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Topic: 88 Unihome? (Read 959 times) previous topic - next topic

88 Unihome?

The site claims this is an Oshkosh chassis, yet it states Unihome.  Anyone know what Unihome model this could be from looking at it?

1988 Foretravel 36000RED for Sale - D786 - PPL Motor Homes
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #1 –
Dbl bumper with tall compartments. Rear radiator. Looks like a U280 to me. Looked at an '89 almost exactly the same a couple of years ago. This one has been stored outside but has a nice interior. Figure $11 to 12.5K should buy it if everything works OK, tires 2-3 years old, both airs, fridge.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #2 –
Yes that's a Unihome, look at the storage door.  Benjie you need to check that one out.
Jimmy Freytag,  Ardmore, Ok
1999 36ft U320. — -SOLD—-
1988 40ft GV        1990 36ft U280
1993 40ft U280      1996 36ft U280
  TRAVEL WHILE YOU CAN THE TIME WILL COME
            WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN.

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #3 –
Wow!  If you take it for say $12,000 and put another $10,000 into it, it would be a great coach for just $22,000.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #4 –
I agree!  Just trying to determine which Uxxx it is!  Technically, I'm still probably 6 months from really moving on something unless its SUPER cheap like the 33ft gas GV I found in an earlier post.  However, this could be enough of a deal to make me move on something a little earlier.  I'd really prefer to get into the early 90's, but 88 was a good year!  Graduated from Jr. High!  :P
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #6 –
Benjie,

I noticed three very nice features of this coach that I have on my 1995 U320 and use all the time.

One is the stand alone ice maker.  My 1990 36 foot ORED had a U-line ice maker as does my 1995.  Makes ice real fast and keeps the reefer freezer space free for stuff.

Second one is diesel generator.  My diesel is so much better than the Onan propane in my 1990 Ored.

Third one is it is a UniHome and not an ORED so you have 8 outboard air bags, not four where springs would have been and you have lots of basement storage like I do in the 1995.

If i had this coach, I would change the gas reefer for the Whirlpool 9.9 the I, Barry & Cindy and Jerry Elkins have.  Only cost me $650 to upgrade my 1995 to this reefer.

What a deal for $15k plus $650 for reefer and maybe $1872 for new premium long haul steer tires all around.

If you need a look around, I am 40 minutes from PPL.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #7 –
Rudy, thanks for the offer to go look!  If I decide to try and make a move on this I'll definitely take you up on it!

I agree with the features.  Things I'm looking to improve upon from my 89 ORED...

Diesel Gen - would love to not have to worry about propane (or pay for it) as much!
Inverter - don't know what it has, but didn't even have an inverter on my ORED
Ice Maker - had one on my ORED and loved it!
DVD player - had planned on putting one on the ORED but never got around to it
Blender - nice to have
8 air bags would be nice!

I have to say, your "gas reefer" reference had me scratching my head for about 10 seconds!  :))

One thing I wanted to stay away from is a rear radiator unit.  Really want a side radiator making belt access MUCH easier.

Quote from: Rudy –
Benjie,

I noticed three very nice features of this coach that I have on my 1995 U320 and use all the time.

One is the stand alone ice maker.  My 1990 36 foot ORED had a U-line ice maker as does my 1995.  Makes ice real fast and keeps the reefer freezer space free for stuff.

Second one is diesel generator.  My diesel is so much better than the Onan propane in my 1990 Ored.

Third one is it is a UniHome and not an ORED so you have 8 outboard air bags, not four where springs would have been and you have lots of basement storage like I do in the 1995.

If i had this coach, I would change the gas reefer for the Whirlpool 9.9 the I, Barry & Cindy and Jerry Elkins have.  Only cost me $650 to upgrade my 1995 to this reefer.

What a deal for $15k plus $650 for reefer and maybe $1872 for new premium long haul steer tires all around.

If you need a look around, I am 40 minutes from PPL.
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #8 –
Benjie,

I agree on the rear radiator vs side mounted but the price is soo loow for so much except the radiator location.

Another owner and I are going to swap his converter for an inverter early next year so you could too.  Get this coach and join us and we will two at a time.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #9 –
Rudy, the ad says it already has an inverter, just doesn't say how big! Even better!
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #10 –
Benjie,

Then you will just have to stop by for a visit.  We have a killer place to take you to eat to help make you stop worth your while.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #11 –
Benjie,

I would not say this is a super deal as is a 1988. Probably just an average REALISTIC asking price for an outside machine. They're not exactly flying off the shelves today. I didn't pay that much more for my 1993 U300 in nice shape but also lived outside most of it's life. I did look for a long time until I found a deal. If you are looking for one that has been stored inside, that's another matter. Your Texas neighbor, Bill Chaplin has a U300 that has been garaged it's whole life and looks new. Outstanding condition and worth a premium price. Inside storage means everything from a nice gelcoat, decals, air conditioning covers, to tires that don't sit in the sun. Roof cracking can be a problem if they bake in the sun. Don't forget to look underneath.

This one did not look as if it had been lived in. Sofa and chairs still had that well stuffed look with good color in the fabric. Did see the bathroom mirror starting to head south on the bottom right corner. Photos do tend to make everything look a bit better (or a lot better) than when you see in person.

When I was shopping for mine, you should have seen some of the photos I received.

So, for $15K asking you can probably find some that will need attention and others that are ready to go to the lake. Nice if you have time and cash. Winter cuts the potential cash buyers way down also. Dealers don't like to keep stock on the lot either. Not that they have to pay high interest today but they do have to pay rent, etc.

The only cloud on the horizon for a buyer would be if home foreclosures keep heading up and used motorhomes start looking more and more attractive as homes. Hey, a Uxxx could be a pretty good place to hang your hat.

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 88 Unihome?

Reply #12 –
Pierce,

After my ORED experience and the fact that I basically check every RV classified service about 3 times a day, I've pretty much determined my baseline of what I think a "great" deal is.  For instance, I paid $13K for my 89 ORED with new tires put on the day I bought it, 134K miles, and needing a new fridge (I purchased a two year old Dometic off CL for $400).  At first I thought that was a great deal, until I figured out what I should have really scoped out beforehand (propane leak, HWH leak, belts, coolant, oil, etc).  Basically, after fixing all of that stuff I feel like it was an average deal, but a HUGE learning experience so there's value in that.  Now, my baseline is kind of a '91 U225 I saw on RV Oodle for $10K.  It had been stored inside, low miles, and according to the seller everything worked except the TV dish and needing new tires.  This '88 has some nice features that the U225 didn't have (diesel gen, inverter, I probably prefer the vintage CAT 3208T vs. Cummins 5.9, etc), but it also looks to be have been stored outside, older, and has many more miles.  Anyway, depending on the tire condition, the last time it had the fluids serviced, and whether there's anything else wrong with it, at this point with my limited budget I probably wouldn't give more than $9K - $10K. 
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...