NOTE: These are our thoughts and are not intended to represent the thoughts and opinions of other Foretravel owners who are welcome to add their own thoughts to those we post here.
For the first time in the seven years we're parked in the same location for five months in our Foretravel. This is giving us time to reflect on the nearly 10 years we've spent thinking about a motorhome, looking for a motorhome and enjoying the Foretravel we eventually found. Over the years we've also had a number of people who've stopped by to ask about the lifestyle and Foretravel...both young folks as well as those nearing or in retirement.
Background
I've been camping for over 60 years. Tent camping as a child and continuing through College and early married life. After the kids were born we bought a new Coleman pop-up ($15k) with AC, electric/propane fridge and furnace. With king beds at both ends it had comfortable seeping for 4. We enjoyed weekend camping in state parks, Fort Wilderness in Orlando and 2 week vacations in the Carolinas. After the kids were out of high school we purchased a used, like new, 30' Heartland 5th wheel with 3 slides and a like new used Ford F250 diesel truck. The 5th wheel had 15k AC, propane/electric fridge/freezer, water heater and furnace. No generator so we were tied to the post except for fall/winter/spring dry camping. That rig and truck cost about $45k and we probably spent another $5k to upgrade tires, suspension and some better interior furniture. That rig was terrific...easy to tow...super comfortable and roomy for the two of us for long weekends in state parks, rallies and the occasional 2 week vacation.
Camping Style...SITTING vs MOVING
In each case we were vacation camping so 2-3 weeks was the limit and to enjoy as much time camping as possible we typically were limited to camping in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The only "MOVING" was the route to and from the campground. Once "SITTING" in the campground we could unpack and enjoy the campsite and use the truck to explore
In anticipation of retirement we knew that we wanted to be out of Florida for heat/hurricane season so we'd be gone 4-6 months a year....spring to fall. Our travel bucket list included exploring all 4 corners of the US and Canada so we'd be MOVING much more than we ever had. SITTING would be limited to 3-5 days, max 7-10 days, in a single location. How much Sitting vs Moving you plan to do, in our opinion, has impact on the type of rig you might consider.
Travel Style - Pull-Behind
Maintenance is required for anything mechanical. With a "pull-behind" style campers (trailer or 5th wheel) maintenance typically means care for tires and suspensions. If your rig has hydraulic or electrical "jacks" there is rather simple maintenance involved. Most any camping "store" or mobile RV service can work on this type of camper.
If you're "campground camping" with hookups no generator is needed. Even dry camping with AC can be accomplished with a smallish gas generator. Because water/wastewater tanks are generally smaller your time without sewer, dump or "off the grid" is probably limited to less than a week.
Problems with this style of camper are typically confined to the 1st year if purchased new....like all new campers regardless of type. After these bugs are worked out, or if you purchased a well-maintained used rig, your typically going to need minimal annual maintenance costs to stay on the road. This includes, importantly, proper service of your propane appliances (checking burner gas flow & ensuring bugs haven't built nests) to ensure they remain safe to use each year. Batteries should also be kept charged and tires covered, checked annually and replaced every 3-5 years based on wear and condition. When you're done camping many pull-behinds can be kept at home. Only the biggest trailers or 5th wheels will require a storage lot and can be kept in generally good condition by purchasing a cover. Yes, you may spend additional money to upgrade furniture, TV's or appliances but its unlikely you'll be buying a 20+ year old pull-behind camper unless you buy a classic Airstream or a high end older 5th wheel.
Most pull-behind tow vehicles, cars or trucks, are also easy to maintain. They can be serviced at virtually any service station or dealer in the country. In addition these can be your "daily driver" when your not camping so things like batteries, oil changes, tire rotation and balance are easy and benefit from regular use. Got a problem with your tow vehicle while on the road? Your "home" can remain accessible in a campground with a rental car providing transportation while you wait for your car/truck to be fixed.
Travel Style - Motorhome
There are certainly many folks who find a pull-behind perfectly adequate for traveling around the country as well as long-term or "full-time" camping. Since our pace of travel would involve longer distances and generally more frequent moves we wanted to purchase a motorhome... there's something about sitting high off the ground with that big picture window to watch the world go by. Passenger bathroom breaks can be accomplished without stopping. Snacks and drinks can also be had without stopping. They're also generally quieter when parked.
Your choice of towed vehicle behind your motorhome can also be customized to your style from a small "smart car" to a big off-road vehicle. These too could be your daily driver when you're not camping and are generally easy too maintain wherever your travels take you.
Maintenance of a motorhome is generally more expensive than a pull-behind camper since you a have 2nd heavy duty truck type engine and transmission and generally heavier duty suspensions, brakes and tires.
