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Topic: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed! (Read 1169 times) previous topic - next topic

Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

We are on our way to MOT to buy an older coach there. Pretty excited! When we arrive and do our walk through and test drive we're wondering what we should look for specifically. We've RV'd for nearly 10 years but a Class A with airbags, brake retarder etc is very new to us. Is there any experienced Foretraveller willing to go through it with us to check the dreaded bulkheads :) and other things? Give us a heads up for needed repairs sooner rather than later and that kind of thing?  Or point out any unexpected dire reason not to purchase. Happy to remunerate for time spent.

Also, looking into whether we can stay at MOT otherwise we will need to find a cg in the vicinity while we try out the systems and get the hang of things. Any recommendations? 

Thanks for all the help.

Linda
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #1
Congratulations on your new home! There are several good people in and around Nac, and I'm sure that you will hear from them soon. If you share what you are looking at you may hear from someone who owns a similar coach.

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #2
YEs should be able to stay at MOT for a few days.

As to the check out, that is a bit harder but MOT should be able to repair anything. You might be able to get one to the guys round NAC to look it over.  I would tell you that you could see the bulkhead with a flashlight and look for separation.  It is not a common as it is made out here.  It is not a bad fix just time if you need it.  If it is more than the bulkhead, then you will not see it as it is covered up.  Look for areas on the sidewalls that can be pushed in. If you have a question then the guys in service will not lie to you but you might have to bring it up.  Look at the sticky on the top of this forum for more info.
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: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #3
If Brett Wolfe is home in Texas, I would highly recommend hiring him for a professional inspection.  He's a moderator here on the board so you can send him a PM.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #4
check out this Pre delivery inspection note at Barry's web site

PDI
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #5
Linda,

More info on which unit you are looking at. The DW & I were there last month looking at one. If it is the same I will PM you on why it is still there and not in my drive :D

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #6
Thanks for the ready replies, you guys are the greatest. 

We leave Oregon tomorrow at 3:30 in the morning so we'll be looking at it in person soon. It's the 1999 U270 34' we're considering. I'm half afraid to say in case someone has horror stories to tell but better now than later I guess.  Larry, if you're thinking about the one with the hideous interior decor, old tvs, and rip in the sofa, that would be the one. We've negotiated a decent price (I believe) and I don't worry so much about the inside as long as structurally, mechanically, etc it is sound and in reasonable shape for its age.  Of course, figuring that out is the tricky part :)  Michelle, thanks for the suggestion of Brett, I"ve PMd him and will wait to hear.  I'll check the stickies here for more tips also.
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #7
"It's the 1999 U270 34' we're considering." Nothing like that listed on the MOT site. This is another example of a situation where the coach is for sale at the lot, but not listed on the website. If you are looking for a coach and don't see what you are looking for on the website, a phone call to the dealership may well find what you are looking for. Not every coach on the lot makes it to the website.

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #8
Linda,

No it wasn't the 34' model. It didn't fit our needs so I didn't even give it a glance, sorry. The people at MOT are great to work with however :D :D

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #9
PDI Inspection as Tim linked.  Take the PDI with you and use it as a guideline when walking through the coach.  Good luck.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #10
The link to the PDI is very helpful and we're going to take a copy with us for reference.  I'm very excited (despite my remarks about the interior)  Really hoping this will work out.
Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #11
If Brett Wolfe is home in Texas, I would highly recommend hiring him for a professional inspection. 

I second the recommendation for Brett. He saved me from purchasing a bargain-priced black hole.
 
Thanks, again, Brett!
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #12
Linda, have sent you a pm with some info on Nac, etc.  call if can help.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #13
No longer "almost bought". We bought the 34ft 1999 U270 yesterday! Thank you Brett (and Diane) for the thorough inspection and all the tips you gave us. We are now camping out at MOT while we buy stuff and get new front tires, have servicing done, etc. All very exciting! But still rather intimidating so no doubt you will all be hearing from  us frequently with dumb questions and "how do I" etc etc.

Linda

Robert & Linda Garnett
1999 U270 34'  , build 5539
2004 Acura MDX

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #14
Excellent.  Congratulations.  As I mentioned to you, mechanically it was one of the better coaches I have looked at this year.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #15
congratulations on the new coach. I'm sure you will have many adventures coming.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #16
The excitement level doesn't get much higher than when you get your first Foretravel.  I don't know yet but the second probably comes close.

Congratulations.  Travel long and well.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #17
Congratulations!  Remember, there are no dumb questions.  Ask away as they occur to you!  This group loves to help out.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #18
Congrats on your Foretravel, hope you have many miles of smiles.

Dennis & Martha
Dennis & Martha Harrell
2000 Foretravel U320
2014 GMC 4X4 Sierra Crew Cab Pickup

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #19
Congratulations! Now the fun and learning can begin in earnest.

Re: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #20
It is a great journey.  I still marvel after 13 years how well they are built.
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: Almost boughtour new to us Foretravel - help needed!

Reply #21
Purchased our 88 in 04, WoW that's 10yrs ago :o

Now were on to our second, lessons learned.. great MH!

Enjoy ^.^d

The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)