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Topic: Your thoughts on a price? (Read 1019 times) previous topic - next topic

Your thoughts on a price?

Hi All,

Well, I'm thinking we're coming to the end of our coaching time. It's very sad for me but due to the time we use the ol' girl, it's just not seeing much road time. Our last trip to Florida this past Christmas was the best trip yet. There was the little blip with the little blue water bladder gizmo, but no biggie.  So, since we've owned the coach it's spent it's time in a 54' pole barn that was built specifically for the coach. Many of you who know of us know that there have been a lot of improvements made....some were a lot of elbow grease and some were several dollars. I can give a list and I'm sure over time it can grow simply from forgotten things but I'm curious of what I might expect to list and sell it for?
We've upgraded both tv's, a couple newer batteries, brand new Bridgestone tires all the way around a couple years ago Just over $3000. All appliances work as they should, new upholstery a couple years back, 2 brand new captains chairs up front, new flooring a couple years ago, only had Cat extended life with distilled water in it since I've owned it and that was after proper flush of system. A year or so ago I put $3500 just in Merritor Rockwell brake parts and replaced a back rear slack adjuster, disc, calipers, brakes, slide pins and what ever else made up that whole side of the axle / brake system...seals, air can etc. Some of you may also remember that I cleaned the bajeebers out of the exterior and applied 3 or so coats of Poliglow. This past season I also redid the same to the roof and it's amazing. I've insulated the inside of the engine compartment, always done regular oil and maintenance, new glow plugs on the gen last year,  new belst and hoses a couple years back, awnings are great, glass all good, .....it's just pretty darn amazing and has had a lot of babying and attention. We've loved it and will definitely miss her, but only taking it out 2-3 times a year and mostly local...we just feel that someone else may be traveling and enjoying it. Gosh, it handles great...of course! It's a Foretravel :)
There's more but I can't think right now.....Like I said, I'm wanting some advice about it's value. I'm not giving it away but want to be reasonable. I've put new shocks on the bay doors a few years ago and have taken really great care of it. Both heaters work, both a'c work, EVERYTHING works. New bedding and some tweaks here and there.

Open to ideal of prices and perhaps places to list it once I've gotten out and washed her and polished the wheels.

3208 T, Allison, U280 1991 and no surprises.

Thanks in advance 
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #1 –
I heard there is a guy named Carl Sandel that is (re)considering owning a great coach just like you describe.
Just get into it and turn the key on and go somewhere, anywhere.

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #2 –
LOL!!! I know I know.. I just hate seeing it set. My work is seasonal and as luck would have it I work all Spring, Summer and Fall and am off most winters. Unfortunately as I'm getting older I'm having to have surgeries in the winters and to recover. Oh I wish it weren't so. I SO desire sunshine as I'm getting older. Never thought it would happen to me and I will miss it so badly. It's just not fair to keep it in a garage most months of the year.
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Carl Sandel –
LOL!!! I know I know.. I just hate seeing it set.  Never thought it would happen to me and I will miss it so badly. It's just not fair to keep it in a garage most months of the year.

Now Carl, I assume you've thought long and hard about this change-of-life decision and I respect you for it. "Nothing Lasts", as the saying goes. I researched FTs for a year before we found ours. The pricing went from the lower twenties to the mid thirties, depending on the service/upgrades the coach had. You seem to me a "mid thirties" kind of guy, which is what we paid for Brett Wolfe's ex-coach. The only question I would have would be, "does the coach have the "Torsilastic"  suspension and does it have a rear or side-mounted radiator".?  Good luck, keep us updated.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #4 –
If the torsilastic suspension is the Foretravel made suspension...that is what I have with the huge basement bays...not the short ones and I have the rear radiator. It is one solid rig. Another thing I did last year was removed the bottom fiberglass 3- 8D battery box and completely rebuilt it with fiberglass and painted it. Thinking about it now, I also cleaned the insides of the bay doors last year, taped them off and painted the insides with a fresh clean coat. It's not perfect, but loved and well taken care of. I have thought long and hard about it. I know if I sell it I won't be able to get back into another one for a very long time. That hurts a bit but I think it's the right decision. Sad thing is...the barn was built for the coach & I just put a dump station in.
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #5 –
A U280 is an air bag suspended coach - which is why you have the big bays. 90/91 U280s were avail with the Cat 3208 which most owners loved.
U240 is a torsilastic suspension with small bays.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #6 –
there ya go, thanks Dave.....and yes I DO love it. Not as much power as would be liked...BUT, I can honestly say I get in the 9-10mpg range everywhere we go. So, that's not bad
 Thanks for the help on that one :)
Carl Sandel
1991 36' U280
Northern Michigan

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #7 –
Bummer...I hate to see another FT leave MI....As a still working Foretraveler I too sometimes feel guilty seeing her sit, but its so great once your out and about I soon forget about that  ^.^d ....Best of luck to you!
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #8 –
Oh yeah as for your price as mentioned here with everything you have done (BTW makes me have to add more to my list lo) I'd be in the 30's asking range for sure...
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #9 –
A U280 is the air bag suspended suspended coach. That's how you have the big bays...
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Your thoughts on a price?

Reply #10 –
I looked at FTs for a year before we bought ours. I knew I wanted a GV, ('93/95) the prices for the 36/40 footers were from the low twenties to the upper thirties. With great paperwork, we bought our coach in the early thirties last year. No regrets.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'