There are more motorhome choices in the market today than ever. We regularly attend the RV Supershow in Tampa and look everything from Class B/C/Super C and Class A rigs. The attached screen grab shows prices for new rigs of all types.
Why a Foretravel Motorhome?
The Foretravel brand is generally regarded as one of the highest quality motorhomes ever built, especially those from the mid-90's through mid-2000's. Prices for this era of classic Foretravel range from as low as $25,000 so why would anyone buy a new motorhome of any style, given even Entry level RV prices as shown above. The answer is that a cosmetically and mechanically updated Foretravel from this era will still be less expensive than a "luxury class A gas rig" and a fraction of today's "luxury class A diesel". And, if properly updated, th will probably have next to no down time during it first years of service compared to a host of new rig "bugs" that keep many new gas and diesel rigs in the shop during too much of their first year of service.
I'll constrain the rest of my comments to models starting in 1995, specifically Unicoach U270, U295, and U320 model numbers. See Wiki on ForeForum 50 Reasons to love your Foretravel (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=through_the_years:tolove).
Of note during this period were important features like ducted air, screen door and dual pane windows added in 1997. From 1997 thru 2005 U270s came standard with rooftop AC's with Heat Strips, not Heat Pumps. Some U270s may have had Heat Pumps installed as options. In 1999 ducted Air Conditioning w/(2) 13,500 btu Roof AC w/ Heat Pumps instead of Heat strips were standard and in late 1999 slide outs were offered in 36' and larger coaches although only a literal handful of 34' single slide models were made. In 2001 Foretravel introduced painted Foretravels as opposed to decals as an option and full body paint became standard in 2003.
Even the least expensive of this generation approached $200,000 and could easily run 2-4+ times more expensive for larger "designer" coaches. Whether the original purchaser bought the least or most expensive versions they got the same quality of chassis construction and higher horsepower and power-to-weight drivetrain combinations than most other motorhomes. Hardwood, hand-made cabinetry was all done in the Foretravel shop in Nacogdoches. The air-operated suspensions and hydraulic/air slide mechanisms were, and are today, among the very best money could buy. Original purchasers could order their rigs to meet their own tastes including those of the U270 trim which could be custom ordered with many U295 and/or U320 features.
In my experience most of the original and subsequent purchasers of Foretravels respected and cared for their rigs as well or batter than any other brand. As a result its not unusually to still see even 1970-1980's era Foretravels on the road...some even under original ownership.
Unfortunately, because Foretravels were so well built, many systems could last for much longer than "normal" on other brands. As the years have gone by it's not unusual to find coaches of this generation selling for a small fraction of their original price, often with significant deferred maintenance and system replacement. Unwary new purchasers can find the their initial investment is a small fraction of what it takes to keep these classic Foretravel's the trouble-free RV adventure all hope for.
ForeForum
Its a tribute to the early Foretravel owners that a large and welcoming community of owners have gathered online to share their Foretravel experiences as well as invaluable tips and tricks. Thousands of posts by hundreds of users deal most any topic imaginable. We've had questions answered in minutes while on the road!
You'll quickly discover that many ForeForum members come from a wealth of technical backgrounds including farming, trucking, engineering both formal and self-taught. I am NOT one of these but even the dumbest of my questions were quickly answered in a positive and friendly manner for which I will forever be grateful. You'll still find the post of RIP, now deceased, members whose expertise and friendship live on,.
What to Consider when Considering the Purchase of Foretravel
Your Foretravel Camping Style - Length
Fortravel lengths included 34', 36', 38', 40' and 42' with dual rear axles available on some 38', 40' and 42' models. Longer coaches generally mean more living room, kitchen and storage, both inside and in lower storage bays. This longer length and greater storage obviously comes with greater weight and some decrease in maneuverability. Foretravel engines and transmissions were selected with more horsepower and torque than competing brands easily compensating for longer length and greater weight. The lengths with the greatest power to weight ratio were the 36' and 34' lengths respectively but ALL lengths had generally more power to weight than other competing brands. Its my understanding that 36' and 40' models were produced in greater numbers than 34', 38' or 42' models.
In generally all lengths of Foretravels have more than adequate storage both inside and below. Take a look around your home and consider your non-camping lifestyle. If you already like lots of storage for more "things"and more "supplies" there's a Foretravel length to make you happy.
Your Foretravel Camping Style - Slides
Until 1999 Foretravel models of all lengths had no slides. Beginning in 1999 Foretravel began offering slide as well as non-slide versions. From 2-4 slides were offered on various length Unicoach models.
Slides equate to more interior square footage, generally noticed in living rooms and kitchens when parked and opened. Some longer coaches had bedroom slides as well. Since living room/bedroom slides must be drawn inward when traveling they reduce the amount of floorspace when traveling or parked overnight. Slides can also impact the amount of accessible interior storage when slides are drawn in. Slide mechanisms also take added space in exterior storage bays with this impact seen more in shorter length coaches with slides.
