Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Glockjock on December 31, 2010, 10:58:26 pm

Title: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Glockjock on December 31, 2010, 10:58:26 pm
Hello, y'all.  I am both a brand new RV owner, and a brand new Foretravel owner.  I've wanted a Foretravel for years but my Honda Goldwing got in the way.  I recently found that I still had the bug and have been looking at a 1994 36' Foretravel U240.  I bought it home today.

She drives good and looks good for a middle-aged girl, and I'm looking forward to getting to know her well.  I'm a little disappointed with the power from the Cat but I may be expecting too much.  I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions so thanks in advance for your knowledge.

Glen Kenney,
Colmesneil, Tx.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Michelle on December 31, 2010, 11:00:43 pm
Hello, y'all.  I am both a brand new RV owner, and a brand new Foretravel owner. 

What a great way to start the new year!  :D

Welcome to ForeForums - we're glad you found us!

Michelle and Steve
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Carol Savournin on December 31, 2010, 11:36:35 pm
Our first RV and our first Foretravel was a 1993 36' U225 with a 5.9 Cummins.  Now, 3 years later, we have sold our "stickbuilt" home and  "upgraded" to a 1995 40' U320.  Congratulations on your first Foretravel ... may you enjoy many miles.  This Forum is the best place for any and all information you need, as well as a fine place to meet new friends! See you down the road!
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: PatC on January 01, 2011, 12:19:19 am
Congratulations Glen - Glad you found your way over here!  Happy New Year!
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Dave Head on January 01, 2011, 12:30:20 am
Congrats. Have some conversation with Brett Wolfe and he will get you up to speed on that 240.
Does yours have the trans retarder option? If not, go for a PRXB Pac Brake.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: George Stoltz on January 01, 2011, 07:58:33 am
Hey Glen,

Smart way to end last year and begin this one.  Hope we see more of you on the ForeForums.  Brett Wolfe is your man for all questions related to the Cat engine, and Dave Head will point you in the right direction.

See ya on the road.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: David Smith on January 01, 2011, 08:50:51 am
Congratulations and welcome.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: John S on January 01, 2011, 08:51:55 am
Congrats and Happy New Year. My first motorhome ever was a FT too.  Welcome to the family.  Join your local Motocade Club and if you call the motorcade office and speak to Beverly, you will get a free years membership. That is good for 10% off parts and service at FT and their Service Centers that honor it....
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Glockjock on January 01, 2011, 09:38:36 am
Thanks for the warm welcome.  I'm glad I was referred to this Foretravel forum.  I found a couple of other RV forums too, but this one will probably really flatten my learning curve.  I think I'll spend today reading manuals, learning about the coach,  and trying to develop my own checklists.

No, I don't have the transmission retarder.  Wish I did!

A couple of you have mentioned Brett Wolfe.  I actually remembered reading his posts on another forum several years ago when I first became interested in a Class A.  I saw even back then that he had a tremendous knowledge of Foretravels.  We have traded a couple of e-mails in the last couple of weeks that I've been looking at this Foretravel.  I'm pretty sure I'll be calling on Brett once I get a little more familiar with my Unihome.

First project if the weather holds this weekend is to try to polish and wax it to restore the shine for it's been stored outside.  Then I have to build a home for it to try to keep it looking good.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Glen Kenney
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Gerry Vicha on January 01, 2011, 10:42:09 am
Hi Glen, Welcome to the club !! 1994 was a Very Good Year for "FORETRAVEL" and now that you own one, 2011 should be a Very Good Year for you.... Happy Trails,  :) :) :)
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Bob Mulder on January 01, 2011, 11:04:47 am
First project if the weather holds this weekend is to try to polish and wax it to restore the shine for it's been stored outside.  Then I have to build a home for it to try to keep it looking good.


Welcome, Glen.

Though I'd pass this on for your consideration.  When I got my then 5-year-old FT three years ago, it was very heavily oxidized/chalky.  What I wanted was that glossy wet-look mirror finish.

Took some time and work to get it.  First needed professional-level compounding - had it done at Xtreme in Nacogdoches, because it was a big job, and it was near where I bought it (MOT).  Taking a lesson from an older post from Barry and Cindy, I then used a GelCoat Maintenance Kit (with Porter Cable buffing wheel) purchased online from ProperRVCare in Tampa.  Once around with GelCoat FineCut Polish, then once around again with GelCoat Micropolish and Sealant. 

