Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Grand Villa question

August 10, 2014, 10:24:47 am

Hi Guy's, I have been reading the forum and learning about Foretravels. I am interested in the early to mid 90's Grand Villas. I found a Grand Villa on Craigslist and have a question. The owner said it has a Allison 4 speed and a International engine. I am more wanting a Cummins 8.3 as I know they were/ are great engines and very dependable. I have not seen anything in my Foretravel Grand Villa research that mentions International engines.I have requested his build numbers and if possible a picture of the engine. I thought maby someone could help clarify this. here is his Craigslist ad.
38.5ft Grand Villa diesel!! Motor home Super nice

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #1 – August 10, 2014, 11:29:50 am

Stump,
Looks like a 90-93 model.

Look at this site
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year

Barrys site will help you to understand the basic specs. Ask any questions.

Pretty sure no international engines, CAT and Cummins. Unless gas and 36ft not 38.
Which it shows a side radiator.  I had an 88GV, Old Faithful!
Good luck!

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #2 – August 10, 2014, 11:30:12 am

No such thing as a 6.31 engine. 

Engine in that vintage could be a Cummins B (5.9 liter), Cat 3208, Cummins C (8.3 liter) or the much less well respected Detroit Diesel 4 stroke 8.2 liter. The Caterpillar 3116 was introduced late in that model year, but came with the Allison 6 speed.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #3 – August 10, 2014, 11:33:46 am

Stump, International Engine ? That's a new one to me. Is it an OREG that has been repowered, I  know it says Diesel but Ads can say anything. I would have to have photos of the engine compartment and more info on the engine. Looking at the wheels it is probably an Oshkosh chassis.
Gary B

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #4 – August 10, 2014, 11:39:51 am

I have requested a picture of the engine and the Vin number. I have not seen the RV in person just spoke to the owner on the phone yesterday. I asked if it had a cummins and he said no it had an international. He also said it had a 4 speed and not the 6 speed Allison. He said he had to buy a fuel pump for it at International just the other week and put it on. I He said he thought it might have been originally made for a gas engine but at the last minute foretravel changed and put a international diesel in. I don't know that's why I am asking here. I'll keep Ya'll posted on what I find out.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #5 – August 10, 2014, 11:41:14 am

Stump,

As Gary has said, that is an OREG, as in Oshkosh chassis.  Telling details, show the narrow fiberglass vertical between the grills means it is a 8' wide coach.  The locks on the bay doors at the top with bottom hinges are also like on the Oshkosh's.  The chassis was purchased and then Foretravel built the incredible interior, and the Grand Villa body.  I think that one year later might have been the last year for the Oshkosh chassis, and you could only get the Foretravel designed Unihome monocoupe frame.

As others have suggested, it is a possible re-powered upgrade.  Follow Brett's thread as he is an inspection and diesel expert. 

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #6 – August 10, 2014, 12:19:15 pm

 So which model should I look for if I decide on a Grand Villa, I like the style of them. Is the Unihome version better using the later style monocoup chassis?
I like 8.3 Cummins engines. I own a 95 Peterbilt 379  and run a Detroit Series 60 in it. I like the old 2 strokes also but parts are getting scarcer for them , not that the engines are bad or anything I just think a 4 stroke diesel is just better. But looking at motorhomes in this class, in my proposed budget The interior Build quality of the older Foretravels is amazing.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #7 – August 10, 2014, 12:36:10 pm

Stump, I am prejudiced of course having had a 95 U280 for ten years that I just sold but you can't beat the mechanical Cummins 8.3 for several reasons.
Ease of maintenance, availability of parts, availability of qualified mechanics and the fact that breakdowns of the engine itself are almost unknown. You may lose a hydraulic pump, alternator, fuel solenoid etc but all these are easily repaired.  I have not had one of the later computer controlled engines but Other than horsepower I don't think that performance is much different. 
The Ideal FT...... 95 , 96 U280 or U300, 8.3 cummins, 6 speed Allison with retarder, what else could you want ?
Gary B

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #8 – August 10, 2014, 01:06:38 pm

Welcome!!!

It all starts with the budget. Â $20-25K will get you into a Foretravel Airbag Wide Chassis and one of the more "desirable" engines you mentioned. Look for a "wide body" 102" wide coach. Less than 20-25K and that the coach will probably have some issues. Â Best news is that these machines are pretty well done with depreciation, and resale should remain reasonably steady or drift downward slowly. I had an Oshkosh with a rear GAS (Ford) engine. Â Loved the coach, hated the motor.

An amazing machine full of quality and capability for that money. Â Stuff will break, but there are parts or workarounds for almost everything. Â Factory support still available, and if you are handy (in conjunction with the collective wisdom on the forum) your costs to maintain will be very reasonable.

