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1993 Grandvilla for fulltiming rig?

March 21, 2011, 01:27:17 pm

Hi, I have been reading the various messages on the forum and it seems there are quite a few owners of older Foretravel's .
We may have a contract on the house and if everything goes, plan on fulltiming for a unknown period of time, we are both 67 and in fairly good health though my wife has some mobility issues from knee implants.  We currently have a 27ft Holiday Rambler TT that after staying a month in AZ is to small and no comfortable seating.  I have found a 1993 FT Grandvilla with about 125K on the 8.3 Cummins and 6 speed trans, my concern is not replacing things like the refrigerator it is more the possible expensive repairs to engine and transmission.  I know there are a lot of variables and not knowing how well it was maintained I would like the forums opinion on us taking off to tour the USA with this old of rig.  I have a 2002 Ford F250 7.3 PSD with 60K on it and trying to decide on the Ford and a FW or a MH.  Don't want to spend a fortune as we feel at the most we have about 8 years of travel a head of us.  Also I figure the Ford would pull about 8 to 10mpg with a FW what could I expect out of the FT driveing 55 to 60 southwest and northwest USA.

thanks
Bill

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Re: 1993 Grandvilla for fulltiming rig?

Reply #1 – March 21, 2011, 01:49:07 pm

I'm sure you'll get a lot of good advice on this question but here's my take.  I moved to the same engine/trans combo in a Foretravel.  My 2000 Ford powerstroke never missed a beat and would pull anything but the ride was kind of brutal, the cabin of the truck pretty confining.  The Foretravel has a cadillac ride, very low noise, easily handled, and the view out that big front glass is fabulous.  The Ford is now for sale.  Fuel mileage is very close to being equal between the two so it was a pretty simple decision.

I'd suggest a couple items be check pre purchase.  An Allison dealer can do an analysis on your trans including fluid analysis and give you a pretty good idea what shape it's in.  A Cummins dealer can check out the engine, be sure oil and coolant analysis is done.  If there are internal corrosion issues you will want to know about them and probably look elsewhere.  Other expenses are tires, they have a safe lifespan even if they are knee deep in tread.  This is a major cost. 

Does the Foretravel you're looking at have a trans retarder or other form of aux brake?  This is something you want if mountain driving is in your plans.  I'd check under the coach to make sure it hasn't been living on a beach, look for excessive rust and corrosion.  There is a potential bulkhead separation issue that you should check for, if it's minor it's easily fixed.  Barry Beam on this forum has a checklist to go over with a ton of detail.  Like you I'm willing to take a chance on things like AC unit replacement, refrigerators and such, depending on the deal but you want to make sure your drivetrain is rock solid.  These are well made vehicles and if you're willing to do some of your own repairs and maintenance I'm confident they will run pretty much forever.  Good luck to you, find a good one and you'll never look back.

Chuck

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Re: 1993 Grandvilla for fulltiming rig?

Reply #2 – March 21, 2011, 01:50:20 pm

Bill,

MPG on that coach will be about the same as your truck/FW.

As you suggest, at that age, its maintenance over the years will determine if it will be a reasonably reliable coach or a problem child.

We don't hesitate to take our 1993 U240 on cross country trips.  Yet to have a major issue in the 150,000+ miles.  Minor stuff, of course.

Is this an ORED or U280?

Brett

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Reply #3 – March 21, 2011, 02:00:42 pm

Thanks of the input Chuck it does have the retarder.
Brett its a ORED, it is listed on PPL in Houston and has been there for several months, we are 200 miles away but if this contract gets signed may have to go take a look.

Bill

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Reply #4 – March 21, 2011, 02:57:15 pm

Bill,

I think the key issues you want to check out are engine and transmission, brakes, tires and batteries.  I do not know if the 1993 coaches have the bulkhead issue.  As to PPL,  I have been there, but not as a motorhome buyer.  I have read more negative comments about them than positive.  I wish you were looking at a coach from Motorhomes of Texas or Foretravel of Texas (the factory).  You would be treated much better at those two locations.  I would also pay someone to give the '93 coach a very thorough examination.  There are folks here who can do it or can recommend someone who can.  All motorhomes that are 18 years old are going to need various amounts of repair from time to time.

Good to see you here and we look forward to progress reports.  Best of success in your search.

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Reply #5 – March 21, 2011, 03:26:22 pm

No bulkhead issues on an ORED (Oshkosh Rear Engine Diesel).  It is on a frame rail chassis, the precursor to the Freightliner chassis.

Leaf spring suspension if I remember correctly.

I have no issues with PPL-- I have inspected multiple coaches there. 

No you will not get the personal service there that the Nacogdoches businesses give, nor the extensive Foretravel knowledge.  But, they are one of the largest consignment lots in the country and have been in business in the same location for a long time.

