Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: Z06Norway on November 11, 2022, 10:14:26 am
Title: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 11, 2022, 10:14:26 am
We started to lurk around RVs and what to choose. Went from newer RV`s to older ones, 2002 -2008 is what we target, and only coach with semi monococh structure. So Country Coach, Monaco, Foretravel and Beaver was on our list, and I was leaning against CC or Monaco 36 yo 39 foot size. And tag axle on short coach would give me good towing capacity, stability and load capacity.
But after reading this forum and irv2.com I think I have changed my mind. Foretravel community , assistanse and coach quality with this nice "Newell" slide out design with air bladder sealing make Foretravel now #1 on the list .
Remember I dont want any bigger than 39 foot RV , so searching for U295, U320 or Nimbus is on !
BUT and here comes a Q for those who know. Will a 36-38 foot with no tag have a less quality ride and stability over similar sized Coach with tag ?
tia Rune
BTW, time to buy will be spring time depending on economy , it doesn't look bright right now, but who knows :-)
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: bigdog on November 11, 2022, 11:37:26 am
Not sure if the tag axle delivering a more quality ride is true.
One thing I do know is that the tag will reduce the bay storage capacity.
Do you intend to flat tow a vehicle or load up a trailer?
Trailers of course can have their own issues in where to park it, depending on where you think you want to camp. I had issues with our car trailer at some of the newer super tight as well as the older forest service campgrounds.
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: WS6_Keith on November 11, 2022, 11:45:25 am
02-04 models have a 10k tow rating. Starting in 2005, that went up to 18k.
I believe all the 36' are single axle and all the 38' have tag axles. Very happy with my 38' with tag. Did have a front right blowout at 70mph on the highway and it just went straight. Having that extra set of wheels facing forward is a good thing IMO.
I once knew a Norwegian named Rune Nilsen. You by chance?
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: juicesqueezer on November 11, 2022, 03:17:58 pm
Our first Foretravel was a 40 foot U320 and we towed a 24 foot trailer all over the country. No tag and no issues. Hope this helps, as you will find in your searching, that there were not many 36 foot Foretravels around and most abundant 40 footers. I have been in National parks, city parks and county parks with no issues, so I would not rule out the 40 foot coach in my opinion. Good luck in your search and you will find this forum will be very glad to help you out with questions, etc.
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: dsd on November 11, 2022, 03:43:10 pm
1999 threw 2004 are 10K tow capacity. I too felt that a 36 would be preferred but after several years of ownership am now guessing I would never of know the difference being 40' The 36' dont have tags available. Some 38' do. Personally with the loss of cargo space due to the tag space required the 36 works well. I definitely would like the tag on a larger coach. But is also additional weight and tires. IMO 2003 and newer would be my personal direction and going with the ISM seemed to make sense to me. Are you planning on parking or driving? Aqua hots were available in some 295 but all the U320 have them. Remember they are a outstanding coach but are also 20 years old. They all will require aging maintenance. Check with your local DMV for rates on registration and emission requirements. Use the members map and seek out any members near you to actually get some Hands on experience. Pay for professional pre-purchase inspection search box at top right of this page has endless knowledge at you fingertips. I think everyone here would like to see you find your perfect coach, although it may take awhile to find. Planning ahead is great. Slide are definitely a double bladed sword. We really like ours. Good luck Scott
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 11, 2022, 03:48:47 pm
Not sure if the tag axle delivering a more quality ride is true.
One thing I do know is that the tag will reduce the bay storage capacity.
Do you intend to flat tow a vehicle or load up a trailer?
Trailers of course can have their own issues in where to park it, depending on where you think you want to camp. I had issues with our car trailer at some of the newer super tight as well as the older forest service campgrounds.
plan to flat tow, I know 10k is enough but its how it handle I was worried about
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 11, 2022, 03:51:06 pm
02-04 models have a 10k tow rating. Starting in 2005, that went up to 18k.
I believe all the 36' are single axle and all the 38' have tag axles. Very happy with my 38' with tag. Did have a front right blowout at 70mph on the highway and it just went straight. Having that extra set of wheels facing forward is a good thing IMO.
I once knew a Norwegian named Rune Nilsen. You by chance?
No :-) I am Rune Ydstebo, west coast, but Rune was a very common name start of the 60´s.
