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Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

December 15, 2021, 07:52:54 pm

Sometimes I might get a bit over my head and this may be one of those times.  We are in the process of looking to purchase a 1998 U320.  I have asked a ton of questions of the seller, received many many pictures.  I thought I should ask for bulkhead pictures and this is what he sent. What exactly am I looking at and for?  I have many other pictures if anyone wants to weigh in on this rig for me.  We have yet to see it in person, so I'm relying on the seller providing good info.  Any help would be very much appreciated. 

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #1 – December 16, 2021, 05:37:22 am

Those pictures are shot from ABOVE the bulkhead.

They need to be taken from lower (like on the ground) and show the Rolok bolt heads and the white fiberglass immediately inboard of it.

You can send him pictures others have posted here as an example if you like.

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #2 – December 16, 2021, 06:28:12 am

If you both can do a Facetime.

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #3 – December 16, 2021, 09:09:00 am

Photos below were taken at MOT in 2013 during a pre-purchase inspection of a '98 U320, conducted by Brett Wolfe.  Even though the (rear) bulkhead area does not look that bad, it was indicative of a coach that had spent many years in a corrosive environment.  Other parts of the frame looked even worse.  Every bare piece of steel in the front suspension area was coated with a heavy layer of rust.  We decided against buying the coach.  Having this inspection done by a reliable and unbiased expert potentially saved us thousands of dollars in future repair costs.

Shown are some views of the bulkhead area, looking up from ground level.  Also photos of the access hatch for the sewer dump hose.  This is another place where water damage and rust is very common.  Finally, a couple shots of broken Roloks, which obviously failed the torque test.  The rusted end of the bolts shows they were already broken before being tested with the torque wrench.

Caveat Emptor!

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #4 – December 16, 2021, 09:37:18 am

  bigfoot 756
there is also a bulkhead at the front of the coach that needs to
be looked at.

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #5 – December 16, 2021, 10:29:09 am

Bigfoot756
We purchased a 98 u 320 from a couple living in Alberta that wintered each year in Arizona. We are also from Alberta and this was our first purchase of a class a motorhome , let alone a Foretravel.  I thought I had researched the subject pretty good but did not know about the bulkhead issues ( thank god for the forum). We purchased the coach and actually lucked out with the bulkhead, but it will still require a little love this spring. I have purchased all the 3 inch stainless bolts etc to attempt this myself. Since purchase in about 2 and half years we have done about 15000 Canadian in fixes. Aqua hot required an overhaul. Needed new airbags all around ( had a dealer here do them)  service of engine and generator ( really was surprised at how much that costs) replaced all the tv's with newer flat screens. Led lights through out coach upgrade. New start batteries. magnum2812 inverter
You get the picture. Although we love our coach we know we have to budget between 5 to 10 k a year for things that need attention. It was also a bit of a shock to fill the unit with fuel the first time
Good luck with you purchase and remember the forum is your friend !

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Re: Looking at a 1998 U320 and No Idea What I'm Looking At

Reply #6 – December 16, 2021, 10:44:31 am

I would say just look everything over very well. That coach should of sold already. It's been forsale for quite awhile, so I'm sure there are issues. I did see some stains in the ceiling from the pictures. I would assume it's been sitting for quite awhile and has been lived in. That can take its toll on it. I'm not saying don't buy it, but go with your gut. I seen it a month ago and concluded it wasn't for me.

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