Wonder what's wrong with her? 1995 Foretravel FORETRAVEL | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-FORETRAVEL-U300-UNIHOME-40-FULLY-CONTAINED-GRAND-VILLA-NEEDS-SERVICE-XLNT/184096412118)
"Needs Service" along with "Sold As IS" can cover a LOT of ground. Could be a buy, could be an absolute money pit.
There is a 1991 near Dallas on Craigslist FORETRAVEL 36' MOTORCOACH - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/rvs/d/duncanville-foretravel-36-motorcoach/7040136236.html)
Fuel, gasoline? Auction 2 days to go.
Sure do like all that storage on the left. We've got the table & chairs......full-timers need lots!
That is the best of the GVs, with the big engine access, nice front access and I see it has the big exhaust so with luck, it might have the Detroit 2-cycle. Otherwise, a CAT or a few had the Cummins M11. Poorly written ad with 8 cylinder and gasoline. No chance either of those. Looks pretty clean and "no rust" is not certain unless inspected but I would be on the first plane if I were in the market and it was 36 feet. California coaches don't usually have rust as we don't salt the roads. Could have moved there though.
The second coach also looks like a side radiator U280, 102" wide that has been sitting out for most of it's life. It's also not 8 cylinder. More work than the first coach and more likely to have corrosion.
Bet the first coach is decent and goes for a reasonable price. Second could be a deal too but more work.
Pierce
That's a really nice coach if "service" doesn't cost more than the selling price.
Noticed in the photo a n old style (late 1940"s) malt mixer used in the Soda Shoppes. Look closely at the electrical plug and cord. (Fabric and rubber)
How cool! Mine is build #3973, the color on the walls match.
Does yours have the counter and drawers instead of the table & chairs? Sure is a better deal, except I notice there was no window, which, I'd think made it a little darker back there.
That 95 300 has a strange looking piping arrangement at the drivers left knee. Wonder what that is ?
Gary B
Mike,
Even the U240 could be ordered like that:
SBI vs SBID (with D indicating dinnette).
Yes more storage but just a small bench seat for eating. Also added quite a lot of weight to the right side of the coach.
1993 U225 - U240 GV Floorplans (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1993_u225-u240_gv_floorplans.html)
That's a nice looking 95. Looks completely OE except maybe the tile. Our 95 had the standard setup. I think this one, with the dining table opposite the entry, is a lot better use of the space. It would sure be worth looking into.
jor
Mike, in comparison to this pic. My stove and over head convection oven are there, then the sink a little further to the right. Mine is a side isle, a PO took the dinette out and stored cowboy clothing on racks there. He followed the rodeo circuit and cowboy clothing. the only table I have is the one that folds up into a cabinet behind the passenger seat.
Says it's a cat diesel
Again, THIS is the big IF. Needs service could include anything from a clean up to bad engine.
Ad says to look and drive. Means it runs. Everything else is fixable
I have been to Duncanville, to look at the 1992 U280, it only took me 10 minutes to make up my mind.
To much to clean up and repair. Might be ok is you want a project. Just my 2 cents.
I text with the seller of the 95 U300..
see below.....it's a non-runner:-----------
=================================
Still need the data plate info next to the drivers seat
Storage is closed and 70 miles away. Can you
GOOGLE it?
google what ??
The plate info
I'll try it for you when I'm back in the office
does it run ??? have u driven it ?
No. Needs service. If it ran, retail is at $30.000.00
so it does not run ??
Delivered
Not running now
THAT is what a few of us thought; a "CB BUSTER". ::)
Perhaps it does not run because the seller does not want to spend the money for start batteries. Did they say why it does not run? If the CAT is blown, that is $30K at a shop.
Pierce
Add on another 4 CBs for new stripes.......
May I suggest that this a potential 3176b cat 40' widebody for pennies. I live close. If I took a set of batteries to jump the motor and it starts its a screaming deal. 3176 cats had a corrosion problem between the head and block IF you did not keep the antifreeze current.
Non ducted air, tambour doors, propane furnaces and water heater, 240k miles, bad batteries, nice floor plan, fastest coach easily up grades in a grand villa or early unicoach.
Coach has max gard 29 gelcoat. Pull stripes and buff white body and drive it
If I did not own a U320 with its and dual panes and a slower m11 I would own this if it starts.
No one a player? The motorcade number should ring someone's bell?
If it runs and you drove it you would want it. Trust me. What hills?
I've owned cats before, they are great engines until you have to work on them. Cummins may be expensive but they paint cats GOLD a reason-- you better have a pocket full of it
Just my experience
Chris
Sold dozens of marquis with 3176. Some are still being resold in 27 year old coaches I sold new.
Day and a half left on this 40 foot '93 U300 Detroit. At $8,300 now with 46 bidders. Flint, Texas coach. 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1993-Foretravel-Motorcoach-RV-Grand-Villa-40-Diesel-Unihome-U300-NO-RESERVE/392600323377?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D1f59572ffc814a44875fb92fbeac57f2%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D184096412118%26itm%3D392600323377%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982)
In the second photo, it looks as if the owner has moved the air intake to the top of the air cleaner compartment door. Can't think of any other reason for the three possible intakes in the door. Ideas?
