New to Foretravel...

Topic: New to Foretravel... (Read 4764 times) previous topic - next topic

New to Foretravel...

May 08, 2014, 11:36:53 pm

Hello all!!! We are new here and to the brand, however we have been full timing for many years.
We are at the stage of choosing between a 1999 U270 and a U320, both '40. and rather similar .
Regretfully we have not been able to find some specific info and hope you may know.
Are there any frame or body differences between the 2 models. Construction that is, besides the engine, tranny, power, gen size etc... or are the bodies and frame identical.
What are the actual dimms. HxWxL, for eg. our present coach is called a '40 but in reality it is '41 9".
Is the rear end ratio difference enough by itself to choose one over the other.
This stage of the process is very consuming, and for us ignorance is scary !!!
Thank all, and hope to soon join you as Foretravel owners!
Tony and Lora

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #1 – May 09, 2014, 10:26:45 am

Try beamalarm web site to start

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #2 – May 09, 2014, 10:38:27 am

WELCOME
As Tim suggested beamalarm.com is a site by a long term foretravel owner and other contributions from the forum dedicated to the technical specifications from the factory and the experiences, fixes, modification and remodels of our beloved coaches.

Ask any questions you will have many shared real life stories.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #3 – May 09, 2014, 10:47:13 am

Barry's site has a lot of specification info, but I don't see the answers that Tony and Lora are looking for - actual dimensions. Could be why they're asking here (it sounds like they've already researched enough to know there are drivetrain differences between the U270 and U320).

Does anyone have a 1999 original brochure with that info? I know for our '03 the brochure shows height and width (but not true length). Regarding chassis differences - did all models use the same shocks in 1999? What about ducted house HVAC (I seem to recall there may have been some differences there in some years)?

Michelle

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #4 – May 09, 2014, 10:56:22 am

Thank you !!! I went through the site but did not find the info , perhaps I should write and ask him... or hope someone has the brochures as you say Michelle, yes we are aware of the engine, xmssn etc... but for the rest so far, no luck...
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #5 – May 09, 2014, 11:12:21 am

Welcome to the forum.

Our 1993 Foretravel Grand Villa may not be representative but it is actually 35' 7" long; even though it is labeled a "36". Ours is the only FT we've owned and, frankly, we haven't even seen all that many of them. They are somewhat rare in the Pacific Northwest where we live.

Craig

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #6 – May 09, 2014, 11:20:24 am

In case you haven't come across the specification info, here is the link:
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures

Whether there are differences among the models re frame and body comes up from time to time with no definitive answer. Personally, I believe they are identical. Anyhow, you could call Foretravel and ask. The technical expert is James Triana and you can reach him at 936-564-8367 (select technical assistance). He's hard to get hold of but will return your call. Good luck.
jor

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #7 – May 09, 2014, 11:33:00 am

WEIGHT RATINGS AND CAPACITIES
Available lengths .................................. 38', 40', 42'
Exterior height ............................................ 11' 6 1⁄2"
Exterior width ................................................... 8' 6"
On our 2003, U320, 38', actual diminsions are as stated hin the specifications. I agree with jor, contacting the factory may be your best bet. Good luck and welcome!
Bill

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #8 – May 09, 2014, 12:18:17 pm

Welcome to the forum! As you will be able to tell from the beamalarm site, the 270 is the base model and the 320 is the deluxe model. The 295 fits between them. As I understand Foretravel's construction, there is no difference between a 270 body and a 320 body. There is a difference in engines, and obviously there will be differences in amenities.

As for choosing one over the other, I would say that the maintenance history would be the most important thing. If both are similar, then the choice is yours.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #9 – May 09, 2014, 12:43:46 pm

Welcome.

One thing you will find is that each Foretravel is unique. Besides the factory options and custom variances owners like to add and remodel. If all things are equal I would choose the 320. Maintenance history is important and you should factor in tire replacement if needed. Foretravels have a different method of construction so unless you feel competent yourself I would have someone like Brett Wolfe et al inspect the coach. You do not say where you are located but it maybe that an owner is close by that would assist you. Also there is quite a bit of information and walk throughs on YouTube. Just search on "Foretravel". A you can see from the number of older coaches on here you will be buying a high quality product so take your time and research well and you will have your "Lifetime Coach"

Good luck and maybe we will meet on the road.

Keith

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #10 – May 09, 2014, 12:44:57 pm

Thank you all for your comments!!!! keep the coming ! you guys are all great !!! we are making progress!! I have a call in to Mr Triana and thanks to your replies we now know actual height, width and body.. kb0zke do you know if the frames, air bags etc... are the same?
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #11 – May 09, 2014, 02:33:35 pm

Quote

If all things are equal I would choose the 320.

This is a good discussion topic. There are those that believe the 270 is the best choice for full timers. Not sure of the reasoning; maybe some 270 owners will chime in. Good luck.
jor

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #12 – May 09, 2014, 02:41:31 pm

Jor, thank you!!! well, we fulltime and I hope we receive some comments abt the reasons for the preference for the 270 as a fulltime rig. We would sure appreciate it!!
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #13 – May 09, 2014, 02:57:49 pm

Tony & Lora,

U320 coaches of some model years have large Aqua hot heaters and house battery compartments that are located in VERY hard to reach locations between bay compartments. Maintenance access may require empting & removal bay slide tray. And enclosed battery compartment usually runs too warm, reducing battery function or life. Aqua hot unit takes up quite a bit of bay space.

Almost all 270 models don't have Aqua hot and usually have open battery compartments.

Aqua hot units have some advantages, but require more maintenance, maybe more as they get older. Think if this way: There are many good techs that make a living maintaining Aqua hot, but there are no techs that make a living maintaining water heaters or furnaces.

