I had the pleasure of seeing my first two FTs today. I found out thru FT forums that there are two owners less the 40 miles from my house. We went to visit Don and Jerry Steele and were given a VIP tour of a 1998 U320 and a 2002 U320. I must admit that I was blown away by the quality of their coaches. They still smell new. We can't wait to get to MOT and hopefully purchase the 1998 U270 we have been talking about. I saw first hand the window seal creep on the 1998 and it wasn't as bad as I had thought.
Question about towing--will the U270 tow a full size pickup with out any problem as I plan to tow a 1972 Ford F100?
Terry
You'll hardly know it's back there.
Now this is a perfect example of what dealers are missing the boat on. You can take a coach for a test drive, except without any personal stuff inside and moreover without the vehicle you will be towing. So, if we are "lucky" to have someone who will step up to the plate and PROVE it to us (the would be buyer), we just have to hope and pray. Perhaps Terry (Capehorn31) likes to drive with his foot to the metal. If so, he no doubt could be in for a surprise. And if Ralph Trotter is one of those who drives with a very light foot and has no more than 500 pounds of personal stuff inside his coach, his reply may not be as accurate as things sound.
I have no idea how either of these people drive—I'm just making a point that many people never take into account...till it's too late. Dealers, it's time to wake up. Selling coaches with maximum HP is not the only answer!
I tow a 3/4 ton dodge diesel 4x4 with my u270 just fine.... 8.3 cummins
Terry-
I am still looking for my FT, but I would pass along a few tidbits that I learned from Foreforum members plus the technical folks at FT.....FWIW. I was seriously considering a small FT and I plan to tow my Yukon (Curb Wt=6,000 lb) but the weight numbers didn't work out for me, so I passed on the deal. Just doing the arithmetic on yours though, I note that the GVWR for a '98 U270 is 31,000 and the GCWR is 36,000 so (spec-wise) you would have the ability to tow 5,000 lb (incl towbar, stuff in the PU, etc) even if you are right up to the limit on the coach itself as I understand it. I googled up the wt of 72 Ford F100s and the highest number I saw was 4200 lb. Good for you, podnuh.
In talking with the FT folks, I was told that their GCWR is very conservative, but then what is "documented" is what counts (and, in the unlikely case of an accident, the lawyers know where to look, I am sure.) They also mentioned that engine size was one component in their ratings......like they want folks to have enough power to merge into traffic, manage 6% grades, etc. FT told me that a lot of coaches on the road (with and w/o toads) are indeed, very overloaded.........in our litigious society, I just don't want to be overloaded. Hmmm.....maybe I need to buy a good lookin' 72 Ford F100 "collector" PU on ebay. ;D
Anyway, I am still learning from the FT owners....every single day I read this forum. I just know that will help me when I finally get my new-to-me FT.
Regards, Ed Sievers in Fairview, TX
If your pickup is indeed under 4200#, you should be fine. We tow a Grand Cherokee that weighs 4080#. Our engine is Cummins C8.3-325 with Banks Stinger.
I "exercise" the coach without the Jeep on the back and it feels quicker than with the Jeep in tow. However, we always travel with the Jeep on the back. We have traveled in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota. Performance going uphill is satisfactory. Control coming downhill is outstanding. We did own another brand of the same size and downhill control was adequate, but poor in comparison to the FT.
My understanding is that any FT that is properly loaded will handle a 5000# "flat" towed vehicle. Newer coaches will handle even more towed weight.
Terry,, My wife and I full time in our 1995 U-300 40' with 3176 Cat and A HD4060 for almost 6 years now, we drag a 1997 Suburban around we've been in almost every state (including Alaska) 7 Canadian Provinces and never look back, I did have the bulkhead repaired at Foretravel last year but besides for that I never worry about the toad..
Terry, good luck on your purchase and future travels. If you come across any new questions feel free to contact either of us. Also, if you decide to put the Airforce One on the 1972 ford truck and decide later to tow another vehicle, the Air Force One can be easily transferred to a second vehicle. Let us know when you get it home, so we can go see your new to you new coach.
Hi Don,
Sounds great, I'll call when we get back.
Terry
I love Capehorn boats. You will love the FT. I had a 99 270 and there was no problem towing and I was well inside the weight limits. I have a 42 foot and 10K towing capacity and the newer ones have 18K
It looks as if the 1972 Ford F100 is going to be too much trouble to tow 4 down. I am going to switch to my wifes Mini Cooper and look into how best to tow it.
Terry
Do not know how it was set up but I have seen Mini Coopers behind mh's before.
I too have seen a mini behind a FT at the North Atlantic Rally near Pitts last year.
Brett tows a Mini (I think) painted sort of to match the coach.
John H
Yes, I tow a 2009 Mini Cooper S. Mini's are towable, so long as they have the manual transmission. When I bought mine no one offered base plates for it, but Smitty's Welding in Houston fabricated mine with no issues.
I beleave Roadmaster makes tow brackets for a Mini, as Amos says as long as it is a manual trans.
I see you're right. They've designed them since I got my Mini.
Best of luck on your new purchase.
One of the things I noted with our tow vehicle was the difference in fuel economy. We towed a 2500HD PU when we first got our U295, we traded for a Jeep and wow. A bit over 1MPG better. Big difference in weight but just rolling down the road was quite a surprise. I suspect your 1/2 ton PU is close to the Jeep in weight, so I think you will be pleased.
BTW, the Blue OX Two Bar sure makes it easy to hook up and head out.
Cheers
I realize most of you don't, but as an old 18-wheel driver I believe in pulling trailers, not cars. I have a nice 16' car hauler tandem axle full brake trailer with a '94 Jeep Cherokee and got 9 mpg from Castle Rock, CO to Bozeman, MT and back, and got 10.5 mpg from Castle Rock to Memphis this week. Suspect it will be a little less going back since it is uphill.
The old CAT 3116 in my '92 U240 allowed me to pretty much hold 67 on the trip, although a little :) slower going up the mountains.