How far from home have you traveled to purchase a Foretravel? I think the farther I went, the more confident I would have to be that the deal was going down. I realize this is a personal matter, but I'm curious about what you all have done.
I'm enjoying your topics on this forum, thanks for the education! Hope I can help out sometime...
Johnny,
It is roughly 1,000 miles from Barrington, IL to Nacogdoches, TX. However, we did not travel that far to buy our coach from Motorhomes of Texas. Rudy Legget, who lives in Houston, made the drive and the inspection for us. While we have had subsequent issues with this coach we have not regretted the deal or the treatment we received from MOT. Even a brand new motorhome will have issues. When I first started looking at RVs in 2006, I never thought we'd go that far for a motorhome. In fact we were looking at SOBs (Some Other Brands) and I had never even heard of Foretravel and when I did I assumed they were out of my price range. What is it that if often said about assuming?
Edit: this is our first and only motorhome. The closest I ever got to living amongst nature was as a Boy Scout in the early 50s.
We drove a whole seven (7) miles and bought our Grand Villa without even taking it out for a drive!! We were so impressed with the condition, the quality, and the obvious care given it by the previous owner, along with the price and the allowance for our tradein that we bought it. No regrets yet and we don't anticipate any. It has surpassed our expectations and we get double the mileage and don't have to worry about a fourth rebuild on the Ford transmission.
We drove 1350 miles to buy our 2nd FT. We found it on the internet and made the deal over the phone with a stipulation that if it was not as portrayed upon our inspection we would get our deposit back. We would do it over again in a heart beat if the need arose.
We flew 2,300 miles, from Thorndale, Pa to Mesa, Arizona. Found our 93 U225 on a military website. Wife and I had never driven a motor home, but, looked good, price was right, learned to drive it on the way home. Never looked back...Smartest thing we ever did. If we would have known what we do now would have never bought it, (a few issues) but the learning experience was a load of fun. :o Second one we only had to drive 1,500 miles. So, guess we are doing better :))
Bought mine from MOT @ Nacogdoches, Tx, 1225 miles one way. Would do it again, The quality of the dealer is everything to me as a not know nuttin type. Was not disapointed, took a check for exact amount, all done. I should have spent a few days with the coach to learn at least all the light switches.
Now know if Mike says it is good, that is all I need to hear.
But in over 3 years, not one issue, no leaks, no flat tires, not nothing, just service and drive on & on :) :)
Have done a fair amount of upgrading, not needed, but makes me ;D
We bought our first motorhome about 75 miles from home at PPLMotorhomes in Houston. PPL is probably the highest volume RV consignment company in the US. The coach was a 1997 "Other Brand" 37' diesel pusher. It was a new arrival, the price was right, the condition was right, and we were ready and able to purchase immediately. We thoroughly enjoyed it, but found some shortcomings inherent in the design.
We started shopping for an upgrade and decided on Foretravel. We shopped in Houston (75 miles), Nacogdoches (180 miles), and on the Internet (all over the US with clicks of the mouse). Via this forum, we found our coach advertised on CraigsList in Austin, TX (120 miles). Turns out the coach was garaged 6 miles from our home. Again it was a new listing, the price was right, the coach was right for us, and we were ready and able to buy.
With our experience, and the help I can get here, I would travel just about anywhere in the US for the "right" coach, if I were looking for something specific. Some of the best opportunities are likely to show up in the east half of Texas. The factory and some prime dealers are there. There are also several experts who can make a preliminary inspection and assessment for you.
Continue your diligent search and you are likely to find the right unit for you. Best wishes in your search.
We were 1500 miles away from our second Foretravel. We bought it from a couple in San Antonio, Tx. We saw the ad on RvTrader, and called them several times. We bought a one way ticket to Austin, TX and the couple picked us up at the airport, drove us to their home in San Antonio. We loved the coach and the couple were super nice. They even let us spend the night in their home. Our test drive was the 1500 mile drive home to Virginia. We called them when we got to Houston and told them they made a mistake, they didn't sell us a motorhome, they had sold us a Cadillac, that coach drove like a Dream. And since the coach had lived in Texas for most of his life, we had to name him Tex. Our first coach's name was Bubbles, but that is a different story.
Ben & Bonnie Harris
1999 U320 40' with slide
WNY to Dandridge, Tenn for my Foretravel. 654 miles one way. Drove it home with the wife following in car. But I went further for my earlier Allegro. All the way to Alabama. Flew down and drive it back.
We traveled 2324 miles one-way from Pacific Northwest to Nacogdoches, Texas, twice, in order to secure our OUTLOOKINN. Once by air to check it out and to determine its value to us. Then by car to pay-up and drive it away. Taking the long way home via Florida added some more miles.
