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Topic: Inspection (Read 959 times) previous topic - next topic

Inspection

I have received a mystery request to inspect a  local ored coach.  No sender info,  no way to reply to the request.  No sender contact info.  No coach info.  Only the current owners phone number.

Shall we say this is a little weird.

The message has a no reply header yet no contact info in the body.

Nice that they offered to pay my time but with no sender info at all i have no way to talk to the requester.

Coach is in laguna niguel, ca.

Why the mystery? 
"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: Inspection

Reply #1
Mite want to see if "Paul Drake" from the Perry Mason show is still in business.  ^.^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: Inspection

Reply #2
If they ask you to send them a deposit before you do the inspection, please don't!
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Inspection

Reply #3
Can you tell if it was sent via the forum?  PM or e-mail?  If so, server logs might be able to ID the member who sent it but the admin would need more details (time/date stamps, etc.).  PM would have the user name so I'm guessing e-mail.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Inspection

Reply #4
Talked to the seller.  Coach is an 89 ored. 

Bought from my old ca. store five year used in 95. 

The kicker is that this is a rare for sale 300 cat ATAAC side drive radiator.

10 mpg and will bury the speedo cable up a six percent interstate grade.

New tires, refer.  Serviced locally by a shop I was at yesterday to get propane and a independent mechanic I do not know.

IF I did not have our unicoach I would be a quick buyer for this 300 coach.

Left lane coach if you are not towing.  Used to outrun cars up cajon pass with this exact model.

90k miles.  I am sure outside is faded as it's stored next to his home in laguna niguel but should be ok.

Someone should jump.  Especially if you are type "A" personality and impatient on hills.

Twenty in first, fourty in second, sixty in third, 89 mph at 2,900 rpm in fourth up almost anything.

He said it might need brakes.  Probably need deglazing in my experience
"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: Inspection

Reply #5
Are you going to inspect the old dear, Bob? Let us know, with pics and a price, might be a find!  ^.^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: Inspection

Reply #6
At his asking price of $16,900 I would bring green cash and if it starts and drives and everything works which he says it does I would intend to have my wife drive herself back and I would drive the coach home and on the way plan my first trip.

This I somewhat like Vegas.  If you have to have 100% guaranteed chance of winning do not go.

Seller agreed that of course things need work as it's 28 years old but what you are buying is the good bones.

The idea that you all have to be guaranteed a perfect coach, like new, is a fantasy. 

Be big boys(and girls) and be froggy and jump.

Bought and sold hundreds of these exact coaches over the phone without a single issue, for many times this money.

The jacks work.  1,000 mile tires. Newer refer. 

What do you expect for this much money?

Expect exterior buff out.  Decals faded. New batteries for sure. Replace charger with a three stage one at the time.

Run a manometer check of the propane system. 

Fix minor chassis air leaks. Fill fuel tank and see if you are lucky and the fuel gauge is accurate.

New wiper blades. New coach water pump.

Check front end alignment and have someone follow you to see if the coach dog tracks.

If it does have the rear axle mounting tabs rewelded to correct this,  3 hour shop time easy job. Ten percent new dog tracked



Go rv'ing.
"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: Inspection

Reply #7
I sent it, used the normal pm format, don't know why it came thru that way

Thanks Phred
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Inspection

Reply #8
Not a bad price, at all. So, following the "10/20 CB rule", one could have one of the coolest coaches ever made.  ^.^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: Inspection

Reply #9
Thanks Phred - Bob, check your PM box to make sure it came across OK.  Not the e-mail notifying you of the PM (that won't have Phred's contact info if he's set up his profile not to share his e-mail), but the actual PM you access via "My Messages" when signed in to the forum.

I just want to make sure there isn't a bug...
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Inspection

Reply #10
While I am willing to look at the coach my first thing I look at in any motorhome is the bones.

Look down the sides to see if any bubbled areas.  Large ones. I doubt if this has it.

Work all the tambour doors as the roller parts are not available anymore.

Seller said it had a minor roof leak he fixed.

He is a 71 year old general contractor who bought the coach from my old store with 60 k miles and drove it 30k in 22 years.

Brakes were soft on these because the fronts did not work until heavy brake pedal pressure was applied to stop a shuddering noise in reverse otherwise.

Entirely normal for wedge brakes with a lq4 valve under the dash to govern pressure to the front brakes.

Can be bypassed and hooked up to,have them work normal but you will get a noise backing up

Most of these had two 8'ds in the step well.  One engine start. One house.

Most i sold ordered had both step well batteries to be house and a third battery was installed in the engine bay for the starting.

Newer tech batteries would be first.

Plus adding a newer inverter and the third engine battery if not so equipped now.

New belts for sure as the double belt wore. Probably hoses and antifreeze also.

Engine and trans oil changed and gen serviced.
"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: Inspection

Reply #11
You can still get tambor parts online. Don't remember the exact website but there is one.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel