Advice on considering a high milage U270

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Advice on considering a high milage U270

July 22, 2015, 10:34:21 pm

I've come across a 99 270 with 177,000 mi on it. The owner has kept a spread sheet listing every penny spent since he bought it in 03. He's spent $55,000 in repairs over that time and close to 20000 on remodeling. Cosmetically looks great. Has the headlight conversion, and new tires with around 5000mi. Asking price is about 10,000 under MOT for a similar lower mileage coach.
I haven't seen too many RV's with that kind of mileage. I'd be happy to get 5 more years out of it keeping my costs under $4000/yr knowing it probably won't be worth much on resale. Among the repairs were replacing rear bulkhead bolts, and a recent fuel pump.
Your thoughts are appreciated.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #1 – July 22, 2015, 10:41:23 pm

Obviously well used and enjoyed and the money spent tells me they wanted it in top shape. The mods all halp to keep it looking good so I would not worry myself over a few miles. Better than sitting going nowhere!
If it runs good and no leaks then buy it.
JohnH

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #2 – July 22, 2015, 10:49:24 pm

FWIW, NADA guides do not take mileage into consideration when valuing a diesel pusher - I think care and use is more important than mileage - Tennessee RV had a rough U-320 in at around 450,000 miles - they did a bulkhead repair and sent it out on the road. JohnS is looking to take his current U-320 over 300,000 miles.

I guess I am saying if everything checked out, the mileage would not keep me from buying the coach.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #3 – July 22, 2015, 10:53:27 pm

MOTORHOME

Has to be that one.

if 177k is high mileage, we have wildly differing opinions of high mileage. I'd call 177k well enjoyed, but not high by any means.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #4 – July 22, 2015, 11:14:48 pm

That is the one. Don't tell anyone till I get a chance to check it out. I'm guessing fewer then 5% of rvs see that kind of mileage. That's an awful lot of traveling . I could spend 10000 more and end up with a 320 with much less mileage but probably a dated interior. I'm having buyers remorse and haven't bought anything yet. Thanks for the quick responses.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #5 – July 22, 2015, 11:29:40 pm

its only a few hrs away from me, and ill be driving right past it tomorrow on my way to a concert and weekend visit with cousins. luckily for you, I dont think I could downgrade to a 270 with front entry after having a mid entry rv. its so much better for my needs. maybe tolerate front entry in a u320...

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #6 – July 23, 2015, 03:01:03 am

When we first started looking at coaches, I thought we wanted a mid-entry. Had we seen a Unihome, we might have ended up with one but after looking at a few SOB's with mid-entries, we decided that there was too much wasted space with the mid-door in the 36' length we wanted. Also for us, the lighter wood (oak or maple) just wasn't available in the 320's and 295's, so the better fuel milage of the ISC and the light colored interior of our coach won us over. Of course there were other advantages in my view to the 99's like the electronic 350hp ISC Cummins (VS. the 325 or 300 of the 8.3c), the VIP Smartwheel (started in 97' I think), Ducted A/C (also 97'), the 10K tow rating (new in 99'). I would always enjoy more HP like the ISM, but maximizing fuel economy matters to us. Cummins print out showed lifetime of 9.63mpg back in 06' and still about what we get, even loaded up with all of the tools I carry. Speaking of which, when we got weighed in Livingston with full water, fuel, propane, all of our the stuff we carry (we are full timers), we were still 1200 lbs under the GVWR. All of the stuff I would like from the 320's I would care about, I can (and have already have in many cases) added to our coach with newer technology that wasn't available in 1999 in a any coach. The only real exception (and I haven't ruled it out!) are the buss style compartment doors.
The 30K price of the one referenced in the add in this thread is very low in my opinion, subject to verification of the drivetrain's condition and the usual structural inspection. Then the late 90's Unicoaches when compared to SOB's (Some Other Brands), with the all wheel air disc brakes, transmission retarder, 8 outboard airbags, HWH air leveling, the side radiators (unbeatable engine access), I wasn't going to satisfied with anything BUT a Foretravel (fortunately, my sweetie agreed with me, even if was just that she liked the interior and floor plan so much

). On the other hand, I love the Grand Villas as well and if the right one had crossed my path, I might be opening the windows in Canyons and tunnels to hear the Jake on the 6V92's

Our coach fits us well, and I enjoy making it even more perfect as time goes on. We are now close to 170K miles (146,500 when we brought her home) and I see no reason to think she won't see 500K before we are through, if we are blessed with good enough health. At 171K, I would say the drivetrain hasn't even peaked yet, given the proper care. Some items will wear out, and some things will fail, but I would rather have a well taken care of 250K mile coach than one with indifferent care that has 25K miles...
Don

Quote from: car54 – July 22, 2015, 11:29:40 pm

...luckily for you, I dont think I could downgrade to a 270 with front entry after having a mid entry rv. its so much better for my needs. maybe tolerate front entry in a u320...

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #7 – July 23, 2015, 06:49:55 am

I would rather buy a coach with miles then not. It showed it has been used and is taken care of. I am at 177k now. I have seen a 99 270 with well over 400k and there are many late 90s pushing 150 plus. Heck, if I went to Alaska and back, that is 15k alone. These coaches have 500k in them very easy and a coach that has sat still longer is probably going to have more issues then one that is run more. I guess, knowing what I know now about FT coaches, I would not call that high mileage. A coach that gets less then 5k a yr on it would worry me more. Also, I have seen the insides of full time coaches with less mileage that are more worn out inside.

I would not really worry about miles until you break 500 and then you are just looking at some extra for a rebuild on the engine if needed.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #8 – July 23, 2015, 07:01:23 am

History has shown the Cummins L10 & M11 Series care & feeding, At the half million mile mark, drop the pan, roll in new rod & main bearings, button up and take it to the 1 million mark, then do the in-frame, cylinder kits, bearings, head work, injectors, turbo etc and keep on running it. This is in Dump Truck service, manual transmissions, much harder use than a RV with auto transmission.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #9 – July 23, 2015, 07:19:11 am

If it checks out, sounds like a good buy. My 2001 U270 was purchased at MOT over 7 years ago with 62000 miles on it ( don't remember exact miles, sorry). We now have over 126000 miles, full time in it, plan to do so another 10, 15, maybe 20 years assuming our health holds out. We have had our fuel lines replaced, air bags, radiator reworked, valves adjusted, resonator put on,new tires, etc. Coach is still running good and I see no reason to think she will not continue to run good with regular maintenance.

The comfort, ride, safety of our older coaches cannot be compared to SOB's that are newer with fewer miles on them.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #10 – July 23, 2015, 07:30:36 am

If the coach has been well maintained then the mileage on the odometer shouldn't be an issue. Consider the applications for which the drivetrain was designed, and it should be clear that the drivetrain is little more than "broken in." Expect to do some major overhauls somewhere between 500,000 and 1,000,000 miles. Other items will show wear or will wear out and will require refurbishment or replacement, but that's just normal for anything one owns.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #11 – July 23, 2015, 10:52:56 am

Woww 30K .... I hate it when they just give it a way.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #12 – July 23, 2015, 11:37:27 am

I plan to go see it tomorrow . It apparently has a ongoing issue with check engine light. Comes on when first started. Numerous parts, sensors , fuel pump has been replaced with the same result. Owner tells me he leaves the motor running long enough to record the code, shuts down and restarts. Says the light goes out and usually happens once a trip. Says he wouldn't pay attention to it since he's spent thousands on parts that probably didn't need replacement. Cummings can't seem to fix it. Am I right that as long as temperature is normal and oil pressures ok there shouldn't be anything serious to worry about? I'd hate to have to replace the computer which could be the problem?

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #13 – July 23, 2015, 12:11:41 pm

Quote from: goldbehen – July 23, 2015, 11:37:27 am

Owner tells me he leaves the motor running long enough to record the code, shuts down and restarts.
I'd hate to have to replace the computer which could be the problem?

Did he tell you what the code is that he pulled off the ECM? The check engine light can be lit due to any number of things, from a bad connection, bad sensor, bad ground, and other things. It could be a mouse ate into a wire and when it gets wet it causes a fault. That could be a large hunt and seek project.

As far as the ECM unit on that age coach usually when they start having trouble they just die, but with a code you may see if it indicates something in the ECM. As for as replacement of the ECM you may be better off if it was to die to have it rebuilt.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #14 – July 23, 2015, 12:18:33 pm

He has the code. Says the last time they replaced the fuel pump and a 100mi later the same code came up. I'll get specifics when I go to see it. What's it cost to rebuild the computer if that turns out to be the problem?

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #15 – July 23, 2015, 12:21:44 pm

I had a similar issue which got worse over time. Thought it was fuel lines ( replaced all) but it happened again. Turned out to be a short in the wiring harness that goes from the ECM to the main fuel pump. A good technician at Cummins Bridgeway in Cincinnati, Ohio found it and fixed it. Have not been on a long run since then, but on my short runs- no check engine light- YEAH,

The problem with not finding the issue is you could get stuck on the side of the road somewhere. I have changed many fuel filters at rest stops thinking that was the issue, when it was the short causing the main fuel pump not to run correctly. I thought it might have been the pump, glad it wasn't $$$$.

If all else is good, take $5000 off the price for potential issues and see if he bites.

Best of luck .

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #16 – July 23, 2015, 12:24:04 pm

If the code is a fuel pressure code- check fuel lines for sucking air, lift pump, wire harness from the ECM to the main fuel pump.

Hope this helps

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #17 – July 23, 2015, 12:48:08 pm

It's not unusual for a code to be triggered by a poor connection to a sensor. I occasionally get a code because of an intermittent issue related to the electronic throttle. Everything operates correctly, and the code often clears. Since this is an intermittent, it's difficult to resolve, and I'm not particularly concerned by it. Having the VMSpc lets me monitor all essential systems and I know everything is okay.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #18 – July 23, 2015, 03:48:12 pm

Quote from: goldbehen – July 23, 2015, 12:18:33 pm

What's it cost to rebuild the computer if that turns out to be the problem?

The repair cost would depend on the trouble, how bad or how much smoke got out. If you have any doubt I would give these people a call as they are highly recommended Remanufactured Cummins Celect & N14 Celect Plus ECM/ECU for Trucks They are a small family owned place not trying to impress they just do good work. They aren't family or any other ties so we don't get a kick back

Pamela & Mike

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #19 – July 23, 2015, 04:03:03 pm

We bought our coach 30 months ago (99K on the odometer) and have will have 40K on it by September. Plan to keep running at 12K-15K year for at least another decade. Don't expect any problems. It will sell for what someone will pay for it but we will have gotten our money's worth out of it in the fun we've had along the way.

Rich

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #20 – July 23, 2015, 04:50:07 pm

High or low mileage on odometer is just another thing to consider when contemplating buying a Foretravel. And much less important than many other factors, like age, upgrades, condition, price, floorplan, features, etc. Not much can be learned from odometer as a forecaster of future problems. Many Foretravel owners have traveled 150,000 to 250,000 miles or more without any significant problems. If the coach in question is 'right', then it would be foolish to turn it down based on what the odometer has to say. I would add that low mileage may raise a flag as it has probably been little maintained over the years. It is hard to drive many fun miles on a coach without a lot of annual maintenance.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #21 – July 23, 2015, 07:28:24 pm

Don, I'd buy yours @ 400k miles....

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #22 – July 23, 2015, 07:30:47 pm

Funny, first valve adjustment (for "break in period") on my ISM is @ 120,000 miles, still 12,000 miles in the future after 15 years on the road

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #23 – July 23, 2015, 08:20:24 pm

That 177,000 is only 11,000 miles a year. That's almost ideal with annual oil and filter changes. I'd be much more concerned with a coach with very low mileage after 16 years.

Re: Advice on considering a high milage U270

Reply #24 – July 24, 2015, 09:03:10 am

Midwestecmrepair.com is another good place if the ECM needs to be rebuilt.

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