FT production

Topic: FT production (Read 3309 times) previous topic - next topic

FT production

November 11, 2014, 05:11:59 pm

I have found really good information on the Forum, and have found Barry Beams site extremely useful.
What I am trying to find is how many of each model were manufactured for each year. This will help me keep my expectations realistic for what may become available at some unknown time.
Thanks
Bill

Re: FT production

Reply #1 – November 11, 2014, 06:26:11 pm

The hey day was 300 or so from 98-01 The rest of the years I think were less. The first year or the new owners in 06 I think they hit 75 in 06 or 07 or there about. It has declined since then.

Re: FT production

Reply #2 – November 11, 2014, 06:41:55 pm

Quote from: nelo – November 11, 2014, 05:11:59 pm

What I am trying to find is how many of each model were manufactured for each year. This will help me keep my expectations realistic for what may become available at some unknown time.

Per the press releases, in their heyday it was 200/year. 148 in 2002. In 2003 it was likely down to "a few less than 148". In 2006 the new owners hoped for 80. Have not seen hard numbers since, but have read "25/year" is the current target.

Source of information regarding Foretravel

Another Foretravel article

Re: FT production

Reply #3 – November 11, 2014, 07:29:29 pm

When I took the tour a couple of weeks ago, they were finishing a unit every 8 days. With the trailers they make, they are on target for about 36-38 units a year.

Re: FT production

Reply #4 – November 11, 2014, 11:18:29 pm

It is a great question. How many coaches of each model and length were built in each year. When we started looking for a U270 34 ft in the 2001-2003 range i think we saw three for sale over three years. I never found out how many were actually built but one of the sales guys at FT told me that there were not many. Barry Beam's build number project might be the best bet to get a handle on this distribution.

Roger

Re: FT production

Reply #5 – November 13, 2014, 08:32:28 am

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – November 11, 2014, 11:18:29 pm

It is a great question. How many coaches of each model and length were built in each year. When we started looking for a U270 34 ft in the 2001-2003 range i think we saw three for sale over three years. I never found out how many were actually built but one of the sales guys at FT told me that there were not many.
Roger

As best as I can determine:
7 in 2001
6 in 2002
2 in 2003
All 34' U270's

Re: FT production

Reply #6 – November 13, 2014, 06:21:18 pm

My '96 is number 4805 so that would roughly indicate 300??? during that year???

Re: FT production

Reply #7 – November 13, 2014, 06:22:58 pm

Thanks, Barry. I gues that is why we happily ended up with a 36' U320.

A model, length, # of slides by year count would be helpful for folks looking for something specific.

Roger

Re: FT production

Reply #8 – November 13, 2014, 09:13:51 pm

Wow, thanks for all the effort you all are putting into this, the numbers are becoming more interesting. It looks like the production runs in the years that we are interested in (1998 to 2002) may be fairly good. We think we will be going with a 36'. At first we thought it would be with one slide and a door on the head, but after seeing Greg's 40' we now think no slide and no door on the head will work real well too. Still a possibility we might go with 40'.
Narrowing this information down to models made by year with length, and slide or not will make it more interesting. I would think the factory would have all that information readily available! You all missed your calling and should be working with Sherlock Holmes
Also, thanks Barry and sorry for the misspelling, my mind must have drifted to one of my most favorite foods in the world from the Knott's family-seeing that you're from So Cal you know what I'm talking about!

Re: FT production

Reply #9 – November 13, 2014, 10:15:51 pm

Chicken or pie? Both?

I consider my 38' with no tag, no enclosed toilet, and one slide the ideal middle ground, but not many exist.

Re: FT production

Reply #10 – November 13, 2014, 10:57:46 pm

Thanks Tom, I would like to see a 38' someday. Now, we can add that to the list of how many were built?

