Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 18, 2025 ...

Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #25 – November 26, 2013, 10:11:07 pm

I thought it could be a 36, when I compared the floor plan. It has the dinette past the entry door and a regular size galley.. I thought on the 40 ft the dinette is between the couch and the galley and the countertop is shaped differently.. But then again I have lots to learn ..

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #26 – November 26, 2013, 10:43:22 pm

Also remember that the coach width does not include mirrors and awning.  As you look, notice that 96" coaches have about 2" of fiberglass between the front grills.  102" coaches will have 8" wide fiberglass between the grills.  Someone mentioned the way bay doors open on 225 and 240's.  Oshkosh doors open on bottom hinges, top locks, Unihomes open with top hinges and bottom of door locks. 

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #27 – November 27, 2013, 08:03:54 am

We purchased our 98 U270 last Dec. We had looked at the older models at quite a savings and the fuel economy would have been better.

The problem we have is due to the wife's disabilities she could not step up to the copilot seat, so we opted for the newer stile flat floor. Wife is 4' 9" and had a shoulder replacement last week.

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #28 – November 27, 2013, 08:18:22 am

We typically travel at 70 MPH, and the overall fuel economy (including the diesel generator and the diesel-fired Aqua-Hot) is right around 8 MPG. We have tried some trips at about 62 MPH and didn't see any significant difference in fuel economy. For us, the trips are more enjoyable at 70 MPH. (At 62 MPH the motorhome is so comfortable the trip is boring and almost puts us to sleep!)

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #29 – November 27, 2013, 12:37:27 pm

That appears to be a 40' U300 you found on Craigslist. The price is right and the mileage is pretty low. It appears to be in nice condition from the photos but you'll have to inspect it to see. Take it to the nearest Detroit Diesel service center and have them check it out before you buy it. Remember what I told you about replacing the fiberglass radiator fan with a new nylon fan immediately. Don't drive it with that fiberglass fan because it will explode and probably destroy the radiator, which is a $2,000 radiator overhaul plus being stranded somewhere for up to two months. If the previous owner has complete service records it would be very helpful. When you take it to the Detroit Diesel service center they'll plug a little hand held computer into the engine's DDEC computer and download everything that's ever been done to that engine. They can then plug the hand held computer into their desktop computer and print it out for you. This can be very valuable information. There's probably no way to fool the DDEC computer, so if it agrees with the hours on the meter and it's had proper care you've probably found a good one. Stewart & Stevenson is the nearest Detroit Diesel / Allison service center in many areas.

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #30 – November 27, 2013, 12:40:51 pm

...and when you're inspecting it concentrate on the expensive stuff, the chassis, engine, transmission, and don't get too caught up on the other stuff

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #31 – November 29, 2013, 09:24:35 am

thank you guys so much for all this info.

Also great thanks to Bill and his Wife, who were in the Area and showed us their Coach. Now my boss (wife) is convinced, that we will purchase a Grand Villa before next summer..
I will keep everybody updated on how it goes and let you know, when we ind one.. In the meantime , i will keep on reading and hope i can give some advice throughout the forum as well.

thanks again

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #32 – November 29, 2013, 11:39:32 am

As a friend mentioned the other day.  "Buy your last coach first".

Step up financially as far as you can comfortably go as each year newer was fairly major changes until the late 90's.

The front window view from the much bigger less obstructed unicoach is really appreciated by us. 

Bob

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #33 – December 05, 2013, 11:29:25 am

Just drove my '92 U300 from Oklahoma to Louisiana at 70 mph without a toad and got 8 mpg.

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #34 – December 05, 2013, 06:13:54 pm

I have a u295 (1996) which is 8.3 cummins and over past weekend/holiday drove about 550 miles and got right @ 8 mpg.  I had a light toad and drove about 65 with cruise control on interstate hwy.  I don't have an issue with my 8.3 cummins. Does what it is supposed to do.  I have heard a lot of folks with the Detroit 6v92 that just love them.  Though I am happy with the cummins, understand the Detroit may have a little more get up and go and has a nice diesel sound whilst doing it.  Just a slight tinge of envy.

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Re: Advice for future Foretravel Owner needed

Reply #35 – December 18, 2013, 11:30:55 am

I have a 300 HP 3208T Cat in my 36 foot Grand Villa, Whats a Hill, Put the foot down, and away it goes,  with ease,

I have nearly 2000 miles up on her now, It would have no problems towing a trailer, It has Grunt in reserve, and then some,

60 MPH is the maximum speed any where here in OZ,

I totally agree with Cashflashbob about what it does,

I have never had it flat chat, But near, Hahahaha,  It drives like your Floating on Air,  Absolute Pleasure to drive,

Mines on an Oshkosh Chassis, with Air Bags,

Its basically like driving a very very very large, luxury car, and your about four feet off the ground as well, Excellent Vision,

Will you be driving your Coach over 400,000 miles, In your life time, or in the time you will have it, If less, Forget about the motor, You will never wear it out if properly maintained,

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