1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Topic: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader (Read 2308 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #25 – February 27, 2014, 10:40:52 am

Dealer reports sold. They had many calls.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #26 – February 27, 2014, 11:58:03 am

Quote from: carlnk – February 27, 2014, 10:40:52 am

Dealer reports sold. They had many calls.

Like I said. Move quick with a checkbook in hand. Someone got a deal

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #27 – February 27, 2014, 07:31:27 pm

Hi All,
Back in 2006 it was registered to Floyd Lamb, Havana, Florida.
Raymond

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #28 – February 27, 2014, 08:28:44 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – February 27, 2014, 09:11:10 am

Ok

Anybody buy this?

Is this one going to Canada?

You're not the only one wondering that last point

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #29 – March 02, 2014, 01:56:47 am

Quote from: carlnk – February 27, 2014, 10:40:52 am

Dealer reports sold. They had many calls.

That was me! They agreed to $19.000 subject to satisfactory inspection. Got my cashier's check for $19.000 and my wife and I went down there to bring it home. Met with Brett Wolfe (and his lovely wife Diane) and spent about four hours going over it in full inspection mode.

First the good: Great 40-foot walnut interior with walnut walls, pocket doors, window sills and tambour doors in front and back. I think this was the last model year with that much walnut -- IIRC the 95's had tambour front but lift-up in back, and 96's went all lift-up). This was the Special Edition with eight different corian counter tops with accent trim. Many, many cabinets throughout the coach. nice oak flooring in the kitchen, 2-burner stove, upgraded refrigerator. Could be used as-is if you added a piece of duct tape on the couch (which had a very nice southwestern pattern). The awnings were in pretty good shape with aluminum covers. Big silver detroit diesel looked and sounded good; same with the generator that had almost a thousand hours.

The not so good: The RV was a one-owner, but had sat for at least the last two years. The Korean tires looked good with lots of tread, but had a date code of 3405; a few missing lug nut covers. No manuals or service records. Only had a couple of minor delam areas. Needed all new batteries. The alternator was not working, but dealer was replacing that. One of the bay door handles had broken off and needed some minor fiberglass repair; a second one also needed some minor fiberglass repair. The box-beam frame around the waste door open had pretty much rusted out; the valve did not close all the way and the PO solution was ts stuff a rag in the end of the outlet pipe. The steering gear box probably needed some work. Old, old green carpet throughout.

The bad and ugly: The BULKHEADS. The front bulkhead had 5 or 6 rolocks on the passenger side that had rusted through. The rear bulkhead did not have that many good ones! It was the deal breaker. Will try to post some of my bulkhead photos tomorrow. There were more maintenance items that needed tending too (filters, fluids, etc.), but I left my pages of notes with the dealer when I gave him the bad news. Figured he had more use for them than I did.

Jean and I drove from Oklahoma to Florida and back; two long days each day, with some nighttime driving, which was definitely not fun. But we learned a few things: we definitely want a 40-footer for full timing; I really LOVE all that old walnut, and most importantly, I finally convinced Jean that 102" can be enough without slides! Some times a good deal is just not good enough! If you do not have the experience or expertise to inspect an RV, it pays to have someone who can assist you. All in all, we spent about $1k on the trip, but saved $19k plus a whole lot more! Now I just have to convince my bank to take back my cashier's check. :-)

Trent and Jean Eyler
Sadly, still just wannabees!

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #30 – March 02, 2014, 07:38:52 am

Sorry to hear the drive back was empty handed. You will find one sonnet or later.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #31 – March 02, 2014, 07:54:56 am

Trent,

You and Jean made the right decision. There ARE nice ones out there. As I have said for years, I would rather see someone spend quite a lot more for a really nice unit than think they got a "bargain" by purchasing a bad one for a low price.

And, next time I do a mechanical inspection at that dealership, I am bringing my own leaf blower. That hour and a half under it in the leaves was a real choker.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #32 – March 02, 2014, 10:28:23 am

Now just go buy Gary B's coach, the opposite of what you just looked at. Pay a premium for a premium coach and you won't be unhappy.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #33 – March 02, 2014, 11:06:19 am

Ebay has what looks like something checking into.

94 - 40' custom paint detroit engine..

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #34 – March 02, 2014, 04:07:24 pm

Quote from: fouroureye – March 02, 2014, 11:06:19 am

Ebay has what looks like something checking into.

94 - 40' custom paint detroit engine..

Uhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/1989-FORETRAVEL-GRAND-VILLA-UNIHOME-39-300HP-DIESEL-RV-MOTORHOME-/310880666867?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4861ee84f3&item=310880666867&pt=RVs_Campers

Check the wood everywhere. Major roof leaks and poor owner care to look like that. Indicates few oil changes, other hidden problems. These photos are not showing all the work needed.

