Pre-owned Foretravel

Topic: Pre-owned Foretravel (Read 1629 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #25 – June 02, 2011, 10:33:43 pm

Small world Kent. Dave Cobb is a close friend of Coleen and I. Bet your rig was painted by James at Extreme Graphics. Sure is a beauty.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #26 – June 02, 2011, 10:42:00 pm

Quote from: Jerry & Coleen – June 02, 2011, 10:33:43 pm

Small world Kent. Dave Cobb is a close friend of Coleen and I. Bet your rig was painted by James at Extreme Graphics. Sure is a beauty.

Glad to hear that you are friends of Dave and Dolly. As you probably know, they stayed with us for several days when the bought the coach and are welcome any time. What great people they are.

Actually, the U300 was painted by Jeremy at the Foretravel factory. Of course, he was trained by James and used to work for James when he was at Foretravel. There was another U300 painted at the factory last year that looks just as good. I think either place does a fine job and have great designs. A full body paint job is a lot of money but a whole lot less than a new coach.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #27 – June 02, 2011, 10:51:39 pm

Dave Cobb is a hoot. Very handy. Ask Dave what time it is and he will tell you how to build a watch. Very meticulous. I met Dave in my Honda Goldwing riding days. He still has a Beemer of some kind. Great guy. Clare (their border collie) in Max's (ours) sister.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #28 – June 02, 2011, 10:56:57 pm

Nuthin wrong with that Detroit, that's for sure. I met a young kid over at South East Power Systems (Orlando shop) who loved to tweak the Silver Series. Worked on his dad's truck and swore by them. Did great work on my U280 too. Phenomenal fabricator.

We're kids of spoiled down here in Central Fl - between Disney, Universal and I-drive we have every bus and heavy truck repair facility known to mankind. And if you're not decent and fair you won't last long.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #29 – June 03, 2011, 11:02:41 am

Thanks to ALL that have responded to my post regarding a pre-owned Foretravel. The model I am looking for has been narrowed to a U-280 or U-300. Question now is what engine? Cat being my preference. Sources tell me only six U-300 were made with the Cat power plant with a retarder. Question has risen regarding fuel economy with a Detroit Diesel. What can I expect? Also is the Detroit married to a Allison four speed only?

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #30 – June 03, 2011, 11:15:40 am

I agree with Kent!

We have a 1994 U300 with the 6V92 Detroit, has plenty of power, does not leak a drop of oil, does not use any oil and runs quieter than our Cat 3208. Also it does not blow any carbon smoke on our toad like the Cat engine did..

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #31 – June 03, 2011, 11:24:31 am

Jerry, Fuel economy relates directly to the way you drive your coach! Keep your foot in it at 70+ MPH and your mileage will be @ 5.5 to 6.5 MPG

- cruse @ 52 to 65 and you can expect 7 to 7.5 MPG in the hills, better on flat land

. I only know of the 4 speed Alison being mated to the Detroit and most if not all have a Jake Brake... I have that set-up I it works GREAT for me. I can run up most 6 / 7 percent grades @ 45/50 mph...

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #32 – June 03, 2011, 11:47:00 am

Very nice rig Gerry. Thanks for the reply. MDW is known as Leadfoot.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #33 – June 03, 2011, 12:00:36 pm

The U300 1989, 6V-92, Allison 4 speed with Retarder are around, no idea of the population of them, but they are around, yes the Jake is a lot cheaper, however it is my experience that the Jake on a Detroit Diesel is not very effective, Yes better than nothing, barely. The Retarder model is by far more effective.
FWIW

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #34 – June 03, 2011, 12:06:41 pm

Thanks Dave M. BTW. What does Karma mean?

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #35 – June 03, 2011, 12:14:32 pm

Jerry, I have had a different experience that Gerry with mileage. I only have about 5000 miles on it but I get right at 6.7 mpg no matter what speed I go. I have run across Kansas at 75 plus a little and still got 6.7 mpg. I also took a 500 mile trip at 57 to 60 mph and got, you guessed it 6.7 mpg.

