Hello,
My wife and I, OK mostly me, are thinking about getting a Foretravel coach. We have been to MOT a few times looking around. We have seen the coach in the link below. There are things about the floorplan that we both like. Does anyone know anything about this one? Wondering if there is something that my untrained eye is missing. I am kind of puzzled as to why it has been at MOT for as long as it has.
There are a few things about the coach that I can see: co-pilot seat needs recovering; the exterior graphics are faded; it needs tires; the carpet looks dated. We are willing to work around those items.
I did see some of the Rokloc bolts were either replaced or new bolts were added.
thanks
Mike
2000 Foretravel U320 4010 | Motorhomes of Texas (https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/Pre-owned-Inventory-2000-Foretravel-Motorhome-U320-4010-U320-8065323?ref=list)
Looks like it was recently reduced. It is just now getting into its price range probably. I just drove our kids 2000 U320 from Virginia back to Oklahoma to put it in the garage for the winter and it drove like a dream even though it's 20 years old.
One thought on the seating arrangement. If you watch much TV, the couches are in a terrible position for long term watching.
We have a recliner and an opposing sofa, the TV is in the front, like this one. The recliner is great but the sofa is only comfortable watching if you are laying down on it. Barb spends a lot of time at the dining table working on crafts and me in recliner When she wants to watch TV I get the couch. The opposing sofas would not work well for us.
I like the sweet desk! I agree front mounted TV is really a poor location - kills my neck.
Ditch the curb side love seat, replace with a lift cabinet flat screen installation like recently discussed here:
TV Lift cabinet project (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=41450)
I know it was there last May when I dropped my 2000 u320 off for consignment
It had been reduced months ago when I first flew out to inspect mine. Things are so crazy for MOT that they're advertising on Facebook that they want to consign your coach yet they can't move this one for the life of them. Something is up with it...maybe just an extremely stubborn owner
Yea, that is what I was thinking. That it has been there that long as well.
I did straight up and ask Jeff this same question. Any idea why this one has been here this long? His only response was that he did not know of any specific reasons.
Oh, I forgot to add, it does not have washer dryer hookups Does that make a difference in your mind?
We have lived in three Foretravels since 2000 and washed clothes several times per week. Never been elsewhere to wash clothes. So,no clothes washer/dryer would not work for us.
You need to read between the lines with Jeff. He was my salesman too and called me the day mine became available saying it was a tight rig that I needed to check out. It was good advice.
I do not think the lack of washer/dryer hookups is an issue. A lot of folks don't use theirs... we are considering taking ours out for the additional storage space. We have been full-time for three years without one
It was originally listed higher than it is listed as right now.
So we did take it out on a test drive. I had never driven a coach before so I am not sure if my expectations were good or not. I thought the drivetrain responded well. I was taken back by the retarder when I touched the brakes. It seemed too much. After I turned it off, the brakes seemed to behave more as anticipated. I don't know if this was how I was working the pedal, the natural feel of air brakes (I was expecting more feel to the brake pedal), or something else.
The coach however did seem to wander a bit. Unfortunately, I did not drive another to compare. When were parked again, I looked at the tires. They were aged out. Also the fronts were two different brands. No attention was paid to the air pressures before we performed the test drive. It seems to my unknowing mind, that these two things could have attributed to the wandering.
As a 2000 the steering gear is at the age where it could start leaking and need to be rebuilt. If it hasn't been done recently that could attribute to some of the wandering. Worn out shocks and steering/suspension components could also attribute to wandering. But tires and improper air pressure could be a big factor also. If interested in this coach verify these (a good inspection should find these items) and figure that cost into your offer. Remember that a low price might seem like a great deal but you may spend more than you realize getting items fixed.
Based on the stock number this would be a consignment coach so the owner would be the one to negotiate any repairs or adjustments with.
The retarder action is fully adjustable, using the little joystick on the switch panel to the left of the driver seat. It goes from completely OFF to max engagement in several steps. Surprised the sales person did not brief you on that unique Foretravel feature.
Pretty much every owner that has a hydraulic retarder ends up loving it.
But those of us who don't have one manage to live a full and productive life in spite of being mechanically deprived.
Much like the Aqua Hot, there's plenty of information on internet to scare a newbie away from the retarder but once you've owned it, you can't imagine living without it. I would probably give up my AH before I gave up my retarder...maybe.