It took us about two years to find the right combination of features, condition, and price. We viewed ourselves as travelers and part-time fulltimers, and a 36-footer single slide seemed perfect for our interests. FT was the only brand we considered seriously to take us the next 10 years or so. This 2002 U270 should handle our needs with ease.
Still - could be another one in our future. We joined the ranks of full-timers 3 weeks ago, having just sold our home. The longer we keep deciding to stay liquid, to stay off the $$$ grid of house ownership, the better those longer FTs are likely to look to us.
Found our rig from a private party in Fayetteville, AR (I was in Boston MA at the time.) Flew down twice, drove it back 1500 mi. Wonderful experience with a great seller, and the coach was in great shape.
Approx 3200 mi. from Los Angeles, CA to Boston, MA
Purchased from a Hollywood actor. Flew out, inspected, bought it and drove it home.
Our first motorhome, a U225, was 11 miles from home. It was purchased from a consignment dealer. I had never even driven another motorhome and really didn't even know what to ask or to have checked. It had no inspection and no guarantees. This was totally opposite of my normal way of doing things but fell in love the this one and with the price was way less than I thought I would have to pay for a first class diesel pusher. That was my introduction to Foretravels.
The second one three years later, the U300, was purchased over the phone. I found others on the Forum that were familiar with the former owners and the coach before I made the phone deal. That gave me the 98% confidence to buy so I made the deal on the price and then flew 700 miles from Oklahoma City to Denver for a final checkout and consummation of the deal. Payment was made by wire transfer to her bank after I had inspected the motorhome and I drove it home via Kansas City. I am thrilled at the outcome of both transactions.
We found ours on Craigslist using site mash jaXed (http://www.jaxed.com). We looked on the coast here but ended up flying to Charlotte from Sacramento, slept in it that night, drove it to the east coast and then home across the U.S. We did it all by phone and email (the deal that is). Did talk to their bank manager (small town) and others to make sure who we were dealing with. We have driven it two years and almost 20,000 miles without much trouble, just a little fitting or screw here or there. VERY pleased with the interior quality and feeling as well as the Detroit reliability. Ideal motorhome for what we do and the way we travel. Incredible buy for a tiny percentage of the new price. Two thumbs up!!
Gaylie & Pierce
93' U300/36
We live near Seattle and found a coach used as the tour bus for the Old Time Gospel Quartet in Virginia. My first SOB taught me what I was looking for in a real Coach. We took the long way home vacationing threw Florida, and when we got to MOT they showed me how things were suppose to work, and adjusted things that did not work properly. They even talked the Nacogdoches Texas Court house into supplying me with a new 30 day temp permit, we had already used up the 30day Virginia permit. We do not know the car is there when we tow it, and get better fuel economy than SOB. Even after putting a new radiator in it I still feel we got a good deal.
Joe and Sharon Gauntt
Maple Valley, Wa
94 Grandvilla 36 ft Unihome
My first Foretravel was a 93 G V 36ft on Oshkosh chassis. I had been looking for one for 2 yrs and look all the time at PPL in Houston and had a ticket to go look at one there and the day before I was to leave an ad came up on RVT.com with one the same and 50% cheaper. I spoke to the sellers son (estate sale) to find out what was wrong and there was nothing more than a few minor things. His Dad had passed away and had hardly used it. We drove down south to Seattle that day and put a deposit on it after doing a bit more negotiating. I have to import into Canada so that takes about 10 days to clear then we drove down to bring it home. Excellent buy. I sold it for $6000 less than I paid 4 yrs later !!! The new buyer loves it. The one I have now I found again on RVT.com down in L A and made a deal with the owner after flying there to test drive etc. They had spent a lot of money on it the year before but with the market melt down you had in USA they had to sell. I do not understand why no-one had bought this coach as it was a very good buy and now I have done a few more mods to it it is serving us well. In November last FT offered me $25000 more than I paid a year ago-not bad. I look every day all over the place for coaches (just interest) and as I subscribe to NADA (wholesale pricing) each year I have some ideas of values. I find PPL to be a good source of value too as they only consign and do not own any, so no funds tied up being hounded by a Bank.
I first saw a FT in Yuma many years ago and liked them from then on.Here are 3 pictures taken the first time I saw the coach we now have. All this for $68000. Believe it, it's true.
I was told, years back, that "to know what you want in a boat, you must first buy a boat". Guess that would apply to coaches (and many other things) as-well. After years of pickup-truck campers, we purchased a '98 Safari TREK in 2001, which we enjoyed for four years. Found a couple in FL that wanted to down-grade from their '98 U320. We met them in TX, struck a deal and swapped. Haven't looked back.
I drove 200 miles to Dallas twice. If there is another one it will be closer.
