Another newie question

Topic: Another newie question (Read 850 times) previous topic - next topic

Another newie question

May 20, 2020, 05:26:44 pm

Thank all of you for you answers on the 98 295 36'. What are you'll thought on a 40' versus a 36'? And now that I an learning the 320 compared to the 295? I know the 320 comes with the larger 400 hp engine. Also how many miles is considered a lot?

Re: Another newie question

Reply #1 – May 20, 2020, 05:52:10 pm

Having a 7 year old daughter traveling with wife and I, I prefer the 40', although I like the nimbleness of our 36'. I started out looking at 34's. My u295 is markedly nicer than most the 34' 270s I looked at interior wise.

Didn't notice a huge (noticeable, but not huge) difference in the 320 on 40' vs our 36' u295. My u295 handle mountains just fine. I rarely need to race anywhere and much of the joy is in the journey! Adequate and plenty is how I'd describe my U295. To me the u295 is awesome sweet spot of the FT coaches, less expensive, lacks some of the systems that give people some of fussy expenses. As weekenders/vacationers I didn't want AquaHot. When I go for longer periods after retirement, I will want AquaHot and bigger motor.

Re: Another newie question

Reply #2 – May 20, 2020, 06:06:54 pm

How many miles is a lot? I don't think that you'll find a for travel with too many miles on it. It's not about how many miles it's about how it's maintained. Actually how many miles is too little would be more of my question. a coach that sits and sits and isn't driven over a long period of time would be least desirable versus a coach that's been used.

I have a 40-ft u320. In retrospect I might have wanted a 36-ft but I'm happy with the 40. The difference is in where you can get into and how tight of a turn you can make. having never driven a 36-footer I really don't know the actual differences so this is all conjecture on my part. Four feet in internal space to me seems like a lot to give up. When I think about my coach right now and I think okay a foot here a foot there I don't know. I wouldn't want to give a foot up in the bedroom. I wouldn't want to give a foot up in the bathroom. I wouldn't want to give a foot up in the galley area. and if I gave a foot up in the front area you wouldn't be able to sleep on the jackknife sofa. I'm sure for travel made a good 36-ft coach. When I look at pictures of them I think yeah it looks fine. But when I compare it in my head to mine I don't know I'll keep mine. As far as you 320 with the aquahot. Well it can be a maintenance intensive piece of equipment I don't think I'd want to have a coach without it. For one thing I'm not a fan of propane so the aqua hot uses diesel, and electricity. I'm pretty happy with that I don't know that I'll ever get into the lowest temperatures that this thing would take me down to but if I do I'll be damned glad that I have the aqua hot. But as soon it can require maintenance and after 20 years could be a lot of maintenance. If it comes to that I'll tackle it.
The best way to figure out what's right for you is to go look at coaches. Look at them online, check out the pictures. That will give you a general idea. Go to motorhomes of Texas in nacogdoches. Look at what they have for sale. Compare your budget to what's available. Remember that your total budget has to include at least $10,000 setback for required maintenance and possibly $20,000.
Good luck finding your coach.
Bob

Re: Another newie question

Reply #3 – May 20, 2020, 06:41:52 pm

How much room one needs is of course highly subjective. As we went from staying in tents and hotels to a 36Ft coach. We have been fine with it's size. But we American's like our "stuff" so most could fill a 100ft Yacht and complain it's just too darn small.

And like Bob said. It's the maintenance more than too many miles. And just like people, A coach that has been sitting around for too long will be out of shape. The M11 engine that so many 320's have were built for over the road commercial trucks that haul 80,000 lbs. With proper oil changes and valve adjustments. They will go 750,000 miles (or more) before needing a rebuild. The engines in most coaches are not working very hard. Just downshift and bring up the revs when climbing a long hill to keep the exhaust gas temps down and they do fine.

