My wife and I are looking for our first motorhome to travel with our young son. We have had our eyes on Grandvilla's (280 or 300). We are also open to 94-95 unicoach for the right price. One thing for sure is we do not want slides and really prefer the mid entry. Any help would be great.
You just have to go look at them ( Foretravel ) and then compare features ( build quality, water capacity, features ). Compare to even a new product. Our 1995 Grand Villa compares or even beats most of the new stuff.
1992, 1993, 1994 U300 should fit the bill nicely. 102" wide, gets excellent mileage, glass smooth most reliable engine, lot of torque, four speed lacks the extra ratios of the six speed but is very reliable and has a heavy duty trans cooler. 36 foot is good for Western U.S., 40 foot for full time where you may need extra storage/room.
Just my opinion.
Pierce
We have a 1994 U300, Love It !!! 40' - 102" wide, mid entry, get about 6.5 to 7 mpg, sounds like You are on the right track.... Good Luck ! ^.^d
Thanks for the replies. We were thinking very simple because we won't be full time. Just mainly taking son and wife to see family out of state and of course to Disney and all the sights the western US has to offer. 36ft seems the way to go. Any suggestions on mod entry vs the front entry?
Topic moved so that discussions can happen.
Brett/moderator
I want to stay away from gas so better to look for caterpillar or Detroit engine? I want something that is easy to work on but also reliable
Depends on the year, but Cummins and Caterpillar are both good engines, as are DD 2 strokes. But the DD was last used in Foretravels in 1995 when the U300 transitioned from DD 6V92 to Caterpillar 3176 and then to Cummins M11.
Was this the last year of the actual mechanical engine?
Are you talking about the Cummins all mechanical engine?
If you want a very reliable, simple-to-work-on engine, in my (admittedly biased) opinion you should look for a U280 with the C8.3L 300hp engine. This engine was used in Foretravel coaches (UniHome and UniCoach) up through the mid 90's when Cummins started adding electronic controls.
The most highly evolved U280 models were built in 1995 (and perhaps a few in 1996). In that year the U280 came with the all mechanical C8.3L 300hp engine and the Allison MD3060R 6-speed tranny with RETARDER. And, of course, the sweet mid entry door. 1995 U280s are available in 36 and 40 foot models with several floor plans. A U280
with retarder is the unicorn of the GV model line, and very hard to find.
BUT WAIT! You are in luck because one is for sale RIGHT NOW on our Forum! Well worth your consideration (in my opinion):
1995 U280 36' for sale (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=38537.0)
1995 Foretravel U280 Specifications (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1995_foretravel_u280_specifications.html)
1995 Foretravel U280 Floorplans (http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/models/1995_foretravel_u280_floorplans.html)
My 1997 U295 40' has the Cummins mechanical 325hp 8.3 with 3060R. It is front entry. I've had 3 mid entry diesels, and now this front entry, it is equally very fine.
Very good recommendation Chuck!!
I couldn't agree more....... 8) ^.^d
The 2-cycle 6V-92 Detroit diesel as fitted to Foretravels is electronic so there is no rack to run, no injector lines, no intercooler to crack (a liquid cooled aftercooler is installed below the blower and is internal) This is a military spec engine and although it won't pass smog any longer, it is still in production for military and overseas users, etc. Detroit was purchased by Mercedes (Daimler Benz) years ago and they continue to produce new engines and support the older models. There have been over 3.5 million of the 2-cycles produced and they are almost exactly the same as the blood brother EMD locomotive 2 cycle diesels that power our freight trains. They are ultra reliable and since the 2-cycles have much lower EGTs, they don't drop valves (4 exhaust valves, no intake valves) or have to use oil sprayers. Since they fire on each revolution, they are over twice as smooth as 4 cycles. No corn cob rough idle. They also have unit injectors so no main injector pump. The lift pump is also heavy duty so no failures as seen in other engines. I've driven these since 1967 and this is the reason I purchased a Foretrave. Ours has averaged in over 100,000 miles, exactly 8.0 MPG as indicated by a diagnostic reader. This is living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where it's either full throttle or Jake Brake. Flat ground on longer trips will get almost 10 mpg at 60 mpg, more w/o toad. The Jacobs Brake is another advantage the 2-cycles have. Don't know any professional driver willing to trade a Jake for a retarder. This is the ultimate HD Diesel or the military would not keep buying them and Mercedes would have not purchased Detroit Diesel.
