1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

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1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

November 20, 2011, 05:14:13 pm

I've found a 95 36' U295 that I think I'm going to make an offer on. I learned a lot on what to look for and plan on using the 50 pt checkist sticky, but curious if you mid 90s U295 owners have any feedback or issues I should look out for?

Re: 1995 U295

Reply #1 – November 20, 2011, 06:20:30 pm

Is it the one in Redding, CA that's on eBay? Looks like a nice coach for about $25k asking price.

Craig

Re: 1995 U295

Reply #2 – November 20, 2011, 11:19:47 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – November 20, 2011, 06:20:30 pm

Is it the one in Redding, CA that's on eBay? Looks like a nice coach for about $25k asking price.

Craig

No, I believe that's a 94 U280. Looks to be in decent shape though!

Re: 1995 U295

Reply #3 – November 21, 2011, 12:08:02 pm

Lookup Kerry on the member list. He has a 1995 U 295. He may have some info for you.

Re: 1995 U295

Reply #4 – November 21, 2011, 01:24:56 pm

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 20, 2011, 11:19:47 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – November 20, 2011, 06:20:30 pm
Is it the one in Redding, CA that's on eBay? Looks like a nice coach for about $25k asking price.

No, I believe that's a 94 U280. Looks to be in decent shape though!

I almost wish I'd seen that U280 before I bought the U225! Although I'm not sure we're ready for a 40-foot coach and it darn well won't fit in the shop bay! LOL

Still... unless there are some serious problems that looks like a great deal!

Craig

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #5 – November 22, 2011, 10:21:33 pm

Well, I think I just purchased the subject line RV today! I still have a few things to verify on it, but the thing drives SOO much nicer than my 89 ORED. Couldn't believe how quiet and nice the ride was! Plus I could really feel the additional power that 50 HP adds. So EXCITED! It has some work that needs to be done, but I'm up to the challenge and I think my offer was reflective of the condition it was in! I know I'm going to have some questions. Hope everyone is OK with the rash of posts you'll see. Hopefully, it won't be quite as bad as my first time!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #6 – November 22, 2011, 10:27:26 pm

Congrats!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #7 – November 22, 2011, 10:29:38 pm

Here's a link. Some of the wood needs touch up and its dirty, but with a little TLC I think she can be a beauty!

Foretravel 1995 UNICOACH

No, I did not spend anywhere near their asking price. Not sure if its OK to state what I offered and was accepted? My purpose would be to get some feedback/validation as I don't actually sign papers until tomorrow, but I know that can be a sensitive subject.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #8 – November 22, 2011, 10:34:13 pm

Looks nice. Enjoy the new ride!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #9 – November 22, 2011, 11:04:28 pm

Good! Does it have the trans retarder? Graphics look pretty good.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #10 – November 22, 2011, 11:12:14 pm

Yes, it does have a trans retarder. I'm new to this retarder thing. I haven't tested it yet, nor do I really understand it yet as I haven't done any research. It looks to just be a switch you turn on. I didn't see a joystick? Can you have one without the joystick?

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #11 – November 22, 2011, 11:25:02 pm

Yes, you can have the retarder w/o the joy stick. The joy stick can be added.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #12 – November 22, 2011, 11:30:10 pm

Thanks. I was just looking at that online. Anyone know how FT sets it up? Auto on at closed throttle, one-step apply with brake, or three-step apply with brake?

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #13 – November 22, 2011, 11:45:11 pm

Dave Head knows all, just make sure it has retarder, not Jake.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #14 – November 23, 2011, 12:39:23 am

I also have a 95 295. Same floorplan CAI. Our build number is #4751. This was first year of Unicoach.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as we have ours.

Brad

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #15 – November 23, 2011, 01:08:06 am

Benjie, Congrats, I know you will enjoy this coach. The 300 Cummins 8.3 is about the most reliable and easy to work on engine that you will find. First chance you get check the mount for the hydraulic pump, belts and the idler pulleys.
Gary B

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #16 – November 23, 2011, 01:21:36 am

Gary, thanks for the well wishes! After my ORED w/rear radiator experience, I'm really looking forward to an engine where I can actually look at the belts from ground level!

While I've learned a lot, I want to be sure I'm not assuming anything here. What am I looking for when checking the hydraulic pump mount?

When you mentioned the belts and idler pulleys, I assume you were just saying to check them for wear (i.e. - no cracked belts)?

Thanks again!

Benjie

Quote from: Gary Bouland – November 23, 2011, 01:08:06 am

Benjie, Congrats, I know you will enjoy this coach. The 300 Cummins 8.3 is about the most reliable and easy to work on engine that you will find. First chance you get check the mount for the hydraulic pump, belts and the idler pulleys.
Gary B

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #17 – November 23, 2011, 01:29:11 am

Benjie, These 8.3's with the side radiators have a hydraulic pump on the street side. The mount is bolted to the engine and the design is such that the stress is on the long end away from the bolts and the mount cracks. Pull had on the belt while watching the pump and bracket, it it moves the bracket is either loose or cracked. ( thanks to Brett W for teaching me this ). I think most of us have had them taken off , reinforced and welded.
The idler pulleys tend to wear out causing the belts to jump and wear. Easy replacement while you are replacing belts, less than 50 bucks each. Search the forum for GATES tensioners, I don't have the part # at hand.
Good luck, be sure to ask question's, no dumb questions, BUT sometimes dumb answers.

Gary B

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #18 – November 23, 2011, 07:50:00 am

Congrats! I'm still amazed how well these older Foretravels hold up over the years. I just got a 2000 U320 that was almost "like new." Says a lot about how much people like these RV's because they just keep getting updated/renovated instead of ending up in the scrap yard. We LOVE ours! One day my DW is going to turn me loose on it and I'm going to FOT to have some fun stuff done

. But first... gotta pay those taxes and get the 2nd car paid off. HA!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #19 – November 23, 2011, 08:50:04 am

Good for you Benji.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #20 – November 23, 2011, 08:57:58 am

Yes. You would have the pressure switch install. When it is on, it will be activated in 3 stages by pressing on the brakes.

Joy stick can be added for about 3-400 as I recall. I posted the prices and part numbers about 5 years back. The joystick adds six stage control independent of the brake system... You install the joystick and a 'Y' cable. Very simple.

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #21 – November 23, 2011, 09:04:52 am

Congrats and it will be a perfect size for Inks Lake State Park! We hit that park about 3 times a year. It's just 15 min down the road, not even far enough to warm up the engine!

Enjoy working on the coach!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #22 – November 23, 2011, 09:22:02 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 22, 2011, 11:12:14 pm

Yes, it does have a trans retarder. I'm new to this retarder thing. I haven't tested it yet, nor do I really understand it yet as I haven't done any research. It looks to just be a switch you turn on. I didn't see a joystick? Can you have one without the joystick?

Some additional info on installing the joystick with part numbers
Installing Joy Stick Retarder Control

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #23 – November 23, 2011, 04:07:54 pm

Thanks Barry. Had found that last night and was looking at it. Great info!

Re: 1995 U295 - Purchased!!!

Reply #24 – November 23, 2011, 04:11:02 pm

Having no experience with a retarder, so in your opinion is it worth the $$ to move from 3 stages to a 6 stage system brake independent? I'm assuming the joystick system would mostly be used on steep grade terrain to avoid brake wear?

Quote from: Dave Head – November 23, 2011, 08:57:58 am

Yes. You would have the pressure switch install. When it is on, it will be activated in 3 stages by pressing on the brakes.

Joy stick can be added for about 3-400 as I recall. I posted the prices and part numbers about 5 years back. The joystick adds six stage control independent of the brake system... You install the joystick and a 'Y' cable. Very simple.

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