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Topic: Side or rear radiator (Read 750 times) previous topic - next topic

Side or rear radiator

After reading many discussions about side versus rear radiators, I thought I'd take a look at some online pictures and see if I could figure out what I'm looking at. Is this 1994 Foretravel U280 40' Motorhomes of Texas a rear radiator coach? Is this one 1996 Foretravel U320 40' Motorhomes of Texas a side radiator? The 1994 looks like it has a large opening at the rear of the coach, while the 1996 has a much smaller opening.

Even though we can't buy anything for a couple of years, I can still dream a bit and try to learn all I can. Would either of these coaches be good for full-time use for two adults and one cat? We're figuring on maybe 5000 miles/year with the coach towing a small toad. We'd probably move a few hundred miles at any one time, with stays anywhere from a week to a month.

I'm eagerly awaiting more healing in my wife's foot and warmer weather to go out an visit a few people and ask more questions.

Re: Side or rear radiator

Reply #1 –
David,

Both of those units have radiators on the side. The clue is the big vent on the passenger side. The hydraulic fans draw air in through that vent. The air passes over the charge air cooler (cools compressed air from turbocharger) and the radiator. It exhausts out the bottom of the engine compartment and also through the louvers on the back of the coach.

The little vent on the driver side is for the condenser for the dash air conditioning (automotive style A/C).

Other experts can address issues regarding full time use. We enjoy our 36' coach and generally spend no more than three weeks "on the road" at a time.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Side or rear radiator

Reply #2 –
David,

I have seen this coach up close and personal at MOT. I assure you that it is a side radiator unit. The second picture shows a radiator grill on the passenger side, lower left. The large rear grill is just to allow air brought in through the radiator to exhaust out. I believe that the small grill on the drivers side is the access to the large air filter. That's where you pull it out to change it. I have the '92 U-280 and that's where our air filter is.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Side or rear radiator

Reply #3 –
Thanks. It seems that diesels don't have radiators as big as I thought. You answered my question exactly as I needed it to be answered. Since few ads list whether a coach as a side or rear radiator, knowing what to look for is a big help.

Re: Side or rear radiator

Reply #4 –
Quote
The little vent on the driver side is for the condenser for the dash air conditioning (automotive style A/C).

J.D., In the GranVillas, the dash A/C condenser/cooler and transmission cooler are in the front behind the front grill/louvers.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.
 

Re: Side or rear radiator

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Don Hay –
J.D., In the GranVillas, the dash A/C condenser/cooler and transmission cooler are in the front behind the front grill/louvers.
Don, Thank you for the correction. I was puzzled by the statement about the air filter being behind the little grill. It makes more sense now.

We have the "bus" style coach. The little grill on driver's side is for the automotive air conditioner condenser on our unit. Access to the air filter on ours is through a small bay door aft of the rear wheels.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX