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Topic: GV ORED Opinions (Read 564 times) previous topic - next topic

GV ORED Opinions

Hi all, 

New to the forum and like the late 80's early 90's GV ORED for my budget.  Reviewing the ORED posts, and for those that have them seem to be very happy with them.  Moving from a Class C (owned 20 years) to DP.  Future full time on my radar  ;D) 
 
What would be an accurate value for a coach in "average ready to hit the road condition" in today's market?  From what I've seen, they seem to be all over the place like from 10K all the way up to 40K for GV coaches of this era.  ORED opinions appreciated!!

mike

Re: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #1 –
Mike,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

At that age, value ranges very widely from "too expensive to put on the road if FREE" to $20-25,000 for a really nice road-ready one.
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: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #2 –
Just to help out: I knew I wanted a U-240, which were made from '93 to '95. I researched various forums for a year and ran into the same wildly different price ranges as you have. I paid $32,000.00 for this dear: fresh paint & stripes, fresh tires, all appliances re-newed and THIS: files that went back to '96! That's what you pay top dollar for! Good luck, know what you want, try to find someone who knows these dears to do a inspection, and BE PATIENT!  ^.^d
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: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #3 –
Mike,

Welcome to the Forum!

There are no realistic "book" values on old coaches, so don't pay any attention if someone quotes you a "book" value.

An old motorhome is worth whatever somebody will pay for it.  Everybody approaches the "shopping" exercise differently.  What my wife and I did was this: we set the upper limit (dollars) that we could afford, including a $10,000 reserve fund for unexpected repairs.

Armed with our price limit, we went shopping, and eventually found a coach that met our price and our requirements.  We didn't care if anyone else thought it was a good price or a ripoff.  It only mattered that we were personally satisfied with the deal.

You may have to be patient if you limit your choices to one particular model, or year, or engine, or whatever.  Hopefully you will find a coach that fits your requirements and your price range.  When that happens, be ready to pull the trigger.  Good older Foretravel coaches that are advertised at reasonable prices will not last long on the market, because they are such a tremendous value for the money.

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: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
An old motorhome is worth whatever somebody will pay for it.  Everybody approaches the "shopping" exercise differently.  What my wife and I did was this: we set the upper limit (dollars) that we could afford, including a $10,000 reserve fund for unexpected repairs.  Hopefully you will find a coach that fits your requirements and your price range.  When that happens, be ready to pull the trigger.  Good older Foretravel coaches that are advertised at reasonable prices will not last long on the market, because they are such a tremendous value for the money.
Chuck makes a good point: there are sellers that think because 'it's a Foretravel' it's worth big bucks, NOT! Bottom line, it's like any other old coach. In my dealing with the PO (not Brett), he was so burned-out with tire-kickers, that he'd about had it. I made him a offer, and he said, "I'm selling it for what I've got into it, take it or leave it.", and hung-up. Hmm, I called him back, talked with the DW and said, "I'll take it." Worked out well, but, good to remember, some owners are fried with 'lookie loos'.
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: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #5 –
Welcome Mike , I was looking for a Class c but could not afford one. 
The ORED chassis is robust but the later Foretravel chassis must drive nicer with the outboard air bags, and better brakes.
      The ORED may have less financial exposure then the FT chassis due to rust , disc brakes.

 Water intrusion, wall delam, etc are things to avoid.  Most coaches of this period will show some level of water damage.  Just take a good look and verify that you can fix it or stand it, and that the chassis is sound.



 The earlier FTX ORED share 90% of the mechanicals  with the early pre 91 GV and have flat windshields that will be cheap to replace.  I would keep these on the list were I looking again.

We paid $8k for this one , drove it home with 20% brakes, in the dark, 300miles.
  I have done all of the work except refinishing of the couch.
I have changed or repaired; 6 tires, 4 shocks, 4 airbags, tile flooring, refrigerator and 12v inverter , lubes, exhaust, brakes, water tank,
bathroom, toilet, airdryer, fuel filter system, air filter. added alternator, headlights, dashlights,. Rebuilt the pump for the level  system but one of the rear cyl leaks a little and one front solenoid is stuck.
 My plans are to add  set of front shocks along with a sway bay for less floating feel. Add a set of  high rear LED tail lights.

 The bus has treated us to over 13K miles of  trouble free travel, mostly towing race cars,at 8-10MPG.
 The Cat/Allison appear to be 300K units with normal love.  Research any powertrain that you consider. Some here have the early DD and smaller trans. A few may have the Cummins. 

Re: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #6 –
If we had kept our Ored we would have so much money in the bank. 

They are great old coaches.  Just have to know what to watch out for. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
If we had kept our Ored we would have so much money in the bank. 

They are great old coaches.  Just have to know what to watch out for. 

Rick,

Can you start the list of "watch out for's" for them-- particular issues with the ORED coaches?
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: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #8 –
Just the standard air bags and systems etc to watch out for.  Our 3208 ran like a champ.  We had it to Cat one time for something I can't rememe now but I remember being surprised that it wasn't expensive.    Watch out that someone hasn't put the long version of oil filter on it because they will drag off and make a real mess down the road.  Don't ask me how I know. 

The roof needs checked.  Ours had a crack on the top that didn't show any leaks inside.  I took it to my boat repair buddy and he fixed it good as new.

They don't shift like a six speed but handle great.  I liked our side radiator.  I remember my nephew following us through the Arkansas mountains pulling a fifth wheel.    We finally pulled over when we had a chance wondering if they had trouble.    He told me their trailer wheels were leaving the ground trying to keep up with us on the curves.  He said I was driving it like a sport bike.  I remember when we sold it they guy couldn't believe how well it handled. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.
 

Re: GV ORED Opinions

Reply #9 –
Spent about an hour+ on the phone with Mike, answered alot of his questions based on personal and technical facts about the  300 hp ORED. What I have replaced etc. Most of questions were drivetrain or chassis related.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake