Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Caflashbob on December 17, 2013, 08:25:33 am

Title: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Caflashbob on December 17, 2013, 08:25:33 am
MHSRV I believe is the largest RV dealer under one location in the country. They sell more units than anyone else from what I have learned from certain manufacturers.
In addition to selling Foretravels now, Foretravel  now has an agreement with MHSRV to produce a "brand" of coach for them specifically. Currently, they are not sure yet what it would be called. But it will probably be on a Freightliner chasis (others are possible) and I think final details are subject to change.

I would also interject that expecting a high level of after sale service based on the way they currently work, is questionable.

I notice your "other brand" signature.  I am starting to ask questions from non foretravel owners.

I have two current new owners, one with a tour and the other with a journey, that both are using more than 240 amp hours overnight dry camping using residential refers. 

Both seem to have similar battery systems.  Six group 31 AGM batteries with 110 amp hour rated capacity.

The journey owner next to me now mentioned his gen auto start comes on at less than 1 hour camped. 

How does your SOB compare in use?

My tour buddy was replacing all the interior lights with LED's a few days ago.

My non slide 97 with a propane refer uses 120 amp hours overnight with quiet hours from 8pm to 10am dry camped and running the aqua hot and the old inverter charging electronic devices. 

I have three deka/MK 8'ds that seem to have a little more amp hours capacity than the nominal 225 each.  Maybe 700 total.

I mentioned to both owners that with that consumption they may need to add double the batteries.

The journey wife was clearly upset about my comments.  They had had it the shop for Dix weeks I think looking for battery issues that are probably not there IMO.

Not even sure how the later fortravels are doing on this issue but maybe others here will post info so I have a comparison.

Both the journey and tour are darkly painted so at any outdoor warm use I would imagine a lot of gen time for a/c.

The journey guy is used to dry camping so the gen running a lot seems to be upsetting to him.

My tour buddy is down to less than 12 volts overnight where mine is 12.6 or so.

Just trying to get more info on how things are currently going in the Rv biz as my info is almost 20 years out of date.

Thanks bob
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: fkjohns6083 on December 17, 2013, 12:35:52 pm
It would be interesting to see what design criteria is used for the three machines.  Someone somewhere must have that information.  That would be what the coach design and component selection and sizing is based on.  (ie, what do you want this machine to do?)  Can you obtain that info?  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: wa_desert_rat on December 17, 2013, 07:57:00 pm

I have two current new owners, one with a tour and the other with a journey, that both are using more than 240 amp hours overnight dry camping using residential refers. 

Both seem to have similar battery systems.  Six group 31 AGM batteries with 110 amp hour rated capacity.

How are they measuring this 240AH? That seems like a lot but everyone is different. Even so, with 660AH of batteries they should have plenty of reserve.

Craig
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Michael j on December 17, 2013, 08:53:34 pm
How are they measuring this 240AH? That seems like a lot but everyone is different. Even so, with 660AH of batteries they should have plenty of reserve.

Craig

Should be, but are the batteries getting a full charged? Sounds to me maybe not.
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Caflashbob on December 17, 2013, 10:30:04 pm
How are they measuring this 240AH? That seems like a lot but everyone is different. Even so, with 660AH of batteries they should have plenty of reserve.

Craig

My 97 has a link 2000 that has amp hours used on its panel.  As the batteries recharge the number goes back to zero.
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on December 17, 2013, 10:56:47 pm
Battery voltage has to be measured at the battery with an accurate digital voltmeter. Next, you need to see what the battery manufacturer specifies for charging and float voltage for that specific battery as well as what voltage a fully charged battery should show.  To be really accurate, the fully charged voltage check should be 6 hours after a charger is disconnected or the voltage may read high.

A lot of batteries never get up to 100%.

Pierce
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Bigdogsolo on December 21, 2013, 11:24:21 am
It would be interesting to see what design criteria is used for the three machines.  Someone somewhere must have that information.  That would be what the coach design and component selection and sizing is based on.  (ie, what do you want this machine to do?)  Can you obtain that info?  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz

I did not see your post till today. Im not sure I can adequately answer the technical part of your questions.
Seems that a lot of this depends on the variables. We have a 10k Gen Set. producing max of 9300 watts at 2500ft elevation. Higher elevations reduce wattage from what my manual says. Outdoor temps also will vary. At 32 degrees and above it produces 1185 CCA but at O degrees about 950 CCA.
I think the other variable depends on what appliances and loads you are putting on it.
Our Fridge is residential / electric for instance and 3 A/c /heatpumps.

What I know is in the summer on Generator, I can run 3 acs, fridge and tv without interruption.
Our current Coach is a Tiffin 42.5 Phaeton.

Merry Christmas
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Caflashbob on December 21, 2013, 12:10:53 pm
I did not see your post till today. Im not sure I can adequately answer the technical part of your questions.
Seems that a lot of this depends on the variables.

My two contacts issues were without the gen on.  Quiet dry camped? Smells and $2 an hour plus maintenance to turn it on.  And some noise

Bob
Title: Re: How does your SOB compare in use?
Post by: Bigdogsolo on December 21, 2013, 01:17:25 pm
Sorry, Misunderstood your questions.
Haven't used mine in that capacity since when we are on the road, we generally work out of it and often need the benefit of power,  so can't really specify.

Sal