Looking at 1993 GV

Topic: Looking at 1993 GV (Read 1818 times) previous topic - next topic

Looking at 1993 GV

February 11, 2017, 02:40:18 pm

Seriously considering driving from Nashville, TN to St. Could, FL to see Charlie Anderson's 1993 GV, as posted in the Classified section. Please, I am not asking anyone to go check it out, just asking if anyone has already done so or knows the coach.

I have talked to Mr. Anderson, he will be giving me the Model # of the coach, which may help identify the particulars, but until then this is what I know:

1993 GV
8.3 CUMMINS
36 ft, side bath with passenger side round table
G9643733651310O22CE13
112K miles

Upgrades-maintenance
Residencial frige, 2 house batteries
New tires in october
New brakes all around
Fluide, belts, hoses

Charlie stated it does not have a U designation, which I interpret to mean that it is not a unihome. Does this mean it has a chassis and not the monocoque (I got this notion from Beamalarm)?

It has a residential (that is non LP) refrigerator. My wife is concerned because we have been in campsites where generators have restricted hours. I am hoping that if you keep the door closed it will stay cold enough to keep food from spoiling between generator runs, but in SoCal in the summer that may not be enough. How important is it to have a 3 way refig? Can a refrigerator be run via the inverter while traveling? Or does the coach have to be stopped and the generator run every few hours?

Henry
htrzrbrn106@gmail.com
Thank you

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #1 – February 11, 2017, 03:14:05 pm

Depending on the batteries and inverter, you should be able to run the refrigerator for a day or so without any trouble. How much boondocking are you going to do? If a lot then you need an rv refrigerator. If only once in a while you will be fine with the residential.

FWIW, we have a residential refrigerator in our coach. Much of the time I run the generator while driving, which powers the refrigerator AND the a/c units. When weather permits I simply use the inverter and save the diesel. I'd have no problem spending a night in Wal-Mart and using only the inverter if I had to.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #2 – February 11, 2017, 03:26:06 pm

Quote from: Rzrbrn – February 11, 2017, 02:40:18 pm

G9643733651310O22CE13

Charlie stated it does not have a U designation, which I interpret to mean that it is not a unihome.
How important is it to have a 3 way refig?
Can a refrigerator be run via the inverter while traveling?

According to this # it has an Oshkosh chassis. That is that is what the 022C means thus you don't have the U designation. The E13 is engine/trans info. IIRC a lot of those brain cell have vanished.

If you dry camp it is nice but with todays solar and battery systems a residential fridge will dry camp just fine under most conditions. There are still times that a 3 way will be better like during extended days of clouds or if you have a shady spot and aren't producing full solar,

Should be able to if the alternator is up to snuff and it is fed through the inverter circuit.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #3 – February 11, 2017, 03:39:46 pm

A pic or two would be handy.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #4 – February 11, 2017, 04:28:18 pm

I asked for pics from the owner, but his computer skills are not up to the task.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #5 – February 11, 2017, 04:35:56 pm

Don't see specs on the 1993 ORED, but here is info on the 1992 ORED:

1992 Foretravel Ored Specifications

1992 Foretravel Ored Floorplans

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #6 – February 11, 2017, 07:14:30 pm

Is there any way to print the spec sheet from the Beamalarm page?

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #7 – February 11, 2017, 07:23:27 pm

Quote from: Rzrbrn – February 11, 2017, 07:14:30 pm

Is there any way to print the spec sheet from the Beamalarm page?

If you don't have a printer, go to the library and they will print it for you for a very nominal fee.

P

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #8 – February 11, 2017, 07:24:28 pm

I just sent you a pm

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #9 – February 11, 2017, 08:09:43 pm

Pierce,

I have a printer. I hit PrtSc, and nothing happens. I right click and nothing happens. I go to the upper right "Customize and control" go to print and....nothing.

Henry

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #10 – February 11, 2017, 09:03:45 pm

Try Control P

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #11 – February 11, 2017, 10:10:08 pm

Control P pulls up the print screen but it is blank. That is in very small letters at the top:

2/11/2017 1992 Foretravel Ored Specifications

but the rest of the page is completely blank

The beamalarm site is very frustrating when it comes to printing anything contained therein.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #12 – February 11, 2017, 10:32:40 pm

Oshkosh 815 spring chassis. Hydraulic disk brakes. As far as I remember

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #13 – February 11, 2017, 10:34:13 pm

yes you are right as this was the first FT we had. Then I wanted air brakes and suspension etc- you know what I mean!!!