Re: Another newie question

Reply #4 – May 20, 2020, 06:46:29 pm

Quote from: brianefeeze – May 20, 2020, 05:26:44 pm

Thank all of you for you answers on the 98 295 36'. What are you'll thought on a 40' versus a 36'? And now that I an learning the 320 compared to the 295? I know the 320 comes with the larger 400 hp engine. Also how many miles is considered a lot?

Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Re: Another newie question

Reply #5 – May 20, 2020, 06:54:29 pm

If you live in the West or plan a lot to trips West, the 36 is more maneuverable and easier to find a campsite. Not a huge difference but it's there. On the other hand, if you full time and stay in a full service campground for days at a time, the 40 foot will have more room and probably a wash/dryer. I would like a 34 or shorter for the trips we make

Pierce

Re: Another newie question

Reply #6 – May 20, 2020, 07:02:01 pm

Year 2000 to 2005 U320 questions

Re: Another newie question

Reply #7 – May 20, 2020, 10:37:17 pm

I have a 36 ft. U320 and it's perfect for me. I was going to get rid of the propane altogether but Roger said I could get a small
propane tank and then I don't have to run the generator to cook, so I will leave the stove top. The coach handles perfect on the
highway and I love the power of the M 11. When I drive from Vancouver to Whistler which I do a lot in the winter I can do the
speed limit the whole way. The Aqua Hot is great and being able to keep the bathroom warm and the rest of the coach cool is
great. Getting up at night having the bathroom and the floor warm is a real treat. You will have to see what works for you as
we all have different wants and needs.

Re: Another newie question

Reply #8 – May 21, 2020, 07:30:22 am

When I was looking for my coach, I looked at 36', 40' and a 42'. I picked a 36 and am glad that I did. Like others have said, for me the extra length was somewhat intimidating for a first time motorhome owner. Granted the extra space in both inside storage and extra basement bay looked great, but when the DW, myself and 2 small dogs lived in it for 15 months, we never did fill all the storage spots up. The 36 has plenty of power to cruise at highway speed and still handles the mountain curves of the Ozarks which is the only mountains that I have been to so far.

Just as each coach is different, each persons wants/needs will vary. My coach is all diesel/electric. I'm glad I don't have to worry about propane, but that is just me. I wouldn't want to be without an Aqua Hot personally. I don't know what the maintenance requirements would be for a propane furnace coach, but after having rebuilt my AH, I am more of a fan than before. The basic unit is quite simple and works very well. For me, the electronics are a bit more complex, but not beyond a learning curve. Exercise the unit regularly and do the simple maintenance of filter, nozzle and alignment, it will give you great results for years. Like oldguy said, nothing is sweeter than a warm bathroom at night, or when stepping out of the shower.

Everyone has different thoughts on what is right for them. These are mine, and only mine. You get what you pay for with free advice

It took me 7 years from the time I started looking at RVing till I bought mine. Research is your friend and ally. The people and knowledge on this forum is worth 10 times what you will pay for your coach. If you have an issue, someone has been there, done that and is willing to share with you or can point you to the right place in the search dept. Having the factory still in business is another factor not to be lightly thought of. I have gotten advice, information and parts for my 24 yr old coach, where others would have been out of business or not cared about us older models, they just want you to keep buying something new.

Sorry for the long post, but there is a lot to be considered for most people.

Happy hunting.
Larry

Re: Another newie question

Reply #9 – May 21, 2020, 08:34:20 am

We fulltimed in a 45' 2 slide Newell for a couple years and loved having the room and basement storage. But it did limit us where we could go to. We saw quite a few places that we couldn't get into. After selling that and buying another house we bought a 26' Lazy Daze class C. Too small for us. Not nearly enough storage. Sold it and bought our 36' U320. For the way we travel, a couple months at a time it is nearly perfect. Last year we spent over 5 months on our Alaska trip and were loaded to the gills. We didn't need nearly all of the stuff we packed but had it anyway. Our 36' got us into a few spots that were very tight and a larger coach wouldn't have fit. And having a washer/dryer made it very comfortable. The 40' does give you a couple feet here and there inside but more importantly gives you more basement storage. If we were fulltiming we would have a 40'. But 36' fits us perfectly right now.
So you need to spend time in different sizes and decide how you will use it.
Good luck and have fun looking!

Re: Another newie question

Reply #10 – August 10, 2020, 08:00:23 am

Cummings ISMO Engine, 500 hp, on a 2004 Foretravel U320 with 185000 miles, so this means 16 years and 185000 miles.
So, I have read many stories by many people who use the analogy of big trucks having engines last for 500,000 miles or longer, and all engines are not the same, as well as big trucks get these high miles in a short period of time, 2-4 years, unlike an RV that gets 200000 miles over 16 years.

So, I don't mean to answer my own question, I guess I am hoping knowledgeable Cummings engine owner who has had or does have a 500 hp CummIngs ISMO engine, might wish to share his gut knowledge on the real expected mileage on such an engine on an RV before it must have serious rebuild issues. Is 200,000 at the end of life, or will it likely go for 200k additional miles.??

Thank you in advance of your reply.
Roadman

Re: Another newie question

Reply #11 – August 10, 2020, 10:00:11 am

Difficult question to answer.

How it has been cared for over that 185,000 miles/many years is a large part of the equation.

Driven regularly is better than sitting for a couple of years with 3 year old oil in it. Coolant changed/tested ans SCA added if old style coolant vs OE coolant, etc.

With reasonable care, that engine has many hundreds of thousands of miles to go.

Re: Another newie question

Reply #12 – August 10, 2020, 11:41:59 am

Quote from: Roadman – August 10, 2020, 08:00:23 am

Is 200,000 at the end of life, or will it likely go for 200k additional miles.??

Thank you in advance of your reply.
Roadman

As Brett has said. It is a difficult question to answer with 100% certainly. There are 3 things you can do to shorten a big diesel engines life.
#1, Not changing the oil enough and doing the not oft needed valve adjustment. (every 120K/3000hrs)
#2, Starting the engine and idling while in storage. This forms condensation that remains in the oil and will become acidic. Not good at all. Let it sit, It will be fine. If you do start it, Then drive it to bring the oil to full operating temps.
#3, Lugging the engine on a climb. This will have the exhaust gas temps way too high. Which will break down and coke the oil on the turbos bearings. Use that up and down arrow on the shift pad.

For a diesel engine, Sitting around un-started isn't an issue at all. But sitting is an issue for many of the ancillary systems. And sitting unoccupied is a big vacancy sign for the critters to invade your space.

Here is a nice little quick sheet for the 11 liter Cummins. Helpful Cummins ISM Information

Re: Another newie question

Reply #13 – August 10, 2020, 01:56:41 pm

Going on mileage alone is a difficult question. We generally buy farm grain hauling trucks with 500,000 to 800,000 miles on them. Never replaced an engine but one time. It was a1997 Peterbilt with 1.3 million miles. It was a red top Cummins and I think it paid for itself.....new engine, go again.

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Another newie question

May 20, 2020, 05:26:44 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #1 – May 20, 2020, 05:52:10 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #2 – May 20, 2020, 06:06:54 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #3 – May 20, 2020, 06:41:52 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #4 – May 20, 2020, 06:46:29 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #5 – May 20, 2020, 06:54:29 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #6 – May 20, 2020, 07:02:01 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #7 – May 20, 2020, 10:37:17 pm

Re: Another newie question

Reply #8 – May 21, 2020, 07:30:22 am

Re: Another newie question

Reply #9 – May 21, 2020, 08:34:20 am

Re: Another newie question

Reply #10 – August 10, 2020, 08:00:23 am

Re: Another newie question

Reply #11 – August 10, 2020, 10:00:11 am

Re: Another newie question

Reply #12 – August 10, 2020, 11:41:59 am

Re: Another newie question

Reply #13 – August 10, 2020, 01:56:41 pm

Affiliate Notice