread has died down, let me say thanks for all the helpful replies. We are a month or two away from getting serious about this, but if we do end up going for a Foretravel coach, I will be referring to your replies as I shop. Thanks again to all.
Have done the lift pump (this was the easiest, but did require a bit of contortion, laying on top of the motor,) the steering box (this was the most time consuming just because you have to remove a bunch of stuff just to get to it,) cleaned up from a steering line failure (which luckily happened at home while pulling into the driveway,) replaced the insulation in the generator box, and how doing all the airbags after finding one leaking. All of this was DIY, so only cost has been for the parts.
All other work has been additions and regular maintenance, installed solar system, installed Tri-Metric, replaced shocks, replaced stereo, replaced satellite dish, added See-Level system, modified utility bay by adding an access panel for the tank valves and a sight panel to allow a clear view of the water tank, added LED lights to outside cabinets, added auto-on LED lights to inside cabinets, added/modified glass cabinet above microwave for Tri-Metric panel, Solar controller panel, and See-Level panel, replaced TV's, added desk counter, added flip-up kitchen counter, added shelves to closet, and then just fluid and tire changes, again, all DIY.
Have owned this since 2012, so bought it when it was 9 years old. The first owners only had minor repairs and interior cosmetic upgrades done, all completed by the factory.
Grc good luck on your search. As you can see, we are a loyal bunch when it comes to our Foretravels. I think I'm most amazed at some ladies in their 70's and 80's we have met traveling across the country in their Foretravels even though they don't do any maintenance themselves. That speaks to the reliability of our older coaches. There will always be repairs that need done on Foretravels or any other brand. That said, people invest many thousands just getting an older, well-cared-for Foretravel decorated the way they want because they are so solid structurally and mechanically.
Thanks so much. We have been fulltime in a Hitchhiker 5th wheel for several years now and I have very much appreciated their user's forum. In fact, I feel a bit like a betrayer to be batting around the idea of moving to any kind of motorhome. Still, I think it is time for us to consider a change and that's what this research is all about.
Grc -
We moved into our first 2002 36' FT about six years ago. Prior to that we had a 33' Komfort TT with a Duramax and Harley Electraglide Classic. We are now into our second Foretravel.
The FT is more convenient and comfortable. It is more like a home. They both have cost us some $$$$ but the life that we have had since ownership have been better than OK.
Someday we will may have a fiver or some other wheeled vehicle but until then we continue.
There are many knowledgeable, helpful and kind people on this web site. Some of us are a bit geekey, might even be considered compulsive/obsessive. Carol and I could not be living this lifestyle in our FT without the support of this forum and it's membership.
Most of our "friends" these days are FT people that we have met through this forum. We connect with them from time to time, and place to place during our travels while we spend time with our family.
I spent my business career in Carbon sheet steel and didn't twist many wrenches. With the assistance of this forum and it's members, Carol and I have completed a number of repairs and upgrades. We have also contributed to the Nac Community Fund.
Good luck in your search.
If you and your bride would like to chat, PM me.
w
Good one, Just like buying anything used
Or even new.
They're turning out travel trailers in Indiana using a 60 hour work week and Tiffin isn't providing service on any product over four years old now because they're too covered up with warranty work.
That should tell you something
Radiator, air bags, fuel lines, new Dometic fridge, new Uline ice maker, gussets for hoses new crank batteries. Most were proactively done to avoid on the road issues. Although we have invested nearly half the original acquisition price on these and various cosmetic upgrades, we have far less invested than even a mediocre new gas coach and zero issues this summer on a 10,000 mile trip taking over 5 months. Coach goes in for its annual service next week and we'll religiously do what's needed each year to give us and "Ole Red" many years of trouble free miles. "Stuff" can still happen but we'll have done our best to limit these to minimum.
Radiator,Waiting on intercooler arrival time mid Jan, waiting on house refrigerator hole is nearly ready new crank batteries new coach batteries, rebuilt alternator & starter removes muffler replaced with resonator pull out carpet, couch, loveseat dinette table and J couch new floor, duel recliner, TV lift cabinet
I agree with Randy it can still break but I try to be proactive because I have been down on side of road and do not like the feeling!
I'm sure I have forgot something!
It is starting to look like home!
Chris
The proactive part is hard for most to do.
Our 40', '02 320 single slide with tag axle was a repo that had been neglected...but the purchase price reflected this.
Tires, shocks, all air bags (tag axle air bags were "may pops"), stress crack and subsequent delamination in the fiberglass at the fridge outside vent (top front & bottom rear corners) taken care of @ Extreme Paint & Graphic's, also spiffed up the roof with new A/C units/satellite "dish and receivers"/OTA TV antennae (King Jack)/ Thomas 12v air compressor/moved AquaHot filter to the AquaHot bay and replaced pump,control (silver) box, coil, and normal service/Fully serviced and updated the(DIY) the Magnum-Opus vac toilet & pump, had cracked crossover pipe from toilet to the vacuum pump (toilet is pass thru bathroom, so toilet is on street side and pump is on curb side).
Replaced the Damnetic 1492 fridge with a Samsung 18 @ MOT (and installed the "Fridge Fixer" to keep door/drawer shut when traveling) .
Replaced the 2 burner Gaggabunch cooktop with a 3 burner cooktop with gas oven (gotta have my biscuits in the morning) @ Dave & LJ's in Woodland, WA.
Replaced the original(train system-one year only) slide seal @ HWH in Moscow, IA (factory)
Yet to do..
Replace carpet with tile
Front door seal
Finish up replacing remaining light fixtures/bulbs with LED's
Purchase chest type deep freeze w pull out tray in the basement
purchase pull out tray for tool box, also goes into the basement
Rebuild the Zip Dee patio awning arms and controls (due to vandalism)
Keep chasing loose ground screws thru out coach (vandalism by former owner or his heirs, screws are a half turn loose)
replace/rebuild steering box....when it is needed...
Would I do this again if I had known the extent of repairs needed??? HELL YES!..The Qualities of a Foretravel far far exceed nearly all other manufacturers offerings...(The exceptions "Might" be Prevost conversions and possibly Newell's)
Happy Hunting....!