You should leave the interior substantially as it is. The oak stands out from everyone else's vinyl-covered particle board. I would not paint them losing the ability to proudly display what they are. Looks like quality brass hardware. You can glue another mirror right over the beveled ones. Granite scratches, needs polishing and sealing, and will burn and stain. Corian is a better choice, or if you have to replace due to style, I would install Silestone as it does not have the downsides of granite. Those look like 1.25" thick oak flooring. It can be sanded and redone or select some different stain color. I would not change that either. The sofa looked like new. You can easily change the valances. Put down the hammer and back away.
We own a 1990, 36 foot Elite Motor Coach Corp 300 Turbo with a Caterpillar 300HP turbo, Allison 4 speed automatic and many or most of the same interior features. It has a Semi monocoque chassis, one piece roof and body built on a Gillig Chassis. It is truly a very well built coach with many unique features. It is in amazing condition for a 34 year old coach but then again that is what you get if you buy high quality older coaches. No sensors, no DEF, no slides no fuss, just reliable comfortable and safe RV Fun. Great for long distance RVing.
Funny, I watched this video the morning after seeing an episode of Bad Monkey, in which Vince Vaughn's character quotes Trading Places back and forth with his police partner: "Louis: Looking good, Billy Ray! Billy Ray: Feeling good, Louis!" Not that this particular quote was anything more than mildly amusing, but there are some hilarious parts throughout. Very few of which would survive today's PC Police. Saying the "N Word" that begins with "Ne" was still okay in 1983, especially if Eddie Murphy was involved.
I own and live in a 1993 Fleetwood pace arrow diesel pusher 36’, with only 81,000 miles on it. We live in it full time. Been living in it for 4 years! It is a full time motorhome. Solid Oak and ceramic tile in the kitchen. I put solar on the roof and 300 watts of lithium batteries under the refrigerator. Put in new blinds and made curtains etc runs 😊 great 👍🏽. Only drawback is the mauve colored carpet. But I put a gray and black runner down and it is splendid . I have the same motor with a Raised rail chassis . Mine is the same way
I bought a 2004 40’ Winnebago vectra with a 400hp Cummins about 5 years ago for 47k. Only had 6500miles on it which is almost too low. After new fluids and filters, started driving cross country. Aside from a valve cover gaskets getting replaced, I had zero issues. Was towing a 2016 Silverado with a brand new Harley in the bed the whole time. My slides did leak though. Our friend with a brand new tiffin (2019 at the time) paid 750k for it and he had to ditch the trip for repairs. Was in the shop for almost 6 months during the first year and still has issues to this day. Pre 2007 diesel pushers is the way to go.
I think you'd be nuts to remove any of that wood, especially the floor. REAL HARDWOOD in a motorhome.. why would you ever remove that?! To replace with fake "wood" vinyl floor?! Only thing I would do is remove and paint or even just paint over the white wallpaper areas and of course update electronics like TV and maybe add Starlink. The widow valances are even nice. Very nice wood and exactly what I'd look for in an RV.
@@VinylToVideo I hear you, initially I was going to rock it just the way I bought it. My wife wanted a newer unit and I didn’t want the cost of a quality coach and wasn’t willing to compromise for a 150-300K so so built motorhome like a Tiffin. So here we are, it’s going to have a more modern interior with the older better built chassis.
@@colbyoncars Your wife doesn't know anything about RVs obviously except superficiality. The newer ones over the past ten years have extremely cheap interiors where you'd be wishing you had real wood. Take her to an RV place and show her just how flimsy they are.
@ not true when you get into $500K and above. The interiors actually get really nice. I’m just not willing to spend that money for a nice interior and a crappy chassis, not to me I’d have to finance it which I’m not willing to do
I encourage you to listen to this and really consider it. It looks fabulous as it is with minor updates. The 90's was not that long ago and those styles are still relevant.
@@sachadee.6104 the bedroom is done, cabinets anyway. The video is coming but I’m struggling with the editing software. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching!
I lean towards no slides as well. I like the simplicity, less things that wont work, less leaks, and stronger bus. I have 45 feet and when I was a kid half of that would have been a good size camper. If thats not enough room to take a trip then I give up. I have a one piece metal roof. I installed a rooftop air which in a way I hate to do but its been working well and no leaks. Pre-DEF, 22.5 tires with tag. Runs at good speeds comfortably all day. Mine is a 97 Prevost and its old but works great. I would not want anything new. Even after 2008 would be less desirable.
I don’t know.. for me your coach looks sweet enough to enjoy with few mods on entertainment. Well taken care of. For sure you want to rip out and make it yours is best for you. Great find!
Showing us all the beautiful, solid Oak cabinetry... "Yeah, that's all gonna be painted over." 😝 Still has the beautiful hardwood floor... "Yeah, we'll be taking that up, of course." He needs a smack.
Yep. totally agree. The coach (or perhaps home is more appropriate!) is 85% acceptable as it was bought and whilst changing the outdated appliances may be desirable, I personally would keep them for the nostalgic benefits! 😉🤣🤣🤣
Man, the inside of this thing is beautiful! Love seeing such well preserved units like this. Hard to find real wooden cabinets in new coaches. Everything nowadays is bland gray and white press board.
It's a fact, I bought a 2001 Holiday Rambler Septer 38.5 with the 330 Cummins, only 70k miles when I got her, solid coach compared to the junk rolling out of factories since 2012. Built like a tank.
Agree on the semi-monocoque frame. Owned a 2001 Monaco Windsor, 38 ft long, upgraded chassis, 8 bag air ride and it was a solid ride. If we ever get another one, it'll be a Class A diesel pusher between 1995 to 2007, preferably before 2002...♥️🙏💪
After about ten years of research I bought a 2003 Country Coach Intrigue 2 years ago. It’s a fantastic coach and drives beautiful. She’s 36’ with a 8.9 liter Cummins and we get a solid 9+ mpg at 60 mph. A lot of the larger Country Coach models came with Caterpillar. In fact there may be more Cat motors in Country Coaches than Cummins
Beautiful coach! A dream find. I had a 1995 Barth Monarch. Yeah, I know: who?, what? I was an absolute gem. Spartan chassis, all aluminum superstructure, Cummins 8.3 w/ Allison MD3060 - absolutely the best powertrain ever put in a MH chassis. It was garage kept and in pristine condition. I did numerous upgrades and was a fool to ever part with it. Two warnings on older rigs: 1. Have the entire chassis gone over thoroughly: All belts and hoses (don't forget the heater and power steering hoses that run the whole length of the coach), all air brake components, all steering and suspension joints. Basically everything under the floor. 2. Be ready to face some resistance at top end RV parks, they can be snobby about older rigs. Keeping it clean and the wheels shiny helps lol. If you're interested in a second hand Air Force One auxiliary brake system for a toad look me up.
I agree 100%. The CC w/no slides is exactly what I have been looking for also! The Cummins diesel with the P-pump is one of, if not the most reliable, longest lasting engines there is. Allison, of course is the best choice IMO also. The no-slide, and 1 piece solid roof are the other big hitters. Slides add so many degrees of complexity they are not worth it for us. I'm 72, and started with no slides in the first place! LOL Between the engine, roof and slides, that removes over 50% of the most problematic systems on your bus! The newer monocoque construction, another 25% (although debatable). All new commercial bus's are made that way, the ones that go 3M miles plus. 8) Thanks much!! _Peace --gary
I own a 2000 Winnebago ultimate freedom. It was their attempt at a high-end coach. Very good coach very well-made. I’m in the market for a Prevost country coach. 2005 to 2008 those were some of the best coaches country coach ever made
Beaver actually made 2 shorter Diesel pushers in that era, a 33 foot one in the Patriot line and a 30 foot one in either the Contessa or Monterey can't remember which. They are actually 34 foot and 32 foot overall. Some had side radiators and some had rear
Those were pretty much all the reasons I bought my coach. I had to settle for a 36' though. Turning up the pump on the 8.3 was a game changer. Now it will go up hills without slowing down.
There are a lot of lists of top regrets when redoing a kitchen or doing a van conversion and butcher block counters are on nearly all of them. There is a lot of effort involved with keeping them looking good and not cracking. I certainly agree with your overall thoughts and approach.
