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Topic: Little improvements FT should have done (Read 1427 times) previous topic - next topic

Little improvements FT should have done

I realize this could be a long, long, long list, but what the hey. Maybe FT would pick up on some of these ideas.

1. Why couldn't the front overhead clearance bulbs be accessible from the inside? Sealed on the outside but changeable just like tail light bulbs on a car.
2. Why can't the rear view camera be joystick operated?
3. Why can't the coach entrance door be remote controlled and have a safety interlock to prevent actuation while coach is moving?

Just a start but this can be interesting, informative, and potentially constructive to everyone including Foretravel.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #1 –
Nitehawk,
 
I predict this will be a very popular topic. 
 
My wish item would be a way to seal the utility compartment so that rodents can't enter when the electric or water or sewer lines are connected.
 
Geez.  I thought the Fores actually did some camping.
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: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #2 –
This is a very cool "wish list"!  The very best ideas that any major car manufacturer has ever gotten have come from the folks who use the product.  And we're not talking about major design changes, either.  These are things like Intermittent Wipers and Zoned Heating in autos.  I think that  the best interior design changes at Foretravel have come from customers who 're-decorated" their interiors and re-worked seating and dining layouts after the fact.  I won't be putting marble floors or granite counters in our coach, but I have to say that Foretravel has gotten a heck of a lot more "Right" than they have "Wrong". 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #3 –
George, I won't even bring up heated toilet seats. Gerry Z. already solved that issue for me.

4. Why not a flashing lite on the dash to indicate your TV antenna is up--only flashes when the ignition is turned on? Same for shorepower cable? Plug the male end of the cable into a dummy outlet equipped with a switch.
5. Why not a suggestion area on the Foretravel web site for improvement ideas where owners can comment or vote on the suggested improvements?
6. Why can't the bathroom ceiling fan be controlled from the seated position? (for obvious reasons!!)
7. Why can't the steps have a light come on for one minute when the door is opened?
8. Why can't the "porch" lite have a motion detector option?

Carol, you nailed an area that I had not considered and has a lot of lattitude for improvement. I am not a male chauvenistic pig but most men tend to think mechanical whereas women tend to think practical and sensible, along with aesthetics, and thank God for that, as the world would be a dull place without some beauty in it.

Our most recent motorhomes have had really lousy non-practical colored carpeting in them.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #4 –
Nitehawk,

Re: #6 Our 1997 U295 does have a switch for the bathroom vent so that it is easily operated with one's right hand while seated on the porcelain throne. Our floor plan does have a privacy closet for the toilet.

Re: #7,8 The porch light is not automatic, but will come on for about a minute if one touches the lower metal fitting that holds the outdoor acrylic assist handle.

I haven't experienced the changes that have been implemented since the 1997 model.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #5 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
4. Why not a flashing lite on the dash to indicate your TV antenna is up--only flashes when the ignition is turned on? Same for shorepower cable? Plug the male end of the cable into a dummy outlet equipped with a switch.
I solved the shore power issue which I thought should should be standard on all coaches after seeing what happens if you dont remember to unplug.
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/110VAC_shore_power_alarm.htm
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #6 –
Two more!! From the practical to the ridiculous:

9. Passenger ejection seat--NAW!!
10. Marble dispenser on the rear cap for tailgaters?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #7 –
All that is optional when you order new.
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: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #8 –
What is really needed is a very large and loud alarm to wake up the driver when he sits down, to get his attention BEFORE he does does something real stupid.
Why airplanes have check lists for all preflights for example, the pilots who follow the check list have a much better chance of a happy flight, the pilots who just "wing it", have a much higher rate of screw ups.

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #9 –
Hi nighthawk,
  Mine came with the light, and chime, in the dash that warns that the antennae is up, along with the travel system light.

Good luck,
LynnD.
'01 GV

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #10 –
Now I really like that injections seat for mouthy passengers especially husbands  :P who like to toss in their two cents worth  >:D

Marbles out rear are excellent!!!

A way to spray paint nasty words on cars that cut us off - hee hee

Now for a serious thing: a handsome male masseuse with heavenly blue eyes, strong muscles and shuttle smile to relax me after a drive - ah, a woman driver's dream - ah!!!
Virginia Cunningham
Motorcader # 16992
'99 U320 40'
'06 Black Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #11 –
He's to be sutle on shuttle - OOPS - Oh when one dreams it is a dream for sure  :)) :)) :))

Spell check can ruin a dream  :P :P :P
Virginia Cunningham
Motorcader # 16992
'99 U320 40'
'06 Black Silverado 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #12 –
What about a eunuch masseuse for Virginia? He would be harmless.

Why not proximity sensors on the rear bumper similar to the ones on some new cars and trucks?
Why not a computer interface that would indicate power draws inadvertently left on?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #13 –
Oh goodie, I can vent.  Keeping in mind, this is in the poortravel group, but for a coach that cost close to a quarter million dollars when it was new, I think they could have put in at least a  2 way water heater and preferably a 3 way, and a bypass for it for winterizing.  Also a alternative way to add chemicals to the water tank, other than pouring it in a hose.  That's really ludicrous, but at least easily fixed.
1996 U270
Build #4846

Re: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #14 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
I realize this could be a long, long, long list, but what the hey. Maybe FT would pick up on some of these ideas.

1. Why couldn't the front overhead clearance bulbs be accessible from the inside? Sealed on the outside but changeable just like tail light bulbs on a car.
2. Why can't the rear view camera be joystick operated?
3. Why can't the coach entrance door be remote controlled and have a safety interlock to prevent actuation while coach is moving?

Just a start but this can be interesting, informative, and potentially constructive to everyone including Foretravel.

The new units do have a remote control camera, and your current coach can have the floor step retracted if you want to by putting on a momentary switch. The bulbs in the clearance lights can be taken care of with one change to LED set up and stop worrying about it again.  So your wish list is pretty much doable right now.
Quote from: Paul Wildenstein –
I love the touch light handle.  We have lived with them since 1991 and they have worked flawlessly.  If we were choosing between two coaches and all things were equal except one had the touch light and on did not we would chose the touch light in a heart beat.
Paul
36' 2000 U320

I agree with Paul. I have had it on my last three coaches and never a problem that is long term. I had one on this last trip as it would not shut off but I took off the handle and it reset.  I silicone around the handle and the base and that prevents water from getting in and that helps a lot. 
Quote from: Kent Speers –
So the module provides a resident charge and your body completes the circuit? How does your charged body fry the ungrounded module. If that's correct, there should be circuit traps that could redirect the ES discharge at levels that could cause damage. 

It is usually water that gets in and does not allow the system to shut off thus frying it.  Keep the water out you will not have a problem. Storing your coach outside is also a bigger issue in how they work.  I had my first one outside and it was the one that fried. The other two coaches that I store inside do not have that problem.
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: Little improvements FT should have done

Reply #15 –
John, my step is retractable in that I pick it up and put it inside when done with it ('89 has no power step).
I changed my o'head lights to LEDs this fall but just wondered about the poor original design.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD