When to walk away..

Topic: When to walk away.. (Read 2454 times) previous topic - next topic

When to walk away..

February 08, 2022, 01:19:36 pm

Good morning!
First off I want to thank the creators and the commenters on this group. Its probably one of the most helpful and interesting discussions I've read on any topic that may arise. I am a newbie to Foretravel and recently came across a deal that might be to good to be true. Did I mention i wasn't even looking for one? lol. My wife and I are looking at a 98' U320 40' no slides. It has the N14 Cummins, AH, Isuzu Gen. etc. The coach has 51,000 miles on it, the generator has 586 hours. all of the awnings when pulled out look brand new. It is super clean has been insulated shop kept. Located in Oklahoma. No rust other than what looks to be age resulted and very minor. Coach has had only 1 owner. According to the owner who I know and trust said when it was parked everything was working, winterized, fuel treated etc. Cons, It hasn't been tagged since 2011, It hasn't been used since that time as well. The engine has lost its prime to the fuel tank but will start when fuel is put in the filter until it runs out. The AH I know will probably need serviced. Alot of little things will need to be done like lubricating the bottom door hinges, servicing all once running, new tires and batteries etc. I'm heading down this weekend with my cousin and uncle who've owned several different Fortravels and currently own them and are nuts about them. They're going to plug it up and run it, prime the fuel system and see if we can get it to stay running etc. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and will do everything I can on my own or with their help. After all, my thoughts are if you learn to fix it then you know how to deal with it at a later point. I have looked at several for sale and see the prices ranging from about $50, 000 on up but that $50,000 price wasn't even close to looking like this one. The owner is not wanting anything near that price. I guess the bottom line and question I have for owners that own them and work on your own coaches is at what point, if at all, do you walk away or do you? I definitely don't have an open check book but kinda have a guesstimate on what I'm willing to spend. I guess I'm kinda like Elliot. I'm not afraid to tackle a job unless its wet wipes in the toilet! Ha! Thanks a bunch! Jason....

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #1 – February 08, 2022, 01:34:59 pm

It has a M-11 not a N14. which is a good thing.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #2 – February 08, 2022, 01:41:09 pm

Craneman, I did question that but the son thought it was the N14. Did they not use that engine back then?

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #3 – February 08, 2022, 01:43:09 pm

Welcome to the Foretravel family Jason.

We walked away until we found the perfect floor plan, color and drivetrain. If its the right price everything else fan be fiddled with. For me , the wrong floor plan is hard to overcome or change. DWMYH.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #4 – February 08, 2022, 01:51:04 pm

Welcome to our Jungle :-)
If everthing checks out, as far as the story of the FT, and you are as you say able to handle it, deal with issues. Also you have $10-20K avalible after the purchase (may or may not spend it all) This could be one of the best FTs for sale out there to get and never look back. Good luck.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #5 – February 08, 2022, 01:52:19 pm

Jason,

If you are looking for a non slide coach that is a good year. Just because it may have a little lot rot from setting if you are a tinkering kind of person things can be fixed for a reasonable amount. Now if you hire all your work done you will need a set of DEEP pockets as labor at $140+ an hour can run cost up a bunch.

The fuel problem is most likely a fuel line leak or a leak in a fuel filter. If the engine cranks when primed then these are the top of the suspect list. By the way a '98 has an M-11 not a N-14 they are close but 2 different hogs in the wallow.

Some will walk away if they see a little trouble with the basement floor and bulkhead interface but this is a fixable thing. There is a couple of members that have DIY this job. The basement floor is just a bolt on piece and can be changed out. Now to have a DIFY (do it for you) then there goes the $ flying out of the pocket syndrome.

The advantage to this coach is if it fits your needs and your wife like the interior this site is your best friend. If I was in your shoes looking for a coach I would sure get someone that is familiar with the FT brand to look it over with me and show me some of what I don't know.

You will sure need to budget for new tires, batteries, oil, filters, and things like this to get it back in good road ready shape.

Mike

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #6 – February 08, 2022, 01:56:19 pm

I would happily buy a "barn find" find like that.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #7 – February 08, 2022, 02:01:23 pm

Quote from: Caseman1 – February 08, 2022, 01:41:09 pm

Craneman, I did question that but the son thought it was the N14. Did they not use that engine back then?

Not in Foretravels only trucks.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #8 – February 08, 2022, 02:26:46 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – February 08, 2022, 01:52:19 pm

Jason,

If you are looking for a non slide coach that is a good year. Just because it may have a little lot rot from setting if you are a tinkering kind of person things can be fixed for a reasonable amount. Now if you hire all your work done you will need a set of DEEP pockets as labor at $140+ an hour can run cost up a bunch.

The fuel problem is most likely a fuel line leak or a leak in a fuel filter. If the engine cranks when primed then these are the top of the suspect list. By the way a '98 has an M-11 not a N-14 they are close but 2 different hogs in the wallow.

