Skip to main content
Topic: Why I bought an older Foretravel (Read 4108 times) previous topic - next topic

Why I bought an older Foretravel

I purchased a 2004 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 4 slide new in 2004 and owned it for 10 years. Over that time it gave good service but I realized the materials and quality just wasn't there. I don't think the newer Motorhomes are any better. This time around I wanted a quality coach and ignored the age but focused on the build, materials and layout not wanting a slide. The minute I walked in a Foretravel I knew it would meet my expectations.

Realizing Motorhomes of Texas had several and they tend to specialize in FT I looked at 4 and out of those choose a 1995 U320 that has been well maintained. Looking forward to many trips. Glad I found Fortravel!
1995 U320
Build #4677
2011 Honda CRV

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #1
Welcome.
 Your coach Is beautiful.  Enjoy and don't forget the pics.      1995 was a very good year. IMHO.
Robert and Susan Moe Sr.
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
         

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #2
Welcome.
 Your coach Is beautiful.  Enjoy and don't forget the pics.      1995 was a very good year. IMHO.
I personally think that--on balance--the 1995 U320 is the very best Foretravel ever made. There are a few (but very few) changes I would have made in ours, but we've been extremely pleased with it over the past 6+ years of ownership.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #3
Ditto. The amount of detailed information available is amazing, too. Documentation (and this Forum) provide a terrific resource to keep these coaches running well. I enjoy fewer "big surprises" each year as we comb the burrs out of our rig.

Our '95 keeps on chugging along and we love it. We hope you have as much enjoyment from your new coach.
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #4
Less electronic gizmo's, the better.
We bought our coach for all those same reason's
Sweet ride you got.
Welcome to the club
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #5
Welcome.  ^.^d
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #6
I ignored the age and am quite happy with a 30 year old coach, that is simple, beautiful, and performs very well, as 95% of systems are fully functional. Upgrades at at my choice, and timeline,  i will sink another 8k into it for upgrades t want.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #7
Same for us with our 96 U295 that we've had for about 3 years now.  So, far, it's been very reliable in our logging ~20K miles since we purchased from MOT.
Bill & Lou Ann
1996 U295 36' w/2010 GMC Terrain TOAD
Unit # 4933
Motorcade # 17838

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #8
I had an opportunity to look at an older GV the other day, mine is a u320 , 2001. After looking at the older coach I can see where Foretavel got their reputation... just look at the latching mechanisms on the bay doors.. The older coach has a mechanism that is a work of art . Wow !!! On my coach they used flat galvanized flat bar, cut off with a chop saw, and didn't even grind the rough edges off the cut material... It makes a person wonder....... Just my opinion ....

Safe Travels
Dave
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #9
Dave,  do you have a picture of what you're referring to?  My '03 has bear claw latches with matching striker bolts.  Just curious.

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #10
T Man Dave might mean these
Andy & Eileen
Riverton Wyoming
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2007 Honda CRV
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #11
I might be at 1$ per mile plus fuel ,including the purchase price and upgrades.  KISS works for me .

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #12
Congratulations on your purchase.  We really like our '96, and I'm sure your '95 is even better.  We love the tambour doors on the cabinets and the old-school non-ducted a/c (I love white noise when sleeping in the coach).
1996 U295 36' WTBI


Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #14
I have a 95 also. It's my first and only foretravel and my only motorhome. Like others have stated it's amazing of the features and quality of build. It has features that newer and more expensive coaches don't have. People when they step inside are amazed of the beauty and quality. I hope you get many years of joy.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #15
Sounds crazy but it's possible that our unique coaches may be worth more than some may think.

Book values and calculated depreciation may not be as much of a factor in the future.

Personally our 97 would be a premium item if we were to sell it.

Definite maybe
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #16
Sounds crazy but it's possible that our unique coaches may be worth more than some may think. Personally our 97 would be a premium item if we were to sell it.Definite maybe
That's the way I feel about our coach, but, like you say, what would I buy?  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #17
Hard to buy down in build quality isn't it?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #18
Sounds crazy but it's possible that our unique coaches may be worth more than some may think.

Book values and calculated depreciation may not be as much of a factor in the future.

Personally our 97 would be a premium item if we were to sell it.

Definite maybe

With the low production number's, supply and demand. Condition, condition, condition is everything.

As my used car manager friend told me once, "go  ahead, go down the street and find another you can compare it to, then come back".

He was right, a few years back, I paid 1K more for a newer used car, because of the color.

CW
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #19
I was referring to the flat bar that runs from the handle assembly to the latch assembly.. It works but not a work of art.  The GV is a work of art. Yes they are both functional... but just saying... what a difference !

Safe Travels
Dave
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #20
I like the locks on storage doors on our 91GV, (twist to open and push in to lock).  Some are a little loose though and I'm not sure how to adjust them.  Has anyone done this before??  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #21
Age is just a Number, just like all of us! The very first time I laid eyes on a Foretravel, I knew I wanted one! That Journey took way longer than I expected!  This is my 7th RV, and First Motorcoach!  When I retired, from the USMC, my very first job was Selling these fine examples of Craftsmanship and Technology.  It was not only Fun, Rewarding, and Great to be part of this Company at the time, but such great Clientele, who were always Top Notch!  Still are!
 
But as others have stated, Less is Better with the Gizmo's!  My Coach came with Add On, Electronic Gizmo's that just Failed Miserably anyway! The Technology that was in our '95 was and is just fine!  Not too little, and Not too much!  Slides....I don't need no stinkin' slides, that fail, just when you don't need them too!  Aquahot is just "Nice", to me, I'll take a 10 gallon gas Electric and Water Jacket Heat, any day!  Regular Heaters, Overhead Cabinet Delete, it works just fine, for us!  .....and the ride....well you all know!
Tom & Barb Root
'95, 40' U-320C SE, bought from Dave Head, 8/2017  FT Motorcade # 18196 Coach Build# 4663 October '94
2015 VW Golf Sportwagen, 1991 Suzuki Samurai, Off-Road Custom Build-Up, W/Toyota 22re mill, and a 2005 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax/Allison TOADS Will also pull a MacGregor 26X Powersailor 2001 Model, owned since new!

Retired SR Rocket Mechanic, FT Sales Associate @  FT of California, Escondido CA.!  and Retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant (Hence Retired Guns! ) Avionics Tech, on A6E Intruder & OV-10 Bronco Aircraft!  V/N Era Vet, and Desert Storm Participant.  Happily Retired now!

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #22
The only RV that isn't 7 figures that I would trade our '89 for is a '95. As everyone else here has said, you made an excellent choice.
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #23
The photos of the latch assembly is exactly what I was talking about... Thank You for posting the photos.. Seriously, if you have an opportunity, check out the difference. And that is only one item !!!!
Safe Travels,
Dave
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD

Re: Why I bought an older Foretravel

Reply #24
The 95 models while excellent have been updated considerably by 97's.

97 to present somewhat similar in design.

Screen door on 97's
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob & Susan
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4