Good luck, but you may want to think carefully about this coach, it probably started life as a 460 Gas coach and was converted. Â I would exercise cation unless you are very mechanically inclined.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #9 – August 10, 2014, 01:27:17 pm

Thanks ,I am very Mechanical. I have been working on and Building engines etc. since I was about 9 and am 54 now. I own and operate a semi truck pulling chemical tankers and do pretty much all my own work on my big truck. 2,180,000  on the odometer now on 3rd inframe.
Previous to my trucking career I owned a HVAC company and decided at 44 to sell and make a career change. I fully understand the aspects of all systems plumbing, electrical, etc so I am not afraid to spend time in an older unit.
I think I will keep my eyes peeled for a 95 or 96 with a Cummins and a six speed. I have found  a 96 Fleetwood American Dream that's been sitting for 5 years but the owner is too high on his price right now. But looking at the Foretravels, the quality is considerably higher. So for now I am window shopping, learning, and comparing. I'm not in a hurry to buy and if I run across a steal of a deal at least I will have the information I need to make a good buying decision.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #10 – August 10, 2014, 01:58:10 pm

If possible then, try to get your budget up to include the retarder, ducted air and insulated window models if you are into the mid to late nineties coach. Â Quite a few 36' U-270's in those years - and they are getting into the 40K Range - but not going down much as they (with exception of slide and AH) are great "value" coaches. Â Th3 '99 U-270 36' was my second coach after the 1989 OREG.

You will do great and be really happy that you waited for a FT over SOB.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #11 – August 10, 2014, 02:03:44 pm

Stump,

A 94-96 u280 or u300 as Gary said would work well.

The specific reason for the 95, 96 is it has a crowned roof and a better gel coat.

The 6 speed is nice, retarder are usually on u300s but are difficult to find.
Being in trucking you know about exhaust breaks or jake so that may not be a deal killer.

Fleetwood and Newmar are good, but not a Foretravel!

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #12 – August 10, 2014, 02:44:52 pm

Starting in '95, the rear engine compartment and nose open up exposing the engine and front AC for MUCH easier access.

The six speeds are much better on the hills and will usually have a ratio that matches the grade well.

Some floor plans allow for roof solar panels much better than others.

Side radiators get the vote if you have a choice.

I have always considered the Detroit 2 cycle to be the premium engines for the coaches. Just a matter of the "eye of the beholder."

Pierce

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #13 – August 10, 2014, 03:15:35 pm

I currently have a 1990 U280 36' with the Cat 3208T engine--- all mechanical, no electronics on the engine or transmission, Allison 4 speed tranny, 150K miles that we are about to put up for sale (we upgraded to a U320).  All walnut solid wood interior, ice maker, everything works.  I don't think you can find more reliable or better made motor homes than the Grand Villa Unihome anywhere.  We love this coach, but needed a little more room, thus the upgrade when the right one came along.  We are 95% done with interior remodel on the 280.  The tires are 2 years old, and the batteries are new.
The Cat engine is bullet proof.  I would take this coach anywhere without any fear.
It has been maintained by Foretravel for the last two years.  I have maintenance records on the coach.  We were planning to finish the remodel before putting it on the market, however, if you are interested, just sent us a note.
We are amazed at the support we get from Foretravel with parts etc. For this coach--- basically they still carry all the parts in stock.  So far, we have never been told " we need to order this".

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #14 – August 10, 2014, 08:02:03 pm

I loved my 1990 U280.  Heck, you could be talking about my old one???  It was truly a wonderful machine.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #15 – August 10, 2014, 09:54:59 pm

I always thought that my next coach would be Gary Bouland's U280 but he went and sold it a few years too early. I'll be watching for it in 2019, though.

Craig

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #16 – August 11, 2014, 08:22:23 am

Craig, The buyer of my 280 is an old sailor also, I made him aware of this forum but he has not shown up.  He has a 42 foot Boat on the Chesapeake. 
Gary B

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #17 – August 11, 2014, 11:00:55 am

Brad,
I am the third owner of the one I have--- it was originally bought new in California.  The original owner traded it in on a new Foretravel and FOT resold it to the owner of the Chevrolet dealership in Paris Texas who kept and used it until he passed away, then I bought it.  I believe that whenever his shop wasn't busy, he must have had them working on the coach!  There are so many added options not found on most U280's.  Air operated muffler bypass, air operated front flaps (the ones just below the windshield) with 4 auxiliary headlights--- I guess he found a way to improve on the 1990 Bronco headlights!
Enough gauges on the dash to make you think you are in the space shuttle.  Bulkhead mounted quick hose connects for tank filling, and both jet and spray tank cleaning (something I really miss on the U320).  I'm still finding switches and buttons that I haven't been able to identify after two years.  You are right, what incredible machines these coaches are.

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Re: Grand Villa question

Reply #18 – August 11, 2014, 10:10:07 pm

Stump, we did a LOT of research before we bought our 1993 U300 40' coach, and so far we are firmly convinced that we got the right coach for us. Points to consider: The U280 has a gross weight of 28,000 pounds and a gross combined weight of 30,000 pounds. The U300 has a gross weight of 30,000 pounds and a gross combined weight of 36,000 pounds. If you have a toad that may be of interest to you. Both 36' and 40' coaches have the same weight ratings, but obviously the 36' version will be somewhat lighter, giving you more capacity for your stuff. In our research we found quite a few 36' and 40' U280s, but only 40' U300's. Pierce has a 36' U300, but from what I saw I suspect that most U300 buyers wanted the longer coach.

The Unihomes (Grand Villa) coaches have a mid-entry, which we wanted. The Unicoach (bus style) generally has a front entry, although there are a few mid-entry coaches out there. I believe that 1995 was the transition year, with both Unihomes and Unicoaches being built. Unihomes newer than 1995 exist, but are increasingly rare.

One of the big improvements that the Unicoach brought was moving the generator to the nose, rather than on the side as in the Unihomes. Another improvement was the transmission retarder. I haven't driven a coach with a retarder (mine has a Jake brake), so I can't compare the Jake to a retarder, but the Jake seems to do the job for me.

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