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Topic: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value (Read 1466 times) previous topic - next topic

1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Does anybody have a link to information about this model? Or personal knowledge/experience with it? I checked All Things Foretravel | Formerly Beam Alarm - Barry and Darlene Brideau's... but the specs for this year/model are missing. (there are specs on 1997 model which I'd guess will be pretty similar)

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info and Specs

Reply #1 –
Try the Forum Wiki

Media [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki]
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info and Specs

Reply #2 –
1996 is very similar to 1997, but often Foretravel makes small changes for each coach different from another of same model and year.

Major changes from 1996 to 1997 is dual pane window and I think ducted roof air conditioners.

We think these models, length & engine choice are very desirable and we own one.

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info and Specs

Reply #3 –
96 may have Tambour doors I believe, all though I have seen them without. Could be wrong

On a 97 U295 (which we have) no wainscoting on walls. But can be done, we did ours. Otherwise happy with 97 U295

96 may have King Cruise throttle
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info and Specs

Reply #4 –
Foretravel Motorhome 1996 Foretravel U295 Standard Features | All Things...

Foretravel Motorhome 1996 U295 Floorplans | All Things Foretravel

97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info and Specs

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the info everybody. If it doesn't have ducted AC and dual pane windows, that might be an issue since I'm in Southwest Florida. It's been known to get a bit warm down here.

I have no idea what Tambour doors and King Cruise are, but I assume they're not upgrades over what came later.

I guess another important question is, how do you go about putting some sort of ballpark value on a 25 year old RV?

Let's assume 100,000 miles, very good condition, 2 year old tires and batteries, no significant mechanical issues, road ready.

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #6 –
Rolling doors, vs real cabinet doors. Some people love them. Personally don't care for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1i-0KdusA

King Cruise is the throttle system, problematic, and they are out of business.

Price is in the eye's of the beholder.Don't think anyone on here will through you a value, without an inspection.

Saying it's "road ready" does that mean it starts and drives, or you would be confident driving across the US?

My coach was Road Ready,running fine, had to put a new engine in it after 5K miles.

At the minimum, it needs a PDI

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #7 –
Good condition??? A 96 is very likely due for fuel lines, air bags, bulkheads, steering box. What does the Radiator look like, Fins deteriorating? RV fridge cooling unit near the end of its life. Unless there is records there's no telling. Interior mods and upgrades are easy. As has been said pretty don't get you where your going.
Unless you are real knowledgeable on Foretravel a paid inspection could save you a BBBunch of headache, and $$$. As far a value l just saw 96 320 full body paint that l wouldn't give 5k for,  on the other hand know folks that have 95-97s worth 50K plus.
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: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #8 –
Quote from: SWFL –
Thanks for the info everybody. If it doesn't have ducted AC and dual pane windows, that might be an issue since I'm in Southwest Florida. It's been known to get a bit warm down here.

I have no idea what Tambour doors and King Cruise are, but I assume they're not upgrades over what came later.

I guess another important question is, how do you go about putting some sort of ballpark value on a 25 year old RV?

Let's assume 100,000 miles, very good condition, 2 year old tires and batteries, no significant mechanical issues, road ready.

King Cruise is a throttle system that also works the cruise control.  Some have died, and there are no plug-in replacements.  The company is gone, and nobody seems to be doing component-level repairs.  The upgrades can be expensive.

The description you gave for a proposed value is a fair expectation.  Setting a value is tough.  Here is how we made the journey:

Looked at tons online to get an idea of the goods and bads to look for.  First one we looked at ran and drove, but needed new air bags (badly), tires (badly), carpet worn through, upholstery worn through, gel coat poor and striped mostly washed away.  NOTHING seemed to be upgraded.  That was a 1998 U-320 at $38K.

Many were excluded because was wanted a retarder, diesel generator, and absence of major mechanical issues.  We were fine with changing a faucet, fluid changes due, a set of tires.  Some prices were apparently the balance due on a bad loan.

Second one we looked at was $47K.  Scary bad tires, missing furniture, failing clear coat in several places, oil leak, loose wires and hoses, rotting wood under the fridge due to leaks, spider webs everywhere, lots of stuff not updated.  It was not aired up and sagging sideways in an ugly sad way.  Batteries were bulging, lights burned out, etc.  Looked like it had not been moved in a year.  We didn't even make an offer.  We drove from Tucson to Texas expecting to drive it home.  The appearance and condition made me sick.

Third one...  Private seller referred to us by a dealer.  We literally took the next exit off the interstate to go see it.  It sat in a covered stall, probably waxed within a few days prior.  Aired up and ready to drive.  Full body paint, upgraded shocks, tires under two years, tile floor, new inverter, new toilet, new camera system, new tank monitors, headlight conversion dash recovered, new flat screen TVs, new windshield.  Asking was $39K, I offered $37K, and we had a deal in an hour.  EVERY THING WORKED PROPERLY.