Engines & generators are different on the two models, but the smaller engines on the U270 work just fine for many who own them. Both Cummins engines are computer controlled and pretty maintenance free.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #14 – May 09, 2014, 03:05:55 pm

Tony,

In my hunt for my perfect Foretravel, I have done a lot of comparisons between various models and years. I am including an Excel file that compares the 1999 U320 specs vs. the 1999 U270. It was pretty eyeopening for me. The bottom line is that the U320 cost $140,000 more than the U270 according to their MARP's. Most of the basics are the same. Only you can determine whether the "bells and whistles" are important to you.

Hope this helps,

Trent

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #15 – May 09, 2014, 03:11:05 pm

The U270 has more storage space. By giving up Aqua-Hot and larger generator, one gains about two small storage bays. Also, there are fewer complex systems that can fail or require maintenance.

We have a U295. I wanted to buy a U320, but the U295 came available with several features attractive to us. It was nearby, mostly ready to roll, has a private toilet closet, and had a Jeep attached to the back. It has served us "some timers" well for four years, 46K miles.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #16 – May 09, 2014, 03:39:48 pm

Barry, Trent and J.D. thank you for your inputs... Trent the Xcel file is great, thank you ! On the mech aspect we are trying to clear the importance of the issue abt the xhst manifolds and EGR failures on the 8.3 , the M11 does not have an EGR and we have not seen any exhaust issues about it either, however these issues may not amount to anything serious and we hope to hear from present owners from coaches around 1999 abt these potential probs.
Again we thank you all for your assistance and info...
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #17 – May 09, 2014, 03:50:46 pm

We have been living in our coach for 13 years and still prefer U270 over U320. We think for us, simpler is better, especially in the long run.

But I really think that whatever model or length one buys, it will continue to be the coach of choice. Since about half of Foretravel's manufactured each of the 1996 to 2000 model years are 40' U320's, there are more of them out there.

U320 has larger transmission, retarder, & different rear axle ratio, but both models have about the same chassis which means same disk brakes, air bags, transmission retarder, frame design. U320 and U295 have fancier interior trim & features.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #18 – May 09, 2014, 04:19:33 pm

Barry, how many miles do you have on your engine? both of these units are in the 90's k miles...
I am leaning towards the 270 because of its simplicity and ease of service of the systems, for eg. propane furnace versus Aqua-Hot, I have had them both and as nice as the A-Q is, the furnaces are redundant and easy to service and maintain, even while on the road... but anyway the jury is not out yet...we are still learning...
Thanks!!
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #19 – May 09, 2014, 04:39:24 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – May 09, 2014, 03:50:46 pm

U320 and U295 have fancier interior trim & features.

Barry,

You bring up a good point. One of my discoveries in my spreadsheet analysis was how little difference there actually was between the U320 and the U295, depending on which model year. I did not include the U295 in the file I uploaded, because Tony only asked about the U320 vs. U270.

When I finish my book, I will upload it to the file section. It is still a work-in-progress and includes only my targeted models, 1997-2001. It is one thing to read the specs side-by-side (many, many thanks to Barry for his BeamAlarm site information), but much more revealing to see them laid out in a spreadsheet, side-by-side and row-by-row. I also have worksheets that show the changes in the same model year-by-year (that one is much more difficult because Foretravel changed some of the specification categories over the years).

Back to the grindstone!

Trent

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #20 – May 09, 2014, 04:46:02 pm

Tony,

If the engine has had regular maintenance it will outlast the coach. These units are very reliable with many in commercial service. I would worry about the care the coach has had rather than the mechanicals. The things I would look at above all else are bulkheads, tires, shocks and steering box.

Keith

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #21 – May 09, 2014, 04:48:40 pm

Quote from: dengineer – May 09, 2014, 04:19:33 pm

... the furnaces are redundant and easy to service and maintain, even while on the road...

U270 normally has one propane furnace. U295 normally has two propane furnaces. On the U295, the rear furnace provide heat to the rear of the coach, plus one 2" duct to each of the two service bays. On one trip the front furnace failed due to dauber nests. Redundancy was good. We managed in cold temperatures with an electric heater.

Our Cummins C8.3-325 has about 110K miles. It had about 62K miles when we bought it. Only repair on engine so far since we've owned the coach is repair of one injector line.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #22 – May 09, 2014, 05:20:59 pm

Trent, the reason we left out the 295 is that it only has 5k # towing capacity, we had found a beautiful 295 but could only tow5k#, our p/u weighs in at abt 7500#, full size 4x4 crewcab..
J.D. re the furnaces, I just went back and looked at my pix, and the 270 seems to have 2 Suburban type furnaces,on the curb side right above the rear fender and on the street side there is another one above the second bay going from the rear wheel forward, they both appearto be the same size, I am not a fan of Suburban, but with 2 I would feel better.... I guess the plot thickens ... since the spec sheet from beamalarm says only one 34k furnace... oh well, we ARE having fun, right?..!!!
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #23 – May 09, 2014, 05:23:48 pm

Had a u-270 and have a u-320, 36 and 40' respectively. Second coach had slide and aqua hot, DW must haves now that we have them. Yes more maintenance.

No bad choice, PM me with phone number if you want to discuss live

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #24 – May 09, 2014, 05:31:11 pm

Tony, one of those who owns a newer coach would be in a better position than I am to answer your question about the frames, air bags, etc. We own an older coach, a 1993 U300, and our research pointed us more in that direction than the newer Unicoach models. I think that the frames are the same, and the locations for the air bags are pretty much the same, but I suspect that there might be some minor differences from one model to the next.

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