Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Topic: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid (Read 5465 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #25 – February 19, 2018, 12:08:10 pm

While at the ladies driving school in NAC the guys got a chance to drive a new Foretravel,you could barely get to the back while underway.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #26 – February 19, 2018, 12:17:42 pm

I'm completely pleased with my 2003 38' U295.

I find the single slide gives us as much interior room as we need. Don't care for a bedroom slide that costs you a window.

Only real slide related issue is that the air seal is now leaking. Have an appointment to have it replaced next month. Right now we are camping with the slide in, and find the living room is more cozy but still has plenty of room.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #27 – February 19, 2018, 12:17:58 pm

Quote from: John44 – February 19, 2018, 12:08:10 pm

While at the ladies driving school in NAC the guys got a chance to drive a new Foretravel,you could barely get to the back while underway.

Good point, Heard about a coach where you could only get the bathroom door half open with the slides in.
There will probably be times you will not be able extend your slides when camping, so check it out in all configurations.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #28 – February 19, 2018, 12:20:37 pm

Might want to ask around about the 2002 model slides being a different type.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #29 – February 19, 2018, 01:22:28 pm

2003 and later are better. No train, no pins.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #30 – February 19, 2018, 04:20:15 pm

We have a '02 40' 320 with tag and single living room slide.
Also have the "walk thru" bath (no water closet)..
The only thing the slide (when retracted)blocks is the China Hutch.
All other features are fully usable.

2002 was the only year for the "train" system on the slide..Have only had a bad seal (due to vandalism) and a hyd fitting crack & leak.
2002 was the first year that the front and rear caps were smooth without an expansion gap and trim cover..So there were more than a few that had stress cracks front and rear that had to be repaired (ours is one..no issues since, other than a small stress crack at the fridge outside vent.)
2002 was the 1st year of the factory full length duct work for the coach A/C.

I feel that this coach will outlast me...

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #31 – February 19, 2018, 11:53:25 pm

Our 2001 U320 has OEM original factory ducted AC in the ceiling all the way to the front. Not added on.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #32 – February 20, 2018, 02:26:32 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 19, 2018, 11:53:25 pm

Our 2001 U320 has factory ducted AC in the ceiling all the way to the front.

Hmm I wonder if that was a mid year change?
We looked at an '01 that didn't go all the way forward. (Al & Sue McMurray's 36' 270)

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #33 – February 20, 2018, 08:51:16 am

There were several changes that year that didn't include all models (U320s got them first). There were also changes to the interior trim and other things on the U320s that changed during the year. I have seen coaches less than a dozen build numbers from mine with different window trim, exterior paint detail, switch locations etc. What is in my coach and specific others I have actually seen is about the only thing I can say absolutely. For everything else I say "some coaches".

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #34 – February 20, 2018, 09:18:36 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 19, 2018, 11:53:25 pm

Our 2001 U320 has factory ducted AC in the ceiling all the way to the front.

My 98, U320 is fully ducted to the front. It also has 3 A/C installed.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #35 – February 20, 2018, 09:41:45 am

Hot weather coach with 3 AC

Two years ago David Flanagan extended my AC ducts all the way forward. Cost =$1 coach buck

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #36 – February 21, 2018, 05:15:45 am

Dave did our extensions as well and it made a big difference. Had two led lights added on each extension which have proved to be very useful in our 270. The extensions are a detail to appreciate in the overall picture but support comments above that there is a great deal of variation in years and models. Put together a spreadsheet of what you want/need and don't like and that should help before you hit analysis paralysis. Assign costs to correct yearly issue variations. Every year has strengths and weaknesses so the question is what your mechanical skills or pocketbook can support to get the goodies you need.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #37 – February 21, 2018, 11:04:24 am

Most of this learning curve about which years and models have what starts with spec sheets but grows with actually seeing as many coaches as possible and talking to owners. There are a great many things that can be changed with not too much money and time but a few things (usually floor plan related) that are hard or impractical to change. Kitchen arrangement, slide/no slide/more than one slide, drawers, storage space, slide mechanisms and much more all are part of the mix to consider. Best choices come from being well informed.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #38 – February 21, 2018, 11:34:38 am

03's were directly over driver, passenger seats. Makes a big difference if you want to supplement OTR ac with roof ac's.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #39 – February 22, 2018, 02:30:24 pm

My two cents I went to the rv show two weeks ago in Houston at the NRG stadium and those new coaches sure are nice ( no FT at show ) but those are just not made as well as my 1985 ored , lots of plastic and particle board doors hard to open and then rattle when opened walls very thin and not mention price made me once again Love my FT....

