I was previously a full-time RVer (12 years). During that period, the only RV we ever owned was a Foretravel. I am now a divorced woman, and decided to get back into full-timing, so I bought a small (25 ft.) 2016 class C. Have decided I made a mistake in the size/quality of what I bought and am now looking longingly at older Foretravels. I don't have the resources to buy anything even close to new, so what I've been looking at are coaches in the 15- to 20-year-old range. My question is how old is too old when it comes to buying a Foretravel (especially when you're someone who doesn't have a lot of mechanical know how, so would have to depend on professionals for a lot of repair/maintenance work)?
Andi, welcome to the forum! FT is the only way to go, I shopped around for quality & space too, am a single woman & my coach will be 19 in February.....a few people have even asked me if she's new (other brand owners). Once you get done doing all the basic stuff, depending on a lot of factors/condition when you buy, you'll have a 1st class coach & you won't regret getting quality. I shopped a long time then found this forum & the whole world finally opened up. Lots of wonderful people & help here.
Fixing her up was a tad bit more costly in my case since she'd sat for 8 years in the Florida sun, (not good for a diesel), & had never been upgraded, so I re-did her inside & out & she's beautifully updated, last major item will be headlights & tail lights to make her look practically new again!
Anyway, tell us where you're located & maybe there will be some coaches in your area you can look at...stay on the forum, talk to some other happy FT owners, keep asking questions, check out the classifieds, don't give up...have patience & the right coach will turn up for you. If you're full timing, there are a lot of folks here who are as well, great decision to go with another FT.
Glad you're here!
Look at the Dallas craigslist area,there are a few foretravels,one wants to trade for a class c.
Welcome to the Forum! You are in the right place, and asking the right questions. IMO, the key to buying a good older coach is to know the history. If you buy from a knowledgeable owner who has kept up with the required maintenance and repairs, you are much more likely to get a good one. A coach that is used regularly is much more desirable than one that "sits" all the time. You have to exercise the systems and components - if you don't, they get cranky. Don't be fooled by "pretty" cosmetics - it is the mechanical and electrical parts underneath the skin that need to be in good shape.
If you don't feel qualified to asses the mechanical condition of a potential purchase, try to get some help. When we were shopping, by having someone else (Brett Wolfe) do an inspection we avoided buying a coach that looked great, but turned out to have many "hidden" problems. On our 2nd try at buying, we found the perfect coach (for us), and it was/is a jewel! We have never regretted our purchase, even though it was 20 years old with 150,000 miles when we got it. Old, well used and cared for Foretravel coaches can be a terrific bargain - you just need to shop carefully.
Look for a 1999 36' U-270 that has been regularly used and maintained. Good size, low complexity. Or the rare odd 34'
If you shop carefully then you should be able to find a mid-to-late 90s Foretravel in excellent condition. We've had our 1995 for almost three years, and except for replacing the refrigerator cooling unit, we've had no significant problems. However, that was because the previous owners took exceedingly good care of it and maintained excellent records.
Keep looking and shop carefully and I think you'll find the right one!
I agree with Tim, late 98 or 99's are a very good vintage. A little bit more than the 95-97 but they will perhaps will have less issues to deal with in the first year or two. 36' is a very comfortable size. And Chuck's post as well. I have seen some very well cared for and perfectly capable 93-95 U280s and U300s.
Keep asking and learning. The more you know the better buyer you will be. Good hunting.
If your budget easily allowed for a 2016 class C, you should be able to get a foretravel and pay for a lot of repairs before you approach the money invested in that brand new class C. repairs arent cheap, but an old foretravel is, and even if you can do the minor things yourself, its a huge money saver.
Dual pain Windows, ducted air, smart wheel
MOT currently has 3 or 4 in that category.
I am not entirely sure that the age of the coach is an accurate indicator of its desirability. These are not like cars or pickup trucks where mileage is often used to determine condition and pricing. Typically, a motor home is used on an ad hoc basis and usually for longer trips where the lubricants all get warmed up nicely.
If I were going to start looking seriously I would consider these factors but not necessarily in the order they're placed in:
1. Appearance (including obvious leaks, needed repairs, age, mileage, how it has been stored, maintenance records, trip records, attention to known issues for that model;
2. How long the seller has owned the coach and why he/she is selling;
3. Body style, colors, length, height, width, weight, slides, engine make and hp, transmission type;
4. Upgrades like solar, laundry, HDTVs, satellite tv, Banks, PacBrake;
5. Things that can be easily changed like tires, decals, paint, etc.;
A coach in the late 80s and early 90s will be narrower. Some will be considerable lighter (U225 and U240 for instance). Overall height, width, weight and body style can have an impact on fuel consumption, wind effects and maneuverability in tight places (and low bridges). Foretravels built before about 1996 are more likely to have the streamline look and a mid-entry door. For some of us these are important.
