Need opinions on Sale of U280

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Need opinions on Sale of U280

May 31, 2013, 02:03:36 pm

I need opinions from fellow Foretravel owners. I'm going to put my 1994 Foretravel U280 up for sale in the very near future. I do not have pictures as yet, however, I could make some by this time next week and post them at that time. What I'd like to hear from the forum members are their thoughts on what a "ballpark price" might be for a coach that is for all intents and purposes to my knowledge, on the whole, in very good to excellent condition. I realize that without pictures and a personal and/or a professional inspection that assumptions would have to be made to offer up such information, however, I'd like to hear comments from any brave souls

who might have an opinion about my request at this time.

We are selling the coach due to not using it much at all, and we are looking to downsize to a class B.

Description and History of coach:

Green and white exterior color. 1994 Gran Villa U280, 36 feet, SBI 102", Cummins 8.3 300HP, Allison MD3060, with some of the options being 2500 watt inverter system, slide out 10kw PowerTech diesel generator, window awnings covering five windows, plus one for the patio.

Owned by a party from Beaumont for about the first 9 years. I have no maintenance records from this period of time, but it had low mileage and had been garaged at their home when not in use. It was for sale around 2003 for $122,000 then $118,000, when a party from near San Antonio purchased it before I made an offer on it, and according to him he paid $112,000. New tires were put on it just prior to this sale.

The second owner kept it garaged, and did much of the maintenance service himself. He put about 10,000 miles on it. He was well acquainted with diesel pushers at the time of his purchase, and he and his wife were so impressed with Foretravel quality that they decided to buy a newer Foretravel with a slide within the year. When we purchased it from him in the spring of 2004, it had about 50,000 miles on it, and the good folks at Foretravel gave it a clean bill of health prior to our purchase of it.

Today the coach has about 66,000 miles on it, and has been kept at a covered storage facility since then except for about seventeen or eighteen months when the wife and I decided to fulltime just after we bought it. We've put a bit over four months of use on it beyond that.

Foretravel, Cummins, and a local RV dealership are the only businesses to service the coach since it has been in my possession. I have all the service records to this end. I have not done any of the servicing myself. The tires have not been changed since I purchased it.

I have recently had Cummins replace the main seal due to a minor leak that they deemed not worthy of raising concern. They also serviced the generator on it at this time. The generator has had about 600 hours of use.

The coach is at our local RV dealer at this time where the systems are being inspected and serviced, plus interior and exterior detail work to get her ready for sale.

The recliner and swivel chairs have been reupholstered along with the curtains and a matching bed skirt by Foretravel, with a new shade added to the window above the kitchen sink. These updates are somewhat light and neutral in color so as to fit with a wide variety of color schemes. No other interior updating has been done to this coach.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #1 – May 31, 2013, 03:32:58 pm

Sounds like a solid coach. As to the value the books Nada, Kelly, and the rest are out the window, it all comes down to condition(and it sounds like it is in good shape). Others will chime in I'm sure, you may just to have to put a number on it that you think it's worth (or best offer) and see what happends you can always come down. Good luck.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #2 – May 31, 2013, 03:44:15 pm

Call MOT and ask them for their price. It will be at the high end of realistic.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #3 – May 31, 2013, 04:33:41 pm

$20-40K

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #4 – May 31, 2013, 04:41:05 pm

You didn't mention whether your coach has a transmission retarder (not an exhaust brake). If it does, you might get $30-35,000. However, 6 tires VERY soon after purchase will run nearly $4,000. Mileage is low, may be a plus, but not driven much could hurt it. Still, mid-30's should be tops.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #5 – May 31, 2013, 05:59:48 pm

A hearty thanks to everyone who has responded to my request. I was thinking along the same lines, and due to the comments I think I will ask $35,000 and take it from there. I'm ready to sell and downsize to a class B.

It has been many years since I have seen or spoken with Dave at MOT, (is he still there?), but I believe he would agree that such an asking price, under the noted circumstances, is within the ballpark.

Thanks again for everyone's comments, as they are very much appreciated.

Added: It has the exhaust (Pacbrake) brake.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #6 – May 31, 2013, 06:12:12 pm

1993 Foretravel U280(click here for more details)

Here is one for sale (93) at Encore (40'). Seems your pricing is right on...

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #7 – May 31, 2013, 06:47:37 pm

Quote from: Jeff Savournin – May 31, 2013, 06:12:12 pm

1993 Foretravel U280(click here for more details)

Here is one for sale (93) at Encore (40'). Seems your pricing is right on...

Thanks for the comp and the comment! The interior looks great! Ours has the typical black walnut woodwork from that era, but the inside does need some more work to be complete. The curtains in the one pictured look very much like those in the one we have.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #8 – June 03, 2013, 09:19:16 pm

That coach at Encore was for sale there a year ago, and hasn't moved. We didn't look at it then (too busy doing other things), but I'm wondering if there might be some sort of problem. Maybe it is just an unrealistic seller, or maybe there is something else wrong.

It sounds like you are willing to sell at a fair price but aren't willing to give it away, and that sounds reasonable. I'm guessing that the new buyer of your coach will be someone who is getting his first DP (maybe even his first MH) and is a bit nervous about it. As Don says, new tires are a large chunk of money. I wonder if you might sell it faster (and closer to your asking price) if you put the new tires on now. Just a thought from a person who just bought his first DP (and first Class A) and who is going to be putting new tires on it soon.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #9 – June 03, 2013, 11:15:01 pm

It looks a lot better than this 1993 on Ebay: 1993 Foretravel Unihome M-4000 U300SE Special Edition Class A Motorhome in RVs &

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #10 – June 03, 2013, 11:42:14 pm

Selling price $18K - $28K

Pierce

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #11 – June 05, 2013, 12:23:19 am

I'd like to thank those folks who have made additional responses about the potential value of my U280.

kbozke:

The 93 Encore RV looks absolutely great inside, however, it looks as if it stays parked in the sun. With that in mind, I'm wondering if it might have other issues like you mention.

I'm hoping to give someone a very good deal, considering that I have all of the records that go with this coach and I know its history well enough to put any potential buyer at ease - at least that is my desire. You make a very good point about the tires, but as I see it now, I'd rather go with the asking price and negotiate from there. Even if the buyer is getting their first DP, if they have done their homework in comparing this unit with other quality coaches, tires included, then I'm thinking that they will see the value in this coach that they might not get in a similar one that is up for sale. This, with a minimum outlay of cash to put it in shape to their liking. Once I get some pictures taken and make note as to the recent work it has had done, then that should go far toward helping to satisfy me and, hopefully, any potential buyer.

PatC: The unit at the link you show has had the interior updated in the past, but the exterior appears to have some issues that mine does not have, and that would bother me if I were currently shopping to buy a used Foretravel. So yes, I'm thinking that my 36 foot U280 is in better shape on the whole than the one on ebay. The interior in mine has been partially modernized, but needs someone to finish it off to their liking. My coach has never sat out in the weather at a dealership for sale, except for when it was new. It is, on the whole, in Above Average to Excellent Condition inside and out, mechanically and otherwise as I see it, and any further maintenance or repair work would only enhance such condition.

Pierce and Gaylie: $28000 is not unrealistic, but it is at the bottom range that I'm considering at this point in time.

Hopefully I'll get some pictures taken this week, and work on a suitable sales ad.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #12 – June 05, 2013, 01:39:02 am

Your timing is perfect for a late spring sale. Prices are probably at their highest the next couple of months.

Good luck,

Pierce

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #13 – June 21, 2013, 11:17:55 am

I'm running a little behind on getting my U280 advertised for sale. I'm hoping to have the ad notes ready by this Sunday. I still have to clean the generator and diesel-propane compartments. I have all of the pictures taken that I need except for all of the bays which should be complete by Saturday.

Question: How does one post pictures on the forum, and how many are allowed?

Also, if anyone here is looking for a very nice 1994 U280, and they would like some pictures and information on it, send me a request and I'll get them out to you as soon as I can.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #14 – June 21, 2013, 11:32:05 am

Suggest you take as many photos as possible and then make a free album on Picasa or other site that hosts photos. That way you only have to post the link and perhaps one photo to whet ones interest.

With a lot of light, a smart camera or iPad can take excellent photos for uploading and viewing on a computer. You will have to supply enough light for interior shots or use a more advanced digital camera.

We bought ours off craigslist > sites . This is an excellent way of selling or buying most anything. I have even sold three airplanes using it with no cost to me.

Don't forget to take engine and undercarriage photos with front and back bulkheads shown. Will probably need a flash for this or a good light source.

