I'm retired, we travel in a Sprinter. When the bride retires I'd like to travel full time for a few years. I'm looking at high end pushers from the 90s that are fully depreciated. I've owned 50 cars and worked on everything with moving parts. Nothing scares me.
Today I learned the 1987-1996 Grand Villa's are actually pushers. I waved past bunches of them in my search because i thought they were front engine.
Turns out, the size, lack of slides (i hate slides) and middle door make them just about perfect.
What are some things to look for unique to these coaches? Are parts for the rear cooling system easy to source?
What generator did they come with with?
thanks
Welcome to Foreforums!
Some info on drivetrain, etc., are in our wiki Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs)
Welcome New Members,
You have come to the right place to learn about Foretravel coaches. This Forum provides excellent sources of info, all of which is available for free! Since you are apparently just starting the process of looking closely at these coaches, the links below may help you narrow your focus, and will answer some of the initial questions you asked.
In the excellent ForeForums Foretravel Wiki you will find photos of early model coaches, specs, floor plans and equipment lists for different model years, and in some cases factory brochures.
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs)
In our Forum Library we have assembled the world's largest collection of Foretravel specific technical information. If you are a DIY type person, then you will appreciate the invaluable info pertaining to all of the systems and components that make up a vintage Foretravel coach.
https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?media/album/foretravel-library.165/
Once you've looked through those resources, when (not if) you have specific questions we'll be happy to answer.
Cheers
Love my 1993 U300 Grand Villa. We had it for 9 years and we are at just under 240,000 miles. Find one that has been well maintained and it will take good care of you. We drive ours across the country annually without hesitation. We updated it over the years so it's perfect for our use.
This was also our first motor home. Research here on the forum for a year before we bought one led us to want only a FT. We actually thought we wanted a 2,000 era U320 but when my coach popped up we jumped on it. We will enjoy it until we hang up the keys.
Without this Forum we would never own a FT. You definitely found the right place for all things FT. You will be amazed at the wealth of experience and time generosity of the members to help fellow members with any FT issues.
Welcome and good hunting.
I would stay with the ORED for the early buses. Much better structure and parts .
While the 8 airbag coaches drive better , the ORED won't rust away .
I have extensive up grades done and totally love the result .
Depending on where they are stored and used along with when they are used, they all can rust away. Northern and coastal all show their signs of corrosion. Here is a 2019 already on its way to rustiness. There were more pictures of the basement when it was first posted.
Used 2019 Foretravel Realm Fs6 in Sarasota, FL - 5033728891 - RV Trader (https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2019-Foretravel-REALM+FS6-5033728891#sid=696107)
As you were originally looking at a bus, I think the U series would be a better fit.
We love our '93 35' U300. Not perfect in many respects but outside of a couple of airbags, we have had zero coach related expenses. Only solar and the usual LED changeover, battery replacement, etc. It checked off the boxes on our must list with the Detroit 6V92TA, 35 feet and the most important point, NO RUST to speak of. In about 17 years of ownership, DIY has meant just oil changes, new tires and lots of good times.
Different models come with different generators. A U300 or U280 will have a 20Kw diesel generator. Propane generators in other models.
In a search for a Foretravel, don't even consider a coach with any kind of rust. A Northerner's idea of rust free is light years away from what we consider rust free in the Southwest. So, even if it's free, walk away or your DIY skills will be needed quite a bit of the time.
Biggest faults are: Lack of corrosion protection, poor hydraulic radiator fan design, only 4 speeds in our model, poor engine installation of accessories, belt alignment, lack of proper block heater, etc., front body flex with windshield movement and possible breakage. No real parts or shop manual with only electrical schematics available to download. No spare tire compartment.
Best features: Great interior woodwork and fairly good floorplan, great view from driver and passenger's seats. Great engine with good mpg, Jake brake, disk brakes. Warm, solid feeling to come home to after a day exploring.
Pick a rust free (early to mid '90s) coach (and none are really rust free) and you may enjoy years of travel without many problems. Foretravels are toward the top of the list for older RVs as long as you, like any brand of RV, do your own work. $20K can buy a heck of a good coach. This excellent forum really helps with any problem you may come across.
Pierce
I can't speak for parts because I haven't needed many but I totally agree that the fully depreciated late 80's to mid 90's Grand Villas can be a tremendous bargain in today's choices of class A motor homes.
I say "can be" because some may need extensive/expensive repairs but a thorough inspection by a knowledgeable person would identify any such issues.
Some have been upgraded with solar. As has been mentioned, rust is something I would shy away from.
As for generators, I think most will have an oil or LP powered Onan that will last as long as the coach.
If you plan on really using the generator you want Diesel and large enough to be water cooled. Both Onan and PowerTech are great units.
For extended winter camping the Hydronic systems that use Diesel are also an advantage over propane. However, they are more complicated to support.
If you plan to tow a toad please check into towing capacity on whatever you look at. A lot were pretty low in early years till 2000
All will flat tow up to about 3500#. Use towd brakes.
The data plate might not show accurate towing weights.
The early GV do not
But officer I understand that I'm 400 lbs overweight. But it pulls it just fine. I never would have hit them if they hadn't pulled out in front of me. Really. I can show a comment on the internet Forum to prove it.
Yep it will pull and stop but Foretravel took on the liability of what is qualified to do and if its rated wrong that's still the legal tow limit until Foretravel changes it. If operated outside of its certified declared limits you now assume that responsibility and associated liability insurance. 1998 u320 5000 lbs ? Crazy. Just something to think about
Right
Pretty sure that in total weights show at least 3000 combine weight above bus.
Some data plates don't show any combine weights .
Edit. Tag. : My gross is 26.5
Combine wt 26.5.
So
Here's a old post that might be of interest: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19822.msg141688#msg141688)
Regarding tow weight, my VIN placard doesn't show a Combined weight but the spec sheet says it's 36000 lbs. (U300 model)
I do not know the older ones but the 99 36' is my favorite.
I have a 98, only 5K tow and entry door is a little smaller on mine.
I luv my 98
Down in the Sac Valley, I've seen a U300/U280 pull a big construction trailer with a Case 580 and lots of other equipment on it on the highway. Lots of dual PUs pulling monster trailers with cars, etc on the trailer. Everything goes well until you get in a accident. Our hitch looks as if it could pull a loaded cement mixer. Our U300 routinely pulled a construction trailer from North Carolina to Oklahoma with the PO.
Pierce
It's not an apples to apples comparison. New truck Manufacturers have provided engineering and a desire to take on the additional liability to allow increased CGWR to sell trucks.
2024 & 2023 Ram 3500 Towing Capacity
Both the 2023 Ram 3500 and 2024 Ram 3500 can tow a maximum of 37,090 pounds1 when equipped with the High-Output 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 engine. Although this is the maximum amount that can be towed by the model, the two other engine options in the 2023 and 2024 lineups can also tow a hefty amount. For example, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6 engine can allow you to attach and tow 22,660 pounds when properly equipped. The standard 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine allows towing of up to 18,210 pounds when properly equipped.
Foretravel could have increased as they did in 2005 to a higher tow capacity. 18,000 lbs. Different tires and axles and a signature to allow. I once towed a 44,000 lbs Fairchild F-27 with a 3/4 suburban. No possible way to stop it though. Just because you can do it doesn't make it right. U300 as I recall had a very high tow capacity configured correctly?