Checking out a 95 u280

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Checking out a 95 u280

June 21, 2015, 03:07:18 pm

Not yet a newbie, but I'm working on it
My wife I are very interested in the quality, craftsmanship and history/legacy of the Foretravel brand. I will never forget (what must have been in the late 80s or early 90s) pulling up next to a motor home at a stop sign in our area and seeing this BEAUTIFULL motor home looking great and sounding so powerful. So different than all others. You know what it was of course. You see lots of mh's on the road but I never forgot that one.
But, still working for a livin and a family to raise didn't have the money or the time to really enjoy one. Mostly the $$$. Now have some of both :-)

We will be driving the vette some 1300 miles at the end of June to look at Bob Hall's coach. I have a really good feeling about his mh and I'm learning more every day but still could use some help with any and all info. Already spent many hours on the Beamalarm site and plan to meet Gary Bouland about the 30th to to look at it. But I've been told a knowledgeable inspection might be nesessary. Anybody in the Colorado Springs area that might be available for a few hours ?

I love the Body style, the interior decor (all oak), air ride, cummins engine and bunch of other things, but need to keep an objective point of view I think.
Love the Foreforum and seems like a great bunch of folks
Thanks in advance for the info
Robert.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #1 – June 21, 2015, 03:20:42 pm

Well Robert , you have made the right choice in Motorhomes. We waited 10 years for ours and have love our 92 U300. the one you are going to look at is a bit newer with a few more upgrades but for the most part a great Coach. Good luck in search and do your homework.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #2 – June 21, 2015, 03:30:41 pm

Thanks Andy. We actually have already done the deposit thing so if things check out, I own it. With the recent work that's been done I'm expecting it's ready to go. Heck of a road trip either way. 2600 miles round trip. With luck, first of many to follow in the mh.
Thanks again.
Robert

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #3 – June 21, 2015, 04:04:20 pm

1foretravel,

If you get the coach, who drives the vette home?

Larry

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #4 – June 21, 2015, 04:06:57 pm

Robert,
Welcome to the group.
If you can get Gary Bouland (if you are talking about the one that is a long time member) to give his approval that would be all I would need if we were looking.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #5 – June 21, 2015, 04:24:49 pm

Well, we are driving the vette (wife loves road trips) down and back so as to move things along and get back to sons house in Washington for the 4th. Then fly down and take a nice long easy road trip back to Oregon with the coach in late July Or early August.
Or, i suppose trailering the vette back is possible option

maybe. Not sure about that, you folks are the experienced pros.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #6 – June 21, 2015, 04:28:07 pm

Ya, it will be Gary Bouland from the forum. He reached out to me shortly after I contacted Bob.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #7 – June 21, 2015, 04:54:42 pm

Spend a week in coach staying around NAC, getting everything "just so" then rent UHaul or Penske trailer and head home. Save hotels and Vette gas on way home

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #8 – June 21, 2015, 06:13:44 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – June 21, 2015, 04:54:42 pm

Spend a week in coach staying around NAC, getting everything "just so" then rent UHaul or Penske trailer and head home. Save hotels and Vette gas on way home

This is great advice. I bought my '93 U300 GV a few short weeks ago. We were not planning on buying a coach until this winter but this one popped up and I pounced.

I really wish that I had a few more days with the coach in NAC but we just couldn't work out the schedule at work. I had to get back. I found a few more things I want to do to the coach that could have been done in NAC. I could have used more time to learn about the coach at MOT. Good luck!

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #9 – June 21, 2015, 07:02:22 pm

Robert, and while you're in Nac, see if you can sign your DW up for the Foretravel ladies' driving school in November, they may be full already but you could get her on the waiting list. You can also get a free year's membership of the FT Motorcade club, just call Beverly Koonce at Foretravel in Nac & ask about the school while you're at it...if you can make it at all, it is a fantastic experience & they keep the husbands busy with really cool stuff as well, including the FT factory tour! Plus, it's a wonderful little town, the oldest town in Texas & so much to see, & very nice people.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #10 – June 21, 2015, 07:35:28 pm

You can't go wrong with a U280, no matter what year, they are great coaches and very reliable. You will love it.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #11 – June 21, 2015, 11:12:09 pm

If we ever go back to a non slide it will probably be a U280 or U300. We loved the driver and copilot area on our U280 and the mid entry, not to mention the beautiful silhouette of those coaches.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #12 – June 22, 2015, 08:26:13 am

All, Robert is looking at Halls coach in Colorado Springs, just a coincidence that I will be about 100 miles away at the same time that is why I volunteered to help him look at it. I am not a qualified inspector of the caliber that Brett is, I just will guide Robert along on things to look for in a 280 like the one I had. Mostly the same stuff that applies to all FT's, Bulkheads, Pump brackets, Tires, maintenance etc. It appears that Halls have really kept up this one and have done a lot of recent maintenance. My gut feeling without even seeing the coach is that it is A1 and ready to go.
Gary B

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #13 – June 22, 2015, 10:47:49 am

Gary & others
I'm so grateful that this could work out for you to be in the area to look at Bob's coach. I'm thinking the same thing that Pamela & Mike said. Seems your general knowledge, and the fact that you had the "twin" two this mh will be good enough for me. From reading your post, I'm thinking I could look all day at this thing and still miss what your so familiar with. Again much appreciated.
But, like you recommended, still want to reach out to anyone else in the Colorado Springs or Denver area that could look at It on the 29th or 30th and help with the inspection.
I'm also thinking Bob wouldn't have done those upgrades if it wasn't worth it.
Thanks to all for the feedback so far. Not hearing any red flags yet though.
Robert.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #14 – June 22, 2015, 05:11:24 pm

Nothing to add here, just reading this thread and thinking that this is the best most helpful forum on the web...

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #15 – June 22, 2015, 06:48:46 pm

I bought my 1993, U300 from Brighton, Colorado sight unseen in 2010. What a great deal. Have had very few problems other than those expected like batteries and air conditioners. Of course, this coach was completely restored by FOT in 2009 so I had one leg up before I bought it but the early 90's Grand Villas are about as bullet proof as you can find. Enjoy your new life style.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #16 – June 23, 2015, 09:38:30 am

I just bought my 1995 U300 sight unseen from a repo auction. It was in rough shape here and there but a very good price made it all worth it. New airbags, some plumbing repairs and fuel lines to the generator have all systems working properly. Now on to using it! You wont be disappointed, they are awesome.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #17 – June 23, 2015, 11:48:13 am

Kent
You mentioned completely restored by FOT on your mh. In general, what all do they check or replace or ? When they do that.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #18 – June 23, 2015, 05:59:48 pm

Depends on the size of your wallet.

Re: Checking out a 95 u280

Reply #19 – June 23, 2015, 09:04:58 pm

Quote from: 1fortravel – June 23, 2015, 11:48:13 am

Kent
You mentioned completely restored by FOT on your mh. In general, what all do they check or replace or ? When they do that.

When I bought my '93 U300 GV a few weeks ago I was told by MOT that the previous owner spent close to $50,000 restoring and remodeling the coach from top to bottom. It is like a brand new coach mechanically and cosmetically. I'm still pinching myself that I was able to buy it. I got very lucky.

Regarding remodeling, the sky is the limit.

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