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Topic: Foretravel does it best (Read 1514 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel does it best

I was at an outing with my Elks RV club last weekend, and once again it hit home how Foretravel does it best.

One of the RVers has a Monaco.  Every time I see him, he comments that his Monaco will be his last motorhome, and he laments the fact he didn't know about Foretravel when he bought his Monaco.  He gazes lovingly at my slide-out, with the smooth edge and flush fit when closed.

Another has a Country Coach Magna.  He must have told me a dozen times over the weekend how he hooked up with the wrong crowd at a rally (The Country Coach crowd) and was told not to listen to the Foretravel crowd.  He didn't listen, and now laments his purchase (also likely to be his last).

The Country Coach has air leveling, but the owner wishes he had hydraulic leveling jacks.  His air leveling leaves the coach bouncy and tippy.  I looked air hit airbags, and he has only six (he has a tag), and they are no bigger than my eight and well inboard of the wheels.  No wonder it is tippy with such a narrow stance on the airbags.

I also looked at the eight airbag setup on the Monaco.  They kind of copied what Foretravel does, but missed out by using smaller airbags placed further inboard than Foretravel.  Again missing out on the advantages of a wide stance on the suspension.

As an aside, here is another odd difference between these two SOB owners in their sixties and the Foretravel owners I have met of all ages (including well into their eighties).  The SOB owners consider these dead-end coaches their last ever motorhomes.  Foretravel owners keep buying Foretravels and keep looking foreword to the next one.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #1 –
Nice.
 
Greg 1995 280 se

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #2 –
A few days ago I was talking with a most unhappy owner of an 2002 Country Coach.  He hated his motorhome.  He said it has been nothing but trouble since he bought it.  I asked him if his wife made him buy it because of "love and first sight" and he said words to the effect that he must have had a bad day when he bought the damn coach. Then he added:  "I wish I had your coach."

I tried real hard not to grin.

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #3 –
Trust me, FT has had it's share of lemons but they are one of the best driving coaches out there.  It is why I bought my first and am now on my third. Also, both of those manufacturers are gone. Tiffen people love their coaches too. We all own FT so we show our decision by purchasing them. I will say when I look for my next one, prevost conversion and Newell will also be on the list. 

There will be a issue sooner or later for FT and that is the reduced number of units. They did not produce many units starting in 05 and for the last five years. We will have a lot fewer late model used ones to look at.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #4 –
 :D Glad we made the DP plunge the right way with our Foretravel - will never have to experience all those woes of SOB owners  :D :D :D
Virginia Cunningham
Motorcader # 16992
'99 U320 40'
'06 Black Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #5 –
I keep remembering more tidbits from my conversations with my SOB-owning friends.

Even with an exhaust brake on one and a three-stage Jake Brake on the other, they dread downgrades.  The Monaco owner constantly says he should have bought a pre-owned FT instead of his Monaco.  The CC owner says he knew CC and Monaco were heading for financial trouble when he bought, and he should have known better (but FT wasn't any better off back then). 

And I commonly enjoy driving windy, windy roads with all sorts of grades and traffic that these two (along with another friend with a 32' gasser) say to avoid at all costs.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #6 –
Wow - that's interesting. I have a jake (2 speed wired as one) on my 95 U320 M11 and have no issues or concerns so far on any grade. I've done an 8 or 9%. Key is to not start braking at like 75 mph... Start 60 or below and you are fine.
 
Quote from: Tom Lang

I keep remembering more tidbits from my conversations with my SOB-owning friends. Even with an exhaust brake on one and a three-stage Jake Brake on the other, they dread downgrades. The Monaco owner constantly says he should have bought a pre-owned FT instead of his Monaco. The CC owner says he knew CC and Monaco were heading for financial trouble when he bought, and he should have known better (but FT wasn't any better off back then). And I commonly enjoy driving windy, windy roads with all sorts of grades and traffic that these two (along with another friend with a 32' gasser) say to avoid at all costs. 2003 U295 M3810 Temple City, California >
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #7 –
I feel owners of the Foretravel need to be careful talking about their fine coach, most people do not get it and feel you are boasting, then they get tired of hearing you.

As has been said," would rather have a ten year old Foretravel, than a brand new anything else" while I agree with that, I have noticed most SOB types just can not grasp the situation and your talking over their head. 

MO
Dave

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #8 –
Well said Dave - I think Foretravel makes a good coach but so does Nemar & Newell. I just do not know how any retired couple can afford a new Foretravel. See You Down the trail. C.Lacy








Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Clarence Lacy –
Well said Dave - I think Foretravel makes a good coach but so does Nemar & Newell. I just do not know how any retired couple can afford a new Foretravel.

It ain't easy.  We have had a LOT of unexpected expenses.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #10 –
Quote from: George Stoltz –
Quote from: Clarence Lacy –
Well said Dave - I think Foretravel makes a good coach but so does Nemar & Newell. I just do not know how any retired couple can afford a new Foretravel.

It ain't easy.  We have had a LOT of unexpected expenses.
And those unexpected expenses could have been a lot higher with SOB.  Just do some reading over on RV.net.  There are some real horror stories out there.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Clarence Lacy –
Well said Dave - I think Foretravel makes a good coach but so does Nemar & Newell. I just do not know how any retired couple can afford a new Foretravel. See You Down the trail. C.Lacy

I priced a new Newell and they were about 50% more than FT new price.
I would also be careful about saying retired folks can not afford a FT or whatever. I know a few who are retired and have new FT and some have new Prevosts.  It is all a matter of proper planning and budgeting and a bit of work and maybe some luck.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #12 –
John,
 
Thanks for the quote from Clarence.  I know that if I were a Foretravel salesman I would be combing through company annual reports looking for a solid mailing/cold call list.  Don't forget state and other lottery winners  :o
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #13 –
30 months ago, when we bought our 93 U225 we knew NOTHING...first time we had even drivin a motor home...We did know we would spend approx 20% on repairs and maintenance the first 6 months....that was pretty close...and then....we decided to have fun and do crazy things, knowing we would never get our investment out of it...how do you put a price on these things?  Lifestyle is fantastic and without upgrades we wouldn't be as happy...so, enjoy yourselfs, ...Still looking to buy a 2001 2002 next....and it will ONLY be a Foretravel....
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #14 –
We started 5 years ago with our 93 U280. After 18 months of fun we traded it for the 95 U320 and are still loving it. Just made payment #44. Very little maintenance, but always a project or 3...
 
Quote from: Jeff Savournin
30 months ago, when we bought our 93 U225 we knew NOTHING...first time we had even drivin a motor home...We did know we would spend approx 20% on repairs and maintenance the first 6 months....that was pretty close...and then....we decided to have fun and do crazy things, knowing we would never get our investment out of it...how do you put a price on these things? Lifestyle is fantastic and without upgrades we wouldn't be as happy...so, enjoy yourselfs, ...Still looking to buy a 2001 2002 next....and it will ONLY be a Foretravel....
Jeff & Carol Savournin
93U225GV36'
98 Jeep toad
 
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT
 

Re: Foretravel does it best

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –

As an aside, here is another odd difference between these two SOB owners in their sixties and the Foretravel owners I have met of all ages (including well into their eighties).  The SOB owners consider these dead-end coaches their last ever motorhomes.  Foretravel owners keep buying Foretravels and keep looking foreword to the next one.

Well said. May we be in our 80s too, and still out there enjoying life.

Well, if there is still fuel...
2001 Foretravel DGFE U320 - 4220
Yellow Jeep Wrangler
2 pups -- Doodle & Lolly