Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Topic: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years (Read 3335 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

September 25, 2012, 11:19:49 am

Many questions have come up on what years certain things have changed in our coaches.
Thought I would start a topic for the collection of changes Foretravel has made over the years.
(Equipment locations or models, Features, etc)

Question:
What year did they move the Gen fuel lines to the outside of fuel tanks?
What is the best way to replace the gen fuel lines when they are in the middle of tank?
Does the fuel tank have to be moved out to reach?

From James Triana
Best we can tell is somewhere around 99-00 year models.
You will have to slide the tank out some to get to the fittings for the generator hoses.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #1 – September 25, 2012, 11:28:30 am

Quote from: Barry Beam – September 25, 2012, 11:19:49 am

Many questions have come up on what years certain things have changed in our coaches.
Thought I would start a topic for the collection of changes Foretravel has made over the years.
(Equipment locations or models, Features, etc)

1993: The SE (special edition) model was introduced, available as as a U-280 or a U-300 36 or 40 foot. They had special exterior graphics, designer interiors with suede leather upholstery (usually), and walk-thru bath floor plans. The coaches were no different mechanically. They just had a few more features and trinkets the make them an SE. The graphics and floor plan being the most significant differences.

Probably the most unique was the 1992 silver anniversary edition. It was the first 102" wide coach and also the first to feature the walk-thru bath.WTB floor plan. It too had special graphics. Sliver and black. It was a beautiful coach and was only offered in 1992 as a 40 foot U-300. The most interesting trivia on the 92 Silver Anniversary model was the custom angled windows. Every other Foretravel coach made had vertical side windows. The Anniversary model windows were 'angled' forward. Never repeated.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #2 – September 25, 2012, 05:20:54 pm

Barry, As far as I know 1995 was the last of the production GV's with a few after that as special order. The 95 Graphics were also unique, used only in 95 and none later. The 95 GV had a full width hatch in front as access for Dash AC while earlier GV's had two small hatches.
Gary B

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #3 – September 30, 2012, 10:47:37 am

I thought this was going to be an active topic.

A lot of this information is spread out over so many threads, it would help newbies if it was all located under one topic.

1991-1995 Grand Villa Unihome U-225 / U-240 (all mid-entry coaches)

U-240 (low-mid level, some had Oshkosh chassis with Torsilastic massive rubber suspension bands, (not air bag, jacks for leveling) 24,000 GVWR.

Length: Both were 36' Chassis: Foretravel monocoque

Engines: Cummins 5.9(230hp) / Cat 3208T (250hp) / Cat 3116 (250hp)

There were two different interior layouts: SBI and SBID. The "D" indicates a dinette on the passengers side just behind the entrance door vs a booth for two on the driver's side just in front of the galley sink. The "D" layout has always been the more popular.

The big difference between the U225 and U240 is that the U225 has a 230 HP Cummins B engine with Allison hydraulic 4 speed transmission while the U240 has the 250 HP Caterpillar (650 lb ft torque at 1650 RPM) and the Allison 6 speed.

The older Grandvilla was on a Gillig chassis with a side door. The U225 and U240's built in the 1990's were indeed Unihome construction but did not have the 'high' profile of the U280 and U300 series which also had huge  basement storage.

The U300 bumpers were:
Stainless Steel until 1990, was double stacked compared to U225 & U240.
Plastic bumpers used in 1991 (1/4" thick), unique to this year.
Went to all fiberglass in 1992 (molded into front & rear caps)

The reason the U225 and U240 coaches did not have the high profile of the U280 and the U300 is that they did not have the air suspension. They had the torsilastic suspension, better than steel springs, but way inferior to air.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #4 – September 30, 2012, 10:20:11 pm

I worked for foretravel in florida from 85-98 and the older grandvillas were on oshkosh chassis rather than gillig chassis.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #5 – October 01, 2012, 12:49:20 am

Quote from: red tractor – September 30, 2012, 10:20:11 pm

I worked for foretravel in florida from 85-98 and the older grandvillas were on oshkosh chassis rather than gillig chassis.

I will have to find my notes on who told me about the Gillig Chassis, but here is a reference to it.

Gillig: A popular chassis for expensive, high-end DPs (Beaver, Country Coach & Foretravel) until 1997 when they left the RV market to focus on their school busses. Each of these DP makers responded by developing their own proprietary chassis.
TravelRide: Foretravel's proprietary semi-monocoque chassis that came after Gillig. Another 8-bag premium chassis with excellent ride & handling characteristics.
Diesel Pusher Motorhome Chassis Comparison

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #6 – October 01, 2012, 03:33:09 pm

Barry, your note implied that Foretravel's Travelride suspension was developed after 1997 when Gillig left the motorhome market. I believe that Foretravel's Travelride suspension was developed between 1986 and 1988 and Foretravel produced motorhomes with either chassis for several years.