Slides also add complexity and significant expense for maintenance and replacement of components that may have seen a decade + of use. A quick Search of "slide problems" on Foreforum shows the types and costs for repair and maintenance of slide systems. If properly serviced and updated these slide mechanisms function as well as they did new.
Your Foretravel Camping Style - Appliances and Systems
Its my understanding that Foretravel Unicoach models discussed here all originally had propane/electric refrigerator/freezers and propane range tops and electric microwave convection ovens. Refrigerator/freezers came in single door models on 34' and some 36' models with side-by-side models for some 36' and all longer coaches. Standalone dedicated electric Uline icemakers were also common although many side-by-side refrigerators had internal icemakers.
Hot water and heat were produced by propane/electric systems on U270 and some U295 models. Propane/electric systems have been in use for many decades and are easy to maintain and safe to use if regularly serviced. They can also be serviced by virtually any RV facility or mobile mechanic anywhere in the country.
Many U295 and virtually all U320 models came with Aqua-Hot type hydronic hot water and forced air heating systems which use diesel fuel boilers and electric elements to heat virtually endless hot water and forced air hot water radiator type heating systems. These hydronic type systems are quiet and users rave about the quality of the heat and endless hot water. They come, however, with the added cost to maintain these systems or rebuild them if maintenance has been neglected. These coaches used a smaller propane tank to fuel stovetop burners. Some owners had converted their rigs to all-electric by exchanging propane cooktops for induction models but it should be noted that electric requirements of induction cooktops often require generator use or greater than 30 amp shore power when used in conjunction with other electric demands. Most campers carry at least some form of Weber type propane grill for exterior use.ser
Perhaps the best feature of all Foretravel coaches were the huge storage capacity for freshwater, grey and black water. Its tank capacities exceed all but the newest high-end coaches of today:
Diesel fuel capacity: 148 gals or more on longer lengths.
Freshwater tank – 105 gals.
Greywater tank – 110 gals, and black water 54 gals.
These capacities mean, in our experience, up to 10+ days of dry camping without hookups. Usually fresh water is the single greatest limit to the number of days dry camping.
Diesel generators of 8-12kw of capacity allow all Foretravel models to run all electric systems without the need for electric power hookups while on the road, overnighting or dry camping. Since these coaches were built for 50 amp shore power hookups or diesel generator use, care must be taken to understand limitations on use of 30 amp campground power or smaller household electric circuits when "driveway" camping.
Electric systems included inverters and house batteries to produce 120v house current for at least short or overnight periods of time without use of the generator. These short periods generally resulted from the use of lead acid type battery varieties available when these coaches were new or newer lead acid Gel or AGM alternatives.. These lead acid type batteries typically required daily use of the generator for recharging and typically could not support use of air conditioning by themselves. Some older coaches may have been upgraded with newer higher capacity inverters and lithium house batteries that can allow use of nearly all systems for longer periods, especially if paired with adequate solar panels for recharging.
Entertainment systems originally installed were generally older style non-flat screen TV's with their larger storage cabinet requirements. Music and TV sound ranged from conventional speakers to larger Bose sound systems. TV sources included rooftop over the air antennas and hookups for cable TV when available in campgrounds. Many owners chose to install rooftop satellite TV systems.
These generations of coaches also had hookups for standard telephones when campgrounds offered traditional telephone service....my how things have changed.
The Pro's and Con's of Purchasing a 20+ Year old Foretravel
Because they were so well built the core structure of a Foretravel motorhome can remain, if properly maintained, as solid as when they were first put into service.
The key structural issue with Foretravel is the condition of the bulkhead structures in front of the rear axle and behind the front axle. These steel members run the width of the coach and provide the structure which ties together the other front to back and side to side structural members. While its my understanding that there is no inherent design structural defect in this construction method, over the years the potential for decay in these members can occur if water intrusion is permitted into these areas. A careful pre-purchase inspection can reveal potential issues. Repairs to this structure can be easily made but can result in significant cost to remedy.
While the entire design of this generation of Foretravels used only the highest quality components, its important to remember that any original equipment is now 20+ years old. While this generation of Foretravel can be seen listed for sale at prices as low as $25,000 a potential owner should be careful to consider the expense to repair or replace the following components and/or systems. Only a qualified and detailed pre-purchase inspection can reveal these possible additional costs:
Tires
Brakes & wheel bearings
Shock absorbers
Steering mechanism
Rubber air bag suspension and related pumps, valves, computer control boards and connections
Engine and generator hoses and belts
Fuel lines from tanks to engine and generator
Engine and transmission fluids and filters
Generator fluids and filters
Aqua-hot system components, lines and radiators
Slide hydraulic systems and rubber slide seal bladders and air pumps
Refrigerator System condition, especially propane fired systems
Condition of air conditioning systems
Condition of seating, window shades and valances and cabinetry
Condition of start and house batteries and inverters supplying 120v current from 12v batteries
The cost to repair or replace these systems can easily run many times the original purchase price of the "bargain" Foretravel especially for those who seek updated interior design and the greater chance for trouble-free RV adventures including the possibility of dry camping in areas without RV Park hookups.
