Thread Hi-Jack Alert - apologies in advance
Talking to Sue and Jeff yesterday at my coach caused me to reflect on the question "why Foretravel?"
my reasons to date
- Best in class chassis - any house starts with the foundation...
- ride/Handing/stopping power
- Top notch design, top notch quality and craftsmanship in the build process
- Built using best of breed components, Cummings, allison, HWH, etc.
- Manufactured coach vs. bus conversion means enough units of the same model made so that "bugs" can be worked out
- Durability built in so that 20 year old coaches on the road still smooth, quit, reliable, comfortable
- Manufacturer still in business and support on all coaches (even 20 year old ones) better than can be expected
- The availability of the "eco-system" experts and repair/conversion facilities noted in this threads
- And most importantly, this Forum, and the efforts of the members, moderators and most importantly Steve and Michelle.
For me if it isn't a Foretravel, I won't own a Motorhome. I might own a small RV some day, but for me, there is only one "motorhome" and that is Foretravel.
no, I am not going to have a Foretravel logo tattooed on my body....
Last week I took our 21-year-old U225 (Foretravel's "entry level" motor home) out for an installation of the thermostat. Every time it has been a month or so between outings I find myself surprised all over again over just how comfortable that old 36-footer is to drive. No rattles or noises (once I secured the cabinet door under the sink, at least). Plenty of acceleration (the Banks helps, I have to admit); we regularly hit 50mph by the end of a freeway on-ramp (traffic permitting... it's amazing how many automobile drivers don't go faster than 40mph getting onto a 70mph freeway).
Great visibility, well designed systems. Pretty easy maintenance, actually. But mostly it's the comfort level that I notice. The seats, the layout, the bedroom....
I agree... if I didn't have a Foretravel I probably wouldn't have a motor home at all. A 5th wheel or a travelt trailer would be the likely candidates.
Craig
The main reason Foretravel is better than most is the fact they use the highest quality available. Motorhomes are made up of systems. Foretravel uses the best wood, engines, transmissions, generators, furniture, gauges, hot water and aqua hot, on and on . Top of the line all the way. I have been in expensive motorhomes and see fiberglass thin showers and low end electronics. DAN
No, been there, done that . Like Gary B, when the FT goes, I'm hanging up my Spurs.....
Over 10 years, I have been driving new and used sobs, for a major dealer in Yuma. I prefer to drive my ' 92 u280 with 236000 miles,enough said!
Some people might think that I would be at least a bit down on Foretravels, given the various problems we've dealt with, but I'm not. In fact, every once in a while I think about what I would get to replace this coach should some disaster befall it. No matter what I think about, it comes back to a Foretravel. That's not to say that a Foretravel is the best choice for everyone, but it IS the best choice for us.
I just wish they made 34 footers still.....and maybe even 30 footers.
We purchased our Foretravel because it was the only 36' motorhome I could find with enough power and hitch to pull my 9500 pound enclosed race car trailer. I was also impressed by the wood work on the inside and how unused it looked and this unit has over 3000 hours on gen set so it has been used. Only after the purchase did I find this web site and come to understand what a quality unit I now own. I was nervous as to what I had gotten myself into this time, but the info and willingness to help others displayed on this web site makes me feel a whole lot better. I am sure I will have problems (anything 13 years old will have some problems) but with the resources available here I am no longer concerned.
The only rv'ing I will be doing is going to local drag strips in B.C. and maybe Washington state so I am not likely to run into many of you. I find myself already addicted to this site, I must check it out in the morning before I go to work, before I go for lunch before I go home and before I go to bed at night. I have already learned so much from this site that I can't imagine owing a coach other than a Foretravel.
Steve
Summit Drag Racing
Blown alcohol top dragster
Penticton, B.C.
We just got back from a 3 month trip in Western Europe. We had rented a small rv for our time over there. It was about 20 feet long. We had a great time and drove about 17,000 Km while there. We got home last night and this morning, I just had to crank up the ISM Cummins. What a great sound. If anyone is interested in touring Europe what we did worked great for us.
Steve, we live in Kaleden and would be nice to meet you. have a little bit of experience on Fts
JohnH
My wife and I are relatively new to this lifestyle but here is my take:
Pros:
1.) Overall construction quality is better than most motorhomes, with few exceptions.
2.) Good quality components in most systems such as the levelling/slide system, drive train, heating, etc.
3.) Impressed with the technical backup at FOT, MOT and of course, this site.
4.) Driving/handling qualities.
5.) Very good camaraderie with everyone we meet relative to Foretravel. This is really appreciated.
Cons:
1.) Somewhat outdated manufacturing facilities at FOT, in my opinion. This is understandable with the current MH market.
2.)
We have looked at and researched other brands and Foretravel was the best value at the time, and still is, again in my opinion. I would not consider another brand unless I won the lottery, and maybe not even then :o.
Our second choice was Newell and it was second only because of the additional cost to purchase a comparable MH.
Have a good one,
Ron,
How much did it cost to rent the RV in Europe? Which outfit did you use? Love to hear anything you would
care to relate about your experience. I am planning to go and that is something I have thought about.
Thanks,
Dan
Every time I've even entertained the idea of SOB it only takes a quick comparison of features, quality, support and the "Foretravel family" to be me back to the reality that the Foretravel is the superior coach.
These coaches are such classics, they have a "timeless" look that transcends everything you thought you knew about a quality motor coach in the past, they are "first class", & I have always loved traveling first class! :))
Not a fan of aluminum skinned non laminated wall coaches
I bought a Foretravel that was close to being a lawn ornament. We were in a position where our travels were coming to an abrupt end if we did not have something that would take us down the road. Our fifth wheel was no longer road worthy. We bought the Foretravel knowing that it had not been properly maintained. There were a few unexpected surprises and a higher cost in repairs than I anticipated. We still have a few issues that need to be addressed. All that said, would I buy another Foretravel? Absolutely! Would I still buy this one? Guess that depends on what is available. Some of the problems I had I expected, others I don't believe anyone could have predicted. What brought us through all our issues was this Forum. I did not realize when we purchased this coach that it came with a support group that had answers and solutions or approaches to address the issues that we faced. This Forum is a value to all current and future Foretravelers. I don't know how you factor the value of the Forum into the purchase of a preowned coach but it is a value that should be considered.
Roland
I'm full timing in a 26 year old U300. Think about that. What do you have that's 26 years old and you can depend on? I'm warm when I need to be warm and cool when I want to be cool. I take at least one hot shower a day and sleep in one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in... I have flat screen TV's with blue ray player's and a bitchin sound system. What more do I really need?? My old girl, once in a while tests my patience but never (so far) leaves me stranded.. I still have strangers tell me that they think it looks cool and ask me what kind it is. I'm babbling a little but my point is true quality takes time to show itself... My old Foretravel shows what quality really is..