Searching for a Motorcoach

 Includes Dates from August 2022 to January 2023

While  trying to downsize we experienced several years of camping/traveling/off-roading with a small Toyhauler and decided it wasn't going to work for a couple who was accustomed to the comfort and stability of a diesel motorhome. I was convinced we would be better suited to a fifth-wheel set up but my bride said "How about we get an old Motor Home and restore it"...From our previous life on the road we knew several people that owned a Foretravel and they always said there was no better built coach on the road.

After searching many web sites, forums, and talking with previous owners we were convinced the only coach built well enough in it's day to make it to Vintage Status was a ForeTravel.

This brand has been in production since the late 60's and has been family owned up until mid-2000's. These were quality built with low production numbers in Nacogdoches, Texas.

After owning three new Monaco Motor Coaches from 1995 thru 2015 we knew exactly what we wanted to buy as our 'Home on Wheels' this time around.

So as I follow John B. to his shop at the Sand and Gravel Mine on this foggy, damp morning I am wondering just what could be waiting in that building ahead.

Could I have wasted another long trip in search for that perfect old Coach.

Come on Sunshine, at least make this day a bit brighter.

I won"t bore you with pictures of all the Foretravel's we looked at from Ohio to Texas but there were several. Even came close to a purchase in Washington State but was just too far away to take the chance on a long trip to possibly be disappointed.

When we found this 1999 U320 Jewel in Burbank, Ohio.  I jumped in the truck and headed North. Called the owner on Saturday, inspected it on Monday, bought it on Tuesday.....That's how we roll. Christine and I went back a week later to drive it home......She had not even seen it until then.

It was the best cared for coach we had seen. After a close inspection and talking with both previous owners we could tell this coach had a lot of love. It was stored indoors most of its life but was used enough to keep all systems maintained and in working order. Along it's 24 years it had several upgrades done and was just what we were looking for.

It had the engine of choice for these models.

It was the big M11- 450 Horsepower Cummins with the Allison Retarder Transmission.

It needed nothing but some cleaning and touch-up paint.

This is after I completed that process.

I found a few things that needed my attention, mostly on the underside where most people fear to go.

I added some support braces to help hold up the fiberglass under-layment to prevent moisture and dirt from gaining access to the basement area.

Not an easy task, but no hill for a climber.

Added some electronics to the instrument panel and installed a trailer brake/ lights socket for our car trailer.

Changed out the galley faucets and upgraded the water filtration system to the infa-red type filter assembly.

Kills 99.9 % of any bacteria......not that there was any. 

John B. had done a great job of flushing the system each time it was used. I think my lovely wife just wanted to get rid of the Gold colored faucets.  More of those changes in process now.

Found a seal leaking on the generator water pump. John B. had a new one in the box and added to several other things he threw in with the coach. Seems he had already replaced it once with a rebuilt pump but it still had a leak.

But I couldn't blame him for not installing the new one after that. It was a killer job to get to that pump. But it's fixed now.

I won't bore you with more pictures but it's an ongoing process. Very little problems found, just routine stuff like color changes with the interior, etc.

It recently had new shocks, air bags, brakes, tires, batteries, air conditioner units, etc. replaced.

She is ready to head West in August and anywhere in between until then.

Mama is a Happy Camper now.

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