Was going to post this on another thread but thought better. For those who have experience with different brands, including Foretravel--
How about ease of repair, or ability to fix things either on the chassis, drive train, or the conversion itself. Or from an engineering standpoint, things that work, and things that don't.
That would be one of the sticking points if I were looking at different brands.
Think one good point would be parts availibility if you can't get parts nobody can fix it,Foretravel has the parts like Arbys has the meat.
First "separator" is rear vs side radiator. Materially effects ability to easily work on most common maintenance items.
I came from a 1998 45' 2 slide Newell so here is my opinion, for what it's worth.
FT's are much easier to service air filter, much easier to raise and block off to safely get underneath. Aquahot was easier in Newell than my 1999 FT (in middle of basement), later models are easier to service. FT definitely has better documentation, serious lack on Newell.
R&R'd my own Cat engine and rebuilt it. Was easier then some cars I have done in the past.
No special tools required, used a standard Cherry picker.....That was 8K miles ago
Chris
Chris, why did you need to rebuild it?
I agree with Brett one of the big "separator" is rear vs side radiator. I, just this year went from rear to side radiator and it is a big deal. Something else is the location of your filters and ease of acess.
Bill
Old pre serious smog rule RVs were easy to work on so out of 10, they get an 8 but suffer from poor design and construction materials. Our old GM bus was very easy, had full shop and parts manual and was super well built, so gets a 9. Our U300 without going into details that pertain to all older Foretravels, gets a 4.5. Some older Foretravels may be easier, some harder. Bluebirds/Wanderlodges with all the wiring and relays get a 3.5. The latest RVs with very complex systems and smog engines get a 1 with the commercial bus conversions like Prevost getting a 2.
Newer means more complexity along with more rigid smog rules, higher horsepower to satisfy the thirst for power and less reliability. Older RVs, while less complex, will suffer equal issues with poor choice of some materials and engineering showing up so won't be much more reliable than the new models but this depends of the previous owner and how and where the coach was driven and maintained. Unless you can do much of the work yourself, owning and operating an RV can be very expensive. Even with the best care, snake eyes comes up occasionally. Just like owning a boat, to enjoy it and keep it out of the boat yard, you better like to work on it.
A lot to be said for a VW Vanagon with manual transmission, wood blocks to level it, etc. I think this is why Sprinters have become so popular (even with auto trans in the U.S.).
Pierce
I drug our coach out of the mud in Arkansas after sitting since 2007. Some surface corrosion but so far have been able to resolve or circumvent our issues. I was a non Biased Buyer and had followed what I had learned about other coaches first. Like other problems in life everyone keep referencing To the same solution as the answer. If this is the agreement among many tossing the upper 20% and lower 20% out It made sense to me. I'm very happy with my personal choice but genuinely thought I had worked myself into a corner I couldn't get out of. IE money versus availability. I eventually found my coach and have been very pleased with it. So yes the U320 was a great fit for my expectations. I must forewarn you they are a needy Pita at times but also very rewarding to me. I consider myself a semi competent mechanic with a good all round background.
Compare them item to item and let it lead you. You'll end up back at Foretravel every time.
Note this forum Is also something to factor in! Saved my butt many times not to mention tons of coach bucks IMO
Scott
My '81 FTX is very easy to work on, actually much easier than my '99 but the advantages of the '99, water capacity, holding tanks air ride etc. more than make up for the extra work needed for maintenance and repairs. The '96 Monaco Signature was a nightmare to work on as far as electrical. No lift up dash had to remove drivers seat to work on the side panel electrical. Only took 3 years of putting up with it to go back to a Foretravel.
The ORED GV gets my unreserved vote as the best and most trouble free "RV" we've owned. After class Cs and straight pull trailers and even a slide in camper ONCE, this is what works for me.
In 1991 we were heading home from the coast and a family stop in Arizona in our Winnebago, as we rolled north of Wagon Mound NM coming the other way was Foretravel. I can't say if it was a ORED or a Unihome either way I knew that was on the list from then on, I was blown away by its beautiful shape, never got over it.
At 130,000 miles and after 9 years of ownership I've still got the same feeling. JMHO
Broken ring
Got tired of hearing "Throw away motor" which they are not. It's because they don't have cylinder sleeve's you can r&r. But you can sleeve the block which I did.
Weren't no big tang!
Just like workin' on a big O Ford Pinto
Thanks guys, Some good points to consider. I was aware of a few but some new ideas certainly to entertain.