Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

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Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

July 01, 2015, 04:26:15 pm

Drove a Foretravel for the first time. Impressed with the ride, acceleration, braking and how well it handled. Didn't want to stop, just to keep going. Only problem was the creaking noise at all speeds. Had her up to 55mph on a smooth highway and was surprised at the constant creaking noise. My wife who was sitting in the living area said it sounded like it was going to fall apart. Is this normal?

Al

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #1 – July 01, 2015, 04:34:27 pm

This is not normal on Foretravels of any stripe. Sounds like worn bushings, or tie rod ends are a bit dry and may need replacement. Drive another Foretravel if you can, I doubt you will have the same complaint. Certainly the coach in question needs a good inspection.
Don

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #2 – July 01, 2015, 08:32:42 pm

No. Period. Check bulkheads

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #3 – July 01, 2015, 08:42:25 pm

Quote from: Albert W – July 01, 2015, 04:26:15 pm

Only problem was the creaking noise at all speeds. Had her up to 55mph on a smooth highway and was surprised at the constant creaking noise.

Could you tell where (even general region might help) the noise was coming from? Could be chassis or serious or it could just be something simple like the fridge squeaking in its surround.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #4 – July 01, 2015, 09:24:27 pm

Lots of times in that vintage the stove cover squeaked.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #5 – July 01, 2015, 09:41:27 pm

When the step cover is closed the rubbing of the cover against the screen door makes for a heck of a racket in Forrest.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #6 – July 01, 2015, 09:56:07 pm

My stove covered squeaked like crazy til I figured out it wasn't set in place properly. Try to pinpoint the location of the squeak, maybe your wife could do this as you (slowly) drive? Squeaks don't normally happen in a FT.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #7 – July 01, 2015, 09:59:39 pm

Exactly what did you drive?

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #8 – July 02, 2015, 08:06:01 am

Caflashbob. 1997 U270 36'.

My main question was answered. Do they all creak going down the road. No.

Driving a motorhome for the first time on a narrow two lane road, I had to focus on keeping her between the lines. I tended to drive to close to the right shoulder, so I couldn't pin point where the noise was coming from. My wife who was sitting in the main section of the coach agrees that it sounded like the whole coach was creaking, not just from one area. Next time that I have one out and hear noises, I'll let the owner drive and maybe I'll be able to isolate where the noise is coming from.

The owner who is in his 90's lives in Sarasota, FL. Evidently the coach sat parked in the Florida sun for a number of years. His grandson has the coach and is selling it for him. The son lives in Ephrata, PA. The son did a good bit of work on the FT. New air bags, batteries, air dryer, a few windows resealed, dash A/C, sofa was out of the coach being reupholstered to name a few. It's posted on the Lancaster, PA craigslist site.

Thanks for the responses,

Al

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #9 – July 02, 2015, 08:50:15 am

Al, you will want to get all the records & receipts for the work done in recent years to verify, also it may still have issues if it's been parked in the FL sun for years, mine was in the same situation, not far from that one, 8 years parked, lots of small issues but basic bones good, you should still have a 3rd party have a really close look at it.

If you are seriously thinking about it, I'd get hold of Paul Yasbeck in Leesburg & see if he would be available for an inspection. I can give you the number if need be, he's about the best FT guy in central FL (besides my amazing FT 'guru' Gary O., who's away for the summer) & if he's even available ~he's a pretty busy guy~ it will cost you, but will in the end be worth it. He's the only one (besides Gary O.) to do anything major/minor on my coach, he does it all, & would be my 1st choice at the moment if you are truly interested & the price is right.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #10 – July 02, 2015, 10:37:41 am

Dani,

I think (reading the last paragraph in the post directly above yours) that the coach in question is presently located in PA. But I could be wrong...

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #11 – July 02, 2015, 10:47:36 am

.....C & J....not clear but looked at first like the son's in PA & the coach is being driven in Sarasota, FL.....? or maybe the parents are in Sarasota & coach was just there for a few years?) Al, where is the coach? That'd help pinpoint where to find somebody to inspect it. If it's on the PA craigslist....C & J I think you're right...as usual, I need some more sleep....

quick edit: Al's profile does show he's in Kulpmont, PA.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #12 – July 02, 2015, 11:20:45 am

Al,

We were in your shoes 2 years ago - searching for "our" Foretravel. By the way, your target models (U280, U300) are an EXCELLENT choice, in my totally biased opinion. If, like us, you have little or no experience driving big motor homes, then it will be a MAJOR learning experience. The first few times you drive one, you are subjected to "sensory overload". There are so many strange sights, sounds, vibrations and, yes, even smells assaulting your brain that it will have a hard time coping. As you noted, just keeping the monster between the white lines takes almost all your concentration. You don't have time to process everything that is happening - that is why it is excellent practice to have another person along for the ride. They will notice things that you will completely miss.

The happy fact is, this is a very temporary condition. Even after just one or two short test drives, you will start to relax. You will begin to recognize, and tune out, the "normal" sounds and sensations - then you will start to pick up on the "abnormal" items. That is why it is beneficial to drive as many different coaches as possible during the shopping phase. I would even include ones you are not really interested in, just to augment your experience level. As stated above, most Foretravel coaches drive VERY well - they are a joy to pilot down the road. Once you have developed a feel for how a "good" coach drives, it will be much easier for you to evaluate any potentially "serious" purchase candidates.

Enjoy the shopping - it is a Great Adventure!

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #13 – July 02, 2015, 11:24:42 am

My suspension bushings squeak as the suspension goes through it travels a bit.

A severe case might show this same noise on a relatively smooth road.

Factory mentioned never replacing bushings from wear but never have asked about noise?

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #14 – July 02, 2015, 01:35:43 pm

Ditto on the end caps. pc

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #15 – July 02, 2015, 08:11:57 pm

Miz Dani thanks for the referral for Florida. The coach is now in Ephrata, PA. Listed on the Lancaster, PA Craigslist.

Chuck & Jeannie, yes it is a Great Adventure. Headed out tomorrow to look at another FT. This will be the fifth one we've looked at.

Al

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #16 – July 02, 2015, 09:45:45 pm

Quote from: pocketchange – July 02, 2015, 01:35:43 pm

Ditto on the end caps. pc

? End cap issue was a fiberglass problem in 2002-4 (and not usually associated with noise, but rather exterior cracking); this is an earlier coach.

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #17 – July 03, 2015, 09:29:50 am

Were the lower graphics were removed? It appears to be a WTFE floor plan.
1998 Foretravel U270 Floorplans

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #18 – July 03, 2015, 05:05:16 pm

There are many coaches out there and some very nice ones here on the forum. Larry Pontius has a beautiful coach recently posted in classified area. David

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Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

July 01, 2015, 04:26:15 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #1 – July 01, 2015, 04:34:27 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #2 – July 01, 2015, 08:32:42 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #3 – July 01, 2015, 08:42:25 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #4 – July 01, 2015, 09:24:27 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #5 – July 01, 2015, 09:41:27 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #6 – July 01, 2015, 09:56:07 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #7 – July 01, 2015, 09:59:39 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #8 – July 02, 2015, 08:06:01 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #9 – July 02, 2015, 08:50:15 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #10 – July 02, 2015, 10:37:41 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #11 – July 02, 2015, 10:47:36 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #12 – July 02, 2015, 11:20:45 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #13 – July 02, 2015, 11:24:42 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #14 – July 02, 2015, 01:35:43 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #15 – July 02, 2015, 08:11:57 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #16 – July 02, 2015, 09:45:45 pm

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #17 – July 03, 2015, 09:29:50 am

Re: Creaking Noise 1997 U270 36'

Reply #18 – July 03, 2015, 05:05:16 pm

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