@@lancecluster that’s good advice. I wanted to do it because I can do it myself with butcher block but a granite or other hard surface is a better idea.
I just recently got a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star with the Cummins 8.3, 42'. It has a Brite Tek roof, 3 slides, on a Spartan Mountain Master Chassis. Drove it from Florida to Canada, crossed over into Maine, then back to florida. She drove like a champ. Got a little hot in the mountains of VA, I was towing a Honda CRV and was pushing it too hard. Did much better once I eased up on the gas a bit. I know Newmar wasn't mentioned in the high end class but so far so good.
I have a 2000 Holliday Rambler- Ambassador 36' single large slide out (less to break) with a 5.9 Cummins 260 Hp engine with 95,000 miles, 7.5 Cummins quiet Gen w/ 235 hrs.. it also is DEF free. This coach was built by Monaco that builds most of the entertainers coaches. Bought from the original owner, who was meticulous with maintenance. Many new parts were added incl. 18,000btu furnace, engine radiator, +. It is beautiful inside and out. If you know what you are looking at and know diesels, the older coaches are the way to go! Good luck with your coach!
I used to cut the plywood for those in the dynomax era around 98. The intrigue was the least expensive coach that was built with all 3/4 interior cabinetry. We made them with white ash, oak, maple, walnut , cherry, and the interiors were birch. Looks like that has stood up to the test of time, good to see. I remember seeing these being built thinking that they were over built tanks, so it's no surprise it has lasted. The Allure line was one notch below this, and built with luan interior.
@@WhumaFPV awesome, I love hearing from individuals that have knowledge like yours. I knew the Allure was lower on the ladder, I was not aware there was different wood used. Thanks for sharing, and watching!
Recently bought a well maintained renovated 2001 Foretravel u270. I am currently going through all systems and making further improvements and minor repairs. It is solid, drives like a bus, actually better fuel economy than our previous Class A gas. Overall, while it is 24 years old it has a much better built quality than what you get today. Key however is, make sure you learn to work on it yourself.
Great vid! Inspires me. A few years ago I bought a 97 32’ Allure with full intent of head to toe renovation. Totally agree with short, older non slide mechanical coach. She sits at storage gutted and full of parts waiting for a better economy to fund the rest of the cash build. Can’t wait to get it on the road.
Country Coach ,Beaver ,American Coach was ahead of their time,especially Marathon. Can't go wrong with a older model,must have $$$$ for replace/repairs once done it will be Excellent.
I have an 89 Vogue Prima Vista II- 35’ with a CAT 3208 on a Crown Coach chassis, thank you for clearly describing the difference between these Busses and an RV. Mine has Walnut and Corian :) very similar to yours otherwise.
Simple to modify and solid build. I’m in the market for an older coach. Hopefully by July 2025 I will be purchasing a coach dated early 2000. Good luck 🇺🇸
Nice coach. Good luck on the resto. Constant attention and care are needed for these older units. Quality is top notch. You're analysis was spot on. We love our 06 Wanderlodge. Thanks for the video.
I live in a 2003 American Coach. Excellent build quality but when things stop working it become quite the headache. Plus difficult to find people to work on them and tough to find parts. And expect to replace all of the appliances and furniture at a minimum. But the Spartan chassis and body quality is second to none.
Excellent video! I hung on to your every word. I really appreciate your relaxed, knowledgeable and clearly experienced explanation of why you're going this route. We purchased a 1997 30' Beaver Monterey with CAT engine, presently refurbishing it. I will happily follow your progress, knowing you're going to help me a lot as we work through the same kind of issues. Have fun and thanks again for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Nice rig indeed. I overpaid for a 37' 1997 Cat powered Beaver early in '22. It has low miles but the house was completely neglected with Years of water damage.I am slowly reconditioning it back to a nonoriginal but functionally comfortable state and Chassis parts are mostly a mashup of truck parts. The trick is to know whats what. The other trick-deep pockets and patience. Happy trails
@@fastcoffee9878 i did exactly what you're doing to my 97 Monterey. Ripped out all the fabric, new vinyl ceiling, new wallpaper, vinyl plank flooring, new window seals, etc.
My brother found an 80s Crown Royal Coach for under $4K... looks rough on the outside, but practically nothing is broke, great interior, no leaks and he has been living in it for years.
Great video! A couple corrections though: Country Coach did use Caterpillar engines and they also did use Freightliner chassis. I have a 1997 Intrigue 40' (similar paint as yours) with the mechanical 8.3 Cummins and Allison built on a Freightliner chassis. I also bought mine with no slides for the reasons you described. Looking forward to seeing your renovation videos!
One big thing you did not talk much about is the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems that are also 30 years old. I own a 2002 36’ DP on a Freightliner custom chassis. The coach goes down the road like a sports car- I really mean it is FUN to drive because Freightliner knows how to build heavy over the road vehicles . However, I am continually working on the water heater, or the AC, or the refrigerator, or the space heater, electrical control wiring, …etc, etc. Fortunately for me I am able to do 90% of the repairs myself, and the cost savings of having an older coach are worth it to me. Bottom line I agree with you on everything, with the caveat that the if owner of an older RV is ever to be happy, he or she must be rich, or a DIYer. Two thumbs up on the rear facing radiator advice. I have one, and you are so right- it’s a royal pain!
As soon as I got to 5:20 where you said you are also removing the beautiful hardwood floors I had to stop the video. I just couldn't bear to get to the part where you'll be saying that you'll be tearing the Diesel engine out and replacing it with a Chevy Vega engine. Edit: Okay, I did go back and watch the rest of the video. Glad you changed your mind about the Chevy Vega engine. 🤣
We own a 1999 Mountain Air with 330 cummins. One slide. the original owner and the person we purchased had approx 50,000 km. No miles on it and the interior was like new. My wife renovated the interior and weve been driving for 10 years across Canada. The only issue was mechanical {fuel injector pump} and while I think about upgrading my thoughts align with yours that old builds, quality materials and 330 cummins should be good for years to come.
We had a 1997 Mountain Aire with the C 8.3 Cummins, spartan chassis, 10 yers ago. The mechanical fuel pump failed and damaged the engine. Would definitely recommend an upgrade
That was a solid video with good content. I enjoyed it and I may also be doing the same thing that you did in buying an older high quality diesel pusher. Thank you for the info!
@@JeremyandtheRobots oh you’re so welcome. Honestly I’m surprised at the feedback. I mean it’s clearly not going viral but I’m happy with the response. Thanks for the comment!
I can't imagine ripping out the hardwood floor, or painting the oak cabinets, maybe consider sanding and staining? Anyone looking for this style should also consider Foretravel Coaches, they are as good if not better, and they are still in business in Texas so parts are still available. Really high-end quality build, you can get the older ones for a song now! I'm a big fan of no slide-out models, less to break down & fix.
I had a 94 safari with 5.9 and it was underpowered but worked , I hated the air intake routed to the front of the rear axle Gravel roads were an obstacle, even short term driving to camping or the farm. I would definitely get another rv around the same year but with bigger engine.
@@doubleduty1703 the 5.9 is a bullet proof power plant, but for sure underpowered for a cross country bus. The 8.3 is essentially the same, just larger displacement.
in 1979 i bought a 1977 MCI retired grey hound bus that I converted to a rv u are correct young man the years are 1992 to 2007 to buy diesel pushers most people think that new is better well lol thats there first mistake. i live in a 2006 american tradition diesel pusher and not one issue. good job and yes the ones in the 70s were made even better no slides.
For those that enjoy driving a large house on pavement, and spending time sleeping in parking lots with lots of loud and potentially annoying neighbors, this might be the best house on wheels to buy. Personally, I preferred sleeping in my 2002 Land Rover Discovery expedition build in my rooftop tent, at 10K feet above the trees on Imogene Pass in Colorado. No neighbors, quiet, and beautiful beyond belief. After driving over the summit at 13K feet, we would drive down into Telluride, CO for a latte and breakfast. We often did similar trips near Moab, UT, Ophir Pass, CO, Pearl Pass, CO and many others. Thank you for sharing this video. It looks like you have discovered a rig with a high quality build, designed to last, and to provide the luxuries of home.
Hey there, just an FYI: the “fluted” / etched mirrors are very $$$. We have completely restored a 2005 Monaco and one the size of your bathroom mirror was quoted as $400.00. So that said if you’re just doing the paint it all white and going “mod” try to save and resale the mirrors. Love the quality in the older units.
@colbyoncars boost gauge and pyro gauge.. disabled waste gate ,added straight thru muffler and adjusted pump for more fuel.. gale banks offered a kit for them.. I did what they did.. the tranny is fine with the power
@colbyoncars the injection pump has a lot of adjustments for when fuel comes on and how fast.. it is tricky to get quick and smoke free but is very possible.. lots of info on all the different adjustments and how affect drivability.. mine makes so much torque down shifts greatly reduced and not needed.. it will pass anything in the mountains even towing my jeep
@ good to know. California is going to be requiring smog starting in 2025 on all diesel powered vehicles that exceed 14K GVWR so whatever I do needs to be reverse able
Doubt they would know unless they drove it.. it runs same and smoke free.. the muffler is needed and legal.. stock one very restrictive.. only smog they could really do is snap idle test. Basically floor it and look for smoke
Nice looking old girl. I bought a 2000 40' CC as my first coach, in 2012. Unfortunately, CC hadn't managed to do the paperwork that would allow their product to be imported to Canada, so I had to change to a 98 Beaver 38', with one small slide and a CAT. From all of the research I did at the time, I though nothing could be wrong with my choice, but, when I moved up to a 43' 2007 Monaco a few years later, I was pleasantly surprised to find a coach that was an order of magnitude better. Not saying there is anything wrong with old high end coaches, just that as the industry matured, quality improved drastically. No that hardwood floor isn't original. All those coaches, CC, Beaver included, had carpet in front of the couches. I updated mine to tile, and I was lucky to find tile that matched the galley and head areas, so it all looked original. Harwood was an option I considered, had the tile not worked out.
@@keitholiver7828 yes, another commenter mentioned my mistake on the hardwood floor. This is why I love UA-cam, so much information here. Thanks for the comment!
I have a 1993 foretravel that is amazing and it has manual shifter not the electronic shift box. I also have the 8.3 cummins so i have mechanical motor and transmission. It has basement AC so i fit 2400w of solar panels on my roof. 6 400w panels on my roof.
@@colbyoncars 2003, we built our ExpeditionVehicle on a 1996 Ford CF8000 commercial truck. Cummins 8.3 mechanical, Allison 6-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive with air-locker. . We boondock exclusively. Zero interest in a pay-camp. Over two decades full-time live-aboard, our Cummins gobbles anything remotely resembling a petroleum fuel, handy during our two years traveling through South America. . At a steady 52mph, we turn 1,825rpm, its sweetspot for fuel mileage. We rarely get better than 14mpg/6kpl, we rarely travel more than a hundred miles a month. Fuel is a very minor part of the budget.
You did your homework and found the sweet spot. The dynamax chassis and hydronic heat and hot water are the only things I would miss. Plenty of 36 footers out there. Don't like the clear coat problems in the 97 to 2002 vintage, and the creeping window seals of the first generation dual pane windows. Looking forward to your remodel
@@bubbafringman1864 I should have mentioned, this coach has single pane. Not great for thermal resistance, but no moisture creep. I’ll take the latter😉
@@colbyoncars 2003, we built our ExpeditionVehicle. Our windows are 3010 (three feet wide by a foot tall) dual-pane sliders designed for a stand-still house. We mounted these at our eye-level standing inside, about eight feet above pavement. . In addition to thermal resistance, we prefer dual-pane for the acoustic reduction. Less outside noise infiltration.
@colbyoncars7563 i don't know where you're located, but if your intention is to build the premier sweet spot rv, Peninsula Glass in Vancouver Washington is, in my opinion, the best place to have new thermal windows built for your coach. Probably be surprised at how reasonable too. How many windows do you have not including windshields of couse.
We have lived and traveled full time for 14 years, we have a 1995 Holiday Rambler Imperial 37 ft single slide and it has done real well, its on a Spartan Mountain Master with a 300 hp Cummins 8,3 with a md3060 allison trans and i have also recomended older diesels !! Enjoy, i like the Amish wood myself,
Good overview video. The Gillig was a great chassis but not of the "semi-mononcoque" design. Country Coach did not build a semi-monocoque chassis until they went to their Dynomax chassis in the late 90's, I think 98/99 era. We had a 38' 1991 Beaver for about 7 years on tge Gillig chassis with a Cat engine and we really liked it but wanted something with a tag axle and a bit more power to pull our enclosed race trailer. I didn't want anything less than a 38' and really wanted a 40' because we towed a 26' enclosed race trailer, but would have accepted up to a 42' if it had everything on our needs and wants list. Having a couple friends with shorter diesel pushers and being able to drive several of them, I discovered 34' was the breaking point for me. Anything less than that and they seemed to "porpoise" a bit more than I liked. Country Coach used Caterpillar engines in a lot of their coaches over the years. I finally narrowed my search down to around 98-2000 upper end Country Coach and Monaco coaches. We looked extensively at those models for over 9-months until we found our 40' 2003 Monaco Dynasty. We have had our coach now for 18 years and to be honest, I really haven't been impressed with anything built in the last four or five years. The wife and I have always talked about upgrading coaches one more time before we retire but as we have been RV' ing for over 30 years now and on our third coach, we just haven't seen anything we'd give up our older and paid for coach for. I have the Cummins ISL 400 with the Allison MD3060 transmission which are a great combination. Could with the little bit higher geared 4.78:1 final drive ratio in the axle and it moved it check asking very well. I just ran the overhead on it and adjusted the Jacob's compression brake and it looks like new inside still. I've done a lot of mods to our coach over the years and posted some videos of them to my channel. At this time it looks and runs better than new even being 22+ years old with 145k miles, but lately I've been thinking we'll just keep what we have. Looking forward to the work you'll be doing to your newly acquired Country Coach. I'll be following along. Mike
As you play with various paint colors on that test door, you may for curiosity experiment with simply changing hardware on the existing oak at the same time. You may be surprised how much a nice handle or knob can elevate and update the look. If going for paint, I recommend oil-based -or better yet- automotive grade two-part catalyzed finishes that are much more durable than the water-based latex they sell in home supply stores. Oak grain will transfer through a finish, so lots of sanding and a good primer is also a must.
I bought a 2006 Winnie Journey 39k. Only had 39K miles on it. She had a few battle scars but nothing major. She now has 59k and running strong. Do the maintenance diligently! If you can't turn a wrench... buy a timeshare!
1st time watching you. You sound knowledgeable and would like to hear about pricing for the older smaller class a's and I am not sure where you are from but I am from the panhandlers of Florida and it gets HOT! What about that? Thanks again. I am now a subscriber with the thumbs up.
@@cliffordbecker3275 thank you! I’m in California in the Sacramento area, we also get hot. I’m working on another video about price to buy older vs newer.
Love the size of it and yes, country coach was an excellent coach. I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not but up in Oregon. There is a dealership that still has most or some of the workers from the original country coach facility that sells motorhomes, country coach mostly and works on them. The name Is Premier Rv of Oregon
Really nice pusher you have there…. I’d keep most interior treatments as is….only spend money on some of the outdated electronics and save the rest on routine maintenance needed.
It’s true Country Coach is an excellent brand that’s no longer around however many of the principle people and techs are still in business at Premier RV Services in Oregon. You can get top level support from them for vintage CC buses, highly recommended. They also have a UA-cam channel, check ‘em out and best of luck with your project. 👍
Excellent video and description of your choice. I totally agree with your assessments. Question: do these older coaches still nickel and dime you to death simply because everything is 20+ years old?
@@joedonbaker1673 thank you. They can definitely cost some money to keep them up but in my opinion it is way cheaper than spending the money on a new coach. The money you save buying older allows you to fix and upgrade what you need to.
Its your motorhome so if you want to spend extra time and money, that is your choice. However, like many others have said, I would leave that interior as-in. Outdated, yes, but it looks mint. Leave it as a preserved time capsule. Then again, I have owned a 1979 Airstream for over 20 years and have kept the original interior mostly the same...
