Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

86 GV 33 SBI GAS

August 03, 2018, 03:34:50 pm

Hey... now its time for stupid questions to the amazing forum members...  Got the generator carb rebuilt, new fuel pump, filters and plugs.... all done..  nicely running GEN SET...    not much $$ in parts but more labor...  next time i can do this on my own.

1st...  i have the original GV 86 manual binder book but not much description on how to fill water tanks... i was able to hook up to shore water in our local RV park for free to test systems and all sinks, toilet, shower pressure all good. But there are levers and turn wheels under the drivers side twin bed ... not sure how to fill tank and not just use shore water...

2nd.  I will need to learn a bit about the propane tank.. it shows full on coach dash tank settings but need to see how to fire up water heater...  i think i saw the water heater manual in the Orange FT binder. 

3rd.  Don't need furnace yet in Colorado but will read up on operating functions soon... 

Thanks for any advice,  suggestions... critiques you all can provide.. 

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #1 – August 03, 2018, 04:45:30 pm

One of the valves should be on the line from the outside water input into the tank under the bed. 

The line coming in branches two ways normally.  One goes through the floor and drains the rear tank.

That coach may have been built as a island bed and converted at a Foretravel dealer into twins or the factory.

The firewall says Island. 

I cannot remember exactly what I shipped it as 32 years ago.

May have been switched after being built but before shipping to my store in Ca.

Water heater self ignited when the white button is tuned on.  When it does not light the red light stays on.

Might take a half dozen attempts to flush the air from the line. 

Helps to manually light the stove tops burners to get propane to the area. 

There is a pilot light in the oven and under the cooktops covers.

Both if memory serves me had small shutoff valves in the tiny lines going to each one.

If you leave the pilot on the cooktop it can blow out and then the coach can smell like bad holding tanks from the unburned propane.

Banging on the cooktop can blow out the pilot.

Most turned off the pilot and manually lit the burners.

Pilot on the ovens pilot flame generates water vapor and bread stored in the oven compartment will stay moister in the warapper.

Obviously do not turn on the oven with bread in the wrapper in it. 

Did this same walk through with Freeman long ago.

Ask away

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #2 – August 03, 2018, 06:56:44 pm

Your memory is amazing.    So.... when using the tank water... do you leave the water pump "ON " and and let the faucets open on demand... or do you turn on the pump ONLY when you need to... ?    If needed for washing dishes and showers.  Do you leave the pilot lit for the water heater and than turn to " ON " when you demand hot water... ? 

Thanks..
Edward

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #3 – August 03, 2018, 08:25:25 pm

Where is your water heater located? Most had motor aide heaters so the water was heated by the engine as you drove. Water heater takes some time to heat up even on propane. So leave it on while occupied.

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #4 – August 03, 2018, 09:29:04 pm

Drivers side ( outside)  built in unit.  There appears to be an on-off switch in the space, a pilot, ON and off device,  assuming i need to turn on /open the propane fuel line and light the pilot... will work on this in the next day or so.   

How long does it take when generator or shore power to be ON does it take for refrigerator to get to operating temperature inside ? 

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #5 – August 03, 2018, 09:47:45 pm

Fridge minimum a day I turn ours on two days before use and it works good.

Water heater pull the cover and look at it. If it's manual light with a pilot you will see a handle to turn to a pilot position to light. Leaving it on is completely up to your preference. My self igniting I leave off until I am going to want it and it takes 20 minutes for a full  cycle. Manual pilot I personally would likely light and leave on when in use.

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Re: 86 GV 33 SBI GAS

Reply #6 – August 03, 2018, 10:10:34 pm

No pilot for water heater. Auto ignition.  If using the coach leave it on.  It comes on periodically to keep the water hot.

Stays hot for a few hours after turning the switch off.

Kinda fun going through something I sold and drove and walked mr. Freeman through new.  Good test.

There is a valve under the stove to turn off the engine heat part of the water heater for max flow to the dash for defrost.

If you leave the valve open and drive a lot when you stop the water is hot from the engine.

6 gallons is not a lot but if the water heater does not work you have a way to heat water regardless.

Typical belt and suspensders Foretravel setup,  a backup always, 

Remove the backups at your own risk. 

This used to be an adventure in the wild woolly outdoors  in the 80's.,..

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