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Topic: Service times @ FOT (Read 632 times) previous topic - next topic

Service times @ FOT

As of today (5/8/14) first available service is July 14th...That is crazy...Come on guys..Afraid to ask about remodel shop.

Did just hear that some are working double shifts, so they are trying to catch up..
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #1 –
Wow, that translates into some serious lost revenue. If I had that kind of back log I'd open the shop 24 hours a day.
Scott Peatross
2003 34' U270
Stevenson Ranch, CA

Fearless ex-owner of one of the most complex motorhomes ever built, the 1987 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40 :)

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #2 –
Man that seems like a long wait ::)

Demand yes, skill level maybe, making $$$, Definitely.


Good for the brand, IDK.
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #3 –
We lucked out by showing up this week. They had a huge backlog last week and worked a lot of extra hours to get get it back down. We showed up and got into remodel, paint and service in just 3 days. Your milage may very... We were prepared to stay 3 weeks or more to get work done.

I think I burned through a bunch of the karma I've been accumulating over the years. :)

see ya
ken
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🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #4 –
With the current service status in Nac, might be a reasonable time to try opening another service center.  Take a Foretravel employee of 15-20 years experience, who might be able to pull it off with a little backing.  A chap like Mike Rogers for example.  Sure an interesting thought.
Dave M

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #5 –
What's the status of Encore? Are they set up (or could they easily be set up) to do service/repair work? Seems like they were for sale recently.

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #6 –
Hesitated to comment, feel not much to add that not known.  However I have such respect for these mechanics or technicians that for those that are less familiar with the situation, I think this is about it......

Pay scale in Nac does not attract many so the area is sort of self limited with these highly qualified technicians.  Many of the qualified technicians that are available are working all they can and are not physically able to do more on a protracted basis. 

The labor situation has attracted Bernd and I imagine that helps a little.  Plus the larger shops may be a bit reluctant to raise rates and absent that cannot draw out of the metro areas.  Opening a new shop would be hard.  The labor pool is shallow.  Encore for example would need several folks to be another service center.  Last I heard it for sale around $325,000.  Takes a lot of service to handle that with one bay.

I suspect too Nac gets increasing traffic as three centers are good reputations and drawing larger crowds with improved RV economy versus five years ago.

Just my thoughts....thankful to have what we have, some skilled and hard working folks that care about us
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michael & Jackie –
Plus the larger shops may be a bit reluctant to raise rates and absent that cannot draw out of the metro areas. 

Interesting thought, but based on our experience here in the DFW area, shop rates in Nac are definitely not below par compared to this metro area.
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: Service times @ FOT

Reply #8 –
wow only $325k for the place. That is about 1/3rd of the price for a 50x120' lot here, and that is just land.!!
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Service times @ FOT

Reply #9 –
They cost more then Cummins does here at both places: Mot and FT.
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: Service times @ FOT

Reply #10 –
Nacogdoches also has three other RV service and sales lots for mostly travel trailers but do service work on motorhomes and sell a few. One has one of the best Foretavel techs managing its service.  Used couple times and does a great job. But with all the trailer work they are pushed to work in motorhomes.  I think FOT will be OK as long as they can get some production orders. We just have to work around the delays for service.  DAN 
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650