1993 Foretravel at PPL

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1993 Foretravel at PPL

December 06, 2013, 12:37:20 pm

This one just popped up: 1993 Grandvilla Unihome 3600 U240 for Sale - D719 - PPL Motor Homes

Really don't know what it is-- says U240, but also Oshkosh and air suspension. 250 Cat could be 3208 or 3116.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #1 – December 06, 2013, 12:45:58 pm

I thought bay doors on the Oshkosh chassis had bottom hinges and top lock handles. Am I wrong, or is this only true on pre 1990 models?

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #2 – December 06, 2013, 01:01:04 pm

As I have learned with my ORED this one is a U model not an Oshkosh.....looks like a nice coach

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #3 – December 06, 2013, 01:08:01 pm

Actually, I have a call in to the appraiser at PPL to get the description straightened out. Will post results, but suspect it is a U240.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #4 – December 06, 2013, 03:37:08 pm

Ppl is in Houston, isn't that where Rudy Leggett hangs his hat?

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #5 – December 06, 2013, 03:55:44 pm

Just got off the phone from talking with the appraiser at PPL who listed the coach.

It IS a U240. So modify this info and it will be accurate:

Unihome, not Oshkosh chassis
Torsilastic not air suspension

Suspect those changes will be made very shortly on their website.

BTW, we live in League City (north Galveston county), though right now we are in our coach further south on Matagorda bay.

Brett

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #6 – December 06, 2013, 07:56:26 pm

U 240 with TWIN beds. How to you access the engine?

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #7 – December 06, 2013, 08:05:58 pm

Those mattresses look like maybe the whole bed area raises up, rather than just the space under the normal queen bed. It might also be that you move the mattresses to the center and then raise up the hatch. Either way, I would think that it would be difficult to get to the side of the engine area.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #8 – December 06, 2013, 08:44:31 pm

There is an access panel between the mattresses that you lift up to access the engine. It should have just as much space on the sides as other foretravel coaches. I am not sure when they changed from 3208 to the 3116 engine in the 240. The early ones had the 3208. The chassis information has been changed to unihome and torsalastic suspension.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #9 – December 07, 2013, 08:50:00 am

looks like a very clean coach.. execpt i personally like the queen bed and air ride.. not sure about the torsalastic though..

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #10 – December 07, 2013, 10:39:54 am

I have never seen a twin bed set up in that model Foretravel. It MAY be easily convertible back to queen. I suspect, but don't know that the basic structure is the same.

Guess what I am saying is I would not rule it out because of the twins without doing a little checking.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #11 – December 07, 2013, 11:41:17 am

Those twin beds look to me like they are on or near the floor. I see the headboard and paneling behind them is as high as our Queen. I suspect that you would have to move the mattresses into the hall to open the engine hatch. OR, Does this model not have access under the bed ? Very unlikely, but s... happens.
Gary B

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #12 – December 07, 2013, 11:55:49 am

I think that the 2 beds are built on a frame that is level with regular engine cover. All that is needed for them would be a simplebox frame on either side (under each window) to support the base for beds. Most probably you get to engine by taking beds out and these "support frames" out and you are left with the standard opening.
I see no other reason for doing it any other way thus giving you the same height off floor and ability to return to Queen bed set up.
John H

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #13 – December 07, 2013, 12:07:42 pm

When Dianne and I look at the bedroom photos on PPL's website and compare with our 1993 U240, the bed looks like it is at the same height as on queen on our coach (bed height to bottom of window distance). Said another way, I don't suspect much different engine access once mattresses are removed. But, not difficult to determine.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #14 – December 07, 2013, 12:10:35 pm

Exactly my thoughts on that , as mentioned.
John H

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #15 – December 07, 2013, 12:15:44 pm

If someone in Houston got the build number, would the factory be able to answer these questions?

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #16 – December 07, 2013, 12:22:29 pm

I would imagine that if someone was interested in this unit this design "should" be a no brainer and simple to reverse. Cannot see any reason to do it any different than what we have come up with. The height of bed to base of windows gave me the answer.(and to Brett too)
John H

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #17 – December 07, 2013, 12:24:28 pm

David,

I don't know what records Foretravel would have on a custom layout done in 1993 (assuming this was a factory modification).

Certainly worth asking unless the question can be answered by just asking about engine access. The picture of the bedroom does not show the areas on either side of the engine hatch, so we don't know if the "footwells" forward of radiator (passenger's side) and air filter area (driver's side) have been closed in or not. Could be a very easy "un-conversion" or could be more difficult.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #18 – December 07, 2013, 12:56:27 pm

Twin beds don't sound all that bad to me at age 70 and after 39 years of marriage. At least I wouldn't get accused of stealing all the covers! (Except by the cat, maybe.)

Torsilastic suspension may not be better than the air ride system but I can say that it beats the heck out of most of the other suspensions as far as ride quality goes. I often discover things like the soap dispenser left on the counter in the bathroom still there in the same spot after 70 miles on a bumpy 2-lane highway. Stuff I leave on my bedside table are still there in the same spot... always! Our U225 is quiet and comfortable on the road but I can still "feel" the road. Makes for a nice driving experience.

And this coach has the coveted "half dinette" for craft projects, ham radio, etc.

Y'know... I have been kicking around making an "N" or "Z" gauge model railroad layout. Storing it while under way might be an issue though. Or when the DW is sewing.

Looks like a terrific coach to me.

Craig

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #19 – December 07, 2013, 09:55:45 pm

I have only seen one other twin bed grandvilla. It was a 1988 oskosh rear engine gas. I worked on this coach and it was no different than working on any other rear engine foretravel. I saw several of the older front engine foretravels with twin beds, and they would be a challenge to convert to a queen bed.

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #20 – December 07, 2013, 10:25:18 pm

Same layout as our 91 (almost). The twin beds really aren't an option for us. I like the fold down table, the small dinette, and the counter space just inside of the door. I dont like the 250 HP engine, think it may be too small. NOPE -- wouldn't trade!! Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #21 – December 07, 2013, 10:57:32 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – December 07, 2013, 12:56:27 pm

Torsilastic suspension may not be better than the air ride system but I can say that it beats the heck out of most of the other suspensions as far as ride quality goes.

By accident I left a pretty, small base coffee cup on the rear bumper of a 240 and drove off. Lots of miles later I noticed it was still there......

Re: 1993 Foretravel at PPL

Reply #22 – December 08, 2013, 11:35:50 am

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – December 07, 2013, 12:56:27 pm

Torsilastic suspension may not be better than the air ride system but I can say that it beats the heck out of most of the other suspensions as far as ride quality goes. I often discover things like the soap dispenser left on the counter in the bathroom still there in the same spot after 70 miles on a bumpy 2-lane highway. Stuff I leave on my bedside table are still there in the same spot... always!

So much more advanced than the Chevy P-32 I came out of!!!!!

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