Just got an 85' Grand villa

Topic: Just got an 85' Grand villa (Read 2785 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #25 – April 03, 2019, 07:50:30 pm

I would not remove the plug completely but loosen it enough so fluid can escape around the threads. Water would be the first to come out.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #26 – April 03, 2019, 10:56:24 pm

What is access to the diesel fuel tank through the fill?

I have not worked on your model coach. But on newer ones where you fill directly into the tank, checking for water or contamination is very easy.

Raise the side of the coach opposite the fuel fill. Let it sit for a couple of hours. Water and dirt are heaver than diesel and will flow to the low point.

Make a pickup from 6-7' of cheap clear plastic hose and a coat hanger. Straighten the coat hanger and use it to secure the bottom of the hose so it gets to the bottom of the tank.

Suck on the hose-- yes, being careful to not get it near your mouth. Pull it out and see what you get. If it looks bad, start a siphon and "vacuum" the bottom of the tank.

LOTS cleaner than removing a drain plug with 100 gallons of diesel above you.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #27 – April 04, 2019, 12:34:05 am

LOL Brett the 150 gallon ORED tank is tucked up between the frame rails and 9 feet long.with about 8 feet of undersized fill tube. Don't even think about pulling in the OTR truck fill islands as the nozzle is too big to fit. Tried to legally buy fuel in Arizona but my GVRW was over 26k for my 300 hp rig. So fuel station attendant told me to fuel at the at the car and PU truck diesel fuel island, he said nobody will ever check GVRW of the coach. $10,000 fine if caught avoiding the extra 18 cents a gallon fuel tax for over 26k lbs.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #28 – April 04, 2019, 01:16:40 am

Your GVWR is 25,880. On purpose Foretravel made it under 26k.

GCWR is more as that is the total with tow.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #29 – April 04, 2019, 01:20:57 am

Here is a link with some info about over 26K lb. fuel taxes in AZ. As I read it, motorhomes are not subject to the tax unless they are being used for commercial purposes. There was a lot of discussion about this a few years back...
RV Arizona: Arizona fuel tax rumor goes viral -- here's the real story
Don

Quote from: Old phart phred – April 04, 2019, 12:34:05 am

LOL Brett the 150 gallon ORED tank is tucked up between the frame rails and 9 feet long.with about 8 feet of undersized fill tube. Don't even think about pulling in the OTR truck fill islands as the nozzle is too big to fit. Tried to legally buy fuel in Arizona but my GVRW was over 26k for my 300 hp rig. So fuel station attendant told me to fuel at the at the car and PU truck diesel fuel island, he said nobody will ever check GVRW of the coach. $10,000 fine if caught avoiding the extra 18 cents a gallon fuel tax for over 26k lbs.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #30 – April 04, 2019, 02:18:18 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – April 04, 2019, 01:16:40 am

Your GVWR is 25,880. On purpose Foretravel made it under 26k.

GCWR is more as that is the total with tow.

Nope on the $10,000 optional 300 hp cats they used a HD rear axle rated at 17.5k so beam alarm and or foretravel specs are wrong. Data plates show 26.5k lbs, class B drivers license required in Kansas.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #31 – April 04, 2019, 02:36:11 am

Quote from: Don & Tys – April 04, 2019, 01:20:57 am

Here is a link with some info about over 26K lb. fuel taxes in AZ. As I read it, motorhomes are not subject to the tax unless they are being used for commercial purposes. There was a lot of discussion about this a few years back...
RV Arizona: Arizona fuel tax rumor goes viral -- here's the real story
Don

That may be true, they just do not indicate
that at fuel pumps warning labels or inform fuel station operators, to gain extra revenue. Go figure.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #32 – April 04, 2019, 07:16:10 am

Just FYI.
Kansas does not require class B license. I checked into a year ago. Even though it weighs over the 26k threshold, being a RV and not commercial they do not require a class B license.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #33 – April 04, 2019, 12:01:26 pm

Quote from: John hobbs – April 04, 2019, 07:16:10 am

Just FYI.
Kansas does not require class B license. I checked into a year ago. Even though it weighs over the 26k threshold, being a RV and not commercial they do not require a class B license.

after calling 5 different drivers license offices and getting 6 entirely different answers I called the Kansas Highway Patrol in Topeka. Final answer was Class B, non-commercial, air brake endorsement not required (or even attainable). Captain told me the drivers license offices will be confused, so just tell them its the same license that the fire truck drivers get. They will give you the same written test as a class C (because they don't have a separate class B non commercial written test for this). Clear as mud.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #34 – April 04, 2019, 12:09:26 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – April 04, 2019, 12:01:26 pm

after calling 5 different drivers license offices and getting 6 entirely different answers I called the Kansas Highway Patrol in Topeka. Final answer was Class B, non-commercial, air brake endorsement not required (or even attainable). Captain told me the drivers license offices will be confused, so just tell them its the same license that the fire truck drivers get. They will give you the same written test as a class C (because they don't have a separate class B non commercial written test for this). Clear as mud.

A very common issue in many states.

