Does anyone know of anything particular that I should be looking out for in the 2005 model?
2005 U295 December 11, 2015, 06:57:25 pm Does anyone know of anything particular that I should be looking out for in the 2005 model? Quote Selected
Re: 2005 U295 Reply #1 – December 11, 2015, 07:15:23 pm There is a lot to know about every model in every year. Are you looking at a specific coach or just in general? Do you have a specific concern? We can probably give you better answers with more focus if we knew. Ask away in any case. Roger Quote Selected
Re: 2005 U295 Reply #2 – December 11, 2015, 07:40:53 pm Suzanne,Not really any gotchas that someone with a 2003 or 2004 would not report on. Granted, searching on the forum for 2005 issues will not reveal a whole lot compared to other years but that would be because of the limited production. To expand on Rogers point, the newer the model the more the variety. If you have specific questions this is the place. Quote Selected
Re: 2005 U295 Reply #3 – December 14, 2015, 11:34:59 am There are not many 05s of any type. By now all the teething issues are done. FT shut down early in the year and the new owners opened it up with the new models in 06. Quote Selected
Re: 2005 U295 Reply #4 – December 14, 2015, 08:25:49 pm We purchased a 2005 40' U320 a year ago Aug. The coach had 54,000 miles on it and over the past 15 months we have enjoyed over 11,000 miles for the most part problem free. Nothing was something you would only experience with an 05. When the coach was serviced in Sept I learned that depending upon when a coach was built in 05 brakes and cooling fan motors were different from early on in 05 and the later builds. Some of the coaches actually had old and new style brakes on them, not sure if the old was on the steer and the new on the drive axle or vice a versa. I believe the last dozen or so coaches cooling fan motors were different from the early one. The nice thing about the new motors is the cost to replace both motors is about $1500.00 less than the older motors. Our FT was built late in 05 and all the brakes and fan motors are the new style. Also, the 05 tires are 295, not sure if they went from 275 to 295 in 04 or 05.We are very happy with our coach mechanically as well as the fit and finish. Would we buy our 05 if we had to do it over....in a heart beat...we could not be more satisfied with quality and comfort. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: 2005 U295 Reply #5 – December 15, 2015, 12:53:11 am I would check, as on any coach, for cracks in fiberglass or crazing. On our 05 I had some at the corners of the outside opening refrigerator vents panel. After seeing that develop, I looked further and found a few in other places. In lots of talking with a variety of sources it seemed it may have been related to a different formulation in the fiberglass for a few coaches in that era. But I also had a thought, and still do, there there may have been another factor. In any case, not proven this or that but if it were me, I would give some attention to that and if I noticed something, I would ask of others on the forum or fiberglass experts.I did ask salesman at FOT in a related conversation and was told that the dark colors on some coaches developed the crazing. I asked why they kept painting that way, he said that what the customers want and not a problem anyway.I would not turn away from an 05, just you asked. I really liked the ISL engine. Interior fit and finish, etc top notch.(the 05 was the only model year, unless some new IH45 does that, where the windshield wipers are mounted at the top.....in case you just really want to know!)Mike. Quote Selected
Topic: 2005 U295