I say both are good, but, I still like to have my PJ sandwich at least once a week with Old Fashion Laura Scudders and Knott's dripping from it. I guess I could turn this into a whole new topic with that declaration!
Thanks
Bill

Re: FT production

Reply #11 – November 14, 2014, 10:50:34 am

lgshoup

No, you need to look at the build date, not the coach year model. 1996 coach build dates can be as early as March or April 1995. The build date is on the VIN plate. From my data, I estimate your build date to be about June of 1995.

Re: FT production

Reply #12 – November 14, 2014, 03:14:34 pm

Build date on my 1996 U-280 is July, 1995 and the build # is 4822

Re: FT production

Reply #13 – November 14, 2014, 04:37:42 pm

Quote from: nelo – November 13, 2014, 09:13:51 pm

Wow, thanks for all the effort you all are putting into this, the numbers are becoming more interesting. It looks like the production runs in the years that we are interested in (1998 to 2002) may be fairly good. We think we will be going with a 36'. At first we thought it would be with one slide and a door on the head, but after seeing Greg's 40' we now think no slide and no door on the head will work real well too. Still a possibility we might go with 40'.

Our '95 with no slide and no separate toilet compartment works quite well for us. It seems to have the most overall storage space of nearly any of the models. We're extremely thankful to have been able to purchase it.

Re: FT production

Reply #14 – November 15, 2014, 08:39:59 am

The 95 I sold recently was build 4605 so there were 217 units between Jimmy's 96 and my 95. It was built in July 94.
Gary B

Re: FT production

Reply #15 – November 15, 2014, 10:53:43 am

The data I have are sketchy between 1989 and 1997, but does show annual production decreasing over the years.

In the period 1989 through 1993 calendar year production was roughly 230 (and this is a pretty rough number due to lack of data).

From 1993 through 1997 production rate decreased to about 200/calendar year.

Then, after about 2000, production rate dropped again to about 170/calendar year.

These are just average values. Individual year production could vary from these values.

As I write this I have begun to wonder about the relationship between build number and coach model year. Is it possible that, for example, a 1999 model coach could have a build number higher than a 2000 model coach?

This scenario would be possible if a person ordered a current year model after the factory had begun production of the next year's model. For example, if you ordered a 1999 coach in June 1999, some model year 2000 coaches would have already been built so your 1999 would have a higher build number than these early built 2000's.

While I have build numbers and build dates in my database, I don't have coach model year. Didn't think I would ever need that. If folks would provide their build number, build date, and model year, I could solve this little mystery.

Re: FT production

Reply #16 – November 15, 2014, 08:36:53 pm

120 units between sometime in July, 1998 and sometime in January 1999. Looks like 200~220 units built between July 98' and July 99'...
Don

Quote from: Felix and Gail – November 15, 2014, 08:27:56 pm

1999 U320. build number 5522, Jan. 1999

Re: FT production

Reply #17 – November 17, 2014, 11:25:06 am

Barry,
Do you or anyone know the production number for 1999 34ft. coaches?
Jerry

Re: FT production

Reply #18 – November 17, 2014, 12:39:30 pm

Kind of related...
Back in my old GMC Motorhome days someone started a Registry for coaches. It became interesting in you could see the history of your coach, or lookup an old coach, if ithe info was kept current. I believe the originator has passed away, but I see it is still active.

www.gmcmhregistry.com

Jim, 6095 build was 08/2002.

Re: FT production

Reply #19 – November 17, 2014, 08:37:43 pm

Quote from: Green99 – November 17, 2014, 11:25:06 am

Barry,
Do you or anyone know the production number for 1999 34ft. coaches?
Jerry

Best guess is 11 - 1999 34' U270's

Re: FT production

Reply #20 – November 17, 2014, 10:09:53 pm

Thanks Barry.

How many built

Reply #21 – December 09, 2014, 12:20:56 am

Anyone know how many 1994, Special Edition, u-280, 300 Cummins, were built? or how I can find out?
Thanks, ipatch

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