Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

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Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

July 23, 2020, 03:25:04 pm

Hey team! I've reluctant to post here as you may see these all the time.. but!

I've been looking at foretravel for a long time. 2-3 years? It's been 1.5 years since I signed up here

But basically considered it off the table, because they are so hard to find. I've called a few times, and found others were already flying in!

I randomly ran into this 1987 foretravel with a lot of recent work done at $19,500
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1987-Foretravel-GRAND-VILLA-5012902624

40' long miles: 35.000Vin#: 10T9M9A88H1031132Motor: Caterpillar 3208 turbo diesel transmission: EllisonChassis: OSHKOSHIncluding 6.5K propane generator I bought this RV in 2015 with 17.000 miles. I have over $15,000.00 invested. The RV runs like new. Just completed a Peterbilt 20-point inspection, motor and generator serviced, and all oils changes as of 4/5/2019 (cost $2,500). I also just added a new electric awning ($2.150). I must sell this RV to help my business through the current financial issues due to the Corona Virus. The following things have been done since then:
New tires
New floor
Both front windshields including all seals and rubbers replaced
New window blinds
New curtains
New kitchen sink
New kitchen faucet
New kitchen tile tops
New refrigerator (never used, $2.500 receipt available)
New main furnace ($1.717, receipt available)
Replaced water pump belt (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced AC compressor belt (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced alternator belt (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced air filter (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced fuel filter (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced oil intake tubing (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced transmission oil (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced Differential oil (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced radiator hose (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced radiator fluid (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Replaced power steering hose (no receipt)
Replaced coach battery (receipt available)
Replaced starter battery (receipt available)
Replace front brake airlines (receipt available)
Rebuild rear brake drum; new wheel seal, new drum, new 6" wedge shoes, new wedge kit (receipt available)
Replaced air dryer assembly (receipt available)
Replaced and sealed marker lights (receipt available)
Replaced complete front window seal (receipt available)
Replaced both front windows (receipt available)
Serviced Generator, lube, oil & filter (by Peterbilt, receipt available)
Polished entire RV
Heaters in the back are rebuilt.
RV is completely sealed (no leak from the roof at any place) by All RV needs, $ 1,371 receipt available

And love it! I have gotten some interior videos, and just love all the recent inspections, upgrades, etc., documented. I've already ordered an RV inspection (not chassis), and I'm flying to buy it in 3 days, and am curious about any thoughts.

To me, it seems like the recent upgrades added make it a coach being sold not because of some disrepair, but due to real need. Why buy a new fridge, reseal roof, new awning before selling? I do feel it's unique among most of the foretravels I've found to date where I have to wonder.. "why are they selling?"

It's an ORED which is not what I was looking for, and has an odometer issue disclosed provably in the past few years (odometer has moved between purchase at 2015 to 2017) before stopping. Seller says odometer repair wasn't feasible in the neighborhood due toi parts issues except back in Texas.

Thanks all! It seems I will be driving this beauty in 3 days!

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #1 – July 23, 2020, 03:58:55 pm

Looks like a nice coach well taken care of. Good engine. You won't know everything until after the inspection. Good luck!

Pierce

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #2 – July 23, 2020, 04:10:23 pm

Looks good, if it was in my neighborhood I would add it to my collection.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #3 – July 23, 2020, 04:11:12 pm

I'm guessing your local (relatively) to us. Given your name Portland-ft and the coach location (Ashland).. we are located in the Salem area.
Nice looking coach.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #4 – July 23, 2020, 04:13:39 pm

Quote from: Bob & Sue – July 23, 2020, 04:11:12 pm

I'm guessing your local (relatively) to us. Given your name Portland-ft and the coach location (Ashland).. we are located in the Salem area.
Nice looking coach.

Born and raised in Portland

I hope to be joining FT family soon! I already feel apart of the sellers family, haha.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #5 – July 23, 2020, 04:55:55 pm

I had an '87. Those GV's had speedometer issues caused by the speed generator gears quiting. I replaced mine. Hard to find but simple to replace. Sounds like you got a peach. Bring it to Quartzsite.

It should also have a U-line icemaker (thousand bucks) and trash compactor but no inverter.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #6 – July 23, 2020, 05:09:09 pm

I will say it! Welcome! We like pictures. So. Beauty shots of your new lady expected in 3 days.
Work with seller on mirror position.
Of course all items that you will use in cg.
Ask about security when inside. Think wally, etc. Just to see how he handled it.
Hiding places if needed for protection.
Blind spots. They have been there done that. Better to learn now.
Try to work deal on any spare parts, special tools they may have.
Safety stands
His routine for getting ready for road. Video it. Or at least copy audio.
Tpm
How he deals with roof. Safety and going onto.
Fire, carbon monoxide, fire extinguisher check check check. (Batteries, charge)
This site is platinum. You might want to add Fb foretravel also.
How he maintains batteries
How he gets internet in Rv.
How he maintains interior. (Chemicals on wood finish) etc

Just some randoms
Vr Mark welcome home!