"Oh, I forgot to add, it does not have washer dryer hookups." Since the hookups are standard (I think) I would assume that they actually are there somewhere. I suppose they could be deleted from a new build, or removed by an owner, but I can't think why either of those things would be done. We have the hookups in our coach, but they are hidden behind some cedar. Since we use the closet for other stuff, the lack of washer/dryer doesn't matter to us. Usually the washer/dryer is behind a louvered door. I didn't see one in any of the pics, but I don't think everything is shown there.
I was at motorhome of Texas a few months ago and looked at a few coaches in the front lot I didn't go across the street to the back lot. since I have poor internet right now I can't download the pictures to see if this is the same one I went in, but there was a one slide 320 that when I walked in had a terrible mildew smell. My guess is it didn't sell because they were asking too much money for it. If you like the coach tally up approximately everything that you think needs to be replaced or repaired divided by half and reduced the price by that and make an offer. Or you can look on the forums here in the classified section to see what's available. It may involve a little bit more travel but when you're talking about a commitment of spending anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 it might be worth it. I'm not saying I wouldn't buy from motorhome of Texas, I would if it had the right coach and I was in the market but I would try to buy from a forum member first if possible. I think you'll get a better price and a better coach. You may not have all those fancy decorative accents that they put in there to sell it but you don't need that. the one nice thing about motorhome of Texas is it's a nacogdoches which is the mecca for getting these coaches repaired be it at a high dollar per hour rate. Really if you're looking at a used foretravel the best place to start I think is right here in the classified section and if you don't see what you want now wait a little bit something will come up. It's really not something that should be rushed. When the right coach comes you'll know it. If you buy the wrong coach it could end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars more. And whatever you do don't finance it if you can't pay for it in Cash Walk away. these things cost enough without adding financing charges to it assuming you could even get a loan for 20-year-old coach. At least that's my words of wisdom for today. Good luck.
Bob
Another thing on seeing what is needed. The first Foretravel that I bought many years ago after having owned 2 GMC coaches I thought I had figured out what was needed. Once I had purchased I found more items that I had over looked
This coach looks to be a one-off custom build. Maybe based on the CAI floor plan, with several changes, such as having the fridge moved rearward to accommodate the slide room. It also appears to be nearly identical to ours, from the captains chair back to the fridge. If you're a large person, the fridge in the aisle might be a bit inconvenient to get into, although this coach appears to have a bit move room than ours; I'm a 46" chest and 35" waist and have gotten used to it... petite DW loves it. Also, a private toilet can be an issue for the same reason; I wouldn't mind having a tad more room but it isn't a problem for me. Suggestions to relocate the TV to the curbside wall are the way to go, IMO. We did that and watching TV is now enjoyable from any sofa or dining seating position, slide in or out. An added benefit of moving the TV from the OH console is that I no longer bang my head on it when entering; that got real old, fast.
My 20 cents (due to inflation): If you like this floor plan above all others, you may want to get serious about making an offer on it. You may not find another like it. There may not be another like it. This is why we bought the one we have. Even though it was in lesser condition than this one, and needed a lot of work, we made some concessions buying it because we both loved the floor plan and features. We have no regrets. YMMV
Happy hunting,
Greg
We looked at a coach 11 years ago that had been at FOT for 18 months. James Triana finally shared the list of things that needed attention sooner than later and it was long. It was a consignment coach like this one, owner died, kids wanted it gone but wouldn't sell it for less than they owed on it so it sat. We moved on.
Photos are hard to see detail but it looks pretty clean. Washer/dryer water and electric are there just hidden in the floor of the closet. Miles are on the low side but OK. Price is OK. If you like the floorplan then determine what needs to be done now (tires, AH service etc) and considering that and make an offer. Good idea to do lube, fluids and filters all around right off the bat to have a good starting point.
If you buy it stay at MOT or nearby for a few days to make sure ll is functioning and you understand how it works. Use it as is for a year or so before you start making changes. You don't need to do everything all at once other than safety and operational stuff. Make changes that improve your life in the coach and it takes some time to figure out what that is.
Good luck.
I personally do not like that plan as it looks like a waiting room, but as said that is only my opinion. Having said that I believe that the asking price is fair when you think the engine and tranny would alone cost that price. Decals date a coach but can be removed and painted. As Roger said leave remodelling alone and just make sure it is safe to drive, then go from there.
I think that this interior design has stopped it from being popular for sale, but it looks to be a good coach from what you can see. In pictures.
JohnH