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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: bikerdavet on October 27, 2023, 08:57:49 am

Title: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: bikerdavet on October 27, 2023, 08:57:49 am
Hello Foretravel owners.  I have been lurking here for a few years and enjoyed the knowledge and insight of the community. We are getting closer to retirement and beginning or search for a used U320. I came across this one on RVTrader.  I know from reading many posts that we need to ask many questions prior to looking at this unit. So 2 questions. Does anyone know this coach?  Question 2. In one of the pictures the bottom of the slide it looks like it has aluminum or stainless attached. Would this have come from the factory like this? If not then I would just pass and keep looking.  We very much like this floorplan.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2002-Foretravel-U320+4020+AGDS-5027271147

Thanks you for your input.

Dave
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: Jeff & Sandy on October 27, 2023, 09:13:21 am
I saw this coach last week at Hilton Head Motorcoach resort in Hilton Head, it is a beautiful coach on the outside. The owner was showing it to a few buyers while we were there. I did not see the interior or speak to the owner.
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: Michelle on October 27, 2023, 10:20:19 am
Question 2. In one of the pictures the bottom of the slide it looks like it has aluminum or stainless attached. Would this have come from the factory like this? If not then I would just pass and keep looking. 

Are you referring to photo 27, where there's a rectangle of metal on the underside of the slide?  Yes, that's how the slides were built originally.

Best Glue for metal flat strip under big slide (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22594.0)

Pretty coach, especially the paint colors.  A couple of things to note - it's had no updates (headlights, fridge, potentially not front TV (there's no photos of that area) or front blind, carpet and sofa/slide fabric, window blinds.  Figure somewhere in the $3-5K range to do each of those updates. 
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: bikerdavet on October 27, 2023, 11:24:26 am
Are you referring to photo 27, where there's a rectangle of metal on the underside of the slide?  Yes, that's how the slides were built originally.

Best Glue for metal flat strip under big slide (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22594.0)

Pretty coach, especially the paint colors.  A couple of things to note - it's had no updates (headlights, fridge, potentially not front TV (there's no photos of that area) or front blind, carpet and sofa/slide fabric, window blinds.  Figure somewhere in the $3-5K range to do each of those updates. 

Yes Michelle, the metal on the underside of the slide.  Thank you for clarifying that it's factory installed. 

I did notice no updates or mention of service records.  I have been reading posts on costs of upgrades and maintenance. Bulk heads, fuel lines, air bags, shocks, tires, refrigerator and the list goes on. Without need for any major engine or transmission work I come to budget number of 30K for any coach we might purchase.  From that number I can back out some costs for work that has been performed. That assumes I am handy and have a place to do the work I can handle.  I am handy and have a place to do some of the items listed. Not sure what bulkhead repair is now but I read posts that indicated and easy 5K and not a G+DIY project for me. Same with slide bladdres. 

I am sure there are many things I do not know. This forum has been a wealth of information and insight. And the ability to search and find real information on most any subject is invaluable. But again for as much as I have learned there is still to much I don't know without asking for help.   

Trying to purchase a U320 with eyes wide open.

Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: Michelle on October 27, 2023, 11:50:15 am
A couple of things that you mention to note on a 2002 and newer:

I don't believe anyone with a 2002 or newer has had to change fuel lines yet.  There was some discussion years ago that the material may have changed starting with that year.

Ditto the bulkheads starting with that year (it was a major redesign year).  That said, reconstruction of the bottom basement frame is not unheard of in that era coach.  I seem to recall that's also in the $3-5K range if it's an issue.

2002 has a unique train slide mechanism.  You might want to read up on it.  It's not a negative, just a one-year use/design.  Brad Slaughter has some good posts on it.

And before I forget, welcome to Foreforums  ^.^d
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: Falconguy on October 27, 2023, 01:07:47 pm
Just a quick observation, the floor plan shown in the ad is a 42 foot coach. The coach in the pics appears to be a 40 foot coach. The AGDS floor plan in my opinion is one of the better options because it puts the refrigerator on the street side which moves the galley back and opens up the living room. Also, the wardrobe slide opens up the bath into the bedroom which makes it seem much larger. Regarding the train slide system, they can be problematic. Having said that I will say that most of the problems I have encountered were caused by the people working on it. If you decide on this unit, or any 2002 and have slide issues, do yourself a favor and go to HWH and have it worked on. In the long run you will be time and money ahead. Bottom line we love our 2002, we have owned it for 11 years and put almost 100K miles on it.
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: Michelle on October 27, 2023, 01:56:19 pm
Just a quick observation, the floor plan shown in the ad is a 42 foot coach. The coach in the pics appears to be a 40 foot coach.

Great catch!  Yes, the floorplan shown in the ad is incorrect.  It's definitely a 40'.

The 42' AGDS would have a large pantry cabinet next to the fridge, a double pantry next to the cooktop, and a curved shower enclosure: 

Media [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki] (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:2002)
Title: Re: Looking at this 2002 U320
Post by: bikerdavet on October 27, 2023, 04:08:45 pm
Thank you all for your observations and insights.  I appreciate all the feedback and knowledge.

Dave