1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

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1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

August 02, 2017, 09:13:17 pm

I am seriously in the market for a solid Foretravel. Early 90's... unibody with a strong diesel.

Going mobile, living fulltime, pulling a small car, definitely going through Colorado. Fewer owners and fewer miles preferred but most important is the maintenance... tires and batteries can easily be replaced.

If you have one that you might sell... if you see one the looks good... please, please let me know. Thanks!

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #1 – August 02, 2017, 09:14:48 pm

1991 Foretravel Motorhome - Diesel 36' Gran Villa Reduced - ,000 - rvs -...

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #2 – August 02, 2017, 09:18:45 pm

That's a hot lead.. thanks!

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #3 – August 02, 2017, 09:23:45 pm

A 93 and up are widebody. Plus side radiator

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #4 – August 02, 2017, 09:34:03 pm

Actually I think the wide body started in '92. The definitive evidence is the width of the center vertical bar in the front grill.

I would not reject a solid coach just because it is not 102" wide.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #5 – August 02, 2017, 09:47:27 pm

The side radiator started in 1992 as well... there is one in Eugene, OR. Sweet coach! Looked at it last weekend.

Own the ORIGINAL LUXURY MOTORHOME...40' Foretravel "Grand Villa" - rvs - by...

It was a one owner bought at an estate auction. Currently air compressor/auto level is inop. The two fellows that found this gem are working on the repair.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #6 – August 02, 2017, 11:35:54 pm

My 89 Oshkosh chassis has 10 lug wheels with simple cat 3208 totally mechanical engine. 6V92 DD is a beast of an great engine with a boatload of torque, that being said, I have read that it has more moving parts in just one of the cylinder head than an entire cat or Cummins Engine. Downside of this awesome powerplant may be a shrinking pool of mechanics who have experience with repairs on this complex engine.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #7 – August 03, 2017, 12:05:26 am

Why drive one house when you can have a main house, guest house, and garage...

FL 50 8.3ltr Cummins 6spd auto with 07 40' carhauler both with AC - rvs - by...

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #8 – August 03, 2017, 12:21:57 am

The engine is still in production, just not for domestic use. Some shops like to use high profit parts when they do work on them but Mercedes/Detroit have the parts and ebay has cylinder/piston kits by Clevite for the turbo engine for $204.98. All you hot rodders know Clevite's reputation. Factory MTU parts are about $100 more each. So, you get all new cylinders and pistons for a hair over $1200. Anyone with basic tools and some ability can do an inframe overhaul in a barn.

All the special skills to "run the rack" are only a distant memory now with the electronic DDEC engines. There IS NO RACK to run. I just watched a Pro-Link 9000 with a Detroit DDEC I & II cartridge along with a Meritor ABS cartridge sell for $46 delivered on Ebay. The reader takes about 10 minutes to do about 50 procedures/tests on the engine with a very short learning curve.

All the parts including the lift pump, injectors, etc., etc. are very trouble free as any engine can be. You can even change the oil without worrying about stripping threads off some aluminum oil pans. The only problems can be the type of oil required and Foretravel's crazy placement of the block heater. Why they didn't use the normal Detroit location, I will never understand.

The owner's spouse said they didn't do any maintenance on ours while they owned it. It has 100,000 miles with zero trouble and after our coast to coast and back trip last fall, it used exactly 2.5 quarts. Over the 100K miles, the Pro-Link reading the DDEC has shown the coach has averaged exactly 8.0 no BS mpg . The later 6 speed Allisons with the higher final drive would have improved on this.

You can see why after decades of driving Detroit 2-cycles, why I had to have a coach with one. It sleeps at 350 hp as in marine use, they produce 535 hp up to 614 hp (probably not for too many hours) out of the 9 liters. Fire dept ladder trucks are usually 520 hp.

On the other hand, the CATs starting with the 3208 and all the Cummins are all excellent engines. Even the 8.3 Cummins produces 380 hp and lots of torque in several new SOBs. Each one has it's little secrets to a long life. Unless abused, they will outlive the owner or even owners. Our Mercedes OM617 has been semi retired at 440,000 miles with not even the injectors cleaned, just regular oil changes. Starts instantly in freezing weather but our paint is shot. Just change oil in your coach and keep the correct coolant in it and they go forever.

Pierce

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #9 – August 03, 2017, 12:52:14 am

Quote from: Paully – August 03, 2017, 12:05:26 am

Why drive one house when you can have a main house, guest house, and garage...

FL 50 8.3ltr Cummins 6spd auto with 07 40' carhauler both with AC - rvs - by...

Your choice, whatever works for you. Everything is a compromise.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #10 – August 03, 2017, 01:17:59 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – August 03, 2017, 12:21:57 am

The engine is still in production, just not for domestic use. Some shops like to use high profit parts when they do work on them but Mercedes/Detroit have the parts and ebay has cylinder/piston kits by Clevite for the turbo engine for $204.98. All you hot rodders know Clevite's reputation. Factory MTU parts are about $100 more each. So, you get all new cylinders and pistons for a hair over $1200. Anyone with basic tools and some ability can do an inframe overhaul in a barn.

All the special skills to "run the rack" are only a distant memory now with the electronic DDEC engines. There IS NO RACK to run. I just watched a Pro-Link 9000 with a Detroit DDEC I & II cartridge along with a Meritor ABS cartridge sell for $46 delivered on Ebay. The reader takes about 10 minutes to do about 50 procedures/tests on the engine with a very short learning curve.

