Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

looking at a new ih-45

April 02, 2014, 12:09:34 pm

Talked with a guy today who use to own a prevost, told him i was looking at a new f/t he told me not to do it. Too much money and his prevost, is the best out there and broke all the time. I am looking at a new ih-45 I know there will be bugs to work out (boat owner also) but, is that a reason not to enjoy living in you new MH.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #1 – April 02, 2014, 01:05:50 pm

Welcome to the forum.  While it's not a totally reliable way to look at thinks I would suggest that you research how many Provosts vs Foretravels are still running around.  As you will see from this forum Foretravels are long lived and I think more cost effective in the end.  You will also get good resale value.

Keith

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #2 – April 02, 2014, 02:18:35 pm

I looked at provosts very closely.  I stayed with my FT. 

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #3 – April 02, 2014, 02:23:15 pm

Welcome to the forum, endo. Owners tend to think their brand is the best there is, unless they have some problems and then it is the worst there is; nothing between the two extremes. When you start looking at top quality coaches, there aren't many brands to pick from. All will have some problems, but the right question to ask is how the company stands behind their product. I freely admit that I'm pretty new to Foretravels, but I did quite a bit of research before we even started looking at something to buy, and Foretravel seems to stand behind their products. Our coach is 21 years old, and yes, there are some problems. Some of those might be of my doing, some are due to age, and maybe some of them are due to what the previous owner did or didn't do. I do know that this forum is one of the big reasons why I own a Foretravel. Is there something similar for Prevost owners? If so, is it as helpful as this one?

In the interest of full disclosure, Prevost was mentioned several times as a top-quality brand, but I wasn't able to find any in our price range. I've never been in one, either, although once I saw several that were leaving a rally just as we were arriving.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #4 – April 02, 2014, 02:46:14 pm

I will elaborate.  If you are going to put 30k a month on then a Prevost is the way to go.  I put on between. 30-50k a yr so I will have. This FT till I get about. 500k miles. Then I will look and see what to get. Right now I like Mellenium and Liberty but they are 2 million plus for new. I can get a IH or eve a Phenix and get two of them for the same money so I can replace it at te years and be ahead and get the new technology  too.  Now money isnot everything. I went to a Prevost rally with 90 plus Prevost a Foretravel a country coach and a Newell.  The stuff we have standard is an option or not available at Liberty. That could be good or bad depending. Marathon requires you to replumb to get engine assist heating and may have hanged their setup. The issue Is marathon built no coaches last year and has only a couple this year. Liberty and Mellenium seem to have the market to themselves.  Newell increased production as well and are slightly cheaper than the prevosts.  They are also all very heavy.  I think that right now FT makes the best motorhome out there for the dollar.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #5 – April 02, 2014, 02:47:03 pm

There are a number of older prevosts onthe roads.  Kind of like FTs that way. 

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #6 – April 02, 2014, 03:04:10 pm

John, Any of the Marathons in the late 90's to current all have engine heat plumb for H20.  No retrofit there.  Marathon built 11 last year and on schedule for 15 this year.  Just spoke with Jim Cogley (Marathon) while he was in Indio and he verified that. 

Yep, Liberty, Marathon and Mellinium are the top three then Emerald (Old Outlaw folks) are coming up. 

Yes for the price, a FT is the best bang for your buck, unless you want a stainless steel coach and not fiberglass. 

FYI, FT IH-45's had a wiring issue with their Aqua-hots a while back.  When on electric, they would pull from the same leg and blow the breaker.  I think it's all been fixed but something to watch for and ask about.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #7 – April 02, 2014, 03:16:21 pm

endo,

I have had my fair share of issues with the FT Phenix I own. Usually I get fairly worked up while dealing with it. But after it is said and done I always look forward to the next road trip. Owning a MH is expensive and frustrating at times, just that simple. But still worth it to me.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #8 – April 02, 2014, 03:47:57 pm

Good to know they built 11. I heard from Phil C they did not build any the prior year. I got an email from them saying that they are starting their show coach. The only stainless chassis is the H3.  The XL verses ions have stainless sides but I have been hearing of delamination and outrageous sums to fix. That slowed my looking for them a bit.

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #9 – April 02, 2014, 05:17:32 pm

I hear you. Owning a MH can be expensive. But compared to what?

In our case it is compared to renting an apartment since we are full-timers.

That would be $700-$1,000 per month plus utilities in the SF Bay Area.

So until we regularly spend $12K/year on our FT I'll feel the cost of a FT is just fine.

best, paul

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #10 – April 02, 2014, 06:43:56 pm

               Still at FOT . Phyllis walks laps around the Foretravel shop and office complex every day , rain or shine . I ride my Can Am  Commander every day rain or shine . Phyllis got back from her daily walk , saying , the IH-45s don't have the right floor plan that she likes . The horse just lifted his foot off mine .I didn't know she was looking . Thank my lucky stars for the floor plan thing .My Phenix does just fine , thank you very much .    Brad Metzger

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Re: looking at a new ih-45

Reply #11 – April 03, 2014, 02:07:44 am

Brad,
 
Hope she doesn't find out they will custom build what she wants!
 
 
 
Trent

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