Cummins is good, DD Series 60 is what you really want though, they are the sweet spot. Prior to '87 you'll be looking at 6 or 8-71 Detroits - great engines, a bit noisy but solid. Fewer peeps around want to work on them (unfamiliar with them) but not as hard as finding someone that wants to work on a Cat, esp. in a RV. Before buying any diesel with years on it get oil samples from the engine, trans and axle and have them analyzed- it could save you a ton o' money. A proud owner that took care of his stuff shouldn't kick about it and will be probably be impressed that you know enough to want them.
We have a '91 Foretravel Grand Villa, built on an Oshkosh chassis, with the 8.2L Detroit Diesel V8. Not a powerhouse, but it rides well, and no air system for suspension or brakes. Bought in 2017, haven't used it a ton yet, but it has been great! I may wind up re-roofing it, the weak point on this unit, IMO.
@@colbyoncars It was an option, my unit just wasn't built with it. In those days, Foretravel had a lot of different configurations available, drivetrains, lengths, suspensions, interior layouts, fabric and cabinetry materials... There are still quite a few around. I have always liked the style.
Very nice 👍 what kind of MPG do you get? Must be much better than gassers right? I am looking for one to work remote while I explore the country towing my Jeep TJ. Thanks for all the insights.
Sweet coach - really clean inside for its age. I've never seen a Country Coach that small. Good find. I love your hardwood floor with the white tiles. A good friend of ours who we wintered over with in Yuma last year has a slideless, 95 Country Coach with an 8.3 too. It's a good bit longer than yours, but your floor is identical to his. I helped him fix some diesel leaks and cooling issues, but it is a solid reliable engine, just a little low on HP. But on a coach the size of yours, that's not that big of an issue. The important thing is you can pick up a good used one for a decent price if needed. I had a diesel (not Country Coach) that they wanted $15k to fix the engine on, so I sold it for scrap and bought an older gasser instead. We've been living FT in a 35' 1999 National Tropical (another legacy brand) for the last 6 years. Older coaches are the way to go. They have good bones, especially yours. We have one slide, which is important to us for mental health reasons, but our tag axle gives it plenty of CCC for the large, 5,020-watt solar system we installed, as we're avid boondockers. Ours hasn't seen the inside of a repair shop this entire time, unlike many newer coaches. Besides, someone else paid the depreciation, allowing us to avoid financing. Our insurance and registration costs are cheaper too. It's nice being debt free.
It goes Newell, Foretravel, then Country Coach, Beaver, then high end Monaco (like Signature Series and Executive,) high end Holiday Rambler (Navigator.) High end means at least a full fiberglass (or aluminum for HR) roof, rather than rubber roof. Also bigger engine with side radiator, full air bag suspension. For engines, around 2000 they went electronic, and 2004 EGR was added, and 2007 the real emissions regulations kicked in. Mid 90s they just barely started with the electronics. Caterpillar and Cummins were common, Cummins 8.3 were great, Cat have more expensive maintenance and parts costs. I just got a sunburned 2000 Foretravel U320 36 foot, has a Cummins ISM11-450 and Allison HD-4060R transmission, that's got a retarder transmission brake. It's great, but will need work and updating. Full fiberglass roof, nice full storage bays underneath, great rear engine compartment door for great access (much better than Country Coach.) Many of the windows have the creeping black "snake" seals needing replaced, common issue.
Semi monocoque means, in aircraft terms anyway, that the skin is partially "stressed", taking part of the loads, so the structure itself can be built using lighter members. The outside isn't there just to keep the rain out, it's like OSB or plywood on a house, ties it all together. Great rig there, with you on slide outs, no thanks!
Great video! I was wondering about your 32' length limit. Is there a reason besides maneuverability? Just dont know what i dont know. Old yruck driver here. Can attest to the durability of the pre-emissions Cummins platform. Cant wait to see it as you make it your own!
Good stuff. Thanks for the review. What approximate price range are we talking about on something like this? If it were mine, I'd make very few changes ... since I'm looking for low maintenance & reliability primarily & I don't mind the 90s cosmetics. What state do you live in? Cheers, Chuck ... Jacksonville, Florida
You own a body shop. Start with making the exterior spectacular/service update the mechanicals while you ponder the interior. Wise man told me that one time.
18:55 Moving the weight is part of the engine's duty. The other part is overcoming windage, stationary air the front must push aside. Windage increases with speed; in-town and up to about at 45mph/70kph, windage is much less an issue. . On IRV2, the fifty-states-in-fifty-days crowd brag about 80mph/130kph... ...then whine about poor fuel mileage. And belly-ache about tires failing. Then complain about tow-truck operators.
@@carlbeaver7112 thanks. I’ve noticed that. I’m probably going to scrap them and go wired anyway. Mainly because the wireless is unreliable to reach the back of my trailer
You should leave the interior substantially as it is. The oak stands out from everyone else's vinyl-covered particle board. I would not paint them losing the ability to proudly display what they are. Looks like quality brass hardware. You can glue another mirror right over the beveled ones. Granite scratches, needs polishing and sealing, and will burn and stain. Corian is a better choice, or if you have to replace due to style, I would install Silestone as it does not have the downsides of granite. Those look like 1.25" thick oak flooring. It can be sanded and redone or select some different stain color. I would not change that either. The sofa looked like new. You can easily change the valances. Put down the hammer and back away.
The original countertops were Corian.
We own a 1990, 36 foot Elite Motor Coach Corp 300 Turbo with a Caterpillar 300HP turbo, Allison 4 speed automatic and many or most of the same interior features.
It has a Semi monocoque chassis, one piece roof and body built on a Gillig Chassis. It is truly a very well built coach with many unique features. It is in amazing condition for a 34 year old coach but then again that is what you get if you buy high quality older coaches. No sensors, no DEF, no slides no fuss, just reliable comfortable and safe RV Fun. Great for long distance RVing.
We have a 96 CC Intrigue Vista edition 40'. Black walnut interior. Best of the best. They knew how to make them.
On any Sunday is absolutely worth popping into that VCR and watching
Funny, I watched this video the morning after seeing an episode of Bad Monkey, in which Vince Vaughn's character quotes Trading Places back and forth with his police partner: "Louis: Looking good, Billy Ray! Billy Ray: Feeling good, Louis!" Not that this particular quote was anything more than mildly amusing, but there are some hilarious parts throughout. Very few of which would survive today's PC Police. Saying the "N Word" that begins with "Ne" was still okay in 1983, especially if Eddie Murphy was involved.
I own and live in a 1993 Fleetwood pace arrow diesel pusher 36’,
with only 81,000 miles on it. We live in it full time. Been living in it for 4 years! It is a full time motorhome. Solid Oak and ceramic tile in the kitchen. I put solar on the roof and 300 watts of lithium batteries under the refrigerator. Put in new blinds and made curtains etc runs 😊 great 👍🏽. Only drawback is the mauve colored carpet. But I put a gray and black runner down and it is splendid . I have the same motor with a Raised rail chassis . Mine is the same way
@@larrymarks8812 that’s awesome Larry, thanks for the comment.
I bought a 2004 40’ Winnebago vectra with a 400hp Cummins about 5 years ago for 47k. Only had 6500miles on it which is almost too low. After new fluids and filters, started driving cross country. Aside from a valve cover gaskets getting replaced, I had zero issues. Was towing a 2016 Silverado with a brand new Harley in the bed the whole time. My slides did leak though. Our friend with a brand new tiffin (2019 at the time) paid 750k for it and he had to ditch the trip for repairs. Was in the shop for almost 6 months during the first year and still has issues to this day. Pre 2007 diesel pushers is the way to go.
I think you'd be nuts to remove any of that wood, especially the floor. REAL HARDWOOD in a motorhome.. why would you ever remove that?! To replace with fake "wood" vinyl floor?! Only thing I would do is remove and paint or even just paint over the white wallpaper areas and of course update electronics like TV and maybe add Starlink. The widow valances are even nice. Very nice wood and exactly what I'd look for in an RV.
@@VinylToVideo I hear you, initially I was going to rock it just the way I bought it. My wife wanted a newer unit and I didn’t want the cost of a quality coach and wasn’t willing to compromise for a 150-300K so so built motorhome like a Tiffin. So here we are, it’s going to have a more modern interior with the older better built chassis.
@@colbyoncars Your wife doesn't know anything about RVs obviously except superficiality. The newer ones over the past ten years have extremely cheap interiors where you'd be wishing you had real wood. Take her to an RV place and show her just how flimsy they are.
@ not true when you get into $500K and above. The interiors actually get really nice. I’m just not willing to spend that money for a nice interior and a crappy chassis, not to me I’d have to finance it which I’m not willing to do
I encourage you to listen to this and really consider it. It looks fabulous as it is with minor updates. The 90's was not that long ago and those styles are still relevant.
@@LisaMedeiros-tr2lz it’s in the eye of the beholder. For us it is gonna get an update. Thanks for your input though, I appreciate the interaction!
Country Coach is the best old Coach out there. We have a 2000 Affinity 👍🏻
Oh man...I wouldn't change a thing. Hardwood floors - oak cabinets - and you're going to *paint* them??????? *SMH*
@@4timesayear914 sorry man, happy wife…
I would paint the cabinets AND the floor. Leave the floor, it's hardwood. Paint it (stain) greyish-oak-colour. Cabinets too with black accents.
@@sachadee.6104 the bedroom is done, cabinets anyway. The video is coming but I’m struggling with the editing software. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching!
Paint on oak 😢...Bad idea ..but it's yours
Landlord special
I lean towards no slides as well. I like the simplicity, less things that wont work, less leaks, and stronger bus. I have 45 feet and when I was a kid half of that would have been a good size camper. If thats not enough room to take a trip then I give up. I have a one piece metal roof. I installed a rooftop air which in a way I hate to do but its been working well and no leaks. Pre-DEF, 22.5 tires with tag. Runs at good speeds comfortably all day. Mine is a 97 Prevost and its old but works great. I would not want anything new. Even after 2008 would be less desirable.
I don’t know.. for me your coach looks sweet enough to enjoy with few mods on entertainment. Well taken care of. For sure you want to rip out and make it yours is best for you. Great find!
That's what I was thinking as I watched the video! I love wood and would leave all that beautiful original wood as is, but that's me. Great video!
Showing us all the beautiful, solid Oak cabinetry... "Yeah, that's all gonna be painted over." 😝 Still has the beautiful hardwood floor... "Yeah, we'll be taking that up, of course." He needs a smack.
Yep. totally agree. The coach (or perhaps home is more appropriate!) is 85% acceptable as it was bought and whilst changing the outdated appliances may be desirable, I personally would keep them for the nostalgic benefits! 😉🤣🤣🤣
He will make it worse if he paints them. It is perfect. 1995 was not so long ago any resemblance needs to be purged.
Man, the inside of this thing is beautiful! Love seeing such well preserved units like this. Hard to find real wooden cabinets in new coaches. Everything nowadays is bland gray and white press board.
It's a fact, I bought a 2001 Holiday Rambler Septer 38.5 with the 330 Cummins, only 70k miles when I got her, solid coach compared to the junk rolling out of factories since 2012. Built like a tank.
Bought a Tiffin Allegro Breeze years ago an older small diesel pusher I have been very happy with it.
Agree on the semi-monocoque frame. Owned a 2001 Monaco Windsor, 38 ft long, upgraded chassis, 8 bag air ride and it was a solid ride. If we ever get another one, it'll be a Class A diesel pusher between 1995 to 2007, preferably before 2002...♥️🙏💪
I like your choice for purpose. Cost wise, this Coach, when thoroughly investigated, is wisest $$$ decision. Good luck
After about ten years of research I bought a 2003 Country Coach Intrigue 2 years ago. It’s a fantastic coach and drives beautiful. She’s 36’ with a 8.9 liter Cummins and we get a solid 9+ mpg at 60 mph.
A lot of the larger Country Coach models came with Caterpillar. In fact there may be more Cat motors in Country Coaches than Cummins
Great intro to Diesel-powered pushers...I have a 25 ft TT with no slides also...the 32 ft length looks awesome...Congratulations and good luck 🏕✌🏿
I have an almost identical 1996 HMC (Hawkins Motor Coach) on the same 32' Gillig chassis and cummins 5.9. Interior layout is shockingly similar.
@@craigchatterton1939 I was not aware of HMC, thanks for the comment!
Itt, lots of people with terrible taste wanting you to keep this locked in the past for no reason. You do you.
Beautiful coach! A dream find.
I had a 1995 Barth Monarch. Yeah, I know: who?, what? I was an absolute gem. Spartan chassis, all aluminum superstructure, Cummins 8.3 w/ Allison MD3060 - absolutely the best powertrain ever put in a MH chassis. It was garage kept and in pristine condition. I did numerous upgrades and was a fool to ever part with it.
Two warnings on older rigs:
1. Have the entire chassis gone over thoroughly: All belts and hoses (don't forget the heater and power steering hoses that run the whole length of the coach), all air brake components, all steering and suspension joints. Basically everything under the floor.
2. Be ready to face some resistance at top end RV parks, they can be snobby about older rigs. Keeping it clean and the wheels shiny helps lol.
If you're interested in a second hand Air Force One auxiliary brake system for a toad look me up.
I can't even find any pictures of one of those on the interwebs. She must be an ultra-rare beast. I'd love to hear more about it!
@NoelBarlau they made less than 500
I agree 100%. The CC w/no slides is exactly what I have been looking for also! The Cummins diesel with the P-pump is one of, if not the most reliable, longest lasting engines there is. Allison, of course is the best choice IMO also. The no-slide, and 1 piece solid roof are the other big hitters. Slides add so many degrees of complexity they are not worth it for us. I'm 72, and started with no slides in the first place! LOL Between the engine, roof and slides, that removes over 50% of the most problematic systems on your bus! The newer monocoque construction, another 25% (although debatable). All new commercial bus's are made that way, the ones that go 3M miles plus. 8) Thanks much!! _Peace --gary
I own a 2000 Winnebago ultimate freedom. It was their attempt at a high-end coach. Very good coach very well-made. I’m in the market for a Prevost country coach. 2005 to 2008 those were some of the best coaches country coach ever made
Beaver actually made 2 shorter Diesel pushers in that era, a 33 foot one in the Patriot line and a 30 foot one in either the Contessa or Monterey can't remember which. They are actually 34 foot and 32 foot overall. Some had side radiators and some had rear
Those were pretty much all the reasons I bought my coach. I had to settle for a 36' though. Turning up the pump on the 8.3 was a game changer. Now it will go up hills without slowing down.
There are a lot of lists of top regrets when redoing a kitchen or doing a van conversion and butcher block counters are on nearly all of them. There is a lot of effort involved with keeping them looking good and not cracking. I certainly agree with your overall thoughts and approach.
@@lancecluster that’s good advice. I wanted to do it because I can do it myself with butcher block but a granite or other hard surface is a better idea.
Butcher block looks beautiful, but needs to be redone about every 25 years. I like it in my home.
I just recently got a 2003 Newmar Dutch Star with the Cummins 8.3, 42'. It has a Brite Tek roof, 3 slides, on a Spartan Mountain Master Chassis. Drove it from Florida to Canada, crossed over into Maine, then back to florida. She drove like a champ. Got a little hot in the mountains of VA, I was towing a Honda CRV and was pushing it too hard. Did much better once I eased up on the gas a bit. I know Newmar wasn't mentioned in the high end class but so far so good.
I have a 2000 Holliday Rambler- Ambassador 36' single large slide out (less to break) with a 5.9 Cummins 260 Hp engine with 95,000 miles, 7.5 Cummins quiet Gen w/ 235 hrs.. it also is DEF free. This coach was built by Monaco that builds most of the entertainers coaches. Bought from the original owner, who was meticulous with maintenance. Many new parts were added incl. 18,000btu furnace, engine radiator, +. It is beautiful inside and out. If you know what you are looking at and know diesels, the older coaches are the way to go! Good luck with your coach!
I used to cut the plywood for those in the dynomax era around 98. The intrigue was the least expensive coach that was built with all 3/4 interior cabinetry. We made them with white ash, oak, maple, walnut , cherry, and the interiors were birch. Looks like that has stood up to the test of time, good to see. I remember seeing these being built thinking that they were over built tanks, so it's no surprise it has lasted. The Allure line was one notch below this, and built with luan interior.
