Question about a coach at MOT

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Question about a coach at MOT

August 22, 2014, 10:08:06 am

Is anyone familiar with this coach at MOT? 1999 Foretravel U270 36' Priced at $ 69500 I had seen this coach a few days ago on the website without pictures, so I assume a possible sale might have fallen through since the pictures are there now. (Or am I assuming too much?)

While we aren't quite ready to buy, I saw this coach and almost started drooling.

From the pictures at least, it looks fabulous. I also picked this as an example to show my wife why I like Foretravel. (I think she'll like the oak better than the traditional walnut, as I have heard her talk about coaches being too dark and all had the darker wood grains. At the very least, it will be a nice bridge between SOBs we've looked at and the full FT glory of walnut.

)

I'm pretty sure there's a typo on the description, though, as it says the coach has three slides, and it looks to me like a no slide model. I do like that it has the three-burner cooktop. Even though my wife does not do much of the cooking, she has complained in the past whenever we see a coach with just a two-burner cooktop, so anything I can avoid to dissuade her about a model or brand is worthwhile. (How hard would it be to change the cooktop out, by the way?)

Last question: Assuming the coach is in as good condition as the pictures seem to indicate to me, is the asking price reasonable? Thanks.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #1 – August 22, 2014, 11:28:10 am

NO slides on the 99 270. Looks to be in decent shape. There are a few upgrades done, TV, headlights
and a few more I definitly would do. A few Forum members have the 270 and may know what they think the price is like. This is a consignment coach so maybe MOT sold another one to owners or at least has some deal going. Could be very motivated. We have same size and very similar paint job
JohnH

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #2 – August 22, 2014, 11:38:29 am

Good Morning:

Wish you could have posted this two days ago, we were parked right next to it at MOT. We were there for some emergency repair to the leveling system, long story.

We have a U270, 1998 purchased from MOT a year and a half ago. Had 109k on it now has 127k, We love the 36', it gets us into all the Nat. Parks with no problems. We did look at that coach while there very nice. DW didn't like the plaid that much, however everything else looked fine, well kept. As for the stove I believe it can be done very easily, naturally for a price. I do not know the milage but the headlight and paint does make it a little more valuable.

All in all it did look nice. Price, well it may be negotiable.

IMHO its a nice coach.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #3 – August 22, 2014, 11:40:24 am

I have no personal knowledge of this coach, but from the photos it sure looks like a nice one. My experience (with other listings, not any of MOT's) with photos was that there are always things you see in person that you couldn't see in photos. However, I understand that MOT's are usually of better quality and very representative of the actual coach condition. Again, this one looks really nice to me.

Walnut vs. Oak: I think it's just a matter of personal preference. We have oak in our travel trailer and like it just fine. I had never seen walnut (of this quality) in a coach before looking at ours, and I really liked it when I saw it. Maybe your wife will, too. Also: walnut, to me, implies a higher quality of product overall (i.e., I've never seen walnut in any travel trailer) - and maybe that's because I've looked at so many trailers over the years of shopping that have the cheesy oak veneer/vinyl stuff.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #4 – August 22, 2014, 11:43:57 am

Quote from: sawdust316 – August 22, 2014, 11:38:29 am

Good Morning:

Wish you could have posted this two days ago, we were parked right next to it at MOT. We were there for some emergency repair to the leveling system, long story.

We have a U270, 1998 purchased from MOT a year and a half ago. Had 109k on it now has 127k, We love the 36', it gets us into all the Nat. Parks with no problems. We did look at that coach while there very nice. DW didn't like the plaid that much, however everything else looked fine, well kept. As for the stove I believe it can be done very easily, naturally for a price. I do not know the milage but the headlight and paint does make it a little more valuable.

All in all it did look nice. Price, well it may be negotiable.

IMHO its a nice coach.

I think the pictures were just posted late yesterday. When I had looked earlier in the day, there was a description but no pictures.

John, out of curiosity, what additional upgrades would you do? I definitely like the look of the headlight upgrade. To me, at least, it makes these late 90s coaches look ten year newer.

