Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers (Read 1411 times) previous topic - next topic

Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Hello all!
I'm probably the newest member and super excited about finally buying a Grand Villa!
I have found a 1994 U280 in Ft. Myers that I love, but I'm in VT and am hoping to find someone to check it out for me.
Can someone help? Or recommend someone who can?

Thanks so much!

Chris Eaton
Vershire, VT

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #1 –
Hey Chris!

Welcome to the Forum.  Excellent coach choice!  Long distance purchases can be challenging, but many here have walked the same path.

Ft Myers is in a kinda "dead spot" as regards the location of our members.  Up at the top of each forum page you should see a menu button labeled "Community".  Pull the menu down, click on "Member Map".  You can zoom in to your location of interest, and see the members who live nearby.  I don't want to volunteer someone else to assist you, but they may respond to your request directly.  Or, you could try contacting them via PM (private mail) to ask (POLITELY) for assistance.  Click on their name on the map pin, go to their profile page, and there should be a place to send them a PM.  Worst that can happen is they will say "Sorry, can't help you".

Good luck in your quest!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #2 –
Great thanks for the tip!

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #4 –
Hello,
Thanks to all that responded, I am truly overwhelmed the how many folks did. Two super knowledgeable members did go see it for me yesterday and while it has good bones the sun has taken its toll on this rig. Sadly it's more restoration than I'm up for.

But again thanks to all! And I'm so pleased to be a member here. I can wait to find my rig!!!

Chris

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #5 –
Chris,

    When one is a member they become family, and that is
what family does for one another. Such great folks on here.

Thanks to all,

Carter

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #6 –
Hi to everyone on the forum.  My first post.  This is an awesome resource!

Chris,

I'm in St Pete, FL, going to make the 100 mile trek tomorrow to look at this one.  Anything more specific than damage from the sun I should look for?  I don't expect flawless paint on a 94.  But other things...like bulkhead separation (I think this is still possible on a 94 Unihome?) is a bigger issue and if bad enough a no go item.

To the forum...

Is there an exhaust brake or transmission brake on a 94 8.3 Cummins?  The ad calls it a MT647 transmission with 6 speeds.  That transmission only has 4 speeds.  A 94 should have a 3000 series world transmission, with 6 speeds.  One of the things to clarify.  But it seems either way, some of these FT have neither an exhaust brake or transmission one.  Is this an issue out west?

Thanks, Bob

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bob Ebaugh –
Hi to everyone on the forum.  My first post.  This is an awesome resource!

Chris,

I'm in St Pete, FL, going to make the 100 mile trek tomorrow to look at this one.  Anything more specific than damage from the sun I should look for?  I don't expect flawless paint on a 94.  But other things...like bulkhead separation (I think this is still possible on a 94 Unihome?) is a bigger issue and if bad enough a no go item.

To the forum...

Is there an exhaust brake or transmission brake on a 94 8.3 Cummins?  The ad calls it a MT647 transmission with 6 speeds.  That transmission only has 4 speeds.  A 94 should have a 3000 series world transmission, with 6 speeds.  One of the things to clarify.  But it seems either way, some of these FT have neither an exhaust brake or transmission one.  Is this an issue out west?

Thanks, Bob



Bob,

Yes, the 1994 should have the 6 speed MD3060 electronic transmission. Easy to tell. The shift pad will be electronic vs mechanical.
Could also have a transmission retarder which I believe was a factory option that year.

An exhaust brake would be easily identified-- it will be on the exhaust side of the turbo if present.  See it from either the back or when raising the bed.

Yes, bulkhead separation is possible on any unihome or unicoach.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Bob Ebaugh –

Is there an exhaust brake or transmission brake on a 94 8.3 Cummins?  The ad calls it a MT647 transmission with 6 speeds.  That transmission only has 4 speeds.  A 94 should have a 3000 series world transmission, with 6 speeds.  One of the things to clarify.  But it seems either way, some of these FT have neither an exhaust brake or transmission one.  Is this an issue out west?
Bob,

Welcome to the group.  Coach "condition" is a very subjective term.  One man's junk is another man's "jewel in the rough".  That is why we always urge, if in any way possible, a personal inspection before purchase.

Retarder or brake.  Like Brett said, look around the factory control panels for a "brake" switch.  Also, check the metal ID plate on the trans.  Photo below of the plate on my trans.  If it had a retarder, the trans model number would have a "R" suffix.  As in "MD3060R".

If no retarder, another possibility is a "aftermarket" exhaust brake.  If this is fitted, there will be some kind of control switch/panel located in the driver area.  My coach has one installed by the first owner.  Photos show the control switch located next to the Allison touch pad, and a look at the brake itself installed on the exhaust pipe.

We've crossed the Rocky Mountains both ways 3 times since we bought our coach.  Our exhaust brake works very well, in my opinion.  If, after viewing the coach, you find it does have a exhaust brake, I'll be glad to provide more specifics on the operation.

Good luck with your search!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #9 –
Thanks!  Appreciate the help.   

We did go and look at the coach,  Brett, it did have the Allison touchpad, so the newer transmission.  Didn't determine why the seller thought otherwise.  Chuck, It had the exact switch next to the keypad as yours.  So an aftermarket retarder.

Since it was our first Foretravel, we are not a great judge of relative condition.  Based in more generic terms, I'd call it average for the age.  Pluses, could not find any evidence of water damage anywhere, and the bulkhead was mostly good.  Certainly not a big repair issue.  However the tires were all timed out, even though they looked OK.  Some of the cloth coverings were pretty worn.

At the end of the day, it looked like it would take at least $25K to get the coach and make minimum updates and replace the tires.  We have passed for the moment. 

Bob Ebaugh

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Bob Ebaugh –
Chuck, It had the exact switch next to the keypad as yours.  So an aftermarket retarder.
That is interesting (to me), because it is the first time I have heard of another Foretravel with a US Gear exhaust brake installed.

Here is a (tongue-in-cheek) tip:  If you are going to shop Foretravel coaches, you will have to quickly pick up on the "lingo".  The factory installed retarder is a great source of pride to the owners who have them.  They don't care to hear people referring to other types of auxiliary braking devices, such as exhaust brakes or jake brakes, as "retarders".  Forewarned is forearmed!

Sorry the coach did not meet your requirements.  It is often said around here that Foretravel coaches "have good bones".  Meaning they can be in pretty bad shape cosmetically, but under the skin they are still strong.  You simply have to decide how much time, money, and work you want to invest in bringing a neglected older model back to life.  That will be different for every prospective owner.

One of the valuable benefits of this Forum is the tremendous range of projects, restorations, and upgrades that have been so well documented.  By reading about what other owners have done, you can decide what you can handle.  So keep on reading, learning, and searching.  Your coach is out there somewhere, waiting for you to rescue it!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
That is interesting (to me), because it is the first time I have heard of another Foretravel with a US Gear exhaust brake installed..........................It is often said around here that Foretravel coaches "have good bones".  Meaning they can be in pretty bad shape cosmetically, but under the skin they are still strong.  You simply have to decide how much time, money, and work you want to invest in bringing a old model back to life.  That will be different for every prospective owner....................Your coach is out there somewhere, waiting for you to rescue it!
Hi all,
David Bouchard and I are the ones that went for a "quick look" at the "Ft. Myers, CL, U280" to help Chris Eaton out.  We took a number of pictures of the coach.  We gave a detailed summary of our "quick look" to Chris and Chris has told me that he has passed on the coach.
David talked more with the current owner than I did and we split up the inspection.  David did most of the inside and I did the underneath and the roof.  Beyond a detailed list of findings, the following is how I summarized what I saw to Chris:

"From my perspective, from this quick look, I would say that the bones appear to be good including the coach having some premium features for its year (8.3, 300 HP mechanical Cummins, M3060 Allison, PT 10K, Kubota Genset, air bags that look to be about 1/2 gone and evidence that all of the filters, fluids as well as general mechanical condition has been kept up (major components seem to work and appear to have been serviced).  The coach does not have the Torsilastic, but has the outboard air bag suspension which is a plus.  It does not have the retarder option which is a negative, but a very livable negative.  It has an exhaust brake instead.  That's the good news.

The bad news is that there are  no maintenance history records (owners manual and other initial delivery FT Binders are there, though) and the cosmetic condition will require a lot of attention, time and money to erase all of the insults that the Florida sun and rain have imposed over the many years of outside storage.  If you are an accomplished DIY'r and can arrange a "lower than currently asking" purchase price, you might do O.K.  It would take a much more thorough examination to determine what else is needed, but I would say that if you need to hire most or all of the work done, I would keep on looking, because the initial LOF's service plus new tires (needed now, regardless what the seller may try to convince you) and just the minimum repairs to stop the water intrusion will exceed your initial purchase price.  Then you will have all of your internal and external cosmetics to deal with on top of that.

By all means call me and we can discuss any and all of this."

For those that remain curious:
    • Multiple evidence of water intrusion into coach ceiling, sidewalls and basement
    • Rust and water stains on ceiling, sidewalls and basement
    • KVH low profile sat. rcvr. not properly mounted and sealed so it leaked for long time into the ceiling.
    • Refer vent cover is just brittle powder so it has leaked behind refer and through to the basement
    • Several large areas of roof have major gel coating crazing that have leaked through into the underlayment fiberglass and potentially further.  The widest crazing is about a foot wide, but many are spider web shaped and water has gotten underneath the gel coat
    • Major cosmetic crazing on rear end cap
    • M3060 transmission with no retarder.  Exhaust brake (NOT US Gear) installed
    • Isolator and relay/solenoid panel behind streetside duals highly corroded and rusty
    • 10th week/2010 tires.  Japanese tire company, tires actually made in China, low cost brand.  Outside surfaces look great because tires and bags have been kept covered with some type of protectant that has worked.  But the insides (any area not coated with the protectant) are heavily checked and indicate that tires (at a minimum) are overdue for replacement.  The air bags may last awhile, but they are probably 1/2 gone, timewise.
    • Bulkheads appear to be good (didn't torque, so not definitive) but straight, no waviness, clean of rust and scale, no missing bolt heads.  There is a one foot section of the rear bulkhead (curbside) that is a bit swollen, so those Rolocks are likely failed.
    • PT Gen clean, started instantly, ran well as did AC's and Refer.
    • Engine and Gen set noise and heat insulation is all original and all needs to be replaced, especially Gen compartment.
    • 1405 hours on Gen set.
    • Decals shot, gel coat, other than roof, not too bad, very few dings and bruises, entry step is shot (lots of rust and water is being retained inside step).
    • All filters and hoses appear to be reasonably fresh and cared for
    • Practically every interior cloth, fabric, carpet and dash covering in bad shape (faded, torn, ripped, worn at seams/corners, etc., -- cosmetics are in very rough shape).  It all needs to be replaced.
    • On a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being near showroom condition (think Chuck's coach) and 5 being "average wear and tear but, taken average care of," I would put this "quick look" as follows:  Mechanically, 5 to 6 out of 10.  Cosmetics, 2 (at best) out of 10.  A more thorough PDI would provide much more detailed information.  Additional information would more than likely cause these figures to become worse, but that's what we discovered in about an hour's worth of "Quick Look".
    • HTH,
    • Neal
    [/list]

    The selected media item is not currently available.
    Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
    '02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
    '04 Gold Wing
    '07 Featherlite 24'
    '14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
    MC #14494
    Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
    Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten
     

    Re: Pre-purchase inspection in Ft. Myers

    Reply #12 –
    Very nice inspection and comments! It goes to show, as most of us know, that no matter if it's a FT, without taking care of it and providing paperwork proof thereof, it's a broken down SOB.
    1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
    Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                          Build # 4297
                                          PNW natives
                          Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                            DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                            Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'