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10-28-2016, 10:21 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Newbie to Class A seeking advice
Hello, I am new to this forum but have been RVing for a while. Grew up in the 1970's when my dad had exposed us to the Winnebagos, Centurions and Uniks that were around at that time.
My wife and I currently have a small Hybrid trailer that we "experimentally' lived out of this past summer. We thought we would go full bore and purchase a used class A motor home - a diesel pusher no less.
Does anyone have advice about purchasing older class A's like the 1992 Foretravel Grand Villa? There is one for sale in our area now.
Thanks!
Mike
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10-28-2016, 12:55 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Triple E Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: STETTLER
Posts: 417
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That was considered to be a pretty good brand in its day-but that day has long gone. Unless you are very mechanically talented you will be spending a lot of time repairing systems that have passed their Best Before date. Probably the best sweet spot for used are in the late 90's to early 2000's for used. They had better materials, there were a few brands who through good management or good luck managed to build reasonable quality motorhomes on reasonable quality chassis. If the unit shows signs of someone molesting wiring and other things like that- run don't walk away. No matter how talented you think you are-you will always and forever be on the hunt for gremlins. Gremlins can show up to easily in old motorhomes. things like mice chewing wires into submission, use of poly B water piping (fails regularly at inopportune times). So look over a potential unit very carefully so you can inform yourself what you can expect. Ask me how I know- I bought one that the PO had hooked in stereos and self inflicted repairs and had the chassis and camping wiring circuits crossed over many times, used grounds through other appliances. Hit big bumps and was never sure what was going to stop us in our tracks- other wise loved that unit for it's livability.
__________________
2000 Bounder. 2000 Vanguard 17' boat, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 1 miniature ponies, 1 horse, Massey MF65, 2013 Kia Sorrento, 2003 GMC Sierra Denali Quad Steer- 1 longtime patient wife(56 yrs)
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10-28-2016, 01:08 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Central Alberta
Posts: 193
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This one?
Get a mechanical inspection done and and if it is in good shape jump on it.
__________________
2004 Winnebago Journey 36G 330Cat
2004 Grand Cherokee BlueOx towbar
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10-28-2016, 01:09 PM
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#4
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,794
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Hi Mike!  Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang! 
Hope you find the perfect rig for your needs!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!  
__________________
Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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10-29-2016, 06:40 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by POPPASMURF
That was considered to be a pretty good brand in its day-but that day has long gone. Unless you are very mechanically talented you will be spending a lot of time repairing systems that have passed their Best Before date. Probably the best sweet spot for used are in the late 90's to early 2000's for used. They had better materials, there were a few brands who through good management or good luck managed to build reasonable quality motorhomes on reasonable quality chassis. If the unit shows signs of someone molesting wiring and other things like that- run don't walk away. No matter how talented you think you are-you will always and forever be on the hunt for gremlins. Gremlins can show up to easily in old motorhomes. things like mice chewing wires into submission, use of poly B water piping (fails regularly at inopportune times). So look over a potential unit very carefully so you can inform yourself what you can expect. Ask me how I know- I bought one that the PO had hooked in stereos and self inflicted repairs and had the chassis and camping wiring circuits crossed over many times, used grounds through other appliances. Hit big bumps and was never sure what was going to stop us in our tracks- other wise loved that unit for it's livability.
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Ok, thanks for the advice. We saw the unit last night, it's in pretty decent shape. The question is now will it work for us. My current site won't support the weight of the unit.
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10-29-2016, 06:45 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chinewalker
This one?
Get a mechanical inspection done and and if it is in good shape jump on it.
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Yes, this is the unit. But it won't fit our seasonal site. And the Rv may be sold soon. I forgot to mention that this would be good for my wife and I, but I'd have to find proper sleeping arrangements for the other family members.
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10-29-2016, 06:47 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers
Hi Mike! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!
Hope you find the perfect rig for your needs!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless! |
Thanks! I wish I could find the old Unik my dad had, it might've been a piece of junk, but it's full of memories.
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10-29-2016, 11:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,795
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You said you have a seasonal site. A motorhome is meant to be driven. Consider a quality 5th wheel for your seasonal site.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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10-29-2016, 08:38 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,454
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NB_BLUENOSER
Yes,but I'd have to find proper sleeping arrangements for the other family members.
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It's called a tent. LOL
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10-29-2016, 09:11 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MotherLoad foothills approx.60 m.s east of Sacramento
Posts: 1,281
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A lot of RV parks don't allow tents...What is your budget? $40 - 70 k opens up a lot of choices.
__________________
Full time since Nov 2012 RVM#41 Gary and Marian Hill 2001 Monaco Dynasty Jack 38' 370 hp ....If it ain't broke I can still fix it.
Like putting shoes on an octopuss, so are the days of our lives.... 
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10-31-2016, 09:35 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twogypsies
You said you have a seasonal site. A motorhome is meant to be driven. Consider a quality 5th wheel for your seasonal site.
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Ahhh good advice. Thanks!
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10-31-2016, 09:37 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvethereyet
It's called a tent. LOL
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True, but I've got tent ends in the hybrid now. Works for rug rats rho. Lol.
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10-31-2016, 09:43 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adamfolger
A lot of RV parks don't allow tents...What is your budget? $40 - 70 k opens up a lot of choices.
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Our Rv park has an area for rustic woodland camping. And around our seasonal there are some dry sites and 2 way. Seems like the people I've seen there this summer with tents are having the most fun versus dollar investment lol.
I've looked at some foretravels on line like 1995ish for around 45-50k. I think this would be tops for us. The foretravels have a fibreglass roof. This is a plus? Yes-no?
She also likes class c's too. Not many around in good shape that are affordable. Would be really good to find a unit of type in Canada.
Anyone know if the GMC Eleganza machines are any good? The one with the 455 olds?
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10-31-2016, 12:57 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NB_BLUENOSER
Our Rv park has an area for rustic woodland camping. And around our seasonal there are some dry sites and 2 way. Seems like the people I've seen there this summer with tents are having the most fun versus dollar investment lol.
I've looked at some foretravels on line like 1995ish for around 45-50k. I think this would be tops for us. The foretravels have a fibreglass roof. This is a plus? Yes-no?
She also likes class c's too. Not many around in good shape that are affordable. Would be really good to find a unit of type in Canada.
Anyone know if the GMC Eleganza machines are any good? The one with the 455 olds?
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This one, complete with bulletproof armor, flame thrower, and machine guns, was fairly robust! 
I'm not positive but i think the Eleganza has become a classic and kind of sought after. They were definitely neat little rigs.
I like the fiberglass roof on ours. Never a problem and if something big ever did puncture it, i think it would be fairly easy to repair.
__________________
03 Itasca Sunova, Workhorse P32 with the 8.1 and 4L85-E
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