1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

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1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

December 06, 2017, 08:56:26 am

Yesterday, we looked at a 1990 Foretravel Grand Villa 29ft. It has a gas engine with 60,000 miles on it. The whole interior looks very solid, no soft spots at all. It started right up, generator started right up. Air was very cold. She just had the a/c fixed in the front area and has 2 new batteries. It needs new tires all around. She wants $7500 for it. Good price?

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #1 – December 06, 2017, 09:15:58 am

I'd hold off myself and find a diesel.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #2 – December 06, 2017, 09:51:16 am

I agree with Stump.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #3 – December 06, 2017, 10:13:29 am

Sounds like a nice little down size project, and the price isn't bad. I would look at it.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #4 – December 06, 2017, 10:24:55 am

I am not an expert by any means, and I did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but.....
A '91 gas engine? I would be sure to have someone check that power plant out very carefully. The chassis and body, well others with more experience will chime in here I'm sure, but my unit is only 2 years younger than the one you're looking at and I bought Alice.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #5 – December 06, 2017, 10:53:49 am

A 1991 29" gasser... That would be a front engine chassis, correct?

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #6 – December 06, 2017, 12:43:28 pm

Yes, front engine ford 460

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #7 – December 06, 2017, 12:52:41 pm

if rear engine - (which it is probably not) RUN away!!!

If Front engine, Chevy or Chrysler? Heat is the enemy of longevity on these overworked gassers - cracked manifolds and burnt exhaust valves (compression check on the valves, visual check on the manifolds) are the first failure points. Parts easy on the big block Chevy, less so on the Chrysler, especially manifolds.

I have no opinion on front engine gasser, but rear engine, run away, unless you want to take it somewhere to park and use stationary.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #8 – December 06, 2017, 01:38:24 pm

It is a front end gas with ford engine 460

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #9 – December 06, 2017, 01:57:52 pm

Tim, the one you had was 36ft wasn't it

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #10 – December 06, 2017, 02:54:14 pm

Yes, I think a shorter one is front engine, hence my comments Mine was a rear engine gas ford 460

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #11 – December 06, 2017, 07:35:39 pm

A 91 gasser is probably carbureted and I would definatly stay away from that. As previously mentioned, Heat is a big factor and can suffer from air locking as well as other issues. They didn't stick with them for reasons. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #12 – December 06, 2017, 10:03:37 pm

To me the most relevant questions:

Are you a really good shade tree mechanic.
Do you want to spend your free time working on it.

If not a resounding YES to both questions, MOVE ON!

Remember, it is a 26 year old gas chassis with basically a HD Ford PU drive train.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #13 – December 06, 2017, 10:34:55 pm

Most of the 29' that I've seen advertised asking price was about $9k to $10K. As others stated a diesel is preferred, but will be at least $15K up. You won't likely find a 29' diesel, there may be a few, but a very few. The gas engines are cheaper for a reason, if you plan on lots of use the extra cost of a diesel may be worth the difference. The gas is cheaper to service and has a shorter life. The heat problems are mostly the chevy/gmc 454 engines that run hot any way. A gas engine will get 5+ mpg as a diesel will get 7 to 10 but will pull or push a bigger load. There's a lot more gas RV's than diesel so don't be afraid, they are not uncommon. Everything is a trade off.

Wantabe

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #14 – December 07, 2017, 01:08:26 am

Spend the approx 3 to $400 from a reputable rv repair garage to have checked out and estimates given for necessary repairs and make sale subject to if you find something you want to invest in. Do not be afraid to voice any concerns you have you want checked as 3 to $400 is a lot of money. If all is in perfect condition, I'd still budget $5,000 to spend the first year. If you do not spend it all, you will have something to move over to the next year and then you can reduce that budget by an amount you feel comfortable with. Pay particular attention to any recommended roof sealing needed , brake, or engine issues as these can get very expensive very fast. Mold in the roof or walls could make a nice rv worthless. If you do not have all of that $5,000 for the first year repairs, do not be afraid to offer less. Remember, it is a lot easier to buy a motor-home than sell one.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #15 – December 09, 2017, 07:21:13 am

We did the inspection on Thursday. Everything looks pretty good. No major problems. We offered her $6700 on Friday and she accepted. She got us a deal on tires, since her ex-husband repairs RV's and could get them cheaper. The tires are going on Monday. She saved us $600 which more than paid for the inspection. RV life starts now

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #16 – December 09, 2017, 09:09:12 am

Ah a RBT. Rear Bath Twin. Rare. I asked a older customer 30 years ago with that same floor plan if there were any disadvantages to it, he sheepishly said "when you commute(between the beds) you commit." I thought it was cute

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #17 – December 09, 2017, 09:14:25 am

It looks to be in great shape @ a great price Nicole. Well done.
Congrats.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #18 – December 09, 2017, 09:27:14 am

Nice ride have fun

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #19 – December 09, 2017, 09:58:04 am

Looks great from the photos! Of course, when you have the time, we will want to see a complete photo tour of your new ride. On those older GV model photos, the first thing I look at is the ceiling. If it is tucked up nice and tight with no sagging spots, I take that as a good omen. Yours looks to be in factory new condition!

Rear bath (IMO) would be a "good and a bad" thing. Good: it is much more private and separated from the living quarters and the kitchen area. Plus, it comes with the very rare rear window! Bad: you have to walk through the sleeping quarters to get to the John - not as convenient if one person is up early and the other is trying to sleep in. But you will work it out, I am sure.

I notice the absence of air horns and spotlight on the roof. Makes it look kinda naked...

Question to our long-term Forum members: When did the Hadley horns and the spotlight become more or less "standard equipment" on GVs?

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #20 – December 09, 2017, 12:09:04 pm

Wow, so short! I like it. Would really be able to park anywhere in that. I think you did good on the price by the look of it!! Congrats!

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #21 – December 09, 2017, 12:37:09 pm

Very good find. I am so happy for you. Sometimes the "world" does take care of you. For me most recently, it was finding this forum. The information here has saved me many headaches, money, and time. Please update your signature and continue to post the fun your having with this rv on this post. You truly have something no one else has on this forum. A 29 is what my darling wife wants. It was nice for the previous owners to take such excellent care of your new motor home for all these years.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #22 – December 09, 2017, 12:58:31 pm

Sweet!!!

That should be a bunch of fun! Hopefully almost all good "fun", and not much bad "fun".

Twins and rear bath, good NASCAR boys coach! Time to soup up that Big Block! Just try not to run it so hard you heat it up, yes, mileage will be not so good, but try 60 mph or less. If not in a hurry, not towing big loads and not in the hills you may do just fine.

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #23 – December 09, 2017, 01:14:35 pm

Thanks for all the info. I'm sure we'll be back here with plenty of questions!

Re: 1991 Foretravel Grand Villa gas

Reply #24 – December 09, 2017, 01:28:35 pm

Nicole.
Sweet looking GV. Just be prepared for lots of attention everywhere you go. A cute little GV like yours will get more.
Lots of people can buy a big fancy rv but try to find a distinctive one like you have....... 😊 enjoy.

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