Foretravel Owners' Forum

So, my wife *MIGHT* just be coming around to the idea of no slides. We're going to go tour a 2000 U320 without slides this weekend.

However, I actually have a few questions about the Cummins C8.3 that came in the mid 90's U270. These seem to be a great value point and I'm drawn to the fact that they're all mechanical (please correct me if I'm wrong here, can't remember where I read that). I'm curious about how they'd do in the mountains with a ~3,500lb toad. As full timers we mostly bounce between the Rockies and eastern Sierras so I don't want to be white knuckle driving all the time (going up or down).

I understand they have a 30,000lb GVWR, but can anyone ballpark their UVW (dry/unloaded weight)? I know we currently carry about 3,000 extra pounds of stuff with us and suspect that would go up with the extra storage of a class A :-)

Also, how is maintenance on this engine? Specifically, is it easily serviceable at a diesel shop?

If you have knowledge you can share about the other engines of that era, it is also greatly welcome! Thanks everyone

It is easily serviceable by you,more then a shop, can pull a toad with no problem,just not as fast as a bigger engine, run Amsoil in
mine and have 234k miles and change oil about 20k miles.

Excellent! Can you help quantify "fast"? If we can do 65-70 on the interstate and stay above 50mph on a 6% grade, we'd be plenty content!

Regarding going down, how are the air brakes configured? I understand newer systems have redundancy built in in case you spring a leak. Are these older FTs similar?

"No replacement for more displacement" in the Rockies.

Do you move over to fill empty lanes vs stay behind cars in full lanes?

The bigger motors allow less in and out of the truck lanes.

Full time in the Rockies would benefit from a m11 and a aquahot coach IMO.

The empty lane scenario is a basic personality test,  aggressive?

We've been over the Rockies 3 times going both ways.  We run right at max coach weight and pull a 3500# car on a 600# dolly.

We've never been embarrassed by the performance of our C8.3 - it has always got us where we wanted to go.

On some long uphill grades we get down to 40 mph in 4th gear but that's OK - gives us more time to enjoy the scenery!

On the other hand, "MY ENGINE HAS TOO MUCH TORQUE" is not something you hear very often in motorhome discussions.

Here's the loaded weight of my 34' 270. Full fuel, full water, full load, us and the dog and empty waste tanks.
Total Weight: 26,475 (GVWR: 30000)
Toad Weight: 3,525

I've had a 400hp M11 (300) and a 450hp M11 (320). I bought this 270 because it was 34' but was concerned that the 8.3 would be a disappointment. The only mod I've made to the 8.3 is I changed out the muffler for a resonator. I am very pleased with its performance. No sweat up or down those mountains.

The book requires oil change every 6,000 miles. One nice thing about the 8.3 is it takes 6 gallons of oil compared to the M11's 10 gallons. I might change over to John44's Amsoil next time just for fun.

Mine (a 97 model) is mechanical but I think this was the last year. The benefit of the mechanical is its simplicity but in my opinion the electronic models are better. An added benefit of the electronic is you can pair with a VMS device which shows you lots of interesting data on what's going on back there.

I like the Aqua Hot because I think its a pretty nifty device and has some advantages over the LP furnace. It's quieter and the heat is consistent throughout the coach and of course, you don't have to worry about running out of propane. The propane furnace setup is perfectly adequate though. You'll stay warm either way. Re the water heater vs. AH, we've never run out of hot water with either.

Regarding the 270 vs. the 320, underneath they are the same but the 320 is appointed much better. If I'm lookin' at a 320 and a 270,  I'm buyin' the 320 but the 270 is also a great coach.

Re brakes, you will find that the Allison retarder does most of your mountain braking.
jor

Not at all. Both of us are much more content to just hunker down and maintain a steady speed in whatever lane has the least chaos.

I would like to avoid the aquahot for the sake of simplicity. We practically sleep right on top of our current furnace and the noise doesn't bother us. The biggest PITA with them currently is refilling the two 30lb bottles... having 270lbs would be amazing! We winter in Arizona and typically chase the good weather, so the added benefits of AH in freezing temps wouldn't typically apply for us.

Regardless of the model, it would immediately get 1000+ watts of solar and a 400aH Li-on battery bank. We work from home and having solar is now a "must" for us... I can't imagine living without it  :D

Hi EJ
Welcome to the forum. First you've already made a great choice in coaches. Yes I'm very biased.  ;D
We've full timed for about 3 years in the NW and SW. We have a 2000 u270 - 40ft. with the 8.3 electronic Cummins 350hp.
We run full at about 28000#, towing a Honda CRV, 3500#. No problems with mountain driving, but we aren't in a hurry. 45-50 You'll love the retarder once you get used to it. Coach has around 98000 miles on it, runs like a top. Have to watch my lead foot.
We have the 2 Atwood propane heaters, a bit noisey but we're used to it. Hardly ever run the back one. They are much easier and cheaper to work on than the AH.
We like the oak interior as it is brighter. Personal taste.
Budget about $10,000 for incidental repairs on an older coach. Tires, air bags, batteries,fuel lines, etc., etc., etc.
$1500-3500 for solar depending if you diy.
Well anyway Happy hunting, it's half the fun. It's a great life style. Lots of wonderful people.
Cheers Ric 8)

The airbrakes have some pneumatic logic built into them and they are dual circuit similar to the hydraulic brakes used on smaller vehicles.  As with anything else mechanical, maintenance is the key to proper performance.

