Every year there's something new...

Topic: Every year there's something new... (Read 1538 times) previous topic - next topic

Every year there's something new...

November 15, 2010, 08:24:44 pm

I thought that we might try to develop a pair of topics that could discuss year over year differences. One for Unihomes and one for Unicoaches. It might be helpful to new members trying to decide what year they are interested in...

Examples - which year ducted ceilings, which year new dash, etc etc.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #1 – November 15, 2010, 08:29:02 pm

Sounds great to me....I'd be interested to know a lot of that stuff..

Mike

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #2 – November 15, 2010, 08:53:12 pm

I think it is a great idea. It is not an area where I can contribute.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #3 – November 15, 2010, 10:28:52 pm

ok, here's a couple. 1992 first year wide body Unihome, 1995 first year crowned roof, 1997 first year ducted air

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #4 – November 15, 2010, 10:47:10 pm

Here's a few more to get it rolling

1978 -1st conventional rear engine diesel powered Motorhome.

1985 - New model the "Grand Villa" is announced

1987 - "Grand Villa Unihome" introduced with unitized body

1994 - The "Unicoach" was introduced.

1994 - 1996 - a few models were optioned with the hydraulic retarder.

1995 - was the 1st year of the front-door bus-front.

1997 - Screen Door and dual pane windows were added.

1999 - Grand Villa Unicoach with mid entry.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #5 – November 16, 2010, 01:10:15 am

OK, More info
1989 U300 had Allison Retarder with 6V-92 DDA Option ?
2001 Painted design on coach, no decals
2001 New style dash

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #6 – November 16, 2010, 06:33:46 am

Ah,,,I love it!!!! Keep it up!:=)

Mike

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #7 – November 16, 2010, 08:13:42 am

And more, 1995 Graphics were unique , design used only one year and never reused. ( see photo of my coach ). Colors were available in Teal, and Reddish, I don't know of other colors.
Front hatch for access to Dash AC, Vacuum Pump , wiper motors was almost full width in 1995, prior years were two smaller hatches.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #8 – November 16, 2010, 09:38:10 am

Barry, I have a couple of questions. My older Grand Villas had screen doors. Did you mean that 1997 was the first year for screen doors in the Unicoach? Also, what did you mean about the 1999 Grand Villa having mid entry? Didn't all Grand Villas have mid entry? Was there a model called Grand Villa Unicoach that looked different than the two standard models?

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #9 – November 16, 2010, 07:22:11 pm

It will be great to have info related to different models!!!

Some one with great computer skills please create a file for easy reference for us

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #10 – November 16, 2010, 07:26:12 pm

Quote

Some one with great computer skills please create a file for easy reference for us

I have been working on a history file for awhile.
Always more to learn.
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel_history.htm

http://beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel-highlights.htm

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #11 – November 16, 2010, 08:18:36 pm

From direct comparisons with a friend's 1994 U280, the 1995 model was the first year to have a full-width engine access door. The 95 had a new, taller entry door and the screen door went away. In the interior, the all-wood side table was replaced by one with a composite top with the look of Corian. The dash top shape changed to an unbroken arc. And finally, 95 U280 windows had oak window sills, 94 and earlier did not.

Probably more than you wanted to know.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #12 – November 16, 2010, 09:09:05 pm

That's the 'pantagraph' access door. 95 models had the solid dash plate. 96 models shifted to the electroluminescent 'sandwich' plate - at least on 320s. At least some 295/270s remained with the solid dash plate. This is important because drilling any hole in your laminated dash can have REALLY expensive consequences.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #13 – November 17, 2010, 10:22:05 am

Quote from: Barry Beam – November 16, 2010, 07:26:12 pm

I have been working on a history file for awhile. Always more to learn.

Barry,
When I first started getting serious about buying a DP a friend sent link to your files. Your knowledge was great influence in looking at FT's first over couple other brands. We never made it to look at other brands, no need as a FT was our first choice to begin with!!!

Upon purchasing our '99 U320 the last five months have been adsorbed in just taking it all in.

Last night I returned to your files and want to thank you for all your time/energy in compiling these wonderful files.

My new motto "When in doubt, read Beam first"

Thanks,

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #14 – November 17, 2010, 04:55:39 pm

Bob, I have never seen a FT with a rear window, I learn something very day. Can I also assume that the bed is other than a Island Queen ?

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #15 – November 17, 2010, 05:04:58 pm

Hey, look what I found! Enjoy!
http://dodgetravcos.com/index.php?p=1_33_Foretravel-History

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #16 – November 17, 2010, 05:09:31 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – November 17, 2010, 05:04:58 pm

Hey, look what I found! Enjoy!
http://dodgetravcos.com/index.php?p=1_33_Foretravel-History

It is a copy of http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel_history.htm

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #17 – November 17, 2010, 05:12:10 pm

Quote

Bob, I have never seen a FT with a rear window, I learn something very day.

Here is another one with a rear window.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #18 – November 17, 2010, 05:12:33 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – November 17, 2010, 05:09:31 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – November 17, 2010, 05:04:58 pm
Hey, look what I found! Enjoy!
http://dodgetravcos.com/index.php?p=1_33_Foretravel-History
It is a copy of http://www.beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel_history.htm

Barry, I should have known...

Doesn't this answer the question asked earlier? Or, maybe is there room for amplification?

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #19 – November 17, 2010, 05:14:26 pm

Quote

Maybe is there room for amplification?

There is always room for additional input and knowledge.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #20 – November 17, 2010, 07:20:12 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – November 17, 2010, 04:55:39 pm

Bob, I have never seen a FT with a rear window, I learn something very day. Can I also assume that the bed is other than a Island Queen ?

The rear window is something the previous owner had the factory do for him when the coach was about three years old. The bed was unchanged. He also had the dining area modified to an L-shaped dinette with a drop-leaf table. The table legs allow the top to be lowered to make a platform for a small bed for short persons.

Re: Every year there's something new...

Reply #21 – November 17, 2010, 08:05:34 pm

Bob, That must have been some remodel project to add a rear window. Don't know why you would do that but everyone has reasons for what they do.

Affiliate Notice