Off to Canada

Topic: Off to Canada (Read 1462 times) previous topic - next topic

Off to Canada

October 02, 2015, 03:57:43 pm

Were off to Canada to look at Mr. Hawkes 1998 U320 36' on Saturday morning.

Just like to thank the group for the lessons given. And hope I have learned enough to stand me & the wife in good stead while checking out this coach.

I'll give a full report and photos upon our return on Monday afternoon.

Wish me luck.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #1 – October 02, 2015, 05:01:30 pm

Good Luck Bigdog,
Enjoy the process, these are the good times!! Maybe, you'll be joining the U320 36' club..
Have fun, Dave A

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #2 – October 02, 2015, 11:26:06 pm

Quality coach when built. Hard to kill.

EVERYTHING is fixable. Small application of your cash.

Most owners are unaware of the true nature of the work needed to make it new.p

I purchased our 97 knowing it needed a lot of care and feeding.

Then drive the $ out of it in miles.

It's the last coach first syndrome.

If you like the floorplan and it runs and reasonable and you do not cry if it costs money to restore it it has the right bones.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #3 – October 03, 2015, 01:08:58 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 02, 2015, 03:57:43 pm

Were off to Canada to look at Mr. Hawkes 1998 U320 36' on Saturday morning. Wish me luck.

You got it! Happy trails, M

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #4 – October 05, 2015, 12:02:15 am

Got over to Mr. Hawkes home in Canada at 10:30 Sunday morning after first meeting up with Wayne at his place. Mrs. Hawkes greeted us, and what a charming lady she is. She's a keeper Reg. Reg is a very nice gentleman as well and loves to laugh. And I also must say that the view of the inside passage from the deck of their home is just spectacular.

We spent about 4 hours going over everything with Wayne and going for a nice test ride. This is definitely a very nice coach. My wife, who has never been in a FT (but has seen other coaches) made the comment that it just looks better built & is much more homey than the others. She said it was nicer than the 1999 Monaco signature 45 that we looked at prior. She nor I are a fan of the overly blinged out mirrored ceiling treatments and miles of disco light ropes that it had.

There is one huge glaring negative though. And that is the fact that this coach is even for sale. Which sadly is because of the far to often heard "selling due to health" Which is just terrible. It makes one feel guilty for even looking at it.

I will tell everyone what our decision was after talking to Reg on Monday morning.

PS. Struck what is gold for me and my worries of being shot at the border, a signed original letter by a FT official on FT letterhead stating that this coach does meet EPA regulations. YooHoo!!!

Wayne nor I could find a metal tag on the cylinder head (which is where Cummins says it should be) No matter though.

The coach has maintenance records going back to 1999. Very nice.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #5 – October 05, 2015, 07:33:27 am

Quote from: bigdog – October 05, 2015, 12:02:15 am

The coach has maintenance records going back to 1999. Very nice.

Priceless!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #6 – October 05, 2015, 11:33:49 am

Quote from: Michelle – October 05, 2015, 07:33:27 am

Priceless!

What she said!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #7 – October 05, 2015, 02:04:52 pm

Do not feel bad for the person who is too ill to no longer own the RV. Rather, tell that person you understand the problem and promise him you will take care of his pride and joy in the same tradition he took care of it. I am sure this will bring great joy to the person selling the rig for health reasons knowing it is going to a good home and will be taken care of. Good luck with your wonderful purchase.
Bob

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #8 – October 05, 2015, 02:25:10 pm

We found that our seller seemed as interested in us as we were in his coach. i know he wanted it to go to someone he felt appreciated it and someone who would care for it. Respect is a big part of this transaction.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #9 – October 05, 2015, 03:44:51 pm

We experienced the same thing with the widow of the previous owner. She told us many a story as we were looking at "Her" coach. After she told us how much she wanted for "Her" coach we had to admit that it was out of our budget. She hesitated for a few seconds and came back with a lower number - I said sold. It was still over our budget but we bought her anyway and are glad we did. Even with the amount of $$$ that we have spent getting our Ol' Girl close to where we want her, we are still ahead of market value. She was happy, we are happy and I think our Ol' Girl is happy. When we sell her some one else will be happy too.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #10 – October 06, 2015, 03:03:00 am

Well, We came to a decision. We are now the new owners of Reg's coach (5314) Still need to hand over money and sign papers.

