Well guys, it is that time of the year again. I have had three different Foretravels and am thinking about a new coach. Well, it does not have to be brand new but new to us. Anyway, I saw a new Newell while I was at MOT and the only thing I can say is wow. It puts the IH to shame. The windows are huge and the floorplan light and open. The new IH looks dark inside and has smaller windows and has the twin couch and the silly removable table. I have to say that I thought the display models did not favorably compare. Then I looked at a few used coaches on MOTs lot. I will say that they either were used very hard or they did not hold up very well. That was odd I thought and wondered if anyone has been inside a few Newells enough to get an impression. The other option is a used Prevost. I know they all will have issues and some unique to them. I have to figure this out sooner or later. I think I would stay with FT rather than a Newell and find one with an older floorplan style I like. I would welcome any input form FT owners who have owned or had enough interaction with Prevost conversions. I am leaning towards Liberty as a converter. The why is simple, I do not think my FT can handle the stresses of 40-50K miles a year and not have to trade off every three or four years. I have grandbabies in SPokane and I live in VA and that is at least 4 cross country trips a year to visit. Also, I want to be able to put on chains if I need to in order to get thru the mountains. In fact you have to carry them on some roads. So, input is welcome.
John ; you need to drive a Newell , up a good grade and then come down that same grade and stop it on that grade . You will find your self missing your Foretravel . I did all this in a [new Newell ]If you like all that shiney plastic go for it . They are pretty in deed , well made and don't weigh very much . Brad Metzger
John, Stewart of MOT had that 2006 Phoenix out here in NM this week and I was very impressed. Guess you saw it on line. Lots of people in the RV park toured it. People trying to covert me to allegro bus kinda changed their tune (I having so air/level issues here at moment).
Good luck, maybe the Phoenix not what you would want but very nice.
Mike
I think it will fall between a Prevost and a FT as the Newell is very heavy, but if you put the Newell and the IH side by side I am sure that most older FT owners will pick Newell. I know I would. It is not plastic inside but a very open and spacious floorplan. I think that a Prevost which is designed for 2 million miles use is the strongest chassis out there right now in the motorhome market. I have to decide if I will keep my current FT and put 500K miles on it or switch is the issue. I have 126K now and if I just put on 40K a year I wonder how the coach will hold up. I saw a 99 with 471K on it a number of years ago. He had had three different issues with bulkhead separation both front and back. It was a sister coach to my first one and we spent some time discussing the coaches. I talked to the techs who serviced it and they tell stories of him coming in and the coach just pulling apart as he stopped. They fixed it but do I want to go thru that. No, the avg MH puts on 6-10K a year but if i do 4 trips cross country that is 24K miles and then I put on 24 -30 now without them. So, this is a consideration to think about.
I have a friend who HAD a newer Prevost Liberty Lady, constant maintenance, and very expensive. His family owned 5 car dealerships in Chicago area and had access to maintenance, but after every trip he said something(s) needed repaired. Sold after 3 years "way to expensive to own". I wonder if his was unique, or given that most of these are "one off" customs if they all struggle with bugs unique to each coach.
Dave Head loves Newells, only one I was in was ridden hard and looked like something that belonged in Vegas. Spoke with a gentleman at a campground in Jackson WY - his was pretty new, and he loved it, didn't ask to see the inside, i am sure he would have showed it off to me.
Didn't James at Extreme buy a wrecked Prevost to rebuild after he sold his FT? Maybe give him a call too.
Lots of choice in used Prevost busses out there, broad price range, etc.
Good luck, let us know!
John,
See if James Stallings will give you comparisons. I know has had considerable experience with Foretravel and was rebuilding his Prevost last year. He also has a friend, Ed, who had a Foretravel and now has a Prevost. They both shared with me that they considered Foretravel to be the best fiberglass coach, and is provides good value in a used coach. I did not explore the question, "If money were no object, what would you own?" They do both own Prevost coaches. I don't remember who were the builders.
I did visit with Bob Robertson, my neighbor, a couple of years ago and asked which coach was the best to drive. Without hesitation, he replied, "Foretravel." He has driven a lot of different coaches on pickup and delivery runs for MOT.
Your point regarding high mileage is an interesting consideration.
Best wishes for a successful search.
Yes, I have talked with both Ed and James. I think Ed has sold his bus though.
I believe it is time to bale before my machine craters from the poor bulkhead design, will give 3% referral leading to a sale. After 2 years of searching for motorcoaches never did think I would be caught in this trap, thought I had covered all the big obstacles, shouldv'e bought the Newell in Ariz. jc
Tim, I can honestly say I have never taken a trip that something has not broken in my FT as well. This is over 300K miles and 12 years and three different coaches. In fact this trip the wire to the front door broke and the windshield picked up a new start chip. Sad part is that is the new one I had put in two weeks ago. The big issue on the XL2s is the fact taht the stainless steel siding can come off. There is a fix but it is expensive if I go that way.
