U240 with Cat 3116

Topic: U240 with Cat 3116 (Read 1272 times) previous topic - next topic

U240 with Cat 3116

June 03, 2011, 10:24:35 pm

1995 36 foot U240 with Cat 3116 including retarder and joystick. Crossed my path today. Coach has 78284 miles. Looks clean. MDW like the interior. I have not seen it in person.

I have talked to Brett Wolfe about this rig. Anyone that has one or has had one, give me your opinion please.

Thanks.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #1 – June 03, 2011, 10:46:55 pm

Nice rig if the suspension is good - this is not an airbag model, its Torsilastic (Goodyear suspension used on the old Greyhound buses) of which Brett is THE expert.
10+ mpg all day long, easy to drive. Hydraulic leveling jacks. Not sure if the genny was still propane (only downside in my opinion). Brett may even know the coach.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #2 – June 04, 2011, 12:54:59 am

I have a 92 U240 and love it. It does have the rubber suspension used on the Eagle bus. Not as soft as air but better IMO on the tipping feeling going around corners. Very tight in that respect. Upside is no leaking airbags. The basement compartments are too low to allow anything other than the propane genny. I hate not having the same fuel as the main engine. Lower center of gravity and the configuration as a whole makes it easy to drive especially if you are new to such a big vehicle. No slide but no slide problems either. My HW heater is propane only but 95 may have the dual gas/electric. The 95 has the aux braking. My 3116 was an early one with no exhaust brake so I only have the air brakes but haven't missed what I never had and wouldn't be afraid to take it on all but really steep grades. Mine is 96" wheelbase but they when to 102" somewhere thereabouts. Well made coach for sure. I added a safety plus steering stabliizer which I think really helped a lot. Fuel milage on my cross country trip last summer was 9.6 but I was going about 70 most of the time. 55-60 can hit 10+ mpg. You cannot find more value for the money in any coach other than this generation of Foretravel IMO. What else can you get for 25000 give or take that even comes close? If I had the exhaust brake and diesel generator I'd be in hog heaven. Only other complaint is that it is so low I've bottomed out a few times on the steel tube gaurding the underside of the engine. You've got to watch for radical grade changes. I turned off a road going to a campground where the drive dropped down from the road suddenly and nearly got stuck. Brett Wolfe is the expert on this coach and can tell you anything you want to know. Confirming ride height of 32.5 with shims remaining is critical. Pulling shims raises coach 1/4 " I think. Brett Wolfe is the expert for sure. All things considered I'd rather have this rig with no payment than any other one with a payment.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #3 – June 04, 2011, 08:42:03 am

Hi Jerry & Coleen
Not much more to add on what Dewayne said in his post, except that our 240 is a 1995 102" wide body with retarder. Avg. approx. 10 MPG AT 58 mph. And Brett Wolfe is the person for questions and answers. A great motor home for short or long trips.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #4 – June 04, 2011, 09:00:34 am

Thanks Rick. Pretty rig.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #5 – June 04, 2011, 09:02:27 am

Quote from: Dwayne – June 04, 2011, 12:54:59 am

I have a 92 U240 and love it. It does have the rubber suspension used on the Eagle bus. Not as soft as air but better IMO on the tipping feeling going around corners. Very tight in that respect. Upside is no leaking airbags. The basement compartments are too low to allow anything other than the propane genny. I hate not having the same fuel as the main engine. Lower center of gravity and the configuration as a whole makes it easy to drive especially if you are new to such a big vehicle. No slide but no slide problems either. My HW heater is propane only but 95 may have the dual gas/electric. The 95 has the aux braking. My 3116 was an early one with no exhaust brake so I only have the air brakes but haven't missed what I never had and wouldn't be afraid to take it on all but really steep grades. Mine is 96" wheelbase but they when to 102" somewhere thereabouts. Well made coach for sure. I added a safety plus steering stabliizer which I think really helped a lot. Fuel milage on my cross country trip last summer was 9.6 but I was going about 70 most of the time. 55-60 can hit 10+ mpg. You cannot find more value for the money in any coach other than this generation of Foretravel IMO. What else can you get for 25000 give or take that even comes close? If I had the exhaust brake and diesel generator I'd be in hog heaven. Only other complaint is that it is so low I've bottomed out a few times on the steel tube gaurding the underside of the engine. You've got to watch for radical grade changes. I turned off a road going to a campground where the drive dropped down from the road suddenly and nearly got stuck. Brett Wolfe is the expert on this coach and can tell you anything you want to know. Confirming ride height of 32.5 with shims remaining is critical. Pulling shims raises coach 1/4 " I think. Brett Wolfe is the expert for sure. All things considered I'd rather have this rig with no payment than any other one with a payment.