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #40 – February 23, 2018, 02:16:07 pm

Quote from: jcus – February 21, 2018, 11:34:38 am

03's were directly over driver, passenger seats. Makes a big difference if you want to supplement OTR ac with roof ac's.

Yup.. same as our '02 320t.....luvit as our dash air has never worked...It's right in line after...toilet/furnace/leveling/awing repairs.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #41 – February 25, 2018, 02:22:36 am

So exactly what happens when you retract soaking wet slides?

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #42 – February 25, 2018, 02:52:56 am

"So exactly what happens when you retract soaking wet slides?" Exactly.....You have soaking wet slides now inside. Yes, roof air removes moisture, but....... Single pane glass (windshield) will get very moist. I've always recommended carrying a towel to wipe them down, if you cannot outside, then inside when you get them in. Our bodies put off a couple quarts of water each day, a couple, a gallon. That is why it is so important to ventilate the interior to prevent mold.

I sent PM to saddlesore with a good AC repair place near his area a couple days ago, replying his hands have been full with temperatures below 20 in Oregon and an innop Aquahot, and other more important to the season issues. AC just is not a priorty until other pressing issues resolved

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #43 – February 25, 2018, 04:32:41 am

I don't see any way to wipe down soaking wet slides once retracted, but I don't see it as s problem either.

On my Foretravel, the topper plus squeegee on top prevent most of the soaking wetness.

And having flangeless slides makes it easier for water to escape while retracting.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #44 – February 25, 2018, 09:42:38 am

Anyone have a part number for the sqeegee on the slides? Bedroom is missing on mine and the living room could use replaced soon

Replaced the 7pin plug on the back with new plate.. broke the last 2 so redid it all with a new stronger plate. Next is the exhaust and turbo.. then the remote maxx fan

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #45 – February 25, 2018, 10:12:04 am

David, call FT or MOT for this sweeper gasket. They might have it at Xtreme as well. It is more than $10 a foot so get what you need. My old one was pretty rotten. pulled it out and put the new one in. If you stretch it a bit the round edge will slip in easier and the you can push it back to the original length.

If it is really wet out lean the coach to the slide side a little to let water run off. Leave the slide awning out until you have moved the slide in. On my 2001 i can wipe off most of the front and some of the rear end of the slide when it is in.

The 99-01 slide mechanism is different from later years. There is much less of it inside the coach when it is in. If you are looking this is significant.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #46 – February 25, 2018, 02:16:00 pm

I sometimes squeegee the sides of the slides before I pull them if they are wet. I use my windshield scrubber (squeegee side).

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #47 – February 25, 2018, 11:13:23 pm

Dan, i squeege the top too if have been parked a long time...can be dirty water on top. I use short ladder to get up and use one of those extension arm squeegees that are made for windshields with the rubber wiper blade on one side and foam on the other. I am surprised sometimes how much dirty water I would have pulled in on the slide top. I do this with awning up, not pulled down To the side of the slide.

May be better way and maybe the squeegee mounted on the coach would be sufficient without my extra help.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #48 – February 25, 2018, 11:20:06 pm

I do the same as Dan and Mike.I also use a good paste wax on top, bottom and sides every couple of months. Don't know if it helps, but makes me feel better.

Re: Any advice about years, models, etc. to avoid

Reply #49 – February 26, 2018, 01:46:26 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – February 25, 2018, 04:32:41 am

I don't see any way to wipe down soaking wet slides once retracted, but I don't see it as s problem either.

On my Foretravel, the topper plus squeegee on top prevent most of the soaking wetness.

And having flangeless slides makes it easier for water to escape while retracting.

And to replace that top "wiper" is a snap.. got a length of it from FOT (something like $15).
Pulled off the old one (in pieces no less) grabbed the Windex greased it up a bit and pushed it into the groove as I stretched it a bit..
Took all of 15 minutes..(mostly moving the ladder)

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