Brett

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Reply #6 – March 21, 2011, 05:03:41 pm

Ahh - but what kind of retarder? Trans or exh brake. My bet is on exh brake. A trans retarder on an ORED would be very nearly one of a kind.
My only concern with respect to the coach is the propane gennie. We run our 10K diesel generator constantly when on the road in the summer.

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Reply #7 – March 21, 2011, 05:09:46 pm

We have a 93 U300 and don't hesitate to take it anywhere, even deep into Mexico. We have 440K on a Mercedes 300SD without any engine/trans work. A neighbor put 620K on a 6.9 Ford without any problems so other than the constant stream of little motorhome maintenance issues, you should be fine. All the diesels are excellent and with oil changes and an eye for the normal stuff like belts, etc., it should outlive you.

A 1993 Foretravel has an excellent interior that is really easy to live with. Superb cabinet work, a large bathroom, well thought out floor plan make it a real pleasure to come home to. Excellent wiring harnesses and maintenance access are also very positive features.  It is however, a really complicated RV with computers on the transmission and engine along with a sophisticated air suspension that make this forum a must for any and all owners, especially if on a budget.

For full time owners, the taller models with the larger basement storage is a real plus.

The older motorhome market is pretty dead now (new market not much better). You should be able to pick up a nice 1993 for under $20,000. We did a couple of years ago and the market is much slower now. Ours even had new tires and two new roof airs as well as low mileage and no corrosion. Anything higher than that is not an asking price but a wishing price. $4/gal diesel is the final coup de gras. Don't let anyone try to tell you that this is anything besides a buyers market.

Perhaps the most important item on the checklist is finding a coach that has not spent time where they salt the roads in winter. A salty dog will cause nothing but trouble down the road with bulkhead separation, electrical problems, sticking brakes, etc. Too many good rigs from the South or West Coast to choose from.

Good luck.

Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36

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Reply #8 – March 21, 2011, 05:51:50 pm

We bought our first "some other brand" (SOB) DP coach via consignment at PPLMotorhomes (PPL). We sold that coach via consignment at Motorhomes of Texas (MOT). We bought our next and current DP via Craigslist. We considered all three transactions to have been excellent.

Research, a good inspection, and a fair price will serve you well.

  Best wishes to you for a good choice.

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Reply #9 – March 21, 2011, 06:34:53 pm

Chucks points are very well targeted. I have two 1993 Foretravels and would take either one to Alaska or any where else at any time if its checked out as suggested. I would take a 20 year old Foretravel over most new other brands any time. You can't beat the value.

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Reply #10 – March 21, 2011, 06:51:11 pm

We sold our 93 U225 in October for $29K. minus a credif for a roof repair that I missed on my inspection. You can find one for $20K but way to many variables to say whether that is a good deal...FWIW...Least expensive doesn't mean best deal.

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Reply #11 – March 21, 2011, 08:50:17 pm

Be sure to check "retarder" !
my '93 had a switch on the switch panel Labeled "RETARDER"
Turn out to be a 2 stage "Jake" brake.
Which is also great.
Western USA ( N/S Dakota, WA, ID, OR, CA, ) last Fall, no problems coming down 5 to 7.5% grades.
BUT....... has 6V92 engine

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Reply #12 – March 21, 2011, 09:19:27 pm

Thanks for all the great advice and encouragement, I had thought at a minimum of crawling underneath it plus have the oil analysis hadn't thought about doing the same with the trans so appreciate the tip on that.  I will do a search for MOT and look at their web site also.  I am not sold on this particular MH but I do love the body style.  I didn't think they had a lot of computer controls back in 1993!! Will have to keep that in mind.

Bill

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Reply #13 – March 22, 2011, 10:45:49 am

We have recently spent several weeks (off and on) in Nacogdoches.  I have been struck by the parade of older coaches ... '96, '95, '94, '93, '92, '90 and even an '89 and an '88 .... that I saw there.  Going strong, in for minor issues or routine maintenance, and in loving hands of owners who were as happy as clams with no plans to move into a newer coach.  Maybe I am wrong, but I just don't think this is a scenario that you see with SOB coaches ... is it?  A testimony to the solid construction and design of these machines. 

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Reply #14 – March 22, 2011, 11:00:04 am

Carol meant several MONTHS (not weeks). And I have the invoices to prove it..

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Reply #15 – March 22, 2011, 01:50:03 pm

By the way Bill, SOB means "Some Other Brand" just for clarification. It took me forever to figure out all of the acronyms.

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Reply #16 – March 22, 2011, 10:21:06 pm

Thanks Kent, but that one I knew, however the first time I used it in conversation with the wife I could tell by the look on her face I needed to explain it to her 

Bill

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