Other than preferring Foretravel, most of us have different ideas on all of the above. But I would not automatically cross off the Unihome styles of the late 1980s and early 1990s. For one thing, they can be bought at excellent prices and they are mostly easy to work on.
Welcome to the forum. :)
Craig
Just throwing this out there,do we stay away from the "salvage title",the ones I have seen lately are hi priced.
There is no bad Foretravel- agree with everything you said 1999 is my preference for low
Electronic engine with no emissions control, modern Cummings four stroke, durable and service everywhere Mo slide or auquahot (yes I have and love both but they do add maintenance expense and hassle) 8 airbag suspension with auto level Improvements in AC ducting
Dual pane Windows
Foretravel quality at height of execution Model had been built for years, so most bugs worked out Plentiful production leaves many examples to choose from Modern bus style look - love the GV (had one) so this is personal preference item Many nice examples in the 30-45k range Again, no bad ones, and nothing wrong with a 6v92 1993 Unihome, but since we were asked, I just chose to get pretty specific. If our new member wants a slide or Awuahot, then a U-320 or 2000-2001 would be suggested If the budget was $25 or less, than a 1993-95 Unicoach might be just the ticket But for simple, reliable and lower maintenance that was my suggestion Your other points are spot on. Used or stored? Care for or neglected)? clean and pristine vs. tired? Regular maintenance with documentation vs no record of maintenance. Amen!
John
Use the search function on the forum for "salvage title" and read those prior threads, lots of good stuff already on forum on this topic.
Welcome!! Well our FT is our first MH after years of pulling a trailer around. As some have already said look for someone that has taken care of their FT. Records, evidence of love lol.....We lucked out and our previous owner had ours for 21 years and had some not all of the records. Our 1989 has had a few issues but nothing major or out of line in the maintenance schedule. We love our older coach! Happy hunting!!
99's had an larger capacity dash heat and Air conditioning units installed. Serious summer desert use that may be an advantage.
Plus a 10k tow versus 97 and 98's 6k capacity
Catfishbob,
Glad to see hat tidbit, the dash a/c does nice job in hot summer wx.
Not to be negative but sometimes even when you think that you have done it right........
As shared before:
We purchased our coach from the wife of a departed FoFum member who owned the coach for 8 years and his repair and maintenance records were impeccable. She even had a major "reputable" RV dealer perform a PDI that generated pages of repair items on work orders. She invested many CBs for repairs - hoses, belts, fluids and lots of other stuff. Having the maint. and repair records as well as the PDI and repair work orders, I felt pretty sure that all of the bases were covered. Unfortunately the coach did sit for two years and many of the things that appeared on the PDI repair work orders had not been fixed or repaired appropriately, even thought the wife paid for them. Due to lack of use, a number of things failed soon after we exercised her.
I am not sure how exactly one would go about finding a MH with a guarantee that everything is OK. The condition is a relative matter. New does not mean "trouble free as old does not mean "lots of repairs".
Learn as much as you can about our brand and then start to look at some asking as many questions to the owner (preferably) or the sales guy. If you do not feel comfortable keep walking. You might walk past the one of your dreams that is trouble free or get one that needs lots of attention. Keep in mind the 10 CBs that FoFum members keep referring to for repairs/upgrades after you take possession of your coach. You will probably spend it. Some here have purchased their coaches and have been relative problem free. Others such as ourselves have not. We are not complaining - we love our Ol' Girl and feel it is our responsibility to take as good of care of her as we can - as did our previous owner.
Welcome to the forum. :D
To put things in perspective: Buying an old coach is like getting a new spouse without seeing a medical/psychological evaluation first. Even then there may be things wrong that won't show up for awhile.
You spin the wheel and take your chances. >:D
On the old coach or the new spouse, also check the financial statement....... Then spin the wheel.
I used "zoomthelist" which if you enter foretravel as the search term will bring up every foretravel listed on craigslist nationwide. Actually you can find anything. Be patient . Get a feel for the market. We're very happy with the 99 270 we found. Good luck.
