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Topic: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase a 20 (Read 701 times) previous topic - next topic

Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase a 20

Hello everyone, I do not have a coach yet. Looking at 2000 to 2005. Was wondering what sort of upgrades folks are doing and costs       

Also like to hear from anyone who has bought a coach from FOT and was the check off list of repairs accurate?  Would you take a coach there for an inspection?  How about Mot?

Thanks, Dan

Re: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase a 20

Reply #1 –
Bought my first coach from the factory when it was the original owner and this coach from MOT. Both places will treat you right.  Upgrades cost what you want to spend.  I did mine over time both at mot and FT.  But I now lean to David's group for upgrades as they have a dedicated team that does nothing but upgrades.  How much is like how long is a string. They are fairly priced both in hours billed and cost of the material. Many time we order the stuff delivered to FT and they install it.  Like the fridge and microwave. 
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: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase

Reply #2 –
Quote from: John S –
But I now lean to David's group for upgrades as they have a dedicated team that does nothing but upgrades.

John,
 
Everyone else may know, but I do not. Which location has "David's group"?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase

Reply #3 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –

John,
 
Everyone else may know, but I do not. Which location has "David's group"?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

David's group is at FOT, and he runs the remodel shop.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase

Reply #4 –
Our first choice for inspection would be Brett Wolfe.  Independent, knows his stuff.  Hiring an independent inspector removes any conflict of interest.

Now, as to upgrades....  on our 2003 (we do everything we can ourselves)

2005  Flat Screen front TV.  $500 DIY (Steve is a woodworker, most of cost was TV itself)
2007  new wall sconces.  $150.  DIY
2009  upgraded Splendide from 2000 to 2100XC for capacity  $1100 at Camping World
        Koni FSD shocks, about $2K at FOT
        MCD American Duo blinds.  Figure $200/side window, $1000 front windshield DIY. 
        Another front TV mod.  $0 DIY (Steve redid the existing design to accommodate single rolls for the MCD blinds)
        New slide surround fabric.  $100.  DIY
        Sofa recover, $1900 at FOT
        Add outdoor TV, $500 DIY
2010  tile kitchen backsplash.  $150. DIY (most of the cost was the tile saw)
        upgraded satellite dish (roughly $1200 at MOT; part of a repair, don't recall actual cost)
        Roof coating at Xtreme (part of a repair, don't recall actual cost)
        LED puck light bulbs, $16 apiece, DIY
2011  tile bath backsplash.  $45 DIY
        Step conversion.  $2800 at Xtreme
        recolor floor tile grout, $12 (and an old toothbrush) DIY
        Chrome bay door handles $300-ish, DIY
        Board with drink holder, $0 DIY (made with scrap lumber)  Love my board with drink holder
        Memory Foam mattress, $400 DIY
        VMSpc in-dash computer, probably $1000 DIY including Silverleaf and computer and radio/amplifier/power supply parts
2012  New D/P seats  $5500 at FOT
        New carpet and pad  $2600 at FOT/East Texas Carpet
        Headlight conversion  $3000-3500 at FOT
        Taillight conversion $2000-2500 at FOT
        Armorcoat coach front (can't recall cost at FOT; we did our own 3M film removal)
        New filtered water dispenser $100 DIY
        Jack antenna, $45 DIY
        WiFiRanger $250 DIY
        PressurePro $850 DIY
        Progressive hardwired EMS with extra remote display  $430 DIY
        Yet another new front TV, with new BluRay player $500 DIY
        New BR TV  $200 DIY
        Replace muffler with Aero5050XL resonator, then replace Aero with Magnaflow  $800 bought parts ourselves had Inland Truck install
 2013 New Advantium microwave/oven  $800 DIY
        Grohe LadyLux Plus kitchen faucet  $400 DIY (yeah, but I love that faucet!)
        re-do outdoor TV, new mount, secure box, $300 DIY
2014  Residential Fridge.  Fridge $1600 at Lowes; labor around $2200 at FOT
        "New" bonepile dinette benches, custom-modified and recovered.  About $2300 at FOT
        New Slide surround fabric.  New Window Valance fabric.  $200 DIY

        the year is young.... :D
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: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase

Reply #5 –
Thanks to Michelle John and Mike for the replys. The more I look at it I see there is a lot to learn.

I would like to talk to Brett Wolfe before I start the ball rolling.

Dan

Re: Considering a FT, questions about upgrades and pre-purchase inspection (split from Re: Purchase

Reply #6 –
Dan,

Will send you a Private Message.

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