Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Topic: Lurking for awhile and have some questions (Read 2425 times) previous topic - next topic

Lurking for awhile and have some questions

December 11, 2013, 10:02:16 am

Looking at 2000-2002 models. What are the differance between a 270,295 and a 320. Is it just engine size and tranny. I can't have a unit with a walk through bath. Is there any models that have a bath all in one room. Everyone I see is either a walk through or toilet is in its own closet which will work for me. One last question for now. Is there a unit that has opposing couches? Maybe one more...on the chassis is it a solid I beam of IFS up front?

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #1 – December 11, 2013, 10:47:20 am

A really neat resource:
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #2 – December 11, 2013, 11:04:35 am

Hi Mike,
Model numbers over the years - U225, U240, 270, 280, 295, 300, 320. The model # of the older coaches refer to GVW, I.E. 225 = 22,500l lbs, 240 = 24,000 lbs, and so on. But after the model numbers they started using names instead, and I get lost there. Lots of good reading on the models over the years here: Foretravel's Company History. It even lists different engine / transmission combinations.

And yes, there are models what the bath room is in its own room. And I think you can find models with opposing couches. You can find almost any combination of floorplans. They are almost all displayed on the link that MacAttack gave you. And you will also find some custom modified floorplans available out there.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #3 – December 11, 2013, 11:07:31 am

Visit Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year and review specifications and floor plans. All plans are subject to variation and customization based on the preferences of the original purchaser and subsequent owners.

When I consider the models, I expect the following:
U270: one propane furnace, oak woodwork, 8K generator, two 8D house batteries
U295: two propane furnaces, walnut woodwork, 10K generator, three 8D house batteries
U320: Aqua-Hot heating systems, walnut woodwork, 10K or 12K generator

I say again, individual coaches vary! Other folk will see greater detail with respect to model. The weights and amenities will vary. The quality does not vary.

If you get the main floor plan that satisfies you, the seating plan is relatively easy to change.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #4 – December 11, 2013, 01:20:00 pm

The previous owner had my 2002 U270 modified by the old Foretravel of Tennessee. The person who owned it traveled with his wife and an unrelated mechanic as they traveled for races so they wanted more privacy. It was/is a walk-thru bath, but they cut a corner of the sink counter back and added a wall and door so that the toilet and sink are enclosed in a room. They took the wardrobe/laundry hamper out, cut it down, and turned it sideways against the wall. Then they bought an early flatscreen TV and mounted that in its own box (since removed and replaced by a newer LED mounted on the wall with an articulating arm. Makes it very open in that part of the coach, while private in the toilet. Point is, you can modify the "open" toilet plan if you find a coach that otherwise serves your needs. Oh, and the U270 came with Cherry wood that I love.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #5 – December 11, 2013, 01:46:58 pm

A few more thoughts on the 270-320 comparisons. My 2002 U270 only has 2 8D Gels for house batteries, but they are in a tray along with a wood block that could easily be removed and a third battery added if desired. A 10k Powertech Generator was standard in 2002.

The main differences that I cared about when looking at a U270 vs a U320 were:
1. 400HP ISL vs 450HP. 400 HP makes this 36' scoot with no problem. I was used to my 250hp Cat in my old U280, so it was a dramatic improvement to me. I also understand the transmission with the 400 is geared differently. My coach is in 6th gear around 55 mph. I tend to drive 58-62 out West (CA is 55 while towing), so I don't have to worry about the transmission going in and out of 6th gear at those speeds. All the units have the retarder, which is a mandatory for me now that I have experienced it. I have no idea what the difference in fuel mileage would be, as we all drive different, under different conditions. I don't think it is contentious to state that 400 HP probably gets better fuel economy than feeding 450 HP.

2. The U270 has a single propane furnace for heating (and the two heat strips in the A/Cs) and no aqua-hot to service. I think it is one of those "Never had it, never missed it" things, and I might feel differently if I had the experience, but then I seldom am in the motorhome when it is colder than freezing. The 10 gallon water heater easily meets our needs.

