We are considering a 2001 2001 U320 4010 currently listed at MOT for $84,500. . At this point we have only done a cursory inspection and it appears to be in good condition. We intend to to a full inspection before purchase since we are new to motor homes.
Interested in any feedback on this model and if this is a reasonable price.
Highly recommend Brett (wolfe10) if he is available for the inspection.
On a 2001, find out if the fuel lines have been replaced yet, check slide for delamination, check basement frame for rust/bulkheads for separation. Check structure around entry step for water damage. Age of slide bladder. Age of tires, batteries. Age of air bags.
Service records available?
Keith Risch, at MOT will do a good inspection. Him or Brett money WELL spent.
It's a great year/model...I'm biased. Looks like an unmolested survivor, except for the residential fridge and Extreme headlight conversion (big pluses). Also looks like fresh batteries and it may be wired for toad brakes? Price seems reasonable for an asking price as long as all major service item for the mileage (not listed) are current, and the tires/shocks/air bags/slide out seal are good...high ticket items. Best wishes. Woody.
We contacted Brett. He only does the earlier non-slide models.
Thanks for the suggestions on what to inspect. The tires are new. Not sure about the batteries. They look new. I did not see a date on them, but look closer.
We will likely have him do the inspection.
The only reason I didn't include a recommendation for Keith is that he is an MOT employee and the coach is being represented (on consignment) at MOT. That's a bit of conflict of interest. Not that Keith wouldn't do a good job, but it would put him in an odd position relative to MOT's incentive to sell the coach.
Much as you don't use a realtor's recommendation for a home inspector (or take a realtor's word for anything - they represent the seller no matter what they tell you, unless you have a buyer's agent contract where you are paying their commission).
I had Keith, [actually both Keiths, the other one in remod helped] They did it after work and went through everybit of the coach and showed me every system, and any faults in them, and pointed out any other flaws they saw. They even filled all the tanks and emptied them to make sure levels were accurate. Also a good road test checking ride, temps and pressures. Paid them shop rate in cash.
Have no reason to think they would slant their results, as they were working as independent contractors. Plus, they know these coaches better than just about anyone, and I learned a lot about the coach's operation.
!We had Keith at MOT do the inspection on our coach and he was very thorough. He did this after hours with me present. When I tried to pay him, he said the fee would be run through MOT instead. Did not know this and that was a little concerning! Had I known this from the start, not sure if I would have done this the same way. Just saying!
I also tried to use Brett, but like stated above, he only does pre slide coaches.
I wonder how many consignors would be comfortable with that arrangement as well. I pay you to sell my coach, you are working for me. Now you come back and tell me all the things I have to fix on my dime to sell, AFTER you've already gotten me to sign a consignment contract.
It's one thing if MOT did an inspection on their time and presented the consignor with a list of things that would need to be fixed at the time of consignment contract. It's a whole 'nother thing as a seller's agent to make money off a pre-purchase exam PLUS the cost of the repairs found on behalf of a buyer when the exam is done by their employee.
Again, conflict of interest. MOT would be wise to separate these activities or they are likely to encounter a seriously PO'd seller at some point.
I am not at all questioning Keith's ability to inspect a coach (or honesty in the inspection) - if I was looking at one not being sold via MOT, it would be a no-brainer. But it is putting him in a very inappropriate position doing an inspection on a coach, cost of inspection apparently also payable to MOT, when MOT is in contract with the consignor to sell the coach (and makes $ from the repairs). MOT is doing neither the consignor, the purchaser, nor Keith a favor with this arrangement.
I bought my 95 U320 and felt comfortable given discussion and inspection with MOT. Being almost 20 years old it isn't new but repair history should be available. Things wear out and break but given good maintenance I would rather have an older Foretravel than a new other Motorhome. They aren't cheap and I would expect the owners would take care of their investment.
Curious as to the price of a pre-purchase inspection? I am looking at a private individual sale and trying to find a reputable inspector. Does an inspection usually include any engine and transmission, other than obvious exterior leaks/issues?
Have bought 5 coaches off MOT, and sold 4 coaches through them. They do make a commission on the total price its sells for. They basically cleanup, store, demonstrate the coach to prospective buyers. They make no guarantees on the condition of the coaches they sell, but will not accept one that is not in basic drivable condition. If the prospective buyer sees problems with the coach, he can negotiate through MOT with seller to either reduce the price, or have MOT do the necessary repairs at the sellers expense. If the seller does reduce the price, most buyers will probably have the repairs done at MOT.