@@WhumaFPV awesome, I love hearing from individuals that have knowledge like yours. I knew the Allure was lower on the ladder, I was not aware there was different wood used. Thanks for sharing, and watching!
Recently bought a well maintained renovated 2001 Foretravel u270. I am currently going through all systems and making further improvements and minor repairs. It is solid, drives like a bus, actually better fuel economy than our previous Class A gas. Overall, while it is 24 years old it has a much better built quality than what you get today. Key however is, make sure you learn to work on it yourself.
Great vid! Inspires me. A few years ago I bought a 97 32’ Allure with full intent of head to toe renovation. Totally agree with short, older non slide mechanical coach.
She sits at storage gutted and full of parts waiting for a better economy to fund the rest of the cash build. Can’t wait to get it on the road.
a -- toss in some car-camping gear,
b -- go have fun!
Country Coach ,Beaver ,American Coach was ahead of their time,especially Marathon. Can't go wrong with a older model,must have $$$$ for replace/repairs once done it will be Excellent.
I have an 89 Vogue Prima Vista II- 35’ with a CAT 3208 on a Crown Coach chassis, thank you for clearly describing the difference between these Busses and an RV. Mine has Walnut and Corian :) very similar to yours otherwise.
Great advice I bought a 1998 Monaco Windsor 38' love it.
Simple to modify and solid build. I’m in the market for an older coach. Hopefully by July 2025 I will be purchasing a coach dated early 2000. Good luck 🇺🇸
I bought one to learn the mechanic trade. By God, it worked. Working at a Subaru dealership & we are super busy.
Nice coach. Good luck on the resto. Constant attention and care are needed for these older units. Quality is top notch. You're analysis was spot on. We love our 06 Wanderlodge. Thanks for the video.
I live in a 2003 American Coach. Excellent build quality but when things stop working it become quite the headache. Plus difficult to find people to work on them and tough to find parts. And expect to replace all of the appliances and furniture at a minimum. But the Spartan chassis and body quality is second to none.
Excellent video! I hung on to your every word. I really appreciate your relaxed, knowledgeable and clearly experienced explanation of why you're going this route. We purchased a 1997 30' Beaver Monterey with CAT engine, presently refurbishing it. I will happily follow your progress, knowing you're going to help me a lot as we work through the same kind of issues. Have fun and thanks again for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words.
Nice rig indeed. I overpaid for a 37' 1997 Cat powered Beaver early in '22. It has low miles but the house was completely neglected with Years of water damage.I am slowly reconditioning it back to a nonoriginal but functionally comfortable state and Chassis parts are mostly a mashup of truck parts. The trick is to know whats what. The other trick-deep pockets and patience. Happy trails
@@fastcoffee9878 i did exactly what you're doing to my 97 Monterey. Ripped out all the fabric, new vinyl ceiling, new wallpaper, vinyl plank flooring, new window seals, etc.
@bubbafringman1864 my latest worry is the injector O rings just because of the age. Fun never ends
Great old rigs, own a 94 Monaco Signature Series Crown Royal Coach 👌 built like a tank 💪 .
@@fredc.o.4495 absolutely!
My brother found an 80s Crown Royal Coach for under $4K... looks rough on the outside, but practically nothing is broke, great interior, no leaks and he has been living in it for years.
@ the older quality stuff is a no brainer for this reason. Thanks for the comment!
Great video! A couple corrections though: Country Coach did use Caterpillar engines and they also did use Freightliner chassis.
I have a 1997 Intrigue 40' (similar paint as yours) with the mechanical 8.3 Cummins and Allison built on a Freightliner chassis. I also bought mine with no slides for the reasons you described. Looking forward to seeing your renovation videos!
@@silleyrag thanks for the information! I had no idea CC used freightliner
1I was going to say the same thing about Country Coach and the Cat engines. Thanks Silley!
One big thing you did not talk much about is the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems that are also 30 years old. I own a 2002 36’ DP on a Freightliner custom chassis. The coach goes down the road like a sports car- I really mean it is FUN to drive because Freightliner knows how to build heavy over the road vehicles . However, I am continually working on the water heater, or the AC, or the refrigerator, or the space heater, electrical control wiring, …etc, etc. Fortunately for me I am able to do 90% of the repairs myself, and the cost savings of having an older coach are worth it to me. Bottom line I agree with you on everything, with the caveat that the if owner of an older RV is ever to be happy, he or she must be rich, or a DIYer. Two thumbs up on the rear facing radiator advice. I have one, and you are so right- it’s a royal pain!
As soon as I got to 5:20 where you said you are also removing the beautiful hardwood floors I had to stop the video. I just couldn't bear to get to the part where you'll be saying that you'll be tearing the Diesel engine out and replacing it with a Chevy Vega engine. Edit: Okay, I did go back and watch the rest of the video. Glad you changed your mind about the Chevy Vega engine. 🤣
I'm intrigued by your house on wheels! I will be back, lunch over!
We own a 1999 Mountain Air with 330 cummins. One slide. the original owner and the person we purchased had approx 50,000 km. No miles on it and the interior was like new. My wife renovated the interior and weve been driving for 10 years across Canada. The only issue was mechanical {fuel injector pump} and while I think about upgrading my thoughts align with yours that old builds, quality materials and 330 cummins should be good for years to come.
We had a 1997 Mountain Aire with the C 8.3 Cummins, spartan chassis, 10 yers ago. The mechanical fuel pump failed and damaged the engine. Would definitely recommend an upgrade
Great bus . looking forward to seeing the re-model .
@@justinlinnane8043 I’m about 3/4 through the bedroom remodel and video. Stay tuned!
That was a solid video with good content. I enjoyed it and I may also be doing the same thing that you did in buying an older high quality diesel pusher. Thank you for the info!
@@JeremyandtheRobots oh you’re so welcome. Honestly I’m surprised at the feedback. I mean it’s clearly not going viral but I’m happy with the response. Thanks for the comment!
I can't imagine ripping out the hardwood floor, or painting the oak cabinets, maybe consider sanding and staining?
Anyone looking for this style should also consider Foretravel Coaches, they are as good if not better, and they are still in business in Texas so parts are still available. Really high-end quality build, you can get the older ones for a song now! I'm a big fan of no slide-out models, less to break down & fix.
Great vid, like the older coachs also. We are running a Alpine 40ft and built solid ! Looking forward to seeing what you do to the unit.
I had a 94 safari with 5.9 and it was underpowered but worked , I hated the air intake routed to the front of the rear axle
Gravel roads were an obstacle, even short term driving to camping or the farm.
I would definitely get another rv around the same year but with bigger engine.
@@doubleduty1703 the 5.9 is a bullet proof power plant, but for sure underpowered for a cross country bus. The 8.3 is essentially the same, just larger displacement.
Many Cat engines in CC. C9’s and C12’s maybe others.
Sold my 1995 Affinity 40ft, great coach and it had a CAT 3176 engine!
in 1979 i bought a 1977 MCI retired grey hound bus that I converted to a rv
u are correct young man
the years are 1992 to 2007 to buy diesel pushers
most people think that new is better well lol thats there first mistake.
i live in a 2006 american tradition diesel pusher and not one issue.
good job and yes the ones in the 70s were made even better no slides.
I own a 2000 Ultra Sport 38 ft., had it for 10 years without any issues !
For those that enjoy driving a large house on pavement, and spending time sleeping in parking lots with lots of loud and potentially annoying neighbors, this might be the best house on wheels to buy. Personally, I preferred sleeping in my 2002 Land Rover Discovery expedition build in my rooftop tent, at 10K feet above the trees on Imogene Pass in Colorado. No neighbors, quiet, and beautiful beyond belief. After driving over the summit at 13K feet, we would drive down into Telluride, CO for a latte and breakfast. We often did similar trips near Moab, UT, Ophir Pass, CO, Pearl Pass, CO and many others. Thank you for sharing this video. It looks like you have discovered a rig with a high quality build, designed to last, and to provide the luxuries of home.
On Any Sunday on VHS! Mandatory! A classic!
Hey there, just an FYI: the “fluted” / etched mirrors are very $$$. We have completely restored a 2005 Monaco and one the size of your bathroom mirror was quoted as $400.00. So that said if you’re just doing the paint it all white and going “mod” try to save and resale the mirrors. Love the quality in the older units.