Many owners may have addressed these issues with resulting asking prices many times higher than the "bargain" coach. Beyond routine system maintenance this can include significant upgrades including:
Lithium house battery systems allowing days of operation without recharging
New higher efficiency inverters allowing more 120v house devices to be operated simultaneously, including even some periods of AC without use of generator
Solar panels allowing recharge of house and start batteries without hookups or generators
Replacement of air suspension components, brakes, shocks and all rubber hoses and belts
Other items that can significantly increase asking prices include:
Replacement of appliances including conversion to residential appliance refrigerators
Replacement of air conditioning with higher efficiency units
Replacement of interior finishes including flooring, window shades and valances
Replacement of furniture including captain and co-pilot seating
Many folks who talk to us about 20+ year old Foretravels are concerned about the number of accumulated miles on the coach. From my research and discussion with Cummins engine and Allison transmission shops, its not uncommon to see properly operated and maintained engine/transmission systems run over 300,000 miles. These systems were designed for medium to heavy duty commercial use in firetrucks, garbage trucks, busses and over the road trucks that can run over 500,000 miles before overhaul. Most of the Cummins engines used were also designed to be overhauled without removing the engine from the vehicle, so called "wet sleeve" overhauls.
Of greatest concern, from my perspective, are Foretravels that have seen limited use and extended storage. The RV systems used by Foretravel, and were designed to be used. Regular, comprehensive, preventative maintenance documented by extensive records are the key to starting a Foretravel adventure that won't easily be derailed by expensive repairs and delays in your adventure.
Your Foretravel Camping Style - Cost of Enjoyment
Only you can decide if its worth purchasing a 20+ year old Foretravel. If your use will be limited to vacations during your working years my recommendation would be to buy a well cared for pull-behind trailer or 5th wheel with simpler systems that can be less expensively repaired and pulled by a daily driver SUV or truck.
If your buying for retirement adventures and extensive travel plan on a purchase price in excess of $50,000 and have a budget of $50,000 + available for upgrades or look for a coach that has had these additional investments made by the previous owner.
If you're planning on using your Foretravel as a replacement for a "sticks and bricks" home in retirement and you don't plan on putting significant miles on your coach then a smaller budget may be possible but why not simply buy a nice, used, high quality 5th wheel?
Your Foretravel Camping Style - Who's the Mechanic
So where will you get your Foretravel serviced? While routine fluid and filter changes can be made at almost any truck stop, the unique systems used on Foretravel often require specialized knowledge. Tools and facilities to be safely and reliably serviced. There are clearly some Foretravel owners who have extensive heavy equipment and engineering backgrounds for whom repair, maintenance and upgrades can be done at significant savings. ForeForum demonstrates the talents of many these owners who get as much enjoyment "wrenching" on their rigs as they traveling in them.
If you're considering a Foretravel for travel and don't have the capability or interest in doing your own work then you should be careful to consider how this work will be done. The safe bet is to travel to the home of Foretravel in Nacogdoches, Texas for all service work and upgrades. There are a number of highly reputable outlets for this work there but prospective owners need to understand that these shops typically have work backlogs requiring appointments scheduled months in advance. Some service facilities around the country are capable of doing high quality work on Foretravels or related components but this work can interrupt travel and often require significant detours to get work done in states distant from where their needs arose. Fortunately Cummins and Allison have service facilities scattered around the country that can do engine/transmission service but a comprehensive roadside assistance/towing insurance is highly recommended.
We were fortunate to have two Foretravel trained factory techs in Florida who could handle virtually all Fortravel issues. Red Tractor here on the Forum and Paul Yasbeck are both factory trained and understand these coaches. Paul has done virtually all of our routine maintenance as well as our complete interior remodel and solar/energy system upgrades. We also had significant work done at Motorhomes of Texas before we first took delivery of our Foretravel and at Xtreme when we had our top repainted in preparation for our new solar system.
Our Foretravel Experience
We began to look for a Foretravel in 2016. After 2 years of research and looking at coaches we narrowed our search to 34' and 36' no-slide models. We knew we wanted a retirement adventure that would include being on the road for 4-6 months a year for 7 or 8 years with annual mileage 6-10,000 miles. We didn't want any maintenance issues while on the road. We wanted to reliably travel from Florida to California...north to Washington State...east through Utah, Montana and Colorado...through Minnesota and Canada around Lake Superior, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and north through Maine into the Maritimes and Newfoundland. We even had planned a trip to Alaska in 2020 which didn't happen due to Canadian Covid border closures.
