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Topic: Soon to be new operator...be gentle (Read 1318 times) previous topic - next topic

Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Long time lurker here, but thought I better officially join the group as I now have a need to ask lots of questions regarding a Foretravel coach.  The company I work for has committed to purchase a mobile response unit.  I have been given the very cool task of designing, building, and operating the unit.  While initially looking at Prevost bus, I decided on a Foretravel chassis.  The folks in Nacogdoches are building the chassis and then will deliver it to our vendor in Wisconsin to finish the customization.

The reason I bored you with the background was that while I have driven large vehicles in the past, I have not had the operate a Foretravel nor have I had the possibility of being in all parts of the country at all times of the year with this type of rig.  I will likely ask some very newbie-like operator questions, and for that, I apologize.

Looking forward to picking the brains of the many knowledgeable resources in this forum.  Please let me know if you have any questions for me.

Thanks - T. J.

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #1 –
Welcome to ForeForums T.J.! 

I hope you'll be able to share photos of the very unique Foretravel with us in the future.

Michelle
(I apologize for the delay in approving your post; I was away from the 'net for most of the day)
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: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #2 –
Welcome, you will surely get the "correct" answers here on the Forum...Great people that love to share experiences..

We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #3 –
Yep...I guarantee our Foretravel won't look like anyone on here!  For those of you who haven't sold all of your worldly possessions and live only in your coach, we may carry your homeowners or auto insurance. Lets just say I would love to meet all of you and talk Foretravel stuff, but if we bring our coach to your town, likely it's not for fun!  I am excited that we just received pictures from Foretravel and they have started building our rig!  By the time the work is complete, it will likely be the end of the year or the beginning of '14.  It can't get here soon enough!

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #4 –
You will be able to handle any weather but high water.  I have camped in single digits to 118 degrees in the full sun. Get window awnings put on they make a huge difference even if they break up the sleek look.  Oh and turn the retarder off in the snow but the coach handles well in it.
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: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #5 –
Welcome.

Questions?

Sure. What are you going to be doing in all parts of the country all times of the year?

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #6 –
Very cool project (whatever it is... lol)!!! I'm looking forward to seeing more of this. Welcome to the forum. :)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #7 –
I work in the Catastrophe Claims Office for a large insurance company.  When the hurricanes come, the hail falls, the winds blow, the snow and ice come, we swarm the effected areas.  We are building a mobile response unit to travel to these areas.  It won't have any living quarters but many creature comforts for our insureds, first responders, and general public in their time of need.  We are really excited about the project.  As I said, I have basically done all of the research, designing, and finally, approving the coach.  Can't wait to get on the road with it!

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #8 –
TJ,

I may have seen you in Moore.  I have volunteered there from the beginning.  My son's home is in Moore but thankfully was just barely damaged.  The insurance disaster response teams were great.  They were there almost before the dust settled.  I did a lot of truck unloading and processing in the parking lot adjacent to several of the insurance teams during the first few days.  If you had had your Foretravel based vehicle I certainly would have stopped by to say hello.  Maybe next May, but hopefully not. 

Look forward to seeing pictures of the building and fitting out process.

Richard

Jan & Richard Witt
1999 U-320  36ft WTFE
Build Number: 5478 Motorcade: 16599
2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/Air Force One
Jan: NO5U, Richard:KA5RIW
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Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #9 –
Our company was in Moore, Richard, but I was not.  I missed that one.  We actually rented an RV from and local dealer...of course, not a Foretravel, and that set up was enough for our big guys to make the call to get our own rig.  It will be nice...both for those that we are there to help and the operator...;)

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #10 –
Sounds like a fun, rewarding job. Do you also do insurance adjustment work, or are you just the coach operator?
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #11 –
Quote
Long time lurker here, but thought I better officially join the group as I now have a need to ask lots of questions regarding a Foretravel coach.  The company I work for has committed to purchase a mobile response unit.  I have been given the very cool task of designing, building, and operating the unit.  While initially looking at Prevost bus, I decided on a Foretravel chassis.  The folks in Nacogdoches are building the chassis and then will deliver it to our vendor in Wisconsin to finish the customization.
T J, What goes around comes around.  I was in on the end of a two coach project by Transit Casualty ( now defunct ) to build and operate Mobile Safety centers on Foretravel Coaches in 1979/80.  There is a photo on the front page.  This was in the pre digital age and the equipment we installed was from Link Trainer and others. From today's perspective that was a real pioneer operation.
Good luck with it, I am jealous that you get paid to play with a Foretravel, what else on earthe could you want. ( no , I did not forget about the catastrophe's ).
Gary B

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #12 –
Shhhhhhh...don't tell anyone how much fun operating a Foretravel is.  Once they find out, everyone will want to be in the driver's seat!  :P  Me being named the full-time the operator of the MRU isn't official...yet.  But I hope it is soon so I can concentrate on it full time.  It is amazing how much work I have already put into the design of the capabilities and the layout already.  We will have full satellite capabilities that will allow us to provide telephone and internet to our adjusters, agents, and also first responders and insureds...a grill and TV on the exterior of one of the slides for customer service needs...and other cool stuff too.  Like I said, I hope to meet a lot of you in the near future, but if we are there, it is likely not for a good reason!  Thanks.

-T. J.

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #13 –
Are they adding extra water and tankage for you too?
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: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #14 –
John - A little bit...we have so much space needed for the grill and other stuff that our bays and basement storage have confined the additional water and gas capacity.

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #15 –
Just got a photo from Foretravel of our in-production unit...they just dropped 600HP of red Cummins love into the rear of our coach.  I feel like Tim Allen from Home Improvement...argh argh argh.  Here is my wife's reaction... ::)

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Mebetj15 –
Just got a photo from Foretravel of our in-production unit...they just dropped 600HP of red Cummins love into the rear of our coach.  I feel like Tim Allen from Home Improvement...argh argh argh.  Here is my wife's reaction... ::)
Oh my!!!  Congratulations on the new coach.  It must be like having a new kid.  Cigars when completed.  And that 600 Cummins - I've driven diesel much of my adult life and have never driven anything with that kind of power!  Biggest I've ever driven was a worn out 425 Cat! 
1994 U225
build #4514
 

Re: Soon to be new operator...be gentle

Reply #17 –
600 Horsies, That thing will fly,

Good idea to make a bus suitable for your needs, Its better than laying on the ground with out it,
Cheers,
Brian,

Toys, 1989 Grand Villa, 36 foot, ORED with 300 Hp Cat. 2002 Gemini 34 foot Sailing Catamaran, 2006 Honda Super Blackbird 1100XX, 2002 ZR7 750 Kawasaki,
25 HP Chinese tractor and Backhoe,