Hey folks,
We've been full timing in a 2018 Grand Designs 5th wheel for the last couple years and are starting to consider making the jump to a diesel pusher + toad. Foretravels really appeal to me because of the "bones" and overall quality. We put on around 20k miles a year and I'm tired of the poor ride quality of the 5er and the fact that it feels like I'm towing a giant cardboard box that is constantly rattling apart.
If we sell our current setup, we'd have about $50k to play with after setting aside $20k for solar and a toad and I'm trying to figure out roughly what years/models that puts in the running. The only way my wife will let me do this is if we have a living room slide so that's the only hard requirement currently (though we're open to other suggestions here!). If you had $50k to go spend on a Foretravel, what would your short list look like and why?
For context, this listing is what got us to start giving this some serious consideration: https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2002-Foretravel-U270-3610-5006927549
Edit: I should add that I tend to lean towards simplicity/low maintenance as opposed to bells and whistles so things like the aqua hot system are of less interest to me.
Thank you!
Elliott
I'd look here first. There are a couple available now that are close. Probably the best place to find one other than here is motorhomesoftexas.com, the same dealer that is selling the 270 you're interested in. I see several that are in your ballpark. It's always fun looking for a Foretravel so have a good time.
jor
We found ours at www.rvtrader.com Took us a year of looking, but we found her! This was before we knew about the forum and, as mentioned, the first place to look. You can get a pretty good idea of what prices/condition are by looking at many sites. ^.^d The ideal 'intro' ad I've seen:
By requiring a living room slide you have severely restricted your choice. AFAIK Foretravel started offering single (living room) slide models in 2000. Before that - no slides. You will have to be very flexible as far as floor plan, colors, and cosmetic condition to find a 2000 or later coach in good mechanical condition for <$50k. It is wise to have a $10k "emergency fund" to cover unexpected problems that may arise after purchase. This is
in addition to your solar/toad fund. Unless specifically deleted for a custom build, all U320 models from 2000 on will likely have AquaHot. U270 will normally have standard propane furnaces - U295 could have either heating system.
The link below is a handy reference to research various floor plans and model year equipment variations.
Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:specs)
The one you listed has the ISL engine, which is a good choice for a 36 ft. coach. Much better mileage than my ISM and still has a lot of torque.
If your budger is truly a firm $50k then you will need to convince your wife to give up the living room slide. Prices are much softer on non-slide models and you will get a lot better quality condition in a non-slide coach of the same price. My personal opinion is that the floor plan of a non-slide Foretravel is better than is found in a living-room slide model. I like our individual-chair dinette better than a u-shaped booth dinette. You can also avoid the maintenance expense of a slide if you don't have one.
We bought 36' no slide 99 U270 with 50,000 miles on it a year ago and love it! It is a simple coach with everything you need and plenty of power even if you are in a hurry.
Need to check the age of the tires, air bags and shock absorbers even if they look good. We have put about $15G into the mechanicals, maintenance and repairs that were a good idea - and our coach looked good when we were buying it!
It's an amazing ride and we prefer it to the fifth wheel or the numerous travel trailers we had.
Nice big holding tanks, great generator.
So solid and a luxurious ride, good luck, you should go to Motor homes of Texas and look around.
Elliot
Something to look at is the upper storage compartments on a non slide and a side coach, a lot of the slide coaches don't have or have very small cabinets in the slide.
I suggest that you do some research on the cost of replacing the air bladder on the slide.
The slides are not as deep as the ones on your 5th wheel so check how much extra room you get with the slide.
There is both pros and cons for both slides and non slides, people love them and some don't think they r worth it.
I have had several 5th wheels and wouldn't go back, but there is a lot to learn and you are at the right place to learn. If I may suggest that you go and look at a bunch of Foretravels before you buy, and Motorhomes of Texas will have more used coaches than you will find any where. This forum has several for sale and I feel like the ones on here are owners that have kept their coaches maintained and don't get in a hurry BUT most important is to get a pre purchase inspection.
Just my two cents
Please note that an Aqua-Hot system isn't really in the "bells and whistles" category. On our 40-ft U320 one Aqua-Hot replaces two propane furnaces and a propane water heater with one system that works on 120 V or diesel and is actually easy to maintain once you understand it. In addition a U320 offers a larger engine with more power for improved performance.
Elliot, we went from a non slide U320 to a 1 slide U320 on our second go around. We loved both of them, but the wife really wanted at least one slide this go around and so we have a 2000 U320, one slide, with a J dinette, so much easier to get in and out of than a booth dinette, in our humble opinion. We like that fact that we have the M11 450 and have plenty of power if needed. However, being full time again, we really aren't in any hurry! lol Good luck in your search, as you can't go wrong with a Foretravel.
Oh, we have had fifth wheels as well and they all have their pros and cons.
My personal feeling is no slide, but that is just me. Go with your gut.
I would go look at that coach. Seems like a good buy.
Suggest you see if Brett Wolfe is available to check it out for you. Highly recommended.
Good luck.
Bob
With the price point you mentioned you wished to invest after the tow car I would think a non slide might be necessary.
Welcome! You found the right place for all things Foretravel. You mentioned 20K for a tow car and solar. Don't forget in addition to the tow car you'll need a tow bar, hitch plate and supplemental brakes for the car. I'd look for a toad that is already set up tow. Some include the brake system.
The fiver has a lot more room than the bus will.
