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Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Ladies and Gentlemen.,

I am  still in the dreaming phase of being a Foretravel owner.  I have spent many hours over the last week gleaning through this forum and find if a valuable resource.  I really appreciate having a resource like this available and I have few questions I trust you can help answer.

1.   Any guidance on determining a fair value for a used coach? 
While I would love to splurge on a new Foretravel, I think a used one is a more realistic goal.  The only used motor home valuation resource I have found on line is NADA which seems to be 20 to 25 percent less than advertised asking prices.  I called my current insurance provider and their valuation is about 33% lower than the NADA average retail number. 

2.    Any recommendations on insurance providers?

3.   How much should I budget for insurance?
I realize it depends on the coach's value and level of coverage, but would appreciate ballpark planning numbers.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #1 –
Dreamer,  I just renewed my RV insurance with the Ron Jarvie agency for an Agreed Value Policy whose value was established by a letter from Jason Haskins at Motor Homes of Texas, ie. not NADA but folks that know the market.  MOT can help you locate and correctly value a coach.

Call Meghan at 480/994-9584

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Rudy –
Dreamer,  I just renewed my RV insurance with the Ron Jarvie agency for an Agreed Value Policy whose value was established by a letter from Jason Haskins at Motor Homes of Texas, ie. not NADA but folks that know the market.  MOT can help you locate and correctly value a coach.

Call Meghan at 480/994-9584

Thank you Rudy for the info and contact. 

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #3 –
Rudy,

Does your coach insurance company write agreed value Texas policies only or would I be able to use them? I have Texas ID and own Texas property but I am a resident of Nebraska where my coach is registered..
Jim

2002 U320

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #4 –
Call Meghan.  Where your coach is registered and are you a full timer or not is what determines rates.

Dreamer, full time coverage is higher than folks with a home and RV

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #5 –
And Ron Jarvie will tell you--if you are NOT full timing, to insure your coach and car or truck under the same insurance policy.
Reason: your car or truck will be used much more than your coach so if you do have an accident with the car or truck your rates will climb very quickly and the coach rate will go way up..

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #6 –
Safeco, stated value. Live in Idaho. Reasonable.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #7 –
+1 on Safeco agreed value.
John

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #8 –
Auto Owners, stated value.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #9 –
Have been with Ron J for years.

Our first coach value was based on and Independent Appraisal that Overland accepted and insured for that amount.  After a few years that policy got quite expensive,  We changed over to market value.  The market value is about 20K lower than the Appraisal amount.

We have owned 2 FT.  One was a 2002 U320 36'.  Our current coach is a 2001 FT U320 42'.

Last year Ron's office offered a different policy from a different company, that they represent, but did not move as to timing.  Long story.

Good luck with your endevour.  :)



Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #10 –
You don't need an appraisal. Here's my method. Figure what you think your Foretravel is worth. Divide that number by two. You'll still be a little high but close.
jor

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #11 –
Dreamer, the value of something is what a willing seller and a willing buyer agree it is. Spend some time looking at the Classifieds here, the offerings at MOT and FOT, and compare them to what you find on RV Trader and PPL. PPL prices will be on the low end, as they are a consignment business and want to move inventory quickly. The coaches there are more likely to be a bit rough, as their owners are letting them go for bottom dollar. IF (and that's a really big IF) you know what you are doing AND can do much of it yourself you can find a bargain there. For most of us, what we find is a money pit. RV Trader ads are going to have the prices all over the place, but you will find quite a few coaches for sale, and you can get a decent feel for what a reasonable price is. FOT and MOT prices are going to be toward the high end, as those coaches are going to be the better quality ones.

Spend some time with the beam alarm page, looking at floor plans and specs. Find the ones that will suit your needs and watch for those. When you find one that looks interesting, find someone like Brett Wolfe to inspect it for you. If it still looks good, make an offer based on what YOU are willing to pay. Most sellers price their coaches somewhat above what they expect to get, so there is likely to be some wiggle room in the price. Also, if you have an inspection report in hand that details what the coach needs, that can help.

One tip: when you are really ready to buy, you may need to be VERY quick. More than one person has seen an ad, thought about it overnight, called and been told that the coach is sold.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #12 –
Look at MOT's coaches for sale, take 10 to 15 grand off and that's the fair retail.
Like other people have suggested, look at classifieds and see what that are asking.
Then there is the difference between the coaches that will never sell at the asking price because they are junk, others are sold fairly quickly.
These coaches are hard to value, they have more value to those of us who know what we have than to those who look at age only.
Good luck with your quest.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #13 –
Hi Everyone,
Been looking at a 1989 Grand Villa 36' DD 8.3 with 60,000 that is in need of a make over. Both roof ACs, fridge, ice maker are shot and generator is repairable, Need tires. The engine, transmission, body and roof in good shape. Almost everything else is unknown. Interior is somewhat restored. Drives great. $3000 What do you all think? Should I run?
Thx in advance

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #14 –
Gypsy,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

There is no DD 8.3.

So, which engine does it have-- all three can be found in that year Foretravels, yet VERY different engines:

Detroit Diesel 8.2 liter V8 4 stroke

Detroit Diesel 6V92 2 stroke

Cummins 8.3 liter in line 6 cylinder.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #15 –
  Avoid an old V8 DD Fuel pincher . They had  design issues  and problems from new .
Any of the other options should be fine, 6V92, or  Cat 3208  run well  with few issues.
 Be ready to put in 20K and you will have to drive the value out of it , as most of us try to .
 If you wonder how 20K fills up the inside, ; Tires 2500+-
 Shocks, batteries, air bags, fridge,  gen set , 
 Consider it a hobby that moves ..  Good luck , Call me  if you need any pointers, as I have the same vintage GV and have done all of the above plus a bunch more. 
 
I looked at  Country Coach that had the V8 and found it really nice  but it also came with a smaller trans and would not take the torque of any swap .  You want the 643 trans IMHO.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #16 –
HEY!! We have that "old DD V8 Fuel Pincher" and it has 85,000 miles on it without a single hiccup from the engine!!
Treat it right, service it on schedule and it will run on a long, long time. Just like any other diesel.
Care and treatment works wonders.
Only drawback is power needed to push a 36' 22,000# coach down the road, towing a toad, above 60 MPH, is nonexistent.
Creeps up on the speed. Gets 8-10 MPG.
Believe it or not, but those "bad" engines are in use up here, for irrigation in the potato fields and run and last a long, long time.
Only one mechanic & his shop still works on them. Located just a bit outside Antigo, WI--Skarlupka Service, Inc.
Great work and decent pricing.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #17 –
Well drove to Nacogdoches this morning to look at coaches. MOT website shows they are open 9 to 3 on Sat. Arrived but doors are locked and phone goes unanswered. Guess I will keep dreaming.

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #18 –
Saturday is by appointment only

Re: Used Coach Valuation and Insurance

Reply #19 –
They have always been closed on Saturday but this is now the schedule according to the website.  I'd be unhappy too (and I'm a big defender of MOT.)