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Topic: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel (Read 994 times) previous topic - next topic

Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

This afternoon we have to go to the local dealer where we bought our GV for some lights. They are a Tiffin dealer, but have a lot of used coaches of a variety of manufacturers. We explore every class A and then when we get home we have a much greater feeling for our GV and are very thankful we ended up with a Foretravel and not one of the used SOBs on their lot!!
Absolutely amazing how poorly some of those other brands have weathered the years and use. Quality of workmanship, materials, and design suffer if even one of those is lacking.
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: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #1 –
How I agree.  I feel that way every time I go to a RV show and look at the new SOBs.  I always marvel at the fit and finish of my olde Foretravel when compare to the new display models at the RV shows.  And especially when I compare my old '94 Allegro to my new olde, same year, Foretravel.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #2 –
We had an SOB at my insistence when Jerry really wanted a Foretravel the first time around. :headwall: I should have listened to him. If you have ever been on the Queen Mary when you enter the staterooms you will find them beautifully detailed in fine wood. That is what I compare our GV to a stateroom on the Queen Mary. We have had our GV a year already and our appreciation is greater than it was when we bought it. 

We are getting ready to head to AZ from TX and will be living in our GV for 6 months. We can't wait! Like Jerry said "two gypsies on the road together is a big adventure"!
Coleen Elkins
Former 95 U240
One retired husband &
two Border Collies Isabelle and Katlyn

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #3 –
Just got home from the RV dealer. UGH--UGH--UGH--the smells in some of those coaches were enough to keep us out!! The DW wouldn't even go into some of them because they smelled so bad. None were older than 2000 and yet, having been closed up in the heat they reek.
I would recommend anyone trying tosell their coach themselves to shampoo the carpet, wipe down the walls, and ceiling, if possible, and then get someone with a good"sniffer" to come in and give an assessment. Then use some Febreze or room freshener.
Guess the old saying that a skunk doesn't smell its own hole is still true.
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: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #4 –
Any builder can make a superb looking unit on the surface.  I find it entertaining in a macabre sort of way to look behind the surface.  We go to the local Camping World show and pull out a draw or two and look inside to see just how badly built most of them are now.  Look at the El-cheapo plastic parts and crappy wiring.

Nothing like a Foretravel.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #5 –
I know this sounds silly, but I would have to think very hard about trading my 1993 Grand Villa for most any new SOB's. I like not having to worry about slides getting stuck and chintzy cabinetry and cracked and broken hard surface counter tops and leaks caused by chassis stress. I really don't think I would trade even for a brand new coach.

We kinda like our 1993/2009!!!
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #6 –
A timely thread considering George Hatfield's friend asking "what other brands besides FT?"

How many other brands, besides FT and Bluebird, do you hear about folks regularly doing major interior (and exterior) remodels on?  Good "bones" in a coach let us customize to our needs, freshen/update, etc.  Look at coaches like Kent and Peggy's 1993, Ken and Dori's 1992 "Big Agnes", Keith and Joyce's 1995, etc.  The quality and livability of 20 year old FT coaches put most newer brands to shame. 

FT owners don't hesitate upgrading flooring, seating, cabinetry, appliances.  In some cases reconfiguring floorplans to fit their needs. 

And no, Kent, it doesn't sound silly to prefer your coach to most any new SOB.  We feel the same way (about ours and yours as well ;)  ).

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
I know this sounds silly, but I would have to think very hard about trading my 1993 Grand Villa for most any new SOB's. I like not having to worry about slides getting stuck and chintzy cabinetry and cracked and broken hard surface counter tops and leaks caused by chassis stress. I really don't think I would trade even for a brand new coach.

We kinda like our 1993/2009!!!

We feel the same way - I so love our FT.  Sure there are shinier MH's out there - but that's just surface bling.  Our bus - she has great bones!
Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #8 –
Last year at this time Rita and I were looking hard at many SOB's.  Our budget was such that we could have a new Tiffin Allegro Bus.  I was just about sold, but we decided to try and find one a couple of years old and save 50 grand or more.  While we were waiting for the right coach to come along Rita found Foretravel on the internet.  I was still thinking of something in the 2008 and up year models.  The Foretravel's of that age were way out of our price range.  We finely found a Tiffin that we thought would fit our criteria, so off we were for a look.  The coach we looked at was a very pretty coach, and I was ready to go, but there were some things that got our attention.  I think it was a 40' with 4 slides but it did not have a tag so maybe it was shorter, and a Cummins ISL. We noticed that the fit and finish did not seem to be what we were hoping for, there were at least 3 cracked floor tiles, one of the pocket doors needed to be pushed sideways to get it closed.  It was a big improvement over the construction of our travel trailer, but it did not have that residential feel.  The guy was asking 220K, I offered him 190K he seemed a little offended, but I had done my research.  He said no, so we were gone. 

A week or two later we found this website and started educating ourselves on used Foretravel's.  We made the trip to Nac, and the moment I walked on the lot I knew we were doing the right thing.  It was Sunday evening last October and the lot was closed, but we met several owners staying at camp Foretravel.  We were invited into three coaches, a 2003 U320 very much like the 2004 we were there to see, also an older coach (mid nineties) and I was very impressed with how well it was holding with age, and a 2009 Phenix (WOW). 

Three weeks later we were the proud owners of our 2004 U320, and I couldn't be happier.  I saved much moola (okay some moola) over what I was willing to pay for the used Tiffin.  And one more thing, the guy who had the Tiffin called me a week after we were home with the U320 and told me he would accept my offer on his coach.  You snooze you loose, and I'm so glad he was snooze'n. 

I guess I should put this in context to the OP.  Just yesterday I was looking at the Tiffin website at their latest offerings.  after looking for a bit I told Rita if someone was to offer me a free coach and my choices were between a new Tiffin and one like my 2004 U320, the U320 win's by a good measure.  But I may be a bit biased.
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #9 –
David, Tiffin is/was on our short list of brands. We're pretty well sold on a Foretravel, but we recognize that when one is looking for a used vehicle, the search parameters need to be a bit more open than when looking for a new one. I fully expect that we will end up with a Foretravel, but it is possible that SOB will come along that fits our needs (including price). I am GREATLY impressed with the quality that I've seen in the Foretravels, and we're looking at 20-year-old coaches.

One reason that Foretravel is at the top of our list is this forum. I joined the Tiffin forum, but I didn't see anywhere near the activity there that is here, and there was far less information about owners doing their own work. Mostly, it was "I was at Red Bay," "The last time I was at Red Bay," "I guess I need to schedule a trip to Red Bay." Yes, Foretravels go back to Nacogdoches on a regular basis, but it seems that most owners take care of much of their own maintenance and upgrades. That appeals to me.

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #10 –
Well David,

Sorry you do not know what you do not know.  You need to ask Coleen here on the forum about purchasing a new Tiffin four slide bus (really pretty coach), getting their learning curve up and now having less bucks to get the Foretravel they currently have (1995 U240) that is so much better in her opinion.

You will find it much less expensive to purchase the Foretravel that fits your budget and be done with it in the first place.  Tiffin is an okay coach but it will never ever be a Foretravel.  The Tiffin folks have Red Bay because they really need Red Bay.  It is your money, so good luck in your decision.

I know like Coleen as I took a bath to unload the SOB and get my Foretravel. Paid dearly for that experience.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #11 –
Thanks, Rudy. We don't have much money, but we do have time. When we began our research, nearly two years ago, we thought we would be full-timing in a fifth wheel, and that motor homes were simply too expensive for us to own or operate. After much research, the diesel pusher motor home with a small toad appears to be the best combination for us. As I said, a Foretravel is at the top of our list and is really the only brand I'm researching now.

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #12 –
David,

Whatever you choose, it will come to you one day that this is the way to go.  All the best getting to that day.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #13 –
Everyone has a different route to the Foretravel, many different experiences and maybe some lost cash along the way.  For me, after tents, I started with a 1971 Ford F250 w/slide in camper, VW Camper, MCI Conversion, Winny View, and then by brothers harping at me, a Foretravel 2001, 36' 320 that he picked out at MOT.  So I arrived with too much experience (Lost money), just glad I finally made it.  I find this sophisticated coach exactly what I like with the added HP to run the way I like sometimes.  Feel this coach will be my last, I am delighted with that thought.
Dave M

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #14 –
We should have joined the forum before we purchased our GV, would have had fewer issues to deal with. That said whatever we purchased would have been a Foretravel. We had an SOB coach and we had a top of the line full timers fifth wheel. We purchased a GV because the "full timers fifth wheel" is falling apart after 180,000 miles. We looked at SOB's before we purchased our GV. The quality of the Foretravel has them beat hands down. Younger SOB's were falling apart. The quality is evedent with simple things like the construction drawers, no staples holding them together,  and the quality ball bearing slides, instead of cheap nickle slides, these drawers do not collapse. The walnut interior is in amazingly great shape considering this coach was neglected. Everyone that has seen our coach marvel at its condition and appearance. We should have gone to a Foretravel years ago. Only have eight thousand miles on it since we purchased in September, but we would not part with it.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #15 –
                             We tent camped for many years then graduated to an old beat up pick-up camper that was to heavy for my truck. In 04 we bought our first motorhome, a single slide 24' Coach House class C, then in 08 a 2 slide 27' Coach House with a queen walk-around bed which we enjoyed for 4 years. We thought we had arrived!

            I follow RV.net and saw in many posts that whenever anyone one asked "what would you buy?"almost always someone would say "a used Foretravel." That lead me to this Forum in 2010. I have been following since then and kind of pined for a Foretravel but never thought I would own one.

                Fast forward to this past March. Dee and I were in a campgound in South Texas visiting with her parents and on our way back North I suggested going to Nacodoches to visit the Foretravel factory. We have been to other factory tours before and enjoy them. Arrived Sunday night and met Dave & Dolly, Jeff & Carol and several other FT owners who were all very gracious and informative. On Monday Morning we walked into the showroom and sitting on the showroom floor was an 03 U270. We looked at it and then I was asked if I wanted to drive one. "Sure!"

                  Anyway, we make it a point to never buy anything on impulse so we went to meet my Dad (who has a new Tiffin Breeze) in Louisiana to casino camp for a few days. At the end of our stay I asked Dee what she wanted to do. "I want to go back and look at that Foretravel again." A few days later we were moving our stuff from the Coach House into our new to us Foretravel. I think we may have had enough stuff to fill about 25% of the storage.

                The level of comfort and the quality of the fit and finish of the coach along with the outstanding support that this forum brings has made us extremely happy we stopped for that factory tour.

                          Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270
 

Re: Renewing our gratitude that we have a Foretravel

Reply #16 –


I know like Coleen as I took a bath to unload the SOB and get my Foretravel. Paid dearly for that experience.
[/quote]

Yes that was me banging my head against the wall in an earlier post! Our SOB was a 2005 4 slide Allegro bus. We were full timing at the time and I just had to have that bus. Jerry wanted a Foretravel. I do most of the driving (keeps me from telling Jerry how to drive) >:D Hindsite is 20/20. I can tell you had I listened to our dear friend Rudy and driven a FT first we would have never bought the Allegro Bus. Rudy was gracious enough not to rub it in but he was grinning ear to ear when we showed up in Houston with our GV. :D
Coleen Elkins
Former 95 U240
One retired husband &
two Border Collies Isabelle and Katlyn