Potential U320 Purchase

Topic: Potential U320 Purchase (Read 1351 times) previous topic - next topic

Potential U320 Purchase

August 11, 2015, 07:09:09 pm

Hello, all,
My wife and I have had a 2007 40' Tiffin Phaeton for a couple of years. We have really enjoyed RV'ing and feel it is time to upgrade!
In our searches, we had narrowed it down to Beaver, Country Coach and Foretravel. After researching and reading countless posts on this forum, we have settled on a Foretravel!
We have found and made a tentative purchase (subject to inspection) on a 2004 40' U320 that seems to meet our needs located in Kentucky (we are in California) and are planning to fly out in the next week or so and complete the deal. I am reasonably knowledgeable mechanically and am aware of some of the things to look for, but from reading different posts, it would seem to be a good idea for someone familiar with Foretravels to help with an inspection. I was wondering if there is any forum member close to London, Kentucky that would be willing to take a look at this coach. We would naturally compensate someone. Worst case, we can use the forum guide to go over the coach.
We are very excited about this new coach (we have never driven or actually seen a Foretravel) and hope we are not taking a step backwards!
The information on this forum has been great and has really helped with our decision!

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #1 – August 11, 2015, 07:56:49 pm

Hi Bill,
I can not help with the inspection, but you are making a great move. It may be like moving from a nice 172 to that Beech K35. A step up in quality and performance.
Best of luck,
Raymond

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #2 – August 11, 2015, 08:00:57 pm

Bill, was your potentially new coach in an ad listing somewhere, so we all can oogle and awe looking at it...

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #3 – August 11, 2015, 08:12:57 pm

Just did a Google search, maybe this is it:

2004 U320 London, KY

2004 U320 London, KY

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #4 – August 11, 2015, 09:17:47 pm

Raymond - I'm sure you're right!
Peter - That's the one. Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks!

Bill

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #5 – August 11, 2015, 09:28:37 pm

Is it a 40 foot or a 38 foot? 3 A/C's per the ad? That's usually on a 42 foot (as are the different width storage bay doors shown in the photos). "Fourtravel"? Details don't seem to be accurate.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #6 – August 11, 2015, 10:10:12 pm

Is this the one at Tennn RV?

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #7 – August 11, 2015, 10:54:05 pm

Hi, Michelle,

I did notice that their ad does state 38' and 40' in two different places. I did not consider that it may be a 42'. You are sure right about the wide storage door! The dealer did state that there are 3 air conditioners and from the side view, it does appear that there are.
Tim-It is at Bay Bros RV in London, KY.
Any and all comments or advice are welcome!

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #8 – August 11, 2015, 11:31:16 pm

Sure looks like a 42 to me. What a beauty. Don't think 40s had that big closet in the back did they? (And the wide bay)

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #9 – August 11, 2015, 11:49:07 pm

Dealer gets good reviews

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #10 – August 11, 2015, 11:58:04 pm

You can not go wrong with a Foretravel. I have owned five and they were all very good. The transmission retarder is only found on Fortravels in the RV world . I would not own a coach without one. The suspension and handling cannot be duplicated. The pictures appear to show a very nice well maintained coach and you most certainly should look at it and drive it. But, There are some things about this coach that are not standard and this possibly is not a 40' coach. First, with 3 AC's and the fuel tank to the rear and the Aqua hot in the center, I think this is a 42' coach.
The two Xantrax inverters are not standard and the factory would never mount one of them sideways. The Xantrx inverter needs to be vertical for proper cooling. Also, are there more house batteries some where ?? You normally don't run two inverters on three house batteries.
The XZE tires are less prone to blow outs but will give a slightly stiffer ride. I see centramatic balancers on only the duals. They should be on all wheels. Especially the fronts. This coach could have an alignment problem that causes an out of balance feel, at cruise, around 65 MPH.
The water hose is a mess. Is the retract system broken ?
The big awning on the right side is very nice but there are no awnings over the slide rooms.
The oil stain in the center of the oil cooler ( under the lift up grill ) needs a closer inspection for possible leaks .
The rust on the rails behind the lift up grills, on the screws in the generator compartment, and on the exhaust pipe would make me look at the under side and also check the aluminum fins on the back side of the radiator for salt corrosion.
I would have the dealer thoroughly demonstrate the Aqua Hot and all it's systems. That can be a major expense if it needs work.
These are just some observations but certainly none are deal killers.
Gary O

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #11 – August 12, 2015, 12:37:00 am

Total wild **s guess is that they stole the coach.