@@debrakettleson3663 awesome, thanks for the heads up
Why buy and have a older RV , IT'S CALLED CLASS 😉👍
I have same coach .. 97 alure. Motor can be turned up alot.. best driving RV ever had.
@@daveriddlelin9327 what did you do to the engine?
@colbyoncars boost gauge and pyro gauge.. disabled waste gate ,added straight thru muffler and adjusted pump for more fuel.. gale banks offered a kit for them.. I did what they did.. the tranny is fine with the power
@colbyoncars the injection pump has a lot of adjustments for when fuel comes on and how fast.. it is tricky to get quick and smoke free but is very possible.. lots of info on all the different adjustments and how affect drivability.. mine makes so much torque down shifts greatly reduced and not needed.. it will pass anything in the mountains even towing my jeep
@ good to know. California is going to be requiring smog starting in 2025 on all diesel powered vehicles that exceed 14K GVWR so whatever I do needs to be reverse able
Doubt they would know unless they drove it.. it runs same and smoke free.. the muffler is needed and legal.. stock one very restrictive.. only smog they could really do is snap idle test. Basically floor it and look for smoke
I heard all mechanical Cummins I’m in! I’m ready to see what you do!
Nice looking old girl.
I bought a 2000 40' CC as my first coach, in 2012. Unfortunately, CC hadn't managed to do the paperwork that would allow their product to be imported to Canada, so I had to change to a 98 Beaver 38', with one small slide and a CAT. From all of the research I did at the time, I though nothing could be wrong with my choice, but, when I moved up to a 43' 2007 Monaco a few years later, I was pleasantly surprised to find a coach that was an order of magnitude better. Not saying there is anything wrong with old high end coaches, just that as the industry matured, quality improved drastically.
No that hardwood floor isn't original. All those coaches, CC, Beaver included, had carpet in front of the couches. I updated mine to tile, and I was lucky to find tile that matched the galley and head areas, so it all looked original. Harwood was an option I considered, had the tile not worked out.
@@keitholiver7828 yes, another commenter mentioned my mistake on the hardwood floor. This is why I love UA-cam, so much information here. Thanks for the comment!
I have a 1993 foretravel that is amazing and it has manual shifter not the electronic shift box. I also have the 8.3 cummins so i have mechanical motor and transmission. It has basement AC so i fit 2400w of solar panels on my roof. 6 400w panels on my roof.
@@supremeautomotive6749 that’s a good amount of solar. I plan on upgrading my system to lithium, maybe a future video. Thanks for watching!
@@colbyoncars yea I need to video on it still have not done that.
RE: CAT Engines. I have a 1987 Country Coach - 40'. it has a CAT 3208 turbo.
@@billarthur6473 good to know, thanks!
I am hoping I misunderstood you. It sounded like you plan to paint over that beautiful solid oak cabinetry. I must have misunderstood you.
Super nice Coach and Cummins! Looking forward to the build!👍
@@DirectCurrent4u thanks!
@@colbyoncars
2003, we built our ExpeditionVehicle on a 1996 Ford CF8000 commercial truck.
Cummins 8.3 mechanical, Allison 6-speed automatic.
Rear-wheel drive with air-locker.
.
We boondock exclusively.
Zero interest in a pay-camp.
Over two decades full-time live-aboard, our Cummins gobbles anything remotely resembling a petroleum fuel, handy during our two years traveling through South America.
.
At a steady 52mph, we turn 1,825rpm, its sweetspot for fuel mileage.
We rarely get better than 14mpg/6kpl, we rarely travel more than a hundred miles a month.
Fuel is a very minor part of the budget.
You did your homework and found the sweet spot. The dynamax chassis and hydronic heat and hot water are the only things I would miss. Plenty of 36 footers out there. Don't like the clear coat problems in the 97 to 2002 vintage, and the creeping window seals of the first generation dual pane windows. Looking forward to your remodel
@@bubbafringman1864 I should have mentioned, this coach has single pane. Not great for thermal resistance, but no moisture creep. I’ll take the latter😉
@@colbyoncars
2003, we built our ExpeditionVehicle.
Our windows are 3010 (three feet wide by a foot tall) dual-pane sliders designed for a stand-still house.
We mounted these at our eye-level standing inside, about eight feet above pavement.
.
In addition to thermal resistance, we prefer dual-pane for the acoustic reduction.
Less outside noise infiltration.
@colbyoncars7563 i don't know where you're located, but if your intention is to build the premier sweet spot rv, Peninsula Glass in Vancouver Washington is, in my opinion, the best place to have new thermal windows built for your coach. Probably be surprised at how reasonable too. How many windows do you have not including windshields of couse.
@ good advice!
@ thank you. I’m in Sacramento California, so while here as a base, our weather locally is pretty mild. We’ll see what it’s like on the road.
We have lived and traveled full time for 14 years, we have a 1995 Holiday Rambler Imperial 37 ft single slide and it has done real well, its on a Spartan Mountain Master with a 300 hp Cummins 8,3 with a md3060 allison trans and i have also recomended older diesels !! Enjoy, i like the Amish wood myself,
@@EconomicRefugees thanks, sorry to say I’ve already started painting of the cabinets. You can see the new video on my channel.
Were building a house and the cabinets will be white.
We have a youtube channel about rving, Economic Refugees !!
Good overview video.
The Gillig was a great chassis but not of the "semi-mononcoque" design. Country Coach did not build a semi-monocoque chassis until they went to their Dynomax chassis in the late 90's, I think 98/99 era.
We had a 38' 1991 Beaver for about 7 years on tge Gillig chassis with a Cat engine and we really liked it but wanted something with a tag axle and a bit more power to pull our enclosed race trailer. I didn't want anything less than a 38' and really wanted a 40' because we towed a 26' enclosed race trailer, but would have accepted up to a 42' if it had everything on our needs and wants list. Having a couple friends with shorter diesel pushers and being able to drive several of them, I discovered 34' was the breaking point for me. Anything less than that and they seemed to "porpoise" a bit more than I liked.
Country Coach used Caterpillar engines in a lot of their coaches over the years.
I finally narrowed my search down to around 98-2000 upper end Country Coach and Monaco coaches. We looked extensively at those models for over 9-months until we found our 40' 2003 Monaco Dynasty.
We have had our coach now for 18 years and to be honest, I really haven't been impressed with anything built in the last four or five years. The wife and I have always talked about upgrading coaches one more time before we retire but as we have been RV' ing for over 30 years now and on our third coach, we just haven't seen anything we'd give up our older and paid for coach for. I have the Cummins ISL 400 with the Allison MD3060 transmission which are a great combination. Could with the little bit higher geared 4.78:1 final drive ratio in the axle and it moved it check asking very well. I just ran the overhead on it and adjusted the Jacob's compression brake and it looks like new inside still.
I've done a lot of mods to our coach over the years and posted some videos of them to my channel. At this time it looks and runs better than new even being 22+ years old with 145k miles, but lately I've been thinking we'll just keep what we have.
Looking forward to the work you'll be doing to your newly acquired Country Coach. I'll be following along.
Mike
@@zmotorsports62 thanks Mike, that’s good information. I’m still learning the idiosyncrasies of CC’s history.
Very nice bones, I miss that 90's luxury.
As you play with various paint colors on that test door, you may for curiosity experiment with simply changing hardware on the existing oak at the same time. You may be surprised how much a nice handle or knob can elevate and update the look. If going for paint, I recommend oil-based -or better yet- automotive grade two-part catalyzed finishes that are much more durable than the water-based latex they sell in home supply stores. Oak grain will transfer through a finish, so lots of sanding and a good primer is also a must.
@@h5mind373 thanks for the tip, I went automotive based (sort of), coming in the next video!
Great video! Thank you for all the information
Beaver in the 90’s did make a 32’ Monterey coach
@@CaliGhoul good to know!
very nice SUMMARY with great tips thanks.
@@chrismovac5274 you bet, thanks for watching!
I bought a 2006 Winnie Journey 39k. Only had 39K miles on it. She had a few battle scars but nothing major. She now has 59k and running strong. Do the maintenance diligently! If you can't turn a wrench... buy a timeshare!
