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Topic: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL (Read 784 times) previous topic - next topic

Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

A kind member here just sent me a link to an 01', U320 listed out in Santa Cruz, a mere 3,000 miles away from my home. It's a model that is high on my list and looks very good in the pics however, and might be worth considering if I could agree on a price and figure out a way to get it inspected...

2001 Foretravel U320 40' 45,000 miles ,000 obo - rvs - by owner -...

Or maybe somebody here has already looked at this one? Long shot, I know.

As an aside, anybody ever bought a used coach from a longer distance than 3,000 miles away?

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #1 –
I'm from Santa Cruz. It's a nice place for a vacation.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #2 –
Quote from: SWFL –
As an aside, anybody ever bought a used coach from a longer distance than 3,000 miles away?
Can't help with a Left Coast inspector, but I've got a Long Distance Buyer candidate who I believe has the record:  Mr B2 (now known as Mr B3 - he had to change his Forum name when his computer crashed).

Brian bought his coach sight unseen and had it shipped by boat from California to Australia - about 7,500 miles as the crow flies. His story is a fascinating epic adventure...highly recommended.  Just search his Forum name with the Forum search tool and sort the results "oldest first".

Its on the road,
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #3 –
Based on the listing photos, exterior cosmetics appear good, roof looks clean, and living spaces appear well maintained. Engine/Gen and basement bay components not shown so no ideas about that. If I was in the market, and depending on how far away/how serious I was about buying, I would definitely give it a look. Even if all checked out clean/functional, I wouldn't offer full price.

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #4 –
Slide bladder and air bags are original. If no bulkhead damage just needs the price lowered to allow for bags and bladder.
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: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #5 –
We bought our 2001 U320 coach from the original owner in California while we were in Hawaii then flew to Minnesota then to flew back to California, picked it up and drove back to Minnesota.  All in at about 14,800 miles.

This coach is worth a much closer look. It appears to be from the owner, maybe not. Call and establish a conversation, ask for more specifics, more pictures.  Where has it been? Where has it been stored?

It looks pretty much original which is OK.  Then you get to do the upgrades that you want to do on your schedule.  Miles are low but OK if used regularly.  Price is fair for this coach.  If you are going to try to go much lower then you better have a specific reason for making a much lower offer. Too low and the conversation will be over.

At this price in this condition it will not be on the market for long.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #6 –
10617 is a very "old" Motorcade Club number.  Not many numbers lower than that on the current roster.  If it is a legitimate number would indicate long-time very experienced Foretravel owners.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #7 –
Quote from: craneman –
Slide bladder and air bags are original. If no bulkhead damage just needs the price lowered to allow for bags and bladder.
SWFL, Air bladder replacement is expensive on the 01. The slide has to be completely removed (unlike in subsequent years, where it can be pushed in). MOT quoted me $3k for labor and $1.5k for the bladder. I have heard enough horror stories about bladder replacements that I would want to take it to Nac to have it done.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
10617 is a very "old" Motorcade Club number.  Not many numbers lower than that on the current roster.  If it is a legitimate number would indicate long-time very experienced Foretravel owners.

What does this mean? I'm not familiar with these numbers or Motorcade Club>

Also, if I were to request photos of the potential hot spots for the corrosion problem, how would I ask that question? I don't know specifically where to tell them to look.

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #9 –
Motorcade is a club of Foretravel owners with connections to the Foretravel factory.

The numbers were issued consecutively, so the smaller the number, the earlier they purchased their first Foretravel.  That number is then theirs forever-- same or different Foretravel.
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: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #10 –
Quote from: craneman –
Slide bladder and air bags are original. If no bulkhead damage just needs the price lowered to allow for bags and bladder.

How can you tell that these items are original?

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #11 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Motorcade is a club of Foretravel owners with connections to the Foretravel factory.

The numbers were issued consecutively, so the smaller the number, the earlier they purchased their first Foretravel.  That number is then theirs forever-- same or different Foretravel.

I see, I hadn't paid any attention to that number on the coach previously. I suppose it's entirely possible that the number has nothing to do with the current owner and that it's just a remnant from some previous owner.

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #12 –
Quote from: SWFL –
I see, I hadn't paid any attention to that number on the coach previously. I suppose it's entirely possible that the number has nothing to do with the current owner and that it's just a remnant from some previous owner.

Certainly could be, or could be current owner.

Many of us have Motorcade directories and can look up at least what they show as of publication date.
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: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #13 –
Quote from: SWFL –
How can you tell that these items are original?
Because they are not mentioned being changed. If they had it would have been on the list of new batteries and tires and changed fuel lines.
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: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #14 –
Quote from: SWFL –
Also, if I were to request photos of the potential hot spots for the corrosion problem, how would I ask that question? I don't know specifically where to tell them to look.
Ideally, you would like to see some photos taken of the belly of the beast.

Photos looking down the underside length of the coach should show belly skin that is tight and smooth.  You don't want to see any of the bottom panels sagging or bulging or distorted in any way.

The bulkhead area of concern is a piece of angle iron that runs across the width of the coach, located behind the front suspension at the point where the bottom fiberglass skin starts.  In the rear it is in front of the rear axle, again right where the fiberglass skin starts.  There are bolt heads visible on the angle iron from one side to the other.  These are the bolts that we talk about when doing a "torque test" to see if any of them are broken.  If any of the bolt heads are missing, that is a bad sign.

Take a look a the photos in the post linked below.  These are the areas you want to see in photos, but hopefully in better condition.

Water Leak Below Battery Pad
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Any Members in Santa Cruz Area? (Or Coach Inspectors?) 01', U320 on CL

Reply #15 –
At 45K miles and a California coach not likely the air bags or shocks need replacement.  Slide bladder subject to inspection, use and luck, about $4500 to replace. Cheaper at HWH.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN