2002 U295 In Arkansas

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2002 U295 In Arkansas

August 19, 2015, 12:43:38 pm

Hi All,

Still hoping to change my forum signature to owner and after years of looking and waiting, I believe we have found a decent 2002 U295 3620 for sale in our price range is Arkansas.

The coach is listed on RV Trader and is currently in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas on consignment. Here is link to coach:http://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/McCann%27s-Auto-Mart-3006550/listing/2002-Foretravel-U-295-115420641

Currently burning up in Phoenix is preventing me from taking an immediate look, smell, inspection, and test drive.

I'm curious if there are any FT Owners that know the history of this coach (the current owner has only had it two years) and if there are any FT Owners that I could compensate to take a look at her and/or complete an inspection and provide feedback before I fly out to look at it myself.

Any help on this coach would be greatly appreciated.

There is also a second coach that I have my eye on, with the benefit of a W/D and an aqua hot system: 2003 Foretravel Foretravel M-3600u295 , Raleigh NC - - RVtrader.com. Any information on this coach would also be appreciated.

Thank you much,
Tom

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #1 – August 19, 2015, 12:57:07 pm

I have seen the Raleigh coach at one of our rallies. It appears to have been meticulously maintained. It is owned by very nice folks. Worth further investigation.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #2 – August 19, 2015, 01:04:12 pm

Did the 2002s have the problem with the rear cap to sidewall getting a zipper crack?

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #3 – August 19, 2015, 02:25:40 pm

Bob,

Thanks for sharing! I agree the coach in Raleigh is a really nice unit and I have talked with the very nice owners. We would prefer that coach with aqua hot and washer/dryer.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #4 – August 19, 2015, 03:37:15 pm

Washer/dryer can be added added after the purchase - Aqua Hot not so much. Buy the coach you want the first time (if feasible). It can be a lot cheaper than trading up several times before you reach your goal. Several members on this Forum could probably attest to that fact.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #5 – August 19, 2015, 04:18:37 pm

Another thing to think about...you may have already considered this point. Looks like you have at least 2 active kids. Depending on your planned usage, the "storage space factor" may or may not be important. A double-slide 36' coach is already somewhat limited in "overhead storage" compartments. Having a washer/dryer will take up 1/2 of one closet. Having Aqua Hot will cut your "under coach" storage space almost in half. Think about how you will use the coach, and if you will be able to get along carrying less "stuff". This decision is not as critical in a 40' coach, or one without slides.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #6 – August 19, 2015, 04:40:28 pm

I've got a long time friend that lives in Hot Springs Village. He's owned SOB's for a lot of years, but not FT's. Let me know if you'd like me to ask him to check it out.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #7 – August 19, 2015, 04:54:11 pm

Tom,

We aren't too far from Raleigh and I'm an NRVIA (NRVIA) inspector. I don't know that I can get up there to look at the coach, but the RV Inspection Connection people are good: RV Inspection Connection | Professional RV Inspections All Across America!. They go through all the NRVIA training and then some. The only advantage I would have is being a Foretravel owner — and you are already getting great feedback from The Forum (one of the reasons we bought a Foretravel).

Let us know if we can help. There is also a very nice 40', with AquaHot, etc., for sale by Bob in CT, if you don't mind dropping back a couple of model years?

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #8 – August 19, 2015, 05:21:25 pm

The listing says 450 Cummins. 2002 U295 had the ISL 400 and the 3000 series transmission.

Roger

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #9 – August 19, 2015, 07:03:30 pm

Tom,
I agree with Chuck. Determine what you "have to" have, and what you can do without, or can change later. We held off for the 320 because of the bigger engine, tranny and aquahot. Love the aquahot. Kinda glad the deals didn't work out for a couple of 295's we looked at.
I thought we HAD to have a 40' rig to comfortably full time in. We got a nonslide 36'. Haven't been able to fill all the storage area's yet. Been in it for 6 weeks. With kids, I would probably hold out for a 40 footer. Just my opinion, YMMV.

Larry

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #10 – August 19, 2015, 09:00:27 pm

I checked with my friend. Unfortunately he is traveling until October. He did comment that the dealer has a reputation for honesty and only handles consignment coaches.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #11 – August 19, 2015, 09:09:32 pm

Looks like the one I purchased last March. The engine is the 400 hp ISL engine with Allison 3000 transmission By the pictures I would guess it has AquaHot heating (mine does) I don"t have the bedroom fan, and has few more miles. The price seems a little high, I didn't pay nearly that much

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #12 – August 21, 2015, 01:11:51 pm

Thank you all for the valuable input. Greatly appreciate the help! Yes, I believe the under deck storage will be more valuable to us than the Aquahot system, but my wife does want the W/D combo added.

