Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: bill & jan velting on February 02, 2013, 02:57:51 pm

Title: wanna be no more
Post by: bill & jan velting on February 02, 2013, 02:57:51 pm
Hi everyone,

What a w/e!!  Jan & I flew down to FL last Thursday to check out 3 coaches.  Right from the plane we checked on a 40' U295 at Parliament Coach which was quickly dismissed.  It was in very rough shape with leaks and heavy smoke residue.  PC didn't even give it a cursory cleaning.  We were very disappointed... not only w/ the coach but that PC would even show it in that condition.

We then met Ron & Nancy (red tractor) to see their 40' U295.  Their coach had the floor plan the DW wanted and was well maintained.  This would be a wonderful coach for someone looking for an inexpensive 40'.  And the owners couldn't be a nicer couple.  We highly recommend you look at this coach if in the market.  It's very reasonably priced and the fact that Ron worked for Foretravel for many years has got to be a huge plus in knowing that all things mechanical have been maintained very well. However we wanted to see and drive a 36' as we thought that would fit us better.

That same day we headed 90miles north to view a '98 36' U320 WTFE.  It was a one owner, carport stored with only 63K miles.  The el bano wasn't private but that is something we can get used to.  The coach is in excellent condition and shows pride of ownership.  Age and failing eyesight were reasons for their selling.  Once we took the unit for a test drive we both felt a 36' was more than adequate to meet our wanderlust needs (at this time ::) )

We'll wait till spring to bring the new member of the family home as Michigan winters can be hard on coaches.  We'll post some pictures ASAP.

Jan and I would like to thank the entire foreforum family for assisting us in our 1 1/2 year search.  But especially Jeff & Carol Savournin and Gary Omel for their insight and willingness to help this w/e when it was desperately needed.  Thank you again guys.

Bill & Jan Velting
proud new to us owners of a 1998 U320 WTFE 450HP Cummins (no toad as yet)
man I've been waiting a long time to type that!!!!!!!!  ^.^d
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: J. D. Stevens on February 02, 2013, 03:11:22 pm
 ^.^d ^.^d
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Tim Fiedler on February 02, 2013, 03:11:29 pm
Congrats on the purchase, looking forward to the Pictures.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Retired Navy Chief on February 02, 2013, 03:22:52 pm
congrats ^.^d
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Peter & Beth on February 02, 2013, 03:57:04 pm
Welcome aboard... Again! Soon you will begin the learning experience Foretravel provides. We will all be here to assist when the time comes. Then, in the meantime enjoy the rest of the cold Michigan winter.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Dave and Nancy Abel on February 02, 2013, 05:10:44 pm
Congratulations!!!  Enjoy!!!
Good Luck, Dave A
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: kenhat on February 02, 2013, 05:28:18 pm
Welcome to the club Bill! ^.^d
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: CAPEHORN31 on February 02, 2013, 05:50:38 pm
Your search is over, now the next chapter begins.  Welcome
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: John S on February 02, 2013, 06:35:57 pm
You will love that first trip. I remember mine still, over 300K miles ago.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: mcmojo on February 02, 2013, 07:26:47 pm
We love our 97 U320. I particularly like playing with the big trucks in the mountains. You will like the power, handling & quality of the Foretravel! Congrats.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Mark... on February 02, 2013, 08:27:06 pm
A year and a half later and sometimes when I'm in the coach, like right now, I still can't believe we pulled the trigger.  At purchase time there were multiple emotions of being scared because I knew so little and excited because of the possibilities that lied ahead for us. 

As I sit here in Fort Wilderness at Disney and the nightly fireworks are going off in the distance I could not be more happy that we started down this road with a quality coach and a great group of FoFums!  We wish you the best and safe travels.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: red tractor on February 02, 2013, 08:33:13 pm
Congratulations Bill and Jan on your purchase. We look forward to meeting up again somewhere down the road. It was also good to meet your dad and his wife. If I can be of any help in the future feel free to call. Thanks Ron and Nancy
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Keith and Joyce on February 02, 2013, 08:43:54 pm
The cult of Foretravel claims another victim!  Congratulation.

Keith
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: MAZ on February 02, 2013, 10:01:05 pm
Congratulations ....Hope to see you down the road. I pray you have many safe and memorable trips in the new coach.

Mark Z
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on February 03, 2013, 05:36:00 pm
Welcome aboard, THE CULT will keep you straight. :) :)
Wait til your first trip, I came up I75 from Orlando T'day to Atlanta in 8 hours flat at 65 MPH.  Fueled in Lake City and recorded 9.8 MPG.  Two truckers at Flying J had to comment " Ain't never seen one of dem b'for and  Damn you sit up high "
DW Was in bed for most of trip with leg and back pain and says she slept well, Of course happy pills probably helped.
Love it
Gary B
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: bill & jan velting on February 03, 2013, 06:10:04 pm
Jan and I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome.  We already felt the camaraderie just lurking around the edges trying to learn as much as we could before the purchase.  But now that we can truly call ourselves Foretravelers its like joining a wonderful extended family. 
However, we do feel a bit overwhelmed w/ the learning curve we'll be embarking.  So hopefully we won't test the forums patience to much.

Bill & Jan
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Dave Head on February 03, 2013, 09:54:08 pm
That's what I loved about my 93! I sat higher than the truckers!
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Steve & Kathy B on February 04, 2013, 02:17:52 pm
Congrats on the purchase!  We love our FT too.  Just rented a storage unit so I can store ours inside, plugged into a 30 amp power outlet and out of the weather!  No more worrying.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: geomm on February 04, 2013, 10:20:06 pm
Congratulations ! -- on your find that works best for you.
You are in for quite an adventure.
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Carol Savournin on February 05, 2013, 10:02:35 am
We drove over yesterday and visited with the Veltings and saw the coach and met the seller.  What a nice deal!!  They will be VERY happy and have some fine times ahead!  This machine has been well maintained and gently used ... nice find!
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: bill & jan velting on February 05, 2013, 11:44:37 am
Hi everyone,
Attached are some pics of our new to us 1998 U320. 

We fly back today for MI and sadly will leave the FT behind until the weather breaks back home.  We are hoping that we can bring her back mid April.  DW can hardly wait.  We hope to hook up w/ Gary Omel on the way if his schedule permits.
Also, a big public thank you to Jeff & Carol for taking the time to visit and help w/ the decision.  It is great to put a face to a name. ~ Bill & Jan
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: bill & jan velting on February 05, 2013, 11:58:55 am
first time doing this....sorry
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Dave Head on February 05, 2013, 12:33:17 pm
Very nice! Starr and I are heading out of Orlando mid April to go to a wedding in Arkansas. We will stop by to see Gary and Sandy in TN then. There will be a nice Foretravel get together at the end of April in Brunswick GA with the SE and FL club chapters. Call the factory and get your free year of the Motorcade club...
I haven't broached the idea with Starr yet, but we may stop by. It would be a great shakedown for you!
Title: Re: wanna be no more
Post by: Dean & Dee on February 05, 2013, 01:16:48 pm
                         Nice looking coach Bill. Welcome to the Foretravel gang. I am sure you will enjoy it very much and I bet you can't wait to get it home to begin the learning curve.

                  Jeff & Carol S. were also very helpful to us when we purchased our coach at FOT last March. As Carol would say,"You drank the Coolaid! :))

        Congrats, D&D