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Topic: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel (Read 1298 times) previous topic - next topic

Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Hello, I'm new to the forum. Been wanting to buy a fortravel for years. Wife, kids, & I are looking to leave for a long trip around the country next year. So we're looking at getting our first foretravel and doing a little bit of reno's this year.

Anyways, I've found a 1992 3000 GVF SB. Owner says it's a front engine diesel. Cumming turbo 5.9. 4-speed Allison trans. 116k miles. In great mechanical condition. 

I'm just curious how these drive? Can I tow a small car with it? Can it handle mountains? MPG? Maintenance requirements? Stuff like that.

I've heard the gas ones should be avoided. Bad mileage. Not enough power. 100k life span. Etc.

I've heard that diesel pusher are the way to go... But I've not heard anything about the diesel puller.

Thanks for your thoughts and experiences up front!
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #1 –
Too noisy go with pusher and u will be pleased.
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #2 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
Hello, I'm new to the forum. Been wanting to buy a fortravel for years. Wife, kids, & I are looking to leave for a long trip around the country next year. So we're looking at getting our first foretravel and doing a little bit of reno's this year.

Anyways, I've found a 1992 3000 GVF SB. Owner says it's a front engine diesel. Cumming turbo 5.9. 4-speed Allison trans. 116k miles. In great mechanical condition. 

I've heard that diesel pusher are the way to go... But I've not heard anything about the diesel puller.

We drove a front-engine gasoline motorhome for several years, and it was noisy enough that I would not want a front-engine diesel. I also think it would be better to have a somewhat-larger engine than the Cummins 5.9. Finally, I think a 30-ft motorhome is somewhat small for extended traveling with the family.

I think you will be happier if you wait for a diesel-pusher Foretravel. There are several good ones out there--perhaps one just waiting for you!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #3 –
I have to agree on that one.  Wait and look for a larger pusher and you will be much happier.

I have just visited with a lovely couple living in a 36ft?? and it was rather cramped just for two.  Bigger the better.

Keep watching this site and you may find what you need and lots of advice on what to look for.  But a Foretravel will give you years of pleasure once you find the right one.

Speedbird 1
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #4 –
Cannot agree more about the noise.  My brother in-law has a SOB front diesel and it is far noisier than my old gas SOB.  Know nothing about this coach but it would be worth looking at.  David

For Sale / Wanted

David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #5 –
I have driven several front diesel Foretravel coaches and will say they are quieter by far than any SOB unit.
The first one I drove was a 1975 33' with an 1160 cat. It was noisy at idle and under throttle once up to speed it was fine,
The newer cummins powered units were a bit noisy at idle but overall well insulated and a pleasure to drive. I will say those older front diesel Foretravels are far quieter than a new Ford V-10 powered gas rig. Those coaches are just flat loud!
That 5.9 is easily updated and tuned plus you can easily install a gear splitter to allow more usable gears and increase performance. If the coach checks out I certainly would not be afraid of it. On a side note: Foretravel manufactured the very first diesel powered conventional class A forward control of course (1974)  and continued to offer forward control diesel units until 1992-93. So they must have done something right
James Holder
'83 3500 FTX ORED LIMITED

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #6 –
Quote from: jaholder76 –
On a side note: Foretravel manufactured the very first diesel powered conventional class A forward control of course (1974)  and continued to offer forward control diesel units until 1992-93. So they must have done something right
Interesting.  I would have guessed Blue Bird with it's FC coaches were the pioneers.  Good for Foretravel.

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #7 –
@everyone - wow - thanks for all of the quick and thoughtful replies. Apparently, this is a busy helpful place. :)

I honestly don't think the size will be an issue. I have a good friend of our that's full-timing with a 19ft Road travel with wife and two kids. I know that's crazy... but the RV is mostly just used for sleeping and while on the road from one place to another. My wife and kids and I are minimalist even at home. My entire life (outside of house furniture) fits in one 25 liter backpack. Our kids are the same. When we do extended plan traveling, each person in the family only takes one bag. We can travel indefinitely like that. Perhaps that makes us crazy. lol

I mostly just want enough beds to sleep the two kids and the two of us. And enough storage for a couple Brompton Bicycles and a few ORU Kayaks under the coach. :)

Oh... and what does SBO mean?

@jaholder76 - Interesting to hear an alternate opinion. I have a friend with the v-10 truck... that thing is a noisy beast. I can only imagine the coaches are the same. I'm really not worried about the road noise. Drove a big older diesel truck/fifth wheel combo with my dad growing up. That thing was loud too... but it never really ruined a trip or anything. Good to know about the gear splitter and the easy tuning. My brother is a diesel mechanic (I am not a mechanic... but i'm not afraid to get my hands dirty), so I'm sure we could get it all turned up and modernized.
Husband & Wife Team. 3 Kids. 8 yo boy, 4 yo girl, 19 mth girl. Mostly Finished Renovating 1986 Grand Villa 3300 GVF SBI for a multi year trip around the country with the kids.

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #8 –
I had two "front loaders" before this pusher. The noise difference is unbelievable.!  ^.^d
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: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #9 –
Quote from: bogeygolfer –
Interesting.  I would have guessed Blue Bird with it's FC coaches were the pioneers.  Good for Foretravel.

According to Wikipedia, Blue Bird used Ford gasoline engines until they began installing diesels in 1978.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #10 –
Quote from: AKATheAlchemist –
Oh... and what does SBO mean?


SOB is pretty widely used in the whole RV/motorhome industry to be SOME OTHER BRAND.
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: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #11 –
Do not remember a 5.9 FED.  And I sold them new.  But Foretravel could and did build many one of a kind units.

Normally I would use a roadmaster chassis from Illinois in a 33' fed and they installed a v8 Detroit diesel "fuel pincher".  205hp.

The v8 was shorter front to rear than an inline six.

Or someone removed the 460 ford? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Do not remember a 5.9 FED.
Specs page lists 5.9 as "optional" - perhaps they did not actually make very many?

1992 Front Engine Specifications
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: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Specs page lists 5.9 as "optional" - perhaps they did not actually make very many?

1992 Front Engine Specifications

Great info.  Was gone in 92 went back to Foretravel in 93. 

Only thing I would not like is the 542 Allison non locking torque converter trans.  Old hydro trans.

But obviously works ok
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #14 –
FWIW,
I would drive it and a pusher to see if it is something I liked/could tolerate.  The Cummins 5.9 is a good engine.  If you like the size and don't mind the sound.....well, it may work for you.  It then comes down to condition and cost.  A good one at a great price....the noise becomes less of an issue.  If it needs a lot of work and not really a great price, well...probably keep looking.  I do enjoy the pusher more than the front engine gasser engines that I had previously.  Best of travels. 
Best of Travels

Re: Considering Purchase of 30ft Front Engine Diesel

Reply #15 –
12 valve Cummins B issue: killer dowel pin.

Just google "Cummins B killer dowel pin"

PREVENTIVE FIX is not expensive from a parts standpoint, but lots of labor. Ya, if it fails, it can be catastrophic.
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