The only negative is the four speed Allison transmission. Since the Detroit has so much torque, the 6 speed could not be used as Allison didn't produce the heavy duty 6 speed until after Foretravel no longer installed the Detroit. On the other hand, it's the same transmission used in garbage trucks and is very reliable.
Lots of other Cummins and CAT fans who will disagree and will have differing opinions. Love the one you're with.
Pierce
Might add. The 95 vintage will have a much bigger front access such doesn't matter a lot UNTILL you need to get to something in front. Wiper motors, air conditioner. Heater stuff. And steering box. All easier to get to and service.
I'm going to go against most of the advice on the forum on this one. You don't talk much about your experience with RV'ing in general, or motorhomes and Foretravels specifically. I have to assume you're kinda new to this, but maybe did some camping with when you were growing up.
In choosing any sort of RV, you can choose between a small money pit, a big money pit, or a really, really big money pit. You can either shovel money or shovel time invested in fixing your own equipment. Old ones are much less money, but more work. We've spent almost our purchase price getting our maintenance up to date in the last 14 months (we're new owners) on our '97.
Luxury motorhomes, of any brand, are not beginner RVs unless you get them under warranty and/or have a relative who already has one.
On my '95 gas (mid-entry, btw) motorhome, I got annoyed because I was always fixing stuff compared to my pop-up. It was frustrating to have to pay $2K to fix a split exhaust manifold. $2K on a luxury motorhome is a fluid change.
My advice is to start simple, build your RV knowledge, and buy/sell/trade until you reach your ultimate RV. In my case, a Foretravel.
Motorhomes are the best on the road and trailers are the best in the park.
A Foretravel is a dizzying collection of complicated high-end parts. I'm still crawling under, through, and on top of mine and discovering new wonders. It's a passion of mine. I think they're awesome, but I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy as a first RV. I just got back a few days ago from a week in our Foretravel and I'm already ready to go camping again. I love the power, the looks, the comfort, the drive. But if I had to crawl into the bay to tighten a fuel line to the Aquahot, under the coach to hammer on a six pack to get one of the front wheels to level, or on top of the coach to turn on the heat strip (who turns those off?) during a Disney trip with a young'un, I'd probably go postal.
Go simple.
I'm a first time Foretravel/ motorcoach owner and I couldn't be happier.
This is my first RV (2001 U270) and have really enjoyed getting it ready for many years of service. I probably didn't understand exactly what I was getting into but I knew it was something I was ready to tackle. Some things I have done over the last year and most all of the things I have done myself. The latest was today I removed the steering gearbox to be rebuilt at Redhead.
Tis years accomplishments are Airbags, shocks, brakes, fuel lines, all fluid changes, transmission cooler, residential fridge, flooring, replace the dinette with table, MCD shades throughout, 900 watts of solar bought the parts from AM Solar, redo the wet bay, replace muffler with resonator, added surge protector, added the VMSpc from Roger (love it), replace check valves, protection valves, rear monitor and worked on the rear bulkhead.
Doing these things yourself saves a lot of money and I actually enjoyed every project. It gave me confidence and understanding of my coach. Of course the knowledge my Foretravel friends have shared is a huge part of my journey and I hope to meet them in the coming years.
All the best
Greg
Lots of good information to process. After more research and talking to my wife we are going with the philosophy of simpler is better. We defiantly want propane on board and an electric water heater if I can find one and a residential fridge. All of these systems I'm capable of repairing and maintaining myself. I know there is probably some opinions about solar systems( any thoughts)? With living close to the factory and having several friends that have worked there over the years, they have all told me they would be willing to help show us how to operate and maintain the systems of the coach. Do most of these seem reasonable?