This IS the right time of year for anything to do with recreation.

Pierce

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #15 – June 21, 2013, 12:05:38 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – June 21, 2013, 11:32:05 am

Suggest you take as many photos as possible and then make a free album on Picasa or other site that hosts photos. That way you only have to post the link and perhaps one photo to whet ones interest.

With a lot of light, a smart camera or iPad can take excellent photos for uploading and viewing on a computer. You will have to supply enough light for interior shots or use a more advanced digital camera.

We bought ours off craigslist > sites . This is an excellent way of selling or buying most anything. I have even sold three airplanes using it with no cost to me.

Don't forget to take engine and undercarriage photos with front and back bulkheads shown. Will probably need a flash for this or a good light source.

This IS the right time of year for anything to do with recreation.

Pierce

Thank you very much for the information, Pierce.

I have about two dozen pictures taken of the exterior and interior so far.

I do plan on advertising on craigslist as soon as I can.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #16 – June 21, 2013, 12:43:52 pm

Test for posting picture:

Why didn't my picture come up in a thumbnail...or is this size okay to post here?

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #17 – June 21, 2013, 05:39:11 pm

Nifty! If I didn't already have a U295, I would be interested.

The thumbnails only post here if the pictures are on this site. You may wish to post about six pictures here and a link to the Picasa album. Use "Attachments and other options" to post the photos here.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #18 – June 21, 2013, 05:48:46 pm

Quote from: JWM – June 21, 2013, 11:17:55 am

Question: How does one post pictures on the forum, and how many are allowed?

There are a couple of ways. For lots of photos, creating an album and using the imbed code for it is most efficient.

Create a Photo Album & upload photos on Foreforums

How do I get the id code for a picture in an album?

For one or just a few photos, you can either use the image tag and the image URL or add them as attachments

How to Add Images to your Posts

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #19 – June 21, 2013, 06:16:26 pm

To the Heros, J.D. Stevens and Michelle: Thanks a lot for the comments and instructions! I'll try to post up some more pictures later.

James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #20 – June 21, 2013, 06:21:32 pm

I just purchased a 94/U225. First time MH owner here. Were were you 3 weeks ago

From what You wrote and described I would have paid $27K in a hear beat, if it had 4 year or newer tires I would offered 30K.
My only input is that, I believe it takes a special kind of person to buy such older motorized device, someone who took the time to understand Foretravel brand & wants something a bit more than 5th wheel or bumper pull. Add to that be able to pay cash for it.
I suppose it depends how fast you want to sell it. I believe RV prices are going to go up & FT is always worth $$. Since you are still going to be a RV owner I would say keep it

My uncle is in the market for it, let me know when you have several good pictures published, I will send it his way.
Where is it located?
Good luck.

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #21 – June 21, 2013, 06:49:42 pm

Quote from: propman – June 21, 2013, 06:21:32 pm

I just purchased a 94/U225. First time MH owner here. Were were you 3 weeks ago
From what You wrote and described I would have paid $27K in a hear beat, if it had 4 year or newer tires I would offered 30K.
My only input is that, I believe it takes a special kind of person to buy such older motorized device, someone who took the time to understand Foretravel brand & wants something a bit more than 5th wheel or bumper pull. Add to that be able to pay cash for it.
I suppose it depends how fast you want to sell it. I believe RV prices are going to go up & FT is always worth $$. Since you are still going to be a RV owner I would say keep it
My uncle is in the market for it, let me know when you have several good pictures published, I will send it his way.
Where is it located?
Good luck.

propman, I'm truly sorry that we missed each other since we might have been able to make a deal. You must not have browsed the listings for this forum as mine is dated May31!

I thought I saw one of your postings about wanting to buy a Foretravel, and I believe that I sent you a message, but I could be wrong. Anyway, I hope you got a great U225, and that it serves you well for many years to come.

Send your uncle my way. I have already taken all the pictures that I am going to take, except for three more. I'm asking $35,000.00 or best offer, and we can start negotiations if he likes the pictures and what I have to say about it.

We are located in Kent, WA. Where is your uncle located?

Thank you,
James

Re: Need opinions on Sale of U280

Reply #22 – June 21, 2013, 07:04:10 pm

I'll try posting another picture.

I think I'm getting the hang of it now.

Again, thanks for the help folks!

James

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