Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

Topic: Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only (Read 1606 times) previous topic - next topic

Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

November 02, 2012, 11:08:18 pm

I found a '02 U320 Foretravel with a non-repairable Tennessee title. I haven't inspected it yet, but the current owner has been using it for awhile now and its been on several 1000+ mile trips. Before purchasing, I would probably have someone like FOT or MOT take a good hard look at it to see how well it was repaired. Anyway, my question is more related to the the title. I've not been able to find anyway to reverse a non-repairable title yet even if someone took the time to repair it correctly. The current owner stated that one might be able to re-title the unit under the chassis VIN. Not sure if that's true or not. I just want to be able to drive the thing legally if it checks out. Has anyone ever had any experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks,
Benjie

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #1 – November 02, 2012, 11:33:12 pm

Sounds like a "salvage" title. The coach was totaled by the insurance company, then resold to the owner as salvage. With this kind of title you cannot get collision or comprehensive insurance, you can only get liability insurance. Even though the coach was declared a total loss by the insurance company it doesn't necessarily follow that the coach could not be repaired by someone willing to put in the time or money. That said I know of no legal way to reverse that kind of title. Something I would stay away from IMHO.

Roland

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #2 – November 02, 2012, 11:39:20 pm

A salvage title is allowed to be repaired but always carries the "stigma" on its title so that it can't be resold as if nothing ever happened. My understanding it non-repairable is the call made by the insurance company to be beyond repair and only to used as scrap. I've done quite a bit of research on this and read of situations where the damage was repairable but the insurance company for whatever reason made the call to make it "non-repairable". Agree there is risk, but if there were some way to register the thing to drive, I might be willing to at least take it a step further and get it inspected by FOT to see what they think.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #3 – November 03, 2012, 04:02:54 am

I bought our Foretravel with fire damage(refrigerator fire). The Insurance Company from the previous owner who incurred the loss had the coach title registered as SALVAGE. I gave the title to a State registered REBUILDER who then submitted the SALVAGE title to the State, the State then issued me a REBUILT title.

I called our Insurance Company ( Ameriprise/COSTCO) and was sold a full coverage policy.

I live in Illinois the process may be different in other States. A title listed as NON-REPAIRABLE may be different than SALVAGE in your State.

Good luck.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #4 – November 03, 2012, 10:23:45 am

Thanks Benjie for the private messages and email contact. I will ask my friend to contact you, give him your contact information. I think Don C may be able to help. I have heard him talk of this issue in Texas from car restoration work that a friend of his does, cars that I understand have been totaled.

For your further information, James Stallings at Xtreme has rebuilt at one time a Prevost that I think was totaled, and he has it to use. A remarkable repair story, so you might give James a call of how he handled this topic.

Mike

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #5 – November 03, 2012, 10:52:47 am

found this on google about title

http://www.tn.gov/revenue/vehicle/generalinfo/salvage.shtml

55-3-211 - Definitions for §§ 55-3-207 55-3-209, and 55-3-212. :: 2010 Tennessee

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #6 – November 05, 2012, 09:33:53 am

Thanks Jimmy, I had found those as well. It doesn't look promising. I think the only way to get around all of this is if you can prove the unit was basically rebuilt as a "kit". What I mean is that it was basically scrapped for parts and then rebuilt using only a portion of the original. I don't believe the current owner has any receipts speaking to the repairs so its probably a lost cause. Oh well, it may not have passed muster anyway given I have not idea how it was repaired. Looks pretty in the pics, but there's no telling what issues are under the paint!

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #7 – November 06, 2012, 08:57:52 pm

Insurance companies use formulas based on repair cost, salvage value and acv if repaired. Sometimes vehicles are totaled because of cosmetic damage because the cost of repair isn't justified. Title laws vary by state. I am a agent for a large company and in my state we will insure those vehicles if they have a rebuilt title but the value in a total loss is impacted by the type of title. Sometimes they are totaled because of damage that might cause a liability issue if the vehicle is in a future incident....for example motorcycles are totaled fairly easily. One of my clients lived in their coach while their house was being rebuilt after a storm. When we got around to adjusting the coach it was totaled because of gel coat and roof issues though there was no mechanical damage to the coach at all.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #8 – November 07, 2012, 05:38:42 am

I have a friend of mine who rebuilds vehicles from Ins totals, and scrap. They are as good as original, however the title issue will always reflect that was "Rebuilt or ASPT assembled from parts" here in Florida. They also have to be inspected before they are allowed to be tagged, and as such will always reflect the value at resale. In the case of a motorhome as others have said lots of things can be hiding. On the flip side done right they could be better than new.
Reguardless of how it has been repaired, I doubt the unit will ever escape the title issues.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #9 – November 07, 2012, 08:46:38 am