With just the information off the Forum and help from Roger's posts, I installed solar with no previous experience. The controllers are the biggest expense in my install.
First time owner here, only had it for service once at Foretravel and that was them putting on my motorcade number.
That kinda trumps anything else that's been said. Get a Foretravel. Get Brett (or somebody like Brett) to inspect it with you.
Who is Brett?
Brett Wolfe....Wolfe10...Reply #7
John
OK thank you!!! Being new to the forum I'm still learning.
Would forget the mid entry, too few made and go for a well maintained one.
Giant enjoyable money pit. We stumbled across a mid entry U320. Doubled our original investment. How bad do you want this. You may get lucky and spend pennies. Or lots of dollars.
After the dollars are spent in total you should get a lot of long term use and enjoyment.
We are preppers sort of in shaky town(la) so our choices are different from most.
No way out of here after a disaster. Long term off grid is likely.
But a mid entry 40' U320 non tag no slide has the most storage made up to and including 45's and is a pleasure to drive.
As a former Foretravel sales manager I knew what I could be getting into but did it anyway.
Not for the faint of wallet.
But the unicoaches bigger front windows really add a being out of doors feeling. The 2,000 pound heavier unicoach adds considerable structural reinforcement.
Like riding and driving in a specially made tour bus around the best Disneyland ever made. The USA
"You pay for every pleasure. If you did not pay as much you probably did not have as much fun."
My comment to hundreds of fancy rv customers and owners.
Go for it
Agree with Caflashbob 100% on previous post. I too was a rv sales manager, knew the risks, jumped in, with now no regrets. Have had a great time. I will continue until I can no longer.
The sooner the better, you'll have such great memories and genuine fun.
Three years ago, not living in shakey town, (Eugene Oregon), our plan B was called on. Ice storm, freezing rain, bringing down trees and power lines, causing transformers to fail until replaced, with power out over one week on our block. Temps outside in the 20's, could only heat house to 35, went thru cord of wood first week.
We homebase now in Oregon as continuous travelers, splitting our time between the rv and being with family in Brasil.
Happy wife of 20 years, happy life. She is from Brasil, coldest it gets in winter is 75, hottest in summer 85. She was not happy.
Plan B, go get the motorhome, park in front of house, problem solved. Not so easy, no access to our street for an rv, trees partially down, all the way down, no work crews to remove, only neighbors so we could pass with our cars. Next tried local parks, all were closed, with frozen water pipes. 3rd and neccessary move, into a motel, and I hate motels, for 3 days, until power was restored.
That being said, TV is always stored ready to go, full fuel and propane, solar and big diesel gen add to feeling of confidence in the rv for a plan B. Also I believe with the rv I can now get to a friends house, a true prepper, an hour away.
We now are continuous travelers, homebase in Oregon, splitting time between rv and with family in Brasil.
"Not for the faint of wallet".....LOL
May I add, There are no pockets in caskets
We settled on a 36' 1992 U225 model. Mid entry, propane generator, water heater, furnace(s), stove, oven, refrigerator. No air bags, but if you need to replace the torsion bars, the Torsilastic suspension, same money as air bags without the complications. Mechanical Cummins 5.9 diesel driving through a 4-speed Allison automatic transmission. Air brakes. Best of all it's a Unihome! Sports car frame, sports car handling.
We have owned our 1994 36' U280 for a little less than a year and it has been one of our best purchases to date. This forum has been amazing for people new like us. I have been able to find most answers through the well documented posts on this forum to bring our new rig up to speed without setting foot in a shop.
We have the 8.3 with Allison 6 speed. Very simple motor to work on and inexpensive if you are fairly handy. We have been traveling all year with our 4 kids on multiple camping trips throughout CA. Once you get comfortable with the coach and up to speed with the systems you will really enjoy it. Good luck on your search.
David