I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Topic: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320! (Read 1469 times) previous topic - next topic

I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

September 02, 2018, 08:32:16 pm

Just acquired a gorgeous 2001 40' u320 from Brian (aka speedbird1) and am ecstatic. Full timing, looking forward to heading south in a month or so, and meeting fellow FT owners on the road. These coaches are amazing. FWIW, this forum, and the lack of predominantly frantic mechanical dilemma posts I saw on the Alfa forums (a design I was initially considering) convinced me to adopt this coach and join the Foretravel family. Thanks in advance to all of you for having me. Woody.

Re: I just pulled the trigger.

Reply #1 – September 02, 2018, 10:03:35 pm

Welcome Woody. I'm an old Toronado lover so I like your other camper choice as well. 403 or 425?

Looks like you got a good solid coach that you will enjoy for a long time. If you're ever through Oklahoma I'm sure we can find you a solid 50 amps and a good meal somewhere.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #2 – September 02, 2018, 10:11:45 pm

I'm sure you will enjoy it. Also, there will be things you can and will do to make it yours. We love ours
Good luck
Chris

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #3 – September 02, 2018, 10:31:48 pm

Thanks Rick, it's a 455 built by the Cad500 guys in ABQ. A real tire burner! Just too small for me and my Malamute to full time in...ergo the U320 and the poshness it offers that the GMC can't.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #4 – September 02, 2018, 11:39:10 pm

500. Ha. When we got married back in 1980 my mother in law was a little white haired lady driving a 1975 metalllic orange Eldorado with a 500. Don't know if she ever got it over 50. Like you better all the time.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #5 – September 03, 2018, 01:35:30 am

Woody

Congrats. From what I've gathered from a couple of years here you git a coach that was loved and cared for. Lots of "special" things FT didn't do originally. But like all of us with coaches of a certain age it's all about how many miles/year you plan to use the coach for.

We decided it was about how many coach bucks you wanted to invest preventively vs repairs on the road. We are planning to travel at least 6 months per year and planning for up to 10,000-12,000 / year for the next 10 years...god willing.

Understand where your coach is in it's lifespan mechanically and what you want functionaly and aesthetically. And know that many who see your coach will continue the prid previous owners jav experienced.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #6 – September 03, 2018, 11:19:29 am

Pyolet. You should spend $100 and join the Foretravel Motorcade club. You get discounts on parts ordered from Foretravel as well as phone tech assistance.

The Northwest chapter of the club is having a get together in Missoula at Jim & Mary's RV park on Sep 10th-14th. That would be an ideal way to meet a few of the regional Foretravel owners.
Unfortunately I won't be making the drive from Walla Walla as the coach has a doctor's appointment for new brakes on the 10th.

I see you fly a Vans. My cousin Mike Seager is one of the roaming transition flight instructors for Vans aircraft. His brother Ed also pilots a Vans. Had a pleasure of flying inverted over the crater of St. Helens in Ed's RV-7. Quite the view that was.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #7 – September 03, 2018, 12:29:30 pm

We will be at that rally! Sorry you can't make it bigdog.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #8 – September 03, 2018, 01:23:20 pm

As is usual. The shops are booked a month or more in advance. Add in our wheat harvest during July & August which kept the large vehicle mechanics very, very busy. I was lucky I only had to wait a month.

As this was the pnw's Last hurrah this year. I will have to wait out the winter to attend a rally.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #9 – September 03, 2018, 01:36:19 pm

Bigdog, the $100 membership seems more than reasonable...I somehow thought the Motorcade was a lot more than that. Will join for sure this week, as I'd love to attend the Missoula get together to meet FT folks. Getting new shoes (Toyo's) put on this coming week and that would be an excellent excuse to do a short shake down trip before heading for Quartzsite in late Oct or early Nov. I've stayed in the LTVA a month or more in the last couple years. A steal at $180 for the whole winter.

I've had the RV-7 for 3 years. Put about 150 hours on it and love the entire Vans line. Sadly have it up for sale right now on Barnstormers as I only get 1/2 a year to fly when I'm not galavanting around warmer climes during the winter. Need a bush plane anyway, and can't afford both.

Woody.

Quote from: bigdog – September 03, 2018, 11:19:29 am

Pyolet. You should spend $100 and join the Foretravel Motorcade club. You get discounts on parts ordered from Foretravel as well as phone tech assistance.

