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Topic: Repairability of different brands (Read 637 times) previous topic - next topic

Repairability of different brands

Was going to post this on another thread but thought better.  For those who have experience with different brands, including Foretravel--

How about ease of repair, or ability to fix things either on the chassis, drive train, or the conversion itself.  Or from an engineering standpoint, things that work, and things that don't. 

That would be one of the sticking points if I were looking at different brands. 
Freightliner MT55 w 24 ft box
All aluminum.

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #1 –
Think one good point would be parts availibility if you can't get parts nobody can fix it,Foretravel has the parts like Arbys has the meat.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #2 –
First "separator" is rear vs side radiator.  Materially effects ability to easily work on most common maintenance items.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #3 –
I came from a 1998 45' 2 slide Newell so here is my opinion, for what it's worth.
FT's are much easier to service air filter, much easier to raise and block off to safely get underneath.  Aquahot was easier in Newell than my 1999 FT (in middle of basement), later models are easier to service.  FT definitely has better documentation, serious lack on Newell. 
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #4 –
R&R'd my own Cat engine and rebuilt it. Was easier then some cars I have done in the past.

No special tools required, used a standard Cherry picker.....That was 8K miles ago

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #5 –
Chris, why did you need to rebuild it?
I agree with Brett one of the big "separator" is rear vs side radiator. I, just this year went from rear to side radiator and it is a big deal. Something else  is the location of your filters and ease of acess.
Bill
2008 Newmar Mountain Aire (4523)
Cummins ISM 450HP
Allison 4000 MH tran.
Towing a 2014 Honda CRV with a blue Ox tow bar
A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.
-Mark Twain-

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #6 –
Old pre serious smog rule RVs were easy to work on so out of 10, they get an 8 but suffer from poor design and construction materials. Our old GM bus was very easy, had full shop and parts manual and was super well built, so gets a 9. Our U300 without going into details that pertain to all older Foretravels, gets a 4.5. Some older Foretravels may be easier, some harder. Bluebirds/Wanderlodges with all the wiring and relays get a 3.5. The latest RVs with very complex systems and smog engines get a 1 with the commercial bus conversions like Prevost getting a 2.

Newer means more complexity along with more rigid smog rules, higher horsepower to satisfy the thirst for power and less reliability. Older RVs, while less complex, will suffer equal issues with poor choice of some materials and engineering showing up so won't be much more reliable than the new models but this depends of the previous owner and how and where the coach was driven and maintained. Unless you can do much of the work yourself, owning and operating an RV can be very expensive. Even with the best care, snake eyes comes up occasionally. Just like owning a boat, to enjoy it and keep it out of the boat yard, you better like to work on it.

A lot to be said for a VW Vanagon with manual transmission, wood blocks to level it, etc. I think this is why Sprinters have become so popular (even with auto trans in the U.S.).

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #7 –
I drug our coach out of the mud in Arkansas after sitting since 2007. Some surface corrosion but so far have been able to resolve or circumvent our issues. I was a non Biased Buyer and had followed what I had learned about other coaches first. Like other problems in life everyone keep referencing To the same solution as the answer. If this is the agreement among many tossing the upper 20% and lower 20% out It made sense to me. I'm very happy with my personal choice but genuinely thought I had worked myself into a corner I couldn't get out of. IE money versus availability. I eventually found my coach and have been very pleased with it.  So yes the U320 was a great fit for my expectations. I must forewarn you they are a needy Pita at times but also very rewarding to me. I consider myself a semi competent mechanic with a good all round background.
Compare them item to item and let it lead you. You'll end up back at Foretravel every time.
 Note this forum Is also something to factor in!  Saved my butt many times not to mention tons of coach bucks IMO
Scott

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #8 –
My '81 FTX is very easy to work on, actually much easier than my '99 but the advantages of the '99, water capacity, holding tanks air ride etc. more than make up for the extra work needed for maintenance and repairs. The '96 Monaco Signature was a nightmare to work on as far as electrical. No lift up dash had to remove drivers seat to work on the side panel electrical. Only took 3 years of putting up with it to go back to a Foretravel.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #9 –
The ORED GV gets my unreserved vote as the best and most trouble free "RV" we've owned. After class Cs and straight pull trailers and even a slide in camper ONCE, this is what works for me.
In 1991 we were heading home from the coast and a family stop in Arizona in our Winnebago, as we rolled north of Wagon Mound NM coming the other way was Foretravel. I can't say if it was a ORED or a Unihome either way I knew that was on the list from then on, I was blown away by its beautiful shape, never got over it.
At 130,000 miles and after 9 years of ownership I've still got the same feeling. JMHO
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #10 –
Quote from: WILDEBILL308 –
Chris, why did you need to rebuild it?
I agree with Brett one of the big "separator" is rear vs side radiator. I, just this year went from rear to side radiator and it is a big deal. Something else  is the location of your filters and ease of acess.
Bill

Broken ring

Got tired of hearing "Throw away motor" which they are not. It's because they don't have cylinder sleeve's you can r&r. But you can sleeve the block which I did.

Weren't no big tang!

Just like workin' on a big O Ford Pinto
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Repairability of different brands

Reply #11 –
Thanks guys,  Some good points to consider.  I was aware of a few but some new ideas certainly to entertain. 
Freightliner MT55 w 24 ft box
All aluminum.