Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

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Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

December 11, 2011, 08:23:42 pm

The for-sale ad for our Foretravel U225 said that the coach had "77695" miles. However the odometer on the coach says "17945.3" after driving some 250 miles from Camano Island, WA to Moses Lake, WA. The display is digital so there is no "0" before the reading. Looking up the VIN number before I bought the coach did show a low mileage on the last-but-one title transfer (around 6,000 miles). The last title transfer was "exempt" which generally means a transfer between relatives (son, daughter, etc.).

The question I have is whether the mileage has gone "around" to over 100,000. On older vehicles they didn't bother putting a sixth significant digit and if the odometer went past that mark it started over from zero.

If the digital odometer goes over 100,000 on a 1993 U225 does it indicate 100000 or does it go back to zero?

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #1 – December 11, 2011, 08:42:39 pm

Craig,
Most likely the odometer/speedometer has been replaced. However, when this is done, there is supposed to be a sticker on the dash to that effect.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #2 – December 11, 2011, 09:05:43 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – December 11, 2011, 08:42:39 pm

Craig,
Most likely the odometer/speedometer has been replaced. However, when this is done, there is supposed to be a sticker on the dash to that effect.

Not replaced as far as I can tell. And the odometer reading as advertised would have been correct if the "1" were left out and the person looking at the odometer didn't realize that the last digit is a "tenth". And the "1" is kind of hard to see. And low mileage does correspond to the search on the VIN number, too. I wondered how they got 70,000 miles in just a couple of years when the owner told me that they just camped around Puget Sound.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #3 – December 11, 2011, 09:29:00 pm

Your tachometer may have an hour meter. Multiply the number on the hour meter by 40 to get a ball park estimate of miles on the coach. YMMV.

Our speedometer was replaced. There is not a sticker anywhere, but the speedometer is somewhere in the coach. The PO kept it. The box it is in has an odometer number on it. (I forgot where I put it, but it's in here somewhere.

)

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #4 – December 11, 2011, 09:57:37 pm

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – December 11, 2011, 09:29:00 pm

Your tachometer may have an hour meter. Multiply the number on the hour meter by 40 to get a ball park estimate of miles on the coach. YMMV.

My original question is still: if the odomter goes over 100k miles does it indicate that or does it go back to zero? I can't tell from looking at the indicator.

I'll have to check on hours tomorrow... too cold to go over there now. LOL. The difference between 70k and 100k is not enough to worry about. However if it's only 17k over 18 years then there is a chance that the transmission clutches were not immersed in lubricant enough and it could become a problem.

I still have to get that brake light replaced, too. Nothing I like better than working on a cold coach on a 20-degree day. At least I can go inside and warm up.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #5 – December 11, 2011, 10:05:12 pm

Craig,

My original VDO speedometer went out. It was replaced with an electronic unit that does read over 100,000 miles-- current reading 157,000 miles. The VDO dealer recommended by VDO set the new speedometer to exactly the mileage on the old one so total miles are correct.

So if an electronic, it will read over 100,000. Perhaps someone else with a still-functioning OE 1993 VDO speedometer can tell you if it reads over 100,000 or starts over.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #6 – December 11, 2011, 10:27:05 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 11, 2011, 10:05:12 pm

So if an electronic, it will read over 100,000. Perhaps someone else with a still-functioning OE 1993 VDO speedometer can tell you if it reads over 100,000 or starts over.

Ok... I think that answers one of my questions. The odometer is definitely electronic. So, too, are the tachometer and speedometer. When I turn the key on both of those jump to max (before the engine starts) and then return to zero. The odometer turns on and is readable (no numbers show in the odometer until the key is on). If this was not "stock" then all of these have been replaced. (The speedometer is not very "steady" and wavers 5mph over and 5mph under the actual speed, by the way.)

If it's true that the gages have been replaced then another question is what the real mileage is if the new odometer was not set to the actual coach's mileage when it was installed. No way to know this without contacting the seller, I suppose.

So... were electronic odometers commonly supplied as original equipment on 1993?

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #7 – December 11, 2011, 10:57:33 pm

on my 93U240 odometer reads 106550 miles and it is mechanical type.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #8 – December 11, 2011, 11:01:26 pm

It would appear that it wasn't standard equipment in 93'... here is a pic from a 93' U280 that just ended on ebay. It went for a bit under 20K! Seems like a pretty good deal for someone. Maybe they are already on the forum:)
Don

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – December 11, 2011, 10:27:05 pm

Ok... I think that answers one of my questions. The odometer is definitely electronic. So, too, are the tachometer and speedometer.

So... were electronic odometers commonly supplied as original equipment on 1993?

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #9 – December 12, 2011, 12:06:17 am

Today's "Car Talk" was on point for this thread.

A fellow was fumbling around to disconnect the cable from the odometer so he could use an electric drill to roll the miles back. As he unconnected the cable he knocked a piece of paper down. It had this on it:

"Oh, no. Not again!" ;o)

best, paul

Quote

> On: Sun Dec 11, 2011 J. D. Stevens Wrote:
Quote

Your tachometer may have an hour meter. Multiply the number on the hour meter by 40 to get a ball park estimate of miles on the coach. YMMV.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #10 – December 12, 2011, 12:20:59 am

Quote from: acousticart – December 11, 2011, 11:01:26 pm

It would appear that it wasn't standard equipment in 93'... here is a pic from a 93' U280 that just ended on ebay. It went for a bit under 20K! Seems like a pretty good deal for someone. Maybe they are already on the forum:)

Not my panel... so it does appear that my instruments were changed. I have a speedometer with an LCD screen below pointer that I can switch between odometer and trip ("t") by pushing the button.