It was rather amusing crossing the border at Blaine today. The border guard asked what had been doing in Canada. I told him we had bought a motorhome, He looked towards the back of our Mercedes and said. You lost in somewhere.

Good one!

Seems the most pressing issue is simply to do a fluid change, Service the AH, And replace the monitor. (works fine on rear view, but flickers terribly on all other modes) Looks like a plug and play swap to an LCD is in order, Spring for some LED lighting.

Big thanks once again to Wayne for showing us the coach & for being such a pal to Reg. Now to name the coach.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #11 – October 06, 2015, 06:12:11 am

Congratulations Bigdog!! Enjoy..

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #12 – October 06, 2015, 06:58:25 am

Congratulations!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #13 – October 06, 2015, 02:50:17 pm

Congratulations BigDog!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #14 – October 06, 2015, 03:44:40 pm

Congratulations! We just got our 1997 36' U320 in May. Life is good.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #15 – October 06, 2015, 05:15:51 pm

And here is a link to a few better pictures of the new coach

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #16 – October 06, 2015, 05:21:43 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 06, 2015, 05:15:51 pm

And here is a link to a few better pictures of the new coach

Wow - beautiful and pristine!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #17 – October 06, 2015, 05:35:00 pm

Pics are well- composed, lighting is perfect. By the way, very cool coach!

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #18 – October 06, 2015, 05:37:32 pm

Its a beauty. Boy are you going to have fun. Welcome to the community.

Roger

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #19 – October 06, 2015, 06:31:04 pm

That coach looks to be just right. Glad it worked out for you.
jor

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #20 – October 07, 2015, 12:36:23 pm

Nice Coach

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #21 – October 07, 2015, 05:40:23 pm

Big Dog,
Congratulations, that looks like a nice one.
Do I understand that it is on Vancouver Island?? If so, avoid the overpriced Canadian ferrys and go from Sidney to Anacortes on the Washington State ferry. About half the price, and no Vancouver traffic.
Brian.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #22 – October 07, 2015, 10:14:00 pm

Quote from: speedbird1 – October 07, 2015, 05:40:23 pm

Big Dog,
Congratulations, that looks like a nice one.
Do I understand that it is on Vancouver Island?? If so, avoid the overpriced Canadian ferrys and go from Sidney to Anacortes on the Washington State ferry. About half the price, and no Vancouver traffic.
Brian.

I'll check as to what facilities the Anacortes customs station has as per importing a vehicle at that location.

You might be surprised that after going to the WA. State ferries site and the BC ferries sites. The "normal" cost of either is $1 usd apart at 147.95 usd Wa ferries/ 146 usd BC ferries, But if I make the BC early Sunday discount crossing (first two sailings on Sunday morning) the cost goes down to $98 usd.

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #23 – October 07, 2015, 10:41:14 pm

Really nice looking coach, Bigdog. I did look at the coach In. T town today. It appears to be mechanically sound. Needs a lot of cleaning , I think has been setting awhile inside garage.
The major concerns of bulk heads look all good. Probably needs all fluids changed. From what I gather talking to owners friend and son-in-law the owner took really good care of the coach when it was being used. I think the owner was a staff, tour director, for Foretravel some years back , and also a Motorcade mechanic. His coach does have by motorcade number ( Staff) there was some discussion about the color of the seats and interior colors. The seats are Mauve color ,carpet is wine color , wood floor in kitchen ,dining area.
The coach is a 1994 U300 with the DD 6V92 engine with Allison trans, with retarder according to friend. If someone is looking for a coach like this FWIW I think this is one to be looking at. There was no talk about selling price and I didn't drive the coach. I did not check brake pins or do a check list inspection. PM me if you are interested in this coach and I can put you in touch with friend of the owner, at this time I don't think owner is able to talk about coach
Regards,Irwin

Re: Off to Canada

Reply #24 – October 08, 2015, 09:52:50 am

Glad you looked at the fares between the BC ferry and the WAshington state one. We went over last year from Anacortes and back from Nanaimo to Vancouver and the difference was almost 50%!! Although if you go back on the BC ferry you can get the benefit of the growers smoking on the top deck as they take their product to the mainland!!!
Brian.

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