Another Clueless Wannabe

Topic: Another Clueless Wannabe (Read 2898 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #25 – February 18, 2013, 07:55:05 pm

The few times we have had to use the propane furnace the noise is equivalent to the air conditioning units running above our heads. We usually use the heat strips while we are plugged into shore power. We have never camped in sub zero weather.

To me the main difference between a 34 foot and a 36 foot coach is the center storage bay. 34 foot has a smaller center storage bay. The galley in the 34' is also about a foot shorter than the 36', and so is the living area. The bathroom and the bedroom are the same.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #26 – February 19, 2013, 01:33:29 am

Quote from: rbark – February 18, 2013, 12:45:01 pm

Our 1997 U-320 had the smart wheel. Also the wider entrance door with screen, plus ducted air.
Richard B.

And our favorite. A middle entry. Thanks guys

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #27 – February 19, 2013, 12:05:52 pm

Your welcome Bob, where have you been?

Richard B.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #28 – February 19, 2013, 03:01:11 pm

Hi Chuck,
I just saw this post:

"First, do any of you have any direct knowledge about these particular units at MOT? I would be very interested in any history, details about interior or tire condition, or (better yet) your opinion of them if you have actually walked through them recently. "

I am the previous owner of the 1996 U270 at MOT. I would be happy to tell you what I know about the coach.
If interested please send me an email at rriggs@argotechnologiesinc.com or you can reach me at 832-549-0290.
Good luck on your search.

Rodger

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #29 – February 20, 2013, 11:06:25 am

Rodger,

Sent you a email. Really appreciate the offer of info on the "prior" coach - We need all the help we can get!

Chuck and Jeannie Avery

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #30 – February 20, 2013, 12:22:45 pm

This may seem obvious, but the newer the coach the more improvements and technology that have been added through the model years. In fact, there have been so many improvements that the new coaches with all these technologies are so expensive and so luxurious that these are no longer camping vehicles but palaces on wheels.

I can live with either a ducted or non-ducted system. Having said that, the ducted system does have a better airflow and distribution.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #31 – February 20, 2013, 12:26:04 pm

We are very happy with the two roof units. In really hot weather, we close the windows and keep the front roof air on while under way. The forward air does a good job reaching the two front seats even if the dash air is not working. While we are rarely plugged into shore power while on the road, when we are, the noise from the roof air is much less annoying than the rear heater cycling on and off during the night in cold weather.

Pierce

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #32 – February 20, 2013, 01:25:46 pm

Peter and Beth,
Pierce and Gaylie,

Thanks for quick replies to my A/C question. (The moderator, I guess, split my question off to a separate thread, in case anyone else wonders why you are talking about A/C types) You are all giving me exactly the kind of info we need for our shopping trip to MOT next week. We don't want to rule out any potential coaches based on erroneous preconceptions.

Thanks, Chuck and Jeannie Avery

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #33 – February 20, 2013, 01:56:42 pm

Had ductless on my 89, ducted on the 99 and 2000. COuld live with either, prefer ducted on the 2000, one air cools entire coach at night, as previously noted

Hated the noisy propane furnace at night, wife even worse. If you are a light sleeper, take that into consideration vs. aquahot.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #34 – February 20, 2013, 05:34:55 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 20, 2013, 01:56:42 pm

Hated the noisy propane furnace at night, wife even worse.

Uhh ---- if wife reads the forum, you might want to phrase that comment in a different way.

We had direct air flow from roof units in SOB. We have ducted air flow in the U295. We prefer ducted.

We don't like the noise of the propane furnaces. The rear furnace is not very noisy. The front furnace makes lots of racket right next to the dining table. I've tried to baffle it, but haven't found a satisfactory solution yet. However, we won't change coaches just to get Aqua-Hot. However, if we change coaches, the next one will probably have AH.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #35 – February 21, 2013, 11:26:03 am

Quote from: cajk – February 20, 2013, 01:25:46 pm

... You are all giving me exactly the kind of info we need for our shopping trip to MOT next week. We don't want to rule out any potential coaches based on erroneous preconceptions.

Thanks, Chuck and Jeannie Avery

Chuck and Avery
As you look, also note the Tamdour (rolling) doors of the overhead cabinets, at least on those 1996 and older.
When I think about something newer than our '96 I have to think hard about giving them up.

