This is my 3rd trip to Tennessee RV for various things. I have been thrilled with every visit. James Holder is awesome. He goes way back with Foretravel and owns one himself. He is such a wealth of knowledge and is patient with all of my newb questions. His team gets the job done. I always learn so much when I come here.
Dave was my tech this trip. He has 20 years of experience working on Foretravel's. I knew all would be well when I saw him take his shoes off to go in my coach. ;D
They are not satisfied until the customer is satisfied. I was also impressed that the owner, sought me out by name to thank me for my repeat business. He owns two Foretravels.
I am thrilled that they are only 3 hours away from me.
You have come here for service with confidence.
When we were having problems with our 8.2 DD turbo-charged V8 a number of people told me to contact James Holder at TN RV.
I finally did, and what a gold mine I found!!
I got all kinds of info and help and suggestions. He is very busy but takes the time to answer my questions & emails.
James has had a number of vehicles with the 8.2 DD and really likes them.
He is currently going thru his 1984 40' GV and restoring/upgrading it.
You can't go wrong with TN RV and James Holder. They were once a Foretravel dealer.
He also has a deisel Oldsmobile. 😄
My coach has a sticker that says "Foretravel of TN,Sales,Service,Parts. 1 800 627,8386. Wonder if James Holder sold it to the original owner?
Jim
Jeff & Sandy.
It is really great to learn that TN RV is still taking good care of Foretravel owners. James Holder has been a big asset to that business and to all Foretravel owners in the area. Good to hear that Roger is still doing his thing as well. Thanks for sharing your experiences here.
I bought my first three Foretravels from Jack Patterson at Foretravel of Tennessee (predecessor of TN RV). I know their service shop well. They also have an outstanding body shop out near the "Smokies" ball park at exit 407 (near old site of Foretravel of Tennessee).
When it was Foretravel, I used them exclusively. When they ba ame camping world I stopped. I hate that they lost Brad. I might have to try them again.
Mine too....as the story goes from my PO (21 year owner) he bought the coach while at Michigan International Speedway from someone that had the coach there from Foretravel of TN as a demo.
As I recall, Foretravel of Tennessee had a gold sticker they attached near the ladder on the rear of the coach much like the one Foretravel of Texas uses. This went on all new coaches they sold. I have forgotten just when Ray Fore closed this operation. Could it have been as late as 2006?
Between fall of 2003 and spring of 2004 Kodak (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=667.0)
Ray sold the company in January 2005 press release (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=1479.0) .
Agree about Brad but glad James is running the service department. Dave, the tech that worked on my coach has been working on FT's for 20 years.
The last time I spoke to Brad he had lots of good things to say about you John. He said that quietly, you know more about taking care of a FT than anyone he knew.
I won't mention any names but a person I spoke to said Camping World was a disaster and it was a happy day when they terminated the relationship. He said all they cared about was adding accessories to new coaches that we sold.
Brad is a good guy. I might have the see the f they can do my next service needs. I liked the guys who worked there and they were very giving in explaining stuff. I know I helped Brad when he changed out my radiator one time. They were down a couple guys so I said I will help you. Alan said fine but don't get hurt. You said if I do it is on me.
I also had dealings with the "old" Foretravel of Tennessee. All my experiences with the old and new have been super. James Holder (and his 2nd chair (?) Curtis have been very good. And Brad is great - but Jimmy Branson if he is still there, is just as good in my opinion.
My most recent experience was with the body shop near exit 407 - again great service above and beyond what was expected.
Tennessee RV is now Lazydays RV and James Holder is long gone. Does anyone know where he is at these days? He was working in Alcoa but is he now at Ricky's RV in Sevierville, TN?
The site of the former 'Foretravel of Tennessee' is now a Buc-ee's.
Just as an FYI, from personal experience, Lazydays in Knoxville is a no go for me. Terrible experience there after James left.
Lazydays (at least in Tennessee) also has a 15 year rule. They have to get approval from the Service Manager to work on a coach over 15 years old.