On the other hand, there are two other Forum members that have the same setup and get over 8 mpg regularly. I will let them chime in on their own but these two track every detail of their engine performance and tell me that my coach should be doing better than it is. I plan to take mine in to the Detroit shop and have it looked at by their mechanics to see if there is a tunning issue. It seems to have plenty of power and runs very quietly and smoothly so I presume everything is OK mechanically.

One other issues are the retarder and the four speed transmission. I don't know of any Detroits with a transmission retarder, but as far as I know they all have a two stage Jake brake. I have driven a coaches both with the transmission retarder and now the Jake. There is no doubt that the transmission retarder is very effective particularly in normal traffic but it can overheat on a long downhill on a hot day. The Jake still helps you slow down in traffic but does not affect the coolant heat on a long down hill run.

The one thing I don't like about the four speed, at least with my gear ratios, is that at 55 to 58 mph it down shifts quite a bit when it encounters a hill. I find it annoying so I typically keep it over 60 mph. I have not driven a U300 with a 6 speed but I'm guessing the six speed might exacerbate the frequent shifting problem.

Again, these are all just my opinion based on my limited experience. There are many others on the Forum with a lot more experience and knowledge that I'm sure will contribute.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #36 – June 03, 2011, 12:16:25 pm

Quote from: Dave M – June 03, 2011, 12:00:36 pm

The U300 1989, 6V-92, Allison 4 speed with Retarder are around, no idea of the population of them, but they are around, yes the Jake is a lot cheaper, however it is my experience that the Jake on a Detroit Diesel is not very effective, Yes better than nothing, barely. The Retarder model is by far more effective.
FWIW

Dave M. Does your U300 have a Jake or retarder?

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #37 – June 03, 2011, 12:18:29 pm

Quote from: Jerry & Coleen – June 03, 2011, 12:06:41 pm

Thanks Dave M. BTW. What does Karma mean?

A Karma is basically a thank you to someone who goes above and beyond the norm in trying to help you solve a problem. There are a few members here like Barry Beam, Steve & Michelle and Dave M that should have Karmas in the thousands so you can see they are given sparingly but its a nice way to say thankyou.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #38 – June 03, 2011, 12:35:41 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – June 03, 2011, 12:18:29 pm

Quote from: Jerry & Coleen – June 03, 2011, 12:06:41 pm
Thanks Dave M. BTW. What does Karma mean?

A Karma is basically a thank you to someone who goes above and beyond the norm in trying to help you solve a problem. There are a few members here like Barry Beam, Steve & Michelle and Dave M that should have Karmas in the thousands so you can see they are given sparingly but its a nice way to say thankyou.

Well I need to give out a few.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #39 – June 04, 2011, 01:12:19 am

Love the Jake on our U300. We are constantly up and down grades here in Northern California and never have even a worry about heating the brakes. The 6V-92TA has excellent power, dry as a bone, gets good fuel mileage, does not smoke, uses a couple of quarts between oil changes. Fuel mileage from 6 to 12+ mpg depending on speed, terrain, type of driving. Less than half the noise of my neighbor's older 5.9 Cummins. He is an eighth of a mile away and we all know it when he starts on a cold morning. Quickly gets to 2100 rpm governed speed at 82 true mph and would run there forever if did not have to pay for the fill ups. Keep it to 55-60 mph and it sips fuel. Bill Chaplin gets almost exactly the same mpg as I do. Bill, how about uploading those detailed MS Excel fuel files on your trip? Bill called me before his west coast trip, worried about his U300 and the Jake on the steep grades here. Bill, how about your thoughts on the engine and Jake after the trip?
VERY happy owner here.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #40 – June 04, 2011, 07:36:19 am

I am sitting here trying to figure out why the Detroit Diesel engines have a bad rep. Having our first diesel, our first Foretravel, all I can state is that our "old" 1989 DD 8.2 turbo charged diesel has performed flawlessly for us. Now has 67,000 miles on it. Doesn't use oil. Doesn't leak oil. Averages 9 MPG pulling our Tracker Toad. At 250 Hp when climbing hills it is slower and definitely underpowered. But for cruising at 55-60 MPH it definitely lives up to its nickname of "The Fuelsipper"
Maybe, like Kent says, "I'm just lucky" when I got this GV!