Welcome to the fun, Andi! We're full-timing in a 1993 Foretravel U300 40' coach. We're the third owners (custodians) and enjoy it. We've had a few issues as we took a coach from one that didn't move much for several years to one that is in constant use. You already know about checking the date codes on the tires and batteries and all the rest. Check out Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs) for the various floor plans and specs. Then check out Luxury Pre-Owned Motorhome Dealer for Foretravel Newell Country Coach. (http://motorhomesoftexas.com/) for coaches that are for sale. Of course, the classifieds here will also have some. Foretravel Motorcoach - Custom Handcrafted Luxury Since 1967 (http://www.foretravel.com/) has some newer coaches that may or may not be above your budget.
As you well know, when you find one you like, make an offer of what YOU think it is worth TO YOU. The worst that can happen is the seller will laugh at you. Big deal. You might just get the coach you want at the price you want.
Okay, that's a pretty straightforward question. Here's the way I see it. I'm getting the impression that you're not wanting to get into an "open checkbook" ownership situation, and given that you won't be doing your own repairs and maintenance, will tailor my answer to this assumption.
The higher the series # of the Unicoaches, starting around '96 when they transitioned to the flat nose bus style, the more convenience features they have and the more money you will spend keeping those aging systems running. I'm not talking about the engine/drivetrain but things like dual pane windows (failing seals) aquahot heating system (nice but potentially very costly to maintain/repair), other features that are nice to have but probably not essential. So, all things being equal, a U270 will be the simplest coach (no difference in quality in or out), the U320 will be the most complex.
Engine wise, the mechanical Cummins 8.3 has a reputation as a very simple, durable engine with no electronics. Unless you're a gearhead, planning on pulling a heavy toad, a speed demon (my turtle is faster than yours :)) there's no advantage to the higher horsepower electronic engine. They will both do the same job. There are other engines including Cat and Detroit but I'm not qualified to comment on them.
What year? Well, for the Unicoaches, non slide models, 97,98,99 are the high demand years and good examples command a relative premium. You can get more coach by buying a 96 though it lacks dual pane windows, ducted air, the entry door is an inch or so narrower but no true functional difference.
Earlier year models prior to the Unicoach, are where the real bargains lie. These elegant looking coaches (they have a sloped front), it's possible to find a near perfect model that a prior owner has upgraded, pampered and improved. The perception of them due to age (over 20 years) limits their value, this is to your advantage. These Grand Villa styles, I'd give them strong consideration. GV owners tend to be a little fanatical about their coaches, and for good reason. They are fully depreciated, get one in good shape, buy it right, take care of it, and you'll not go far wrong.
I would strongly advise you to take your time, take advantage of the generous nature of the folks on this forum, make some decisions regarding budget for purchase, and ask folks here to keep an eye out for a particularly nice and well cared for coach. That's a whole lot more important than year model.
It is truly how your luck is running I guess, For me, I purchased my 2001 from MOT about 8 yrs ago, it had been a garage kept puppy, still is, for the first 5 years, the only money I spent on it was for upgrades and oil changes. So I am the happy camper as they say. Dependability is key.
Welcome, AndiT! We're honking along in a twenty year old beauty and loving it. Chuck's post above really sums up our feelings well. If you can pay about Ten Cents on the Dollar (MSRP in old 1990's Bucks) and budget some fix-up money (the Ten Coach Bucks may be about right)...and allow for an emergency fund (Fuel line$ in my case) you should be alright, providing you checked out the coach well, perhaps using a professional.
Great products as you know. Long history. And the best part for me has been all the help I have asked for on this Forum—and received! I feel very fortunate to cruise across our country in one of these well-designed old Babies. (Can we still say Babies??)
BTW, Motorhomes of Texas, and other businesses, always have a few, newer Class C coaches that have similar stories as your coach. All the best! Paul
As an owner of a 19-year old Foretravel, I can say that I don't think ours is too old. We've certainly had our issues - some expected, some not - but overall, I've been very pleased with the coach and won't hesitate to spend more money to upgrade if/when we can use it more. I bought it to learn about the lifestyle, and I sure have learned a lot.
As of now - new fridge, new AC units, new brakes (pads, rotors, helper springs), hydraulic fan rebuild, steering gear rebuild, tires, rear air springs, air dryer and miscellaneous little other things like water pump. Several coach bucks spent; I've still spent less than the cost of the 5th wheel I almost bought prior to finding the FT.
This forum, and the great folks here who have helped me both virtually and in person - have made our FT ownership experience a good one overall.
The lowest prices are already a few years behind us. I bought my little U225 "entry-level coach" ($250,000 in 1993 when you could buy a brand new Dodge diesel pickup for $20,000) for much less than what they are going for now. It was at the nadir of RV pricing and the seller was about to lose his house and his wife if he couldn't sell the motor home he paid $40,000 for just two years previous. I bought it for less than $20,000 with a Banks package and a Pacbrake already installed.
