Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

This link is for a 2004 Monaco, not a 2003 U-295.

I'm interested in this 2003 295 in Florida.

Anything else to look out for with this particular year and model?

If this is the coach at Coach Worxs in Clearwater Fl. there is a member of the forum that has looked at this coach and passed on it because it has rear cap issues, tell them you want photos of the rear cap repair on both sides.

In addition to Bill's input:

A few basics for 2003 based solely on owning that year   None of these are problems, but things that could be unintentionally overlooked:

If the maintenance log is available, check to the history.  At the bottom of this post is an Excel file that shows the general service intervals for 2003 (don't worry about the valve/injector adjustment; that's actually not due until around 120K, I believe)

A couple in particular to note:

Date of last air dryer service (often forgotten, a mess if it fails).

On the outside chance it has original ELC coolant, engine (and genset) coolant change (new ELC) would be warranted.

Also, if original smoke/LP/CO monitors, those are overdue for replacement.

If a Dometic NDR1492 fridge, check operation of the icemaker.  Many of us with '03's have had the water line disintegrate with age/heater line in the past 2 or 3 years.  Parts are around $80; pain in the backside to change.

Michelle

I saw this coach too on line (only) while looking for a 36' for a friend.  He subsequently bought a Country Coach 36'.  Also, we have almost the same coach with very minor differences.  When we bought it from FOT almost three years ago, it had about the same mileage.  Paid about $20K more than what they are listing it for.  These 36' U295s are in short supply.  I think there is another one listed in Texas somewhere, but the price, I think, was about $150K.  Looked nice though and owner claimed excellent care.

Concerns...

1.  Dark color on top... pain when it is hot and can lead to defects in the paint.... look for little cracks in the dark colors.  I think it is called "checking."

2.  Check the bulkheads.... I have seen Florida coaches in the past with problems in this area.

3.  No private head.... big issue for us, but might not be for you.

Problems we have had with our 2003...

1.  Replaced microwave (Sharp)....easy job

2.  Inverter was replaced just before we bought it.

3.  Tires were replaced just before we bought it... make sure load range H in front.  G's OK in back.

4.  Refrig OK now that we have added fans on top of heat exchanger.  Expect to have to replace it soon.

5.  AC units still OK.  Again, expect to have to replace them soon.  They get a lot of use.

6.  No big drive train problems.  The 400ISL has plenty of power, but you will still be going 30mph up very steep passes. 

7.  Have gotten about 8.5 mpg over 20K miles

8.  Had slide bladder problem.... double stick tape that holds it to coach wall had to be replaced... $1000

9.  House batteries replace just before we bought it.  I replaced the engine batteries soon after we bought it.

10.  Also had sewer and water sensors replaced when we bought it.  Monitor is probably on its last legs.  It will blank out occasionally.  Leave it off most of the time.

11.  Had key fab system reworked.... did not work.  Now works great.  Done soon after bought it.

Overall a wonderful coach.  We got very lucky.  The previous owner really took good care of it.

I think the member Memory Roads looked at this coach and there had been some repair done on the coach,try to contact him,he had some photos of the repair and was not impressed.

PS.the correct repair can coast between 15 and 20k