Foretravel Inspection

Topic: Foretravel Inspection (Read 2196 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel Inspection

December 04, 2012, 09:44:41 pm

Hi Folks -

In the process of purchasing a 2002 U320 - 36' coach in Las Cruces, NM. The sale is contingent upon the vehicle inspection results.

Does anyone know someone in the area that could perform an inspection this coach and provide me with the good, the bad and the ugly.

I live in Washington State and will be leaving the area in 2 days.

It is not important that I be here during the inspection. But am looking for a competent technician that can follow the 50 point PDI listed in this great forum. I could probably perform most of them but would be please to have a professional look at this coach before I complete the transaction.

You can PM me with anyone that you may feel qualified to perform this function.

Thank you,

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #1 – December 04, 2012, 11:41:44 pm

If you can get Brett Wolfe to do it, you would be very well off, but if he does make sure you are there to learn from the master.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #2 – December 05, 2012, 10:58:09 am

I live in Las Cruces, NM. I've found that Bogart's Auto & RV Service does great work. They would probably be willing to do the inspection for you. You may want to contact them at:

Bogart's Auto & RV Service
2210 S. Valley Dr.
Las Cruces, 88005
575-524-0881

Good luck with your purchase.
Raymond & Steve

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #3 – December 05, 2012, 08:02:11 pm

I also highly recommend Brett Wolfe if you can work it out. Being there with him is a great experience.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #4 – December 07, 2012, 09:46:31 am

Hi Folks-

Thanks for your responses.

Spent some time with the coach the other day and reviewed all service records (very complete) as well as recent work orders. 2 months ago the coach went to Houston where they completed a complete inspection and repaired everything that was identified as needing repair.

The coach is in great shape both inside and out. I tested A/C, heat pumps,Aqua-hot, refer., everything else that I could test based on the check list found on Beam's checklist. Went on the roof and inspected the mounting of everything that goes through the roof as well as the condition of the caulking used to seal the equipment. The engine started right up. All fluid levels were good and all gauges were reading good. The slides and leveling system works great. I will need to replace all tires when I return in the near future to finalize the purchase. In the mean time it will sit in the previous owners garage, protected with shore power attached and charging as required.

Based on the comprehensive inspection and repairs that have been completed I will forego finding and hiring an inspector.

My wife and I are so excited. Now all we have to do is get back home and make arrangements to liquidate our stuff and return in 30 to 60 days to take possession.

Looking forward to meeting many of you forth on line and on the read.

This forum has been a great source of information and I am sure I will be reading, learning and posting in the future.

I thank you again for you interest and responses.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #5 – December 07, 2012, 10:15:10 am

You did not mention checking the bulkheads. ASSUME you did check them-- as should be done on ANY Unihome or Unicoach. It is one of the few checks unique to unibody constructed coaches.

Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look

Brett

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #6 – December 07, 2012, 11:31:40 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 07, 2012, 10:15:10 am

You did not mention checking the bulkheads. ASSUME you did check them-- as should be done on ANY Unihome or Unicoach. It is one of the few checks unique to unibody constructed coaches.

Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look

Brett

This is not only important it is necessary. Check my post titled "Has this happened to anyone?" of June 5 2012. Don't let it happen to you.

Roland

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #7 – December 07, 2012, 06:00:13 pm

Thanks for your reply.

I was told by the Service Manager in Houston that performed the inspection and repairs that the bulk heads were OK. He advised that the bulkhead inspection is a normal item with this model. I will attempt to inspect my self when I get the tires changed before I take the coach back to Washington. I also must look closer at all of the repair invoices from the previous owner. I have all of the repair and service documents in the Foretravel file box.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #8 – December 07, 2012, 06:07:13 pm

Suggest you ask how he checked the bulkheads.

Unless he put a torque wrench on the bulkhead bolts, there is no way for him to verify the condition of the bulkhead. Yes, if enough bolts are broken, you don't need a wrench, as the bulkhead will be separated.

But the fact that you see all the bolt heads does NOT mean that they are not broken. In fact, the vast majority of broken bulkhead bolts are broken 1/2 thread into the box beam, so the bolt head looks just fine. But, with a wrench, if it does not torque to specs, the very high likelihood is that when you remove it, the broken surface will be well-rusted.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #9 – December 07, 2012, 06:55:40 pm

Thanks -

I did not think to ask how de determined that the bulk head was OK. I just reviewed the Comprensive bulkhead Repair thread on this forum and copied and pastedit into my desktop U320 folder.

I will secure 4 - 1-1/4" x .125 steel square tubes 11" long and inspect before I move to have the tires replace.

Thanks again for your input.

One of my biggest challenges will be to learn enough about the Systems to move it when I must. I am reading andreading postings on this forum and am learning alot about our coaches but for me there is nothing better than human interaction.

I will contact this forum and try to meet with one of your local Las Crucis members at my coach or his to review the systems again and assure I understand the systems b/4 I move the coach. I've had a CDL for many years and have driven lots of different things - Sooo - driving is the easy part.

Thanks again for reminding me.....

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #10 – December 07, 2012, 07:22:15 pm

Let us know when you will be picking it up in Las Cruces-- maybe some of us will be transiting the area and can stop by for some tutorial.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #11 – December 07, 2012, 07:37:07 pm

When we schedule our trip I will post the window of time that we will be in Las Cruces a hopefully some one will be around to provide that tutorial.