Who knows, I might actually make money on it. Although not likely to find anyone willing to pay a premium for the upgrades I've installed and those have eaten up my profits. :P
Great Foretravel motor homes all over the place at still-great prices. I see a Special Edition wide-body U300 GV for $30,000 and I just go, "oh, my!"
Craig :)
Always walk the campgrounds like today and look at all the park models being driven in.
We usually are the only non slide Rv's in a state campground
True... even the teardrop trailers have slides now.
Craig
While Chuck's entire post is generally quite accurate, please don't let his statements keep you from buying a U320 if it's the "right" one. The most important thing (at least for me) when buying a vehicle is to evaluate the seller--as well as the vehicle. While a U320 is somewhat more complex than a U270, the most important consideration is the quality of the vehicle and the seller. It can cost far less in the long run to buy (and maintain) a U320 that has been properly used and maintained than it would cost to maintain and repair/replace components on a U270 that has not received the appropriate use and care.
Agree 100%. Be a smart shopper, don't get in a hurry, find the kind of coach where the owner is not just wanting to sell, they are also looking for someone who will treat their coach as they have.
I Have both a 1990 36' U280 with Mechanical 3208T Cat engine and a 96' 40' U320 with Cummins M11 engine. Both are reliable coaches and wonderful to drive. The 96' U320 does have dual pane Windows, and I wish it didn't--- window seal creep happens with age. It does have aquahot-- again, wish it didn't, expensive to keep going and complex lots of maintenance.
The older 1990 all mechanical Unihome coach with single pane Windows, propane furnaces and water heater and manual leveling is far simpler and less costly to maintain. It is absolutely stone reliable--- I would take it anywhere with confidence.
The U320 has more room, more amenities, is fancier and has a larger bathroom. It too is reliable, but does cost more to keep running and maintain. We bought it because we wanted the extra width and room and we love it. The fuel mileage is a little less on the U320 , about 2 mpg less.
We will be selling our beloved U280 "Cosmic Hippo" n the near future, but not because it is a lesser coach, we just don't need two.
Just to provide some additional information for the prospective buyer:
Our 1995 U320 does not have dual-pane windows. I believe they were optional in 1996 and became standard in 1997. Even some coaches of that era with dual-pane windows no longer have the seal-creep issues, since they have already been repaired or replaced.
Our 1995 U320 does have an Aqua-Hot, but it has not required complex or expensive maintenance in the three years we've owned it. I have replaced one relay that failed, but that was an easy, inexpensive replacement. In my experience, LP-gas furnaces and water heaters are more of a maintenance headache than is our Aqua-Hot.
Yes, window creep an issue. Not too expensive to repair if you can swing by Hudson FL. Full timers might see some more cold weather I would like to have dual pane windows in that situation
The temps swings in a propane furnace drove us crazy. Too hot. Too cold. And drys the air out.
Thanks to everyone for their input. Much more than I expected. I have printed out the replies, and they are much highlighted and notated.
If anyone knows of older Foretravels reasonably close to Austin, where I live, that might be contenders, I'd appreciate knowing about them. A 34' would be terrific (realize there aren't many out there), a 36' is really the max size I'd want.
And what are your thoughts about Unihomes versus Unicoaches? I've never driven a bus front so don't know how they compare.
I've also been told that there are some of you that have the FTXs. I'd love to talk about that, as we had two (a 35' gas and a 38' diesel), and the 38' was my favorite of the five Foretravels that we owned. Is it still possible to find something that old in acceptable shape?
Possible? Anything is possible. Easy? Probably not...will take perseverance and patience, and might require that you travel. Use every online search engine you can find - there are MANY of them. You might get lucky!
Andi
Unicoach and unihome both drive very well - yes you can find some very nice ones, ad some not so nice ones/ Living in Austin, suggest a trip over to Nacogdoches to see there inventory - lots to look at and will give you a great perspective on the current market pricing - mostly unicoaches (bus style) of course
Motorhomes of Texas Luxury Pre-Owned Motorhome Dealer for Foretravel Newell Country Coach. (http://www.motorhomesoftexas.com)
Seeing if you can get a knowledgable inspection from someone such as Brett Wolfe will give you a WEALTH of knowledge and help keep the "unknowns" to a minimum
Yes, you can get great oder coaches. And a few not so great ones, but the good ones outnumber the tired ones. I was just at the GranVention (Motorcade club) and saw dozens of wonderful lovingly maintained older Foretravels. In fact a member of the Forum was there with an absolutely PRISTINE 34' U-270. (Don't think it is for sale just yet).
