1987 grand villa

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1987 grand villa

June 03, 2012, 02:18:49 pm

Great forum here. I am looking at a 1987 Grand Villa. This is my first foray into a motor home and I was impressed at the reviews on Foretravels. The owner of the 1987 I am looking at says it only has 46,000 miles on the odometer and 44,000 on a the wheel hub. I'm just having a hard time believing that a 35 year old vehicle has only 46,000 miles. Any thoughts? Any precautions? Thank you in advance. Skip.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #1 – June 03, 2012, 05:41:46 pm

Could well be actual mileage. Some folks use their MH's only on summer trips.
The wear on the coach should show if actual. I have not seen a wheel hub speedo on a FT and it may be that the wheel hub speedo was attached when a speedo went south.
Good luck, if price is right this could be a find.
Gary B

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #2 – June 03, 2012, 06:16:43 pm

I agree with Gary. If it doesn't show a lot of wear, the miles might be correct. Does it have an analog Odometer or a digital LCD odometer. If it is an LCD, its a replacement. Lift the top of the dash and there should be a sticker on the back of the speedo with the mileage on the coach when it the speedo was replaced.

If I were considering buying it I would much rather it have 80 or 90 thousand miles. A coach that sits for long periods usually has more problems that one that is used regularly. I never worry about high miles on a top quality, diesel coach like a Foretravel. My question to the seller is how long has it been since it was on the road. Also, don't forget that tires may have great tread and be too old to be usable. Check the date code on the side of the tires. The coach batteries may need to be replaced at a cost of from $500 to $1500. Look for bulging sides on the batteries. These are just two of the most typical start up costs when you buy a little used older coach.

A 25 year Foretravel is still better than most 10 year old other brands.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #3 – June 03, 2012, 10:38:41 pm

As Kent has seen our '89 Grand Villa he can attest to how well these oldies were built. Our coach sat in storage for 9 years. It ended up with new tires, new refrig, new microwave, (1) new a/c, two new batteries @$180 ea, two new LCD TVs, new paint job, dash air that didn't work, cruise repaired, and a fuel sender unit that has quit.

All these fixes were done after coming out of storage. Since we bought the coach (with 63K miles on it we now have 74K and have replaced one faulty breaker (the one for the engine heater) and the rear inside valve stem extensions.
Everything else we have done is typical for almost anyone that wants certain conveniences and personalizes their coach.

Age is not as important as condition. Just be aware that there some things that need to be "exercised" periodically to keep them in shape--just like the human heart.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #4 – June 03, 2012, 11:04:41 pm

How many hours on the hour meter on the dash, that can also be an indication of how many miles are on the coach, and is it a diesel or gas coach, and if diesel which engine does it have?

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #5 – June 03, 2012, 11:20:29 pm

Another question is to find out if it has a rear radiator or a side-mounted radiator. Rear radiators are hard to keep clean and make most routine maintenance difficult to do. IMHO.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #6 – June 03, 2012, 11:36:04 pm

seems like 35 - 40 miles per tach hour is in the range of what most of us have reported.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #7 – June 04, 2012, 12:54:08 am

Some were parked and used without driving. I sold new 87's and it's 25 years old not 35 thankfully.

I can probably still do a phone walk through to this day.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #8 – June 04, 2012, 11:17:32 am

Agree with Bob. Some owners are working and use their RV for local weekend trips with only a few major excursions. Lots of other reasons for low mileage. Don't think you have to worry about odo turnback like a car lot. See if you can find out how it was used. Lots of little tell tail signs that signal "hanger queen".

I bought a 84 SOB with only 27,000 miles that had spent 15 years sitting in one spot. The owner's wife died and he could not bring himself to take a trip with all the old memories. Could not part with it either so it sat and he spent all his time in a bar until he died. Was a bummer to listen to the story.

Pierce

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #9 – June 04, 2012, 02:02:51 pm

Hi. I've been lurking for a bit and now have a question.

I too am looking at an '87 Grand Villa OREG. I doubt it's the same one the OP is looking as this one is closer to 90k miles. I know it's tough to wear out a truck chassis with a motorhome and the Foretravels are extremely well built. Be that as it may, should something require replacement how difficult is it to find parts for a Foretravel of this era?