BUT (an important but) ignorance on the part of a clerk who gives you incorrect advice wouldn't help much if you are involved in an accident and do not have the proper license to operate your coach!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #35 – April 04, 2019, 12:20:34 pm

In Kansas the clerks are low bid contract labor, with a traveling Driving portion test examiner who I believe is part of the KHP.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #36 – April 06, 2019, 08:03:12 pm

I still find it crazy that in AZ you don't need a CDL to drive these things. Good thing I have my Class A! Drove it halfway around the block today! I think the fuel shutoff solenoid went bad. Its getting too much fuel though as I am getting alot of white smoke, so I need to figure that out. Still haven't messed with the tank, had rigged up a fuel system and didn't realize most of it was going back through the return line to the tank. But dang that is a smooth running motor!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #37 – April 06, 2019, 09:29:11 pm

I would be really concerned about the "white" smoke. It could well be steam from a water leak into the engine (head gasket?). Too much fuel would more than likely produce black smoke. Check for water in the fuel (drain the water separator) if there is one, and keep a close watch on the coolant level and foamy oil. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #38 – April 07, 2019, 11:43:02 am

Yes that would be absolutely worst case. Though I do believe it to be the injectors as it has been a LONG time since it ran.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #39 – April 07, 2019, 11:51:44 pm

Some more pics, the cargo door makes a handy spot for the temporary fuel tank! And what exactly is the motor in the first picture for? Also got it running again, Cracked all the injector lines and it fired right back up and ran better than yesterday. And no more white smoke!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #40 – April 07, 2019, 11:54:18 pm

Does anyone know where I can get the taillight I'm missing?

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #41 – April 08, 2019, 12:06:17 am

Quote from: 85ForetravelGV – April 07, 2019, 11:51:44 pm

And what exactly is the motor in the first picture for?

Early Iron Age version of a inverter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOxhhp33_aA

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #42 – April 08, 2019, 12:13:31 am

Looks like the early redline generators that some coaches used. A DC motor running AC generator that produced 120 volts to run your ac equipment. Not very efficient. Had one in an old Bluebird. Changed it out to an inverter.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #43 – April 08, 2019, 12:45:15 am

Wow a trip down memory lane looking at the photos. Sold and used a lot of those era coaches.

Magic chef, newtone blender in the counter. Loved the thick glass three piece sliding windows. Thinlights in the ceiling. Headliner look good.

Does it have a tub?

Thanks for the photos. More....

Mylar shades behind the valences? Roll downs?

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #44 – April 08, 2019, 08:31:30 am

Quote from: 85ForetravelGV – April 07, 2019, 11:54:18 pm

Does anyone know where I can get the taillight I'm missing?

Best advice I can give: since you have the same lens on the other side, see if there is any kind of ID number on it. If you find one, do Google search for that number. You might luck out and find a used lens somewhere, or even better a new reproduction lens that looks the same.

OR, change out both tail light assemblies to a modern replacement that is similar in size/shape, but uses LEDs. Much more efficient.

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #45 – April 08, 2019, 08:37:56 am

Quote from: jcus – April 08, 2019, 12:13:31 am

A DC motor running AC generator that produced 120 volts to run your ac equipment.

Plug a 120V battery charger into one of the outlets, connect the battery charger to the battery, and VOILA: Perpetual Motion Machine!

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #46 – April 08, 2019, 09:06:12 am

Quote from: jcus - 9 hours ago

A DC motor running AC generator that produced 120 volts to run your ac equipment.

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – April 08, 2019, 08:37:56 am

Plug a 120V battery charger into one of the outlets, connect the battery charger to the battery, and VOILA: Perpetual Motion Machine!

Chuck and Jeannie you should be ashamed of yourselves! It took a while to remember but that rotary inverter was also called a dynamo in other applications. Efficiency? It works but it will suck in the sides of the battery.

For movie night, check out Island in the Sky, 1953, John Wayne, for the sound of the radio's dynamo draining the last of the battery life.

Island in the Sky (1953) - IMDb

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #47 – April 08, 2019, 09:22:15 am

Quote from: 85ForetravelGV – March 23, 2019, 08:22:27 pm

Well I just pulled this 85' out of a 20+ year slumber. Last tagged in 97'. Cat 3208 with alison trans. Defiantly alot of stuff on it I have no idea what it does, glad I found this forum! First thing will be to fix a couple of vents on the roof, then get it back up on the levelers. Its going to need new airbags. However I am going to get it running first, then go down the list. I have alot of experience working on old trucks and other gas engines, however diesels are new to me so this will be a great learning experience. More pictures and questions to come!

please clarify a model year. The BEAMALARM history appears to be clear that the GV was introduced and named by Mrs Fore for model year 1986. Our MFG plate in our coach states 11-85 which would make this an 86 if FT followed the model year sequences for American cars / vehicles... what is the FT build number ? Was FT making the FTX and the GV at the same time

Thanks for any historical information ...pictured is our GAS Grand Villa

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #48 – April 08, 2019, 09:47:04 am

Check NAPA or Jeep for the lens .

Re: Just got an 85' Grand villa

Reply #49 – April 08, 2019, 02:25:20 pm

FT build number is in your foretravel model number, my build number was on the decal in the glove box that lists alignment specs.

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