When you experienced blow out, was that accident with something or older tire and wrong air pressure ?
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 11, 2022, 03:58:48 pm
Our first Foretravel was a 40 foot U320 and we towed a 24 foot trailer all over the country. No tag and no issues. Hope this helps, as you will find in your searching, that there were not many 36 foot Foretravels around and most abundant 40 footers. I have been in National parks, city parks and county parks with no issues, so I would not rule out the 40 foot coach in my opinion. Good luck in your search and you will find this forum will be very glad to help you out with questions, etc.
Thank you all for good answers, I must clarify my 39 foot max limit. Its due to after a year vacation and drive through all your 50 states , I plan to export the RV to Norway. We do have a max 39 foot regulation for RV`s. I reside in Florida, has been in US aprox 100 times and consider it my second home. But I want to drive cross country and see it all ;-) it will most likely be a flat tow, but I would love a trailer and my Corvette in the back :-)
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: WS6_Keith on November 11, 2022, 06:37:35 pm
No :-) I am Rune Ydstebo, west coast, but Rune was a very common name start of the 60´s.
When you experienced blow out, was that accident with something or older tire and wrong air pressure ?
Figured as much. Oh well. As for the blowout, I believe I hit something in the road that I didn't see. Tires were 4 years old at the time and in great shape, no checking anywhere. The front tires had 100psi in them cold, which was just above the recommended pressure for the weight on our front axle, and about 110psi at the time of the blowout. I replaced both fronts to be safe, with the same Uniroyal RS20 steer tires and run them 10psi higher cold now, just as added "insurance". 110psi cold.
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Peter on November 11, 2022, 08:39:59 pm
I flat tow a Pontiac Sunfire with my 40foot single axle U 320 and really don't even know it is there The M 11 has loads of guts and there is very little drag even when braking. The ride is perfect as well Peter
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Johnstons on November 11, 2022, 11:27:37 pm
We have towed a Tahoe, a Suburban, and a Wrangler. Well, we towed a 69 VW convertible as well. None of them were a problem with any of our Foretravels. . I much prefer Aquahot. It's nice to buy propane once every few years and have quiet hot water and heat from electric, diesel, or engine heat.
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Olde English on November 12, 2022, 12:22:13 am
Rune, I think a 36 foot coach would suit you if only because that seems to be the most common length of tour buses in Europe. IMHO
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 12, 2022, 01:07:06 pm
Rune, I think a 36 foot coach would suit you if only because that seems to be the most common length of tour buses in Europe. IMHO
Agree, but I am fine up to 12000 mm or 12 meter, thats 39 foot and a few inches... 40 foot is 12180 mm and will not be allowed titled and registrated in Norway... So if I decide I bought a good RV, I would try and export it after US round trip.. atleast that is the plan... wife need to sell her company also... so I am in the learning process... and got a ton of good advice here and from CC owners... Before I started I was fixed on 2015-2018 RVs , Tiffin, Newmar and around 200k. But after a little research newer coaches is not as solid built as pre 2008 semi monococh from Foretravel, CC, Monaco and Beaver (and som Holiday rambler?) Anyway I enjoy lurking in here and read about bits and pieces on what to do and not to do :-)
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Jan & Richard on November 12, 2022, 08:47:45 pm
Rune,
We own a Roadtrek class B motorhome in Europe and have traveled extensively in it over the past seven or eight years. The Roadtrek, which is built in Canada, is made for the North American RV market. As such all the electrical systems are made for 120 volt, 60 hertz power. Although changing 120 to 240 volts is easy enough, changing 60 hertz to 50 hertz is much more problematic. Sensitive electronics and motors generally cannot handle the different cycles per second. Effectively, everything electrical within the coach will have to work through the inverter off the house batteries. So whatever coach you choose, get one with a house battery bank that is up to the task.
Which brings up the problem of charging the house batteries. The three choices usually are shore power, generator and solar. If the coach you choose has sufficient solar, you are golden. Generator use is very greatly frowned upon throughout Europe so the generator on our Roadtrek is just excess weight we haul around. The biggest problem we ran into is that the battery charger function of our inverter/charger will not work with 50 hertz. Our solution was to buy a simple European automotive battery charger which we connect directly to the house batteries.
