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Topic: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280 (Read 2329 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #50 –
Thnks much, Jeff & Sandy...

Jim
'92 Grand Villa 36' w/8.3Cummins mechanical
ORED
Build#4062

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #51 –
Welcome to my world of a new old Gran Villa,  Soon enough you will start finding challenges like what is this wire for and wonder why someone did this but that's just part of falling in love with the ole gal.

I just bought a 1995 U-240 two weeks and that's some of the fun I am having now LOL

Have a great life God Bless and have a Merry Christmas
1995 U-240, her name is Clarabell, "The Lady's Got Class"
Traveling with my lovely wife "Precious", two Australian Shepherds, Ko Ko and Molly momma's baby Scooter, a Sweet Yorkie and a 14 pound cat.
Full timing since November 1, 2019, seeing this great country of ours and visiting the people that have made it that way.

Facebook member of GRAN VILLA Motor Homes Showing These Great Ole Gals in All Their Splendor.

GOD BLESS and SAFE TRAVELS

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #52 –
Quote from: POPPASMURFF#1 –
I just bought a 1995 U-240 two weeks and that's some of the fun I am having now LOL 
You guys have some sweet ones, we lean towards the U-240. though.
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: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #53 –
You will love that coach / engine combo.  I had a 1990 U280 with the 250 Cat that got 11 mpg, ran a constant 160 degrees on temp no matter if hills or flat, and never gave me a minutes trouble.  Absolutely lovely coach.
Congrats, you picked a good one!
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #54 –
This is the AGM8D battery Tim Fiedler referred to from Orielly Auto Parts:  https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/fleet---heavy-duty-5000/marine-parts---accessories-16900/deep-cycle---marine-batteries-17354/battery/agm8d/4742645
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #55 –
Again Welcome, when you get this Ole Gal home and have time turn on everything you see to make sure it works.

You may already know this but you can go tp "Foretravel  brochures, specifications and manuals" online and find all the original specifications on what your coach was built with. Its a good spot for technical assistance. It is set up by year and model.

I am a newbie also and have been working through the minor issues on my coach.

I final got a small ledger to keep up with what was checked, fixed, and what was done to fix it. Also used it to log in the part numbers of the spare belts I will be carrying.

Anyway with all this being said, Welcome and Have a great time
1995 U-240, her name is Clarabell, "The Lady's Got Class"
Traveling with my lovely wife "Precious", two Australian Shepherds, Ko Ko and Molly momma's baby Scooter, a Sweet Yorkie and a 14 pound cat.
Full timing since November 1, 2019, seeing this great country of ours and visiting the people that have made it that way.

Facebook member of GRAN VILLA Motor Homes Showing These Great Ole Gals in All Their Splendor.

GOD BLESS and SAFE TRAVELS

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #56 –
Quote from: POPPASMURFF#1 –

You may already know this but you can go tp "Foretravel  brochures, specifications and manuals" online and find all the original specifications on what your coach was built with. Its a good spot for technical assistance. It is set up by year and model.

Indeed - link to the Foreforums Wiki mentioned, specific section:

Foretravel Specifications, Floorplans & Brochures [ForeForums Foretravel...

Overall Wiki start [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki]
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: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #57 –
Thanks all!  She has been home and snuggled down in storage since Friday the 22nd .  The new Toyos eliminated the tire worries and the new AGMs from O'Reilly's should be arriving tomorrow to take care of the battery problems.  Hopefully I can get them installed this weekend.  Unfortunately it is in unheated indoor storage, and they still don't have my 120 volt outlet turned on, so I haven't really been able to do anything yet.  I have determined the engine hour meter stopped working about 2003, when the actual service records seem to have stopped.  It has been driven about 14000 miles since then.  Generator hours are pretty low, only 1208, but that meter seems to be working.  The folks I bought it from only used it pole to pole and never even filled the fresh water tank.  There are some electrical gremlins to exorcise but nothing has been modified so at least I don't have to work through other folks "upgrades".  The obsolete power converter/charger battery boiler is next on the list.  I figure on just using a battery tender until the charger upgrade since the coach is just in storage anyway.  That will keep the new AGMs from harm.  I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can start making things happen.  I will be doing every single maintenance item in the manuals and replacing all regular wear items like belts, hoses, and the airbags.  Once it is back to factory spec, then I can start making changes.
Mike & Lilli
1991 GV U280 36' SBI, 3208 Cat, Build #3825
4320 Watts Solar
Kansas City, MO

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #58 –
Mike dont forget to check the dates on your smoke (10 ry, LP (4-5 yrs), and CO (5-7 yrs) detectors.

Mine were all OEM (1997) and they sounded a tone when the button was pressed but when I used a butane lighter to setoff the LP nothing happened, same when I lit up my Pipe smoke would not set off the smoke alarm.
Steve

1997 U270 36' build 5179
Motorcade #18147
1980 CJ5

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #59 –
Yes, and fire extinguishers too.
Mike & Lilli
1991 GV U280 36' SBI, 3208 Cat, Build #3825
4320 Watts Solar
Kansas City, MO