I am giving some thought to an upgrade. I plan to look at this Realm.
https://www.bluecompassrv.com/product/used-2019-foretravel-realm-lvb-2595884-10
Like the low mileage and the bunk set up. Looking to accommodate grandkids and at times their parents.
I have also been looking at some older Prevost and Newels. Took a 2006 Prevost for a test drive and quite honestly was impressed with the ride and acceleration. Was surprised as it is only rated 515 HP. The 5.7 axle ratio must be the key. Even for a 2006 it had a lot of complicated electronics including 24 volt electrical and multiple inverters.
Can some Realm owners give me some feedback?
Thank you,
Dennis
Even though the Prevost is heavier than your Nimbus, the extra 15 hp and 100ft.lbs of torque are from an engine that is appx 30% larger. The old adage "there's no replacement for displacement" must apply at least a little bit in this situation.
I think my Nimbus suffers from the variable gate turbo as it takes time to build boost and the tall gearing. For the Realm I am interested in thoughts that besides the improved technologies, Is it a real improvement over the travel ride, IH-45 or was this done as a bit of cost cutting. I will miss the parallel hinged basement compartment doors and what I thinks is a better compartment build. I have seen some of the Realms already showing rust on the door frames and structural steel inside. I also think that in this class should not be limiting the generator to 12.5K and 3 three AC units. True over the road air or enough engine alternator capacity to run the roof airs should also be an option.
Price and floorplan also have me looking at this one.
2014 Foretravel ih 45 Bath & 1/2 | Motorhomes of Texas (https://www.motorhomesoftexas.com/Pre-owned-Inventory-2014-Foretravel-Motorhome-ih-45-Bath-1-2-ih-45-16446289?ref=list)
Dennis
The Realm came about as an agreement with MHSRV in Alvarado. It was done to their specs and they were the only place you could buy one (you could get an IH from the factory, but not a Realm.) This is per one of the staff (might have been Donny's father) that we spoke to at MHSRV in 2016. We were there killing an afternoon and he stopped to chat with us. Asked what we had. When we said "Foretravel", he responded "they build our Realm for us".
MHSRV had a similar arrangement with a converter in the area for a couple of Prevosts they had done. I don't recall the converter name.
You can probably find one of the over-the-top pompous videos MHSRV did on the Realm when they first offered them for sale.
I'm not a Realm owner but in my opinion I would opt for the IH because of the Foretravel frame/suspension build as opposed to the Spartan chassis.
Adding:
Of course, MHSRV was the first dealership RV Retailer LLC - now Blue Compass - acquired as they started buying up dealerships. And they own RV One, the only dealership you can now buy a new Foretravel from. Interesting development - Donny O'Banion is no longer head of MHSRV, but instead on stepping into a "partner" role:
Donny O'Banion in New Role at Blue Compass Motorized - RVBusiness - Breaking... (https://rvbusiness.com/blue-compass-appoints-sahli-to-lead-motor-home-specialist/)
"Donny O'Banion will continue to serve as a valuable partner of Blue Compass RV, supporting the motorized business, including Foretravel."
"I'm also looking forward to supporting Blue Compass in the future as a partner, particularly in support of our OEM relationships."
Musing that one might be on watch for executive leadership changes at Foretravel.... Note the first comment implies he's already closely tied to the company.
Would not surprise me. I will just leave it at that.
The Realm is build on the Spartan K4 chassis.
The IH was build on the Foretravel Travelride III chassis and in 2018 Foretravel had Spartan build this chassis for them. When Foretravel stopped building the ih in 2020, Spartan stopped building the Travelride III chassis.
I thought the 2019 that Dennis is considering would have been on a K3, and the Presidential on a K4. Are they both on the same chassis?
Nope, IH was the Travelride III, Spartan build the chassis like Foretravel had designed except for having a lot of it bolted together ves welded. If you look behind the front tires, it is easy to tell if Foretravel or Spartan (besides the wheel covers will have Spartan on them)
Now the Realm and Realm Presidential are both on the K4
K4 605 Chassis - Spartan RV Chassis (https://spartanrvchassis.com/chassis/k4-605-chassis/)
From what I can see the early Realm is on a Spartan Chassis called the K3GT. Looks like for 2019 it became the K4. The K3GT looks similar to the tube frame boxed chassis that is now the K4. Interesting that this chassis is only available for Foretravel.
Somewhere on the forum there are photos of a bare K3GT chassis. I'm trying to find the post.
Be aware a Realm will not have a transmission retarder or air leveling. I believe it has an engine brake (possibly 3 stage) and it uses jacks for leveling.
I am aware of the jacks and the engine brake. Mixed feelings on both. Thinking of options to lift coach for servicing.
There are some features of the "Foretravel" coaches that will be missed.
I have no information but if it has a 3 level Jake that would be awesome. 3 level exhaust brake PASS. I truly think the Foretravel air ride is difficult to beat. Smooth stable, safe , and it drops to the ground for easy accessibility. At the off-road car races im always laughing at the holes dug in the ground to put tires in and the front or rear tires off the ground trying to level. Some one always mentions that is so cool it drops down.
I have both engine brake and retarder and I use the engine brake the most and I love having both.
I have had jacks before on the last coach and I could level on bigger slopes and for working on the
coach the jacks are awesome. I always blocked the coach when using the jacks.
More I look, the more I get confused. I see 2019 there could be both a Realm and an IH-45. The IH-45 has the more traditional Fortravel front cap and the outside TV going into the side of the slide out. What other differences are there? Is the chassis the same for both? Is the IH-45 more desirable and why?
Dennis
Ih
Chassis 4 outboard air bags on drive axle
4 ac
Active Air
Retard
Possibly bigger water pump
The Realm Presidential is close to being equal to ih.
Regular Realm, Say 320 to a 270