We want to stay at the 36' length maximum for both storing the coach and access to State and National Parks...

My crazy idea to provide additional sleeping capacity for my boys (or myself) is to cut a hole in coach roof up front where the interior accent trim is located for an opening to access a tent contraption similar to this BunduTop:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOII0tGG9VA&feature=player_embedded

Still have some Engineering to do on this subject but hopeful it may work for us.

The Carfax report on this unit says it was in Wisconsin most of it's life, if anyone knows anything more about the coach? The current owner is having the engine dyno'd for us today and taking an oil sample for investigation.

Thank you all again for your help!

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #13 – August 21, 2015, 01:26:22 pm

might affect resale. hate the idea of a hole in the roof. liked the pull down bunk idea up front

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #14 – August 21, 2015, 02:06:53 pm

Cutting a hole in the roof is a bad idea in my opinion. Roof forms part of structure of coach that's why there are no frame rails. Possibility for leaks and body distortion is very high in my opinion. Will also affect windshields if rigidity of front cap is compromised.
Gary B

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #15 – August 21, 2015, 03:34:14 pm

I agree with the concerns of cutting the roof and with modification that are untested, but I was thinking that an (18x18) opening in the roof would be no more consequential than the A/C openings or skylight opening above shower?

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #16 – August 21, 2015, 04:16:30 pm

Do not cut any holes in the roof. Agree BAD Idea.

I have the 02// 295// 40 and very happy// no aqua hot and no cost related to same. No washer/dryer but lots of storage. Had washer /dryer in previous coach and do not miss but I am out only 3 weeks at a time. If I need clothes washed I use the park units. Expensive but usuable. For extra sleeping I use a low profile cot and air mattress.
Could do two but so far only needed one. Before you purchase get the serial nr. and build nr. and call Foretravel to see if they repaired the end caps under warranty. If not check these areas carefully. This would be the area above the drivers seat on the roof. Look for a crack about 1 to 11/2 ft from front of coach. Could be on each side. In the back look in same area both sides. 02 was a year where FOT changed the end cap attachment. Very expensive to repair correctly. DAN

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #17 – August 21, 2015, 04:20:23 pm

I agree with Gary and Tim do not compromise the roof the pull down bunk sounds like a good idea. My coach originally came with a love seat which turned into a bed, I replaced it with a table and cabinet but I'm sure Dave at Foretravel still has it in his "Boneyard".

Tony

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #18 – August 21, 2015, 04:25:26 pm

Quote from: t_a_landon – August 21, 2015, 03:34:14 pm

I agree with the concerns of cutting the roof and with modification that are untested, but I was thinking that an (18x18) opening in the roof would be no more consequential than the A/C openings or skylight opening above shower?

If you ever get a chance to look at the roof framing, you will see that the openings for A/C and (I think also) skylight are explicitly framed in/reinforced openings, not "cut outs".

ETA you can kind of see them in the specialty vehicle shell diagram Foretravel Motorcoach - Speciality Vehicles

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #19 – August 21, 2015, 05:58:53 pm

I agree the factory openings are framed in advance and if done properly, I believe the new opening could be reinforced similar to original cross supports. Opening the roof, sealing the opening, and securing/sealing the tent contraption all pose a concern.

If only the rear A/C unit was not next to shower skylight, I could remove the dome of the skylight and have a secret tent access through the shower skylight opening and not need to open the roof... Dreaming, Yes.

Sounds like if I expect to get any resale opportunities I should rethink the hole in the roof.

Current owner just had a dyno test completed and it came back with 300HP to the rear wheels, oil pressure to 56 psi at full load, and ran at 183 degrees at full load. Not sure what it means by there was no blow by for 360 seconds. Sounds reasonable to me.

Thank you all again for the help and discussion. Head to Little Rock on Monday to check her out. Still trying to find help with a professional inspection.

Re: 2002 U295 In Arkansas

Reply #20 – August 21, 2015, 06:27:35 pm

FWIW,
I am not keen on the roof surgery either. I would first consider converting the closets into flip down bunks for the boys. Others have done this and it seems to work for them. Best of travels

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