To us this meant that our coach had to be as close to 100% mechanically renovated and we knew we'd be investing significant money before our adventure began. After looking at many Foretravels we were fortunate to find a 34' at Motorhomes of Texas being sold by a well known Forum member. After pre-purchase inspection by Keith Risch, who was working at MOT at the time, we purchased the coach but left it at MOT for several months for a long list of updates before we picked it up. We even initially drove the coach to Houston just to have Brett Wolfe from the Forum do a post-service inspection before we drove it home to Florida.
We studied floor plans and brochures (available on ForeForum) for all lengths and models of Foretravel before we began our search. We watched countless hours of Motorhomes of Texas (MOT) videos of Foretravels they'd already sold as well as all the new MOT listing.
Our criteria included:
34' (preferably) or 36' coach - We knew we wanted to be able to camp in as many places as possible and while friends told us they could fit their 40' coaches in most places we simply knew shorter would give us more options. The difference between the 34' and 36' is obviously 2'. The 2' difference is in the middle of the coach...the kitchen/dining area above and the slide-out storage below. The biggest problem is that 34' coaches were made in such small numbers that other than MOT videos of previously sold coaches we only physically saw the one we purchased. See further comments about Kitchen and Storage below.
No Slides - No slide coaches were all that was available in all lengths prior to about 1999. We'd owned a 5th wheel with 3 slides so we knew how nice it was to have the elbow room while stationary. But, we also saw the compromise it made while driving. It's been far easier in our 34' no slide to pull into a rest stop for a nap, or a Cracker Barrel for the night, without having to put slides out and retract them in the morning. We also know that slides have unique maintenance issues. Search ForeForum for "Slide Problems" to get an idea. This is NOT to say the Foretravel slides are a problem...just that by the time the rig is 20+ years old it MUST be a meaningful part of the pre-purchase inspection and related costs to insure slides are working correctly and that the rubber slide bladders have been replaced to avoid problems on the road. We camped with friends who had to delay their part of the trip to travel to HWH's service facility in Moscow, Iowa or back to Nacogdoches for slides that either refused to open or close properly. We chose to avoid the problem completely and haven't regretted that decision. When traveling there's more than enough room inside for the two of us to be comfortable and while camped we prefer to spend most of our time outside.
Kitchen - we knew that the difference in a shorter coach would be counter space and to some degree kitchen storage. My wife, Karen, loves to cook but her decision was that we could do all that we wanted in a 34'. The 34' provided all she needed for kitchen gadgets and cooking implements and the inside dining table, even without the leaf, was plenty for us to enjoy dinner together inside while on the road. We had our rig's huge propane tank plumbed for an exterior 2 burner Campchef cooktop and our Q1000 Weber grill. We prefer to cook outside when camping to avoid the inside mess and smells. We replaced the original Sharpe microwave/convection oven with the newest convection model for inside use and also use a small toaster oven for small baking duties and flatbread pizza. We also had a custom walnut storage unit fabricated to add more kitchen storage. We carry two foldable 2x4' tables in our outside storage bay that are deployed for outside food prep and to provide a landing area outside the coach. The cooktop and grill are carried, while traveling, in the back of our 4-door Jeep Wrangler along with a propane fire pit
Storage - Our outside storage bay is 44" wide and runs the 102" width of the coach. The sliding Joeybed is 38" wide...2' narrower than a 36' Coach. We store 4 large storage tubs in the bay which hold extra linens and winter clothes and additionally we store tools, foldable tables and miscellaneous gear along with the tubs. While camped our outside bay also holds our 40" flat screen TV for outside viewing. Could we have stored more gear in a 36-38-40 or 42' coach....yes. Have we needed more....no. Additional storage is present in the driver's side bay below where the driver sits, in the driver's side bay where the house batteries are stored and in the utility bay where water fill is located. Our previous owner had replaced the huge original engine muffler with a resonator which freed up space on the driver's side behind the rear wheels. We had Paul Yasbeck construct a storage bay in that opening where we store all of our sewer hoses and related connections as well as 50' of additional water hose and 50' of additional electric cord. This bay also holds spare engine filters and small parts.
