From Grandvention 2023 Mineola, TX (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=46967.msg476636#msg476636)
So - Tampa is just over a week away. Any spy shots from Nac? Any details being leaked (such as which Freightliner chassis - M2-106, S2RV, Cascadia)?
I'll be at the show looking at leisure travel vans.(have one on order-long wait list) Will post anything interesting
Thanks - good stuff for the forum if the test coach materializes.
BTW, we had an LTV for a few years, post-Foretravel, and Brad Slaughter has one now (not ours).
The SuperC will be a 4x4, or whatever you call such a thing. Hold up is that the 4x4 production from the chassis manufacturer was on hold as of last October.
If they're thinking "expedition vehicle" like a Unimog, it sounds like they're getting very bad product guidance... You think they'd have learned after the class B "Micro Villa" they tried to market...
Hopefully by "4x4" he's referring to tandem drive axles. But I guess technically that would by 6x4 so maybe not.
I really hope they're not going down the earthroamer trail, that market is swamped with some established operators and a rising number of hopefuls. 4x4 shouts minimalist nonsense, my thought is that Foretravel fit, finish and luxury appointments will shrapnel unless mounted on a chassis like a CCC or MAN.
IMHO
If they build a Super C it should be high end on Freightliner Cascadia or equivalent and not the relatively tiny 4 * 4 Super C market.
Fortravel is getting their direction from Blue Compass. Which somewhat scares me.
It would seem a more appropriate target, but Renegade and Showhauler dominate that space. Renegade's used the same HWH air bladder slides on their Ikon for well over 15 years.
The M2-106/112 space has even more experienced and established competition (as Newmar is discovering) as well.
I did not know Renegade used any bladder slides. Ikon is gone, XL apparently replaced it.
It will interesting to see what Foretravel is building as a test coach. I thought the IC-37 would be more popular and continued, so who knows.
That was the only Renegade model I knew of to have the bladder slides, unless the XL now uses them. (ETA - nope, looks like standard flange/bulb sealing.)
I think the IC-37's issues were floorplan (almost no kitchen counter space) and exterior. The front cap and paint design was pretty off-putting, IMHO. It looked more like a Thor ACE front engine gasser than a Foretravel. I agree that it could have been a lot more popular if it had been done differently. Pricewise, it competed with the Newmar NewAire which, while shorter, presented as a much nicer, higher amenity offering with better, more well-thought-out floorplans.
Tampa Show:
Dealers/Manufacturer Archives - Florida RV Trade AssociationFlorida RV Trade... (https://www.frvta.org/member-type/dealer-manufacturer/)
Thanks Dan.
I guess Foretravel/Blue Compass didn't bring their prototype like Lyle Reed had announced in October.
Interesting that they said they were doing a super c. I love my c and would not go back to a class an again. Service is so much simpler and cheaper and the ride is great. I was talking to a couple super c owners and they get about 10-12 mpg as well.
Thinking more about this, it sounds like once again they are going with something that's not common in the market. Clearly not a Freightliner chassis, which is the most common Super C "underpinning". I can't think of any common truck-based chassis currently on hold (although perhaps this indicates there is a "diesel-gate"-like underlying issue with whatever they prototyped on - Dodge Cummins-based Ram?). That means whatever they are prototyping is something that might have issues getting service down the line.
Showhauler built a few 4*4 Super C's. I think some were on Freightliner chassis.
Well it looks like Blue Compass has posted pics of the supper C. Seems like if they wanted us die hard owners to see it we wouldn't have to go around the bush and find info. But if you are interested the coach has been unveiled today.
Pamela & Mike
Looks like any other super c... can't say I'm a fan of this black wheel trend they're on.
Great scope out. Any other details found? Chassis?
Also not a fan of the black wheels or the black cab. Almost has a Jayco/Thor vibe.
Seems to have a rather large rear overhang.
Sorry that's all I've got, borrowed it from Facebook. I noticed the large tailswing too and agree about the Thor vibe. It definitely does not present with the same prestige most foretravels do.
I agree about the black wheels, they look like you had to put spare tires on the coach.
Looks like a low end chassis. S2RV or M2 at best.
S2RV Front-Engine Super-C Class RV Chassis | FCCC (https://www.fcccrv.com/chassis/s2rv/)
M2 106 Plus | Freightliner Trucks (https://www.freightliner.com/trucks/m2-106-plus/)
$560,000
You Tube of the "supper" C. Valerium on front cap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gAqku3CKNg
Personally not impressed. Low end chassis from Foretravel? And as others said large tail swing. And around 560K retail from the posted pic.
