29' gas powered GV

Topic: 29' gas powered GV (Read 1111 times) previous topic - next topic

29' gas powered GV

January 26, 2013, 06:03:39 pm

I can not afford a diesel powered GV now, but have found a gas powered (460) 29' Foretravel at a very reasonable price. I am single and this will fit me just fine with a few mods.

I have looked at Barry Beam's posted information on this model, but have a few questions that were not mention in the spec's.

What type of chassis does it have?
What size tire does it use? (needs tires)
Does it have a catalytic converter?
The carburetor needs to be rebuilt or buy new. Have any idea where's the best place for a new one?
That's it for now. I'm sure there will be more later.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #1 – January 26, 2013, 06:58:50 pm

That was built on a John Deere chassis, which was later sold to freightliner if I remember right. The tires should be 8r 19.5. The original carb was a motorcraft and had a lot of problems with the power valve going bad if the engine backfired.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #2 – January 26, 2013, 07:03:34 pm

Depending what year, it did not have a catalytic converter. There should be an electric fuel pump mounted in front of the fuel tank. When you pull off the interstate into a rest area, you should let it run for a few minutes before shutting off to allow the manifolds slowly cool off. I changed many manifolds on these as they wouold warp and break off the mounting bolts. The later manifolds had elongated holes so the manifold could flex without breaking the bolts

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #3 – January 26, 2013, 07:05:41 pm

My previous rig was a 32' Winnebago built on that same John Deere chassis. I recommend looking elsewhere.

The tire size is now hard to find, and the last tires I bought for it ruined the drivability. It also has the leaf springs set too far inboard. I did have to have the carb rebuilt too. The good points were excellent brakes with discs all around and hydraulic power assist for the brakes that worked from a dc motor if the engine wasn't running.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #4 – January 26, 2013, 07:46:52 pm

Had one, underpowered, expect 6 mpg or maybe less. Plan 60mph max, rear radiator if pusher real pain. Oshkosh chassis, bought by freight liner, reliable but no parts or support except James Triana at factory.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #5 – January 31, 2013, 12:21:35 am

Thanks for the replies. I am going to buy it anyway. It is a Foretravel so it can't be as bad as some have suggested. I had a 35' Winnebago with a 460 in it. Drove over 100,000 miles and it did fine.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #6 – January 31, 2013, 02:22:42 am

I had a 32 holiday rambler with a 454 chevy and it had plenty of power. I think this is about same as 460. Mileage was about 7-8mpg. The cat converter if there, I would consider removing as it may be blocked anyway. May be worth while to take in and sell as there apparently is some value in it. I had same tires on my HR. I do like the larger wheels better on most of the pushers but really not necessary for that size. Do monitor the tire pressure. If low pressure you will get blowouts due to side wall flexing. This is besides dangerous, expensive and destructive to the wheel wells. I do know about that. With regard to carb, I was never very good with those things. I would probably recommend buying a brand new one and putting it on. That is most expensive route, but I know that I can not rebuild and every effort I have had with rebuilding was a PIA. With a brand new one, you should expect good performance for a while before need to address again. The 29 does sound like a nice size for one person.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #7 – January 31, 2013, 09:32:51 am

you'll be fine with that rig, The 460 is a good engine. I have driven many of these rigs without trouble. You'll enjoy that coach.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #8 – January 31, 2013, 10:30:15 am

Quote from: Michael j – January 26, 2013, 06:03:39 pm

I can not afford a diesel powered GV now, but have found a gas powered (460) 29' Foretravel at a very reasonable price. I am single and this will fit me just fine with a few mods.

I have looked at Barry Beam's posted information on this model, but have a few questions that were not mention in the spec's.

What type of chassis does it have?
What size tire does it use? (needs tires)
Does it have a catalytic converter?
The carburetor needs to be rebuilt or buy new. Have any idea where's the best place for a new one?
That's it for now. I'm sure there will be more later.

I see you are in the Bay Area so will need to smog it. If you have a Carter AFB, have it rebuilt by a carb shop. DON'T get rid of the cat converter. You will need it to get it to pass the emission test. Would expect somewhere around 5-6 mpg with the motorhome. Check the tire sidewall for size and then get quotes from dealers and then online. A Ford/Navistar diesel will bolt up if you decide to keep it and get tired of the high fuel consumption.