Did it all again twice more, at 6 month intervals.  This FT now has a seriously deep, glossy mirror finish, and I can maintain it with a single application of GelCoat Micropolish and Sealant every 9 months or so.  Loving that look. 
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: MAZ on January 01, 2011, 11:26:45 am
Welcome Glen To the Foreforum. It is amazing to say the least what you can learn on this forum. Hope you enjoy your motorhome this year and many more. Have a happy and blessed new year.

Regards, Mark
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Michelle on January 01, 2011, 11:31:38 am
I think I'll spend today reading manuals, learning about the coach,  and trying to develop my own checklists.


Glen,

You might want to add Barry B's awesome site to your reading list.  FORETRAVEL Motorhomes service and Repair Information (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-links.htm)   The technical help section is a gold mine Foretravel Motorhome Technical help and information links (http://www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-technical-help.htm)  Barry's one of our moderators, too, and somehow has amassed more time on the board than Steve and I combined.  How does he do that?  ???

Michelle
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Two Hams in a Can on January 01, 2011, 01:03:20 pm
Happy New Year and good luck with your new Foretravel.  We've had ours a little over a year and LOVE IT!  This forum is the best.  There's always someone who can help you out with your travel problems, and it's always worth a giggle as well.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Russell on January 01, 2011, 01:34:47 pm
Glen:

Welcome.  You've certainly found the right place help flatten out the learning curve.  The guys and gals here are simply amazing.  Not only is  their Foretravel knowledge second-to-none, they are more than willing to share that knowledge.

Best of luck with your new toy.

Shoot straight.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Rick on January 01, 2011, 05:05:38 pm
... this one will probably really flatten my learning curve. 

Welcome Glen, the best advice I can offer at this early stage of your ownership is to never stick your head or body in a wheelwell or any other portion of the coach unless you have it safety blocked. A number one priority is to make some safety blocks if you plan on poking around and under the coach. If the air leveling system craps out your learning curve will be real flat. I added a marker so that I cannot drive away with them in place. (Don't ask how I know this)
Good luck,
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Barry Beam on January 01, 2011, 05:30:06 pm
... this one will probably really flatten my learning curve. 

Welcome Glen, the best advice I can offer at this early stage of your ownership is to never stick your head or body in a wheelwell or any other portion of the coach unless you have it safety blocked. A number one priority is to make some safety blocks if you plan on poking around and under the coach. If the air leveling system craps out your learning curve will be real flat. I added a marker so that I cannot drive away with them in place. (Don't ask how I know this)
Good luck,


See this thread
Working Safely around your Foretravel (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=10632.0)
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Scott Beard on January 02, 2011, 12:04:52 pm
Glen,

I too am a new RV'er and our first RV is a 2001 U320.  The folks on this forum have been invaluable to us.  Particularly since I am mechanically and technically and any other things relative to RV'ing and camping illiterate.  Congragdulations and welcome to the best group of folks on the web.

Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Steve & Ginny Hill on January 02, 2011, 06:26:28 pm
Congrats, Glen. We too started out with a Foretravel, and it really saves a lot of hassle and money compared to starting with an SOB and regretting it.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Dave Katsuki on January 02, 2011, 09:33:29 pm
Congratulations, Glen!  Great choice.  We love ours and have never looked back.  As many have mentioned, this forum and this great group is the original reason I started looking at Foretravels.  The more I read about it (and the more I read about other coaches), the more I knew FT was the right coach.
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Brad Sears on January 04, 2011, 04:31:22 pm
Welcome to the group. I am starting my 6th year with our 1990 Foretravel ORED. Love the coach and wish at times from more power than the 8.2 Detroit Turbo pumps out but love the fuel economy. It is my opinion that there is no other class A coach on the market that offers as well built and as solid a unit. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we enjoy our old rig.
Brad Sears
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on January 04, 2011, 06:42:27 pm
Glen,

Congrats on bringing your Foretravel home. As far as the power goes, you are sitting way up in the air in the driver's seat and may be going faster than you think. A 14.6 liter Cat would get you up the hills a little faster but comes with a cash register readout instead of a tach.

Best for your New Year's travels,

Gaylie & Pierce
93' U300/36
Title: Re: New member here- I got my first Foretravel home today
Post by: oldmattb on January 05, 2011, 10:52:36 pm
Welcome!

We are small-town Texans too!  We live in Coldspring, population 691, in San Jacinto County.

oldMattB