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Topic: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach (Read 1874 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #25 –
Again ... thanks to all for the input.  Based on further research, we have pretty much decided on FT or Country Coach. If CC, it would be the Affinity or Magna or if possible a Concept.  Looking at 1998-2002 vintage coaches in both brands.

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #26 –
I'm very New to the RVing Lifestyle, I'm looking into buying a 2000 GV 320

$70K + is a lot of $$$ for a 15 year old coach. Are the Grand Villas really built that well?

I assume 450hp is enough tow power for an Accord

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #27 –
Quote from: 27PAYBACK –
I assume 450hp is enough tow power for an Accord
Yes, it's enough.
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: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #28 –
Generally a well cared for FT with normal miles and gen hours is going to be a very solid coach.  $70k for a U320 GV with no slide is a fair price.  You have to look at the details.  Tires, air bags, fuel lines are all maint items that may be due.  An ISM11 450 will be fine.

Shop at Motorhomes of Texas and other places to get an idea of typical prices.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #29 –
27, the 2000 gv at FT has been there a long time and the price has come way down. I looked at that unit last Nov while at FT and saw a few stains/leak marks that to me suggested bad care taking of PO. I just looked at it again a few days ago on web site and figured if all main systems are good this coach was worth 70k. In Nov I did look at tires and bags etc but cannot remember what I thought about them so I figure they must have been ok or I would have had the negativity in my brain still.
If you like the mid door entry (which we do) maybe try a lower offer. It would be a good coach if no issues.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #30 –
Quote from: 27PAYBACK –
I'm very New to the RVing Lifestyle, I'm looking into buying a 2000 GV 320

$70K + is a lot of $$$ for a 15 year old coach. Are the Grand Villas really built that well?

I assume 450hp is enough tow power for an Accord
Go look at it. Touch it feel it. Sit in it. shut the doors open the doors etc. Then go to another RV dealer and look at New or Newer other brand coaches in that price range and even double that amount to say in the 140k range. Touch them. Feel Them,do all the same things and I think you will firsthand see the build quality of a Foretravel.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #31 –
I tow a full size four door 3/4 ton pickup behind my rig, slowest I been a 3 mile long 6% grade is 47 miles per hour in 4 gear so 450hp works for me. On the flats I don't even know it there. Good luck in your search.
2001 U320 40' IF$ Build #5798
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Toad
2015 GMC Duramax HD2500 Toad
2014 Polaris RZR 1000
Litchfield Park, AZ- Soon to be Paulden, AZ

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #32 –
Both a retarder and Jake Brake are good items to have on a coach. Large trucks
use the Jake Brakes. I have used both and wish I could find one for a Cat 3208T
but am not sure if they ever made one. The main problem is that so many towns
all over North America have a city ordinance making it illegal to use an engine
brake.

Carter Langford
Nac-

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #33 –
Brett, in Reply 14 you said:
"If transmission temperature rises, drop down a gear-- turns the water pump faster, more water flow through transmission heat exchanger."

I thought that the transmission heat exchanger had transmission fluid inside and was cooled by the airflow outside!
Does Foretravel use a radiator like on a GM P30 chassis, where antifreeze, transmission fluid, and engine oil, all flow through the radiator (as well as air for cooling)?
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #34 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –
Brett, in Reply 14 you said:
"If transmission temperature rises, drop down a gear-- turns the water pump faster, more water flow through transmission heat exchanger."

I thought that the transmission heat exchanger had transmission fluid inside and was cooled by the airflow outside!
Does Foretravel use a radiator like on a GM P30 chassis, where antifreeze, transmission fluid, and engine oil, all flow through the radiator (as well as air for cooling)?
Shell and tube type, looks like a cylinder, water on one side and transmission fluid on the other.  More water flow, more cooling, water then goes through radiator and engine.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: 2000 - 2003 vintage GV vs same vintage Unicoach

Reply #35 –
Yes, the transmission cooler is coolant to ATF, not air to ATF.
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