John: To each his own. Choose wisely. No one knows your needs the way you do and the grass is always is greener on the other side of the fence. Tks Dan
Hmmmm, I must be lucky, dont want to jinx myself! Usually go about 10k a year, putter with some stuff, and have MOT deal with my "punch list" at annual service ($3k average annually). I ever 6 years only maintenance I had out of that cycle was washing machine once, and aqua hot twice. Did replace 12 volt pump myself and fixed leak in air line. Usually just park it after a trip and start it up next trip. Mom lives in it 6 months a year on FL, and I use it heavily other 6 months and put on the miles then.
Probably a forum for Bus conversions to ask questions
For what it's worth , I have a 1968 Model 5 Eagle Bus converted in the early 90's It has most everything any modern motor home has. Like any bus or motorhome maintenance is something that comes with it. as far as major problems we have not had any as yet. but one never knows. As far as the prevost coach's go do your home work, there are problems with them as with any other coach. you just pay more for the problems. ;D
OK John, I know how desperate you are for a bus conversion, so go ahead and get the Provost with nice conversion and enjoy as long as you can stand it.
When you come back to Foretravel, you will have a clear understanding of pros & cons.
Just remember how sweet the old Foretravel was to you with all the miles you run.
Heck even Greyhound has to do work on their bus fleet, nothing runs cheap for long.
For me,
I just paid the bill at HWH after checking the slide system, level system and look for air leaks. Boy did they find air leaks, the only one they as HWH can fix is the rear manifold for leveling, made a lot of bubbles. Other than the HWH, the other leaks are simple, 1 1/4" Tee, reseal check valve at front air tank, both regulators for step and front floor slide, plus the electric solenoid for the step.
Best part, repair the HWH issue and show me the rest, out the door under $200.00
Makes me one happy puppy.
Dave M
John, here is a website I look at constantly for Prevost's
PREVOST: Prevost forum, ownership and lifestyle, motorhomes (http://www.prevost-stuff.com)
It is amazing the price drop on these coach's from new and 99 out of 100 look like they just came fron Las Vegas!!!
I have always wanted one for fun? and in over a year I have only found a couple that I would consider!! I have a close friend in Napa who has 2 and he brings one down to Mexico every other year and when I am fixing things on it for him he often says "these things cost way more to maintain than his yacht" and he hardly uses it as he is scared it will let him down.
The Prevost body frame and drivetrain are fine it is just the massive electronics and hydraulics I feel that cause the headaches. I still like them tho'
John
The more complicated the coach, the more work it takes to keep everything running. I make my living from complicated electronics.... but I still have a slide rule in my desk drawer.
Just sayin' :)
Craig
Thinking outside the box....
If the concern is needing to visit Spokane 4 times a year, without a leisurely tour enroute, it might be worth running the numbers to see if buying a condo in the area and traveling by air would be an alternative worth considering. It certainly would give you more time (per trip) with the kiddos.
The PO's of our coach sold it because of wanting to spend time with the grandkids in Oregon. They built a house up there instead.
Michelle
My Newell would be a 2002-2003 rear closet model - I wouldn't turn my nose up at the later model with rear steering. I would rip out the carpet and the granite and put in some wood flooring. That would probably get me a couple of ton of weight back. Newell prices drop like rocks after 5-6 years.
I like the Liberty design philosophy. Their glitz is as bad as any of them. some are available with retarders. Vantare (now owned by Amadas coach) also have retarders. With Amadas owning them, factory would be much closer to you! H3-45s are nice.
Personally, John I think your coach is one of the best out there unless you go with something in the 08 up Foretravel range
I have looked at Vantare too but they use their own slide not Prevost. I know any machine will need repairs. Looking for a driver with no slides. Funny you mentioned a condo. We were just talking about that today. Trying to figure that out. If we keep the coach and buy a condo it could be cheaper.
If the round trip is 6,000 miles, @ $4 fuel we're talking $12,000 @ 8 mpg Foretravel...a Prevosst would cost $16,000. If you do not like to fly the doggies 'cause you bought a condo, you can still drive and stay at overnite motels with the "kids".
I get $3,000 not $12,000
best, paul
I got 7.4 mpg on the way out. I know I will lose one mpg thinking a place out here might work. But I hate to fly so I will always drive.
I hate to fly, too. Flew too much in my work. I even flew SF/Washington DC twice in one week!
