We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Topic: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320 (Read 865 times) previous topic - next topic

We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

April 21, 2013, 10:02:36 pm

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to take a minute to finally introduce myself. My name is Douglas, Amanda (my better half) and I have been thinking about buying a motorhome and going fulltime for right at four years now. Well we finally found the home we have been looking for. It's a 1997 40' u320 WTBI. We flew out to Brawley,CA and spent three days with the previous owners as they taught us about the coach. We feel like we got a really remarkable coach, and couldn't be happier. We left Friday afternoon and have been driving back to Texas for the last few days (There was even a sighting of us reported Foretravel sightings....Finally ~ amazing for our maiden voyage). It will be a few months before we are ready to make the final transition to fulltimers but we are so excited to be one step closer.

Here's a few photos of "Brawley aka the Bug Assassin".

Douglas and Amanda

P.S. After sleeping in it for 5 nights and driving 1250 miles in 3 days I have a ton of new questions but I'll try to limit them to a few at a time.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #1 – April 21, 2013, 10:14:08 pm

Congratulations Douglas & Amanda. Welcome to the Foretravel ownership experience and soon to be fulltimers. The coach appears to have been very well kept. Now it will be up to you to keep maintaining/upgrading the new to you beautifull coach. The folks here will make sure all your questions are answered.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #2 – April 22, 2013, 12:02:01 am

Congratulations on the new coach!

I expect it is in your plans already, but let me urge you to head on up to Nacogdoches very soon and have some of the experts there clean up your bulkhead issues. The photos from "up top" look might fine, but the earlier images of the bulkheads were a bit scary.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #3 – April 22, 2013, 01:25:50 am

Luckily this is a completely different coach. I walked away from the coach that was for sale in Austin with the bulkhead issues. It was just too much work/risk for me.

The coach we bought has been impeccably maintained. Both prior owners kept it garaged, it's spent basically it's entire life in Arizona and California, which is probably why these bulkheads look to be in perfect condition. We feel very lucky to have found a coach in this condition after our previous experience.

Just wanted to set the record straight, I don't want to be known as the guy with the scary bulkheads, but thanks for looking out for me.

Douglas

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #4 – April 22, 2013, 09:36:15 am

Douglas,

She looks awesome! Glad you found something.

Happy Travels,
Benjie

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #5 – April 22, 2013, 09:48:58 am

Quote from: ScubaGuy – April 22, 2013, 01:25:50 am

Luckily this is a completely different coach. I walked away from the coach that was for sale in Austin with the bulkhead issues. It was just too much work/risk for me.
...
Just wanted to set the record straight, I don't want to be known as the guy with the scary bulkheads, but thanks for looking out for me.

Cool! Thanks for the update. I made an assumption based on the photos and came to the wrong conclusion.

Check out Mid-South Chapter | of the Foretravel Motorcade Club. There is a rally in Waco in a couple of weeks. Marilyn and I have enjoyed the Motorcade rallies we have attended. We attended our first with some trepidation, and enjoyed it much more than we expected. We met a lot of great Foretravelers.

Be sure to call Beverly Koonce at FOT to get your motorcade membership. It will be free for you until renewal in 2014.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #6 – April 22, 2013, 10:13:22 am

Welcome to the forum Douglas and Amanda. Congratulations on that beautiful Fortravel, you did your shopping well. You will have many great experiences in it. We have owned our Fortravel for about three years and had spent about 5 years prior to its purchase finding just the right one. We are not full timers but visit the Houston area many times a year. I hope we will cross paths soon.
Where was that last photo you posted taken, looks like a nice place to visit.
Ask a lot of questions here and read all you can, there is always someone here to help.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #7 – April 22, 2013, 12:14:26 pm

Thanks J. D. I'll be sure to look into the club.

Roadrunner - that was taken at Inks Lake State Park just outside of Austin TX. Very pretty place.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #8 – April 22, 2013, 01:33:47 pm

Congrats and welcome to the FT owners club. The forum is a great place to get information and you are more than welcome to ask as many questions as you can absorb the answers for.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #9 – April 22, 2013, 07:43:59 pm

Congratulations! I'm sure you will enjoy your new ride! We are extremely pleased with our 1995 U320SE, purchased in November 2012. This forum provides a wealth of information, and it will definitely help you get the most out of your Foretravel.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #10 – April 22, 2013, 07:58:15 pm

Glad you made it home!

Thanks for the pics, it looks awesome! I love the tan awnings, such a clean look.

I hope you weren't startled at a little car honking at you. I was debating it, but just had to do it, especially since it was my first sighting.

Do you know if the previous owners modified the headlights at all? They looked nice and bright, I could have sworn they had been converted to the new style.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #11 – April 22, 2013, 08:32:29 pm

Congratulations Douglas & Amanda. Glad to have you on board. Ya'll need to come join us at the Mid South Chapter Rally in Waco, May 2-4 be glad to have you, its always great fun and I always learn a lot.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #12 – April 22, 2013, 11:32:46 pm

Congratulations to you Douglas and Amanda on your acquisition. This forum is like family, always helpful, encouraging, and so knowledgeable. May you enjoy many years of safe travels.

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #13 – April 23, 2013, 01:43:27 am

Thanks for all the kind words. We are very excited.

Quote from: tothetrail – April 22, 2013, 07:58:15 pm

Glad you made it home!

Thanks for the pics, it looks awesome! I love the tan awnings, such a clean look.

I hope you weren't startled at a little car honking at you. I was debating it, but just had to do it, especially since it was my first sighting.

Do you know if the previous owners modified the headlights at all? They looked nice and bright, I could have sworn they had been converted to the new style.

We love the awnings too ... here's a couple of really bad pics with the big awning out. I don't think the first owner used the awnings at all. They all look to be in great shape.

You, definitely had me confused. But the arms out the windows waving made me laugh. Because the horn is so loud, I wasn't sure if I should honk back, but figured what the heck. Glad I did!!! This sighting wouldn't be nearly as good if I had just ignored you.

As far as the headlights...(I will probably start a thread about this) but no I believe they are stock. Mike (the previous owner) actually told me he thought they are worthless, so he didn't drive it at night. And when I first tried them, I would have to agree. BUT with the brights on... they are actually pretty good. What you saw as you pulled up next to me was my brights, then just as you got out in front of me, I went back to the worthless low beams.

Jimmy Freytag - Unfortunately we won't be around that weekend, but we do hope to make a rally soon.

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We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

April 21, 2013, 10:02:36 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #1 – April 21, 2013, 10:14:08 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #2 – April 22, 2013, 12:02:01 am

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #3 – April 22, 2013, 01:25:50 am

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #4 – April 22, 2013, 09:36:15 am

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #5 – April 22, 2013, 09:48:58 am

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #6 – April 22, 2013, 10:13:22 am

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #7 – April 22, 2013, 12:14:26 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #8 – April 22, 2013, 01:33:47 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #9 – April 22, 2013, 07:43:59 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #10 – April 22, 2013, 07:58:15 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #11 – April 22, 2013, 08:32:29 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #12 – April 22, 2013, 11:32:46 pm

Re: We did it... we bought a 1997 40' U320

Reply #13 – April 23, 2013, 01:43:27 am

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