The '96 also has non-ducted A/Cs. They are no problem for us.
We run north (out of Texas) in the summer. I think I can count on one hand the times we had both A/Cs on at the same time during the day and just about that many times for the forward one alone at night.
I did build deflectors out of thin plastic cutting boards to avoid dust in the overhead carpeting.

HTH

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #36 – February 22, 2013, 08:38:14 am

Elliot,

Thanks for the tip on the "tambour" doors in your coach. I hope to look at a '96 U295 36' while I am visiting Nacogdouches next week. (It is the one listed in the classified section of this forum.) Since I see you are currently online, perhaps you could explain any other special features unique to the U295. I looked at Barry Beam's excellent collection of factory brochures and specs, but he seems to have a "data gap" in the '96 U295 info. There is a little generic list of features, and zero floor plans. Since you own this model, you ought to know best how the '96 U295 differs from other models and model years.

Thanks in advance for any other tips, info or insider secrets!

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #37 – February 22, 2013, 10:24:41 am

We looked at the private for sale, 36' 1996 U295, hope you look, you will not be disappointed. As to the features understand the 295 is midway between a 270 having less things, and 320, having more features. I looked at the 95 and 96 feature lists, and you can use the floor plan for either year to better understand the layout. Hopefully someone will find the info on that coach in all the paperwork and send it to Barry for his incredible library.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #38 – February 22, 2013, 11:32:51 am

From what I see there are 2-floor plans for the 40' u295 and 3 for the 36'. The u295s where made from 1995 through 2005 and the floor plans where about the same. Remember that with optional equipment a u295 can, I think ,have everything that a U 320 has except the larger engine and trans. I have a 1999 U295 with most everything except Aqua Hot and the larger engine trans.Gam

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #39 – February 22, 2013, 09:00:06 pm

I have attached a copy of the spec sheet for the '96 U295.
Also the floor plans.
Compare these with the 270 and 320 and then give another shout..

You would have to look at the build specifications of the individual coach to see if different but I have the Cummins 300 hp 8.3, probably close to the last year for the mechanical (as opposed to electronic) engine.
As I said, I really like the Tamdour doors on the upper cabinets.
At some time a little later (Maybe even the '97) got a bigger (bigger than 24") door with a screen.

As Dave Cobb said, the model numbers (U270, U295, and U320) seem to be used more to distinguish trim lines. Just like cars, I understand more things became standard as you moved up. I looked at a 320 and the 295 and the 295 suited me more.

HTH

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #40 – March 01, 2013, 10:50:03 am

Well, we just got back late last night from our "hunting" expedition to the wilds of East Texas. Our trip went very well. We had to postpone our departure one day due to terrible weather in the Midland-Odessa area, but finally got off on Tuesday. Spent all day Wed. at MOT with Mel Cordray. He was very friendly, very helpful, not pushy - a excellent salesman and tour guide. Since we were trying to hold our initial purchase expense down, we started looking at the "low price end" of their available preowned coaches. The '96 U270 previously owned by Rodger Riggs sold on Monday just before we left Midland, so it was out of the lineup. We looked at (and took a short ride in) the '98 U270 34', looked at the '98 U270 36' (the "all white" one), and the '99 U295 36'. We skipped over "Purple Haze" - just not our style. Even though it was above our target price, "just to see what a 40' floor plan looks like", we decided to peek inside the '98 U320. That was a BIG mistake! My wife instantly fell in love with the beautiful walnut cabinets, the great floor plan, the big open bathroom area, and especially the tremendous amount of kitchen storage space. I fear she will now not be happy with anything less than a 40' (in spite of my attempt to keep it "short & simple"). This particular coach (a consignment unit) seems (to our untrained eyes) to be in very good condition, both inside and out, but I think the asking price might be too high? I wish we had more experience with the recent actual selling prices of comparable units. If any of you have any opinion on what might be a realistic "ballpark" price for this coach, we would welcome your input. We could really stretch our budget and try to make an offer on it, but we don't want to fall into the rookie trap of paying way too much.

Also, if any forum members have been by MOT recently and had a chance to look at this unit (#C1580), or know anything about it's history, please feel free to speak up. I would surely welcome any educated opinions on the condition or value. If we get serious about trying to buy it, I will heed your advice and make every attempt to get a pre-purchase inspection done by Brett Wolfe. I have no idea if he would be available or willing to do this - I need to send him a PM note and check on his current status.

