Well, a long time ago now, I was looking to buy a coach. I knew nothing about them and it was around the year 2000. I started shopping for a pickup camper and ended up in a Foretravel. That is a story. We went from pickup camper shopping to tag along. We decided that it was too long and that we should go to a fifth wheel as it is easier to pull. Then we were looking for one with a generator. Then a guy sat us down and told us we needed a motorhome. Well that meant a whole new round of looking. I almost bought a raised rail coach but saw a picture of a FT that had been hit in Mexico and rolled down a ravine. I had also picked up the remains of MHs in accidents before in another life. So that meant my search was down to a couple brands. I chose a FT. One of the early coaches I looked at was the Allegro line. I am glad after looking at this thread on PC that I did not.
The people ended up in ICU and their dog died.
(https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-QwkJD4c/0/S/mh_zpsqugljfmu-S.jpg) (https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-QwkJD4c/A)
(https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-WXJDtxX/0/S/mh1_zps6exsi97f-S.jpg) (https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-WXJDtxX/A)
(https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-MV8sPXF/0/S/mh2_zpsmmgb99na-S.jpg) (https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-MV8sPXF/A)
(https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-M8QhqrQ/0/S/mh3_zpsmr8w4muk-S.jpg) (https://sichenze.smugmug.com/General/Posts/i-M8QhqrQ/A)
Oh my word. That is horrible. Not sure I want to know what happenned.
It was a front tire blow out that put them into a ditch
Wow.
Original thread and photos were posted by user JumboJet on RV.net http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28476987.cfm
Some additional discussion, including updates from JumboJet on iRV2 RV Crash - iRV2 Forums (http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/rv-crash-255749.html)
Might be a dumb question, but issue was brought up on another forum about steering stabilizers. Would these be wise for the Fore Travel? Or is the handling much better on these units. Thanks.
Our first coach was a 1997 DP on a Freightliner chassis. I put a Safe-T-Plus stabilizer on it to improve handling. It helped. We drove it about 9,000 miles.
Eight months later, we bought a 1997 Foretravel U295. It handles better without a stabilizer than did the SOB with the stabilizer. The difference between the "entry level" 1997 SOB and 1997 Foretravel is remarkable. We've have the FT for over five years and traveled over 70K miles in it.
Steering stabilizers - the opinions on this subject will range from "waste of money" to "wouldn't be without it". Some will strongly maintain that adding one is an insult to the inherently good Foretravel design. Others believe any design can be improved upon.
The 2nd owner of our coach added a Safe-T-Plus at 95,000 miles. The 4th owners (from whom we purchased) replaced the unit with a new one at about 145,000, and also replaced the steering box. We now have 170,000 miles on the coach. All I can say is it steers just like a brand new automobile. Our coach tracks down the road perfectly straight, does not wander or pull the wheel on rough or rutted road surfaces, and will very easily maintain heading with 2 fingers on the wheel (although I try to use at least 1 full hand at all times).
Having never driven a coach (of any kind or model)
without a stabilizer, I cannot say how much "goodness" it adds. I guess the only way to know for sure is to drive a coach in "stock" condition for a while to get a good baseline, then add a stabilizer. If you like the result, keep it. If you don't, remove it and either get your money back, or sell it on Craigslist.
I put a safe t plus on my coach for peace of mind (blowout control) and found an addl benefit in handling. Wouldn't consider removing it. Installed a blu ox tru center on a different coach, doesn't work as well as safe t.
Chuck,
So far, you may be the only one I have heard of who actually put one on their coach and didn't inherit it from a previous owner... Care to share your before and after impressions? Did it make a more noticeable difference than a good alignment (such as one from the good ol' boys down the road from Nac at Big Truck Alignment?)
Thanks, Don
Thanks all. After seeing the above pics, I have the same concerns as Chuck, since DW drives as well. Appears by itself, the Foretravel is much better handling than SOB, but for blowout control, it may be worth adding this feature.
Jim,
As you know all blowouts are different with all the variables involved. Here is a link to a recent members blowout if you haven't read it Left Front Blow out at 60 MPH on a two lane road. (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=25515.0) Not saying that all blowouts will be like this but it does have some info you are looking for. I'm not for sure if Tim has any kind of steering assist.
Pamela & Mike
Thanks Mike, I had not seen that thread. I am in the 5-7 year replacement cycle but a lot of good info, thanks again. Appears that the Foretravel has much better handling then most without assist.
Don, some history. Early in ownership, I dropped a front tire off a high, shoulderless road. It was a real wrestling match getting her sorted out straight. After repairing front cap detachment and having windshields reset following this incident I resolved to improve the handling of the coach.
I had a laser alignment done at a highly regarded otr truck specialty shop. Replaced tie rods and track bar. Still not happy I took to Wayne at fot. No difference. Took it home, checked toe with a couple tick sticks, and cranked in 1/8". Big difference, way mo bettah. Then I added the safe t plus, and gone is the twitch steer, while I haven't tested it with an off pavement excursion of a steer tire at speed, its apparent this device prevents excessive road feedback from taking control of the vehicle.
So, yes, I find it to benefit handling. I elected to add one to my big sis's 320. Chose a blu ox tru center which allows you to add some bias to overcome road crown, crosswinds. Big mistake, very wimpy in comparison w stp, not much benefit in straight line perf. The on the fly adjustment is nice occasionally but can be added to the safe t also.
My story, and I'm sticking with it. All coaches and drivers are different and blanket statements like "Foretravel don't need these things" are Ill informed at best as no one but yourself truly knows.
Wheel bearing adjustment seems to be critical to the driving experience as far as I have personally noticed
Makes sense. When I have time will do exactly that. Won't make any difference in situations like blowout etc tho. That's the primary function. Lots of outcomes are the luck of the draw, right or left tire, wide or no shoulder, oncoming traffic, physical ability and skill of driver.
Knowing you're a bike guy, ever experienced a full lock to lock tankslapper? Most tendencies in that direction are cured after hours of tweaking, alignment, redistribution of weight by the addition of a simple hydraulic stabilizer. No, it doesn't fix the root cause but it does prevent faceplant.
True on the adjustable dampener off road as the rocks push the tire side to side.
Weak forks springs from wear or as you mentioned too much front end weight on otherwise good springs can cause too steep of a steering head angle on a bike causing it to "twitch" sort of.
Hard to say that the use of a safety device is wrong so I won't.
Now that I said that I probably jinked myself.
New zxa's next week. Hopefully will not have need of the extra safety equipement.
Lots of reasons to use them although. DW driving might well be a good reason