Hello all,
We are considering a purchase of a 1996 U270. After reading the forums here and talking to Brett, I know that I had to look for bulkhead damage. Thank you so much to Brett and all for the incredible knowledge base. I took a few pictures of the coach. The propane compartment showed significant rusting on the side wall. This compartment is in the front just behind the bulkhead joint on the front right. Can you please look at the photos and let me know if you think there is bulkhead damage/separation on this coach?
I have captured quite a few videos and photos here in:
1996 U270 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/FeXDAaEhLhVHXigL7)
I will really appreciate any help with reviewing this.
Regards
Hemant
Hemant,
From the pictures, looks like this coach is from up north/salted roads. I have seen worse, and also a lot better.
Also be sure to verify maintenance items needed at that age coach-- things like air bags, rebuild steering box, age of batteries, tires, air dryer, etc. Be sure to open the air system wet tank drain (in front of the left rear tire) to verify that only clean, dry air comes out. If the air dryer desiccant has gotten into the air system, it can be a MAJOR expense.
Obviously, price enters into the equation. I always look at the total price in "ready for the road condition". Not particularly concerned as to whether the coach is low price and needs all those things, or higher price with them done.
Brett,
Thanks a lot for your response and the suggestions. The tires and batteries are new but airbags will likely need replacing. I will look through all the details. The asking price is around 28k but looking at it and based on your feedback, it looks like it will need some exterior work. It also needs new airbags, suspensions and may be a few other things. It does need some interior changes (minor and personal preference). Not sure what a coach that age should cost but I guess at this stage I am considering passing this in favor of something else.
Thank you again for all the help. I would have not known to look under the coach for rust etc at all!
Regards
Hemant
You know what's humorous? I've looked in our fuel tank/propane bay thousands of times and never noticed the forward wall is bare metal. :facepalm:
So thanks for enlightening me on that point. I'm not crazy about the looks of that propane bay wall. Possibly due to salty water splashing up through the ventilation hole?
As for the bulkheads - are there any bolt heads missing? Hard to tell for sure from your photos. If so, would require further investigation.
Hello Chuck and Jeannie,
Yes - that is the part that bothered me the most and is making me move away as of now. I did not notice any bolts missing.
Regards
Hemant
Often with broken Rolock bulkhead bolts, the bolt heads will still be there-- held by a little rust and perhaps 1/2 of a thread. They commonly break where they thread into the first side of the box beam, but leave the bolt head in place. That is why you put a torque wrench on them-- to confirm that they are still intact..
Bret has already told you how to check bulkhead bolts.. The steel wall in the propane compartment is prone to rust.. Water can get in thru the vent and also kicked up from the steer tire.. That rust can be repaired by removing propane tank and use a needle scaler to remove the rust up to solid metal then treat. My understanding is it is not a load bearing piece..If rust stops at that it could be in decent shape BUT that rust causes a need to look closely at other areas.
Think another misconception is "it needs airbags",just because the airbags are not new does not mean it needs them,if they all have holes and leak,then it needs them,if the outside has some visible wear and small cracks,it does not need new ones,I changed the
rears myself last year and cut one open to look,looked like new inside.Keep in mind when looking for a coach,if you plan on doing
the work yourself then get one that needs alot of work,if your going to pay a shop to do the work then get one where the work has already been done.Many of our members have the airbags changed,next time anyone has this done ask them for the bags back
and look at the inside.
When we got our coach a few years back it was similar to the first picture,if the rust has not gone far it's an easy fix,grind away all you can and use Rust Bullet as per instructions,I also made some front mudflaps to cover that area,and don't drive in the winter.
I completely agree.
But, at 24 years old, they, like many rubber components ARE near the end of their reasonable life.
Do they need to be replaced immediately-- likely not. But, when looking at the cost of getting a 24 year old coach road ready for the next few years, they SHOULD be taken into consideration.
Simple math. The cost of changing the air bags now as opposed to having one or more done on an emergency basis while on the road somewhere can be considerable.
I prefer doing preventative work in my yard rather than have to pay for a tow and a mechanic who just "throws" parts at a problem because he isn't familiar with a Foretravel coach.
I sometimes think that when they see a Foretravel coach come in their first thought is:"OBOY!! This will make my week/month!"
Thank you all again for great advice. In the end, I concluded that with the cost that we could foresee putting into this one (including interiors), we are better off with something that meets our criteria better. I will keep all these suggestions in mind while narrowing down on one.
Regards
Hemant
There are better FT's out there. Good hunting!
Several over in the "Classified" section of the Forum worth looking at.
Most appear to have some history with them.