Pierce
I just talked to the seller of the '95 U300. The drive shaft is currently disconnected. My guess is it had to be towed it to where it is. Not a good sign. He said it came from a really good home where the people "really took care of it", but if that's the case why does it need service?
My thinking is that these auto people would have at least put a starting battery in it and connected the drive shaft if there wasn't a major problem.
Engine or trans issue for sure. Not going to be a steal for whoever buys it if the bidding stayed where it is now.
Another good deal: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/611172359687052/?ref=feed_rhc
OK, Mike-- welcome to a Texas saying: "THAT JUST AIN'T RITE".
BTW, the Caterpillar 3176 is a great engine, but as already posted the cast iron block and head with ALUMINUM SPACER BETWEEN are only fine if the coolant has been changed as it should be. If not, electrolysis will have eaten the spacer. Big $$.
Might be a "good deal" for Mike....... I'll pass 🙄
I'm on it; got some good advise from a old crusty sailor: ***Changing Coolant-- A Step By Step Description*** (http://forum.dieselrvclub.org/index.php/topic,6653.0.html)
Has anyone run the numbers to see who owns it?
yes....no answer..mailbox is full.....and I can see why....!
Sold! $10,210.00
OK. Who bought it?
jk
Hope it's a forum member that bought her, I'm sure WE ALL want to know what was wrong with that beauty!
Keep an eye out for it at "Pops Rv"
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Foretravel Grand Villa Unihome - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (https://gulfport.craigslist.org/rvs/d/picayune-foretravel-grand-villa-unihome/7044339308.html)
Not so cheap but here is a beautiful coach on Craigslist.
Given all the work done (if proven by receipts) and the pics, it's worth a gander. I'd still have it inspected, but a good year, close to the last of our breed! ^.^d
With the 5.9 engine and 4 speed trans. my opinion would be putting lipstick on a pig at that price.
You take 5 CBs off the asking and it would be in the ballpark from what I've seen on the market for a primo condition coach. Yes, the 4 speed is a drawback, I know nothing of the 5.9. I SURE like the floorplan! ^.^d
Yes, asking price is high. 5.9 Cummins is excellent if possible timing cover pin issue has been address. Not expensive to do the modification. This engine is in hundreds of thousands of PUs. Because of the engine size, not as much power in the mountains and not as much storage. If interested, you must take a look in person and then have it inspected.
Pierce
Yes, a 1994 U225. Indeed, check for "killer dowel pin" (do an internet search for it-- LOTS of posts). 230 HP
Also, need to check ride height, as that would be the torsilastic suspension. U225 is lighter than the U240, but in the SBI layout that coach has, it is heavier than the SBID layout. No OE replacement torsilastic springs available, but some $$$ ones from Mexico.
Also, rear radiator not side.
IMO price is 2X market and higher than many nice "higher end" coaches.
It is a very good entry level coach if maintained.
Here's the after market company for torsilastic: Sulastic. ONE TORSILASTIC SPRING 4" x 4" X 36 3/4" (http://www.sulastic.com/torsilastic-spring-4-x-4-large)
Yup, that is the company. Owner lives in San Antonio. He and his son drove over to League City and measured our coach/your coach for the prototype springs.
Made in central Mexico at his factory there.
No, the ones in your coach are not Sulastic, they are B.F. Goodrich Torsilastic division 19,000 pound rear springs. I worked with the engineers at Goodrich Aerospace division in Jacksonville FL to spec them out and picked them up there.
From that point forward, Foretravel switched all orders from 15 to 19k springs. So, there are a mix of coaches with OE and some with upgrades springs out there. If OE and 25+ year old rear springs, I would bet recommended ride height can not be achieved.
Fronts are OE.
I had the chance a couple of years ago to be on a absolute flat pad and measured yours/ours: PERFECT! ^.^d
If I remember correctly the new springs are made in Leon Mexico. I am sure that someone going there would be able to get them a lot cheaper direct from factory. I found the location of the plant a few years ago and planned on going to get a set for my Brother's coach but got sidelined with other stuff. The rubber they use is recycled and they make a multitude of mounts for different things.
JohnH
This cutie is still for sale on FB, I believe: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2328324554099447/?ref=feed_rhc
Mike,
That one looks pretty good. FB Marketplace is a good shopping resource. The 1993 U300 on ebay sold for $18,000 yesterday. Think it had 200K on it.
Pierce
The first coach with the drive shaft out, had sat for a while. Might have been traded in . My guess is that the dealer simply sent a truck to fetch it , without putting batteries in to start it. That way the recovery is a fixed cost .
You can always make a deal that if the batteries start the good engine, you have a deal.. and if the engine is junk , you dont.
Contingencies happen a lot of the time.
There are 3 older GVs around Florida FS at this time, asking prices start at 13k.