Newbie Seeking Guidance

Topic: Newbie Seeking Guidance (Read 1247 times) previous topic - next topic

Newbie Seeking Guidance

November 13, 2020, 10:00:57 pm

Hi all...

First, I'd like to thank you all for the hours of free education you have been kind enough to provide this newbie.

My basic question is; is it better to buy a coach for less money that needs repairs, or spend more money and get one that has had any issues addressed?

My story is that I am not a Foretravel owner yet, but hope to be soon.
Idea is to full time stationary for the next two-three years then hit the road and see a little of the country at retirement.
The coach would be home to me and my rescue Beagle "Jake".

Being on a limited budget, my original plan was to buy a 90's era ('95-'99) 36 footer, say a U270, somewhere in the $30,000 range that needed some work and spend money as I could to get fixed what needed to be fixed.

I just happened into a 34 foot 2002 U270 3410 at Motorhomes of Texas that they would address any mechanical issues before I take delivery.
The price would be in the $80,000 range.

With significant financial effort, I think I could make it work, but it would be close.

Was hoping to hear from voices of experience what, if any thoughts y'all had?

Appreciation to all,

John

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #1 – November 14, 2020, 05:18:57 am

I would say it depends on what needs to be done. Bulkhead and fuel lines are expensive. Also that price at mot seems a bit high unless everything is done.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #2 – November 14, 2020, 07:29:38 am

To add to John, How much are You capable of doing? both physically and skilled? Do you want or need slide-outs? Are you Mechanically skilled? Your physical location as to weather conditions for working on your motorhome. I like my older coach and have an area where I can store it next to my home so it is very convenient to work on it.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #3 – November 14, 2020, 08:03:52 am

Some one spotted a 95 at ppl. Check out the Foretravel sightings thread in around the fire section

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #4 – November 14, 2020, 08:46:02 am

We have owned three diesel coaches. First was an odd one. The next two, we did lots of research to where we knew a good one when we saw it. This will sound dumb to analytical people, but I get a tingle!

We looked at dozens of coaches before our very recent purchase, but stepped into three Foretravels. First was ragged but Ok. Second made me sick to see it - it lookes astounding on the web. Third one needed little, and was clean and inviting. We made a deal while we were there.

We have had it a month, and are currently on the road. I have spent about $11 on repairs so far. BUT... dishes, bed sheets, spare filters and etc..., probably $3k in two weeks!

We are looking to do fuel lines soon, but I am pretty capable and plan to tackle it ourselves.

You are smart to be considering a FT. I recommend you spend a couple of DAYS going through the 400-something pages of technical discussions here.

Catastrophic things can happen. Have access to around $10K if something goes really bad. Unlikely you will need it.

This forum and the great people - about half of my decision to get a FT.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #5 – November 14, 2020, 08:55:31 am

Quote

they would address any mechanical issues before I take delivery.

I'm guessing that they are referring to big issues like the engine and transmission which are usually solid. There are lots of other potential expensive repairs so I guess it just depends on what you find in your inspection. However, it looks like MOT owns this coach (the # is not preceeded by a "C" for consignment) so maybe they would be willing to do work that wouldn't occur on a consignment coach.

My feeling is, if you are going to be stretched just buying it, that you could be putting yourself in a difficult position. Of course, it could be a cream puff but it is very unusual to get one of these things that does not require some fixing.

On a side note, I would think that 400 horsepower pushing a 34 footer would be a lot of fun.
jor

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #6 – November 14, 2020, 09:16:18 am

I have read on the forum that the 2002 had a one off slide system that didn't work very well.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #7 – November 14, 2020, 09:50:20 am

JB
Welcome. Everyone may have a different answer and view. We purchased or coach in June this year. I knew going in that it would only need everything. It's a 20 year old piece of equipment and requires attention. Ours has been a ongoing project that has taken up all my time and and been quite needy for parts. I attempt to do all my own projects and have a better knowledge of my coach than sometimes I want but it been a rewarding project. I took a voluntary layoff do to the COVID-19 and would of never had the time to repair without. It genuinely been a full time job itself. I still enjoy working on it but it still work. Only you can know what's right for you. Turnkey would be really nice. Really nice. I do not regret my project and once finished will be very rewarding. Since the day we purchased we drove home 1800 miles we have done one rushed trip of 4300 miles last month. Very Rewarding. We are still far from done still but closer every day. I am very pleased with our purchase and have been helped by MANY of the forum members a lot. Would of been a impracticable without help.
Scott

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #8 – November 14, 2020, 10:46:41 am

Like Mr. Vicha said,all depends what you can do yourself,the older the coach the more simpler it is,if your not going to tow a heavey
vehicle and don't need the fastest one,go with the 8.3 engine,could not be simpler.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #9 – November 14, 2020, 11:35:54 am

Welcome to the forum

This conversation comes up all the time. A $30K-$40K coach, is more then likely going to require a minimum of $20K investment. Not always, but most the time. Still worth every penny when done.

A $80K coach, is still 20 yrs old, and is not going to be trouble free.

Like others said, if you are maxed buying it, you'er probably in over your head.