Oh, one of the closet latches needed replacing...

I hope it was not rude to just throw out the prices out there.  I wanted to show that the disparity in value among sellers is huge.  Some sellers are reasonable and motivated.  Some sellers are insane.  Also, if you plan to keep the coach, don't walk away from THE ONE over a few thousand dollars.  What would spending the next year traveling rather than shopping be worth to you?

I lurk in the shadows of some of the great minds on this forum.  Having said that, feel free to PM with any question you have for me.  We all want you to succeed!
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #9 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Rolling doors, vs real cabinet doors. Some people love them. Personally don't care for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb1i-0KdusA

King Cruise is the throttle system, problematic, and they are out of business.

Price is in the eye's of the beholder.Don't think anyone on here will through you a value, without an inspection.

Saying it's "road ready" does that mean it starts and drives, or you would be confident driving across the US?

My coach was Road Ready,running fine, had to put a new engine in it after 5K miles.

At the minimum, it needs a PDI

Chris
Thanks Chris. I don't expect anybody to tell me what it's worth and I completely understand that it could be somewhere between $0 and maybe $50,000. I'm just wondering if there's any resource to help determine values on something like this.

Main reason I'm asking is this one is a trade in at a local dealer. I asked the sales person how much they were asking for it and he muttered something like $72,000, and that if I was a cash buyer without a trade, that I could make an offer.

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #10 –
Quote from: SWFL –
Thanks Chris. I don't expect anybody to tell me what it's worth and I completely understand that it could be somewhere between $0 and maybe $50,000. I'm just wondering if there's any resource to help determine values on something like this.

Main reason I'm asking is this one is a trade in at a local dealer. I asked the sales person how much they were asking for it and he muttered something like $72,000, and that if I was a cash buyer without a trade, that I could make an offer.

Without looking, no matter how nice it is, that is way overpriced for a 96, well unless it has gold plated wheels......

I would say you guys are miles apart on price with that one.

Look again at Bruce's post #7.....he is spot on....

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #11 –
5 years ago, couldn't find any nice 36' U295. That is what we settled on, that and the condition.

We missed a low mile barn find at nac for $55K. That was the market then. But they sold it out from under me. I had cash too.

Gary on here, who passed away, pointed me to ours.

Had $5K all new Motion windows, $5K new flexsteel seats, butt warmers and all. 475 watts solar. Bulk heads beefed and repaired.

Needed tires and batteries.Decals were a 5 on a scale of 1-10

Several other upgrades, coach was in great condition, basically original condition. Owner bought it from the original owner. He had owned it 10 yrs. He only sold it, because his friend had passed away, and he bought his 2007 with slides cheap from the wife.

He offered to buy ours back a few times, probably more of a joke, because there were some things he didn't like about the coach he bought. Mainly lack of storage with the slides, and overly too many electronics.

I gave him $39K.....

The engine broke a ring, had nothing to do with the owner, what he did or hiding anything. Stuff happens.

Chris



Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #12 –
I'll take a bunch of pics and post them here. What specifically should I pay attention to/photograph?

I'm aware of the bulkhead issue, not exactly sure where to look, but suspect I'll know it when I see it. Based on a previous comment, I'd guess that I should look closely at the radiator as well. Anything else that may not be obvious upon inspection by a newbie that I should look closely at?

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #13 –
Quote from: gracerace –
The engine broke a ring, had nothing to do with the owner, what he did or hiding anything. Stuff happens.

Chris





How much was the engine repair?

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #14 –
Quote from: SWFL –
How much was the engine repair?



$30K is the number a few on here spent at Cat. Complete new everything

I did it myself with a friend. about $5K

Chrs
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #15 –
Quote from: SWFL –
I'll take a bunch of pics and post them here. What specifically should I pay attention to/photograph?

I'm aware of the bulkhead issue, not exactly sure where to look, but suspect I'll know it when I see it. Based on a previous comment, I'd guess that I should look closely at the radiator as well. Anything else that may not be obvious upon inspection by a newbie that I should look closely at?

Again, as many have said. Get it inspected by a FT person. May cost, but cheaper in the end.

If your unwilling to do this, have the dealer PDI it, but wouldn't fully trust that.

Pictures are nice, records are better. If you really don't know what you're looking for,read, or re-read this:

Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look

50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348
 

Re: 1996 U295, M3600 Info/Specs/Value

Reply #16 –
Quote from: gracerace –
Again, as many have said. Get it inspected by a FT person. May cost, but cheaper in the end.

If your unwilling to do this, have the dealer PDI it, but wouldn't fully trust that.

Pictures are nice, records are better. If you really don't know what you're looking for,read, or re-read this:

Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look

50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel

Chris

After I look it over I will definitely get a professional (paid) inspection done if I feel like it's worth pursuing further. Thanks for the links.