Hi John,
Met you at the Factory in November. I remember your coach. Great looking! Very unique tail lights that I love. You got a steal of a deal.
George
750 miles from Alamogordo, NM to Nacogdoches last fall to actually buy my 2000 U320 40', but I had made an earlier trip (Easter time), same mileage, to take the "tour" of the factory and look at coaches at FOT, MOT and Encore. I had been looking at many motorhomes for over a year, and I knew I wanted a 40' with at least one slide. Lots of miles on two different Executives pulling an SCCA sports racing car back in the mid to late '70s, and based on that experience, I also knew I wanted a diesel pusher. A close friend is on his second Foretravel, a 36' U320, and I trust his judgement. However, at one point in my life I owned a machine shop/welding fabrication facility and believe I can recognize quality manufacturing, down at the nuts and bolts level, and that was the primary reason for my Easter time trip. Although it was a quick trip through the factory, I recognize good welds and structure design, and the tour sold me (have you ever seen the remains of a "stick built" MH that has had a serious wreck --- not a pretty sight. It just took me six months to find the U320 I wanted, and I love it. I only wish it had a bedroom slide that would make it easy to install a king size bed --- my wife and I haven't gotten any smaller over the last 46 years!!!!
Traveled about 5000 miles from The Netherlands to Conroe Tx. Not all the way true, as we are on a foreign assignment in Europe but coming home to Conroe later this year and hope to slow down from work shortly thereafter. Found the U270 for sale on the internet while in Holland. Was really just looking for something in the 36 foot range as it will be our first RV. Was really interested in the Tiffin due to its relative price to size and favorable reviews on quality for a mass produced RV. But kept researching and viewing advertisements and reading forums like this. On a recent trip back to Houston for work Made contact with the owners, the original owners, went over the coach, reviewed the meticulous service and maintenance records, talked with the owners some more made a deal, sold some stock and bought the coach in 5 days. Never drove the coach once, even negotiated to keep the coach stored at the same storage lot and flew home to Holland. For someone like us the economy is a bummer as well but has enabled us to get a quality coach at a really good price. Most of which i am sure will be offset by higher fuel prices and inflation. We Look forward to meeting some of you later when we repatriate and take some time to smell the roses, campground coffee, pine scented mountain fresh air, or wherever our new to us FT takes us. Probably will start to see more posts from me later on as we become acquainted with the coach, like best toad, braking systems, TPMS, etc.
My first MH was a 2000 U320. Bought at the FT store in Dallas, about 3 miles from home. Bought my 07 Nimbus from MOT, about 800 miles from home (Crossville, TN)
Total distance driven in three weeks: 6400 miles.
One year ago I was driving in my car 1500 miles from California where my 1986 32 foot gas puller was parked to MOT in Texas to inspect a 1996 U320 (MOT#1397). I purchased it on April 13th, 2010. Drove it to Quartzsite for a new passenger side windshield, then drove to California where my old motorhome was. Drove old motorhome 1600 miles to Canada, leaving car at Palm Springs airport and Foretravel with friends in California. Flew from Victoria, Canada to Palm Springs to rejoin my Foretravel. Drove Foretravel with toad 1600 miles to Canada where I imported and registered it.
Sold old coach in August and been working on Foretravel for the last year, almost done.
I love my Foretravel, it is me.
Ask me about the innovative changes I made to the 120 volt AC power panels to have great power balancing capability.
Wyatt
Wyatt,
OK, I'll bite.
"Ask me about the innovative changes I made to the 120 volt AC power panels to have great power balancing capability."
But, this might be a subject worth a new topic.
Brett
Wyatt, I will bite too but as Brett says, it should be a new topic in the technical section. Tell us what you did.
This is my first rv I ever bought. I'm in Newark, Delaware. The coach was in Lakeland, Florida. A thousand questions over the phone and pictures led me to make a deposit. Flew down, spent a day going over EVERYTHING, and drove it back, a trip of 1053 miles.
I did take a risk, but it was worth it in the end. And I don't think it would have happened without this forum and Barry's website. An absolute treasure trove of info on the older coaches. I could not find this kind of information on any other make anywhere.
Steve
Good looking coach! Did the owners live in Mt Olive Shores (south)? It used to be known as Camp Foretravel as it was started with the backing of the Fore family and local realtors...
The Foretravel History booklet talks about it.
Thanks Dave. ;D
I have the bill of sale from the second owner (I am the third). It was purchased in 1995 from Foretravel of Florida (for $111K - yikes). I didn't know they were set up in Florida. Need to catch up on some history.
FWIW - she has only 85,000 miles on her and came with a freshly rebuilt Cummins 5.9 diesel and a fresh set of Toyo radial tires all around. The previous owner did his own maintenance, but neglected to keep the rad clear of debris. She overheated and the owner had to foot the bill for a new rad ($1538) and an in-frame overhaul, to the tune of $12,560. Only 2500 miles since the rebuild.