Bruce,

Thanks for the response. Just to be clear, I don't care what condition the title reflects as long as I can register the vehicle to drive should it pass both my inspection and the state inspections. Do you know if your friend has resurrected non-repairable titles or have they all been salvage title vehicles?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #10 – November 07, 2012, 10:21:51 am

Benjie,what was the reason for the non-repairable title.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #11 – November 07, 2012, 10:22:54 am

My understanding is collision, but I don't know what kind, what it hit, the extent, etc.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #12 – November 08, 2012, 05:42:41 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 07, 2012, 08:46:38 am

Bruce,

Thanks for the response. Just to be clear, I don't care what condition the title reflects as long as I can register the vehicle to drive should it pass both my inspection and the state inspections. Do you know if your friend has resurrected non-repairable titles or have they all been salvage title vehicles?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Salvage titles. I guess the tag issues would have to be addressed with the state you intend to register it in.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #13 – November 08, 2012, 09:17:13 am

Thanks for clarifying. I'm aware of the fact that one can resurrect a salvage title vehicle. I've yet to find anyone that has told me they've resurrected a non-repairable title. Looks like I'm going to have to pass on this one. Oh well, this may have all been moot as who knows how the coach repairs would have checked out. If anyone's in Des Moines, IA, they can check the Des Moines Craigslist and find a 2002 40' U320 listed for $69500 - 2002 40 foot Foretravel U320 .

Regards,

Benjie

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #14 – November 08, 2012, 11:29:42 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 08, 2012, 09:17:13 am

Thanks for clarifying. I'm aware of the fact that one can resurrect a salvage title vehicle. I've yet to find anyone that has told me they've resurrected a non-repairable title. Looks like I'm going to have to pass on this one. Oh well, this may have all been moot as who knows how the coach repairs would have checked out. If anyone's in Des Moines, IA, they can check the Des Moines Craigslist and find a 2002 40' U320 listed for $69500 - 2002 40 foot Foretravel U320 .

Regards,

Benjie

You said the owner has taken it on a couple of trips, how does he have it tagged?

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #15 – November 08, 2012, 11:33:45 am

He is a car dealer. He throws on dealer plates.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #16 – November 08, 2012, 04:13:49 pm

Have a acquaintance who purchased a Beaver Patriot that had a branded southern state title (very bad fire damage throught out). He rebuilt the coach and "washed" the title by re-titleing in one of the northern mid west states and then transfering it to his home state. I don't know the details and don't wish to ask, but I know it can be done. But you can get into all kinds of trouble doing it, depending on the state you plan on transfering a washed title to.

Re: Non-repairable Title on Foretravel

Reply #17 – November 09, 2012, 06:23:29 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 08, 2012, 11:33:45 am

He is a car dealer. He throws on dealer plates.

Might best leave that one alone, likely more hassle than it's worth to end up with a title you can do something with. I have a "transporter plate" that we use for vehicles we move that we can't get title or tags for. You have to keep 1M worth of liability insurance coverage to get one. As PatC says it can be done you would just have to do you research as to what State.

Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

Reply #18 – January 20, 2013, 03:05:49 am

I was surfing the net and found a nice looking Foretravel for sale.

However the first two words of the description were: "DEALER ONLY!" in all caps.

I have never seen this in an ad before. Does it mean the seller will only sell to a dealer? I can speculate that it might be a salvage title or some other defect. Any one of you experienced individuals know what this might mean?

I sent the seller a message, but have not yet had a response.

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

Reply #19 – January 20, 2013, 07:54:38 am

It's possible. I do know of one salvaged Foretravel that a dealer has that because of the salvage title insurance and registration is a problem. As such only a dealer could operate it. Usually the problem is really that you can't get financing because of the insurance issues.

Re: Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

Reply #20 – January 20, 2013, 08:07:15 am

I'm pretty sure you are talking about the 2002 double slide in Des Moines. Someone else looked into it and it was a salvage title issue.

Re: Fortravel For Sale -- Dealer Only

Reply #21 – January 20, 2013, 11:11:34 am

Quote from: Dave Head – January 20, 2013, 08:07:15 am

I'm pretty sure you are talking about the 2002 double slide in Des Moines. Someone else looked into it and it was a salvage title issue.

Dave,

Busted! It is a 2002 U320 40' with two slides for $69.99 and only 26,000 miles.

The pictures look great and the description says "Runs great."

It is on RVT.com if anyone has $70,000 cash laying around.

In fact, if anyone does have an extra $70,000 laying around and would like to earn a good interest rate from me, please send me a PM.

Thanks,

Trent

Affiliate Notice