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Topic: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose (Read 815 times) previous topic - next topic

2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Looking at FT's and found a couple of 03's with what I would call the slanted nose, wondered if anyone has driven them and is there a difference in road performance. Thanks to all. Chris

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #1 –
We have an 03 U280 40ft "slant nose". Handles and rides great.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #2 –
I was told by a motorcade director they got a bit better mileage than the bus style and handle great too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #3 –
We've had both (95 and 99). I don't think there is really any difference in road performance. A big difference, however, is the mid entry. Most prefer the front entry bus design.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jor –
We've had both (95 and 99). I don't think there is really any difference in road performance. A big difference, however, is the mid entry. Most prefer the front entry bus design.
jor

I noticed in the 99 36' u320 offerred here for sale that the front entry allows the dinette to be where the center entry would be.  That size does work better as a front entry as the one big storage compartment underneath is not blocked by the center entry and the 1/4 turned commode fits ok in the bath. So to make the 36' floor plan work better the front entry is a big help.

That being said I prefer the center entry myself as does my DW co pilot. 

Years ago I had many DW's object strenously to the then new front entries.  Many wanted the exact same experience as the drivers side.  No step well that drops the floor in front of the co pilots seat.  i remember switching seat bases to shorten the co pilots seat so short ladys legs did not dangle in the air.  No additional structure to reduce the view. No extra wind noise. 

40' is more clumsy to drive but the trade off in our case was worth it.

If most think a center entry is not as desireable then maybe they can be bought for less money?

Personally I would ask more $ for a center entry in a 40'.

I do like the bigger windows in the unicoach versus a grand villa.

Talk about a tour bus.  Like sitting outside. 

Our two cents.

Bob and Cookie


"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #5 –
The question of front- vs mid-entry was discussed in our house, too. Overall we preferred the mid-entry, but that preference wasn't strong enough to exclude front-entry coaches. Having Jo Ann on the same level as me makes her job easier. In addition, she generally has the GPS and her laptop in use while traveling (the better to tell me where to go), so being closer to the center console makes her job easier.

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #6 –
I wasn't thrilled with the TV location design on those models. The biggest improvement on the mid entry is that its quieter up front. That said, you gain a lot more usable space with a front entry.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #7 –
We're having the "TV discussion" now. The main TV is in the center console, and we want a larger flat screen. It won't be where the original is, but whether it will be parked on the dash or on the pull-out table is the question. It definitely will NOT be mounted above my head.

Re: 2003 FT Grand Villa ... Slanted Nose

Reply #8 –
We have changed from slope nose to flat this year.  We loved the old looking slant, but find much more useable space in the flat nose.  But we have a very rare custom mid door 36'.  We removed the front dinette bench, and love the extra space we gained to move the recliner aft.

Much has been written about how nice the passenger space is without the front door.  We also like the position of the passenger seat base some foot further forward than a front door coach.  We feel their is an extra value to mid-door coaches.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)