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Topic: Tips for newbie purchase (Read 767 times) previous topic - next topic

Tips for newbie purchase

We are new to this forum and new to Foretravel. We have been researching the brand and we are going to visit a 1999 U295 wide body this weekend. From what we know as of now, this coach is in excellent condition. Any tips on things to ask or look out for? We currently have a 2018 Fifth wheel and buying an older model coach makes us a little nervous, though we know this brand is built to last. We would love to hear the pros and cons! thank you in advance!

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #1 –
Have an inspection done by by a professional inspector familiar with the brand. These are complicated machines and can be very expensive to repair. I bought a project coach a couple of months ago and have been working on it myself since. If you are handy, it can be a lot of fun and you get to know your coach so if you have a problem away from home you will be in a better position to rectify it.

Good luck, Mike
1997 U295 36 build #5085
2004 TJ Rubicon toad
I know more than I did but not as much as I'm going to

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #2 –
Welcome to the Forum!

Any Foretravel coach built after the early 90's is a "wide body" so you don't need to add that info to the coach ID.  Just the year and model is sufficient.

As stated above, the ideal situation is in-person inspection accompanied by a seasoned Foretravel owner.  But not always possible, so the alternative is educating yourselves as much as possible.

Take everything the seller says with a grain of salt.  Is seller a private owner or a dealer?

Where (what part of the country) is the coach located?  Where a coach has spent its life sometimes can have a bearing on condition.

You can use the search function on this Forum to look for comments and posts about the '99 U295.  That is one of the most popular years of production so there are quite a few of them represented on this Forum.  The late 90's coaches are considered by many to be some of the best ever built at the Foretravel factory.

I'll include a few links below that may be helpful, or overwhelming, as the case may be.  Good luck in your hunt!

50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel

Media [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki]

start [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki]

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=GoogleMap

All Things Foretravel | Formerly Beam Alarm - Barry and Darlene Brideau's...

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: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Welcome to the Forum!

Any Foretravel coach built after the early 90's is a "wide body" so you don't need to add that info to the coach ID.  Just the year and model is sufficient.

Yup, 1994 U225 and U240 were the last of the narrow bodies (96").  All others 102".
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: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #4 –
And since the DW and I dieted, our "narrow" 96" wide coach is entirely adequate.
Nicest thing about it is the not having the options that make repairs VERY expensive to bring back to life.
Granted, things like Aqua Hot, slides, ducted air, air suspension are all nice, BUT!!!
How you use the coach and how often you use it along with your mechanical ability or the depth of your pockets are very important things to consider.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #5 –
goodlifehighway Congratulations on your course to a coach. I would say to review your needs and match a coach to that. Many factors would change your choices IMO. Do you tow over 5K? Slides no slides? Will you do most of your own work or pay to have it done?
Depending on your budget choices change. You are familiar with your fifth wheel and and its needs so can make a better choice in regard to your needs. Lots of nice people here that genuinely would like to see you make the correct choice for you and yours. Please just remember we have all purchased 20 year old coaches and they do demand maintenance and basically falls into two categories, pay now or pay latter. If you plan to drive a lot make sure your fully aware of rising fuel prices and are okay with that. Get a EFS fuel discount card first thing. Ask questions and good luck
Scott

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #6 –
Welcome aboard. I too came from a 2018 fifth wheel. What you're considering is on a completely different level, both in terms of quality and maintenance. I don't think you'll regret it but make sure you hang out here for a while so you go into it with eyes wide open.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

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

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #7 –
Good life highway
When we purchased our 98U320 just over a year ago I thought I had done due diligence by reading up on just about everything I could get my hands on. A few things kind of caught me by surprise though. As suggested get the coach inspected by a knowledgeable person. There are several expert suggestions for people on this forum. The bulkhead,Aqua hot i(if you have it) generator, air bags and brakes, and of course your power plant are big ticket items to fix, and we ended up spending over 10 grand getting the coach to a comfortable level. After all that though, I believe foretravel is undoubtably one of the best built long lasting coaches on the market. It is 4 season livable( we live in Alberta Canada and the weather is not forgiving) as proven by living in it in extremes and as solid a "bus" as you can get. Congratulations on your purchase!!
Peter

Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #8 –
Fuel line replacement, bulkheads, battery and tire age, refrigerator-absorption or residential. If absorption how old is it?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #9 –
Goodlifehighway, welcome to the forum.
As a fairly recent Foretravel buyer myself I can tell you that you have found the single best place to find advice and information on them. It's pretty rare to not find what you need here, and several good ways to achieve doing it yourself or knowing when not to. Most people who own these, do so with love and attention, and it usually shows, so look for that.
Test the electrical under load, including ATS, generator and Inverter, check the age and dates on tires, batteries, oil and get as many service records as you can. Check the woodwork carefully for signs of leaks and ask about what has been done to fix it. Check the roof for signs of repairs, good or bad you want to know what was done.
You haven't mentioned where you are located or where you are looking at this coach but try to give as much info as you can, it can really help others give you the right advice for your exact needs.
Good luck in your search, hope to be of help to you later.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #10 –
As others have said, welcome to the forum. Tim F  and others above have some of the potential issues in their posts. Get another knowledgeable owner to inspect and remain neutral on anything the seller says. Make sure you and your inspector follow a list to make sure everything works and is in good condition. The bulkhead is the sneaky thing and can be a little tough to see the true condition. If in doubt, post good photos here and you will get answers immediately.

It's a good sign if you don't mind getting your hands dirty and can listen to advice.

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

Re: Tips for newbie purchase

Reply #11 –
Welcome to the forum and good hunting. 
I posted a predelivery inspection sheet before.  See if this can be of any help to you. 

Pre Owned Coach Inspection

Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer