Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

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Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

June 20, 2018, 02:54:18 pm

Hi Folks, I would like to ask your input as to whether you would have concerns about a 02-04 circa coach that has been stored inside since its birth and has very low mileage (under 30k miles). The coach has apparently been well maintained but I know there must be multiple items to consider that I am not thinking of. Any thoughts, input will be greatly appreciated.

Geoament
Newbie, almost owner, lurker so far.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #1 – June 20, 2018, 03:14:13 pm

Tires, batteries , condensation in the diesel and the air tanks Thats what I would start with.. Tires are probably flat from sitting.. meaning they probably have a flat spot.. just guessing though

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #2 – June 20, 2018, 03:20:55 pm

David, what is your best guess about the age of tires until they would start getting flat spots?

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #3 – June 20, 2018, 03:29:22 pm

Add to your list coolant test strips to test for nitrates in the coolant. Different strips are used for conventional green antifreeze and the extended life. I bought a low mileage older coach that checked out fine. They can be a gem but as with any used coach there are things to check. Don't know about "flat spots" on tires but the mfg date would sure do to check.Tires 7 years old would warrant a discounted coach price. Odds are good the batteries are old but you wont know until you check.. The house batteries "gell 8 D" were dated september 03 on my 270 but replacement price was allowed on the purchase price..These are just a few of the things, there is a 50 point check list here on the forum that you should find and read. Good luck

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #4 – June 20, 2018, 03:32:04 pm

Hey Dub, if I replace all the coolant would that solve the nitrates problem?

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #5 – June 20, 2018, 03:37:24 pm

Quote from: George Ament – June 20, 2018, 02:54:18 pm

Hi Folks, I would like to ask your input as to whether you would have concerns about a 02-04 circa coach that has been stored inside since its birth and has very low mileage (under 30k miles). The coach has apparently been well maintained

That's very low miles, which means the coach has been sitting a while, not too good. I'd, if you are serious, ask the owner if he has any paperwork on what WAS done in the 14 years. Tires, batteries, condition of fuel are of concern first, then move on. Is it possible, where you are, to have someone with FT knowledge, do a inspection? On the good side, we bought a coach with 28K on it, but we had paperwork! After tires and batteries, we took off from Seattle to the Northwest Territories, had a great time with NO coach stories.

Good luck, this forum is priceless for information!

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #6 – June 20, 2018, 03:38:33 pm

Quote from: George Ament – June 20, 2018, 03:32:04 pm

Hey Dub, if I replace all the coolant would that solve the nitrates problem?

Depends on two things:

What type of coolant is in there and how "bad" it is. Very likely to be the new generation extended life coolant that does not require nitrates (SCA) added. But, if the older generation coolant and it has been allowed to get acidic or if SCA concentration has gotten dangerously low, could have damaged radiator and/or cylinder liners.

If old generation coolant, I would test it. Since the new generation coolant is good for 6 years/600,000 miles, I would be a lot less concerned.

Obviously, this is one of those places where service records would be very worthwhile.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #7 – June 20, 2018, 03:39:46 pm

It would for the future but if it has sat an extended time with high nitrates then electrolysis could already be set up internally causing the piston liners to have already pitted.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #8 – June 20, 2018, 03:42:05 pm

Quote from: George Ament – June 20, 2018, 03:20:55 pm

David, what is your best guess about the age of tires until they would start getting flat spots?

Figure that the tires should be replaced if they are flat when you see the coach (sitting on deflated/substantially underinflated tires very hard on them) OR if the tires are over 6 years old (from the DOT #).

Remember, from the Michelin RV tire guide, when storing tires, best to inflate to full PSI on the sidewall of the tire!

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #9 – June 20, 2018, 03:43:10 pm

I had a friend that bough a new 2005 Foretravel back in 2005. He traded in his 1999 Foretravel and only had around 4k miles on it when he traded it in. Foretravel was not able to sell it because everyone was concerned about the low miles. Foretravel ended up renting it out for a while to get the miles up. They then sold it right away with the more miles on it.

As to the coach you are looking at, mine sat for around 5 years with very little use. The first time I took it out after sitting, I had all kind of gremlins that showed their face due to not being exercised or used Took a little while to get them all fixed.

Adding to the list of thinks to do once you get it, engine oil coach and generator. all filters, if a U320 add aqua hot service.

Has it been sitting a long time, or used but just not alot? Can make a difference.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #10 – June 20, 2018, 04:02:10 pm

Quote from: George Ament – June 20, 2018, 03:20:55 pm

David, what is your best guess about the age of tires until they would start getting flat spots?

I had tires that were a couple years old and if it sat for a month would have flat spots... Went away after they heated up but kinda annoying for the first 20 min

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #11 – June 20, 2018, 04:58:16 pm

Tire age code:

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #12 – June 20, 2018, 06:23:24 pm

My son bought a1994 U300 about 3years a go.Wed did tires, cooling unit refer,Lub and maintenance , this unit has been stored inside for 7 years. New air bags. Made 2 trips to Alaska, trouble free. Had 96 k when we started.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #13 – June 20, 2018, 06:50:09 pm

I bought my 1994 U300 in 2007. It had 30000 miles on it and had been stored inside an airconditioned building most of its life. The only expense I had in the first year was new batteries. The tires had been replaced prior to my purchase. I have had no major repairs because of its extended storage. We have put about 40000 more miles on it with normal maintenance. I would jump at the opportunity to purchase a coach like that. Those were some of the best years for Foretravel...

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #14 – June 20, 2018, 07:05:56 pm

Send samples of coolant and oil from both engine and genset to a testing lab. That's the gold standard.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #15 – June 20, 2018, 08:19:14 pm

We bought our 1993 U300 in Sept of 2009 3000 miles away with only lots of high res photos and a seller background check. It was stored outside. Installed new batteries and drove it across the U.S. It had new tires and both roof ACs replaced. It had 60K and outside of a couple of airbags, optional improvements like solar and a few small items, it has been trouble free in just over 100K miles. Naturally, some relays, air cleaner, new spin on air dryer (nothing wrong with old), two hydraulic lines that were rubbing, a few wiring changes plus oil changes once a year. Zero coach bucks in 9 years. Fuel and insurance have been the biggest expense.

Pierce

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #16 – June 20, 2018, 09:16:17 pm

Guys I really appreciate all the good input and info....most of it very positive. Sounds like that with a little common sense checking and and some good luck that a used Foretravel is a pretty safe investment. Certainly safer that most SOB's out there. I shall proceed with care and look forward to making the big jump before too long. Thanks again!!

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #17 – June 20, 2018, 10:34:49 pm

Belt, hoses, fuel lines might be worth a look.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #18 – June 21, 2018, 01:02:10 am

I bought my 2005 with 25,000 miles in 2014. The tires weren't original but they were old enough I replaced them along with the belts. I replaced the hoses when I had a factory recommended mod installed to the cooling system. And I just now replaced the induction connectors when I had the charge air cooler changed. Charge Air Cooler only major failure on the road and I now have 71,000 miles. House batteries were replaced within first year of purchase, but I didn't change the engine batteries until last month.

Re: Any concerns about a low mileage coach?

Reply #19 – June 21, 2018, 09:26:52 am

I wish you folks would listen to this.. A bit off subject but on subject as well.. I am a member of a Corvette Forum and often times one will be found with considerable age and very low miles.. A while back a new member had found an 05 stored away nicely with maybe 3000 miles on the clock.. He was advised by one gent to stay away, she is a must to avoid because the complete engine will have to be rebuilt along with trans and differential, are you kidding me?? I sent the gent a pm because I didn't want my reply to him to be public. Others weren't so discrete. The fella may have been drinking and posting late at night or he may have actually been that clueless.Some may be envious because THEY didn't find it... As with any used vehicle and or equipment, consideration,knowledgeable inspection and a little luck go a long way.

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