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Topic: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show (Read 1068 times) previous topic - next topic

Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Hi all. My name is Mike Gellasch and my wife is Lori. We joined this group about 11 months ago and have been lurking and learning about Foretravel since then. This weekend we made another road trip from cold Michigan to Virginia to look at a 99 U320 that forum members Ben and Bonnie Harris have on the classified here. We have been looking mostly at older Newell and thought we had found a keeper but after the grand tour and a good long test ride it looks as though this Foretravel is a much better fit. I am looking for someone that would be willing to go over the coach with a more experienced eye. This obviously is a major cash outlay and while Ben and Bonnie have been very informative and very good at keeping things top notch on the coach I need a little extra peace of mind. If anyone would be willing to get a good look at this coach I'm more than willing to pay for this service. They will be camping at the Tampa RV Supershow and we will give you their cell to set it up. Please pm me or give a call at 586-342-8513. Thanks! Mike

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #1 –
Hello Mike,
I understand your desire for a pre purchase inspection, however for what it's worth, I can offer my first hand knowledge about the coach you're considering.  Nancy and I have known.Ben and Bonnie for 14 years and have traveled with them tens of thousands of miles including a three month trip to Alaska in 2011.  I believe they've owned "Tex" as they affectionly named their Foretravel for 11 years.  On the Alaska trip as well as many other trips Tex performed flawlessly.  What you may not know is that Ben is a retired professional diesel and heavy truck mechanic,  Ben is a stickler for coach maintance and preventive maintance and is a go-to guy at Foretracel Rallies, always helping others with their coach problems.  I personally drove the coach 400 miles a couple of years ago and it drove great and all systems functioned as they should.  I strongly believe that you won't find a better maintained 1999 40 foot Foretravel, especially one with a slide.  If Nancy and I were looking for a different Foretravel I sure wouldn't be hesitant to purchase Tex.






Don
'98 U270 36'
w/CRV towed

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #2 –
PM Red Tractor here on the forum.  He lives in Tampa, knows FT's, and may be in town that he could look at it for you.

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #3 –
 I offered, but live North about 40min.

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #4 –
Tex has a slide?
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #5 –
Yes Mike, Tex is one of the few 1999 coaches that has a living room slide.

Ben Harris
1999 U320 40'

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #6 –
The pics  and service history are very nice and look really top notch in general . Maybe the only inspection would be an oil sample  , just to say you did one.

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #7 –
I would sure add bulkhead inspection, slide inspection, fuel line inspection, air bag inspection, etc. The coach is at an age where these things have either been done or will need to be done. 

No, this is not a negative reflection on the coach or current owner-- just an observation based on the life cycle of the components. 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #8 –
My list is pretty extensive ,includes all known critical points , as well as systems function.
 Air /fuel/ brakes/ fluids/ delam/ roof/ powertrain/ floor/ basement/glass and seals. windows/All electrical /lighting
  I start with delam, bulkhead, chassis. 

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #9 –
Mike,

Sorry, I misunderstood from your "Maybe the only inspection would be an oil sample  , just to say you did one."
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Need a pre purchase inspection at Tampa RV Show

Reply #10 –
Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions for the inspection. Lori and I also think Tex is a very clean and well maintained coach. Mike Ogren is going to take a look at it for us and we expect to find no surprises. Thanks again.
 Mike and Lori Gellasch