New purchase ? (Really used)

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New purchase ? (Really used)

July 23, 2013, 08:01:40 am

Hi been looking for a MH time to get away from our TT.

Looking at Newmar & Tiffin

Now these.

With a budget of 50-75K what years can be had?

Also what do the different model "U" signify? it looks like a $50K difference between each model

U 320
U 295
U 270

I would also like to know what lengths they were made?

I prefer shorter over longer

tks

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #1 – July 23, 2013, 09:11:18 am

Welcome to the forum.

For all there might be to know, look at links, Barry Alarm, Tech., Brochures and Specs @ this link:
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures

The short answer is the U number tells us the model, I.E. 225, 240, 280, and 300. In about 1995, the 270, 295, and 320. As the number increases so do the standard features and load carry rating changed in the earlier years up to the introduction of the Uicoach. You changed your original question to the later 95/96 year numbers, 270, 295, 320.

Lengths for those models, which became more trim levels run from 34', 36', 38', 40', and 42'.

Barry's site will show the U number by years, and the floor plans and lengths that were produced.

To add some more confusion, know that Foretravel would custom build any thing that you might want. So you will find unique coaches with not the standard interior woods, or features usually only on the higher numbered spec. sheet. Like a normal 320 has Aqua Hot, and walnut, but was speced oak from the 270 list and without Aqua Hot. Or a 270 speced with the Aqua Hot upgrade only found on 320's.

Ask all your questions, there are many members with extensive knowledge or experience from having a number of Foretravels and models over the years.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #2 – July 23, 2013, 09:16:32 am

LI,

There is a wealth of information at Barry Bredeau's unbeleivable website.

FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information

There is also a great search capability on the forum home page.

welcome to the forum.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #3 – July 23, 2013, 09:21:15 am

ok, I just found that as you guys were typing I guess.

Are the 36 & 38's harder to find then the 40's

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #4 – July 23, 2013, 09:26:35 am

I don't think so, as there always seemed to be a number of buyers for the shorter coaches. When 36' was the shortest for years, Foretravel started building 34'. We are on our second 36' Foretravel. The seller of our present 36', bought a 4 year newer 36' again, but with 2 slides.

Foretravel also phased out the Grand Villa sloped windshield design in 96, but custom built them till sometime in 2003 by special order. They went from mid door entry to front door entry, but them built some few mid door models over the following years as well.

The prices vary of course by length, and model #. A good site to follow is the sale site for Motorhomes of Texas @ Luxury Pre-Owned Motorhome Dealer for Foretravel Newell Country Coach.

They list by model #, and you can see how they increase in price by length, year, and slides.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #5 – July 23, 2013, 09:32:43 am

Welcome to ForeForums!

Quote from: LI_Pets – July 23, 2013, 09:21:15 am

Are the 36 & 38's harder to find then the 40's

Probably not the 36's, but FT only built 38' coaches for a couple of years, I think. Around the 2002-2004 timeframe IIRC, and a few custom ones 2007 and newer.

There are a couple of 36' coaches in the classifieds here

Michelle

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #6 – July 23, 2013, 09:33:21 am

Loved my 34 foot when I had it. I went 34, 36 and now 42. The longer you stay in it the greater the desire for a bigger one. I think with the right layout 38 foot to 42 foot is the perfect length. No knock on the 34 or 36 as i put about 100k miles on each one.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #7 – July 23, 2013, 09:48:00 am

I might suggest that you update your profile to include where you are living. You just might be surprised by an offer to view another member's coach if you have not been around a Foretravel or inside. I know we have had a number of members stop by to show their coach to forum members that are new to Foretravel.

Also a member search might show you there are some near by Foretravel members to contact for more info.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #8 – July 23, 2013, 10:55:52 am

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – July 23, 2013, 09:48:00 am

You just might be surprised by an offer to view another member's coach if you have not been around a Foretravel or inside. I know we have had a number of members stop by to show their coach to forum members that are new to Foretravel.

Also a member search might show you there are some near by Foretravel members to contact for more info.

I see the OP is in mid-central Florida. When looking at the members map http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=googlemap, I count 33 other members located in that general area right now. I say if OP did some checking around, he might be able to see a Foretravel up close.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #9 – July 23, 2013, 11:18:02 am

I'm in Canada at the moment actually towing my trailer around.

