just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

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just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

March 16, 2016, 10:32:40 pm

after looking all over we found this 95 U320SE at orangewood rv in az. It didn't even have pics posted when i called them about it. they said they were debating whether to wholesale or retail it. salesman said it had a 5 speed allison and a 8.3 cummins.LOL. i'm flying to az on fri. with the intention of completing the paperwork and driving it back to mn. 1800 miles should be a good shakedown run. thank s to all the members on the forum for the great resource. it was invaluble when i was doing my research.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #1 – March 17, 2016, 08:35:19 am

Please, please, as you would with any 21 year old coach, check it over very carefully before making any final decision.

It could be a cream puff or it could have been totally neglected. Very hard to tell from photos.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #2 – March 17, 2016, 08:48:02 am

X2 what Brett said! Keep us posted as your Adventure unfolds and send pictures, please. Hope you enjoy it!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #3 – March 17, 2016, 08:56:08 am

Quote from: farmerstu – March 16, 2016, 10:32:40 pm

after looking all over we found this 95 U320SE at orangewood rv in az. It didn't even have pics posted when i called them about it. they said they were debating whether to wholesale or retail it. salesman said it had a 5 speed allison and a 8.3 cummins.LOL. i'm flying to az on fri. with the intention of completing the paperwork and driving it back to mn. 1800 miles should be a good shakedown run. thank s to all the members on the forum for the great resource. it was invaluble when i was doing my research.

Our 1995 U320SE is a fine coach and we have been extremely happy with it, but that's mainly because the previous owners maintained it quite well and kept excellent records. Please be very careful when checking this one, especially because the information the salesman gave you was incorrect. A 1995 U320SE would have the M11 engine and the 6-speed Allison. If such basic information is incorrect, what other issues might there be?

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #4 – March 17, 2016, 09:24:02 am

Hard to understand how one could even form a opinion on this coach, based on the lack of information at the dealer web page. I'm not saying there is anything wrong...just agreeing with the others that caution is advised. We might have some members in that area who could drop by and take a look...?

1995 Foretravel Unicoach 320 Class A Diesel Surprise, AZ Orangewood RV...

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #5 – March 17, 2016, 09:48:13 am

This may not hold true in this case but I remember what P.T. Barnum was famous for saying: "There is a sucker born every minute."
Be extremely cautious!! Get someone like Brett Wolfe to check the coach over. You lose any bargaining power you have once you trade your money for the coach.
A breakdown on the road somewhere is not the way to find out the coach was misrepresented as to condition. It can even be downright dangerous! AND, we here on the Foreforum do value ALL our members, both prospective, new, and old.
Many here have been in similar circumstances when it came to purchasing their coach so they know what they are talking about. Please, PLEASE listen to their advice!!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #6 – March 17, 2016, 09:54:54 am

BIG FYI WE just looked at that coach two days ago,and it is really ruff. It need all air bags tires windshields front tv,, bulk heads 1/4 inch gap it has 151,000 miles.call me at 406 852 3776 .

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #7 – March 17, 2016, 09:59:47 am

Bulkheads. Please have the RV inspected if you haven't already done so

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #8 – March 17, 2016, 11:08:39 am

Quote from: Andy 2 – March 17, 2016, 09:54:54 am

BIG FYI WE just looked at that coach two days ago,and it is really ruff. It need all air bags tires windshields front tv,, bulk heads 1/4 inch gap it has 151,000 miles.call me at 406 852 3776 .

There are several things to be concerned about on that coach, but the mileage isn't necessarily one of them. A roughly 20-year old coach with 150,000 miles on it has been used, but that's certainly better than just sitting around for its entire life. Vehicles age much better when they are properly used and maintained. I figure our U320 with around 160,000 miles should easily have over 500,000 miles left in it. I wish I had that many left in me!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #9 – March 17, 2016, 11:46:21 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – March 17, 2016, 08:35:19 am

Please, please, as you would with any 21 year old coach, check it over very carefully before making any final decision.

It could be a cream puff or it could have been totally neglected. Very hard to tell from photos.

Boy howdy, I sure agree with Brett! We bought our coach last year sight unseen, but the PO had sent us a load of pics, PLUS a detailed list of all the work/upgrades, etc. Orangewood has worked on our coach, and seems to have a good rep from the PO. Since we don't know the price or shape it's in, I'd be VERY carefull. Let us know what happens. M

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #10 – March 17, 2016, 11:57:36 am

That 1/4 inch gap is scarey.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #11 – March 17, 2016, 01:52:19 pm

They are asking 29,500 I don't think they know what they have. The coach is a project and until those mechanical items are addressed I would not drive it 1800 miles.the inside is ok but needs work as a coach that vintage would has not been looked after.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #12 – March 18, 2016, 10:48:44 pm

I just learned something..
I did not know anything other than an M11 was used in the 95 SE 320. pc