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #7 – July 23, 2020, 05:11:13 pm

Would the GPS speedo work in his new Rv?. It was used recently by a fellow member?

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #8 – July 23, 2020, 05:20:47 pm

Looks very clean. Recently updated!

I just rebuild my front hub so I would recommend you check the front hub if it has been sitting for long time.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #9 – July 23, 2020, 07:19:35 pm

Welcome to the community... i have posted several questions over the last 2 years and have always been pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information

Pictured in our 1986 GV.....

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #10 – July 23, 2020, 08:53:35 pm

Welcome .You'll love it.
My 88 is 87 chassis #. Feel free to ask anything as far as finding stuff and what they do.

Sounds like mine. Only I'm sure it looks better.
The GPS speedo seems nice and cheap. It does not match the OE stuff as is tho and has bright led lighting. I like it
. IT does show the actual speed that may disappoint you. My OE speedo read 10% high.

All of the work stated sounds similar, Check the air bags, shox, front end stuff and steering box. This has a box not like the later Shepard .
I would consider that price to be fair if the above items check good.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #11 – July 24, 2020, 02:05:50 am

The Oshkosh's used a spicer 710 steering box. Unless reset the steering tends to make the coach push towards the roads edge sometimes.

The "spool" needs to be centered on a bench. It's in the chassis manual.

3 hours shop labor. It was a early hour needed service. I fixed countless owners of many brands coaches that exhibited this driving issue.

If anyone's Oshkosh ORED wanders the box is the fix normally

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #12 – July 24, 2020, 10:28:07 am

Normally pulling toward right (following the crown of the road) is a sign that there is insufficient additional CASTER between the left side and the right side (right side should be around 1/2 degree higher to compensate for the crown).

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #13 – July 24, 2020, 11:00:08 am

Our coach was squirelly until we had the front end aligned per the specifics listed on the inside of the glove box cover by FOT.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #14 – July 24, 2020, 11:56:45 am

Quote from: Protech Racing – July 23, 2020, 08:53:35 pm

Welcome .You'll love it.
My 88 is 87 chassis #. Feel free to ask anything as far as finding stuff and what they do.

Sounds like mine. Only I'm sure it looks better.
The GPS speedo seems nice and cheap. It does not match the OE stuff as is tho and has bright led lighting. I like it
. IT does show the actual speed that may disappoint you. My OE speedo read 10% high.

All of the work stated sounds similar, Check the air bags, shox, front end stuff and steering box. This has a box not like the later Shepard .
I would consider that price to be fair if the above items check good.

Thank you! The interior has pros and cons. It doesn't have the signature stock countertops - the PO installed tile. Not the end of the world, but it's interesting how much that brand has made on an impact on my perception! Haha.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #15 – July 24, 2020, 12:04:06 pm

Quote from: Texhub – July 23, 2020, 05:09:09 pm

I will say it! Welcome! We like pictures. So. Beauty shots of your new lady expected in 3 days.
Work with seller on mirror position.
Of course all items that you will use in cg.
Ask about security when inside. Think wally, etc. Just to see how he handled it.
Hiding places if needed for protection.
Blind spots. They have been there done that. Better to learn now.
Try to work deal on any spare parts, special tools they may have.
Safety stands
His routine for getting ready for road. Video it. Or at least copy audio.
Tpm
How he deals with roof. Safety and going onto.
Fire, carbon monoxide, fire extinguisher check check check. (Batteries, charge)
This site is platinum. You might want to add Fb foretravel also.
How he maintains batteries
How he gets internet in Rv.
How he maintains interior. (Chemicals on wood finish) etc

Just some randoms
Vr Mark welcome home!

Thank you! I feel I'm in good hands! The owner is willing to pick up me up at the airport, prepare the RV for a first night (kinda like new coaches, eh?) since I'd have nowhere to stay that night, and then in the morning teach me the ins and outs, his routines etc., tips and tricks, and drive it. Once it's 100% we'll got the bank, and I drive 5 hours to Portland.

I love the idea to video this process. Thanks for that! I hope I do not forget to do so.

My biggest concern now, is if I will be comfortable enough with the rig to back it up effectively into the lot that will be its forever home. I've been staring at google maps to imagine how I'd tackle the backup, but without being used to the rigs sight lines, could be tough. I think we'll be fine, but it does give me anxiety! Healthy anxiety perhaps. Happy to hear the PO replaced the windshield recently & added heated mirrors.

