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Topic: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please. (Read 1190 times) previous topic - next topic

Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

I am looking at a 1993 U240 with a CAT3116ATAAC 250 HP, with an Allison transmission.

Although I have owned two later model FT's, I have no experience with this vintage.  Can any of you experienced owners offer advice?

What was the lineup for this year?    Are there any common problems with the coach or the drive train?

All information is very much appreciated.

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #1 –
VERY familiar with that model.  Sold our 1993 U240 with 170,00 miles on it.

Drive train pretty bomb proof.  Of course it had to have received reasonable "care and feeding" during its long life.

Only unique issue is the suspension-- Torsilastic. Absolutely measure ride height.  The OE rear springs were marginal at best.  Many of them (15k springs) have been replaced with 19k springs.  If so, ride height will not be a problem.    If you need the "how to" let us know.

As with all Unihomes/Unicoaches, you need to check the bulkheads.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the information.

Did this year have a frame under?  Any bulkhead issues?

What sort of fuel mileage did you get?

If it has the lighter springs, where would I get the heavier ones installed?

Thanks again.

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
VERY familiar with that model.  Sold our 1993 U240 with 170,00 miles on it.

Which we now have! A sweetheart coach, but as in all these old dears, attention should be paid to previous service. There is a lot of stuff easily missed that could come back to haunt you. I know those things, now, not Brett's fault, the PO that bought ours from Brett was more concerned with "cutsey" stuff. I am now facing some serious (to me) CB outlays because I did not ask the right questions. The suspension is a great idea and with KONI shocks, rides great!
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: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Gabevest –
Thanks for the information.

Did this year have a frame under?  Any bulkhead issues?

What sort of fuel mileage did you get?

If it has the lighter springs, where would I get the heavier ones installed?

Thanks again.

No frame, it is a Unibody.  So, indeed, it does have bulkheads-- one of the stickies in Tech

New springs are not available, except from a company in Mexico.  I know nothing about them.  If below ride height and out of ride height adjustment shims, and a custom "air over torsilastic" would be what I would pursue.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #6 –
Alcan springs in Grand Junction Colorado can make up springs to your specifications. Visit their website or give them a call. Worth the time it you need springs.ihav I dealt with them great company good product priced reasonably.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
Alcan springs in Grand Junction Colorado can make up springs to your specifications. Visit their website or give them a call. Worth the time it you need springs.ihav I dealt with them great company good product priced reasonably.

Roland

Roland,

Just to be clear, they can make TORSILASTIC SPRINGS???

They were only made by the Aerospace Division of B.F. Goodrich.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #8 –
I believe the Eagle bus company in Tennessee is still installing torsilastic springs to they must be available somewhere.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: lgshoup –
I believe the Eagle bus company in Tennessee is still installing torsilastic springs to they must be available somewhere.
The Eagle Buses use a completely different spring. 

BUT, checking with them for their source is an excellent idea.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #10 –
Will these work?

Foretravel suspension on Ebay
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Roland,

Just to be clear, they can make TORSILASTIC SPRINGS???

They were only made by the Aerospace Division of B.F. Goodrich.
Guess I have no idea what torsilastic spring is....... Should not have commented. Alcan makes steel suspension springs.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #12 –
Quote from: prfleming –
Will these work?

Foretravel suspension on Ebay

Those are the ones made in Mexico that I mentioned in my first post.  No idea of the quality.  A suspension engineer who toured their facility several years ago said they were using old tires for the rubber.  Their process is not known to me, nor was the formulation of the original ones by B.F. Goodrich.

I vaguely remember a Foretravel owner installing a pair of the rear springs.  Might be worth a post/search to see if you can locate him and ask him to measure his ride height and number of shims to see how they are holding up.

Looks like he copied and pasted my ride height measurement-- they are correct.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Those are the ones made in Mexico that I mentioned in my first post.  No idea of the quality.  A suspension engineer who toured their facility several years ago said they were using old tires for the rubber.  Their process is not known to me, nor was the formulation of the original ones by B.F. Goodrich.
Brett,

Due to numerous random posts, I've been aware of this suspension since joining the Forum, but never paid any attention to it.  The writeup in the eBay ad implies that the rubber part of the "spring" is only there for vibration and noise damping, and that the steel torsion bar does all the work.  Is this "fact", in your opinion, accurate?  If so, doesn't seem like the source or composition of the rubber would be all that critical.  Thoughts?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #14 –
Chuck,

As I mentioned above, I have no knowledge about the construction inside the beam. VERY familiar with the beam's use, ride height adjustment, etc.

Many years ago, I met in person with the engineers at B.F. Goodrich Aerospace Division in Jacksonville FL, as the 15k rear torsilastic springs were basically loaded to max.  Got their recommendation for replacements (19k springs) and loaded two in the basement.  Foretravel installed them.  And to my knowledge, all future springs for the U240 ordered by Foretravel were the stronger springs.

We just never got into "how do you build it or what is the difference between a 15k and 19k spring."
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #15 –
[quote author=wolfe10 link=msg=240225 date=1469453183  the 15k rear torsilastic springs were basically loaded to max.  Got their recommendation for replacements (19k springs) and loaded two in the basement.  Foretravel installed them.  And to my knowledge, all future springs for the U240 ordered by Foretravel were the stronger springs.[/quote]

I've read my torsilastic paperwork on Brett's Coach, he spent a lot of time (& $$) on getting her where she still is.  ^.^d  I would wonder, for others, is there a way to I.D. whether a coach has the 19k springs?
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: Looking at 1993 U240, need a little help, please.

Reply #16 –
If replacement springs were purchased/installed by Foretravel, their Parts Manager, Mike Grimes may be able to tell you whether they are 15 or 19k (newer PN) ones.  At least worth a call.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020