Tastefully done interior but that kitchen sink is too large...I'd rather have the counter space.
Why not put "Foretravel" in place of Valerium up front? At least a few people have heard of Foretravel.
I don't care for new wood materials at all, including in the new Foretravel's, The only benefit I see to Super C would be service work being done at a Heavy Duty Truck Center while traveling. And some of them will not work on a Motor Home. Not a fan of large rear hang over either with the small rear tires. I do like that they are looking at new product lines. The price seem high for a Super C at 560K if that is a correct price. I would not trade what I have for it, Way more craftsmanship in cabinetry, overall engineering and value in the older Foretravels.
$65k more than Newmar's SuperStar
$75-100K more than a Renegade Verona LE
on par with the Renegade Explorer which is on the Cascadia chassis
If I were in the market for a Super C I would be more inclined to spend about half or less and purchase an older one with a bit more class...
I'm a firm believer in buying high end older coaches. Much of the worst depreciation is over, and you still get the build quality.
Valerium? Is that birth control med or anti-depressant??? Foretravel has completely given up on marketing. :( :(
Underwhelmed!
Clone of the Entegra Accolade XL? That's on an S2RV chassis. Appears to have the same rear overhang and style of paint job. Maybe to appeal to the dirt/offroad motorsports crowd (especially with that party-seating layout)?
Foretravel is not in the marking business anymore. That is what Blue Compass is doing.
Foretravel is getting their direction from Blue Compass so I am guessing Blue Compass feels there their might be a market for this.
Are their any Foretravel employees at Tampa, or just Blue Compass dealers?
Tyle Fore is in attendance and at least one other. At least two new Foretravel coaches sold yesterday. Very impressive display, indoors across from Prevost
What is Blue Compass, have not heard that term.
I was not familiar with them either.
https://www.bluecompassrv.com/about-us
https://www.bluecompassrv.com/blog/rv-retailer-announces-rebranding-to-blue-compass-rv/
Blue Compass RV (formerly RV Retailer LLC) with over 100 full-service RV dealerships
To add to Dan's info...
Blue Compass started as RV Retailer LLC - 2 guys that left AutoNation to start their own RV dealership company. Their first acquisition was Motorhome Specialists in Alvaredo, Texas (aka MHSRV) which they bought from the O'Banion family. The O'Banions were the ones who were the sole dealer for the Realm when it was announced (and were the ones who spec'd it). Donny O'Banion remains on their management team.
RV Retailer LLC then bought a couple of RV One dealerships in Florida, which is when you saw those dealerships start selling Foretravel (2018)
They have continued their acquisition plan, buying up family-owned RV dealerships around the country. They have since rebranded to Blue Compass and now also own over 100 dealerships and last year acquired Coach-Net.
They and Lazy Days seem to be competing to see who can buy up the most existing RV dealers. Kind of like Camping World/Marcus Lemonis did 15-20 years ago.
Did a little digging this morning - it's on the lesser S2RV chassis, so it would be a 360 ISB.
Competitors are the Entegra Accolade, Jayco Seneca, and Renegade Valencia, plus a few Thor offerings, all with "MSRP" in the $300K range, so at $560K it's priced nearly double.
S2RV Front-Engine Super-C Class RV Chassis | FCCC (https://www.fcccrv.com/chassis/s2rv/)
What a sad day to see FT competing with Thor and Jayco
Just saw another photo that the MSRP is $680K. The $560K is after show discount :o
So yeah, more than double the price of anything else on the S2RV chassis.
Thanks for the Blue Compass info.
Instead of low end chassis Super Cs Foretravel should (in my opinion) try (again) a high end Class A sub 40'. Not everyone wants a 45' coach. The IC 37 was ok, but not as well executed as some of the competition.
Or at least if building a SuperC do it on a high end chassis like the Cascadia, not the S2RV. The competition aimed for should be Renegade Classic, XL and Explorer.
Best ones to emulate for shorter high end Class A's are Newmar NewAire 35'10" ISL 450 Hp 1250 tq and Newmar MountainAire 38'10" Cummins X12 525 Hp 1695 tq.
I especially like what Newmar did with the Mountain Aire, but big money just like new Foretravels.
Our 2003 U320 40' tag is VERY good for the money compared to the MtAire($$$$) and far less new technology to have issues with as time goes on.
The super C drive better than the DP style , service much better. As they get longer the rear over hang starts to degrade steering as well as turning radius . The sweet size seems to be around 36. My bud with an older C is trying to modify the steering so that he can stay in less than 3 lanes on right turns.