Foretravel Owners' Forum

We have decided to spend some of our kids inheritance to get Moose the way we need it to be for us.  I am thinking of taking the coach to Parliment RV in Clearwater, FL for the mods.  MOT/FOT is just too far to drive from FL.  So, besides those two places does anyone have a suggestion on any place else to take Moose somewhere in central FL?
Here's what I want to do:
1. Add a larger top to the file cabinet behind the passenger seat. We need a work space because we do have an internet business and we need to be able to use a PC with a printer.
2. Since my grey water valve is currently broken - I want to have SeeLevel gauges installed so I don't have to guess the level in the tanks anymore.  The bay area is all torn up now anyway.  Even on my SOB, I had to guess the levels and I am just tired of it.
3. I want to install SOME kind of electric dump valves i.e. (Valterra RV Electric Dump Valve E1003VP (http://www.rvtruckparts.com/ProductDetail.asp?PID=44591&SID=19&DID=88&CID=143)).  We LOVE our RV, but the current design of the dump valves with the pull cable is prone to failure.  I don't want to have the cable break on me ever again.  I may even have the whole dumping arrangement redesigned so I can pull directly on the black and grey water valves myself if I don't go electric.  To have to take apart the entire bay area to get to the valves is too much work!
4. I'm going to have an entertainment center built for my TV, ice box and bar in my smaller basement :)) 

Appreciate any suggestions!  Any other good mod ideas???  hehe

Hi Steve and Kathy'

  In my opinion, you are thinking of going to the right place- Parliament Coach. They have the knowledge and exp. dealing with our type coaches, they are Prevost converters for years now and they are Foretravel trained sales and service personel! Since retiring and moving to Lake Wales Fl. I have been very satisfied with their work in keeping my '02 U320-40 purring like new. I simply go to them for service according to the coach serv. man. and anything else that I cannot fig. out to do myself. Up to this point, I have not had anything happen to the coach that stomped them. And they are very nice to work with- and will let the owner "hang around" as they work! Just remember, too much talk and it will reflect on your bill! LOL!
  Another place in Lakeland Fl. is Classic Coach. I have seen their work but have no personal experience using them. But I hear only good things about them so far.
  Hope your experience with your up coming projects will be a pos. one! If you are coming to the Brookesville Foretravel rally- then the FMCA rally, we will be there. Looking forward to seeing as many folks there!

  ED PAN

Thanks Ed.  Im voing to call classic coach first just because they are closer to home..  Cheers!

Steve & Kathy... does your galley have a slide-out drawer beneath the refrigerator (that is not partially used for the Intellitec lights circuitry)?  A year ago, I found an HP P1102w wireless laser printer that fits perfectly in our cabinet - see photo below.  I keep the power cord in the little basket behind the printer, and just plug it in as shown, when needed.  Undoubtedly, it could be wired in... but this works fine whenever we need to print.  The printer is wireless and is fantastic for printing from either of our laptops - plus, it stays open and set up 24/7 (even when underway).  Just a thought....

We have a slideout tray in the rectangular cabinet behind the passenger seat in our 40ft 1999 U320 that nicely supports my large HP/C laptop. My printer is at the bottom of the cabinet.

When all is stowed, it looks just like original.

The previous owners, Dave and Barb Jenkins had this work station made.

They also had the aft arm of the sofa removed and had a cabinet made that is a two drawer file cabinet place aft of the sofa. All in all, these make a nice little office that doesn't look at all like one when needed. (The tile floor they added everywhere but the bedroom is more than icing on the cake ;o)

best, paul

Google, Creative Coach in Lakeland Fl. I have seen there work and it looks Ex.

I recall looking online at this coach when the Jenkins first put it up for sale... and being most impressed by the mods to create an office.  Interestingly, those interior images of the Jenkins/Smith coach are still on the internet at this site:  Jenkins Etcetera (http://was.etcetera4.net/)!SOLD!_1999_foretravel_U320.htm

I've heard and seen very good work from Classic in Lakeland also...

Steve,
  I believe these are the electric dump valves they use in the new Foretravels. Might want to look at them also.

Drain Master Premium Gate Valve System (http://www.drainmaster.com/DM20RPMSKit.html)

Regards, Mark

Thanks Mark!  Do you know if these remain fairly trouble free?

These were the same electric valves that were installed on our 02 coach.  We constantly had issues with them not totally closing and having to "manually close" them with a tiny wrench.  After 4 + years of frustration and mess (I won't go into details), we replaced them with manual valves and have not had a lick of issue since.  knock on wood of course. 

I thought the newwer coaches (IH-45) had air operated valves like the Newells and Liberty coaches.  Maybe I just assumed that. 

I kind of thought that the electric ones could cause trouble.  May have to rethink this a little.  I wouldn't mind the manual valves as long as they weren't behind that panel in the bay.  If I could find a way to reconfigure the valves so I could just reach them and operate them by hand, I'd be alright with that.  I'm also going to add a black tank flush... or rather Classic Coach is going to add one. :))  My wife is just laughing at me because she said, "Just do what you want to do..."  I'm happy, happy happy!  :dance:

Thanks for all this input. I sure don't like dumping tanks. For one thing, there's always some leakage so when you take the cap off your hands get it. If there was a better way to do it, I'd jump on it but so far nothing beats wearing disposable gloves and gritting my teeth. I am grateful that our U225 has easy access to the dump valves for operation and maintenance. I'm going to look hard at a third valve but I'm sticking with manual operation. :)

Craig

To the best of my knowledge, we are still using original waste valves on our 1997 U295. We have used the coach moderately for two years. It was used very little in the previous three years. It was used moderately before that. I plan to replace the valves with similar manual valves when either of them fails.

I cut off the Thetford fitting. I put on a Valterra fitting and a "twist on" third valve. I bought a Polychute hose and Polychute extension hose. Disposing of waste material has been a much cleaner and easier chore than it was with previous hoses. They always leaked somewhere. The Polychute hasn't leaked yet. For the price, it should outlast me, but probably won't.

The third valve allows backflushing the black tank with grey water. The windows on the Polychute allow me to monitor the appearance of effluent. The flow from the black tank appears to be as clear of the grey water by the third rinse.

As always, your opinions, experience, and results will probably differ.  :)

Steve,
  I dont know anything about those electric valves. I just noticed in the Foretravel pictures online that the valve switches looked identical to the ones on the web site. I would agree that the manual valves are most likely more reliable.

Mark

I have seen a large number of electric drain master dump valves fail and usually with the sewage tank full. This is not a pretty sight. Personally I would not have electric dump valves.

Steve we have owned this coach over 6 years, I beleave the manual dump valves are OEM. When they go I'll put the same back in. All 3 of the places you are considering are top notch.