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Topic: New 1999 U320 Owner (Read 748 times) previous topic - next topic

New 1999 U320 Owner

Hi all,

Very excited about buying a 1999 U320 in wonderful condition. Carol (My Wife) and I are seasoned travelers
and campers with a travel trailer, but this is our first motorhome. Oh my goodness ,so many systems,so much to learn.
We plan on using our Foretravel  about 4 months out of the year, the rest of the time in storage with some shorter trips planned. Is there a recognized exercise program that can be used , once a month or bi-weekly to ensure all systems
are up and running when May arrives.

Thanks,

Steve
1999 U320 40'

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #1 –
I've seen it said on here to run it once a month 25 miles or so for exercise and run the generator during that time under load... I'm a poor one to answer because mine doesn't get that much.. Mainly answered to welcome you and congratulations... You should and anyone would be proud to have such a coach.. You will learn a lot right here where you are thanks to folks in the know and their willingness to share... Goes without saying the more you use it the better...
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #2 –
Hi Stephen & Carol,
  Welcome to Foretravel ownership, and our group. Did you purchase the 99 from MOT. If so, that's a nice looking coach. It seems many owners think an every thirty days or so run will keep the show on the road. Just make sure you get it to operating temps. Be safe and enjoy.
Raymond & Babette
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #3 –
Welcome aboard! We certainly think you'll enjoy your Foretravel. We really enjoy ours, and it's been made much more enjoyable by all of the useful information here!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the warm welcome
I bought the U320 privately here in Florida from a wonderful couple who are downsizing.
I will post pics as time permits.
I have the coached stored with no shore power with the dc switch turned off , will the batterries stay up for a month??

Thanks,

Steve
Steve
1999 U320 40'

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #5 –
Hi Stephen & Carol
Welcome to the family. You made the right choice for your first motorhome.
Donald & Cheryl
1999 U295 36'
2006 Saturn Vue Toad
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Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #6 –
Is it outside? Is solar an option? Can you get shore power or put generator on auto start?

Is there a Trik l start installed ?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #7 –
Hi Tim,

Yes it is stored outside but under cover so the autostart option should work just fine.

Thanks,

Steve
Steve
1999 U320 40'

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #8 –
The coach batteries should do fine on Auto-Start, but without a Trik-L-Start the engine battery will not be charged.  It might be ok after a month :-\ .  Depends on how old it is to begin with.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #9 –
Congratulations and welcome to the Foretravel family. Don't forget your free first years membership in the motorcade club. Also might want to update your coach data in your signature for others to see when asking any questions in the future. Enjoy the new to you coach. They are a blast.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #10 –
Another welcome! By all means ask all of your questions here. All of us have gone through the learning curve. Check the member map to see if there is someone near you who can help. Don't forget to ask the PO if they would be willing to answer some questions.

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #11 –
chassis batteries will discharge unless Boost switch is activated, or a Trik-L-Start has been installed (parasitic loads by engine and Allison CPU's). Â Autostart on generator is my least favorite solution, but better than nothin. Â First choice, long extension cord to any outlet, with separate charger/conditioner for Chassis batteries (trip-l-starts work fine, but basically charge from your house bank to your chassis bank, so there is a need to find a way to keep up the house bank of batteries - on board charger via shore power first choice, solar second choice, and generator autostart third choice.

Batteries are expensive, and are most commonly ruined by being deeply discharged and then being in that state for an extended period of time.

A "carry out" solar panel might be a cost effective solution.......depending on how far it is to the sunshine....
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
A "carry out" solar panel might be a cost effective solution.......depending on how far it is to the sunshine....

Tim,
Talk about how big (watts) a "carry out" solar panel would need to be.
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #13 –
Doesn't need to be big, just needs to be able to keep up with battery self discharge rate and parasitic loads.  Probably 20-25 watt would do the job.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #14 –
Not my area of expertise, but saw a rig at Nascar this weekend with three panels about 2' x. 3' each, held in tilted position in a PVC frame sitting on ground. Thought it was slick looking
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New 1999 U320 Owner

Reply #15 –
Steve,
If you can't get power to the coach, or Solar, you could disconnect the Negative cable on both the House and the Starting batteries and that should keep from running down the batteries for quite a while. I did that when I had to store mine with no power , before I got solar panels.
Eric
Eric & Nancy
1999 36 Ft. U320 WTFE
2016 GMC Terrain