So if Keith does see problems with the coach, MOT will probably benefit. If Keith declares a coach in good shape, and it blows up because he lied, 10 miles down the road, think we would all know about it. They have been in business for 16 years and have an excellent reputation.
In many businesses these types of transactions could be suspect, but in my 9 different times dealing with MOT, have found them transparent and completely honest.
Other than Brett, think you will have a hard time finding anyone as knowledgeable about Foretravels as people that work on them daily. I guess it is up to the individual, to decide who to trust.
We bought our consignment FT at MOT. Consignor is a forum member. Had Keith do pre-purchase inspection and Brett do a post-purchase inspection for peace of mind. Both highlighted the same items and both had additional thoughts and recommendations that were complimentary and , to us, well worth the investment.
While the MOT consignment and inspection could be a conflict, in our opinion it's only an issue if ALL parties aren't made aware in advance and trust the parties honesty before proceeding. In our case there was never a feeling that anyone in the transaction had any motivation other than having ALL parties in agreement on all aspects of the sale.
Following discussion with interest in future purchase. I have been to MOT and liked Chris, sales guy at the time. As a prospective buyer I would be willing to pay a little extra for a pre purchase survey. If MOT when they agreed upon consignment, they would automatically do a standardized survey, say following the PDI form from beamalarm. Then it would give the purchasers more information to base their decision on, whether they had MOT do any repairs or not.
Sorry, that is NOT realistic.
How would they attract prospective SELLERS if they start out nit-picking their coach.
Yes, if all buyers were smart, that information would come out before purchase. BUT (yes, large BUT-- no Very large BUT) not all buyers are smart.
It is NOT the job of a consignment lot to educate buyers. Not MOT, not any other consignment lot on the planet.
Agree, you have probably seen your share of not so smart buyers. Remember reading on another forum, a guy posting he had been boondocking in his new 1/2 million dollar coach for a week, and the shower would not drain, and the gray tank gauge read full, and he wondered what the problem could be.
All I was saying is I thought I was paying Keith directly for his expertise and was told MOT had the bill and I paid them. I do know that after the fact, when FOT has a coach come in on consignment, they go over the coach and any issues must be fixed by the seller before they will put it on the lot. This was told to me verbatim! Most likely another reason why the coaches on their lot are priced a little higher in most cases. I felt Keith did a great job of diagnosing the issues and I paid for them when I decided to purchase the coach. I had already reached a better deal on the coach before hand.
Oh, on cost for an inspection can vary, depending on expertise of the inspector, schooling, etc. but going price is in the $500 range.
Don't forget the forum PDI list 50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10866.0)
So if seller must fix issues before they put it on the lot, how did Keith diagnose new issues and why did you have to pay for them? Every coach I have bought there has had issues that I evaluated either into the price, the seller repairing before I picked it up, or into my ability to repair. Bought one with a bad ac, On one the generator would not start. One with 10 year old tires. They won't put it on the lot unless safe to drive though.
I understand that MOT is requiring a Pre-Sales Inspection on all consigned coaches, not sure if this is a recent change. The purpose of the inspection is not to create a "perfect" coach, but to insure that all the basic systems are functioning correctly at the time of intake. Any discrepancies must be repaired or the MOT will not accept the consignment. They also at the time of intake may make suggestions on other optional items to address (mechanical or cosmetic) that would help the sale of the coach.
The MOT Pre-Sales inspection is NOT a substitute for an independant inspection of the coach, either by Brett Wolfe, Keith Rissch or other qualified resource. That in depth inspection is the best $500 you will ever spend....there will be "punch list" items identified (which the owner may or may not address in the sale) that are beyond the scope of the MOT Pre-Sales inspection.
With a Brett or Keith Inspection you will have a better understanding of the coach systems and have a feel for their general condition and potential for down stream repairs.
Thanks. I have this list printed and will take it with me. This forum is filled with lots of excellent info. So glad I found it before buying.
MOT quoted me $700 for the buyer's inspection.....which is more than I paid for my last "sticks and bricks" inspection! I know it is not a fool proof, but I do expect it to provide me with the info needed to make an informed decision.
I do some less than smart things sometimes, but sure hope I am not that dense. :-[