Some will walk away if they see a little trouble with the basement floor and bulkhead interface but this is a fixable thing. There is a couple of members that have DIY this job. The basement floor is just a bolt on piece and can be changed out. Now to have a DIFY (do it for you) then there goes the $ flying out of the pocket syndrome.

The advantage to this coach is if it fits your needs and your wife like the interior this site is your best friend. If I was in your shoes looking for a coach I would sure get someone that is familiar with the FT brand to look it over with me and show me some of what I don't know.

You will sure need to budget for new tires, batteries, oil, filters, and things like this to get it back in good road ready shape.

Mike

Mike,
Thanks for the advise! As I said in my post my uncle and cousin are going with me. No way I'd just jump in without another pair of seasoned eyes looking at it. They're both FT owners and have owned a few different ones. I think the non slide is a perfect fit for us. I'm pretty excited about it. Hopefully more excited after this weekend! I hope we can find the leak and put a temp fix on it until I can get it home and have my shop handy and replace the fuel lines. The AH and the fridge are what concerns me more than anything for some reason.. Maybe my priorities aren't accurate yet.. lol

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #9 – February 08, 2022, 02:27:22 pm

Nothing you have said would make me want to walk away, but you have not seen it all yet.
For sure, it will need a bunch of love and money spent on it, sounds like it hasn't had any maintenance to speak of in 10 years so bear that in mind.
I would also look for rodent signs, those little things can do some hard to find damage, in hard to reach places.
Bottom line is do you think you and your wife can be happy with fixing a whole bunch of things for the first couple of years? (then a normal amount of fixing after that)
If you can, then it could be just the perfect coach for you.
Good luck and Godspeed, hope it all works out for you.
Either way, keep us informed please.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #10 – February 08, 2022, 02:29:18 pm

I may be the wrong person to speak to be the one. I did exactly what you are taking about but across the United States. I would recommend you get some one competent to look at the coach. Mine was in way worse condition and hadn't been used since at least 2007. Everything that would of failed during regular operation will fail in the next year unless you park it. Even with the best coach its still 20+ years old and you will be all in if you take it on. I do all my own work. Looks great to me!
Fuel lines
Air bags
Tires
Brake service
Engine service
Transmission service
All the fluids and filters
Steering gear box reseal or rebuild
I'm sure I've spent 10+K on parts
Sounds like a great deal to me
GREAT NEW HOBBY!
Scott

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #11 – February 08, 2022, 02:53:19 pm

Jason,

Here's the specs on the '98 models:

Media [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki]

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #12 – February 08, 2022, 02:58:09 pm

Someone that has a foretravel may or may not have the ability to properly evaluate it more than just saying it looks good. I suggest hiring a competent inspector that is familiar with Foretravel's BEFORE you buy it. Could be the different between spending a lot or a whole lot to get it back on the road.
Good luck!!!

Keith

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #13 – February 08, 2022, 03:05:17 pm

If you are going to do some aesthetic rehab, change floor coverings, valences, upholstery work in addition to zero out the maintenance items I would think a post budget of +$20,000 would be the minimum. That would be you doing the maintenance and floors, valences and sending upholstery work out to a local shop with you delivering the couch, etc. to them and installing them yourself. MCD shades all around about $3,000. Upgrade to solar and lithium, sort through generator issues, and a couple issues like fridge or steering gear, then +$30,000 with a few things farmed out. It will become your new hobby and concubine for the next two years minimum. There will be a lot of satisfaction in the end and less than half of the cost of a new, mid range gasser. There will be regular maintenance and you will learn something about air systems you don't know.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #14 – February 08, 2022, 03:56:16 pm

The Wynn fuel filter has a pump in it and that should prime your engine. There is a
prime button in the rear of the engine. Not getting any prime could be it needs new
fuel lines. It been parked inside is a good thing. There will be things that need to be
fixed and replaced. Sounds like a good find. Good luck.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #15 – February 08, 2022, 04:00:53 pm

Quote from: Realmccoy – February 08, 2022, 03:05:17 pm

If you are going to do some aesthetic rehab, change floor coverings, valences, upholstery work in addition to zero out the maintenance items I would think a post budget of +$20,000 would be the minimum. That would be you doing the maintenance and floors, valences and sending upholstery work out to a local shop with you delivering the couch, etc. to them and installing them yourself. MCD shades all around about $3,000. Upgrade to solar and lithium, sort through generator issues, and a couple issues like fridge or steering gear, then +$30,000 with a few things farmed out. It will become your new hobby and concubine for the next two years minimum. There will be a lot of satisfaction in the end and less than half of the cost of a new, mid range gasser. There will be regular maintenance and you will learn something about air systems you don't know.

I can't see anything I would do to the inside. If I was smart enough I would post pictures of the inside but I can't figure it out.. There is no wear on the seats, couch, carpet etc.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #16 – February 08, 2022, 04:04:33 pm

Quote from: oldguy – February 08, 2022, 03:56:16 pm

The Wynn fuel filter has a pump in it and that should prime your engine. There is a
prime button in the rear of the engine. Not getting any prime could be it needs new
fuel lines. It been parked inside is a good thing. There will be things that need to be
fixed and replaced. Sounds like a good find. Good luck.

