In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

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In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

July 20, 2014, 10:53:25 pm

Hello All
As a long time lurker I am now in a position to purchase a used Foretravel
My wife & I have put a deposit on a 2003 38' u320 that is at FOT
We will look over the coach tomorrow 7/21 and if it meets our expectations,
plan to have independent inspection done.
Several members have been most helpful to us with recommendations
and sharing knowledge. This board is a treasure of information and community
spirit--without which we would be lost.
Hope to be a member of the Foretravel family soon.
Thank you all for your support.
Jim & Doreen Mayberry

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #1 – July 20, 2014, 11:43:19 pm

Let me be the first to welcome you.

I feel a 2003 38' Foretravel is the greatest coach to own.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #2 – July 21, 2014, 12:06:54 am

jim
I would stay at least the first three days in the coach on their lot. I would take the coach
out and drive lots of miles during that time, returning each night and make sure all the
systems are working. I would become familiar with the way they are supposed to work.
that is the time and place to have all issues addressed.
good luck and welcome.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #3 – July 21, 2014, 05:26:44 am

Thank you for the welcome !
Assuming we do purchase this coach, we will not be driving it home at this time.
We plan to drive back down after Labor Day and do as suggested, spend some time on the
Lot and then a close RV park before heading back home

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #4 – July 21, 2014, 09:12:55 am

Welcome, Jim. Nac after Labor Day has got to be better than Nac now. The lot at FOT is going to be extremely hot this time of year. Be sure to meet up with those forum members who live in and near Nac. They can provide lots of good advice and fellowship. There are lots of good eating places there, so your bride won't have to cook.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #5 – July 21, 2014, 09:35:50 am

Welcome aboard, Don't think I could buy a MH and not drive it off immediately , patience is not one of my virtues. Good luck.
Gary B

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #6 – July 21, 2014, 09:56:42 am

Jim & Doreen, I, too feel that the 2003, U 320 is one of the finest coaches Foretravel has built, I certainly have enjoyed ours. As suggested, please have a thorough inspection done. All systems on mine are working just fine but it is 11 years old and I have been careful to make sure things have been checked at each maintenance interval.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #7 – July 21, 2014, 10:53:08 am

We will be in nacogdoches the end of the week, might see ya.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #8 – July 21, 2014, 10:55:00 am

Well, I have to chime in on this one. We had a great 36ft1997 U295 and loved it. We love our 40ft 1999 U320 even more.

best, paul

Quote

Jim & Doreen, I, too feel that the 2003, U 320 is one of the finest coaches Foretravel has built, I certainly have enjoyed ours. As suggested, please have a thorough inspection done. All systems on mine are working just fine but it is 11 years old and I have been careful to make sure things have been checked at each maintenance interval.

2003 U 320 (3820)(F6184)
2003 CR-V

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #9 – July 21, 2014, 12:52:01 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – July 21, 2014, 09:35:50 am

Welcome aboard, Don't think I could buy a MH and not drive it off immediately , patience is not one of my virtues. Good luck.
Gary B

Half the fun is winging it.

Work every switch and button. Dump and refill all tanks to capacity. Including grey and black. Work the dash heater and air. Full load on gen. Turn off retarder and work the brakes HARD several times from speed. I use a cheap harbor freight infra red thermometer after the brake test and a road drive to see if any hubs or wheels/brakes are different temps from the opposite side. Or front to rear.

See if the sides are smooth. Pound with your hand at suspect places which I do not think you will find. Any bubbles? Work every window and blind. Head lights, turn signals, running lights.

Lift compartment doors. Cylinders good?

You won't find everything but at least you tried.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #10 – July 21, 2014, 01:25:02 pm

Ck tire dates/ battery age as these are expensive replacements. If you drive at night ck lights at night. Ck all systems and A/C including dash air. DAN

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #11 – July 21, 2014, 02:06:12 pm

Welcome aboard!
We are in Nac this week with with our "His" and "Hers" Foretravels. We recently purchased a 1996 U320 40' and are having the service department at FOT start the rehab on it, and drove our trusty 1990 U280 Grand Villa up to stay on while the work on the other unit is performed. Just so you know how great the service is here, I detected a "clunk" in the front suspension on the way up here on the 1990 bus--- even though their shop is full, they squeezed me in to the chassis shop this morning without an appointment to inspect, found a broken shock mount, then squeezed me in to the welding shop to have it fixed. All done by noon!
When we were about to buy the U320 from another vendor, Foretravel inspected it for us free of charge even though we purchased it from their local competitor. You simply can't go wrong with purchasing a Foretravel. You are going to love it! Congrats.
Our old trusty Grand Villa will be up for sale soon--- kind of bitter sweet, we love it, but we love the room in the U320 even more

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #12 – July 21, 2014, 03:29:26 pm

Thank you all for the very warm welcome.
Looked over and drove the coach this morning.
It is in very good shape and drove just OK
It has tires from 2008 which are cupped and uneven wear.
FOT has agreed to new tires, hoping that the bad tires contributed to a rougher than
expected ride.
Still waiting to have independent inspection done and if that goes well,we will be buying the coach.
Trust me that patience isn't my virtue either but it works out best for us schedule wise
not to be rushed in getting it home.
Thanks. Jim cell 516 428-3253

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #13 – July 21, 2014, 05:19:59 pm

See if you can have them throw in a front end alignment since you had cupped and worn tires -- they probably will. Wayne in the chassis shop does a good job. How many miles on the coach?

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #14 – July 21, 2014, 05:59:07 pm

Cupping can be caused by a worn or bent suspension or steering component. Also out of balance can also cause cupping. If its on the outside of the tire have them check all the front end for wear or damage before trying to align it.

Keith

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #15 – July 22, 2014, 04:20:30 am

Coach has 99670 miles.
It looks like the shocks on the tag axle need to be replaced.
Big item is some delamination on both front and rear side of living room slide.
Hope that doesn't become a deal breaker-- will find out later today.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #16 – July 22, 2014, 06:19:23 am

It was about 6K to fix both of my slides by pulling them and fixing them right. SOmetimes they pull them and shoot glue in and it will hold a bit but not the same as pulling repairing and repainting and replacing.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #17 – July 22, 2014, 07:05:58 am

Quote from: jtm2014 – July 22, 2014, 04:20:30 am

Coach has 99670 miles.
It looks like the shocks on the tag axle need to be replaced.
Big item is some delamination on both front and rear side of living room slide.
Hope that doesn't become a deal breaker-- will find out later today.

Just be certain everything is up to your requirements before the purchase is finalized. While this may seem to be the perfect coach, just remember that there are others out there, and you want this one to actually be perfect when it becomes yours.

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #18 – July 22, 2014, 08:46:29 am

Only place I have heard of Delamination relatively easy fix

Re: In Nac To Look at possible coach purchase

Reply #19 – July 22, 2014, 10:10:58 am

Quote from: jtm2014 – July 21, 2014, 03:29:26 pm

Thank you all for the very warm welcome.
Looked over and drove the coach this morning.
It is in very good shape and drove just OK
It has tires from 2008 which are cupped and uneven wear.
FOT has agreed to new tires, hoping that the bad tires contributed to a rougher than
expected ride.
Still waiting to have independent inspection done and if that goes well,we will be buying the coach.
Trust me that patience isn't my virtue either but it works out best for us schedule wise
not to be rushed in getting it home.
Thanks. Jim cell 516 428-3253

Someone may have adjusted the koni shocks for better bump control like I have done. They can be readjusted.

If there is a dead spot in the steering like mine also had a readjustment of the front wheel bearings might help. No dead spot.

Check for drag link wear or tie rods?

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