Bathroom - the overall size of bathrooms in non-slide 34' and 36' length coaches are virtually identical. 40' models have only slightly larger bathrooms. Look carefully at bathroom configurations, however, regardless of length. While we initially thought we wanted a separate toilet room we quickly discovered that this significantly changed other aspects of bathroom functionality. Also look carefully at how the toilet is situated in floor plans that have the toilet included in the main bathroom area...called a "walk-through bath (WTFE). We found that having the toilet situated on a 45 degree angle between the sink and shower significantly decreased not only the toilet leg room but also the space in front of the vanity. Remember that the WTFE bath has sliding doors between the kitchen/living room and the bedroom so privacy while toileting or showering is assured. This also means you have the largest dressing area of all bathroom plans within the bath area. In addition, by moving the toilet within the bath area the entire passenger side of the bath is dedicated to separate his/her's closets with a washer/dryer combo in between with additional hanging storage above between those closets.
Bedrooms - in no-slide coaches there is virtually no difference in bedroom area between 34' and 36' models. All have a queen size, walk-around bed with the same numerous large solid wood cabinet storage around and above the bed. Both sides of the head of the bed have bedside storage drawers and a countertop for clocks, phone chargers, books, etc. There's also a make-up mirror and cabinet forward of the driver's side of the bedroom and a bank of roll-out drawers forward on the passengers side of the bedroom. We've had more than ample space for clothes and additional gear in the bedroom of our 34' for travel up to 6 months a year....as well as storing those shopping goodies that seem to accumulate during the year.
Technology - We replaced all the old non-flat screen TV's in our coach. We have a 40" flat screen TV in the living room, a 24" flat screen in the bedroom and a 40" flat screen to use in the basement when parked. This flatscreen TV is stored against the passenger side bedroom wall while traveling...all without limiting movement on this side of the bed. We also installed a second, small inverter that powers only the overhead TV/DVD player and phone chargers without the need to run the larger coach inverter. This results in a smaller electric demand when we're dry camping. We had the satellite dish removed from the roof and have had no difficulty with internet access in 90% of our traveling. We routinely stream TV on a standalone ATT hotspot or hot spotting from our Verizon phones. In those few locations without internet we often use our roof-mounted over the air antenna or our supply of HD DVD's...or simply reading a book or enjoying the campfire outside. Although we haven't chosen to use it, if we were starting new today we'd use Starlink's small portable dish for internet anywhere!
Refrigerator/Freezer - Our model year 2000, 34' was only made in the U270 configuration so it came standard with propane/electric appliances. For safety and reliability we chose to replace the original refrigerator/freezer with a new model of the same type as installed originally. We also had the ARP propane safety system installed for additional security. We have all propane systems inspected and serviced annually. We also replaced the original Uline standalone ice maker and have never had to buy a bag of ice anywhere on the road. The single door refrigerator/freezer has been more than sufficient to hold any of our fresh or frozen foods and we cook more than 75% of our meals "at home" rather than eating out. We do carry a smaller Yeti cooler that stores our cold drinks since we have a virtually unlimited amount of ice. The cooler easily rides under the dining table while traveling and outside when camped. Could we have used more refrigerator/freezer space...probably...but it wouldn't have made our cooking or eating any easier and healthier... and it probably would have resulted in more food waste.
Hot Water and Heating - We've never replaced the original propane/electric furnace or hot water heater in our 2000 model year coach. Our water heater has never run out of hot water for either of us as well as for washing clothes. We consciously avoid camping in the cold, and especially in freezing temps. Our propane furnace has only seen rare use and has had no problem taking the chill off the coach the few times we been caught in temps in the high 30's and 40's. We actually look forward to using our down comforter at night when its cold and simply fire up the furnace in the morning to warm the coach when needed. We've replaced the motor on the furnace during our ownership because it became noisy and we didn't want it to fail when we needed it. We also easily replaced the original "dinosaur" control board on our hot water heater in a remote location in Utah. Even a small RV center stocked this standard board.
Air Conditioning - When we upgraded our electrical system in 2021 we chose to replace our original 13,500 BTU AC/Heat Strip units with 15,000 BTU heat pumps with EasyStart Soft Starters. Not only did these larger units increase our cooling capacity but the Soft Starts also allowed our AC's to start and run on lithium battery power (see Energy System upgrades below). The heat pumps provide heating down to 45-50 degrees without the need to start the furnace. Virtually all of our travels have allowed the heat pumps to meet our heating needs. We also chose NOT to have our dash AC unit replaced when we purchased the coach. We found that dash AC did not sufficiently cool the rig when traveling in hot weather. We choose to simply run our generator while on the road which allows both 15,000 BTU AC units to comfortably cool the coach while traveling...even in Death Valley or Florida summers! In 2024 we installed a MicroAir bluetooth/wifi thermostat which allows us to control AC operation and temperature on our phones both near the coach by bluetooth as well as when we're away from the coach by wifi.