I believe I'm aware of the problems with the gas pushers. Once we get our motorhome, I doubt we will be traveling much but we will be living in it while building a house although that may not even get started until next spring. There will be the occasional 200 - 300 mile trip to see the grandkid, but even that won't be driven more than a few times a year. As I see it, the big negative is most of this traveling will be done in the Southwest where speed limits are 70 on two lane highways and 75 on the interstate. It's not quite mountainous where I'll be traveling, but it's certainly hilly. I couldn't maintain those speeds in my Samurai or my Geo Metro. I don't feel safe when traffic is passing me at 20 MPH faster. This is a concern for me, but perhaps I'm worrying too much.

Thanks for the forum and all your contributions to it over the years. It's been quite informative.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #10 – June 04, 2012, 02:46:45 pm

All of my past experience has been with the Grand Villa chassis and a 93 diesel, but there has not been any part that I have not been able to get easily so I think most everything for the interior and Foretravel built body should be easy to acquire. I wish I could be of more help with the Oshkosh chassis but I have no experience there. I'll bet there will be some folks here on the Forum that can answer that part.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #11 – June 04, 2012, 03:35:29 pm

Restless, As long as you are aware of the pathetic performance of the Ford 460 and intend to use it only as living space this could be a deal. I would not pay more than 3500 to 4000 for it and maybe no that. Mileage will mean nothing on an OREG. . There is an 89 OREG here in Conyers that has been for sale for at least five years, guy wants 10 grand and he is nuts. It is rotting into the ground. Don't expect much in the way of performance with an OREG.
Good luck.
Gary B

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #12 – June 04, 2012, 04:04:35 pm

Kent, thanks for that info.

Gary, thanks for the pathetic performance reminder. I've seen your posts on other threads talking about that.

I had a 25' 1985 Barth on a Chevy chassis. On flat land I had no complaints with that rig, even towing a 4000lb toad. In the hills and in the mountains it was truly pathetic however. I suspect it will be the same with this rig. If I could find something newer with a diesel in a similar price range...

I've been watching this coach on craigslist for several months. He started at $17k then just this week he dropped it from $12k to $10k He's getting serious about selling it I think. On the phone I believe I can hear the frustration in his voice. The motor has been rebuilt with a new cam and exhaust. It sounds like it's been used every every season but I'm not sure about the maintenance yet. It sounds like all the tires need replacing. I plan on looking at it tomorrow. We've been looking at coaches in the $10k - $25k price range for several months now and I haven't seen anything yet where it looks like the owners have regularly used and properly maintained their coach, not locally anyway.

My wife still has to look at it and if she doesn't give it the go ahead then it's a done deal before it gets started. Thank you for the info!

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #13 – June 04, 2012, 05:21:51 pm

Restless, I would like to see everyone own a FT but in this case I would caution you to be very careful, these OREG's have a poor reputation and In my opinion this would be worth no where near 10 K. With all the work you will have to do the cost could be very high and given that you may not be able to use it while repairs are made it does not seem like a good deal to me.
I would think that a diesel of that vintage could be had for not much more than his 17K asking price.
Good luck
Gary B

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #14 – June 04, 2012, 05:39:21 pm

I-70 has some long killer grades, especially in warm weather. Elevations are fairly high so you will have even less power without a turbo diesel. Could get down to 25 mph on some. Gary has a good feel for the price range @ $3-4K

I looked at an '89 with a Cat in it for $12K two years ago so the diesels are out there.

If you were a DIYer, a mechanical turbo Ford diesel should bolt up without too much work. I put one in a SOB and it worked great. The diesel got almost twice the MPG.

Pierce

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #15 – June 04, 2012, 06:24:43 pm

Thank you. I'll have a better idea tomorrow night. If it's everything we want I'll have to keep that diesel idea in mind. I've had a few Powerstrokes, though later years than mechanical. It is a solid motor.

