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Topic: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years (Read 1438 times) previous topic - next topic

Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

I think I'm out of my league ($$$) with a Foretravel. However, here's one last thought:

Foretravel : 1984 Foretravel Grand Villa Class A in Redwood Valley, CA

The coach looks great, but has been sitting 10 years. Here's the write up:

38ft diesel pusher with 45K actual miles on the 8.6 Detroit engine. Upholstery and interior are in very good condition, always stored under cover. Coach has been maintained with Dry-Z-Air, mouse bait and has no water damage. Owner took great pride in this coach and kept it well maintained, registration current, clear title. Not driven in the past 10 years. Refrigerator, generator, and furnace worked when it was parked. The tires are checked and are holding air.

It would need all new tires--how much is that?
The 8.6 DD hasn't run for 10 years. They say hasn't been driving in 10 years, but I'm guessing that means the coach hasn't been started in that time, either. It would need all new rubber and all new brakes, correct?

New batteries for this would be how much?

I'm gathering from the other threads that this would be cost prohibitive, but if it were donated, what would I be looking at to get it on the road again, assuming all house systems are okay. I know, that's a big assumption.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #1 –
As you have gathered, if someone where to give it to you, and you are capeable of doing your own work, and had a place and the time to do it, it might be able to be restored to running condition. With it being 28 years old and sitting 10 years you are going to end up servicing/repairing every mechanical system. Additionally I think the engine is an 8.2 Detroit which is not one of the better diesels out there. Even with just parts costs can start to add up quickly, and being 28 years old some parts will be hard to come by. Tires are going to cost somewhere in the 3K range, house and chassis batteries depending on how many 500.00+. Fuel lines, rubber hoses, belts, axle wheel and transmission seals, starter alternator, radiator, power steering, and brakes, just to name a few are some of the other systems that will need attention. JMHO unless you where looking for a hobby project, there are other older coaches that have been maintained in running condition that can be had for less than what it would cost to get this one road worthy.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #2 –
This is an incredibly tough call. The pix show an older Foretravel in excellent condition, cosmetically. Someone who took the time to keep the wood in such beautiful condition probably had the gumption to start and run the engine every few weeks to keep the batteries charged and the oil stirred up. Not the best way to do things, as diesel rigs like to move, so we generally run them down the road for at least 20 miles every month to keep the grease pliable and work the engine under load. Still, it might be in running order. We bought an '86 ORED Grand Villa halfway across the country from home, and it ran (and runs) flawlessly clear from East Texas to Tacoma Wa. in 4 1/2 days. Hell of a shakedown cruise. Ours had newer tires, Thank God. The one you are looking at will HAVE to have new tires before driving, no matter how good the tread appears. I would say that if you can get there and check out the engine condition, and do an inspection of frame and suspension, you might just have a Gem for cheap. A lot depends on your ability to do the needed work yourself if it just needs simple attention. If not....look away. If so, you would have a real Classic piece. I had good luck (and I'm a mechanic by trade). Hoping you get lucky, too.
Route 66_End to End....someday

  1986 36' Grand Villa
    2015 Jeep Patriot
        K1SLD Steve
        K9NIK Nikki

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #3 –
offer them 6- drive to nearest tire store. maybe the lower figure will give you some leverage to do some upgrades

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #4 –
Dave,

We are in Santa Barbara now but will be heading home on Saturday and might be able to take a look at it. Call our cell if interested five three zero five five nine seven four seven one.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #5 –
this is funny. The  ad for this 84 is on the same web site that the other one for 45k is listed a few days ago topic, and Steve found that the site was possibly questionable to say the least--RVTradernet
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #6 –
Pierce, I would really appreciate hearing what you think of the coach, or if it's really there!

John, I have seen this coach for sale for over a year online--yes, my Wannabe status has been in effect for several years, and I think this one has been for sale all that time.

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #7 –
Bought a gasoline SOB that had been sitting outside for 17 years without moving. The seller's estate filled the tanks, bought new batteries and with a little gas down the AFB, it started right up. Hopped up and down like a pogo stick for about five miles but got it home a few hours later. Engine ran fine until I sold it to put a 7.3 diesel in it.

Expect you could purchase this one for half the asking.

Will give them a call and if our schedule is OK, will take a look.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #8 –
this rv has been on the local craigslist on and off for two years. where are you located at dave?
Mike
1990 GV 36'

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #9 –
Dave,

Was thinking it was Redwood City, not Redwood Valley. Way up in N.Calif.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Steve & Nancy Snow –
Forget that one look at this,

  1987 40' Foretravel Grand Villa 300hp turbo disel pusher

Wonder if it's a U300 with a 6-92 in it? Didn't think they made them until the following year. Deal of the year for about  $7000 if engine/trans are working well. Looks good as far as the photos show.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #12 –
That will have a 300 hp 3208 cat. Those ran very strong and looks pretty nice
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #13 –
A little more info on the '84. That coach is an FTX not a Grandvilla, That however doesn't mean its not a great coach. I have had my '83 for 18 yrs. That said you can plan on a lot to get it into road condition. All new rubber everything tires, airbags, hoses etc, etc, If the coach was as well kept that should be most of the battle.. with the chassis. The appliances well... That's a 50/50 chance. The the little stuff radio, dash a/c, cruise control, monitor panel, etc. This coach is powered by a Detroit Diesel 8.2L turbo engine was initially rated @ 205 H.P This is a good engine and I'm very pleased with mine. However it does not sit well it needs to be ran..alot. If I had about $10K disposable I'd buy the coach and have a little fun. It may very well be a fantastic coach after all. It won't be cheap tho. But hey, Keep the classics rolling!
James Holder
'83 3500 FTX ORED LIMITED

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #15 –
Quote from: PatC –
Not with those compartment doors.  Their to small.  U300 would go to top of wheel wells.

Pat,

That's what I thought but what else had 300 HP in 1987? Did any other model have a 2 cycle Detroit besides a U300? Perhaps they got the HP wrong.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Cost to get 1984 Grand Villa running after sitting 10 years

Reply #16 –
I looked at that one, But decided that sitting there that long everything would need replacing, All rubber and seals.
Just too expensive,

I paid $15000-00 for a 1989 Grand Villa ORED 36 foot. In excellent condition, from Texas, but I was also looking at a 40 footer ORED for $10,000-00

Both had Cat 300 with an Allison 4 speed auto box, There are a couple more out there between 10 and 20 grand,

Google 1988 Grand Villa's for sale, quite a few will come up,

That 45 grand one is very nice, But it is too dear for what it is,
Cheers,
Brian,

Toys, 1989 Grand Villa, 36 foot, ORED with 300 Hp Cat. 2002 Gemini 34 foot Sailing Catamaran, 2006 Honda Super Blackbird 1100XX, 2002 ZR7 750 Kawasaki,
25 HP Chinese tractor and Backhoe,