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Inspections

Does anyone know of person in California that would do a pre-purchase inspection on a Foretravel?
Thanks for any help.
Sheila

Re: Inspections

Reply #1
Sheila,

You might post what part of CA you are in/the coach is in-- it is a big state.
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: Inspections

Reply #2
Tom Nerhus did a prepurchase inspection for us on out 2001 Fortravel in Santa Maria, CA. about 7 years ago.  If you are near here, maybe try him. He did a good job. 

fms@cox.net
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Inspections

Reply #3
Thank you Roger and Susan. We live in Northern. California above Sacramento. The coach we are hoping to get to look at is in the Orange County, San Diego area. Nothing definite, we just would like to be ready if the opportunity arises.

Sheila

Re: Inspections

Reply #4
We live in south Orange County.  I am a bad inspector maybe as I like the products in general and bought ours with numerous things wrong with it unknown to the former owners. 

Was a foretravel sales manager long ago.  Means nothing.  If it starts and runs and the appliances work and the airs blow cold I tend to be a player. 

I prefer as-is, where is as that way I start over after all repairs.  Not the cheap way but it has worked for me

Bought several hundred used coaches in my rv career. 

Tom Nerhous used to be my parts manager.  Missed most of the stuff wrong with our coach.  Just saying
.

Bought our coach through his brother Brad at trans west

No warranty expressed or implied but i along with anyone else local like Sven could look if you want.

Located in San Juan Capistrano.  Let me know.

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Inspections

Reply #5
Thanks for the info and you are in the neighborhood :) .
Sheila

Re: Inspections

Reply #6
Bob, I knew exactly what was wrong with that coach!
YOU bought a pig in a poke!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Inspections

Reply #7
Shelia, before the inspector arrives, ask the seller to provide whatever paperwork they have. You are looking for a "gold mine", like this:
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'

Re: Inspections

Reply #8
Where, specifically, is this coach located?  I'm aware of a couple in Huntington Beach - a little out of my area.

2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Inspections

Reply #9
Richard we are happy to have it.  If it started and ran it was going to be ours as where were we going to find a mid door U320?

Worse thing initially was the intermittent bad D2 valve as the air pressure would not build up on the demo ride and locked the brakes if you remember.

Non vented gas caps forced fuel out everywhere at the top of cajon pass on our first trip, 

Minor details like most things. 

For our personal wants we have invested heavily over the last five years to update the beautiful coach.

Fuel lines were an immediate issue as well. 

We understand your comment about not dropping a lot of money into the 97 as the 03 38' you and Betty found would work better for you guys.

The pig in a poke is a happy pig right now as it's ready for the next ten years of "riding and rejoicing"

Easily the most inside and outside storage coach made other than maybe 45's.  Maybe.

Fuel lines, gas caps, Winn system, D2 parts and cam position sensor  would be high on the inspection list of another similar 97 as those were stoppers on a trip.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Inspections

Reply #10
"Richard we are happy to have it.  If it started and ran it was going to be ours as where were we going to find a mid door U320?" 
Exactly.  This and the 36' length is what sold us.  The upgraded headlights and "Precision" paint job were an added bonus.  We weren't leaving it next to that barn in the middle of Iowa.

2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Inspections

Reply #11
Thanks for the info and you are in the neighborhood :) .
Sheila
Is this the U295 in Canoga Park for $18k? He said he sold it to someone in Texas. Would that be you or perhaps someone else on the forum?
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

 

Re: Inspections

Reply #12
No Twig, that was not us.
Sheila