All the parts including the lift pump, injectors, etc., etc. are very trouble free as any engine can be. You can even change the oil without worrying about stripping threads off some aluminum oil pans. The only problems can be the type of oil required and Foretravel's crazy placement of the block heater. Why they didn't use the normal Detroit location, I will never understand.

The owner's spouse said they didn't do any maintenance on ours while they owned it. It has 100,000 miles with zero trouble and after our coast to coast and back trip last fall, it used exactly 2.5 quarts. Over the 100K miles, the Pro-Link reading the DDEC has shown the coach has averaged exactly 8.0 no BS mpg . The later 6 speed Allisons with the higher final drive would have improved on this.

You can see why after decades of driving Detroit 2-cycles, why I had to have a coach with one. It sleeps at 350 hp as in marine use, they produce 535 hp up to 614 hp (probably not for too many hours) out of the 9 liters. Fire dept ladder trucks are usually 520 hp.

On the other hand, the CATs starting with the 3208 and all the Cummins are all excellent engines. Even the 8.3 Cummins produces 380 hp and lots of torque in several new SOBs. Each one has it's little secrets to a long life. Unless abused, they will outlive the owner or even owners. Our Mercedes OM617 has been semi retired at 440,000 miles with not even the injectors cleaned, just regular oil changes. Starts instantly in freezing weather but our paint is shot. Just change oil in your coach and keep the correct coolant in it and they go forever.

Pierce

I agree that the DD 6v92 is a awesome engine capable of more miles than my garbage truck/school bus motor Cat. Just possibly easier for me or locals to fix in my third world location cat Engine.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #11 – August 03, 2017, 09:33:24 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – August 02, 2017, 09:23:45 pm

A 93 and up are widebody. Plus side radiator

That depends on what model you are talking about. U300 and U280 earlier than others. U225 were all narrow bodies. U240 was narrow body through 1994 with only the 1995 model year being wide body.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #12 – August 04, 2017, 12:38:28 am

I figured correctly that the smart in the know members would correct my incorrect post. Thanks

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #13 – August 04, 2017, 01:05:46 am

Quote from: Old phart phred – August 03, 2017, 01:17:59 am

I agree that the DD 6v92 is a awesome engine capable of more miles than my garbage truck/school bus motor Cat. Just possibly easier for me or locals to fix in my third world location cat Engine.

CAT (Ford) 3208s are not garbage truck/school bus engines. Lots of them in marine use and with turbos, they can produce a lot of power. 375 reliable hp is nothing to complain about. They start quickly and get good fuel mileage. The big advantage they have is their compact size. They will fit in pickup trucks without too much trouble. Try that with a 8.3 Cummins or 9 liter 6V-92TA Detroit plus the CATs are over 10 liters too.

Pierce

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #14 – August 04, 2017, 03:45:56 pm

1989 Fore Travel Grand Villa - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #15 – August 04, 2017, 04:58:01 pm

Quote from: Travelin' Man – August 04, 2017, 03:45:56 pm

1989 Fore Travel Grand Villa - rvs - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

That's a good one! However, I seriously doubt it's a manual transmission... if it is that's awesome, but it would be the only manual I've ever seen.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #16 – August 04, 2017, 05:10:09 pm

Seller must have seen your comment and immediately corrected the ad. I don't see any reference to a manual transmission. The JACKS, though, can be operated either manually or automatically.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #17 – August 04, 2017, 05:28:33 pm

That's a good deal for maybe the best FT made.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #18 – August 04, 2017, 06:40:55 pm

Did You See AndyR's U300 for sale in the classifieds
89 U 300 For sale.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #19 – August 04, 2017, 07:01:49 pm

Quote from: stump – August 04, 2017, 06:40:55 pm

Did You See AndyR's U300 for sale in the classifieds
89 U 300 For sale.

I did. 30k for an 89.. is about 15k more than the others. I am still learning what is worth what.. so far.. pre 1990 20k. Pre 1995 30k. Newer than 95. 45k.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #20 – August 04, 2017, 07:19:43 pm

Research the different models if you are looking at Grand Villas . There are Grand Villas, and there are Grand Villas that are Unihomes. You have the different models the U300 being top of the line. The Unihomes are on the monocoque chassis. It's hard to look at the price of a U225 or a U240 and compare it to a U300 or a U280 two different units,they look similar but have big differences. Not saying one is better than the other just different.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #21 – August 04, 2017, 07:35:20 pm

Yes, they look alike, but am I wrong that the 300 series is wider than the 225/240, which could be important to some?

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #22 – August 04, 2017, 07:49:33 pm

There are 96'' coaches and 102'' coaches research will define the year introductions etc. There might be narrower coaches I'm not sure. my 91 is 96''. Jeff and Sandy's is 102''

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #23 – August 04, 2017, 07:59:03 pm

The site we are in is perfect for us, but a bearcat to get into! This would be something to consider when looking at width.

Re: 1991 - 1995 Uni home w/ DD, cummins, or a big kitty

Reply #24 – August 04, 2017, 10:04:28 pm

So 3 inches extra on each side would make your parking spot unmanageable? You need to see me for a driving lesson!

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