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Topic: Looking to update  (Read 588 times) previous topic - next topic

Looking to update

Wondering what to do. We have a 1996 u295 36' that we've put a lot of work in to. However we would like to upgrade to say a 1999 u320 36'. I'm listing some of the upgrades to see what you all think about.  One of my favorites would be the bus doors on the cargo doors, water and power reels, AquaHot heat source, manifold for the water system, 450 Cummins over 300 8.3, screen door, ducted ceiling for ac, larger fuel tank 200 versus 100 and maybe others. But it is around 5000lbs heavier and I don't know how the 450 Cummins runs. My 8.3 has a non-computerized fuel system.
How many of you have these upgrades and what do you think about them. Any comments would be most helpful.
Now 1999 U320 36' with ISM/M11
600 amps hours of lithium ion batteries.
Jeep gladiator tow vehicle for exploring.

Re: Looking to update

Reply #1 –
Not by choice, we went from a 1998 Monaco to a 1998 U-320 a few years ago.  Aside from a screen door, our new features mirror your want list.  I like the U-320, but I had not thought too much about the upgrades, other than just enjoying them.

Bus doors - I really like them, but I would not consider them a priority in my shopping.  I just don't think about them much, though it makes access a little easier in the spot where we store our coach.

Water and power reels - our coach came to us with them removed.  Not exciting enough to replace them.

Aqua Hot - love it!  I hate buying propane, and I love that the AH is diesel-powered.  We can have the coach as warm as we want it, lots of hot water for bathing...  For us, this is a big plus over the propane water heater in the previous coach.

Manifold water system - I don't recall what our previous coach had - not a big deal to me.

Big engine - I am a slow and cautious driver and was pleased with the mechanical 8.3 in our previous coach.  In our U-320, I have floored the accelerator once, just to see what it would do - damn it goes!  It is nice to calmly and gently pass the semis on the steep inclines.  It seems that the M-11 is a hardy engine.  When we were shopping, I ran across complaints about injector failures and it worried me until I read on and found that the problems usually started at around 600,000 to 700,000 miles!

Ducted AC.  Not a big deal to me.  The ACs make hot air cooler and the non-ducted in the previous coach seemed to be fine.  If the headroom was six feet or less, the issue would suddenly be very important!

Big fuel tank.  We usually run between 3/8 and 7/8 tank, so we don't benefit from the capacity.  It is nice to go boondock and worry not at all about the AH and generator depleting the fuel supply.

It will not apply to your question, but the biggest change from the Monaco to the FT was ride quality.  Both were 8-air bag.  The FT was DRAMATICALLY better ride.  Had I known, we would have traded earlier and in better circumstances.

Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Looking to update

Reply #2 –
When I bought my coach I was only looking at the U320 and I found a 99. Aqua-hot with 3 zones
is great with the wet bay running off the bathroom zone which actually makes four zones is great
and it runs quieter. The M11 Cummins has more power which is great as I drive in the mountains all
the time. I like the mechanical engines for their simplicity but then no Silver Leaf so I now go for the
electronic engine. 200 gallons of fuel is great. I think all the coaches have power reels and the same
kind of cargo doors.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Looking to update

Reply #3 –
Since  we have a 96 U295 and a 99 U320 in the family I'll comment.  I'm involved in maintenance of both.  The biggest functional differences I see are two you didn't mention, the 99 has a wider entry door which is a big plus and the 40 vs 30 series Allison trans.  These are the main factors which would sway me.  Other than that, both rigs go down the road the same.  The 320 will climb inclines faster, but at the end of the day they make the same distance, you're only using a fraction of hp capabilities at cruise. Aquahot, computerized engine complexities are a personal choice, one I will pass on in favor of simplicity and reliability.  If you spend a lot of time in cold climes the aquahot may well be worth the significant investment in care and feeding. I don't, so propane furnaces are fine.  The 320 has double pane windows, a nice feature, but potential, solvable issues with many.
The 295 is far simpler to maintain, and has been rock solid reliable.  The 320 has numerous interior enhancements which are nice.  Both good rigs. 



"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Looking to update

Reply #4 –
I went from a 98 Monaco too and as I'm in the cold the Aqua-hot is important to me. I found the
8.3 Cummins started a lot faster the the M11 when it's warm out down to freezing and the M11
starts better below freezing. As Chuck said the 320 is more complicated so it is a personnel choice.
I thought all the coaches had double pane windows after 98 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Looking to update

Reply #5 –
I changed from a 270 to a 320 and if i think about it now that 99 270 would still be in the driveway if I did not talk myself into wanting a bigger engine and Aquahot.  I think I had more fn int he 270 and it was a great coach.  I do not think i would upgrade as you will lose all the money in upgrades you have done now. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Looking to update

Reply #6 –
We are on our 2nd U320 and would not consider anything else in a Foretravel.  Aqua Hot is a game changer and the larger engine is a plus.  If you are full time like us, the large bays are a no brainer and the larger door is a must have to boot.  Love the screen door.  No disappointments here!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Looking to update

Reply #7 –
We have had several Foretravels.  I will add that I didn't consider a tag axel important at all until I drove one.  At that point I knew we wanted a U320 with a tag. 

We have a 2003 which I consider the best year of U320's.  We also like the 42' although it's a little intimidating to park sometimes compared to a 36.  The turning radius is similar to a 49' non tag. 

These days I'd like to go back to a late old style Grandvilla U280 or U300 with the center entry and a 6 speed.  They really turn heads. 
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: Looking to update

Reply #8 –
I chose my U320 for most of the reasons you describe and have zero regrets. In particular the engine/transmission but now I'd say the Aqua Hot is probably the biggest thing I'll miss as we transition into an ORED.

If you're a heavy user, the U320 may make sense but do you really want to start over? Your ratio of fun to money spent can only go up with your current coach and that is ultimately the only metric that matters with these things.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Looking to update

Reply #9 –
We (mostly I) were wanting many of the things you mentioned when looking for our 2nd Foretravel.  At the time we had a VERY nice '95 U240 that I had put a lot of effort into.  The M11 w/4060R Allison, air ride, disc brakes, AquaHot, diesel generator, etc., would all be big upgrades from the U240.  My search was cut short when my DW found a '97 U295 that had every option that I know of and I buckled.  AquaHot, Villa furniture, cord reels, etc., basically a U320 LESS the stronger engine and transmission.  It pulled my 2500HD home ok on the mostly flat trip from NAC to Iowa but didn't feel like any hot rod. It turned into a project and so we haven't been able to use it yet.  I can say that the AquaHot definitely seems nice and is much quieter that the propane jet engine furnaces that we had. If you don't plan to use yours during cold weather, I'm not sure the complexity of the AH is worth it.  Only you can decide. 
I can say that I have questioned my sanity a few times for buying this thing.  IMO, try to find one that has been "loved" as much as your current one if you do trade.
Part of me really likes the idea of what Elliot has done...an ORED is so much less complex.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
 

Re: Looking to update

Reply #10 –
Hi A 867, Interesting name...

So, you want to give up simplicity, well running known coach, lighter, easier to maintain, paid upgrades. Sounds like you may be joining the many who wish they had their older coach back. Is the grass really greener ?. . .

Bus doors look good, not a head banger, but can be more difficult to adjust. Power reels may fail at commutator, water reels are not much value and both take up more space. Aquahot is large water heater, more complex needing regular maintenance than what it replaces.  450 HP is heavier, has computer, sensors, and lots of wiring, replacing a mechanical engine that only has 1 electric control device, no computer & sensors.

Enjoy your new coach. You will love it no matter what you buy, especially after up complete new upgrades.