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #13 – March 21, 2016, 10:07:00 pm

thanks for all your very valid concerns. a friend and i flew into mesa and rented a car on sat, drove to suprise and looked at the coach. a quick look found these cons.
bad rear bulkhead seperation
both windshields cracked.
right rear tires old but not cracked
air bags look to be original
no aquahot
no dash air
stickers and not full body paint.
some rough bay doors and a couple of missing latches

these pros.
m11 ran good
genset ran good
interior is basicly in good shape

told them it needed a lot of major work. offered 19,500
they balked and asked if i could do a little better, i told them i wasn't sure i even wanted them to take my 19,500 offer.
long story short ,they took my offer and 2 hours after we drove on the lot we were driving off with it.
fueled up across the street and hit the road about 6 pm on sat pm.
40 miles up the road we turned on the lights and the voltmeter dropped to 11. we stopped at a home depot and bought 300.00 worth of tools ,including a DVM and checked the voltage at the battery 13 with highbeams on at idle. so great. we had a bit to eat(our first since 11 a.m.) and took a nap in the parking lot. woke up at 3 am and hit the road .1834 miles later and 36 hours later we were home. absolutely trouble free. ran 75 and 80 most of the time. 7.6 MPG one stop in Valentine neb for a couple hours sleep,rest stops and a couple of meals otherwise nonstop. did i mention it went great,drove like a dream and power to spare.
i feel a LOT better about it now then when i drove off the lot.
first item is rebuild the rear bulkhead. let the rebuild,cleanup and farkeling begin!!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #14 – March 21, 2016, 10:33:52 pm

Congradulations!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #15 – March 21, 2016, 10:57:17 pm

Congrats on the purchase...great deal. Sounds like you drove her home the way you bought it !!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #16 – March 21, 2016, 11:03:50 pm

Congratulations! Nothing wrong with getting a coach that needs a little work FOR A STEAL!

Your "First Road Trip" will make a great story for the campfire. Whip it into shape, and go to Q next year - You'll enjoy it.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #17 – March 21, 2016, 11:59:18 pm

Well am sure glad you got her home safe and sound. It really is a nice coach we.only got to look at it stuffed back in the corner couldn't even open the bay doors. Good luck on your coach and enjoy.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #18 – March 22, 2016, 12:51:43 am

forget the farkles IMO.

I have a fairly good handle of what these require and your investment will easily double. Or double and a half.

Which it seems you are aware of.

The bones are that good it's worth in IMO.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #19 – March 22, 2016, 08:10:36 am

Congratulations! It sounds as if you entered into this with your eyes wide open, and are fully prepared and equipped to deal with whatever might be ahead. Please stay in touch here to learn from others' experiences and to share your own. While you may have some nasty surprises ahead, we hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new "baby"!

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #20 – March 22, 2016, 10:18:47 am

Congratulations. It sounds like you got a good deal. And welcome.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #21 – March 22, 2016, 12:01:57 pm

can someone tell me where to find the build number?
some good news since i last posted. the level system works great, the fridge works. and my wife says the ceilings and woodwork will clean up great.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #22 – March 22, 2016, 12:12:47 pm

Congratulations on your purchase and your trip home. I'm sure you will makes lots of good memories in your new to you coach.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Jerry

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #23 – March 27, 2016, 06:04:49 pm

started some of the major work this weekend. went after the rear bulkhead separation. before i start on how it went let me say that i found this forum a wealth of information and WRONG INFORMATION. seriously some people should not be allowed to work on their own stuff!
i started by making some safety props for the suspension. 3 in dia. thickwall pipe. front, 11 inches front and rear set by each airbag, rear 12 inch and 6 1/4. the longer one by the bag in front of the wheel and the short one onboard from the bag.behind the wheel. used 8 total.
we cut a 6 inch strip off the belly pan in the rear and cut out the foam. every bolt was broken.(talk about a stupid way to fasten the bulkhead, some engineer had his HUHA. ) i welded a nut on the broken bolt on the inside and turned them out. a lot of work, had to do some of them 2 or 3 times but got them all out. wire brushed the steel and it is in good shape. i am going to use the existing holes to avoid weakening the steel by drilling new holes. going to put a piece of 3/8 x1 1/2 flat stock between each section of the basement framing. i will drill thru the existing holes from the front side with a 5/16 bit using it to mark the new flat stock. i'll drill the flat stock on a drill press. then install the new grade 8 bolts from the inside and weld the bolt heads to the flat stock to prevent them from turning if they ever need to be tightened .
i am 100% sure that when people talk of spreading the bulkhead 4 inches or more to clean they are misunderstanding . i am sure what is meant is remove 4 or more inches of bellypan to access the steel to clean it.
monday i will order 8 new airbags. also going put on 6 new tires, going to use 295/75/22.5 way less money and within spec for oversize.(1/10 higher and wider) also i can gain a few hundred pounds load capacity.
got a good look under the coach and it looks very good , just an extreme lack of maintenance and some Rube Goldberg fixes that i'm addressing.

Re: just faxed a purchase agreement on a 95 U320SE

Reply #24 – March 27, 2016, 06:43:50 pm

The sad thing is that is how FT fixes it. They spread it out and you run the risk of delaminating the side walls.

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