My wife and I keep asking ourselves if we are crazy. Can 2 completely inexperienced people step into owning such a complicated (M-11, Aquahot, etc.) 40' diesel coach without it ending up a total disaster? You all seem to think it is possible, but still it is very scary to us. On the other hand, we are both retired, we are reasonably intelligent and have lots of free time to study and learn, and the Foreforum is full of helpful members like yourselves who could assist us. I know we would need all the help we could get, but I believe we are ready and willing to try this new adventure. Just need to find the "right" coach, at a "reasonable" price.

Thanks again for all your advice. We hope we will be able to join your friendly group in the near future!

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #41 – March 01, 2013, 11:00:39 am

Quote from: cajk – March 01, 2013, 10:50:03 am

Even though it was above our target price, "just to see what a 40' floor plan looks like", we decided to peek inside the '98 U320. That was a BIG mistake! My wife instantly fell in love with the beautiful walnut cabinets, the great floor plan, the big open bathroom area, and especially the tremendous amount of kitchen storage space. I fear she will now not be happy with anything less than a 40' (in spite of my attempt to keep it "short & simple"). This particular coach (a consignment unit) seems (to our untrained eyes) to be in very good condition, both inside and out, but I think the asking price might be too high?

Chuck and Jeannie,

While I can't speak for selling prices, if you are considering 40 footers, there's a fairly similar coach that one of our members has for sale in the classifieds. It's also a 40' 1998, a U295 with some U320 upgrades. It appears to have a private bath, though, so a slightly different floorplan.

1998 u295 40 ft

Michelle (yes, I'm an enabler)

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #42 – March 01, 2013, 11:31:21 am

Quote from: cajk – March 01, 2013, 10:50:03 am

My wife and I keep asking ourselves if we are crazy. Can 2 completely inexperienced people step into owning such a complicated (M-11, Aquahot, etc.) 40' diesel coach without it ending up a total disaster? You all seem to think it is possible, but still it is very scary to us. On the other hand, we are both retired, we are reasonably intelligent and have lots of free time to study and learn, and the Foreforum is full of helpful members like yourselves who could assist us. I know we would need all the help we could get, but I believe we are ready and willing to try this new adventure. Just need to find the "right" coach, at a "reasonable" price.
Thanks again for all your advice. We hope we will be able to join your friendly group in the near future!

I see no reason that you cannot get up to speed after buying a Foretravel.
Lots of people willing to help here with whatever complications you might find.
Heck I bought mine in 2003 and I knew less than zero being my first motorhome.
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"
Once you decide you can do it, you can do it.
Jump in and start enjoying

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #43 – March 01, 2013, 12:22:55 pm

Quote from: Michelle – March 01, 2013, 11:00:39 am

Chuck and Jeannie,

While I can't speak for selling prices, if you are considering 40 footers, there's a fairly similar coach that one of our members has for sale in the classifieds. It's also a 40' 1998, a U295 with some U320 upgrades. It appears to have a private bath, though, so a slightly different floorplan.

1998 u295 40 ft

Michelle (yes, I'm an enabler)

Michelle, I know Ron and this coach,it is what I would call one of the rare U295's it has the private potty,aqua hot and air bag mounts on the generator, Ron is a long time Foretravel tech,the coach speaks for itself.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #44 – March 01, 2013, 12:33:49 pm

Chuck and Jeannie-
This probably won't mean that much but Carol and I are taking possession of our new to us 2002 U320 36' coach in two weeks. and it is a little scary. DP are new to us as well and some times it is overwhelming to us. The things that kept going through our heads as we were looking and trying to decide which is the best coach for us are: Buy the best FT in your budget and a 10 year old FT is better than a new SOB. We will go over our initial budget by about 20K by the time we put on new tires, taxes, license fees and stuff like that.