Chris, I also like the walnut, but figured I might have a better chance of convincing my wife if I ease her into it.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #5 – August 22, 2014, 11:53:35 am

Walt, two additional thoughts that I wanted to pass along:

1. If she's worried about walnut being too dark - and therefore making the coach feel too small - I don't believe that's the case. These Foretravels have ample windows to allow ambient light inside if you wish, and also - there are plenty of ways to lighten up with other colors (floors, furniture, window treatments, etc). Ours doesn't have walnut walls (we have light wallpaper instead), so that lightens the interior also. But I'll also tell you - I've been in Rudy Leggett's coach (and Brett Wolfe's FT before that) with walnut walls, and they were gorgeous and I didn't feel like it was dark at all in there.

2. If I ever saw oak of the FT quality in person, I'd probably really like that too.

How's that for playing both sides of the fence?

Chris

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #6 – August 22, 2014, 11:58:15 am

Well first thing would be to build a short floor to ceiling wall to hide the toilet from kitchen/living area when door is open. I did that on the 240 and it made a big diference. Last thing you need is to see that looking at you if you forget to close slider.
I too would change the cook top, should be a matter of getting new/used one and swapping out.
I would install reels as Don did (but not critical). I do not like that cheap looking foldable table in living room so that would go and be replaced with real furniture piece. I of course would change fridge to res'd and do led's again through out. Not necessary changes but things I now know do make a big difference for us. Our washer/dryer was taken out and we gained lots of room for clothes. No big deal going to a Laundry once a week to wash/ plus NO chances for a catastrophy of water damage.
JohnH

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #7 – August 22, 2014, 12:00:06 pm

I should add that we purchased our U270 sight unseen. MOT worked with us in sending photos of things they knew of that some folks object to. We live in Maine so getting to MOT was a little difficult. I have to say we have never looked back or regretted that purchase, this coach has been great. And MOT was every bit as great to deal with.

Norm,

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #8 – August 22, 2014, 12:01:42 pm

Quote from: bogeygolfer – August 22, 2014, 11:53:35 am

Walt, two additional thoughts that I wanted to pass along:

1. If she's worried about walnut being too dark - and therefore making the coach feel too small - I don't believe that's the case. These Foretravels have ample windows to allow ambient light inside if you wish, and also - there are plenty of ways to lighten up with other colors (floors, furniture, window treatments, etc). Ours doesn't have walnut walls (we have light wallpaper instead), so that lightens the interior also. But I'll also tell you - I've been in Rudy Leggett's coach (and Brett Wolfe's FT before that) with walnut walls, and they were gorgeous and I didn't feel like it was dark at all in there.

2. If I ever saw oak of the FT quality in person, I'd probably really like that too.

How's that for playing both sides of the fence?

Chris

Chris, if both coaches ar FT, either side of the fence seems like a winner.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #9 – August 22, 2014, 12:04:52 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 22, 2014, 11:58:15 am

Well first thing would be to build a short floor to ceiling wall to hide the toilet from kitchen/living area when door is open. I did that on the 240 and it made a big diference. Last thing you need is to see that looking at you if you forget to close slider.
I too would change the cook top, should be a matter of getting new/used one and swapping out.
I would install reels as Don did (but not critical). I do not like that cheap looking foldable table in living room so that would go and be replaced with real furniture piece. I of course would change fridge to res'd and do led's again through out. Not necessary changes but things I now know do make a big difference for us. Our washer/dryer was taken out and we gained lots of room for clothes. No big deal going to a Laundry once a week to wash/ plus NO chances for a catastrophy of water damage.
JohnH

Thanks for the added input. I need to take another look at the bathroom layout in those pictures. What you point out completely escaped me on first look. I think i'm also inclined to agree with you on the table. part of me does like that it folds down out of the way, but for some reason it also looks out of place on an FT coach.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #10 – August 22, 2014, 12:21:48 pm

Walt.

Nice coach, not sure re cooktop, I had same coach, size and year, had two burner. DW is an amazing cook and two never held her back but she is organized.

Price may be a bit high, batteries and tires would need to be new, and all else very nice.