Pierce

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #35 – March 02, 2014, 05:01:46 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – March 02, 2014, 10:28:23 am

Now just go buy Gary B's coach, the opposite of what you just looked at. Pay a premium for a premium coach and you won't be unhappy.

Tim, I would love to own it if it were 4' longer. Trent

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #36 – March 02, 2014, 08:11:33 pm

"Greed knows NO bounds"

"deals to good to be true. most likely are"

" I have this lovely ocean front property in AZ that I let you have really cheap"

Barnum said it best

" a new sucker born every minute "

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #37 – March 02, 2014, 10:16:07 pm

Yeah, there is a difference between a 40 and a 36 (owned two 36' FT before the current coach). I don't full time (yet), but if I did I think I would want a 40. That said, 36 still has a bunch of room inside.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #38 – March 03, 2014, 08:33:08 am

Pierce, are you looking at the u300? 35K?

Didnt see any interior shots.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #39 – March 03, 2014, 08:37:04 am

On the Ebay 1989 listing, you need to scroll down the page to see lots of large photos that do show the interior. What I saw seemed to be window leaks streaking the walnut wall paneling. One shot seemed to show the wood might be mildewed, which I hope is not the case. I have seen boat interiors with all the wooden walls covered in mildew.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #40 – March 03, 2014, 08:45:28 am

I saw that on the 89.

Im talking about the 94.

Guess we dont have the same access on ebay.. lol

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #41 – March 03, 2014, 09:13:57 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – March 02, 2014, 10:16:07 pm

Yeah, there is a difference between a 40 and a 36 (owned two 36' FT before the current coach). I don't full time (yet), but if I did I think I would want a 40. That said, 36 still has a bunch of room inside.

The difference in usable storage space between a 36' and a 40' unit can be quite significant--both in the interior and in the basement. When deciding what to buy we reviewed a variety of posts and carefully studied the floor plans. Even though we have no plans for full-timing, we do plan (after retirement) to make several extended trips. Based on our trips so far, I think we will put all of the space in our 40' rig to good use.

I initially was a little concerned about the maneuverability with the longer rig, but that hasn't been an issue up to this point. I would definitely recommend a 40' rig.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #42 – March 03, 2014, 09:25:44 am

Be careful when looking at streaks ( not real mildew ) on the wood paneling, if below the Windows it can be just streaking from condensation off the windows , not necessarily a LEAK as such. Some Furniture Polish will cure most of the streaking.
Gary B

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #43 – March 03, 2014, 10:49:02 am

Gary,

Look at the photos again on a big monitor. The streaks are everywhere and in several cases, start at the ceiling. Check the ceiling next to the wall in the passageway. The wood on the entry is really bad. The instrument panel between the instruments also has a lot of deposits and is not just dust. Looks as if it did a Poseidon to me. The chairs look to have be recovered or have a slip cover on them. Expect they were like the main sofa before. If it could bark, it would.

Pierce

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #44 – March 03, 2014, 11:01:28 am

Quote from: fouroureye – March 03, 2014, 08:33:08 am

Pierce, are you looking at the u300? 35K?

Didnt see any interior shots.

No, I was looking at the 1989 U300 with the Detroit. 1989 Foretravel Grand Villa Unihome 39' Detroit Diesel RV Motorhome | eBay
The Detroit was added at the end in a correction. Lists a CAT at the top.

The 1994 claims to have a Cummins in it so thought it was not the one. It looks a lot nicer. It does have interior shots if you scroll down on the photos but pretty low resolution. Could be a mistake on the engine or perhaps it's a U280. 1994 Foretravel Grand Villa Unihome 40 ft U 300 Series Restored and Ready | eBay

Pierce

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #45 – March 03, 2014, 11:42:33 am

On the Ebay 1994 listing, misspelling and some wrong info. Cabinets listed as oak, but look like the normal Walnut. Some suggestion to Peterbuilt running boards. You have to read between the lines and sometime ignore the info written as well.

Buyers be ware, and they really need to study Barry Beam's wealth of info on his site.

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #46 – March 03, 2014, 07:31:22 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – March 03, 2014, 09:25:44 am

Be careful when looking at streaks ( not real mildew ) on the wood paneling, if below the Windows it can be just streaking from condensation off the windows , not necessarily a LEAK as such. Some Furniture Polish will cure most of the streaking.
Gary B

Gary,

Sorry if we were looking at a different coach. You probably thought I was crazy or had xray eyes.

Pierce

Re: 1994 Unihome on RV Trader

Reply #47 – March 03, 2014, 08:04:54 pm

Pierce, I agree with you, I was just pointing out that not all streaks are not fatal flaws.
Gary B

Affiliate Notice