How did we decide that this was the one? We looked and compared all of the FT for sale in the US (obviously on-line) and considered that each one would require about 10K in additional $$$ after the buy, maybe more. We did factor that into our equation. We considered that they all were in operating order and equal in mechanical and physical condition. We also looked at NADA value (I know that these values are not definitive in terms of value, but it is a benchmark). I eliminated the least expensive in our pricing category and the most expensive. I compared the features of all units available, IE: 270, 295 and 320 and eliminated the 270 as we wanted Aquahot. My wife, Carol had to have slides so that impacted our choices as well. To me they were not important, but to her they were. So that narrowed us down to 295s with aquahot and 320s with slides. By this time our list was small. We still found that the 320s were still more than our budget would allow so - we again we looked at SOBs in our price range. Tiffins, Newmars, Country Coaches and Bluebirds. During this time I was still reading threads on this forum and the SOBs forums and kept coming back to the FT brand primarily due to the people here and how helpful and knowledgeable they were/are. We did stumble across one during our journey and it too was more than our budget would allow. After about 45 minutes of touring the coach, doing a miner inspection, finding out about maintenance, (she had all of the service and repair records that I reviewed) as well as hearing about their travels and times I asked her her selling price. It was more than we could afford. I looked at her and told her she had a beautiful coach and it was worth every bit of what she was asking and probably more but we could not purchase as it was out of our budget. She hesitated and put another figure out there for our consideration. Still about 10K over our budget I said "SOLD" even before looking at my DW. She accepted.

I think one of the biggest challenges for us was to really make the decision to do it or not. In this way I think we all have the same concerns. Are we making the right choice or not? Is this really what we want to do? Do we have enough $$ to see this through? How do we overcome the learning curve and not cause a disaster for ourselves? And maybe even more important, is this coach worth the cost?

Here are the things we knew. How much we felt comfortable spending. What our debt obligations are. What our income is and how much $$ we have available. We also knew that there are two thing that no one has enough of: Time and Money. We felt that the FT brand was the best manufacturer for us, and last, but not least that we did not want stix and brix any more, at least for a number of years.

As with many major decisions in our lives we did not know what was on the other side. We did have a vision and a clearly defined goal. We considered all of the things I mentioned above and pulled the trigger. Was it the right one? Ask me in a year or two or more. Hindsight is 20/20. In the meantime, we are finishing packing our personal belongings that will go into a small 4 X 8 uhaul trailer that we will tow behind our Jeep to our new life.

Please feel free to PM me if you wish to chat or compare notes. Good luck in your journey and good health.

Scott

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #45 – March 01, 2013, 05:15:04 pm

In Ron's post on Jan 20th he said his price is now 52k. That is a lot better price than the one at MOT. Just saying....

Mark

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #46 – March 01, 2013, 06:06:00 pm

Bill & I looked at Ron & Nancys ( Red Tractor) coach and can tell you that it is lovely and well maintained. Liked everything about it (most appealing being the fact that Ron is a FT mechanic---worked for the Co. for many years) and it has the aqua hot option. We decided to go with a 36' coach at this time but if you like the extra space and storage that a 40' provides, this one is worth a look.

Jan Velting

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #47 – March 01, 2013, 06:18:39 pm

Ron's coach sounds like a really nice one. The problem is, Ron and his coach are in Florida, and we are in Texas. Making a trip to Florida is not in the cards right now. We have doctor appointments and other things scheduled that make it difficult for us to be gone from the house more than 2 or 3 days at a time, at least for the immediate future. We hate flying, so that's out. We aren't going to buy a coach without viewing it personally, so Ron's just won't work for us. But I'm sure it will make someone very happy.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #48 – March 02, 2013, 10:46:06 am

For those of you who are still researching, take your time in figuring out what you want, need, and can afford. Once you have all that in place you are ready to go shopping. We were told that the shopping could take a year or so, but we got lucky and found the right coach almost immediately. We prepared a list of six coaches that were for sale that seemed to meet our specs. We then tried to rank them in order. While we were doing that more information came out on two of the coaches and we struck them from further consideration. Three more sold, leaving us with only one coach. That turned out to be the right coach. Had it not been, we would have continued looking at what was available, and eventually would have found the coach.

Keep asking questions on the forums, and keep discussing what you learn at home. Consider well how you will use the coach, your mechanical skills, and where the coach will be parked when you are at home (if you aren't full-timers).

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #49 – March 02, 2013, 12:07:45 pm

Hi Chuck,
I saw that my old coach had sold and wondered if you all had bought it.
Maybe we will get another new member of the forum from that sale.
Good luck in your search. The '98 U320 sounds like a nice coach.
Rodger

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