3. In 2002, my graphics are painted on, but the rest of the coach is white gel-coat that needs more attention than I want to give it. I wish I had full body paint like the U320s. But when I purchased this coach, there was about a $100,000 difference between the 2002 U270s and the 2002 U320s.

The rest is pretty much the same to me, depending on factory options, but the U320s certainly do have an extra measure of glitz, lighting, and convenience. I have added some of the more convenient items (to me) that are standard on the U320s, mostly meaning extra switches. I personally don't want or have electric valves (tanks and toilet). The toilet is porcelein, BTW.

Just my 2 cents. I do believe that there are many more U320 owners here than U270 owners.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #6 – December 11, 2013, 02:32:49 pm

Welcome to the Forum. You have come to the right place. As I have a '95 320 I cannot answer specifically about the years you are asking of but I have noticed that there seems to be some problems with the 2002 model years - end cap issues as well as slide issues. If you do a search you can find those posts.

Keith

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #7 – December 11, 2013, 03:33:26 pm

We looked for a long time for our coach in the same model year range. Basically the build quality is the same for a U270, U295 and a U320. There was a significant interior remodel in the U320 between 2000 and 2001 (ceiling, dash, AC roof vents). I think those came later on the 270 and 295 models. Most of the differences otherwise are engine, transmission and other amenities. The U320 in 2001 has a bigger, heavier duty transmission and the 450 HP Cummins. The 34' coaches were not available as a U320. 36' U320s were not available after 2002 (they went to 38s). Headlights changed in 2002 and they went to integrated end caps (and almost all had to be fixed).

Read the specs and look at floor plans on the web site previously mentioned. Ask questions about specific stuff. Figure out what you want to have and need to have. Set some price points that work for you. Find the best coach you can with a floor plan that works for you in your price range. Follow the pre delivery (or pre purchase) check lists or hire a professional inspector to check the coach out. Check for service records. Check tires and batteries that may need replacement. Make an offer that is fair for you and the seller.

Good luck, keep hunting, a Foretravel of any model is worth it.

Roger

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #8 – December 11, 2013, 03:40:57 pm

Quote from: Mike Brez – December 11, 2013, 10:02:16 am

I can't have a unit with a walk through bath. Is there any models that have a bath all in one room. Everyone I see is either a walk through or toilet is in its own closet which will work for me.

You might not realize it, but most walk through baths have pocket doors at either end that separate the entire bath (toilet, sink, shower) off from the rest of the coach. That's how our is configured.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #9 – December 11, 2013, 04:13:28 pm

Quote from: Michelle – December 11, 2013, 03:40:57 pm

You might not realize it, but most walk through baths have pocket doors at either end that separate the entire bath (toilet, sink, shower) off from the rest of the coach. That's how our is configured.

Our 2003 U295 36-ft is also configured that way... not only with the pocket doors at either end that separate the bath from both the bedroom/rear of the coach, and the kitchen/front of the coach - but also a third pocket door (see image below) that separates the toilet and sink from the shower.

We prefer the configuration options that these 3 pocket doors give us - one can use the toilet with privacy, while the other can access the entire length of the coach. The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #10 – December 11, 2013, 04:34:03 pm

Quote from: Michelle – December 11, 2013, 03:40:57 pm

You might not realize it, but most walk through baths have pocket doors at either end that separate the entire bath (toilet, sink, shower) off from the rest of the coach. That's how our is configured.

I realize you can close up the bathroom on most walk throughs. But if someone is using the commode you are stuck on one side or the other of the bath...and if it's a little smelly close the door open a window and turn the fan on. Some of the layouts were there is no pocket door on the bedroom side I don't get. It's like the bath and bedroom are all one. I have not found a all in one bath yet. I'm going to have to settle for a private toilet. I haven't seen opposing couches yet either but as long as there is room by removing a table and chair it's not a problem.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #11 – December 11, 2013, 04:39:21 pm

Look at any of the U280's like mine. toilet and bath/shower combo on left side. Not that uncommon a layout.