I sold mine 5 years ago for just over $60K because I got a great deal on my U-320. They do hold their value well as the get 15 years old or older

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #11 – August 22, 2014, 12:44:57 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – August 22, 2014, 12:21:48 pm

Walt.

Nice coach, not sure re cooktop, I had same coach, size and year, had two burner. DW is an amazing cook and two never held her back but she is organized.

Price may be a bit high, batteries and tires would need to be new, and all else very nice.

I sold mine 5 years ago for just over $60K because I got a great deal on my U-320. They do hold their value well as the get 15 years old or older

Thanks, Tim. I wondered if the price might be a little on the high side. The description makes it sound like the interior has been either redone or almost never used.

I was surprised to see three-burner cooktop in the description. I do most of the cooking and would prefer a three-burner (I'm not as organized as your wife, I'm sure

) but would definitely not let a two-burner stop me from considering a coach. I like to cook outside whenever possible, anyway.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #12 – August 22, 2014, 01:03:17 pm

Walt,
I'm not familiar with this particular coach, but I like the looks of it.
Very similar to our coach. We have done many upgrades, so I can relate to this coach well. Want to see my list of upgrades?

You are correct. It has no slides (good from my perspective).
It has many outwardly visible upgrades from the original. A few that are I can see:

Interior has remnants of original 1999, but exterior is 2001 (it almost looks like a full body paint, but you would need to verify).

Headlights upgraded

Satellite dish added

Cabinet modification and Flat screen TV upgrade (Front)

AM/FM Stereo in dash changed

Opposing slide trays added

Remote locking added to bay doors

Kitchen sink faucet upgraded

Washer/Dryer added (funky door - not sure why - larger Splendide?)

Jack knife sofa redone in leather

If this many changes are visible, there are most likely many more that are not as visible.

Some visible opportunities:
Power and water hose reels never added
Mud skirt damaged

Looks like it could be low Mileage???

The original 3 burner stove is good quality and works as well or better than the 2 burner Gaggenau's -- just not as pretty. A 3 or 4 burner convection cooktop would be the chef's upgrade choice.

The original curbside table in this coach is not "outstanding", but does add valuable storage as well as utility. The original folding table (leaf, really) is high quality and not at all cheap or out of place. It closes (folds down) to be entirely unobtrusive, opens to provide needed desk and eating space for both curbside chairs. If someone tries to sit on it, it will break, but other than that, it is good and rugged. Probably the tables's biggest drawback is that the good storage is hampered by the design (one has to get down low to put things in and out of the amply adjustable and 8" deep storage shelves).

Even considering the upgrades, the price may be slightly optimistic (maybe $5 to 7K? ) but the coach does appear to be unusually nice. If the tires, batteries and maintenance has been good and it has been well documented, it could well be worth the asking price.
Neal

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #13 – August 22, 2014, 01:07:21 pm

Thanks, Neal! I'll take a closer look at the pictures. I just knew it looked good at first glance.

Taking another look through the pictures, I now see the wiring for the remote locking on the bay doors. I'd have never guessed. I also see what you mean about the doors that enclose the washer/dryer. Missed that the first two times as well. My wife did ask if the exterior was full body paint or decals, and I wasn't sure, either.

The mileage on this coach is simply listed as "Miles." Could this be an indication of an issue with the speedometer/odometer? Thanks, again.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #14 – August 22, 2014, 02:03:56 pm

Quote from: WaltH – August 22, 2014, 01:07:21 pm

The mileage on this coach is simply listed as "Miles." Could this be an indication of an issue with the speedometer/odometer? Thanks, again.

Walt,

Most likely they just haven't finished doing the web listing (probably have a generic template).

Just give Mel Cordray a call or a PM (he's a member here on the Forum). Mel's one of the MOT salesmen and is very helpful with extra photos and questions on specific coaches.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #15 – August 22, 2014, 02:04:17 pm

Different strokes... I would not want a partition along side the toilet, as we like the feeling of spaciousness that we get with the bathroom layout. But making these coaches our own is half the joy of ownership, right?