1st time watching you. You sound knowledgeable and would like to hear about pricing for the older smaller class a's and I am not sure where you are from but I am from the panhandlers of Florida and it gets HOT! What about that? Thanks again. I am now a subscriber with the thumbs up.
@@cliffordbecker3275 thank you! I’m in California in the Sacramento area, we also get hot. I’m working on another video about price to buy older vs newer.
Love the size of it and yes, country coach was an excellent coach. I don’t know if you’re aware of it or not but up in Oregon. There is a dealership that still has most or some of the workers from the original country coach facility that sells motorhomes, country coach mostly and works on them. The name Is Premier Rv of Oregon
@@haroldcarter618 yes, I know them through Andrew Steels channel.
Really nice pusher you have there…. I’d keep most interior treatments as is….only spend money on some of the outdated electronics and save the rest on routine maintenance needed.
@@dexburwell you’re not alone. Many have had the same opinion. I don’t totally disagree but wife wants it updated and that’s the way it’s gonna go😉
32 ft Airstream Diesel Pusher with Caterpillar on Gillig chassis is sweet
@@DaddyForeverYess that’s a rare one, I’d love to do a video on that coach!
It’s true Country Coach is an excellent brand that’s no longer around however many of the principle people and techs are still in business at Premier RV Services in Oregon. You can get top level support from them for vintage CC buses, highly recommended. They also have a UA-cam channel, check ‘em out and best of luck with your project. 👍
@@GingerThePlane I’m aware of that organization, thank you for sharing it!
Excellent video and description of your choice. I totally agree with your assessments. Question: do these older coaches still nickel and dime you to death simply because everything is 20+ years old?
@@joedonbaker1673 thank you. They can definitely cost some money to keep them up but in my opinion it is way cheaper than spending the money on a new coach. The money you save buying older allows you to fix and upgrade what you need to.
Excellent video thank you
@@leslieservantofgod8601 you bet, thanks for watching
Ball and chain, but definitely better than a new one.
Its your motorhome so if you want to spend extra time and money, that is your choice. However, like many others have said, I would leave that interior as-in. Outdated, yes, but it looks mint. Leave it as a preserved time capsule. Then again, I have owned a 1979 Airstream for over 20 years and have kept the original interior mostly the same...
Cummins is good, DD Series 60 is what you really want though, they are the sweet spot. Prior to '87 you'll be looking at 6 or 8-71 Detroits - great engines, a bit noisy but solid. Fewer peeps around want to work on them (unfamiliar with them) but not as hard as finding someone that wants to work on a Cat, esp. in a RV. Before buying any diesel with years on it get oil samples from the engine, trans and axle and have them analyzed- it could save you a ton o' money. A proud owner that took care of his stuff shouldn't kick about it and will be probably be impressed that you know enough to want them.
We have a '91 Foretravel Grand Villa, built on an Oshkosh chassis, with the 8.2L Detroit Diesel V8. Not a powerhouse, but it rides well, and no air system for suspension or brakes. Bought in 2017, haven't used it a ton yet, but it has been great! I may wind up re-roofing it, the weak point on this unit, IMO.
@@125AXer I was unaware that that genre didn’t use air, thanks for the info!
@@colbyoncars It was an option, my unit just wasn't built with it. In those days, Foretravel had a lot of different configurations available, drivetrains, lengths, suspensions, interior layouts, fabric and cabinetry materials... There are still quite a few around. I have always liked the style.
Very nice 👍 what kind of MPG do you get? Must be much better than gassers right? I am looking for one to work remote while I explore the country towing my Jeep TJ. Thanks for all the insights.
@@CesarValencia-l7z 7-9 mpg, but I’ve never used it without a 6k pound trailer behind it.
Sweet coach - really clean inside for its age. I've never seen a Country Coach that small. Good find. I love your hardwood floor with the white tiles. A good friend of ours who we wintered over with in Yuma last year has a slideless, 95 Country Coach with an 8.3 too. It's a good bit longer than yours, but your floor is identical to his. I helped him fix some diesel leaks and cooling issues, but it is a solid reliable engine, just a little low on HP. But on a coach the size of yours, that's not that big of an issue. The important thing is you can pick up a good used one for a decent price if needed. I had a diesel (not Country Coach) that they wanted $15k to fix the engine on, so I sold it for scrap and bought an older gasser instead. We've been living FT in a 35' 1999 National Tropical (another legacy brand) for the last 6 years. Older coaches are the way to go. They have good bones, especially yours. We have one slide, which is important to us for mental health reasons, but our tag axle gives it plenty of CCC for the large, 5,020-watt solar system we installed, as we're avid boondockers. Ours hasn't seen the inside of a repair shop this entire time, unlike many newer coaches. Besides, someone else paid the depreciation, allowing us to avoid financing. Our insurance and registration costs are cheaper too. It's nice being debt free.
I have a 99 Magna with a Cat C10
@@smoothandsteadytrailhorses9242 how’s Cat ownership been?
The interior is very nice high quality. I would be inclined to keep it retro, including the Corian, and not do too much by way of renovations.
@@BJ-qr2bj it’s too late. If you’re interested I have another video coming soon of the progress. Thanks for watching!
You are going down the same path as me.
I’ll follow your channel to see how your project progresses
It goes Newell, Foretravel, then Country Coach, Beaver, then high end Monaco (like Signature Series and Executive,) high end Holiday Rambler (Navigator.) High end means at least a full fiberglass (or aluminum for HR) roof, rather than rubber roof. Also bigger engine with side radiator, full air bag suspension.
For engines, around 2000 they went electronic, and 2004 EGR was added, and 2007 the real emissions regulations kicked in. Mid 90s they just barely started with the electronics. Caterpillar and Cummins were common, Cummins 8.3 were great, Cat have more expensive maintenance and parts costs.
I just got a sunburned 2000 Foretravel U320 36 foot, has a Cummins ISM11-450 and Allison HD-4060R transmission, that's got a retarder transmission brake. It's great, but will need work and updating. Full fiberglass roof, nice full storage bays underneath, great rear engine compartment door for great access (much better than Country Coach.) Many of the windows have the creeping black "snake" seals needing replaced, common issue.
@@80sDweeb great information, Prevost would be above Newell though right?
Semi monocoque means, in aircraft terms anyway, that the skin is partially "stressed", taking part of the loads, so the structure itself can be built using lighter members. The outside isn't there just to keep the rain out, it's like OSB or plywood on a house, ties it all together. Great rig there, with you on slide outs, no thanks!
@@portnuefflyer thank you!
Our 94 Monaco Signature runs on oem 24.5" Wheels.
She's a Beast and can run 70+ mph all day long. 😊
@@fredc.o.4495 awesome, I didn’t know 24.5” came on any coach
What mpg on your Monaco?
Great video! I was wondering about your 32' length limit. Is there a reason besides maneuverability? Just dont know what i dont know. Old yruck driver here. Can attest to the durability of the pre-emissions Cummins platform. Cant wait to see it as you make it your own!
Great tips. Subscribed!
@@BUILDYBUNCH thank you!
Good stuff. Thanks for the review. What approximate price range are we talking about on something like this? If it were mine, I'd make very few changes ... since I'm looking for low maintenance & reliability primarily & I don't mind the 90s cosmetics. What state do you live in? Cheers, Chuck ... Jacksonville, Florida
You own a body shop. Start with making the exterior spectacular/service update the mechanicals while you ponder the interior. Wise man told me that one time.
18:55
Moving the weight is part of the engine's duty.
The other part is overcoming windage, stationary air the front must push aside.
Windage increases with speed; in-town and up to about at 45mph/70kph, windage is much less an issue.
.
On IRV2, the fifty-states-in-fifty-days crowd brag about 80mph/130kph...
...then whine about poor fuel mileage.
And belly-ache about tires failing.
Then complain about tow-truck operators.
100%, if MPG is the name of the game the best thing to do is get in the draft of a semi truck on the freeway.
Be careful with those bluetooth cameras, most have a .5-2 second variable lag time...
@@carlbeaver7112 thanks. I’ve noticed that. I’m probably going to scrap them and go wired anyway. Mainly because the wireless is unreliable to reach the back of my trailer