Yeah, I-70 northbound, south of Denver is rough. In my Geo Metro, I had to wind that thing out in 2nd gear for most of the grade. The roads I'll be on will be more like I-15 between Mesquite and Vegas and US93 in Central Nevada.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #16 – June 04, 2012, 07:03:07 pm

WOW! Thanks to everybody for your replies. Open my eyes! The one I am looking at is a gas engine. Thanks for giving me the right questions to ask. Skip

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #17 – June 04, 2012, 07:37:14 pm

If you buy it, fit a pair of aluminum radiators and pusher/puller electric fans in addition to the original cooling system. The biggest enemy for this engine configuration is lack of adequate cooling.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #18 – June 04, 2012, 07:55:24 pm

If you don't move it you will love it. Had same coach, blew up motor, would still have it if it was diesel

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #19 – June 04, 2012, 08:13:37 pm

Thank you Dave, for the tip on the fans and the radiators. I've read they do have cooling issues.

Thank you Tim, for the encouragement on the coach. This will be the first Foretravel I get to look at in person. I must admit I'm a bit excited.

Pierce, it looks like a reconditioned 6.9 IDI goes for around $2400. I see Banks makes a turbo for that motor for around $2700. Were I to get it, it wouldn't be my first modification, but it does look like a viable possibility for the future.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #20 – June 04, 2012, 10:10:42 pm

Restless

The 6.9 uses 7/16" head studs while the 7.3 uses 1/2". With a turbo, you need the 1/2" studs to be safe in my opinion.

I bought a damaged 7.3 F350 with a almost new Dealers Diesel and drove it home from MSP. Here is their site with all their engines and prices: Dealers Diesel Quality Remanufactured Diesel Engines Still runs great!

You also have to get rid of the two disk clutch and go with the single plate unit. The two piece almost always needs a new flywheel so total cost for a clutch job is around $1000 in parts. $100 plus with the single disk clutch. Automatics don't need this advice but I have a Getrag manual.

Pierce

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #21 – June 04, 2012, 10:50:52 pm

Pierce, I did not know that about the head bolts, thank you. If figured the 6.9 was the better choice because it was used by Ford with the C6 trans. It's something I'll need to do some research on. I don't know much about a swap like that.

I did have one of those dual discs clutches go out in a pickup with no warning -- it wouldn't disengage. I'm not a fan.

And thank you for the link.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #22 – June 04, 2012, 11:10:29 pm

This is difficult for me in a way as I am the one that contributed to the oreg problems. Ancient history. The first oreg prototype was in my hands and I loved driving it but...it had a loud noisy engine cooling fan. Cool except for the loud fan.

Hmmmm. Call lee pogue in Oshkosh and talk with him.. He stated that it was a pusher fan and a sucker fan was not readily available. All fans blades were that orientation.

Told him could sell the heck out of these of they were quiet.....

Fast, did not heat up. Nice piece. Noisy.

Lee called me back and said they had sourced a sucker fan and sent two engineers out to change and telemetry the coach. Seemed to work fine. Put it into production.

Problem was at high speeds the twin fan belt driven fan slipped. Motor heated up.

At 60 I had customers get 100k miles on these.

Find a pusher stock type ford fan and it will work fine. Trust me.

My fault. Should have left well enough alone. Sorry.

Bob

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #23 – June 04, 2012, 11:47:38 pm

Laughing... Thanks, Bob. It's always good to have someone to blame

I thought all automotive fans were, uh... suckers. I thought they all pulled air in through the radiator. I'll see what I can find. Thank you.

edit: Oh, wait. Electric fans can be pushers.

Re: 1987 grand villa

Reply #24 – June 05, 2012, 01:16:40 am

Quote from: restless – June 04, 2012, 11:47:38 pm

Laughing... Thanks, Bob. It's always good to have someone to blame

I thought all automotive fans were, uh... suckers. I thought they all pulled air in through the radiator. I'll see what I can find. Thank you.

edit: Oh, wait. Electric fans can be pushers.

Maybe I am backwards. The problem was the coach had a positive air pressure against the radiator at higher speeds if I remember correctly. Don't trust me. I was wrong 25 years ago. The way it's now is the wrong way as it turns out.

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