I go from here to Water Town NY in 3 weeks then Long Island taking the trailer back to Fl Sept 28th, down rt 95, so I may be able to stop along the way also.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #10 – July 23, 2013, 11:54:23 am

Welcome to the forum. We had a 32' TT for years and recently acquired our 36' U320. It's a very difficult process deciding; 1. If to move into a class A DP. & 2. What to purchase. If you spend some time on this forum you will see two recurring themes. 1. Set your budget and buy the best Foretravel you can & 2. A 10 year old Foretravel is better than a new SOB (some other brand). Carol and I often have experienced Class A DP owners that see our Ol' Girl and comment on how well built they are, that they wish they had one or that their next one will be a Foretravel. There is no perfection in this world, IMHO. However, from my research based on our budget and coach availability we made the correct decision. Sometimes we wish for a couple of more feet but the 36' does fine for us. As we continue to upgrade and maintain/replace systems in our coach, I am finding it harder and harder to consider another coach as I now am getting to know this one. I think the bones of the Foretravel are outstanding and provide a wonderful platform for our traveling lifestyle. I spent a lot of time on this forum when I first became obsessed and soon realized that there is something special here - the coaches and the owners alike. Good luck performing your due diligence and ask lot's of questions. If you would like to chat on the phone PM me.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #11 – July 23, 2013, 12:37:02 pm

Standard buying process in a motorhome is the boys look at the motor and chassis stuff and the girls with a little boy input the interiors.

Any shortcuts to reach the manufacturers Pre set price are normally taken out of the boy parts IMO.

Second and third time buyers normally look much more at the "bones" as that was maybe the disappointing part of the first purchase.

Most rv's are "price" coaches and built to a fixed budget and built to sell to the dealer then the end buyer on a short, empty test drive.

Foretravel was built without the budget as much and to be used not sell as easily.

I looked at my buddies brand new quad slide SOB and it has a rear radiator to allow the floor plans to be built with the rear slides where the side radiator should be.

Summer desert might be a problem with the cooling. Maybe not. Testing will tell.

I would not buy that rig personally. I like fast uphills at 110 degrees if that's where I want to go...

The SOB's are frame and body coaches. Foretravel in the later units(U models) are one piece. Like all the highway busses.

Look underneath first not at the interior floor plan and fabrics is my advise.

I just bought my 15 year old U320 a year ago and can't imagine buying another SOB that old and expecting it to still be "good"

As was mentioned the "systems" will all need work as you go down the road and mine is normal in that respect. Well worth fixing to me.

Then drive the money you spent out of it is my advise.

Bob

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #12 – July 23, 2013, 07:02:19 pm

Our purchase criteria was a little like the one you seem to be thinking about. We wanted a DP and we preferred a 96" wide coach over a 102" wide coach because we want to spend a little time each year down the Baja south of Mulege and we've driven those roads (with the trucks and buses) before; narrow is better. We also wanted to maximize fuel mileage so narrow again fed into the data; as well as lower and lighter. All of this also plays into traveling and exploring backroads and getting into and back out of older campgrounds.

The wide-bodied coaches started in about 1993 or 1994 and within a few years there were few 96" wide coaches being offered for sale in the Class A units.

One nice feature of Foretravel motor homes is that the basic interiors do not change much from model-to-model across the years; especially the bedrooms. So waking up in a 1989 Foretravel will be much the same as waking up in a 1999 Foretravel. The salons and galleys changed more drastically although a U280, a U225, a U240 and a U300 will all be very similar in living area up to about 1995. Even the bedrooms in the shorter coaches (34') are very similar to the bigger, newer coaches from what we've seen.

We bought the U225 which is relatively low in overall height, light in weight, narrow (96" wide) with a streamlined front and powered by a Cummins 5.9 mechanical engine which is easy to work on everywhere in the world (it's the same engine as my 1994 Dodge pickup truck has). But living in it is not all that much different than living in a newer, larger Foretravel (although the "basement" storage areas are about 8" lower in height).

This all combines to give us fuel mileage very close to 12mpg (without a toad) which would theoretically give us about 1000 miles cruising range without having to find more diesel. Pretty much exactly what we were looking for.

I can't see us changing for a long, long time.

Craig

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #13 – July 24, 2013, 12:30:40 am

Welcome! I am a newbie to the FT world and could not be happier. My wife and I were TT people for over 15 years. After owning our 1989 U300 for only 3 weeks or so we will never go back to a TT. We almost bought a Tiffin 5 months ago and I'm very glad that deal never happened. The fit and finish on my 1989 is far and above the 2004 Tiffin that we almost bought.

Good luck in your search. If you pick a FT you will not regret it!

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #14 – July 24, 2013, 06:23:07 am

What year or models have a slide or two which do not?

I see some of the '90's have a sloped back windshield which I don't care for, what year were they changed to the newer style.

Still confused after reading all the spec's what the real difference is between the U270, u295, u320.

I emailed the dealer in Texas that sells a lot of them, they offer no guarantee or check out of the coach itself, so I may as well look private.

I emailed FT factory no reply, do they give any guaranty when they sell a used one?

What are the most important things mechanically to look at or cost a lot to fix?

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #15 – July 24, 2013, 07:16:20 am

Check the following for a list of things to have checked; 50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel
You can also purchase a warranty depending on the age/mileage of the coach you find to cover mechanical and various other items. I got one through Good Sam and it paid for itself the very first trip (radiator failure).

