Hi All,
New to this forum, and new to Foretravel. We sold our SOB at the beginning of summer, and are now, finally pointed where we wanted to be all along. We don't know much about the slide/no slide issue, and are looking for info. Also, would like to know about older, low hour diesels. We had a diesel boat, and it seems that within reason, a moderate to higher hour engine will be in better shape. Thanks in advance for your help.
Soon to be Foretravelers,
Bob and Vicki Schuerger
There have been some discussion recently about the slide/no slide coaches. You might love the floor space, but at the expense of interior storage space. You will loose overhead storage volume at the top of the slide.
Add the extra cost, weight, maintance, and service cost into your purchase plans. We were so lucky to find our coach for sale, because the seller's wanted two slides. Was a win for them and us. Good luck and welcome to the forum, and the slippery slope of being a Foretravel owner.
We are starting our third year, second 36' Foretravel and happy beyond measure with our coach without slides.
Welcome, Bob and Vicki. Many of us have strong opinions one way or the other. When it comes down to it, only you can decide whether one or more slides are necessary, or whether you can live without them. Since you have already had some motor home experience you are quite a bit ahead of where we were. We had the slide/no slide discussion here at home for several months before we decided that, at least at this point, we did not want any slides. There are only the two of us, plus a young cat. Our previous RV was a Heartland mpg that has one small slide. We had to make pillows so that the cat couldn't get in under the slide area. That may not be the case with Foretravels, but since we knew we would be buying an older coach we thought that maybe we didn't want to deal with the added maintenance issues of a slide.
If you go to: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs) you can likely get a sense of the changes over the various years. Slide or no slide is a definite personal choice. The other issues are numerous. I loved my 1990 U280...it had great Foretravel quality, beautiful tambour doors, and a beautiful exterior shape...and a 250 CAT with a 4 speed. But now that I can view it from the position of owning a 2002 U270 single slide, I see that I love the addition of Dual pane windows, the 6-speed transmission, the transmission retarder, and the 400 HP. Foretravel added those things over the years between my two coaches. I lost the tambour doors, sadly.
Then there is the issue of the AquaHot. Some swear by it, some see it as a space-taker and another thing that needs annual servicing. We never run out of hot water with our 10 gallon heater, but then we don't take long showers.
My wife and I could live with or without the slide, but not without the things I listed.
The best thing to do is familiarize yourself with what improvement changes happened over what years and decide which items you want to not live without (and what you could add). Also, I am a pokey driver, running 58-62 most of the time, and I love that my 400 ISL is in 6th gear, while a 450 ISM (the U320s) would be down in 5th gear, I believe.
All in all, there are no Bad Foretravels. Just pick what you want!
My DW would not consider any coach without at least one slide. We have a U320 and like it. Is it additional maintenance and cost? Yes. We like our Foretravel. :D
Slides vs no slides - definitely a personal decision that only you can decide.
We love our non-slide coach, and we have lots more carrying capacity and storage room than we would have with slides for this length coach. A downside is that entertaining more than 6 people inside starts to get crowded, but if we want to entertain more than 6 and can't do it outside, chances are good that one of them has a coach with slides, so we'll go there :)) .
Also, if you need to take lots of grand-kids on a trip (we don't have any yet), having slides would be a benefit.
On Brad's point, my 450hp M runs in 6th gear at 60.5mph.
On the subject of miles on the drivetrain, I much prefer a coach that has been run steadily without having been stored for long periods. I have never heard of anyone wearing out the drivetrain of a Foretravel if it was maintained by the book.
Watching the VMS on my sister's coach it seems to be quite happy to run in fifth if you're wanting to run under 60. No fuel penalty that I can tell. It flat wakes up and honks when you stand on it and goes to sixth. Biggest downside I can tell is it's hard to keep your foot out of a 450 hp 36' no slide coach....fun, fun.
If you use the search function on the Forum, you will see that the slide/no slide topic has been discussed quite a bit (not as much as refrigerators, batteries and tires though!)
Had two non-slide FT's, now have a single slide 40' U-320. Most would say that if you can afford newer and one or two slides you will be happier. That being said, I would have a no slide FT before SOB. Lots of discussions re storage space and maintenance, but the slide is worth the cost and maintenance if your budget allows.
