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Topic: 1996 U295 36' information (Read 814 times) previous topic - next topic

1996 U295 36' information

I am looking for floor plans and specification sheets Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year does NOT have this for this coach). Is anyone full-timing in a coach like this? Is the engine adequate for moving the coach in the mountains? Would we be more likely to be happy as full-timers in a 40' coach or in a U320 instead of a U295? I know I have a lot to learn and am just looking for collective wisdom from those of you who know Foretravels. We do have the possible opportunity to see and consider purchase of such a coach. And thanks to anyone and everyone who is able to inform my ignorance!

forrest clark

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #1 –
I would look at 40 foot to full time in.  As to 295 and engine and the rest....they are all fine to run anywhere.  The floor plan is going to be more important than model number.  I have owned a 270 and now a 320. I am 42 foot but they did not make that length in the years you are looking at. 

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #2 –
John S,

Thank you for offering your opinion on the size of coach for full-timing. We have also looked at a 40' in that age range but couldn't make the price work out for us. Right now, we are in a 34' gasser and the size works BUT it also has two slides which adds floorspace. Unfortunately, this coach will not stand up to full-timing so we are looking at alternatives. My wife is seriously intimidated by 40' coaches and would be happier with a 36'. But I do recognize the logic of your opinion and hope we might work something out. But if we don't, I want to know about the 36'-er! LOL

forrest

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #3 –
Forrest,
Welcome to the Foreforums.  We have a 34' Foretravel curiously enough named Forrest...LOL...

We will never full time, but that said, there's a lot to say about a U320 as opposed to the U270/295's which typically do not have AquaHot systems in the year coach you're looking for.  There will be no slides in those years, but the 36 foot can be used for full-timing if you are careful about "stuff" you accummulate.  I personnaly can work with any of the floor plans Foretravel has developed.

Good luck in your search.

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #4 –
Forrest,

Welcome and great question - the search function of the forum can be your friend, here is a string about 40/36 and 270 vs 320 that may be of interest and get you started -

Another Clueless Wannabe

Full time - get what your budget allows, for my $, more length is better, newer is better, slide is better. You may have a different perspective. the annual operating budget wont be much different regardless of coach - fuel mileage, insurance, maintenance not that big a variable unless you are on a really tight budget. Engine and transmission almost unheard of to have any issues if regular maintenance has been performed. Newer coach will have more stuff to break but it is newer and less may be breaking .

Suggest you decide what is your acquisition budget. Let's say $100,000. Take 80% of that and that is what you should spend on a used coach ($80,000). Save the rest for repairs and upgrades in first year. Fix what breaks in first year (cheaper if you are handy and can do much of the labor yourself). At end of year if you like coach and lifestyle, spend the remainder of the leftover 20% hold back on any upgrades not already in coach that you want.

Try to learn about the important and expensive stuff on the coach, (newer is always better on tires, batteries, refrigerator,) also check to see on headlight conversion, full body paint, mCD shades, resonator, etc.) Cheaper to buy upgrades already done, than pay full price yourself.

Check out coach well, or get someone that knows FT to help you check out (only issues - bulkheads need to be checked, (generally OK or cheap to fix, a few not so much..), occasional small spots of delamination found, usually in front of slide or around dryer vent opening, again easily repaired), and front cap cracks in 2002 and 2003 models, most already fixed by factory under warranty.

For me, I like a 2000 - 2001 single slide 40' U-320, mileage not relevant, but would prefer a coach that has been used regularly vs. a "hanger queen",look here on forum and FOT and MOT first, then elsewhere. There are no bad FT choices.

Good Luck!

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #5 –
Forrest, we easily full-timed in our 1997 36ft U295 with the great mechanical 8.3L 325hp Cummins with retarder.

We do enjoy full-timing in our 1999 40ft U320 with the great electronic 450hp M11 with retarder. Its aqua-hot and washer/dryer are nice features our U295 did not have. The 4ft increase in length outside seems to provide more than 4ft space inside. Real tile floor is nice, too. U320's come with increased maintenance cost over most U295's.

As always, YMMV...

best, paul

Quote
I am looking for floor plans and specification sheets Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year does NOT have this for this coach). Is anyone full-timing in a coach like this? Is the engine adequate for moving the coach in the mountains? Would we be more likely to be happy as full-timers in a 40' coach or in a U320 instead of a U295?

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #6 –
We have been fulltiming in our '96 U-295 coming up on eight years and wouldn't have any thing else. Great coach!

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #7 –
I would recommend trying to move up another year or two. Lots of improvements 97-99. Ducted air, smart wheel and dual pane standard to name the biggies...

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #8 –
We have fulltimed in our 1996, 36ft U295 since 2001.  The coach is great.  It is easy to get into small parks that you might find in Corp of Engineer parks, National Parks, etc.  Our U295 has lots of power, and is very manueverable.  That said, we are currently selling our 1995 U295 (see Classifieds).  We no longer are on the road as much as we were the first 10 years and have decided we want more space.  However, if we were still traveling as much as we did the first 10 years, we would stay with the smaller coach.

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #9 –
Quote from: fsclark47 –
I am looking for floor plans and specification sheets Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year does NOT have this for this coach). Is anyone full-timing in a coach like this? Is the engine adequate for moving the coach in the mountains? Would we be more likely to be happy as full-timers in a 40' coach or in a U320 instead of a U295? I know I have a lot to learn and am just looking for collective wisdom from those of you who know Foretravels. We do have the possible opportunity to see and consider purchase of such a coach. And thanks to anyone and everyone who is able to inform my ignorance!

forrest clark

Attached are the specs and floor plans for the 1996 295.
We halftime in ours - about 8,000 miles/year and love it.

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17207.0;attach=12719
https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=17207.0;attach=12720

HTH
 

Re: 1996 U295 36' information

Reply #10 –
Many thanks to everyone who has offered advice, opinions, anecdotes, and experiences. There is a lot to think about here! And I'll be doing a lot of thinking along with Mary. We find ourselves debating the pros and cons of 36' versus 40' and of one model of Foretravel versus another (U320, U295, or even U270). All of you have been helpful. I particularly appreciate the spec sheets and floorplans. I hope these can be added to the reference pages I consulted since they were missing there. You are indeed a great resource group of people! I'm glad we have the opportunity to be a part of the group.