It will definitely be worth a good steak dinner and a couple of margaritas.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #12 – December 08, 2012, 09:10:50 pm

Brett, would you recommend removing the roloks, applying never seize and retorqeing them? Dick

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #13 – December 09, 2012, 09:08:10 am

Quote from: Dick S – December 08, 2012, 09:10:50 pm

Brett, would you recommend removing the roloks, applying never seize and retorqeing them? Dick

In a word NO. After extensive discussions with Rolok Corp, it was their considered opinion that if the bolt held proper torque, they are doing their job and no further action is needed. And, what I have found is that the will either hold that torque or if not, be already broken. I know there are some who advocate removing them to check, but in the absence of bulkhead separation or other indicator of a problem, if they hold torque, that is where I would quit.

And, the torque values are for DRY. Using an anti-seize or otherwise lubing the threads would change torque.

Brett

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #14 – December 23, 2012, 01:25:37 am

Brett -

Just finished reading every page and most every thread in: Foretravel Discussions. Started on Foretravel Tech Talk and reread this thread -- Guess I will be taking a torque wrench with me.

Have been reading your responses to questions and input. They are all over this web site. I can't imagine the knowledge, expertise and experience you have - - as well as others on this site AWSOME.

I have a folder on my desk top for the, new to me coach, and am constantly cutting and pasting into it.

It is far easier deciding to buy a coach than it is to know what owning a coach is about. You, Mr Beam and countless others on this site are providing me with an education that will hopefully help me to NOT cause too much damage to this very expensive and complicated machine.

One thing is clear - We have the right coach and wonderful support. Hope I don't screw it up.

Thank you,

Scott

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #15 – December 23, 2012, 01:56:52 am

When I started on the yahoo forum in 2005 I read every post in order. It was a chore then! Sure learned a lot.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #16 – December 23, 2012, 09:24:28 am

Quote from: Carol & Scott – December 23, 2012, 01:25:37 am

.....It is far easier deciding to buy a coach than it is to know what owning a coach is about. ...
Scott

That does get people in over their head sometimes.
Good luck,
Rick

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #17 – December 23, 2012, 12:38:18 pm

I concur. It seems the more I read the more leery I become about owning such an intricate machine. The recent problems RRadio is having in TN isn't helping either...

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #18 – December 23, 2012, 02:31:23 pm

What? All it takes is money! My 93 drove fine, but when I found out that the charge air cooler was leaking (not repairable) I ordered a replacement. Six weeks and $1600.00 later I realized that the replacement was not only increased capacity, the size and weight precluded me installing it. That plus the Banks kit cost me about $4500. Then the PRXB exhaust brake and new valve springs along with new brakes all around was about $3000...

Point is, even with due diligence "stuff happens". Things wear out, improvements need to be made.

With my 95 I've had little in the way of repairs but they are coming... Tires next year for starters... You budget for stuff and roll with the punches.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #19 – December 23, 2012, 06:00:04 pm

Lot's of horror stories - about everything. I almost didn't get out of bed on the 21st because many people said the world was going to end...... :-)

We love the full time life style, the places we have been and the people we have met and decided that we would rather have a DP than a TT.

I read here somewhere that... it's better buying a 10 year old Foretravel than anything new... and...determine your budget and buy the best Foretravel you can.

That is precisely what we are doing. I have been wwwwwrrrroonnnngggg b/4 and I will probably be wwwrrrroooonnnngggg again, but with the support of you folks my chances of success, what ever that is, is greater.

Thanks again,

Scott

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #20 – December 23, 2012, 08:34:16 pm

I have to agree that things can and do break down on motorhomes, but after being a rv tech for 33 years that even the new ones have problems. Mr Velting I think that you would be very happy to own a foretravel and the freedom to travel and see this great country. I know that we sure are enjoying ours even when things do go wrong.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #21 – December 23, 2012, 10:03:53 pm

If it could go wrong with my coach it has but it is not the end of the world. If it is drivetrain we have many Cummins locations around the country you can get too. RRadio is 75 miles from an old FT repair place in TN. If it was my coach, I would have it towed there. He is doing the work himself so that is also good. You will not have problems for the most part finding a person to work on them either. I have gone about 300K miles in my FTs and things do wear out but if you practice preventive maintenance you will be fine.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #22 – December 23, 2012, 11:54:02 pm

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, othertimes.....

Just ran across the thread in "Tech Talk" about the "End Cap" issue. I'm thinking "what now"?

Started looking through my Foretravel File box and found a receipt dated May 2005 that shows repair records. :-)

I wonder what else is hanging out there? Bulkhead bolts, End Caps.......

It's all good.

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #23 – December 24, 2012, 12:28:09 am

Scott, I have sent you a PM. See if that helps and if not we can pursue as a thread. You have probably already found prior threads on these two topics. As to testing the bulkheads by using torque, Rance at Xtreme suggests you may cause damage so be very careful if you do this. He suggests other ways to examine, such as looking for warping or an open seam, lots of rust. I had some trouble, that I reported more thoroughly in the PM, where maintenance was not performed as it should have been for the air drier and that caused a problem. Even if you have already bought, getting Brett Wolfe or another to do a very thorough inspection could help you in many ways. Sounds like a very nice coach from what you have written. Mike

Re: Foretravel Inspection

Reply #24 – December 24, 2012, 08:25:40 am

I am reminded of the old MAD Magazine character, can't remember his name but he was famous for " What me worry ". That is how I look at my FT. I do what I can to keep it up and then I go enjoy it, no problem. I am probably jinxing myself but in 25 years of FT ownership I have yet to be towed in. I use Coach Net and three times they were able to get a mechanic to me and put me back on the road. On our 8500 mile trip this year I spent 700 bucks on repairs, 500 of that was prevention.
So, maintain, drive it and enjoy it,
Gary B
And MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

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