I found in my 1996 U320, the original "Foretravel, Inc. 1996 Product Guide". It includes pictures and information on the following 1996 models: U320, U295, U300, U280, U270. It also includes a history of Foretravel. The history indicated that in 1986 Foretravel introduced the "Grand Villa Unihome", the first motorhome to utilize a steel monocoque chassis without chassis rails. Also in 1986 Foretravel introduced the first ever 4-S Air Ride Suspension. There was no indication that monocoque and 4-S were introduced on the same chassis.

Changes in the U320 Unicoach between 1996 and 1997 included:
Tamboured doors replaced by hinged doors on upper cabinets.
Individual A/C units in curved ceiling replaced by ducted air in flat ceiling.
Single pane windows replaced by thermopane windows
Aquahot extra cost option in 1996 become standard in 1997.
Bus style cargo doors replaced upper hinged cargo doors.
Vinyl wall paper replaced walnut panelling.

Generator fuel lines on my 1996 U320. The fuel line on the passenger side was replaced to the fitting on the top of the tank, not easy to reach but do-able. The fuel line on the driver side could not be reached without removing the driver side bulk head, so I left the first two feet of hose attached to the fitting with sufficient new hose to reach the fitting. Some day i will remove bulkhead and attach new hose to fitting.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #7 – October 01, 2012, 08:32:07 pm

I don't know who said foretravel was made on gillig chassis. There may have been some, but mostly on chev and dodge gas then john deere front gas. They built the diesel pushers on oshkosh chassis and then later developed there own chassis. There was another gas chassis that had 454 chev which was put on the same frame rails as the dodge, but I can't remember what company that was.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #8 – October 02, 2012, 12:30:24 am

Quote from: red tractor – October 01, 2012, 08:32:07 pm

I don't know who said foretravel was made on gillig chassis. There may have been some, but mostly on chev and dodge gas then john deere front gas. They built the diesel pushers on oshkosh chassis and then later developed there own chassis. There was another gas chassis that had 454 chev which was put on the same frame rails as the dodge, but I can't remember what company that was.

I dont think I was indicating how many were on Gillig chassis. I believe you are correct to it being only a few. Another reference to it Models?

Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin – October 01, 2012, 03:33:09 pm

Barry, your note implied that Foretravel's Travelride suspension was developed after 1997 when Gillig left the motorhome market. I believe that Foretravel's Travelride suspension was developed between 1986 and 1988 and Foretravel produced motorhomes with either chassis for several years.

The website I referred to might have sounded like that was the case but I dont think it was. I am sure they were also making the travelride at that time also as you mentioned.

One of the reason for starting this thread was to start a dialog to get some of this old information discussed before it is lost.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #9 – October 02, 2012, 07:18:58 pm

I remember now the chassis with the 454 chev drivetrain that had the straight front axle was called a roadmaster chassis.

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #10 – December 14, 2012, 06:18:56 am

My 1989 Grand Villa 36 ORED, has an Oshkosh Chassis, 300 HP Cat Motor. 4 Speed Allison Auto gear box,
The build date on the chassis is August 1988,
It cost $209,100-00 new,
Fresh water, 100 Gallons, Black Tank 75 Gallons, Grey tank 100 gallons, LP 80, LP detector, 2 A/C units. Furnace, Water heater, convertor, LP 7500 Watt generator, Trash compactor and separate Ice maker.

I dont know if all this is standard or some of it was added options, It was listed as a high end unit,

I dont think it is a Unihome model, Its the model before the Unihome,

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #11 – February 01, 2013, 05:39:53 am

My 1995 U320 has a Primus 2 boiler propane fired heating system. I have yet to hear of anybody else who had a Primus heat system in there Foretravel.
I spoke with somebody who said that they thought only a few were made.
There were a couple Foretravels made that were custom, one for a boot company. Both had Jacuzzi tubs and at the time Foretravel thought that the Primus would be able to service the hot water demands those tubs would require.
The Primus system seems to be very complicated, so far it has worked great for coach heat, hot water,and engine warming. It says in the manual that it will maintain a 1/2 degree temp. from front to back and from top to bottom. It also has heat built into the dash so the front windshield does not condensate.
I sure wish more Foretravels were built with the Primus, just so I would have a source of assistance for trouble shooting.
I have found help at the Bluebird Forum as many Bluebirds were made with the Primus.

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 22, 2025 ...

Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

September 25, 2012, 11:19:49 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #1 – September 25, 2012, 11:28:30 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #2 – September 25, 2012, 05:20:54 pm

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #3 – September 30, 2012, 10:47:37 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #4 – September 30, 2012, 10:20:11 pm

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #5 – October 01, 2012, 12:49:20 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #6 – October 01, 2012, 03:33:09 pm

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #7 – October 01, 2012, 08:32:07 pm

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #8 – October 02, 2012, 12:30:24 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #9 – October 02, 2012, 07:18:58 pm

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #10 – December 14, 2012, 06:18:56 am

Re: Foretravel Coach Changes over the years

Reply #11 – February 01, 2013, 05:39:53 am

Affiliate Notice