Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today III)

September 08, 2014, 11:25:40 pm

I'm a little late with my post but it has been a busy month or so and some internet problems.  But I do want to brag a little on Larry, who works for David at the Mother Ship and all the service department personnel who have been such a big help. 
Last of July we had an appointment for some service work, oil change and fix oil leak at drain plug, fix the dash air and service the generator which failed on the way there , and also some upgrades.
Generator failure was due to insulation in the quiet box coming loose and covering the air intake.  They fixed the insulation and installed a rubber "U" that points downward so it can't happen again.
Oil leak was fixed and the AC needed Freon.  I had replaced the clutch (coil shorted out) and cleaned some dirty connections at the low pressure switch but more Freon was needed.  Has been working fine since.
Now back to Larry....our upgrades consisted of a residential refrigerator install, changing the large table top below the passenger side window to a small table top and converting the space in the kitchen cabinet which was previously where the Bose sub-woofer was located to a useable deep drawer.
All of these were done to somewhere way above our expectations.  I had heard the remodel shop was good but have had no experience with them other than our MCD shades at the windshield which did not require wood work.  Larry did all the remodel and refrigerator installation.  All the trim work and the refinishing under the window where the large table top extended the length of the window is remarkable.  You would never know that the coach was not originally built like it is now.  We could not be happier and Larry is definitely a Rock Star when it comes to wood working...he has been at Foretravel for 40 years. 
We have to agree with those who have gone before us that the refrigerator swap is the best.  Donna loves the extra space and no manual defrosting.  And the freezer is now big enough that there is room for ice cream!
I have attached and labeled before and after pictures. 
Another side note that was very much appreciated by the Foretravel staff.  End of July while we were getting this stuff done, our grandson had an accident at Lake Tahoe and was in intensive care.  We needed to leave quickly and the shop finished the things necessary for us to leave in short order.  When we were able to return they fit us in to finish the work.  We really appreciated their hard work and consideration.  And our grandson is now home and making a complete recovery.  God Is Good!

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today III)

Reply #1 – September 08, 2014, 11:56:51 pm

@Bill & Donna Larry is amazing. We had a large splinter come off from the front lip one of our tambour cabinets. I had written it off as unfixable. Dori asked Dave about it and he put Larry on it. He found a piece of trim from an old cabinet in the "attic" and it matched perfectly. He is truly an artiste!

The refrigerator install looks great. When the work is this good you don't mind the cost. You'll enjoy it everyday from now on.

see ya
ken

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #2 – September 09, 2014, 08:31:48 am

Bill & Donna your upgrades look great. They did a real nice install..
Was great meeting you both and sure enjoyed lunch with the group from Nacogdoches.

Barry & Donna

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #3 – September 09, 2014, 09:08:23 am

The upgrades look GREAT!  We have a appointment on Sep. 22 for similar work (new residential fridge and new microwave, plus replacement of round dining room table and some new storage drawers and cabinets).  We hope for similar excellent results.  It will be our first visit to FOT.  Did they let you "live" in the coach while work was in progress, or did you have to get a motel room?

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #4 – September 09, 2014, 09:16:12 am

All that work looks great Bill - very nice and useful mods.  Larry has done some little things for us and he is amazing.  Still couldn't find Donna a smaller queen's seat?

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #5 – September 09, 2014, 10:34:22 am

In addition to being an "artiste" with wood, Larry Ratliff is a truly fine human being ... kind, funny, smart and just plain GOOD.  David Flanagan is just super ... sharp, funny, experienced, decent and caring.  They would not suffer people to work with them who are not up to their standards. Mike is just as fine a craftsman and can work wonders.  There is a REASON why we keep going back to these guys.  Larry will eventually finish the coach he bought for himself and when it is pristine and perfect he may actually drive it out of his shop and take a trip.  I have to have my own coach perfected before that day comes, and he retires!!

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #6 – September 09, 2014, 11:25:36 am

Looks great. 

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #7 – September 09, 2014, 11:34:47 am

Very Nice Enjoy! 
But mostly we are glad your grandson is now home and making a complete recovery.

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Re: Our new residential fridge and other remods (split from Re: What did you do to your coach today

Reply #8 – September 09, 2014, 12:51:04 pm

Barry,
Donna and I enjoyed meeting you and the rest of our "lunch gang" very much.  Hope to meet up again sometime!

cajk,
We stayed a couple of nights at the nearby Comfort Suites during the refrigerator install.  It made it easier on Larry as he did not have to put away everything and make the coach livable for us.  That also gave him more time to work, instead of cleaning up.  And also, at $110.00 per hour, we may have broken even.  It was our choice as Larry offered to make it ready for us.

Mark,
I guess one of these days we will have to bite the bullet and spring for new chairs.  Have not been able to find a regular size one for Donna's side.  With the remodeled lamp table top, a regular size passenger seat would really open up the entry area.  Saw a similar vintage coach as ours in one of the service bays that had two new Nimbus seats installed....would like to go that route but too expensive for now.

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