The Northwest chapter of the club is having a get together in Missoula at Jim & Mary's RV park on Sep 10th-14th. That would be an ideal way to meet a few of the regional Foretravel owners.
Unfortunately I won't be making the drive from Walla Walla as the coach has a doctor's appointment for new brakes on the 10th.

I see you fly a Vans. My cousin Mike Seager is one of the roaming transition flight instructors for Vans aircraft. His brother Ed also pilots a Vans. Had a pleasure of flying inverted over the crater of St. Helens in Ed's RV-7. Quite the view that was.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #10 – September 03, 2018, 06:52:26 pm

Quote from: Pyolet – September 03, 2018, 01:36:19 pm

Getting new shoes (Toyo's) put on this coming week and that would be an excellent excuse to do a short shake down trip before heading for Quartzsite in late Oct or early Nov.

We have a group of Foretravels meet up at Q every year. Very informal. Called the unrally. We usually have 20 to 30 coaches show. Usually during the week of the Big RV show.

Do a search for Quartzsite and you'll find plenty of info.

Congrats on the new to you coach.

see ya
ken

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #11 – September 03, 2018, 07:14:08 pm

Welcome & Congrats on the new to you FT

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #12 – September 03, 2018, 07:45:41 pm

Welcome, you won't be disappointed
FT's are all that
Chris

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #13 – September 03, 2018, 07:53:27 pm

Congratulations on your purchase and safe travels.
Steve

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #14 – September 03, 2018, 08:14:18 pm

"Woody Wagon Welcome!" Congrats to you on your purchase of one good-looking coach. Have a ball!

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #15 – September 03, 2018, 08:57:32 pm

Congrats. Enjoy the ride.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #16 – September 03, 2018, 09:24:44 pm

Thanks to all for the warm welcome. This confirms that I made the right choice with FT in general and specifically this well kept coach. Pix as son as I finish moving in.

I will stay in touch and try to join up in Q. I usually stay in just inside LaPosa North with a group of lady GMCMH die hards, and if they'll allow me in the FT, that's where I'll bivouac initially.

Incidentally I spotted a U class FT heading west on I90 towards Missoula a few hours ago while driving my truck back from a weekend's work there. 👋

Aloha, Woody.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #17 – September 04, 2018, 11:43:21 am

Congratulations on the purchase and welcome to the group. My brother bought a GMC (think it has the Caddy engine) last spring. Unfortunately, he has been working on it ever since. Sounds familiar.

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #18 – September 04, 2018, 12:28:24 pm

Congratulation on your new coach
John

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #19 – September 04, 2018, 01:35:42 pm

Ran across a few hundred GMC owners way back when. Had an interesting conversation with a Revconeer at a FMCA rally who used a bunch of bad words to me about Foretravel not building a similar coach. For an old guy his use of coarse language was rare.

I was influencial in the assigned parking for the local FMCA rally a few months later and somehow all the Revoneers group was put on the pretty grass golf course.

Unfortunately the weather for the rally changed. It rained. Fairly heavily.

As the tow trucks hauled off the grass the not able to move coaches he looked over at me and walked over to talk.

He shook my hand and apologized for his previous comments and said he had never experienced this lack of mobility inherent in the larger front drives design. Versus an old Cortez for example. 4 tires,

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #20 – September 04, 2018, 05:05:30 pm

Congratulations! Brings back good memories for me....

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #21 – September 04, 2018, 11:16:55 pm

Welcome aboard Woody. From my experience, with a little love & tender care, you will not be disappointed with your Foretravel,
especially with all the help available on the Forum.
While you are in Quartzsite, come join the Four Corner Foretravel Chapter. We gather during Quartzste at Quail Run RV Park. Last year we had about 15 Motorcaders attend for the BBQ .

ENJOY,

Lou De Carolis

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #22 – September 06, 2018, 02:04:57 am

A BIG Welcome Aboard from Orygun..... Unfortunately we will not be able to attend the fall NW rally as the wife has to work (just one more year)

Re: I just pulled the trigger on a 2001 U320!

Reply #23 – September 06, 2018, 05:54:00 am

Congratulations on your new coach. This is the place to be for everything Foretravel. Glad speedbird was able to pass his fine coach on. Sounds like his wife and he took great care of it. That is important. See you on the road.

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