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #41 – June 04, 2011, 09:04:03 am

Quote from: nitehawk – June 04, 2011, 07:36:19 am

I am sitting here trying to figure out why the Detroit Diesel engines have a bad rep. Having our first diesel, our first Foretravel, all I can state is that our "old" 1989 DD 8.2 turbo charged diesel has performed flawlessly for us. Now has 67,000 miles on it. Doesn't use oil. Doesn't leak oil. Averages 9 MPG pulling our Tracker Toad. At 250 Hp when climbing hills it is slower and definitely underpowered. But for cruising at 55-60 MPH it definitely lives up to its nickname of "The Fuelsipper"
Maybe, like Kent says, "I'm just lucky" when I got this GV!

Thanks Nighthawk. I am getting good feedback about the DD. Appreciate your remarks.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #42 – June 04, 2011, 02:40:30 pm

Like most U300s, ours is a four speed with fairly large differences in the ratios between each gear. It will shift down to third on a grade but since third is a long ways from fourth ratio wise, it accelerates and then shifts back into fourth. This is repeated until all you can think about is the next shift. Solution is to just punch in third on the selector panel, run it up to 55 mph and sit back until you get to the top of the hill. In my opinion, a six speed would narrow the gap between gears and result in less shifting. On any grade, you have to watch the engine temperature, especially in the summer. Have had to go down to second and back off the throttle to keep the heat down on those five mile grades in 100 degree weather.

This four speed seems like a five speed because it makes what seems like an extra shift from second gear to second gear lockup about half way up in second. Third and fourth are locked up (direct drive).

If you head down grade and keep it in fourth, you may have trouble with your speed even with the Jake. Third gear is good for 55 mph and with the Jake, I rarely have to touch the service brakes on the interstate downgrades. The higher the rpm, the better the Jake works. Best to be conservative here especially if the coach is new to you. Have come down a 10% grade with toad in second gear without holding up traffic much and not using the service brakes to the point of overheating. Rule of thumb is to go down a hill in the same gear you climbed it.

FYI: much to my embarrassment, I recently read and then did the math on our engines. Most U300s are Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA, 350 HP, two cycle engines of 552 cubic inches (6 x 92 cubic inches) or 9.0 liters. Some Foretravels had the Detroit Diesel 8.2 liter, V8, four cycle engine. This is a totally different engine. Brett set me right on this one. Had never even heard of this engine. See address for info on this one: http://www.expertdiesel.com/82_detroit.htm

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #43 – June 04, 2011, 02:59:53 pm

Thanks to everyone that responded to my query related to Foretravel coaches. I didn't know the name of what I wanted, but I do now.

A 1995 36 foot U240 with a cat including a retarder with joystick crossed our path. We purchased it this morning pending inspection.

Hurray !!!!

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #44 – June 04, 2011, 04:05:06 pm

Well, you certainly did your homework and found the perfect coach for you. I'd say: Job Well Done!

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #45 – June 04, 2011, 04:07:38 pm

Thanks George. I know about you and your coach from Rudy.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #46 – June 04, 2011, 04:45:22 pm

Congrats, Jerry and Coleen!!! I can't wait to meet you both which I'm sure will happen if you keep hanging out the Dave and Dolly.

Let us know if the purchase goes through. Remember the hundreds of additional questions about your new coach can be answered here.

Re: Pre-owned Foretravel

Reply #47 – June 04, 2011, 05:14:47 pm

Shouldn't be any questions. Should purr like a new born kitten since it is a CAT. Remember (no offense) if it's not a CAT it's a DOG. From my Peterbuilt sales days.

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