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Topic: '89 Unihome GV (Read 1191 times) previous topic - next topic

'89 Unihome GV

Would like comments on an '89 Unihome GV 36' what anyone would like to add. Would like to know what to look

for and what are the strong points and weak points? I know to look for structural damage underneath. One question

is concerning the b&w display on the dash. What system is on this model and what upgrades are out there for it.

What other systems may be out of date and what replacements or upgrades are out there. What areas need to be

looked at that are not obvious. The air bags are supposed to be fairly new, what leveling system does it use and

where is the compressor located. Where are the batteries located and how many and what size. My neighbors asked

me to go with them to look at this coach. Blind leading the blind?? I appreciate all the info. I can get.

Carter-

Re: '89 Unicoach GV

Reply #1 –
I sold them new as sales manager.  What kind of comments are you looking for
"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: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #2 –
Thanks for the reply Bob. I guess the good, the bad and the ugly.

I know with your years of experience you will know the weak spots

on them. This was one of the first monocoque (sp?) chassis and I

am not familiar with them.

Thanks,

Carter-

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #3 –
Great rv.  First monocoque.  Tallest storage bays.  Loved the manual air leveling levers next to the drivers seat.  Used to lean the coaches to compensate for strong cross winds.

Got out of the drivers chair once at 65 mph to run and close the sliding window behind the drivers chair.

How much $ for what is always the question.

U280 or u300?

"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: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #5 –
Carter, the model number from the plate on the drivers side would help.

Probably an Oshkosh chassie, plenty of info on the forum. The following is based on my 88 !

That b/w monitor is only the monitor for the camera.. the tank battery indicators should be to the right of it. Leveling pr bally swing down hydrolic jacks. If it has a side radiator it's a 300hp cat 3208, a good engine. Not a cummings or DD but good.
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #6 –
Thanks Bob.

John, it is not on the Oshkosh chassis, it is about the first generation

of chassis that FT built in house. As far as the numbers on the plate I will

have them as soon as we all go and see it. I will get pics and other info and

post.

Thanks for the replies.

Carter-

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –


Got out of the drivers chair once at 65 mph to run and close the sliding window behind the drivers chair.


Like my daddy always said you can't fix stupid.


The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #8 –
Check the radiator for corruption, check the plywood in the nose at the base of the windshield for rot, look for signs of leaks in all the upper cabinets, and search here using the phrase "bulkhead separation" for what to look for under the coach. In addition, look up the "50 things to inspect when buying a used coach" on this site. A taken care of Unihome is blockbuster value for money. Our coach has been less of a headache and has had lower repair costs than several other much newer rigs around here have been for their owners.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #9 –
I was the guy who sold the two Middle East guys a coach who put on the cruise control and went back to get a sandwich.

They were used to planes. True story.

My driving seat exit might have taken three seconds literally and I was on a way to a show in the cow palace in San Francisco with three coaches behind me on i5 in ca. Central Valley in totally perfect smooth wide non windy conditions and would have had listen to the wind noise for hundreds of miles otherwise.

New coach went straight for many times longer time than I let go of the wheel.

Not reccomended.  Use common sense. 

Do not do what I do. 
"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: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #11 –
I've wondered if a person could pull that off. You know, close a window or grab a bag of chips !        Trouble is if the crash didn't get me, the DW would.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #12 –
Jay,

  Thanks for the insights on inspecting the '89

coach. I am making a list and will be ready to roll

when they say go. Have wondered if these have

diesel or LP generator? Beam had a mention about diesel?

Carter-

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Texas Guy link=msg=273267 date=14  Have wondered if these have diesel or LP generator? [/quote

I'd bet, it's propane. Our '93 is a PP Onan, prolly the quietest gen set we've ever had. Burns clean, no smell.  ^.^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: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #14 –
Check the radiator fan. The OEM ones are fiberglass and after 20+ years the risk of them coming apadt and destrying the radiafor is high. If it has crasshatching in the blades, ie looks like fiberglass, plan on calling Foretravel and ordering up a new composite fan. Very much worth the peace of mind and it isn't a terribly difficult job to install. This is not an issue confined  to this make, it's just how fans were made...
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #15 –
Did not think about the fan.

Thanks,

Carter-

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #16 –
It could have either generator as they came both ways.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #17 –
Good coaches.  some age on them.

Bulk heads are far away the biggest issue, rest not so much.  you can pretty much tell if its cared for- owners should have records.

might as well figure cost of new tires, engine, transmission, cooling system fluid changes.
Dan 1989 U280 40'

Re: '89 Unihome GV

Reply #18 –
From the looks of the specs. If it has the 300# PP tank then most have the PP genset. The later years had smaller tanks and some  40' had diesel gens.  This just from looking at the specs..