Thanks Dwayne.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #6 – June 04, 2011, 10:32:30 am

Jerry, its going to be a lot like Dave's rig except a little wider and a little more hp. Dave will probably have to get a Banks system on his if you get a 240. I agree with Dwayne about the better cornering with the Torsilastic suspension but driving the air bag system is less tiring, particularly in the wind.

The hydraulic levelers also have their attributes. They work much faster and are more easily adjusted manually.

The ground clearance, when properly adjusted is better with the U240 than with the air bag coaches. Brett can guide you on checking the very important ground clearance.

If Brett is able to check out this coach for you, it would be worth the cost. He knows the 240's inside and out.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #7 – June 04, 2011, 10:37:59 am

Ditto on gas milage, driving stability, low to ground, can bottom out, small under storage, no air bag leaks and no slide problems, and that Brett is the expert.

We have had no major problems, however, I do try to follow the PM schedule.

We enjoy all of our trips in this RV.

Brian

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #8 – June 04, 2011, 01:37:49 pm

Very close to establishing a value on the U240 we are considering purchasing. This rig has a allison 6 speed with a retarder and joy stick. Any guesses what that would add to the cost/value over a jake brake?

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #9 – June 04, 2011, 02:05:40 pm

Any guesses what that would add to the cost/value over a jake brake?

The Caterpillar 3116 can not be fit with a jake (compression) brake.

BTW, neither can the Cummins B in the U225 or Cummins C in the 280's. In that era, only the DD6V92 two stroke could be fit with the compression brake. And one of the downsides with the DD is only 4 speed vs 6 speed Allison.

They can be fit with an exhaust brake for about $1000 or retarder (at great expense).

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #10 – June 04, 2011, 02:26:11 pm

If its a 95, it was standard on that coach - but a $10K option for any other ones!

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #11 – June 04, 2011, 02:54:00 pm

First. I want to thank everyone that has helped me in this quest. Your input has been invaluable to establish a value and to give me information I needed to make an intelligent decision. Brett Wolfe especially. Dave Head and others that gave advice about my concernes.

We did find a 1995 36 foot U240 with a CAT, that we purchased, pending inspection. The coach is out of state. A long ways from Mesa, Az.

So after a detour coach wise with a SOB, I finally get a Foretravel. Hurray!!!!

So if you see a pretty girl walking two black and white Border Collies in a RV park, chances are that would be Coleen with Max and Katlyn.

See you on the road.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #12 – June 04, 2011, 03:01:08 pm

Congratulations on your new to you Foretravel. It looks like you found just what you are looking for. I purchased mine a year ago and have been enjoying it ever since. Welcome to the family and have a safe trip to get the coach.

Regards, Mark

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #13 – June 04, 2011, 03:05:38 pm

Thanks Mark. Anyone know how to leave Karma? I owe several.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #14 – June 04, 2011, 03:11:00 pm

Just click on the word "Applaud" Under the persons name and picture.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #15 – June 04, 2011, 03:35:01 pm

Jerry,
Welcome aboard ForeForums. Great to see you found exactly what you wanted so quickly. Hope the PDI goes well for you, and that you enjoy the RV style with DW, doggies...and now a Cat (powered Foretravel, that is).

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #16 – June 04, 2011, 03:47:52 pm

We are new to Foretravel, but not to RVing. Full timers for three years in a 2005 Allegro Bus. Both are gypies. I traveled as a airline pilot in my working years. Home to me is where my hat is.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #17 – June 04, 2011, 03:54:43 pm

WooHoo!!!

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #18 – June 04, 2011, 04:05:17 pm

WhoHoo !!! is right.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #19 – June 04, 2011, 04:57:08 pm

Quote from: Jerry & Coleen – June 04, 2011, 03:05:38 pm

Thanks Mark. Anyone know how to leave Karma? I owe several.

Just go to their post and click on the applaud button on the left or click on members and go to their profile.

Re: U240 with Cat 3116

Reply #20 – June 04, 2011, 05:11:33 pm

Gave several. Thanks. One to you sir for the info on the DD.

Affiliate Notice