On our coach, you have to be close to the window at the dining table to even see part of the toilet with the sliding door open. Of course, if in use, the door is closed anyway. To me, every inch of floor space is golden and I would be very reluctant to part with any of it. Example, when I installed our washer/Dryer, I had to go to great length to fit the vented Splendid 2100XC in the cabinet without having to add a bumpout to close the doors like the coach at MOT. A few pictures... Anyway, the metal frame work of the wall has a horizontal member right where the dryer vent lines up so I had to make a periscope to miss the steel frame and riveted an adapter to fit the dryer vent directly with out adding a vent hose (which would be an obstruction to the free flow anyway). As it is, the Washer is only 2" off the wall and the door closes with ⅛" to spare. To avoid potential water catastrophe, I installed a tray made by Splendide that comes in two pieces which are sealed by a mastic after you cut the tray down to size (if needed) and added a drain to the tray that exits the bottom of the coach along with all the other drains.
Barry Brideau's indispensible beamalarm website has a nice page that has a write up on the drain pan install;
Splendide Overflow Drain Pan

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 22, 2014, 11:58:15 am

Well first thing would be to build a short floor to ceiling wall to hide the toilet from kitchen/living area when door is open. I did that on the 240 and it made a big diference. Last thing you need is to see that looking at you if you forget to close slider.
... Our washer/dryer was taken out and we gained lots of room for clothes. No big deal going to a Laundry once a week to wash/ plus NO chances for a catastrophy of water damage.
JohnH

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #16 – August 22, 2014, 02:09:10 pm

Quote from: WaltH – August 22, 2014, 12:04:52 pm

Thanks for the added input. I need to take another look at the bathroom layout in those pictures. What you point out completely escaped me on first look. I think i'm also inclined to agree with you on the table. part of me does like that it folds down out of the way, but for some reason it also looks out of place on an FT coach.

For a remodel idea on that table area, especially for fulltiming, check out Dave Katsuki's desk Need computer desk ideas and pics...

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #17 – August 22, 2014, 02:21:36 pm

Thanks to everyone for the replies. As I stated initially, I don't think we can buy yet, but this coach just caught my eye, so I had to know more. One thing I've learned is to look even more closely at the pictures.

I mainly wanted to get an idea as to whether the pricing was in the ballpark as far as where it should be for a model of this vintage.

In the meantime, I've been catching up on my FT reading, starting with the oldest page of the Foretravel Discussions forum and working my way forward. Just 28 pages to go.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #18 – August 22, 2014, 02:22:07 pm

Yup, 90% of my cooking is outside, two is plenty, if you need. 3 occasionally, get a single propane or induction and an electric fry pan. Great for outside too

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #19 – August 22, 2014, 02:24:21 pm

IF they make it to the web , they go up without pictures first, and pictures often added later. Bet it is consignment based in price

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #20 – August 22, 2014, 05:18:15 pm

I have friends in Canada that paid $75K for a '99 40 footer U320 with safari interior 5 years ago, also from MOT. It's all about hunger.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #21 – August 22, 2014, 05:36:45 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – August 22, 2014, 02:24:21 pm

IF they make it to the web , they go up without pictures first, and pictures often added later. Bet it is consignment based in price

I believe the stock number begins with a "C," which a search told me meant consignment. So I think you are correct.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #22 – August 22, 2014, 05:38:47 pm

Which was my comment too at the beginning of these Posts
JohnH

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #23 – August 22, 2014, 05:39:19 pm

Quote from: Michelle – August 22, 2014, 02:09:10 pm

For a remodel idea on that table area, especially for fulltiming, check out Dave Katsuki's desk Need computer desk ideas and pics...

I'd seen that a while back and forgotten about it. Very nice indeed, although I think DW would frown at losing the recliner. On the other hand, it would certainly serve as inspiration.

Re: Question about a coach at MOT

Reply #24 – August 22, 2014, 05:41:36 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – August 22, 2014, 05:38:47 pm

Which was my comment too at the beginning of these Posts
JohnH

Sorry about that. I'd forgotten you'd said that this morning, but this morning was so long ago.

I had searched for the meaning of the "C" after taking a second look at the pictures and description.

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