2000 - 2001 U-320 with a single slide is by my way of thinking a sweet spot. Decent production numbers, so some choice out there, newer driveline but does not require DEF, very good quality those years, and valuable enough that you can afford the investment of a few of the more common upgrades without ending up too over improved.
Newer coaches are wonderful if you can afford them, and I loved my non slide FT's, but hard to beat those early 2000 single slide coaches for utility, style, reliability and affordability.
Disclaimer - I own one, so I must think I am right.... :-)
What is it aboult a slide you like so much?
best, paul
Paul:
There really isn't anything in particular we like about slides. It just makes more floor! Really more interested in the systems and especially engine hours.
Bob and Vicki
Robert,
I would question "engine hours" as an important criteria for coach selection. As has been said many times, you will never wear out a properly maintained modern diesel engine (underscore properly maintained).
I would rather see someone purchase a well maintained (with maintenance records) coach with 100,000 miles on it than one with 50,000 with questionable "care and feeding" that perhaps has sat for a year or more at a time.
Brett
Wolfe10,
We agree..... we've found some older coaches that don't have many miles, and we are wary of them.
Bob and Vicki
Per the engine mfr specifications, by a diesel mechanic not a monkey. Don't ask me how I know. >:D
Roland
I have owned three FTs two without slides and now one with two. I will say that with a slide you have a lot more options on the layout. I travel a lot more than most and a non slide coach means you are always home. I found one with two slides and the LR slide is narrow so I get a bit more room inside. Now that said the BR slide lets us have an east west bed and that is very nice. If I were to build a new one, the lay out being proper I would look at either two slides or no slide so that might not help much but if you get the right layout a lack of slides is not an issue but it does open up the coach when the grandkids visit and we camp once a month with them so a set of slides makes it very easy.
Just one more comment about slides. I have seen coaches where you cannot get into bed decently, or even open a microwave door when the slide(s) are in. There is a reason why the sellers keep the slides out to show you.
So when I bought my 2002 single slide Foretravel, the first thing I had the guy do was put the slide in. When it is in, I can walk through everywhere and the only hassle I have is with not being able to get into the pantry. I like being able to have the coach usable for quick overnights without bothering to open the slide. Nice to have a choice. I think most, if not all, Foretravels are usable with the slides in.
We personally like the galley on the drivers side and the dinette under the awning looking out at our campsite or view.
That eliminates slides so far for us. Like to look out....
Slides required the floor plan flip flop.
Choices......
Bob
Our coach has a slide with the drivers side galley and the kitchen table across on the passenger side. It was one of the primary factors in the purchase of our coach. See pic. We really like that layout!
I really like the space and room to move when parked, and the room to move past each other in kitchen.
Cons, can't get at cabinet behind aft end of slide when not extended, lose some storage above slide and there is maintenance. J couch not my favorite.
Plus wife really wanted it after she saw it.
Done deal.
Advice, dont let DW see a FT with slide extended, vs. one without.....
:-)
Took till 2005. Cool. Others must have asked.
Bob
In our 03 we complete access to everything with the slide being in so works great if staying at a walmart as we do not put out the slides there. DW is in love with the slides and extra room. We had a 40 ft 98 u295 before and it had a lot more interior and exterior storage space. The reason for slides was due to a Lab dog with a happy tail that would hit my wifes knees as she went by and my wife had just had her knees replaced, so much pain involved there.
Mark, any issues with the sink being in the slide? Our mpg had the sink in the slide, which meant that the drain had to be a flexible hose. While we were visiting Nac last year the connection from the hose to the gray water tank broke.
If I had a slide it would be the bomb! We don't have a slide and its the bomb! Both have there advantages enjoy what you get. That said I think I like without. Not missing what I/we don't have.
Yeah, we have a 40ft 1999 U320 and it's a treat. Don't think we'd ever get a slide. As usual YMMV...
best, paul
Haven't had a single slide issue with my slide-less 1993 U280 :P .....Had a bunch on our fiver though.
Roland
We couldn't afford a FT with slides, and I only wanted a FT (or Bluebird) coach. I thought I wanted a slide, until recently. I drove a friend's Fleetwood Discovery with 3 slides and I've never been so claustrophobic going down the road.
And by the way...if you ever need validation for buying a Foretravel - go drive someone's brand new $200k Fleetwood! What a miserable driving experience.