Interior Design - The original purchaser of our 34' U270 chose to upgrade the interior wood from standard oak to walnut. They also chose to have the Uline standalone ice maker installed. The interior of our coach was well maintained but after 20 years the chairs, carpet an other interior finishes were ready for a refresh. Paul Yasbeck did a complete interior renovation in 2021. We replaced carpet in the bedroom but chose LVT flooring throughout the rest of coach. We had MCD day/night shades installed on all windows with motorized versions on the windshield. We had all the ultra-leather on the interior surfaces of the entry door and dash replaced and also recovered the window valances in a fabric complementing the new flooring. We replaced the dining room chairs and the leather Fjord's Scandinavian chair/ottomon with complementary colors. We also custom ordered new leather Villa captain and co-pilot chairs with the embroidered Foretravel logo and integrated shoulder belts as the 2000 model year Flexsteel chairs had only lap belts. We also had ceramic, clear, UV blocking window film installed on all windows both to reduce heat and fading.
LED Lighting - All interior incandescent lighting has been replaced with LED lamps. All exterior running lighting has been replaced with LED lamps and a decorate color changing lighting strip, wifi controlled, has been installed along the lower ledge of the frame on the passenger and driver's side.
Exterior - In model year 2000 our coach would have been a white fiberglass body with contrasting shades of blue tape stripes. A previous owner chose to have the coach painted. This relatively inexpensive paint job is red and white paint with blue & white tape accent stripes. The entire coach, including the tape accents were then clear coated. This rather striking paint job has garnered countless compliments over the years we've owned her...thus her name Ole Red. The paint job is not perfect if examined up close. Regular waxing has kept a shine that belies the age of the coach and its paint job. We take care to touch up rock chips which inevitably occur as miles are put on the coach. She's not a garage queen! We thought about having the entire coach repainted at Xtreme along with the headlight upgrades but felt the investment we made in the reliability and use of the coach operation were more important to us. This also means we have no concerns for the inevitable scrape from overhanging trees or close quarter maneuvering in state and national parks.
Electrical System - At purchase we had the transfer switch replaced and a 50-amp Progressive Industries Energy Management System (EMS) installed internally. This system checks shore power sources and does not let faulty power enter the coach potentially damaging internal electrical systems. We had 2 displays installed, one in the utility bay and another in the electrical display panel in the kitchen. As part of the 2021 remodel we also replaced the house batteries with 6 - 100ah Battleborn lithium batteries, 6 - 210w solar panels on the roof, a new 3000w Victron assisting inverter as well as a complete Victron solar controller and wiring system to tie the new install into the existing coach wiring system. This allows us to run all 50 amp systems when disconnected from generator or shore power or running on 10-15-20 or 30 amp shore power systems. We can even run one AC for 3-4 hours strictly on battery power to cool the coach when dry camping. Solar can maintain house and coach batteries when parked without hookups. A Victron Cerbo and GX50 color touchscreen monitor and Victron Battery monitor are placed on the electrical display panel in the kitchen. The entire Victron energy system can be monitored and controlled remotely by Wifi. The system also us to remotely control the generator to ensure generator start both for general exercise as well as low-battery conditions in extended periods without adequate solar recharging.
Tank Monitors - SeeLevel tank monitors with displays in the utility bay and on the kitchen electrical display panel allow accurate monitoring of freshwater, grey and black water and propane tank levels.
Coach Chassis Upgrades - prior to delivery of the coach we had MOT replace all engine and generator belts, hoses and fuel lines. We had all airbags replaced and subsequent to delivery we had the HWH computer air control board replaced as well as the air manifolds controlling the ride height while in Travel Mode as well as controlling air while parked. All shocks were replaced with Koni FSD units. All disk brake pads were replaced and rotors were resurfaced. Wheel bearing and ball joints were also replaced. A Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer was also installed and the steering box was rebuilt under previous ownership. New Michelin tires on all wheels were installed in 2023.
Engine, Transmission and Cooling Service - All scheduled Cummins engine service has been completed a Cummins as well as replacement of the oil pan and gasket which had a slow weep. In 2021 we also had the Cummins engine fuel lift and injection pump replaced and kept the working lift pump as a spare. Engine oil, fuel, air and air dyer elements are replaced annually regardless of mileage. Synthetic transmission fluid as been replaced and all Allison diagnostics were completed by Allison ensuring worry-free operation. The radiator was replaced and new coolant added in 2023 rather than managing the slow leak with an additive. Oil, transmission and coolants samples are taken and analyzed annually with no reported abnormal engine, transmission or coolant fluid results.
Mileage - We purchased the coach with 149,000 miles and have put approximately 40,000 additional miles during our 8 years of ownership. Over its lifetime the coach has been driven less than 8,000 per year without any long periods of storage. All maintenance records since new are included.