As far as length is concerned, our 23 foot long Sprinter based Roadtrek is usually one of the longer motorhomes in any given RV park. We did meet a Brit in his 36 foot Foretravel, and visited with a Swedish guy in a converted tour bus that must have been a good 12 meters long.
Best of luck in your quest for the best motorhome for you. Have a wonderful tour of North America, not forgetting Alaska and Canada. And keep the ForeForum updated on your adventures both here and across the pond
Richard
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Beeman on November 13, 2022, 11:29:37 am
Hi Rune, The Florida Motorcade Chapter has an event planned at the Tampa Super Show in January. There will be 10-15 Coaches there camping all week, Tuesday to Sunday. A good place to check out different Coach sizes. There will be a 34' U-295 camping with us. Several of the rigs have significant solar and battery upgrades for dry-camping... We also have two other Rally's a year, 20 plus coaches and a very excellent "Tech Talk" session with experts.
PM me if you're around for the Tampa show, will give you more details.
Jeff
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: hdff on November 13, 2022, 12:26:30 pm
Hi Rune, welcome to the forum! i have had both and the tag axle drives a whole lot better than the non-tag. both are 40'. I have a friend with a 38' tag and except for limited basement space it is a nice coach, might be something to consider..
see ya down the road Keith
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 13, 2022, 04:08:35 pm
Hi Rune, The Florida Motorcade Chapter has an event planned at the Tampa Super Show in January. There will be 10-15 Coaches there camping all week, Tuesday to Sunday. A good place to check out different Coach sizes. There will be a 34' U-295 camping with us. Several of the rigs have significant solar and battery upgrades for dry-camping... We also have two other Rally's a year, 20 plus coaches and a very excellent "Tech Talk" session with experts.
PM me if you're around for the Tampa show, will give you more details.
Jeff
I will PM you, I go back January 24th for Rolex 24h, and send back my 35th Callaway C8
Title: Re: Hello from new potensial Foretravel owner
Post by: Z06Norway on November 13, 2022, 04:25:19 pm
We own a Roadtrek class B motorhome in Europe and have traveled extensively in it over the past seven or eight years. The Roadtrek, which is built in Canada, is made for the North American RV market. As such all the electrical systems are made for 120 volt, 60 hertz power. Although changing 120 to 240 volts is easy enough, changing 60 hertz to 50 hertz is much more problematic. Sensitive electronics and motors generally cannot handle the different cycles per second. Effectively, everything electrical within the coach will have to work through the inverter off the house batteries. So whatever coach you choose, get one with a house battery bank that is up to the task.
Which brings up the problem of charging the house batteries. The three choices usually are shore power, generator and solar. If the coach you choose has sufficient solar, you are golden. Generator use is very greatly frowned upon throughout Europe so the generator on our Roadtrek is just excess weight we haul around. The biggest problem we ran into is that the battery charger function of our inverter/charger will not work with 50 hertz. Our solution was to buy a simple European automotive battery charger which we connect directly to the house batteries.
As far as length is concerned, our 23 foot long Sprinter based Roadtrek is usually one of the longer motorhomes in any given RV park. We did meet a Brit in his 36 foot Foretravel, and visited with a Swedish guy in a converted tour bus that must have been a good 12 meters long.
Best of luck in your quest for the best motorhome for you. Have a wonderful tour of North America, not forgetting Alaska and Canada. And keep the ForeForum updated on your adventures both here and across the pond
Richard
I know of the challenges, and my plan is to swap whole coach to 240 v 50 hz.. starting with generator and swap out the generator piece to a 240 v unit. Inverter upgrade to a 110v -240 volt input inverter. Induction cook top, microwave and fridge doemstic 240 v units. electric socket swapped out to Euro type 240 volt., solar on roof and charge large bank of lithium batteries :-) AC units on roof delete, replace with mini split AC/heat pump units and find smart location for it under coach ! I want to fiberglass seal up all holes in roof not needed... Norway is a rainy country , and every possible leak point I will try to eliminate 100%. It's fiberglass, so I think a good fiberglass company can close up AC holes, take all other holes and make a raised inlet with a U crown on top. Then make lots of anchoring points/pads for future solar panel install ! (hard to describe what i mean :-). Anyway I really appreciate to lurk and learn in here, seems like a good community.