Do your homework, find something in your price that has been used regularly and maintained regularly (with documentation to prove it), have it inspected by a knowledgeable Foretravel person and you should be fine. Budget 10% of the purchase price for extra maintenance in the first year and when stuff breaks early on you won't be so upset. Coaches used full time actually tend to need less maintenance than those that sit.
Good Luck and welcome!
Hi Andi - Welcome to the forum, & the wonderful world of Foretravel.
As others have said, take your time, have it inspected, be prepared to spend that 10k for upgrades & maintenance, but DON'T be afraid to buy the "Right" coach.
I bought the 1st Foretravel I looked at, I had looked at & researched a lot of other coaches. The FT just felt right. I couldn't be happier.
That said - check this 1 in Florida - Foretravel U-295 diesel motorhome (http://ocala.craigslist.org/rvs/5282845925.html)
I know nothing about it, but the ad looks good, $ is right.
Again, have the coach inspected or ask for help here. Many of our members love to go look at coaches. (Don't we all?)
Good Luck with your search - Cheers Ric :thumbsup:
Bob, The older stainless steel case heaters that do NOT have an electronic control board operate as you described. A set of thermostats diesel and a set for the electric element. Electric comes on sooner than the diesel and then the diesel if the electric can not keep up.
Sounds like your 38' FTX was pre 85? The six bolt wheel chassis rode beautifully. 22,500 GVW
I
I would be a bit concerned taking my ol' man's late model class C out right now, but if would load up our '89 and take off cross country without the slightest worry. Shop patiently and the right one will come along.
We just blasted back and forth to Port Aransas from the Texas Hill Counrty in our '95 without a sneeze! Good ride of 400 miles in air-conditioned comfort. Our newly-widowed buddy needed to de-commission their boat and our coach made it easy to move lots of gear in a quiet environment. What a luxury the Foretravels can be. And a comfort.
I'm a bit off topic, but our older coach came through for us. (I'll be back, posting white-knuckled and stalled in West Hubcap, USA again, but for now, I am thrilled with the old coach.) All the best, Paul
Yes, our old 38' FTX was a 1983 with the old Oshkosh chassis. Had a horribly underpowered Detroit diesel, but we loved it enough to have Foretravel redo the interior for us, and we restriped the exterior ourselves (in a nice brown instead of the orange) and had the bottom painted to match.
Love to see the pics if you have any.
Call me old fashioned, but I sure love the style of our coaches! ^.^d
Seems you know just what you want in size etc. We have a '95 U320. After having it serviced we took it down to the Gulf from Chicago via the Air Force One factory, over 1,000 miles without a thought of it giving problems. Don't worry about age or mileage. Proper maintenance and repair along with regular use is what matters. Have it inspected by someone knowledgeable with these coaches. Brett Wolf is in your area I believe. Also the old adage of "If you don't have it it can't break" holds true. A non slide, non aqua-hot might work better for you. Then we have gas furnaces but use a couple of electric heaters most of the time. Fits my cheap Yorkshire tastes!
Keith
We have a couple of liquid-filled electric radiators that we use (even down here it will freeze). They are quiet and seem to not consume much power. ^.^d
Ah gee, wish I did have those pictures, but unfortunately, my ex ended up with those after the divorce...
I will tell you a pretty amazing story about the ol' gal, though. When we finally decided to trade for a 1992 36' Grand Villa (3208 Cat), we moved all of our stuff from our '83 to our '92 in the back lot of the dealer, after which my husband moved our old coach out front before it had been cleaned up, and in less than an hour, someone had stopped, checked her out and wanted to take her for a test drive. Because the dealer hadn't had her long enough to really know her very well yet, they came and got my husband to do the test drive with the customer and answer questions. Not sure if that couple ended up buying her or not, but that's just how good she looked, inside and out.
You can find lots of older Foretravels on Craigslist and can search nationwide at Craigslist Search Engine: Easily Search ALL of Craigslist (http://zoomthelist.com). I boondock almost 100% of the time so I appreciate the propane appliances Foretravel installed before they switched everything over to electric. The cost of solar panels has come down to the point where they pay for themselves very quickly.
I use a Verizon Jetpack for internet access and am very happy with their coverage and rates. I use Google Voice for free phone service.
If any of you single gals want to meet up for a cup of coffee I'll be in Laughlin, NV for the next few months.