Chris

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #10 – November 14, 2020, 12:03:37 pm

Being stationary for 2-3 years makes me think of tires. They are a major expenditure and age is a huge factor.
Being stationary would allow you to do repairs/upgrades yourself if you have the skills.
Lots of good advice here. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #11 – November 14, 2020, 05:07:03 pm

Quote from: JB – November 13, 2020, 10:00:57 pm

Being on a limited budget, my original plan was to buy a 90's era ('95-'99) 36 footer, say a U270, somewhere in the $30,000 range that needed some work and spend money as I could to get fixed what needed to be fixed.
I just happened into a 34 foot 2002 U270 3410 at Motorhomes of Texas that they would address any mechanical issues before I take delivery.
The price would be in the $80,000 range.
With significant financial effort, I think I could make it work, but it would be close.
Was hoping to hear from voices of experience what, if any thoughts y'all had?
Appreciation to all,
John

Hi John,
I think you have basically answered your own question, in a way.
Motorhomes work best when they are driven/used, and you learn more about them when you use them that way.
It's not clear from your OP but I'm guessing you want to live stationary for cost savings?
Forgive the assumption, just trying to work out your situation better.
Why would you spend $80k on something you are going to have sit for 2-3 years? Before departing you would need to spend a bunch of money to bring it back up to safe standards.
If you go with an older model and fix it while you live in it, you will have to deal with the mess and inconvenience that involves but you will know your rig very well when you're done, so there's value in that. But there's also a lot of frustration for a few years seeing projects and mess all the time.
If you go with a newer model, but then let it sit for 3 years, it's going to develop problems just sitting there. Nothing is trouble free and the issues may be compounded by things outside of your control. What if the economy takes a turn for the worse when you are already stretched financially? Would that cost you the coach?
IMHO you would be better off saving your money and buying a better coach later, or buying a cheaper travel trailer to live in to increase your savings.
Hope that helps.

Kiwi

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #12 – November 14, 2020, 09:03:39 pm

Weekend warrior at State Parks is really cheap and a fun way to learn your rig. Depending where you live, there are likely many options that only require a short few hour drive.

The 34' is supper easy to get in and out of the parks. We also have not had any complaints with a family of five traveling and staying in a 34'.

We have three young children in school and work full time, so our only real option is a long weekend. We have made over 38 trips in the last 23 months. Four of those trips were fore two or more weeks and the rest were three or four day weekends.

I also sent you a message for further consideration. I think you might like my proposal.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #13 – November 14, 2020, 11:03:04 pm

Quote from: Eric & Alena + 3 – November 14, 2020, 09:03:39 pm

Weekend warrior at State Parks is really cheap and a fun way to learn your rig. Depending where you live, there are likely many options that only require a short few hour drive.

The 34' is super! I think you might like my proposal.

Eric your coach was in my top three most desirable Foretravel coaches
Scott

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #14 – November 17, 2020, 10:09:14 pm

We bought our 1993 40' U300 in the spring of 2013. At that time it had spent most of the previous two years just sitting. The purchase price was low enough that we weren't stressed financially to put some money into it right away - tires, batteries, residential refrigerator (the original was dying when we saw the coach, and died by the time we got it home), inverter, converters, etc. In the seven years we've had the coach we've spent well over the purchase price on upgrades and repairs. Most of the time it was on our schedule, but there were a few expensive, unplanned repairs.

Unless someone comes by waving money before then, we'll have the bulkheads done in Nac in June. Then it will be for sale. Someone will get a good foundation on which to do upgrades as they see fit - and there are lots of things that could be done.

When you buy at the top of your budget you may not have money to do unplanned repairs. You can have all brand new tires on a coach and still find something on the road that destroys a tire, which does some body damage, and suddenly you are looking at a couple thousand dollars. Insurance may or may not cover it. Many people recommend that you have $10-20,000 for repairs and upgrades for the first year of ownership. That is over and above any maintenance costs.

My suggestion to you is to continue to do some research and get your finances in the best possible shape so that when you find the perfect coach, and you will know it when you see it, you can make a cash offer on the spot. You didn't say if you have been to Nac to look at any of the coaches there, but if not, you need to go. MOT is really good about letting you look. There are often Foretravelers in Nac who will be willing to tour with you and point out things that you may not notice or answer questions you may have. If you post when you will be there someone will likely get back to you and arrange a meeting.

Oh yes, when you get to Nac be sure you have another pair of pants one or two sizes larger in the waist. Don't ask me how I know.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #15 – November 18, 2020, 09:31:39 am

My personal rule of thumb; diesels are made to run! I would not recommend you buying a coach and letting it sit. Good luck in your search!

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #16 – November 18, 2020, 10:40:38 am

Quote from: juicesqueezer – November 18, 2020, 09:31:39 am

My personal rule of thumb; diesels are made to run! I would not recommend you buying a coach and letting it sit.

Agree completely.

For stationary (or even fairly stationary) living, a truck and trailer make much better financial sense. And if completely stationary, you don't even need the truck as you can hire out the moving of the trailer if necessary.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #17 – November 18, 2020, 03:21:00 pm

Look at the 1993 grand villa u300 listed in the classified section for $23,000.

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #18 – November 18, 2020, 03:58:56 pm

I want to thank everyone for taking the time to share some wisdom and experience with me.

With all this in mind, I'm going wait and do more research and save some money and see what the future brings.

Didn't want to waste anyone's time with my story, but when I say "stationary full timing" I mean, living in Nacogdoches, I have three major national forests within easy drive time for a weekend a month outing to learn my new coach and life "on the road" when I do get into one...

Thanks again to everyone,

John

Re: Newbie Seeking Guidance

Reply #19 – November 18, 2020, 04:00:33 pm

John (JB),

The '93 might be a 40 footer and a bit longer than you were looking for but seems to be in good condition from the photos. You would need to see the undercarriage for corrosion and should be on site with another owner of the same model. This is absolutely the best way to minimize your future expenses. Ours has cost almost nothing except for discretionary improvements, insurance and diesel.

Pierce

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