But we have grand kids moving from Minneapolis to New York City.
We are thinking train. (We live on the Left Coast)
best, paul
$3,000 per trip and four trips/year.
Entrega Anthem or Cornerstone?
Down at least a level (more) from a FT. Those are 3rd party chassis coaches, not in-house like FT/Newell or conversions like Prevost.
John has been wanting a bus conversion for a long time, Me, I would encourage him to get one and get it out of his system. I am sure once the newness wears thin, and the added cost of maintance, fuel, Va tax and insurance are calculated, the ole FT looks real good.
I had a MCI for 20 years, got that out of my system for sure.
But some times you just have to do it, so go for it John, enjoy. :))
Dave M
JC, The bulkhead fix, even if both front and back bulkheads have to be repaired, is not terribly expensive (about $2,000). Once fixed, annual inspection is about all that is necessary. IMHO there must be more serious issues to justify bailing out of one's FT 320. 1999 was a GOOD year for U-320's.
I repaired the rear bulkhead myself (13 new through-hole bolts) and just had XtremeGraphics fix the front bulkhead. Problem addressed and solved.
Dave, you are right about the VA tax. I have been thinking about all the responses I have received here as well. You can convince yourself of most anything as it is only money right... But seriously, I have a great coach and it runs great and they have their issues too. I was looking for input that is wider than I have had so far. I may get one still but right now I would say I am leaning with keeping this coach and seeing if FT builds one that can go 600,000 miles. Maybe it will be in the factory showroom next to the early model one.
Foretravel did a half dozen prevost conversions in the 70's. 36 feet. Foretravel dropped out when prevost went to 40 only
I like not running the gen or needing to be plugged in always. Painted metal is hot. And cold.
Do you live in a painted metal house.?
The h3's driver is at a lower level and you are not "in" the coach.
Did the finally figure out a screen door for a prevost?
I have several unihome customers that the last time I saw them that had 300k on them and one ored 300 guy, Pete youngdahl, that did 300k on his coach in five years. Minor repairs. Side drive fan had issues
Interesting on the 300K milage. I do not really care about the screen door. I do not really ever leave my door open with the two dogs we carry. I know that I saw the dark painted coaches and they were much hotter than the sides of the XLII or my mostly white coach. I have paint but a lot of the coach is white with the standard 2001 graphics. What did the coach in 5 years with 300K look like? Could you tell and was it worn out? DId it sell or did it take a huge hit?
John, why worry about what another looks or looked like after 300k and "did it sell or take a hit" if you look after it and keep it up yours will look as good as new?? I have seen some 1 yr old coaches that are a mess because people are pigs and in their home too, so they do not know any other way.
I have a feeling that the cost part is not an issue and you are not able (or do not want to) do any of the fixing/replacing that is inherent on these or other coaches-so that as I see it Dave M is right, just go do it then after a year or 2 revisit the notion and see if it was a good answer.
I have no problem with flying or driving back and forth across the continent and actually love driving (70k + kms doing it in Mexico over the years) I am either mad or enjoy it!!
Why not drive say twice to see them but spend a longer time when there than if you go 4 times. Friends that live in San Carlos Mexico full time do the trip to north east Ontario to see there G Kids each summer driving their CC 42' and stay 3 months to baby sit. They are G Kidded out after that but do it each year. Anyway, you will decide what is good for you so go do it and enjoy the "ride"
John H
John,
I had a similiar conversation with a friend in the Prevost conversion business. He stated if you are going to buy a Prevost select either a Marathon, Liberty, or Millennium.
If you are considering a Newell I would go to the plant in Miami, Ok. Newell provides a 2 year warranty on their used coaches that are within 8 years of the current model year. They are building 2013's so you would get the warranty on a Newell as old as a 2005 model. We test drove a Newell with the steering tag axle and found the turning radius to be AWESOMELY impressive. The interiors on all the Newells we looked at are definitely acceptable. We've looked at Foretravels and are not all that impressed with the living area configurations, it seems the Newell slides are deeper giving more interior space.
We looked at Country Coach along with the others mentioned here and have found the floor plans/living areas in the CC yield the best living amenities and comforts.
We owned an '04 U320 Foretravel with 2 slides so we have a definitive idea of interior space differences. Good luck with your search.
Regards,
Reese Cantrell
condos cheap right now, so is interest. condos may have bottomed out, coaches never will. Condos can often be rented on VRBO by the week/month for a premium if not used personally.
Like the idea. we have a few homes in FL and condos in Chicago, they enable our MH "habit"
Well, the decision was made. I will have a high milage Foretravel. We will have to see how tough these things really are. Thanks for the 325K miles heads up. Helps a lot.