U 240 Wide Body

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- Repair on torsilastic suspension?

U 240 Wide Body

May 19, 2015, 09:35:19 am

Does anyone own a 1995 U 240 wide body with the narrow track axle ?
If so, have you experienced any handling problems as other narrow track motorhomes experience causing white knuckle driving?

Thanks in advance.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #1 – May 19, 2015, 10:17:06 am

no, I don't. But, I do know that not all 96" W motorhomes have white-knuckle handling. What you call "narrow" track can be a chassis from Dodge, GMC, Ford, Oshkosh/Freightliner, Spartan; Iveco, Isuzu, Mercedes, SOB or proprietary. Each has its own idiosyncrasies.
Even a mediocre chassis (ie P30 'bread truck') can be enhanced with after-market improvements.
Several factors contribute to "white-knuckle" handling, including, but not limited to: tire pressure; tire construction/condition; alignment; loading; shocks; chassis component wear; aerodynamics (lack thereof); faulty body/chassis attachment; etc..

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #2 – May 19, 2015, 11:24:57 am

I have a 95 240 with Torsalistic suspension and the rub
ber bushings are badly worn. Does anyone know of a repair/fix

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #3 – May 19, 2015, 11:57:27 am

I have a 95 U240 102" wide. I don't know about a narrow axle. I quess mine is standard from FOT. I don't have any handling problems, I do need sway bar bushins both in the front and rear. My brother also has a 93 U240 standard width. He has no handling problems either.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #4 – May 19, 2015, 03:13:29 pm

The track, both front and rear is the same for the earlier U240's (through 1994) which were 96" wide coaches and for the 1995 U240, which was the only 102" wide U240.

So, yes, the wide body on the same "narrow track" will have slightly more lean for the same speed and conditions than the 96" coaches.

Sure, it is subjective as to whether it is excessive or acceptable.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #5 – May 19, 2015, 08:28:39 pm

Thanks for the response I appreciate your help.

MR Wolf, Can I assume that at the end of 95 they returned to the 96 inch body due to the differences in handling? Or is there any other reason it was no longer produced?
I realize there are after market add on accessories that do help some but not all. On the Gulf Stream I had, I had Henderson Track Bar and both front and rear stabilizers fitted along with a wider tires, but alas I still suffered the ruts in the road and winds to the point enjoyment was the last thing anyone could say about a trip behind the wheel.
I really like the Foretravel but I have to be 100% sure I am not buying a money pit.

Once again thanks for your valuable time I appreciate all responses.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #6 – May 19, 2015, 09:00:12 pm

No, 1995 was the last year of the U240 and only year of the wide body. No idea of the marketing decisions involved, but 1996 saw the Unihome become the Unicoach.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #7 – May 19, 2015, 10:40:56 pm

While the 240 was a personal favorite of mine when I worked for Foretravel when these were new the suspension and engine have had a higher percentage of service than a regular unihome.

The higher profile u280-u300's do not drive worse. If anything even better.

Full air disk brakes on the 280-300's should be a consideration.

If you NEED the lower profile then by all means locate one.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #8 – May 20, 2015, 08:21:58 am

FWIW, I would bet that most FT's are equipped with DOLLY WHEELS, both my recent ones had them and I always assumed that they were OEM. They provide a measure of comfort when entering driveways and other places with steep grades so that the rear does not drag. Has nothing to do with handling and or suspension problems.
Gary B

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #9 – May 20, 2015, 12:02:02 pm

Never seen on yet.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #10 – May 20, 2015, 12:59:39 pm

Seen and installed quite a few of the dolly wheels on ftx's long ago.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #11 – May 20, 2015, 05:20:43 pm

Don't have them on our '93 U300.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #12 – May 20, 2015, 05:27:33 pm

Have seen the rear frame rail wheels on U225 and U240's simply because the owner did not know that ride height needed to be adjusted/raised. Restoring ride height is pretty easy on these as long as there are shims in place (removing one of the 1/4" shims from in front of and behind a wheel position raises that wheel position 1/4". Remove 4= 1" etc.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #13 – May 20, 2015, 05:32:54 pm

Would love to see a pix of these dolly wheels that are on most FT's ?

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #14 – May 20, 2015, 06:03:51 pm

Quote from: Dave M – May 20, 2015, 05:32:54 pm

Would love to see a pix of these dolly wheels that are on most FT's ?

Steel roller
http://www.ultra-fab.com/retailers.cfm?mfgnum=48-979020
Ultra Steel Roller - 2.5 X 3 - Ultra-Fab 48-979023 - Skid Wheels - Camping World

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #15 – May 20, 2015, 07:59:41 pm

Thanks, about what I expected, A play on words, was hoping for dolly wheels, not a cheap steel roller. Thanks for that version.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #16 – May 20, 2015, 08:16:31 pm

The ones used swiveled and had grease fittings. $135 each if memory serves me

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #17 – May 20, 2015, 08:48:48 pm

Quote from: Dave M – May 20, 2015, 05:32:54 pm

Would love to see a pix of these dolly wheels that are on most FT's ?

Dave,

These are what were on our 240 and what is presently on our 320. They may have been special order by previous owner and installed at time of build. They are rebuildable as we have talked to these folks before about replacement bearings.

http://www.castercity.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=100FS6x3T-S&ReturnTo=../cm100.htm

Pamela & Mike

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #18 – May 20, 2015, 09:01:46 pm

Thanks for the pix, have seen these setups on some trailers too, we have choices, I Choose to cross the problem at an angle and not let it scape the tail.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #19 – May 20, 2015, 09:04:23 pm

That's the ones. Price has changed since the 80's. Imagine that

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #20 – May 20, 2015, 09:11:17 pm

Quote from: Dave M – May 20, 2015, 09:01:46 pm

I Choose to cross the problem at an angle and not let it scape the tail.

Us too, as if you get high centered on these you will be waiting on a tow.

Pamela

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #21 – May 20, 2015, 10:01:24 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – May 20, 2015, 08:48:48 pm

Dave,

These are what were on our 240 and what is presently on our 320. They may have been special order by previous owner and installed at time of build. They are rebuildable as we have talked to these folks before about replacement bearings.

http://www.castercity.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=100FS6x3T-S&ReturnTo=../cm100.htm

Pamela & Mike

Those are very similar but the ones I saw had a bigger wheel, more like a grocery store stockers cart with the tall wire sides probably 7 inch in height. But my theory has been at least 3/4 proved.

MR Wolfe,
Could you please post a photo / picture of where exactly the measuring points are on the 1995 U 240, I saw one to day and I'm not sure I measured it correctly, it was 16 inches on one side and 17 on the other. I also did not see any shims awaiting removal?
Thank you.

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #22 – May 21, 2015, 12:27:27 am

Sabre,
Height of U240 & U225 "Torsalistic" Suspension has several postings already such as

u225 suspension lift pics of parts

If you search the forum you should find what you need about it already.
If you encounter difficulty let us know we can help.

AL

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #23 – May 21, 2015, 12:30:33 am

Sabre,
Here is another subject matter you should be aware of ... if you are looking at a U240
BULKHEAD REPAIR - drainage around box beam?

Re: U 240 Wide Body

Reply #24 – May 21, 2015, 01:48:07 am

Quote from: propman – May 21, 2015, 12:30:33 am

Sabre,
Here is another subject matter you should be aware of ... if you are looking at a U240
BULKHEAD REPAIR - drainage around box beam?

Is this problem only occurring in the U 240 or all models?
Because the U240 Storage doors open upward, and I understand all others open downwards.

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