Pierce

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #9 – January 31, 2013, 10:52:25 am

When I had my 36 foot OREG, if I would have known that a Diesel converstion was feasible, I would have done that and kept it - would have not made economic sense on a residual value basis, but would have saved me two trades, more significant upgrades and a lot of depreciation on the U-270 and U-320. Loved the old coach , even with the Oshkosh chassis, hated the rear radiator and the 460 reliability (lack thereof)

Had to replace my carb too before it blew up...

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #10 – January 31, 2013, 03:14:50 pm

Sorry if advice was bad on the Cat converter. I live in Texas and would not expect it to be an issue here. I guess I did not pay attention to where you lived and I know California is different than Texas with regard to the emissions testing. I guess I was thinking about Texas.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #11 – February 02, 2013, 12:51:06 am

I went and looked at the Foretravel today. There are many things that need attention, none that I can't handle, but there is one problem that is very confusing to me. The transmission, AOD model, has no park. By that I mean when you put the selector into park nothing happens, the coach will roll. The confusing part is the owner said it never did have park as long as he's owned it. That is 9-10 years. He always use the parking brake and that does not work now.
I think it has a broken parking pawl, easy enough to fix.

Anyone know what kind of parking brake this chassis (John Deer) has?

The most disappointing thing was it had no manuals. I don't understand why owner loose vehicle documentation. Happens all the time.

I refuse to buy it because I didn't want to drive it with no park or parking brake. The owner said if I paid the asking price he would have it delivered to me. That's 422 mile from his place to mine. I now have the pink slip and looking forward to my new adventure. The asking price was $3900.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #12 – February 02, 2013, 04:27:44 pm

After some searching I think I have found some information on the auto parking brake as it's called.

Here's the site if some would like to read about these old systems.
John Deere..Chassis..an auto parking brake that is supposed to engage -

So maybe these transmission don't have a parking pawl. More researching is in order.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #13 – February 02, 2013, 08:38:34 pm

If you check , you will find a brake drum at the rear of the transmission that has brake shoes that are applied when the transmiddion is placed in park. This is accomplished if I remember correctly by the shift lever tripping a valve. It is possible the brake shoes are burned up by someone driving with the brake applied. I will check my books to see if I have a manual on that chassis.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #14 – February 02, 2013, 09:48:50 pm

So far have not been able to find a manual on this chassis. If I remember there was a cable involved that pulled a lever that released the hydraulic power to the park brake mechanism and then the brake was applied by springs. There was a hydraulic valve assembly mounted to the frame somewhere on the drivers side of the coach inside the frame in the area of the transmission. I am pretty sure that I have one of the valves, of course probably not any good any more but would be a core, of course you would already have one if a different one was needed. I am still leaning to the braker shoes being worn out. Good luck on getting it fixed.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #15 – February 02, 2013, 10:42:45 pm

Thanks Ron for the information. I'll have a look under the coach when it gets here. I hope your right about the pads. I did see the cable located below the steering wheel.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #16 – February 08, 2013, 07:58:13 pm

Michael,
I may have a John Deere chassis manual... I'll look in my library and see what I can find. If I have one its yours.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #17 – February 08, 2013, 08:10:32 pm

Thanks James
I downloaded a copy for the web, but a hard copy would be better. Let me know if you find it and pay the shipping.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #18 – February 08, 2013, 10:00:20 pm

Michael,

I don't have a manual but I do have an oshkosh 30 foot GV, and I have gotten break parts at
Home Page, the man in charge is very friendly and very very knowledgeable. He may be able to
help you out.

John Deere

Look over his site and you may find what you are looking for, I think he is out of California if I remember correctly.

Hope this helps.

Ty

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #19 – February 09, 2013, 12:00:48 am

Thanks for the information Ty.

Re: 29' gas powered GV

Reply #20 – February 09, 2013, 11:08:59 am

It will be interesting to watch your rebuild and remodel of this coach. I heard they had a overheating issue but that is old news and it is also 2nd hand. I would love to hear your experiences with it. I have to say for 3900 for a FT is a steal any time.

Affiliate Notice