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Finally met Brett Wolfe and got a good coach inspection

October 13, 2012, 10:29:51 pm

Back in early 2000's I started researching motorhomes in case we ever decided to buy one.  I kept seeing postings by a man called Wolfe10 on rv.net.  He seemed to be VERY knowledgeable and helpful.  His postings led me to Foretravel coaches, and I decided that I would buy only a Foretravel or I would not buy anything.  I basically quit looking for several years as other priorities arose, then I bought my 1994 U-240 at the end of the year in 2010.  It was a low mileage coach that hadn't seem much use, and for various reasons that I still do not understand I did not get an inspection.

Now, two years and megabucks later we hope we're about ready to start enjoying our coach.  I contacted Brett, and met him in League City Friday for an inspection to see what else might go wrong.  It was time well spent.  I only wish I'd done this two years earlier.  Anyway, Brett went over it with a fine-tooth comb, and I followed him as well as a fat old man can follow for I was trying to learn.  I now have a good laundry list of routine maintenance items for the Foretravel.  A few items I will have to address before we go anywhere, but most of them are rainy-day projects.

I learned a lot about my coach, and I enjoyed meeting Brett.  I wish him well if he makes it to South America, but I hope he returns for he is a storehouse of knowledge.

Glen

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Re: Finally met Brett Wolfe and got a good coach inspection

Reply #1 – October 14, 2012, 09:57:46 pm

Glen, I think the idea of an inspection before you buy is suggested often.  Probably not necessary for some people but would have been good for some, such as me.  On this coach I dismissed in buying that the utility bay door's piano hinge was a little "out of whack" on one end, not a very long place, maybe six inches, and it did not look serious to me. 

It turns out that I should have paid more attention when I saw that.  As time goes by, the strut that pushes/holds the bay door open works on that hinge.  It seems that in some time I need to have that repaired and I am one of those that, unfortunately, cannot seem to stand something not being "right".  I bet it would go a long time doing this and be okay.  Not going to do that. Anyway, that fix is darned expensive based on two bids I have gotten.  Buyer beware, call Brett first, or others that do inspections, can save big bucks.  Mike

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Re: Finally met Brett Wolfe and got a good coach inspection

Reply #2 – October 15, 2012, 07:06:58 pm

I agree with Mike. We're starting to seriously look, and when we find a coach that we're really interested in we'll gladly pay an expert or two to check it out for us. I can catch some of the more obvious signs of neglect, but even a free coach can be expensive if there is a lot that needs attention. I'd much rather put out a few hundred dollars up front and know that what I'm buying is going to last me for at least as long as I plan on driving it.

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Re: Finally met Brett Wolfe and got a good coach inspection

Reply #3 – November 16, 2012, 12:34:45 pm

I, too, started pouring through this forum a couple of years ago, and quickly saw many posts from Brett.  Not knowing where he lived, I PM'd him with a question on a coach and found out he lives in our home town, and very near us.  Small world, to say the least.

Brett gave me some good advice on floor plans and other things, offered to show me he and Dianne's coach (since I hadn't really even been in a Foretravel before) and we finally settled on a coach back in March of this year.  Unfortunately, Brett wasn't available to inspect it but we bought it anyway.

Finally, a couple of weeks ago, Brett and Dianne met Amanda and I at our coach and Brett did a full inspection for us.  Thankfully, we got a pretty good report; but, most of all, it was a really valuable experience because we learned about many features on the coach with which we were previously unfamiliar.

So now, I have my little list of things to work on and am plugging away...replaced a tensioner yesterday (was amazingly easy...must be something wrong!), will adjust ride height sometime soon, and have some other issues including a few broken bulkhead bolts to contend with.

Brett and Dianne were a joy to spend time with, and although we parted ways leaving me feeling somewhat "unworthy" of our coach, we're working hard to get it up to snuff and enjoy it even more.

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