Thanks for the weight info Ric! May I ask what kind of mileage you typically get with your rig?

You will average 8 mpg in a unicoach with most all the engines.. I've got as low as 7.5 in 1400 mile trip towing against wind the entire trip and I've got as high as 8.9 and 9 with no wind and no tow.. You will average 8 at 65 to 67 mph.I drive 8.3

That's actually better than I would have guessed. We average about 10.5 @ 70mph in our 5th wheel but I learned pretty quickly that as a portion of total cost of ownership, the cost differential between 7 and 10mph is pretty small peanuts :-)

After modding the fan controller and putting on a resonator and  blue tech air filter the mileage went up a bit.

Tried flat ground fully charged battery runs with our solara tow car at 60.  Well over 10mpg.  Could not stand going that slow.

Back to 70 towing. Average 8.1 using every bit of the power always if needed,

A conservative driver who does not race up hills can get way over 9 up and down hills.

Flat ground, no wind and 65 mph towing 10mpg is likely.

At least with our m11 with everything serviced and adjusted.

Just for bragging rights.  The TSD fuel discount will reduce the fuel costs more than the mods I did I am sure.

The combination of better mpg and power and the lower fuel prices and the TSD card should yield substantial savings compared to when we first got our new to us coach six years ago.

Mo' better

imho most all diesels run the same on the flat. in the hills, no matter the
engine, when you lose your mojo, you're done.

wife:  No slides - No problems

noname:  Mechanical C8.3 has no electrical wires, except for fuel solenoid & intake pre-heat.  12-volts is not needed to run engine, making this a very simple workhorse engine.

We have been all over the country from Key West to Alaska and Newfoundland to San Diego in over 20 years of owning our 30,000 lb 36' U270 with a mechanical C8.3.

We tow a 5,700 lb Jeep Grand Cherokee with zero problems and zero over heating coolant.  Never had an issue driving uphill on Rocky Mountains or any steep climb. 

We would not trade our simple coach / engine for any other Foretravel.

Change original muffler for resonator, replace fuel lift pump to release the engine power.  Install boost & EGT gauge if your want to monitor performance.

Every engine will drive you at highway speeds on flat roads.  Head up a mountain and for that short time on the uphill, we drive slower, maybe 50, 40, even 30 mph.  On a slow twisty up hill we once hit 20 mph, but always get up without any issues. 

Every diesel shop can work on this engine, but there is no work to be done as it just goes and goes.  We have 170,000 on odomenter.

2002 U320 36ft with 230k Out toad is a 2010 Buick Enclave... Out of Las Vegas and headed to Baker we hit 55-60 (since they moved the Agriculture station we cant get the run we had before so 50-55 Max)...Usually loaded with water and at least 4ppl and gear..

Mileage is not a problem with a person who has taken the maintenance serious. Not much loft on mine that is original.. All front seals changed, water pump changed, Turbo changed (and rebuilt the old one) Cleaned radiator and Cooler 2 yrs ago and replaced all hoses and coolant.. Alternator rebuilt.. Plan is to get a newer one sometime in the next year or so... When I sell this one I want the next owner to be able to drive it forever (as long as they do their maintenance) ..I do not like having junk but worse than that is I dont like selling junk.. Oil and fluids changed and all work is done by me..I know it was done and done correctly. New bags, 6 packs rebuilt and so on and on.... its my hobby..

1 thing I will add.. Had a 99 Allegro bus.. Not sure of engine (cat I think).. Slow on a slight incline but we still enjoyed it... Now my wife says I drive our motorhome like a sport car..I thought all 2 doors were sports cars? NO.. this one has 1 so its on another level.. maybe an indy car? With ectra windows?

Gen has 7500 or so hours... I added 1200ah lithium and 1200w solar.. will be adding some more soon..

Point is 99% of us on this forum take pride of ownership to another level... You will find that Foretravel is one if not the best coaches out there..

Buy off the forum 1st ( if you find a model you like.) anything above that you will be gambling if it was taken care of or not.. I am 3rd owner of mine and I have known the 2nd owner for all my life ...Yes I got lucky.. wont tell you how I tripped into ownership..Irish luck I guess

Not a thing wrong with 8.3 mechanical Cummins. We have been all over the Rockies and the Sierras with a 31k 40' with a 8.3 ISC towing a 5 K towed. We all get there, even the gas coaches. 

As a Foretravel sales manager long ago I made up a personality test that worked pretty well.

On a yellow pad I drew a basic four lane intersection,  4 crossing 4.

I then drew a car outline in the curb lane.  And had the customer envision coming up to the intersection behind the car at the light.

My question was whether the customer would change lanes to fill the empty lane or sit behind the car already there and not pay attention much to the empty lane.

Type "a" versus type "b"?  You tell me.

Plus where we were in Orange County everywhere out of our location required going up 6% interstate grades.

No one every bought a second rv or later rv from me without upgrading the engine. Not one....,.