JohnH

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #14 – February 11, 2017, 10:43:43 pm

You can use the Snipping Tool to window and capture anything visible on the screen. You can't directly print from the tool but you can past it into any number of programs like PowerPoint or word and then print from that application. Often I have to snip several times to capture all of the page if the page cannot be viewed in one screen and requires scrolling down.
Look for it the Windows Start menu or you can directly type "Snipping Tool" in the search field.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #15 – February 12, 2017, 12:15:29 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – February 11, 2017, 10:32:40 pm

Oshkosh 815 spring chassis. Hydraulic disk brakes. As far as I remember

Confused no offense, are some 815 air spring and others steel spring

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #16 – February 12, 2017, 12:19:32 am

My 93 GV oshkosh was steel spring ( as on trucks) I think all 022ored are that way but not sure.
JohnH

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #17 – February 12, 2017, 04:58:31 am

Mr. Anderson stated this unit has steel springs.

I finally figured out how to print pages from Beamalarm.
The Snip tool, which took me about 1/2 hour to find in Windows 10, only allows what is on the screen to be copied. All these items required the screen to scroll down, so the snip tool would not capture the whole page. I also printed the tech support section which is 11 pages long. It was 3:00am when I figured it out. There is no way in ..... I will be able to remember how I did it when I wake up.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #18 – February 12, 2017, 05:23:14 am

Don't forget I am a neophyte, I have almost no depth of knowledge regarding this subject.

A couple of things are appealing regarding this unit:

1. The 8.3 Cummins

2. The Oshkosh chassis. After reading about the bulkhead separation issue, it worried me so I started looking at other brands of Motorhomes. But since I really like the Foretravel sloped front units, I realized the non unihome coaches might be the way to go.

Not so appealing is lack of air suspension. We road in a Foretravel which had it last week. My wife wants it. So I goggled it and it may be that air suspension can be put on as an aftermarket upgrade. I have not put much time into searching, and nothing has come up yet specifically for the Oshkosh VC-22-RD chassis, but maybe an RV service center can identify a specific product. At least that is how I am selling this coach to my wife.

Also not sure about the residential refrigerator. We have camped in campsites with restrictions on running a generator, and in primitive campsites w/o electricity. It would be nice to have it running on LP during those times. I suppose running the generator now and again might suffice. I came across a device that monitors temperature and starts and stops the generator as needed, so maybe that would work at least during the daytime. Hopefully the batteries would take it through a hot night.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #19 – February 12, 2017, 08:16:53 am

My 88 also had air bags in line to the frame 2 for each wheel...

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #20 – February 12, 2017, 09:46:08 am

Quote from: Rzrbrn – February 12, 2017, 05:23:14 am

Also not sure about the residential refrigerator. We have camped in campsites with restrictions on running a generator, and in primitive campsites w/o electricity. It would be nice to have it running on LP during those times. I suppose running the generator now and again might suffice. I came across a device that monitors temperature and starts and stops the generator as needed, so maybe that would work at least during the daytime. Hopefully the batteries would take it through a hot night.

A successful residential fridge installation usually requires modification to the coach electric system. While you can (sometimes) get along on the original components, some upgrades will make life easier, on you and on the fridge. To work well, the fridge will require clean, continuous power. This usually involves installing a more modern inverter, and (in some cases) additional battery capacity.

Most owners choose to upgrade their inverter to "full sine wave" when installing a residential fridge. You can do this by either replacing the old original "modified sine wave" inverter, OR by installing a new separate dedicated sine wave inverter that only powers the fridge. Then you can shut off the "big" inverter at night or when not needed. The small inverter will use less power in stand-by, so less drain on batteries.

You mentioned the coach in question has 2 house batteries. You will need to check on what type they are, and how big. We have a residential fridge, and 2 AGM8D house batteries (245 A.H @ 20Hr in each battery). I would consider this the minimum size house battery bank to support a residential fridge. When dry camping, if we go to bed with 80% remaining battery capacity (not unusual), then we are down to 55% by the time we wake up next morning. You don't want to pull your batteries down below 50%, so at this point we need to think about adding charge back into the batteries. That can be done by running a generator, plugging in to shore power, or using solar panels. One way or the other, operating a residential fridge on battery power will require using a charging source every day, rain or shine, hot or cold weather. Something to consider...