Thanks, Is that prime button located under the bed toward the bottom right? Or are you talking about the one beside the start button on the back? They didn't think it had a prime button. I'll definitely know after this weekend. It just seems like I read somewhere where a guy uses a handle and has one under the bed somewhere.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #17 – February 08, 2022, 04:31:17 pm

Quote from: Caseman1 – February 08, 2022, 04:04:33 pm

Thanks, Is that prime button located under the bed toward the bottom right? Or are you talking about the one beside the start button on the back? They didn't think it had a prime button. I'll definitely know after this weekend. It just seems like I read somewhere where a guy uses a handle and has one under the bed somewhere.

Start button on back

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #18 – February 08, 2022, 04:32:52 pm

Quote from: Caseman1 – February 08, 2022, 04:04:33 pm

It just seems like I read somewhere where a guy uses a handle and has one under the bed somewhere.

That fellow has a coach with an 8.3 Cummins, but you are correct in your memory. I have watched him prime it that way in the past.

Mike

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #19 – February 08, 2022, 04:40:18 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – February 08, 2022, 04:32:52 pm

That fellow has a coach with an 8.3 Cummins, but you are correct in your memory. I have watched him prime it that way in the past.

Mike

I've read so much on this forum the past few weeks.. My head is starting to hurt! It's definitely a lot of good info though!

Jason..

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #20 – February 08, 2022, 04:47:51 pm

Jason,

We have some pretty serious tinkers here on the Forum that can come up with a fix, repair or work around. Most likely if you have a problem on a coach that age one of us has most likely went down that road. So either search or ask as this forum keeps some of us out of the domino hall taking all those old men's money.

Mike

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #21 – February 08, 2022, 04:59:43 pm

It is the button that says air purge. I think you need key on for it to work. When the
fuel filters are change the air purge is used to bleed the filters.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #22 – February 08, 2022, 05:10:29 pm

CASEMAN 1
I too have a 98 U320 without slide. That was one of the reasons we purchased it is because it did not have a slide. Plenty of room for us and less worry and cost of fixing it.
The outside was mint aside from a couple of decals that had worn off. The unit had 172,000 miles on it so we made sure the M11 was up to snuff before purchasing. The bulkhead was "ok" although this spring I am going to install more bolts (after referencing the Bulkhead repair- A comprehensive look in the technical area of the forum) to ensure it is good. We did have to service the AH and a few replacement fixes (3000.00) and had a couple extra things done - New front tires, Complete service including Transmission, new air bags all around, and some inside tweaks including new 43 inch TV in living room and storage bay. IT IS NEVER ENDING.....
So in the first year we have spent north of 15,000 CDN dollars.
Was it worth it? I would have to say yes...we both love the freedom the unit gives us to travel
Keep in mind any unit of our year is going to cost dollars for replacement items and repairs. Budget for it and you will enjoy the unit!
Can you post some pics of your coach please?
Peter

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #23 – February 08, 2022, 05:10:51 pm

My prime button is in the rear passenger side compartment next to the engine batteries(3).

I bought my 95U320 after a refrigerator fire. I was able to buy it for a substantial price reduction. I knew I would eventually NOT save any money but I could use the saved money (compared to a solid U320) to update EVERYTHING.
You can expect that ALL the appliances probably need replacement. They may work but have timed out as far as expected use available.
My floors have all been replaced, and the window treatments updated, new faucets, new washer and dryer, new residential refrig, a dishwasher, and interior lights upgraded to LED, new front TV (48"), new head liner, new mattress.
As far as mechanical; New airbags, new steering box, bulkheads cleaned and through bolted front and rear, Air dryer rebuilt, Primary filter housing and priming pump replaced, Both A/C units replaced, Rear air chambers (cans) replaced, new Victron isolator, two Victron charge controllers, Victron Multi 3000 inverter/charger/, (10) L-16 Lifeline batteries, 2000 watts of solar, 3 new engine batteries, 6 new Michelin tires, endless odds and ends.
I probably have at least the same amount of money invested now than if I had found a coach in fantastic condition to start with,but I have this coach EXACTLY how I want it.
I still have a long list to go, Brakes, fuel lines, radiator and fans, rebuild my Primus heating boilers, fiberglass conditioning.
Coach Bucks ($1000) seems the way we evaluate what we spend. I apply 1 or 2 coach bucks to EVERY project.
I do ALL the labor myself. If I had to pay to have the labor done I would at least double my expenses, If that were the case I would be WAY over what the coach is worth. Even now, If I had a major breakdown (engine or transmission) I would have to consider selling the coach for parts.
Be very realistic when evaluating the actual cost of buying a RV.

Re: When to walk away..

Reply #24 – February 08, 2022, 05:18:35 pm

All of these 20+ year old coaches need the same repairs and you're going to eventually pay for those repairs one way or another. If you buy a coach like this just make sure you budget plenty of time in the first year to sort through the issues. I stress and worry more than most so having done all the work I have on my coach has given me piece of mind every time we hit the road.

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