My last "almost purchased" rig had horrible sight lines to the right -- could barely see anything due to the "window seal delamination problem" where the seals kinda turn into snakes.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #16 – July 24, 2020, 12:16:25 pm

No helper to assist with backing??

If so, some common hand (actually arm signs-- arms being easier to see than just hands).

Helper ALWAYS in driver's side mirror. If you can't see them, STOP until you do (they may need to take a quick look at the other side of the coach, potential overhanging trees, etc)

Helper facing you (forward):

Waving left arm (extended) slowly up and down-- move toward the left. Waving faster-- move more toward the left.

Waving right arm (extended). SAME

Crossing arms ("X") is stop.

Yes, cell phones can be used, but often distract. Same for hand held radios.

No helper, then practice in an open parking lot-- place cardboard boxes and practice backing toward/between them. Mess up and no harm-- the cardboard won't hurt the coach. I did this when practicing for my Texas B exempt driver's license, as parallel parking was part of the test. And, after a quarter million miles in a DP, had very little experience parallel parking!

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #17 – July 24, 2020, 12:30:17 pm

Quote from: Texhub – July 23, 2020, 05:11:13 pm

Would the GPS speedo work in his new Rv?. It was used recently by a fellow member?

I plan to use a phone speedo for now. What's a GPS Speedo? Like one built directly into the dash?

I'm not sure if the odometer is rolling -- I'd like that number accurate. But one thing at a time

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #18 – July 24, 2020, 12:35:14 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 24, 2020, 12:16:25 pm

No helper, then practice in an open parking lot-- place cardboard boxes and practice backing toward/between them. Mess up and no harm-- the cardboard won't hurt the coach. I did this when practicing for my Texas B exempt driver's license, as parallel parking was part of the test. And, after a quarter million miles in a DP, had very little experience parallel parking!

I will make sure I have a helper there, so I at least won't run into anything. Just might need to try many times, and block traffic a bit.

I love this idea to use boxes, or some visual goal. Maybe I can practice in the parking lot somewhere. Especially with Covid, there must be a lot of completely empty parking lots.

I'll want to take a break during the ride up north so maybe I will target some parking lot destinations!

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #19 – July 24, 2020, 12:37:10 pm

Quote from: Subsilked – July 23, 2020, 07:19:35 pm

Welcome to the community... i have posted several questions over the last 2 years and have always been pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information

Pictured in our 1986 GV.....

I got that impression years ago when I first signed up. In fact, it might even be another compelling reason to choose a foretravel.

I had a community like this for my Land Cruiser, ih8mud.com. Super helpful guys that would just go out of their way to help you, like one guy even inspected a truck for me, a stranger, because he was near by.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #20 – July 24, 2020, 01:59:07 pm

Oshkosh has the front axle alignment settings on the underside of the dash on the right side.

The have a different spec for the two sides to compensate for the crown of the road.

After you get home I will post the suspension tests I did when I sold them used.

Be feeling for the darting towards the shoulder occasionally. That's the spool in the steering box needing a bench resetting.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #21 – July 24, 2020, 02:55:30 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 24, 2020, 01:59:07 pm

Oshkosh has the front axle alignment settings on the underside of the dash on the right side.

The have a different spec for the two sides to compensate for the crown of the road.

After you get home I will post the suspension tests I did when I sold them used.

Be feeling for the darting towards the shoulder occasionally. That's the spool in the steering box needing a bench resetting.

I will see how she drives!

PS Bob, I have a LX470 and 99 F250 - similar vehicle choice! and would LOVE both an SC430 and LS460. Have been passively looking for an LS460 for fun for years.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #22 – July 24, 2020, 03:12:51 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 24, 2020, 12:16:25 pm

No helper to assist with backing??

Just remember.......only ONE person is driving that bus. GOAL. Get Out And Look. I drove 18 wheelers over the road and had a lot of "helpers". I only trusted one person. Me. You'll get it.

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #23 – July 24, 2020, 03:22:26 pm

Both Lexus were local neighbors cars that jumped out in front of us as it were.

The Sc was a nice barge as to how it drove. Fixed it.

The ls460 is an amazingly nice car. It "goes" and stops.

The f250 is a v10 superduty 4x4 I bought when it was 1 month old 20 years Ago. Fixed it also

Like thinking of great minds!

Re: Been looking for a foretravel for a long time! Years -- Found a 1986 I'm 99% on

Reply #24 – July 25, 2020, 09:35:47 pm

I'm flying there tomorrow, even though the inspection isn't back. The inspector verbally says everything is good, but I will see what they checked/didn't check on Monday. I will inspect heavily and use the checklist on this site!

I have a good feeling about this. Will be sleeping in the couch tomorrow night.

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