And while she does have but a 4 spd Allison transmission, cruising home I averaged 11.43 mpg. Very impressive for a coach this size. I think I stole it for the price - $17.9K. She needs some TLC, new coach batteries, and a new bathroom fan, but overall very nice. Just about ready to go fulltiming. :D
Steve
If your fan is made by Fantastic you might get free parts from the fan factory. However, Fantastic Fans was recently sold so I don't know if the new owners are honoring the former practice of providing free parts and shipping.
I would say you did VERY well. That is a rock solid chassis and is sounds ready to go anywhere for you!
Steve! Foretravel of Florida, in the old days when Foretravel owned the dealerships, was in San Antonio, Florida (near Tampa), It was right next door to a huge Marathon Dealer and just a short distance from Lazy Days. It was a small operation, not near as large as Foretravel of Tennessee.
We are looking at a coach that is 1,125 miles - as Google flies - away.
Have an inspection and oil analysis this week and if all is well we will be joining the club.
Keith & Joyce
Fly and drive! its the beginning of a grand adventure.
My first FT was purchased while we were in Michigan and I found it in AZ. We started full timing after that purchase.
My second FT was when we were visiting MI in 08 we saw our dream coach. It was in WA.
Jeff & Deanna Stewart
98/04 Foretravel 4200
03 Yukon
Looks like educated people do not have any travel limits when they find the coach they are looking for. :)
1st gas coach bought over the phone 700 miles away, met the dealer half way swapped $$ and title in truck stop parking lot, 1st diesel pusher 900 miles away drove up bought it drove it home, Foretravel 2 miles from the house. I have used appraisal services to look at motorhomes as far away as 3000mi. If it's the right coach, and the right deal distance is not so much of an issue
How far, my wife and I flew from Contador Island Panama to Panama City then on to San Antonio. In San Antonio we rented a car and started looking for a motorhome. I wanted to look at Beavers and American Eagles. Over 10 days we drove to Houston ,Dallas FT Worth even Oklahoma City. Didn't finded any in our price range that seemed to be for us. Then we drove to a place called Nacogdoches and took a test drive in a 1999 coach called a Foretravel.
If there is anyone of you who might be looking for a GREAT 02 U320 40ft, 1 slide with 51,439 miles well maintained (by well trained & respected RV professionals) coach, this unit will be going on the market (here in the greater Seattle area) in just about three weeks. It has lots of upgrades and amenities. While I'm not looking for TOP Dollar, I'm not willing to give it away either. Excluding all the upgrades (including the Glass Dash and 7inch VMS-440 color monitor) the current book value is $143K. If you're interested, don't hesitate to contact me. For the right person, I'm also tossing in for "free," a Thousand Trails VIP/Alliance membership (value $8,990) all you pay is the transfer fee, but annual dues is paid till 12/31/2011. This is 3 weeks stay with no time out and reservations up to 150 days in advance. I'll also toss in an RPI Preferred/Access membership, but hurry--that expires the end of July 2011. Lots of extras such as 30 ft 50amp almost new electric extension cord, Progressive Industries EMI power monitor, engine & genset brand new belts, & filters, AquaHot filters & fuel nozzles. Reply thru this forum or send me an e-mail direct to jrc@gypsyjohn.net. I will not be able to deliver it to your location. Priced for a quick sale, I'll take $139K tossing in all the extras and more, above.
John Christman (aka gypsyjohn)
Hi John,
I know from our correspondence over the past few years just how well you have maintained your coach. Someone is going to get a really fine motorhome. With the thought in mind that not everyone will read this post, you might want to put this information on the Classified board. Best of luck on the sale.
When I bought my first FT, I flew to Dallas, TX from Sacramento, CA to see a "perfectly kept" 1990 U280. It wasn't. While in Dallas, I contacted a person in Florence, CO who agreed to meet me in Raton, NM. So I flew to Amarillo, rented a car and drove to Raton to find another "not so well kept" 1991 U280. Drove back to Amarillo, flew back to Dallas, and used the return ticket to Sacramento that I had "just in case." Then I bought a 1990 U280 about 75 miles away in Twain Harte, CA.
When it was time to move up in 2005, I found a 2002 U270 in Greensboro, NC in a magazine ad...2212 miles from where I was living in Arizona. Flew there, liked it, completed negotiations and flew home. A week later, I flew back and then drove it home. Second day was 815 miles from somewhere in TN to Amarillo, TX...and I wasn't even tired. What a difference from a 250 HP 4 speed to a 400 HP 6 speed. I'm down to more like 300 mile days now, LOL.
Just did...979 miles. And tomorrow I will be home with it!!!
Keith