The title shows "exempt" for odometer reading. I bet the instruments were changed out before the seller got it or maybe even before the person who "gifted" it to him. I'll see if I can't run the VIN number again.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #11 – December 12, 2011, 09:32:28 am

Looking at the mechanical speedometer photo posted by Don:

Someone with an old mechanical speedometer needs to confirm that the odometer reads to tenths of a mile. If it only reads whole miles, as it appears to me, that is 178,XXX miles. The fact that the trip meter has a different color scheme for tenths of a mile brings that question up.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #12 – December 12, 2011, 11:09:43 am

my speedo is just as Don's post.....actual total mileage on top-no tenths,trip mileage below with tenths showing in white

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #13 – December 12, 2011, 11:16:16 am

It is my understanding that all Foretravels manufactured in 92 and 93 had analog speedometers. My 93 U225 still had the original analog speedometer but the Trip Meter was broken. Its my understanding that by now many of the 93 speedometers have been replaced with the digital one. My 93, U300 was replaced at 123,000 miles.

As mentioned earlier, take the hours from the hour meter at the back end of the coach above the radiator, not the one on the tachometer if it has one, and multiply by 40 to get an close approximation of real miles on the coach.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #14 – December 12, 2011, 11:23:25 am

Quote from: Kent Speers – December 12, 2011, 11:16:16 am

As mentioned earlier, take the hours from the hour meter at the back end of the coach above the radiator, not the one on the tachometer if it has one, and multiply by 40 to get an close approximation of real miles on the coach.

So that's where the hour meter is!!! LOL Ok... I'll be over there later this morning and will take a pic of both the hour meter and the instrument panel.

Thanks.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #15 – December 12, 2011, 01:21:18 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – December 12, 2011, 11:16:16 am

It is my understanding that all Foretravels manufactured in 92 and 93 had analog speedometers. My 93 U225 still had the original analog speedometer but the Trip Meter was broken. Its my understanding that by now many of the 93 speedometers have been replaced with the digital one. My 93, U300 was replaced at 123,000 miles.

Same on my '94 U225. Looks like the one in the pic. and the trip meter still works.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #16 – December 12, 2011, 01:33:26 pm

One nice touch with the computer coaches, the speedo does not matter, it is just something to look at. The real info in in the computer. Use your VMSpc for mph, more accurite. If you need a new computer, I guess you start all over from -Zero- ? just like a new speedo head.
There is no win, one way or the other they win, we lose, sooner or later, or what ever, just maybe ? ?

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #17 – December 12, 2011, 01:34:52 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – December 11, 2011, 10:27:05 pm

[(The speedometer is not very "steady" and wavers 5mph over and 5mph under the actual speed, by the way.)

You need to grease and tighten up the connection at the other end.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #18 – December 12, 2011, 01:47:01 pm

Quote from: wa_desert_rat – December 12, 2011, 12:20:59 am

The title shows "exempt" for odometer reading. I bet the instruments were changed out before the seller got it or maybe even before the person who "gifted" it to him. I'll see if I can't run the VIN number again.

You have to check your states laws. The following applies in my state:
"Vehicles over 10 model years old are exempt from mileage disclosure.

For all other titled vehicles, the odometer mileage reported during the vehicle's most recent transfer of ownership is printed on the front of its New York State Certificate of Title (MV-999). If the odometer had passed its maximum reading at the time of sale, the description "EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS" will be printed below the reported mileage. If the actual mileage is unknown because the odometer is broken, or has been repaired or replaced, the front of the title will be printed with "NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE, WARNING ODOMETER DISCREPANCY."

i believe that you are from the state of Washington. If so, you can contact titles@dol.wa.gov to find out what applies there.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #19 – December 12, 2011, 08:35:48 pm

Here is a shot of our instrument panel showing the digital odometer. The little button switches between the total mileage and trip mileage. This is clearly no stock from what the other photos show so at some point (presumably 17,900-odd miles ago) the VDO instruments were switched out. I'm surprised that they didn't run the odometer up to the mileage.

I forgot to look at the hour meter. Rats! I'll check that tomorrow.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #20 – December 12, 2011, 08:38:05 pm

Craig,
That tachometer does not appear to have a window for the hour meter...

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #21 – December 12, 2011, 08:42:08 pm

Here's a picture of Forrest's dash with a tach that has the window for the hour meter.

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #22 – December 12, 2011, 08:50:51 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – December 12, 2011, 08:38:05 pm

Craig,
That tachometer does not appear to have a window for the hour meter...

Peter... nope, you're right... the tachometer was also changed and they didn't bother putting the hour meter version in. On other Foretravels of that vintage we looked at, most had generator hours on the tachometer (not engine hours). I wonder if we have an hour meter for the generator in the generator space. I'll look in the morning.

Craig

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #23 – December 12, 2011, 08:53:42 pm

Craig,

Your digital odometer/speedometer is what Foretravel factory (FOT) installs as a replacement when original craps out. Mine died in '08. When they replaced it, I asked them if they couldn't put the odometer to the previous mileage and they said "No", and just put a sticker next to the Mfgr's label saying "mileage was not original".

Re: Odometer Reading on 1993 U225

Reply #24 – December 12, 2011, 08:53:50 pm

On our 1993, the generator hour meter is at the top of the generator compartment. The engine hour meter is in the engine room with the remote start panel.

Brett

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