Two things are being sold. The floor plan and fabrics and interior to the ladies and the boy parts. The problem is the boy parts turn out to be the most important. Second time buyers learn that from the first one.
Bob
David - That occurred to me as well, but it must be well engineered. 66k miles and no repairs for anything in the slide. And now it is the norm in the newer models with dual front slides.
Which drives us nuts - curbside front slides take away patio space, lessen the "under awning" area, make common basement storage areas harder to get to, and the interior of the coach feels way too wide and "impersonal" to us. One of those "more isn't necessarily better" things.
-M
I agree with Michelle. We have double slide with single in front. Gives us great room in traveling and lots of room when parked. Looked at 4 slides Tiffin Bus and no room inside forget getting to the bathroom with slides in and on the road. DAN
We have friends that we met at FOT who traded their four slide 40' Nimbus for a three slide 42' Nimbus. The coaches had the same colors and interior decoration scheme. Both of the friends thought that two slides in the salon provided room to dance, but was not comfortable for conversation or general use. I think they prefer conversation to dancing. The main reason they switched was that Roy hit his head on the header at the top of the slide every time he went to the kitchen. We people who with heads closer to the ground would not have that problem.
We are part timers. The biggest proportion of our time inside the coach is spent in driving or sleeping. Having no slides works well for us and fits our budget.
We have a non slide coach. P.O. purchased a coach with slide, their third Foretravel. I think all the dis/advantages have been laid out for you. We are happy with our arrangement. Over the holiday there were six adults for dinner twice and we all fit perfectly well, so long as people are happy with trays on laps.
The one thing I like is to stop and be ready to use the coach to the fullest, be it at a rest stop for lunch or when we get to a site.
Go and look at a few and see what your personal preference is. FoT and the factory always have coaches available for inspection. Well worth a visit as you can see many options and get a Factory tour and will be able to meet other owners in person.
Keith
There are only a few floor plans that all manufacturers use, because there are really only so many ways that one can put the same things into a box. A few hours spent looking at different floor plans will quickly tell you what will and won't work for you. Then you can go on to shop for the right Foretravel.
Factory tours are very educational. The brand that was our first choice (we thought) was completely dropped from further consideration because of the factory tour. The newer the coaches on your list are the better the factory tour will match what you will eventually buy. Since we were primarily interested in the GV style, what is currently being built didn't apply in many areas. What you will see, though, it the quality that goes into the finished product. Are defects noted and taken care of as the coach is going down the line, or are they (maybe) dealt with after assembly is complete? Does the line keep moving when an issue is discovered, or do things stop until the problem is fixed? A few tours will really open your eyes.
We also have a no-slide coach, and for us it is perfect. Our 1995 still has the full-walnut interior walls and the tambour doors, and lots of storage space. Since it is a U320 SE it has the 400 HP Cummins M11 and the Aqua-Hot. I would not want to be without any of the features I just mentioned.
It would be nice to have the extra interior room slides provide, but for us the trade-offs of increased maintenance and reduced storage space outweigh the extra room. In addition, we tend to be "travelers" rather than "campers" and so it is very convenient to stop for the night without needing to extend slides.
As the saying goes, "to each his own"!
We wouldn't trade our 93, U300 for anything but part of that is our budget. We don't need or want the cost r aggravation of a slide/s, the cost of maintenance of an Aquahot and all of the other "Bells and Whistles" of the newer coaches. By the way, we have had two offers for an even trade for much newer Foretravels with those accountants and turned them down flat.
My recommendation for an easy life, buy a 93 and have it updated at the Foretravel factory. Cost should be less than $60K including he cost of the coach. The more miles, the better. A frequently used coach has far fewer problems than a coach that sits for months or years at a time.
Had a very interesting 45' Zephyr, parked ext to me, it looked new, very fancy paintig, looked sharpe indeed, howsoever, problems were the 50 amp would not power but 1a/c, one of the four slides failed to fully extend and one of the hydraulic jack pads would not extend far enough to touch the ground. All this while parked at th Blue On camp groud, very nice place in Pender, Nb, some ties you just laugh and enjoy the Foretravel.
Beta testers...that seems to be what a whole lot of initial owners are, especially for SOB purchases.