With your wife's misdirected slide requirement, keep your 5th wheel or you could have a marriage problem.
Foretravel slide model years cost more and slides can be expensive over time.
OR you could consider stretching and looking at
Scott & Carol L Seibert's coach. One of the best I've ever been in. Not sure if they are selling their toad as well but if they are I'm pretty positive your wife would be happy with that combination.
If I already didn't have a significant investment in mine, and I could talk my wife into it, although I don't think it would be that hard since she loved their coach as well, I'd buy it next week. But as comments have already been made suggest, going from a fifth wheel to a class A, adjustments will have to be made.
Thank you everyone, this is fantastic input and it's given me a lot to go on! TBH, I would prefer no slide because of the maintenance and how much colder they can be in cold climates. It sounds like we probably need to get some seat time in one and kick a few tires in person and maybe I'll get lucky and she'll start to budge on the slide requirement :-) Our 5er is only 30ft so it's not like we're rolling in square footage currently!
Where are you located currently, there maybe someone near you that would walk you through their coach. Most owners of FT are happy to show their coach.
Roland
We have a slide and even though I won't like paying for the maintenance/repair when something goes wrong I'm not sure I would give it up. Adds a lot more room to my coach with living room slide. And I've stayed in it in down to 15F and it was very comfortable everywhere in the coach. This slide is not like others, the bladder seals it effectively and it must be very well insulated. My wife wouldn't give it up.
Please let us know where you are located. Perhaps one of us can show you our Foretravel to give you and your wife a better idea of what you are considering.
You really need to try out some of the Foretravel floor plans. Foretravel made great use of the available space, and after the first one I looked at I knew that we were going to find the right Foretravel for us and buy it. I started out with a new Winnebago Brave in the 1970s. Got back in in 2011 with a tired Rockwood, and when the opportunity presented itself upgraded to what we now have.
Very happy with the space utilization, construction and performance.
Living room slides require flipping the floor plan. Kitchen on curb side.
When I visited with Twig and he gave us a tour of his Coach.. I was suprised on how large it was without a slide.. Didnt feel small at all.. Going from a 5er to a Motorhome can be equal depending on the brand of coach and model.. All 5th wheels are pretty much junk but not all Motorhomes are junk.. I really love my Foretravel for many reasons but interior maintenance is the biggest.. Solid.
Hi and welcome to the forum. We have a u320 with a slide and love it. Yes there are some maintenance issues with the seal but maybe you can find one that has already been replaced. The ism450 is a great motor with plenty of power. I would reconsider NOTwanting the aquahot, it is a great option. We have been in temps down to 7* and the coach was very comfortable, plus it heats the water tank bay in the basement when needed and we have never run out of hot water. You don't say where your located but if your in the Houston area I would love to show you mine. A 2000 and newer with a slide will be close to impossible to obtain with your budget. You will not believe the difference in your 5er and a Foretravel. Good luck with your search
As you can tell, each person has their own opinions, wants and needs. I spent 7 years researching the rv life style before settling into the right coach. I have a 1996 36' nonslide. I wanted the simplicity of a nonslide since I knew the learning curve was going to be huge for me starting from scratch. The DW & I both love our coach, the ride, the room, the power. That being said, she says that if we ever get another, she would like one with a slide.
We full timed for a year in ours. If I would have had the slide, I feel that I would have lost valuable storage space. Now that we are back in a sticks and bricks and use the coach for traveling shorter times and distances, that would not be so much of an issue. For vacations it isn't necessary to carry everything. We don't use all the storage available. If we were to full time again, with a slide unit, I would be looking for a 40' rig.
The big thing I would recommend is to find the right floor plan. With or without slide, if the floor plan doesn't work for you, it will be less of an enjoyable journey.
As always, Your Mileage May Vary. And as previously stated, this is just my opinion. I have lots more, but I try to keep most to myself :facepalm:
Larry
My wife once overheard me telling a customer the following, and that night questioned what I said, asking me why did I tell my customers a lie. "Know that half of what you are told is wrong, including from me." My advice is based on years of rv experience from myself and others, still your experience may be different. It is your $$$, not the guys giving you advice. You write the check, do your research, make your choices. Lots of good advice on this thread, and this forum. You definitely are on the right track starting out with a Foretravel.
In addition to feeling that it is not necessary to have a slide for full-timing, wanted to share that Cindy & I lived in our non-slide 36' over 20 years and would not have it any other way.
When I was looking, the phrase was to "buy your last coach first". With the quality built into the Foretravel, this could be my last coach, unless another GV320 came up :whistle: :whistle:
Larry
If you are going from National Park to other scenic destinations, a slide means more potential problems, less chassis rigidity and more weight. On the other hand, if you plan on long stays at only a few locations, a slide can make the coach more apartment like. But, I can't imagine wanting to take a multi-slide coach down Baja.
I bought a Born Free 28 for a good friend. It had two slides and I can't imagine traveling in it without the slides. For us and what we use our coach for, the non-slide 36 is perfect.
Pierce
Sorry for the slow response, we've been down in Baja for the last couple weeks and just crossed back yesterday :-)
We're in Phoenix for the next week or so and then Casa Grande for an Xscapers (aka Escapees) convergence. If anyone's in the area and up for a show and tell we'd love that!
Regarding floor plans: we largely remodeled our current rig to make it more accommodating for working out of. We actually don't have a table to eat at and there's a good chance we'd do something similar in our a next rig.
Lots of good stuff here, thank you all!