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Topic: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly) (Read 1329 times) previous topic - next topic

Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

 Hi all!  Relatively noon member first time posting,  my father-in-law is looking into purchasing a 1992 Grand Villa front engine Cummins 5.9,  as a first motorhome,  main reason they're interested in it because of its smaller size,  mother-in-law will also be driving it and she is afraid of the big rigs,  my question is are there any  problem  areas with this little motorhome,  it will mostly be used to travel 300 miles to visit family
1992 Grand Villa U225

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #1 –
Pilotjkl,

The 1992 U225 is a REAR ENGINE diesel. 5.9 liter Cummins, Allison 4 speed (not electronic 6 speed) and has the TORSILASTIC suspension (not air).

All were 36'. Two different floor plans: SBI and SBID.

1992 Foretravel U225-U240 Specifications

1992 Foretravel U225 - U240 Floorplans

And, this is probably going to sound condescending, but unless you/they know a LOT about diesel pushers, I would strongly suggest against a 28 year old coach as a very first motorhome.

If you have a link to the coach, post it-- someone here may have first hand knowledge about it.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #2 –
X2 on what Brett said. While all Foretravel's are top quality it is 28 years old.
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: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #3 –
Do NOT take what Wolfe said the wrong way.
That man speaks truth.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #4 –
As a general rule, the older they are, the better you have to be at DIY and have a lot of free time. If not, the shop cost will quickly exceed the cost of the coach. Coaches with any corrosion should be instantly eliminated even if free.

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

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #5 –
Brett, didnt the 2900 and 3000 and 3300 have a 5.9 front engine. 
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #6 –
Yes, Foretravel did make a few Front Engine Diesels, but totally unrelated to the U225:

1992 Front Engine Specifications

Again, posting a link will help us to help you.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #7 –
I'm not clear from the original post.

Does the OP have a U225 (as noted in sig) and his father-in-law is looking at a different coach, which is a 1992 front engine GV model...

OR

Does the OP not yet own a coach, and the "U225" noted in the sig is referring to the coach both he and his father-in-law are looking at.

Not clear on that...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #8 –
Chuck,
EXCELLENT Question.  Since this is a first post, difficult to tell.

As with most questions about coaches for sale, a link will allow a LOT of good answers.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #10 –
Looks like an awesome alternative to a class C
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #11 –
 I think I caused some confusion because of my  Avatar,  I own a U225,  my father-in-law is looking at a Grand Villa 2900 RB,  I'm not asking specifically about the motorhome he is looking at, Im only asking if there are any gremlins  In general With the front engine Grand villa's

1992 Grand Villa U225

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #12 –
Thanks for the clarification.

I am not aware of any ForeForum members with that model, but hopefully one will surface.

From the specs (see my link above) 190 HP and non-locking torque converter on 4 speed Allison.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #13 –
5.9 was notorious for cracked exhaust manifold, but there many aftermarket manifold fixes to chose from. Also search for killer dowel pin as this pin can come loose and destroy the Engine. Can be replaced fixed also, part is a few bucks but labor could add up. Call around to local diesel mechanics as these are very common widely known issues, and they have performed many.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake
 

Re: Grand Villa front engine, (the good the bad and the ugly)

Reply #14 –
 The main concern I would have would be the brake system as the coach has hydraulic brakes with hydraboost with a 12 volt back up motor in case you break a hydraulic pump belt. I don't know where you could find a replacement but probably out there somewhere. Other than that I would not be afraid of it and should get good mileage.
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