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #16 – July 24, 2013, 08:15:05 am

Quote from: LI_Pets – July 24, 2013, 06:23:07 am

What year or models have a slide or two which do not?

I see some of the '90's have a sloped back windshield which I don't care for, what year were they changed to the newer style.

Still confused after reading all the spec's what the real difference is between the U270, u295, u320.

I believe the first slide appeared around 2000. There was some evolution in the slide mechanism from then through 2003. Through 2001 if the slide bladder needs replacement, the slide has to come out (via forklift). 2002 and newer (I believe; I know it's the case for 2003) the slide can be pushed into the coach to access the bladder.

The sloped front is the GV Grand Villa). There were GVs made up until 2003 (although very few after around 2000). Bus front appeared around 1995.

U270/295/320 are trim levels. Chassis will be the same in all 3, differences will include interior wood species, propane vs. Aquahot for heat and hot water, etc.

Hope that helps

Michelle

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #17 – July 24, 2013, 08:23:38 am

Quote from: LI_Pets – July 24, 2013, 06:23:07 am

What year or models have a slide or two which do not?

I see some of the '90's have a sloped back windshield which I don't care for, what year were they changed to the newer style.

Still confused after reading all the spec's what the real difference is between the U270, u295, u320.

I emailed the dealer in Texas that sells a lot of them, they offer no guarantee or check out of the coach itself, so I may as well look private.

I emailed FT factory no reply, do they give any guaranty when they sell a used one?

What are the most important things mechanically to look at or cost a lot to fix?

I'll answer as much as I can. The smarter people will be along shortly.

I believe the first year for a slide was in 2000. I've never seen a slide in anything earlier than 2000.

When you talk about a sloped-back windshield, you are talking about the Unihome which had a mid-entry and sloped front end. Most of these will have model designations of Model U-225, U-240, U-280, and U-300. For the most part, I believe Foretravel got away from the Unihome and went to the Unicoach (front entry, and flat bus-style front end) in 1995 or 1996. They did make a few special-order Unihome coaches later, but not many. So, if you don't want the sloped-windshield coaches, stay away from U-225, U-240, U-280 and U-300. Look for U-270, U-295, and U-320.

The U-270, U-295, and U-320 models, originating in about 1995 or 1996, are the flat-front bus-style coaches. They share many important mechanical similarities, such as airbag suspension, diesel generators, side radiators, etc. This is a change from the Unihome versions, as the lower models (U-225 and U-240) didn't have some of the important but more costly upgrades. In the Unicoach series, the higher model numbers basically mean an upgrade in some of the amenities and a larger engine and generator.

If some of this is in error I expect we'll both learn something.

Good luck.

Glen

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #18 – July 24, 2013, 08:32:05 am

Note the 270's were standard with Oak interior, not Walnut. More Corain on the flat surfaces as the model number increased, and one furnaces on the 270 vs. two on 295's, Aqua Hot on the 320's. More fabric in the lower numbers models, more leather on the high end.

The hp. jumps to the largest offered on the 320's. My 295 has only 325, vs. maybe the 450's offered on the 320's. The generators jump from 8Kw to 10Kw as mentioned as well.

Lots of photo examination starts to reveal the interior differences as the model number increases. Print out the spec. sheets and go over them to see the additions there as the model number increases. Add to all the confusion is the number of interior layout choices, or custom ordered coaches that might be a one of a kind as well.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #19 – July 24, 2013, 08:47:01 am

Think of the U295 as a 320 without the bigger engine. I had no issues with my 270 and loved it. It was a 34 foot unit and I thought I wanted bigger. I did but do miss that unit as it seems most FT folks miss their first one.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #20 – July 24, 2013, 09:12:24 am

Quote from: Glockjock – July 24, 2013, 08:23:38 am

I believe the first year for a slide was in 2000. I've never seen a slide in anything earlier than 2000.
If some of this is in error I expect we'll both learn something.
Glen

I believe the 1st slides were late 1999. Only a few of them.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #21 – July 24, 2013, 10:21:15 am

There are quite a few foretravels for sale under 60,000. and some of them are in Florida. We live in Riverview, Fl , near Tampa. Right now there is a foretravel in Brandon, Fl for sale. When you get to Fl, you can contact me and I would be happy to talk to you about foretravels

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #22 – July 24, 2013, 11:48:31 am

We are about 90 minutes north of you.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #23 – July 24, 2013, 12:16:55 pm

There were a few slides in 1999 "special editions", but 2000 is the year that most coaches were ordered with a slide.

Re: New purchase ? (Really used)

Reply #24 – July 24, 2013, 12:27:12 pm

Well I guess this begs the ?

What's the real livability with/without a slide or two.

Never mind found a long thread on the subject, doubt we need or want one .....

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