Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 06, 2025 ...

looking at 1988 GV

August 12, 2010, 08:45:07 pm

well i am new here. i was at the other forum just before this one took over. i am looking at a 1988 Grand Villa with a ford 460 and c6 tranny. the engine is Banks equiped. owner says 9 to 10 mpg on hiway. have not looked at this yet. just saw a couple of pic's and talked to the owner. wants $6500 firm for it. said it has rear air bags. body looks good, owner says no delam anywhere.

so can anyone tell me about this unit. the good,bad & ugly? i know it's hard without seeing in person. the price fit's in our budget.

we won't be full timing in it. just out for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. we live in Bothell,WA so we have some big bad hills to climb. any thing i need to look for?

thanks for your help.

Outlaw

hopefully this will come up to see the coach.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/rvs/1891208515.html

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Re: looking at 1988 GV

Reply #1 – August 12, 2010, 11:56:39 pm

Unlike the diesel engine Foretravels, mileage DOES make a huge difference unless it has been overhauled.  The other concern is anything rubber: hoses, belts, and tires.  What kind of brakes does it have?  Hydraulic brakes get moisture in them and rust/corrode.  How much has it been used recently?  More usage is actually better.  Sitting up for too long and you will have brake and fuel problems, at a minimum.  I don't know about the price.  One of the area to definitely check is the end cap areas as these can leak with time.  Hopefully some one else will respond with the list of things to go over before you buy.

I hope it turns out well for you.

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Reply #2 – August 13, 2010, 12:04:25 am

Outlaw,
 
I had a 1989 36 Grand Villa rear engine gasser (460 ford).  I blew up the engine, the coach was just to heavy for that HP.  The owner is WAY off base on the mileage

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Reply #3 – August 13, 2010, 03:25:53 pm

tim, was your 89 done with the banks system? i don't quite understand why if the factory put this engine in for all the years that all the engines didn't all blow up. there is a 78 in CO. that has a dodge 440 in it and it still is running and doing fine running all those Mt's there. hmmm, wonder how many more 460's are still running out there with out any problems.

maybe they are all dead, thats why all of you have gone to newer with deisels. thats why i haven't heard anymore about this coach or anything on my other post. wow, so all the 1990's and older are all dead as their gas engines have blown up. i better find another coach.

Outlaw

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Reply #4 – August 13, 2010, 04:07:26 pm

All Banks would do on that engine is slap a pair of headers and a low restriction air filter on it. These gassers are underpowered for the application, and if rear engined do not have adequate cooling designed in. Mileage would be 5-6 mpg on a good day downhill with the wind at your back

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Reply #5 – August 13, 2010, 04:22:01 pm

John,
 
I loved that coach.  Dave is right, too little power, too much weight, and too much heat retention.  Mine had 48,000 miles on it when it blew.  If you could confirm that the engine was good now (oil pressure good, compression good, oil consumption low), and you could put up with 55 MPH on the highway, you could take a chance with it at that price.  I see a diesel pusher Foretravels for around $20K (put

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Re: looking at 1988 GV

Reply #6 – August 13, 2010, 04:24:01 pm

John - put "oodleforetravel" into your Google search and see what you get back in terms of Foretravels for sale

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Reply #7 – August 13, 2010, 05:29:45 pm

Hey John,

I am the guy who encouraged you (via Escapees Discussion Forum) to come over here for information.  Looks like you are getting the information you were looking for.

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Reply #8 – August 13, 2010, 05:44:32 pm

Tim,

When you said the engine blew what did you mean?  Did it blow a head gasket or throw a rod?  If it got too hot it was probably a head gasket.  A thrown rod would indicate a problem with the oil supply.

If John gets the unit is there any way to increase the cooling capacity?

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Reply #9 – August 13, 2010, 05:56:30 pm

Engine went to consuming about 1 qt of oil per 100 miles, and low compressions.  Was marginally drivable when I traded, but needed a $3500 rebuilt engine, plus about 40-80 hours labor to install.  Was a residue of heat in engine compartment.  Had some work done on exhaust to try to insulate to reduce intake air.
 
Oshkosh/Ford rear engine a bad deal.  Oshkosh with 3208 OK, but I went to freightliner to try to get chassis parts, couldn't get them to talk to me. How have you maintained your chassis?  If I could have cost effectively dropped in a Diesel I would, but bought a newer coach instead.

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Reply #10 – August 13, 2010, 06:06:32 pm

Tim,

I've had some issues with the chassis but have been able to get cross numbers for the shocks and found generic items for the hoses.  I have not tried to fix my latest issue which is the sight glass for the radiator.  It was leaking slightly and I attempted to unscrew it to clean the threads.  Half way out it stuck and I was afraid to put any more pressure on the glass.  It is one of the things I will need to tackle before my first race in October.  I plan on taking the coach so I can stay at the track and not have to drive 20 miles to the nearest motel.  It is still waaaaay to hot here to work outside, the heat index is running 100 to 110!

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Reply #11 – August 13, 2010, 07:24:13 pm

this unit is not a pusher, it's a front engine so the cooling should be fine. just got a e-mail back from the factory.

(when this unit went out it had a wet weight of 14,300 lbs. gvwr-15,600, gcwr-17,600.
it was under the ratings.
has 456 gears and 8r19.5 tires. )

this unit is only 33ft so i don't see the unit being too heavy for this engine. can someone show facts that this unit is underpower and the motor will blow up. i am just tring to get info so i don't make a mistake on this.

thanks all for your answers, it all helps that's for sure.

Outlaw

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Reply #12 – August 13, 2010, 07:53:53 pm

Front engine and 33 feet big difference, take it for a ride ,d see what you think! Stuff will need fixing, most not too expensive if you are handy, except tires (should be 5 years old or less regardless of tread left, check date codes on tires, batteries, and refrigerators, which tend to go out when between 10 and 20 years old. There is a pre delivery inspection form I think on this website.

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Reply #13 – August 13, 2010, 11:48:31 pm

John,

I have been in several SOBs (Some Other Brand) that were front engined.  I found that the driver's feet were constrained by the intrusion of the engine into the cockpit and that the engine was much louder than a pick up truck.  I would expect a higher level of sound deadening on a Foretravel but make sure you take it for a spin first (You should do that anyway).  Glad to hear that it wasn't a rear engine.

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Reply #14 – August 14, 2010, 01:07:17 am

from reading about the guy in CO. and his 78 with the 440 dodge, he said you can barly hear the motor running. that would be a relief as i too have heard some engines in others and that would drivr me crazy. that's why i want one of these units. they did their job when they build the foretravels. i have been in a couple, both deisels and this product is the best i have seen. when we go look at it i will report back. really guys, thanks for your comments, it does help alot when you have been there and done that.

now if i can get folks to answer my other post about their vintage FT's, 1990 and earlier it would be fun to know and see what is still out there running around. 

Outlaw 

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Reply #15 – August 14, 2010, 01:49:06 pm

John.
I had a 87 Ford pickup with the 460 C6 combo (with headers and all the trick S@#! you can find) pulling a 28' fifth wheel. 6 mpg was the best I could get in the flat lands, When you get to the mountains forget worrying about the mileage, just watch the gauge go down and worry  if you can get to the next station. 
My concern is more with where the coach has been living! Concrete WA is damp and wet most of the year. Look for rust, mold, mildew and dry rot. Was it stored inside? heated? The owner could very easy taken a pressure washer to clean up the outside and elbow grease with do the inside. His statement about the mileage leads to his creditability, or lack thereof. 

If everything checks out go for it. Even with his ad saying firm on the price offer him the most you are willing to pay. the worst he can say is no.

Cheers
Ted
SOB (Boat)

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Reply #16 – August 27, 2010, 12:27:56 pm

I've had 460's and 454's in PU trucks and couldn't get the mpg some class A owners claim to get. I just say if it makes them feel better telling that story and can find someone to believe it, continue on.

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Reply #17 – August 27, 2010, 03:07:04 pm

Have a 93GV with a 460 in front.  I think the Oskosh frame was actually built in late 91. Mine had a overheat problem when I bought it, but because it was cold I didn't realize it.  By the time I found and solved the problem the engine had been stressed to the point where it failed.  I replace the motor and can run with the big dog's but just choose not to.  I have owned SOB's with 400, 413, 440, 454 and now the 460.  I honestly don't think Ford ever figured out the big cube engines.  They always seemed to be trying to one-up GM on size.  The Winn I gave my daughter has a 454 and is still going strong.  Milage in an RV, compared to a Toyota, it's going to suck.  But pulling over in the middle of nowhere and using the bathroom or having a leisurely lunch has it's rewards.  Also it doesn't bother me a bit to pay .70 cents a gallon less for fuel compared to a diesel.  Be realistic and see if the unit fits what you think you want to do.  Push all the buttons, kick the tires, and take it for a spin.  If your happy go for it.  Expect to fix things as they break.  It always seemed the more I used it the less I had to fix.  Have fun.

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