Investment Since Purchase - Not including regular maintenance over $100,000 in upgrades and improvements have been completed since our original purchase price of $59,000. The coach is insured for a stated value of $149,000 based on a 2021 appraisal. As a result of our decision to proactively invest in our nearly 25 year old Foretravel she's provide virtually trouble free operation for over 40,000 miles and in nearly 7 years of use. She's likely capable of continuing her trouble free operation until she's well over 30 years old.
Final Thoughts
Although we have invested a significant amount in Ole Red she's still cost us a small fraction of what a new luxury diesel Class A motorhome would have cost. And, she's been as reliable as any new Class A motorhome would have been over the last 7 years. BUT...that's only because of the investment we made in renovations and upgrades. If you're considering purchasing a classic Foretravel please have the ability to invest in keeping these fine motorhomes on the road so you're more likely to age out of driving before your Foretravel is finished carrying their owners on future RV adventures.
Wow what a thread!
We did the same thing with a 98 36'.
No regrets, too bed resale doesnt reflect the value.
There is a 99 36' for sale in WA state.
We were much luckier on our purchase. After returning home from South Carolina where we bought it I drove it up on 6" riser blocks raised it and changed everything that to me was dated. All fuel lines, all fluids, and all belts and hoses. Used it for 2 years without any issues and worked on it again for resonator, air bags and shocks. Used it for another year and started the solar installation without any interruption on our trips. The other upgrades are the lithium batteries and a larger rear roof air. The only failures were the generator head fiasco and A.H. controller. Other than the above the coach is as we purchased it with residential fridge, MCD front shade and Levolor blinds on all the other windows and upgraded inverter SW 3012. The total cost of the coach and upgrades is between 65k and 75k and only time will tell if the coach will need anything in the future.
Randy,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this! As a new member looking for a coach it is extremely helpful. Especially for me since I have never owned a coach or RV of any type. I have really enjoyed our email exchanges over the last couple of weeks. I look forward to being able to meet you in person.
Derek
Randy,
Thanks for very thought out and well written post. It provides valuable info for those looking to purchase a used Foretravel, or any RV for that matter..... ^.^d
Randy,
You covered a lot of bases! ^.^d ^.^d Gaylie keeps sending photos and stories to your sister but no sign of a trip from them.
During our late June camping trip, we noticed fewer big motorhomes but lots more Sprinters and tents. We were the only big motorhome on our loop.
Reasons:
Prices on all vehicles from PUs to RVs have gone way up while quality has gone down.
Complexity for all the conveniences and emission control equipment means more frequent and costly maintenance, especially if you take it to a shop. Finding a shop that is both honest and knows what they are doing can be frustrating (and expensive). If a big diesel coughs, it can cost more than $30K plus lots of time lost.
Registration and insurance have really increased.
Diesel in California is much more expensive than other states. We buy all our fuel in Nevada as it's more than a buck per gallon less.
Many cities are not as RV friendly as they use to be.
All of the above make retirees on a fixed income think twice before plunking down the cash for a large RV. And for those who might sell their brick and mortar house, it's tough or impossible to change your mind a few years down the road. The kids are supposed to move in with you, not you with the kids.
Pierce
Thank you so much for your insights on purchasing a "20" year old Foretravel. My wife and i just purchased a 1997 Foretravel U295 and are looking forward to traveling in retirement. Your insights were valuable.
mj, Welcome to the Foretravel family. We look forward to some day meeting you out there on the road.
Randy,
Thanks for a great write up. This forum has been a great source of info for us. I spent a lot of time researching before we purchased our 2002 U320 last year. Write ups like this were invaluable in our decision making. The model we purchased has a single living room slide. What I like about it is the benefits of more room when extended, but having ample room when traveling/overnighting when it's in. All of the newer motor homes we looked at are way too tight with all slides in. Particularly the bedroom. For us, it was a non starter to have to put a slide out to get a flat bed.
We did all of the major maintenance items at MOT when we purchased, including upgrading to a stackable washer and dryer rather than the combo unit. That upgrade has been well worth it.
We are home based in the Houston area, so it is convenient to have our service done at MOT annually.
Our next major upgrade will be the electrical system to improve our ability to camp without running the generator.
Next month I will remove the satellite dish and install a Starlink panel in its place. We use T-Mobile now and have had no issues, but we want to increase our travels off the beaten path but still have connectivity. We have spent a year getting comfortable with our rig with several small trips of only a couple of weeks. This summer we both will retire and we will start of our several months long journeys. In our planning I allocated about $15K/year for maintenance and upgrades. I don't think we will spend it all each year, but will "carry it over" for the inevitable larger expense that will pop up. I thought it was important to be honest with ourselves on what the costs could be when putting together our budget. This way unexpected expenses won't ruin our enjoyment.
Kelly, I have sent you a PM