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Topic: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300 (Read 1501 times) previous topic - next topic

1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Hi all
New to the board. I have done alot of searching on here, it's been a big help on alot of things but not able to find all I was looking for. I have owned 2 RV's and to Buses that my wife and I have converted to RV's. I landed a deal on the 93 Grand Villa U300 40 foot. Has the Detroit Diesel with a Allison HT 746. Looking to hear from some of you that owned or still do or know people that have owned. Like to hear the good and the bad, (I have big shoulders bring it on). One thing I'm trying to find out is the over all height. From the ground to top of the air units. Plus any other specifications that you all would like to share would be great.

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #1 –
I don't have any U300 experience, but most all the info can be found on this fantastic site... here is a link to the brochure section where you can find most of the relevant specs: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #2 –
Busnut,

Welcome to the forum. Have sent PM to you.

Pierce
1993 U300/36
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Busnut –
Hi all
New to the board. I have done alot of searching on here, it's been a big help on alot of things but not able to find all I was looking for. I have owned 2 RV's and to Buses that my wife and I have converted to RV's. I landed a deal on the 93 Grand Villa U300 40 foot. Has the Detroit Diesel with a Allison HT 746. Looking to hear from some of you that owned or still do or know people that have owned. Like to hear the good and the bad, (I have big shoulders bring it on). One thing I'm trying to find out is the over all height. From the ground to top of the air units. Plus any other specifications that you all would like to share would be great.


Figure 137"-138" to the top of regular profile air units at operating pressure.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #4 –
My '92 U280 is 11'6' to the top of the A/C's.  Flexible antennae extend higher, but they're not an issue.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #5 –
I have a 1994 U300  6V92 -  Make sure you use only  40 or 50 weight Delo 100 or Rotella  oil in that engine. Multi grade oil will not hold up nor is it specified for that engine. We  have NO issues with our Coach and feel it is a classic...
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #6 –
Kent & Peggy Speers have the '93 U300 with the Detroit.  He will be chiming in soon, I am sure.  He has lots that he can tell you!
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #7 –
I driven lots of heavy duty commercial vehicles with the Detroit Diesel 6V92.  I can only say two things bad about it.  The older ones leaked oil badly (newer ones did not), and they were two stroke diesels that if they started rolling backwords while in a forward gear, they would reverse and run backwards.  And what was not good because it would cause the oil to pump backwards out of the engine.  Did not happen often, and I only had it happen to me once during my career.  You need to be prepared to turn it off very quickly, without trying to get it off the road.  Turn it off right where you are at!  After turning it off, it is okay to restart it, provided it did not run backwards long enough to do damage.

And the current diesel motor oils are not backward compatible to the special single weight motor oil CF2 classification for the Detroit Diesel two stroke engine requirements.  You need the CF2 classification.
See:  http://brandon314.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/detroitdiesel_lube-oil-fuel-requirements.pdf,  2.2 TWO-STROKE CYCLE ENGINES on page 2.3.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #8 –
Pat makes a couple of good points about Detroit 2 cycles. Our fire service Detroits did leak a little oil but not much more than the Hall-Scotts. The 92 series is drier underneath than the Allison transmission. The GM buses had the engine turned part way on it's side and with the stamped tin valve covers and only 2 hold downs, oil ran out and down on the exhaust manifold and the rear of the bus unless it was constantly checked.

Yes, if you stalled the rig leaving from an uphill stop sign and rolled back while in gear, it could start up and run backwards. Oil pump would operate backwards and the engine exhaust would come out the air cleaner. Automatic transmissions eliminate this possibility plus the "ignition" key turns the DDEC computer and electronic fuel injectors off.

Here is the latest bulletin from Chevron concerning engine oil. 2 cycle operators only need to read the last paragraph: Delo 400  Delo 100 is probably the lowest as far as ash content goes but several other brands are within the ash content specs including Shell Rotella SAE 40 or 50 (non-multigrade). Would think straight synthetics would also be OK but would want to do some research before changing to them.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa u300

Reply #9 –
I want to thank eveyone for all the helpful information. I'm sure I'll have more questions as the days go by