Gary B

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #12 – December 11, 2013, 05:22:24 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – December 11, 2013, 04:39:21 pm

Look at any of the U280's like mine. toilet and bath/shower combo on left side. Not that uncommon a layout.

Gary B

Not looking for a GV. Seems very uncommon in the U

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #13 – December 11, 2013, 05:34:00 pm

You will fine a solid axle up front on all the models. I have had one 270 and two 320s and I will say that I would pick any of them again and truth be told my 34 270 was my favorite though this coach now is probably going to nose it out with the upgrades we have done to it and will do still.

I have a partially painted 320 but it is an 01 and it is early to care for. I had Oak in the 270s but cherry in both my 320s. I would look at floor plan then at unit number. I think you will be happy in any of them as long as you have the right floor plan. Now a way to think of it is a 270 is the small engine and one heater and that is not really and issue and a295 is a 320 without the ISM and the 320 has everything. You will find options versions of all the levels as FT did what the customer asked. I have seen Aquahots in 270s and extra AC units but the thing that remained was the engine tranny combo. Those were fixed.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #14 – December 11, 2013, 05:35:07 pm

Oh for me the big difference between the 270 and the 320 were the hose reels. When winter camping that power cord gets tough to coil up.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #15 – December 11, 2013, 05:44:34 pm

Mike,
The style floor plan you are looking for is commonly referred to as a "side aisle" with the designation SAI (Side Aisle Island bed) as used by Foretravel on the GVs.
Yes your right, I don't think I have ever seen one on a bus style Unicoach. I don't know why they stopped offering them. Only real possibility is no one demanded them.
I have heard someone say that you do loose some storage with the side aisle. I wouldn't know because I've never tried another.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #16 – December 11, 2013, 05:50:19 pm

Actually they put a SAI them in some of the newer coaches.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #17 – December 11, 2013, 06:52:26 pm

Our U270 is a 2004 3610 and we have electric reels and two furnaces.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #18 – December 11, 2013, 07:22:14 pm

That is what I said, there are many variations but for the most part 270s did not have reels

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #19 – December 11, 2013, 07:40:28 pm

John,
I was simply confirming what you had said by providing an example.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #20 – December 11, 2013, 07:44:01 pm

OK, yes and I have seen aqua hots in 270s too.

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #21 – December 11, 2013, 07:58:49 pm

Our 99 U270 has two furnaces. I wonder if it is because it is a 40 footer ?

Mark

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #22 – December 11, 2013, 09:47:13 pm

We had a sai u295 1998, which had the private toilet room, and it also had the aqua hot. There are other coaches that have the private toilet room and have seen several with couches on both sides so just have to keep looking and the right one will show up for you

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #23 – December 11, 2013, 10:59:24 pm

My 1996 295 has the bath to the drivers side and is all contained. One can walk from front to back without intruding upon whomever might be in the bathroom using either the tub or head. We use the bath door whilst open to separate the front from the back (no pocket door on mine to separate the bedroom from the rest of the bus). I don't have aquahot. Like most have 2 propane furnaces. One thing I thought unusual on mine is I do not have the wood flooring near the sink in the kitchen area. It is carpeted and then the PO had carpeted mats made to cover the higher traffic areas (to include the kitchen cooking area).

Re: Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Reply #24 – December 12, 2013, 07:27:58 pm

Quote from: Patricia – December 11, 2013, 04:13:28 pm

Our 2003 U295 36-ft is also configured that way... not only with the pocket doors at either end that separate the bath from both the bedroom/rear of the coach, and the kitchen/front of the coach - but also a third pocket door (see image below) that separates the toilet and sink from the shower.

We prefer the configuration options that these 3 pocket doors give us - one can use the toilet with privacy, while the other can access the entire length of the coach.

Very nice Patricia. I did not know about that configuration with 3 pocket doors, very nice. Let me know when you are ready to upgrade :-)

Affiliate Notice