U225 Owners

Topic: U225 Owners (Read 922 times) previous topic - next topic

U225 Owners

September 06, 2014, 10:30:02 pm

I am interested to know how many other U225 owners participate on this forum. Have you have had any issues with your coach that are unique to the 225? Have you installed solar panels? My previous Foretravel was basically a on of kind coach and I never had the luxury of being able to discuss common problems and solutions.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #1 – September 06, 2014, 10:35:12 pm

A number of current members have U225's, and maybe more of us are past owners. Our two years were beyond measure perhaps the best with our old coach. We would still have it today, if the U295 mid door 1998 had not come on the market.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #2 – September 06, 2014, 11:23:22 pm

There are some U240 owners too. The most common issue seems to be the torsialastic suspension which can begin to sag over the years. The U240, with the heavier Cat 250hp engine, has more issues than the U225s with their lighter 230hp Cummins. But ride height is an issue and you need to watch it. There are lots of posts about this and even something on beamalarm.com (which you should really take a look at if you haven't already).

We like our U225 for it's lower overall height, narrower width and lighter weight. But the living area is no different than a U280 of the same era. Our storage is smaller, however. But we get better fuel mileage.

Craig

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #3 – September 08, 2014, 12:16:55 am

"Have you have had any issues with your coach that are unique to the 225" It's just so good looking everywhere we go folks want to talk about it and check it out, hence DW wants it organized all the time .... :-)

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #4 – September 08, 2014, 08:34:22 am

We've only had ours for two months, so not much experience yet. No solar panels.
Love this forum.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #5 – September 08, 2014, 08:51:31 am

We've had ours since July of 2013 and could not be happier. We have put 4" exhaust on it and had the rear suspension raised and used it a lot. Just wish we could use it more. ONE of the reasons we chose it was because it is short enough to fit under our car port......~JL~

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #6 – September 08, 2014, 09:00:00 am

Quote from: Mike and Joanne – September 08, 2014, 08:34:22 am

We've only had ours for two months, so not much experience yet. No solar panels.
Love this forum.

I added that slide on your driver's side, found it a couple of miles away on Craigslist. Then I built the simple wood "wagon" and attached it to the back side of the slide, so it will travel out when the slide is pulled. It works well to keep you from having to crawl into the far side of the bay to get to things in the step side of the bay.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #7 – September 08, 2014, 10:16:08 am

Question for you,
What did you do with the XL 350? I've only read about those units and never saw one.
It was what became the travco diesel pusher. Always interested in any old Foretravel unit.
Thanks! BTW: Do you have any pics of that coach you could share?

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #8 – September 08, 2014, 10:37:44 pm

Quote from: jaholder76 – September 08, 2014, 10:16:08 am

Question for you,
What did you do with the XL 350? I've only read about those units and never saw one.
It was what became the travco diesel pusher. Always interested in any old Foretravel unit.
Thanks! BTW: Do you have any pics of that coach you could share?

Hi James. I sold it. I only have one decent photo on this computer (retired the old one with more photos)
Here it is....

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #9 – September 09, 2014, 11:56:56 am

Can anyone tell me where the converter is located? My Foretravel docs indicate a "rear compartment" but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #10 – September 09, 2014, 12:14:18 pm

Most on the U225 and U240 are on the wall in the basement behind the steps. So, go to the driver's side and look through the basement. Should be on the back wall of that first compartment behind the generator.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #11 – September 09, 2014, 02:55:23 pm

Like Brett said, it's mounted on the back side of the steps. Here's a photo taken from the other side of the compartment. When you change it out, you'll probably have to change the electrical outlet too. The one here in this photo is the original 15 amp outlet and you may need a 20 amp to replace it.
jor

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #12 – September 09, 2014, 04:02:25 pm

We have a 94/U225. I upgraded the converter, the outlet and breaker is already 20 amp.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #13 – September 09, 2014, 07:53:56 pm

Hi

We have a U225 We are pretty happy with it. No major issues. We are planning to do some cosmetic tweaks. The previous owner did some upgrades too

Wished I could have a slider for the 2 8D batteries as I can not lift it to check it.

Good luck with your new ride,

Ted

[Oh our's have an outside bath]

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #14 – September 09, 2014, 08:52:18 pm

Thanks folks. I found the converter.
I, too, wish the batteries were on a slider. Has anyone installed one for the batteries?

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #15 – September 09, 2014, 09:03:49 pm

Our U225 has a great battery box that's vented and contains any nasty chemicals pretty well. The downside, of course, is that there isn't much room to get the specific gravity of the electolyte but I think I can put an automatic watering system from the old vacuum cupboard directly above the batteries and below the fridge.

I don't think FT paid much attention to battery maintenance in any of their designs, actually. Some are just open in the engine bay, some behind a panel in a basement storage bin. They're perfectly suited for AGM sealed batteries but those things are pretty spendy.

Cute kid.

Craig

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #16 – September 09, 2014, 09:43:31 pm

As I learned the hard way the box and vent that covers the batteries does not do much

This summer as we camped the shore line charged and fried my battery. We had a strong smell that took me a while to figure out as I initially thought it was a Propane leak or sewage. I disconnected the house battery now and will take it to the closest RV place soon

Still wondering if the battery could be revived or if once it smells its gone. The other question I have in mind is, was the battery just dry or did the charger overcharged it.

Ted

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #17 – September 09, 2014, 11:21:43 pm

Quote

Oh our's have an outside bath]

We had a 225 for awhile but it didn't come with a good lookin' kid like yours did. Can we borrow him for a couple of months?
jor

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #18 – September 09, 2014, 11:59:35 pm

As you all know no two FT alike, our U225 house batteries are port side behind the tires and fairly easy access.
I replaced both 8D batteries with 4 6v deep cycle golf cart batteries. It turned out very nice for me.
I think some U225's have them on starboard side in front of the back tires & enclosed.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #19 – September 10, 2014, 12:11:42 am

Quote from: 93 unihome – September 09, 2014, 09:43:31 pm

Still wondering if the battery could be revived or if once it smells its gone. The other question I have in mind is, was the battery just dry or did the charger overcharged it.

It's hard to know but if you are still using the OEM charger/converter then it's pretty likely. They really aren't very smart. It depends on how often you check the water level, too. Dry with constant "trickle" charge is not good.

Craig

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #20 – September 10, 2014, 08:24:26 pm

Hi

Our Batteries are on the starboard side in front of the rear wheel. I did not find a way to check the electrolyte level yet as I can not lift the battery or slide it out to see the level. I thought the RV guy who kept it over the winter and prepped it did but he probably did not.

I am looking now for a watering system that will keep these batteries happy

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #21 – September 10, 2014, 08:28:33 pm

Ted,

A small mirror and strong flashlight will allow you to determine battery water level.

I use a "really cheap" battery waterer made from an old ketchup bottle and piece of clear plastic hose that is just a snug fit in the "squirt opening". Allows you to use the flashlight and mirror and add distilled water by just squeezing the bottle.

Re: U225 Owners

Reply #22 – September 10, 2014, 08:33:45 pm

Dakota Slim, the answer is yes, my Brother Geoff made and installed a slider for the 240 they have and the Batteries are behind the duals on Driver side. Do a search and you should find it
JohnH

Coach batteries and difficult to remove

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