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Topic: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair. (Read 667 times) previous topic - next topic

Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Hello Everyone.

I am looking to buy my first Foretravel.  I found a 2003 U320 4020.  It has been sitting for 10 years which I realize will bring me a whole host of problems.  It has 34,000 miles on it.  One of my big concerns it that it has a 12" crack in the body that starts under the drivers side window and another 14" crack on the right rear body where the rear cap meets the side.  Both crack have No de-lamination and have no give when you push on them.

Is this a common problem with this year coach?  How much does it cost to have repaired?

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #1 –
Joe,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

Can you post pictures of the cracks?
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: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #2 –
Quote from: jcallavini –
Hello Everyone.

I am looking to buy my first Foretravel.  I found a 2003 U320 4020.  It has been sitting for 10 years which I realize will bring me a whole host of problems.  It has 34,000 miles on it.  One of my big concerns it that it has a 12" crack in the body that starts under the drivers side window and another 14" crack on the right rear body where the rear cap meets the side.  Both crack have No de-lamination and have no give when you push on them.

Is this a common problem with this year coach?  How much does it cost to have repaired?

It sounds like classic 2002-2004 endcap cracking.

It was a common issue  (pretty much every 2002-2003 had it), and it was part of a massive warranty campaign that nearly bankrupted the original Foretravel company in 2004.

Who remembers the 2002/2003 End Cap recall details?

fibreglass cracking

It can be repaired, but it needs to be done properly.  Xtreme in Nac can probably give you a ballpark range.  The following post mentions an estimate, but understand that was from 11 years ago so it will be more costly now

Concerns regarding 2002-3 fiberglass cracking
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: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #3 –
No unfortunately I didn't take any.  About half way home I thought about it.  Sorry.

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jcallavini –
Hello Everyone.

I am looking to buy my first Foretravel.  I found a 2003 U320 4020.  It has been sitting for 10 years which I realize will bring me a whole host of problems.

You're probably wise to factor in the cost of replacing both slide bladders as well (tires and batteries, too, of course).  Possibly refrigerator (and associated cabinetry work) since there isn't a direct replacement available for the OEM Dometic NDR-1492.
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: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #5 –
Didn't those cracks on 02-03 typically happen up higher?  Our 2002 did.  Others know more than me bout this. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #6 –
Get a Pre inspection by Keith Risch
Well worth the money you will spend. He will give you a fair deal and the truth good or bad.
Scott

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #7 –
Unless you are able to do, and afford, the work required to bring a 10 year old coach back from storage will be considerable.
Also add in Air bags and tires to the replacement list.
The cost to pay someone to do all the work would make the coach a poor choice at any price.
Pictures would help. An inspection is mandatory.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #8 –
It is a big job. If you need a hobby, are performing everything your self. Don't forget to budget a aqua hot burner into the mix. I'm not as fast as I used to be but it literally took me a year to get the mechanical issues resolved on my similar history coach. Everything that was going to fail do to the calendar will all need to be addressed. I had budgeted for everything but a replacement ECM. I figured you will still have a bunch of work if you get a well maintained 20 year old coach and would likely end up doing a lot of the same. ECM computer, tires, brakes, brake pins, batteries, both sets, air conditioning compressor and expansion valve, receiver dryer, air dryer, all fluids, aux air compressor, one awning canvas, air bags, fuel lines, aqua hot rebuild, aqua hot controller and ignition unit, replaced refrigerator cooling unit, fridge defender, endless hours cleaning both indies and out, flooring, headlights, taillights, camera system, engine air particle separator, exhaust resonator, slide and airside computer, slide bladder seal, updated regulators and valves/vacuum pump, slide rebuild, water filter system, CRT removals and cabinet work, roof top air conditioner repairs and recharge, engine compartment insulation, steering gearbox reseal, hitch modification, radiator reseal, radiator cooling control wax valve conversion, LED light conversions, windows repaired for snaking seals, basement sealing and repairs, transmission cooler mount and radiator cradle, water hose reel rebuild, power surge protector, starter replacement, windshield wiper mount repaired, smart wheel/background dimming issues, kitchen faucet reseal. I'm sure there is a bunch more to mention but it kinda gets lost in the mix. We really enjoy our coach, but buyer beware it's a twenty year old house that has been in a earthquake it's entire life. Nothing else I could afford could compare IMO, but like I said at the start,  It's a big job.
Scott

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #9 –
Scott, you definitely have dealt with the most issues I have read about on the Forum. Our coach is 2 years older and the only thing that cut a trip short was the melted  swirler in the A.H. Thanks to the Forum's info I replaced air bags while not having any problems and the steering gear before it leaked. The generator incident with the regulator change was the most expensive item since owning the coach. Going on 8 years now since purchase ours has been more fortunate than yours probably due to not having been out of service as yours was.. 
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #10 –
The forum is probably one of the best parts of the coach. Saved me thousands

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #11 –
Scott I will definitely be watching when your coach eventually goes up for sale 😂 hoping to inherit it from you!
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #12 –
I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments.  I have chosen not to move forward with the purchase. 

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #13 –
Is the coach you were looking at listed for sale on an internet site, at a dealer, or was it a private seller FSBO?
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI
 

Re: Body Stress Crack - Cost of repair.

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Scott I will definitely be watching when your coach eventually goes up for sale 😂 hoping to inherit it from you!
Lol thanks but im planning on 15-20years service life for us.