Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Think about buying 1991 U280 (Read 788 times) previous topic - next topic

Think about buying 1991 U280

I have been looking at buying a motorhome and have looked everything from new to used. I have been back and forth on gas vs diesel. I have been leaning toward gas just because I know gas. I can buy a new gas motorhome with everything I want. The bad is it is a forest river F3. Not top of the line but has what we want. I ran across a well maintained 1991 U280, cat 3802 with 93000 miles on it we like. It was stored in a heated garage most of it's life. It seems to be in very good condition. It has everything we want except a washer dryer. Hopefully we can add one.

My wife and I plan on traveling the country but not living full time in an rv. Is a 1991 to old? Are we asking for trouble buying something this old?

I am handy and do most repairs and maintanance myself. We have had ever thing from a tent camper and up over the years and from old to new. The new units all required attention after 3 years but not as much as the older ones.

So the big question is do we go for the 1991 U280, new or something inbeteen?

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #1 –
Link to photos and price? If it's about $11K-$15K, pay to have a member come and inspect it. You can't really do it yourself without missing something. That's a 3208 CAT. Don't think you will miss a W&D.

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

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #2 –
We have a 92 U300 40 foot with a washer and dryer.hate laundry mats. Anyway good well built coach and to old depends on condition condition condition. Ask for maintenance records  and then have someone who knows these coach's do a inspection. Well worth the money. Good luck ^.^d 
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #3 –
Yes 3208  ^.^d

The price is $20,000.00 right now. I am sure that can be negotiated. I kind of felt $11,000.00 to $15,000.00 was more realistic but that was just a guess on my part. 

Experience has taught me one thing. My wife hates laundry mats so a washer dryer is a must. We had ones without and one with. She won't go back.

Is this going to be a money pit due to age ?

You are correct an inspection is a must. Especially on a diesel since I know nothing about diesel.

I will have to see if I can some pictures.

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #4 –
We were in the same situation as you.  A new gas rig for $125k to $150k, or an older Foretravel. We looked a long time at other brands of diesel, but didn't think we could match the quality and build of the Foretravel for the money.

We ended up with a 2001 36'. We have already had some issues that were expected. Minor electrical, some air pressure leaks and valves, nothing major.  We found a one owner, garaged unit that is in fantastic shape.

Only had it a short time, but we have installed a new Micro/Convection Oven, removed the gas cooktop and put it a full gas range with oven, and new kitchen sink and faucet. 

Have a new comfort high toilet ready to install, along with a shower stall remodel planned.  These are ready to go as soon as we pick a new bathroom floor.  Wood laminate floor going in the entry area, and new carpet everywhere else. A new sofa and we are ready to go.

We will end up with a unit that fits just what we want, pretty much like new inside and out. Mechanically sound, and ready to travel the Country for substantially less that a new gas unit.

I do know that there will be issues that need to be addressed, repaired, replaced.  I kinda feel that is part of the deal when owning an older unit.  If you are mechanically inclined and not afraid to "dig in" to the nuts and bolts, I think you'll be happy with a Foretravel.  Make sure you go in with "eyes wide open" as to what your getting.

Just my 2 cents worth.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Vanman250 –
Yes 3208  ^.^d
The price is $20,000.00 right now. I am sure that can be negotiated. I kind of felt $11,000.00 to $15,000.00 was more realistic but that was just a guess on my part. 
Experience has taught me one thing. My wife hates laundry mats so a washer dryer is a must. We had ones without and one with. She won't go back.
Is this going to be a money pit due to age ?
You are correct an inspection is a must. Especially on a diesel since I know nothing about diesel.
I will have to see if I can some pictures.
Yes, lots of wishing prices out there.
1991 is going on 30 years old. The U280 is an excellent coach if it does not have a bulkhead problem and is low corrosion. That's the tricky part as an inspector/present owner can show you the ropes. Nothern coaches are suspect as they may have been driven where roads are treated/salt in the winter months. Without an inspection, older coaches can quickly turn into money pits. Even then, there are lots of little things that will keep you busy. We were careful when we purchased our coach and probably a little lucky but it's been very trouble free in the eleven years we have owned it.
The CAT 3208 is an excellent engine. It's small in physical size and many have been put in pickup trucks. 250 HP will get you any where you want to go but not as quickly on the grades as the year later Cummins 8.3 or the Detroit 2-cycle.
Since most Foretravels are diesel, there are lots of owners here with not only CAT experience but the knowledge to keep them running well.

You do have to know going in that if you pay $15K for a coach in excellent condition and something does go wrong with the engine or transmission, you could double the price if you had a shop fix it (engine). That's why I'm pretty conservative for engine temperatures, etc.

Some coaches with a beautiful interior but extensive corrosion are only good for a guest cottage even if you got it for free. Nice guest cottage though. :D

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

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #6 –
Quote
Is this going to be a money pit due to age ?

Probably but it still might be a good buy. Good luck.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #7 –
We found a well sorted 93 U300. It's 25 years old but we wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere. An inspection and records are vital. Don't use just any inspector. Find one that has foretravel experience. Have the fluids tested.

In the not so distant future we plan on hitting the road for a year to decide where to settle and if see we can be full timers.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #8 –
We bought our 1995 U320 in 2012 and have had very few surprises. That's because the sellers were completely honest, had given it proper care and had full documentation. We also place a high value on a washer and dryer and ours came with them. If you are mechanically inclined and buy carefully then you will be fine. If not then you could wind up with a "money pit." Good luck!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #9 –
Good friend of mine bought a new Thor gasser last year. This year he says I wish I had listened but his wife just had to have a new "ANYTHING". I talked to him until blue in the face. Made me wonder why he ever asked my opinion to start with.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #10 –
Lots of good information and advice. I just have to keep working the price to see if he will come down. He was much much higher so he has come down a lot over the last 7 months

Thanks

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #11 –
Have a 95 U320 and you just have to maintain it and stay alert. I trust it better than new non foretravel especially for the price. $5,000 as a buyer shouldn't be a deal breaker. I promise you it doesn't have staples or inferior components!
1995 U320
Build #4677
2011 Honda CRV

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #12 –
We bought our '89 about seven years ago. Spent less than $4,000 for "fixin's" in that time. This does not include maintenance and things like tires. It was for brake pads, one rotor, and front leaf springs because we hit a poorly designed drainage crossing at 45 MPH.
Thought we had ripped the front axles off both the coach and the toad.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #13 –
One thing you might want to think about is the 91 U280 and older are 96 wide.
In 92 U280 and newer are 102 wide.  It does make a difference I have had both
and prefer the 102 6 inches more elbow room.  Just a thought.

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: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #14 –
I love my 89 KISS 3208 side radiator, 10-11 mpg with a 150 gal fuel tank you get to pick and choose what states you buy fuel in or how often, just do the math. 4 speed transmission is simple, robust and just loafs along with the engine most of the time but wished I had another gear to stretch out the shift points.  Gas coach places a lot more stress on a lighter duty engine running at nearly full output in hills or headwinds and towing. JMO.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake
 

Re: Think about buying 1991 U280

Reply #15 –
My opinion gas is good for medium duty pu trucks and automobiles. Start pushing around heavy loads and then we find why diesel power is the way to go. I saw as many gas motor homes as diesel 2 weeks ago on my 2000 mile tour to Florida. Sure they will work, we are just telling you what works the best.
Dub McBride 1996 270