The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Topic: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale (Read 2643 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #25 – May 29, 2015, 08:35:16 pm

Thanks Kent. Part of what hooked me on FT was your forum picture.

Edited to add: I am thrilled that Brett W. was available to do the inspection. I look forward to meeting him and learning as much as I can.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #26 – May 29, 2015, 08:45:11 pm

A few folks on this forum tow a Ford F series truck. But, I do not know the towing capacity of the U300. But others will chime in on that one.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #27 – May 29, 2015, 08:52:35 pm

You got a great coach! Enjoy it and welcome aboard this great forum

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #28 – May 29, 2015, 09:04:00 pm

Hi Jeff,
Welcome to our Foretravel family. I'm glad it has all come together for you. Enjoy!
Raymond

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #29 – May 29, 2015, 09:42:20 pm

You got a good coach. I saw it at FOT a couple times. I talked with Steve as well. He had the right attitude. The issue is as long as the drivetrain is in good shape, the rest of the stuff is minor.

You will love the freedom to travel it offers. As to towing, I think unless you have the manual 4 wheel drive shifting instead of shift on the fly you will not be able to tow the Ford. You can get a dodge or chevy and tow them but you are dealing with heavy. You might consider a Jeep as they tow well and you can really get off the beaten track and explore too.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #30 – May 29, 2015, 10:33:16 pm

My brother towed a Harley Ford with 2 Harley roadbikes in the back with no problem. Added a driveshaft disconnect.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #31 – May 29, 2015, 10:36:33 pm

My first of many dumb questions, do I need a CDL or will my regular license suffice?

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #32 – May 29, 2015, 10:40:02 pm

Quote from: jy001 – May 29, 2015, 10:36:33 pm

My first of many dumb questions, do I need a CDL or will my regular license suffice?

You should not need a CDL, but depending on your state the weight of the coach *may* require a different license. Check with the licensing authority in your state as each one is different.

RV Driver's License Requirements

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #33 – May 29, 2015, 11:07:10 pm

Thanks for that link Michelle. I see that NC requires a special license but not a CDL. I'll call the DMV Monday to find out what that entails. Time to start some files and a notebook.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #34 – May 29, 2015, 11:07:49 pm

Well, this capped off a very busy day with a couple in town to purchase a coach......jy001 sent me a nice thanks for posting my original post to notify folks of the Crystal Ship. I am rewarded for the effort, very pleased, this turned out this way, that a Forum member has found it. It nearly had a buyer that I met earlier this week and he walked away, at least for the time being due to how he was going to need to live in it.

I did take a few photos (well many) in case someone wanted them, but did not post since no one replied to ask that I do so.....BUT since it has moved along, I want those others on this thread to see it. I really wish I had a place, and the time/resources, for this as a second coach!

Thanks to all for participating in this discussion; I hope this grand example of the Foretravel quality, so preserved and maintained, gives many years to the buyer.

Mike

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #35 – May 29, 2015, 11:33:23 pm

Jeff is a friend of mine and one of the good people out there.
I know he will care for this fine machine.
I'm so glad he found his Foretravel.
He will be a valued member here.
Congratulations Jeff!

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #36 – May 29, 2015, 11:44:06 pm

Thanks Lon!

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #37 – May 30, 2015, 12:13:37 am

Congrats, Jeff! Looks like a wonderful coach. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have been tickled by ours.
Paul

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #38 – May 30, 2015, 07:21:01 am

Jeff, I believe you need a class B and not not tow anything that will put you over 65 feet, especially on 77 near Charlotte. The NCSP check every so often. Also, they look for stickers and racing names and say you are commercial and need the CDL but those are usually on the trailer.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #39 – May 30, 2015, 07:30:16 am

Kudos, Jeff, looks like you got a good one. Welcome to the GV subdivision of the ForeForum collective! I like the white mirrors - very COOL.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #40 – May 30, 2015, 07:33:43 am

From one Jeff to another welcome the Foretravel Grand Villa scene!! Beautiful coach!!! Just buy a nice BMW motorcycle for that lift!!...oh sorry that' my plan lol

Jeff

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #41 – May 30, 2015, 06:55:17 pm

Thanks all. One thing I do not see is a satellite dish. Does anyone that has been in or seen the coach notice one?

We want to add a couple of receivers to our Direct TV account. I don't foresee needing in-motion but do like the idea of auto-tuning and a dome covered dish.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #42 – May 30, 2015, 07:28:27 pm

Quote from: jy001 – May 30, 2015, 06:55:17 pm

Thanks all. One thing I do not see is a satellite dish. Does anyone that has been in or seen the coach notice one?

I used the forum Advanced search to search for "satellite" with a user of "*mudd*" and came across this

Installing satellite receiver for bedroom tv

At one time, Steve had a Tracstar and Dish.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #43 – May 30, 2015, 11:45:46 pm

Jeff,

Welcome to the Foretravel Family and Congratulations on buying this great GV motorhome you will love it!

I knew Steve and can tell you he was meticulous in the care and maintenance of the motorcoach, you are definitely buying a great coach. We spent a few days together in Vegas just prior to his passing he told me the coach was running wonderfully on his 1200 mile trip from Home towing the Jeep and motorcycle.

As Kent and others have mentioned Steve was a huge fan, groupie, of the Doors, a good friend of Rob Krieger who acknowledged in a condolence email to Steve's family as being one of their most enthusiastic groupies! Steve had even showed me a video of him singing on stage with the Doors during one of their performances!
Robbie Krieger did personally autograph the underside of the drivers sun visor after driving the coach one day with a verse from the Door's song, the Coach's namesake, "Crystal Ship".

Have Fun and Great traveling in you new great coach!
Tony

The coach has an in-motion satellite.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #44 – May 31, 2015, 11:57:01 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – May 29, 2015, 08:45:11 pm

A few folks on this forum tow a Ford F series truck. But, I do not know the towing capacity of the U300. But others will chime in on that one.

Jeff,

Welcome and congratulations on acquiring a beautifully maintained U300. I also have a 93 U300 36' like Pierce has. I saw this coach at camp Foretravel in January last year while we were there getting some chassis work done. I didn't get to meet Steve but really admired his coach and the paint work that set it apart from the others that were there.

You should be able to obtain most of the service records to see what was done. I would be surprised if there are any major issues still to be addressed. Brett Wolfe is one of our resident experts here and will do a thorough inspection especially on the chassis where it really counts. Make sure you check the bulkheads and the hydraulic fan pump system. You should have twin fans and your fan speed is very important for cooling. You will find much experience here with both of those issues.

The U300 has a GCWR (coach and tow) of 36000#. The GVWR is 30000# fully loaded. I believe the tow hitch is a class IV rated at 10000# with a tongue weight of 1000#. If I'm wrong someone here will correct me. I just weighed my coach last week at 25740#. I'm shorter and lighter at 36' but you should be okay with a Ford F-150. The Foretravel chassis with four wheel disc brakes, a Detroit 350, an Allison HT746 transmission, and a two stage Jake brake make for a smooth comfortable ride.

Were all glad the Crystal Ship is ready for her new maiden voyage. Smooth sailing ahead!

Jerry

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #45 – June 01, 2015, 09:23:42 am

Gotta love the DMV. In NC a Class B license is required, 50 question written test and a driving test.

Me: How do I get the coach from TX to NC without a Class B License?
DMV: You drive it here and test the tests.

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #46 – June 01, 2015, 09:32:38 am

They are all the same...I asked the nice lady at the Cleburne (TX) DMV the same question. She said, "We don't ask, and you don't tell".

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #47 – June 01, 2015, 10:17:44 am

Here's the weights of our 40 foot 95 300. This is fully loaded: Full fuel, full water, empty gray and black and a case of beer in the closet to simulate dog food.

Front: 9560
Rear: 19350
Total: 28910

The 300's GVWR is only 30,000 so we are just 1,000 or so lighter than the maximum and we travel pretty light. Still wonder about the lower GVW as compared to the 320. Same engine and trans and all the running gear and suspension components look to be identical. I asked JamesT about it but he didn't really have an explanation. Probably some complex formula for figuring GVW.

When you get the Ship weighed you will likely be pleased with the weight distribution as Foretravel does a great job in the initial weight setup on these babies.

You scored a great coach.
jor

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #48 – June 01, 2015, 02:29:10 pm

If you look at the pre-2015 Honda range they are tow-able 4 down as is. We have a CRV.

Here is a link to Remco's search-able list of tow-able vehicles:

Store : Remco

Keith

Re: The Crystal Ship - Steve Mudd's coach for sale

Reply #49 – June 01, 2015, 07:12:49 pm

Where to start. Wow.

I secured insurance, Coach-net and Good Sam today. I bought my plane ticket to Houston, rented a car and made a hotel reservation in NAC

I need to become familiar with how everything works...when parked, when stored, summer and winter and while under way.

Second, we need to outfit a new house that happens to be on wheels, sheets, towels, pillows, cookware, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, a coffee maker, cleaning supplies and on and on.

Then I need to figure out what tools I need, what supplies and extra parts and more.

I was able to learn today that everything pictured in the basement is included, and nothing is included upstairs.

I have a headache.

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