Having "auto start" for your generator is handy when you are away from the coach for extended periods. When you are at the coach, it is better for YOU to monitor your battery condition, and proactively decide when and how long to run generator. Which brings up another point: running your coach on battery power requires some means of accurately monitoring battery performance. Search this Forum for numerous posts on this subject - search for "Trimetric" to get started.

Good luck with your quest for the perfect coach for you!

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #21 – February 12, 2017, 10:11:23 am

Thank you Chuck & Jeanie. I will ask about the batteries.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #22 – February 12, 2017, 10:52:30 am

Quote from: Rzrbrn – February 12, 2017, 05:23:14 am

2. The Oshkosh chassis. After reading about the bulkhead separation issue, it worried me so I started looking at other brands of Motorhomes. But since I really like the Foretravel sloped front units, I realized the non unihome coaches might be the way to go.

Henry,

If you eliminate all Unihome GV models simply because you are worried about the "bulkhead issue", you are doing yourself a great disservice. Foretravel built a lot of Unihome GVs, and most of them are still in good shape. The later Grand Villa models included many of the finest Foretravel engineering features, like the monocoque frame, full automatic air suspension/leveling, higher HP engines, and the Allison 6-speed transmission with (if you get really lucky) a retarder.

The bulkheads on any monocoque frame coach should be inspected before purchase, along with everything else. There are lots of excellent coaches out there, and a few that might need some remediation. You can pay more for a good one, or pay less for a "project". The choice is up to you. Don't fear the "bulkhead issue", or shy away from a whole category of coaches because of it. The issue is well known, it is repairable if necessary, and as a informed potential buyer you can easily choose whether or not you wish to deal with it.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #23 – February 12, 2017, 11:42:45 am

Great summary Chuck! Speaking as one who has experienced the nadir of bulkhead issues (at least of those who have done the repairs themselves) and survived to tell about it, there are advantages to the monocoque/8 outboard airspring design of the U280 and up models that make it a very desirable choice for us. Including high carrying capacity (nearly 6,000lbs. on our 36', no slide model), quality and stability of ride, air disc brakes, air leveling, nearly 30" of passthrough clearance in the basement storage areas, etc. Having done the repairs myself, I know what is down there and I have complete confidence that it will be good for the long haul. That said, if I had been more patient and knowledgeable about this issue when I was looking for a Foretravel, I would have been able to spend more time in the coach and less time underneath it in the beginning

Don

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – February 12, 2017, 10:52:30 am

Henry,

If you eliminate all Unihome GV models simply because you are worried about the "bulkhead issue", then you doing yourself a great disservice. Foretravel built a lot of Unihome GVs, and most of them are still in good shape. The later Grand Villa models included many of the finest Foretravel engineering features, like the monocoque frame, full automatic air suspension/leveling, higher HP engines, and the Allison 6-speed transmission with (if you get really lucky) a retarder.

The bulkheads on any monocoque frame coach should be inspected before purchase, along with everything else. There are lots of excellent coaches out there, and a few that might need some remediation. You can pay more for a good one, or pay less for a "project". The choice is up to you. Don't fear the "bulkhead issue", or shy away from a whole category of coaches because of it. The issue is well known, it is repairable if necessary, and as a informed potential buyer you can easily choose whether or not you wish to deal with it.

Re: Looking at 1993 GV

Reply #24 – February 12, 2017, 12:15:19 pm

The "U" models have double the number of airbags for a smoother ride and almost no body lean in winds or turns. They also have air disk brakes fit. Simply the best.

The semi monocoque(CM Fore always mentioned the semi) construction allows unobstructed storage underneath and allows cross mounting of the tanks. Versus fore and aft.

Fuel sloshing is noticeable in fore and aft tanks.

Cross mounting the tanks allows them to be enclosed and heated easier. Plus the area under the floor contains the wiring and plumbing runs and is accessible for long term replacement.

Rail chassis were made to be shipped to the manufacturer and had to drive as built.

Unibody had to be built on site. Required the cash flow to buy all the parts you need versus get credit from the chassis builder.

"U" have larger tanks also.

Affiliate Notice