Appraised at $130k max.

Consignment $20k more.

No dealer would put out that much cash on an "if come"

Trust me after along time as an Rv biz manager.

Hard to put a $100k cash in it as a Rv lot owner.

Bargain hard. Walk. Come back. Seriously. Play hard ball. Too much money not to.

As a former pro see how good you really are.

Not cheap but the unknowns can be $30k easily

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #12 – August 12, 2015, 01:30:28 am

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
best of luck in your purchase.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #13 – August 12, 2015, 11:03:22 am

Bonanzak 35,
having never seen a Foretravel here are a couple similar within a day's drive of central California. Somewhat overpriced consignment rigs.

http://www.i5rvs.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?veh=4306629

Sundance Auto and RV Center

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #14 – August 23, 2015, 05:46:41 pm

Well, for better or worse, we went to Kentucky, inspected, drove and bought the Foretravel!
As some have pointed out, it is a 4220, not a 4020.
Driving it was quite an eye opener compared to our Phaeton (U320 MUCH better) and we really love the floorplan and interior. All the major systems seem to work fine. There are a few things we found that the dealer is taking care and then we just have to find time to pick it up!
Gary O was asking about the number of batteries; it has 6 house batteries and 3 engine batteries.
Thanks again for all the advice from the forum and I'm sure we will have future questions!

Bill & Trudie

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #15 – August 23, 2015, 05:54:24 pm

Congratulations on your new coach!!
Looks Beautiful.
Enjoy Safe Travels--Jim & Doreen

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #16 – August 23, 2015, 06:36:23 pm

Congratulations!

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #17 – August 23, 2015, 06:52:40 pm

Assuming you have a basic California drivers license, this is your restriction on motohomes in that state:

With a Basic Class C license:
•
A 2-axle vehicle with a GVWR
of 26,000 lbs. or less.
•
A 3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000
lbs. gross or less.
•
A motorized scooter.
•
Any housecar 40'or less.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #18 – August 23, 2015, 07:53:34 pm

Congratulations on a great looking rig!

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #19 – August 23, 2015, 08:08:17 pm

Congrats on your new Coach.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #20 – August 24, 2015, 10:00:19 am

Congratulations. You probably will need a new hose or hose reel and check the batteries. You have two inverters so it is probably a all electric coach. Very nice and you will love the 42 foot. We have one too and love it.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #21 – August 29, 2015, 01:31:07 am

Wow great looking coach. I have a 40' U320 2004. Same wood, but you have a lot of nice upgrades, two Gerard awnings, granite counter tops, all electric..All good stuff.
I'm lucky that my wife is always happy to drive. We have rolled without stoping for 10 hours (600 miles) several times. Driving this coach is a pleasure. Enjoy.
Make sure to check the date on your tires. If they are over eight years you should think about replacing them.

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #22 – August 29, 2015, 06:57:12 am

Congratulations! Now the waiting is the hardest part followed by selling your existing coach. Funny how an older Foretravel is a trade up! Our new to us 320 is getting ready to leave Bradenton Fl. heading our way (finally).

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #23 – August 29, 2015, 07:58:29 pm

Thanks, everyone for the comments and congrats!
The waiting is already getting to be very difficult! Actually seeing and driving it makes it even harder to wait. We really have no doubt that the older Foretravel is a major step up! The coach may have to stay in Kentucky until October, since we are farmers and this is our busiest time of year. At least it will stay inside until we can pick it up!

Re: Potential U320 Purchase

Reply #24 – August 29, 2015, 10:26:08 pm

We are a farm family, too. We are two weeks into harvest. I don't know which is worse......

1) Having your new-to-you FT on the other side of the U.S. from you -and not being able to see it every day....
or
2) Walking past your FT sitting in your barn/shed every day and not being on the road with it......

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