Input on ih-45 and Realm

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Input on ih-45 and Realm

April 07, 2015, 05:53:05 pm

While I've been researching Class A motorhomes for quite some time, my list is becoming shorter. Two of the models that remain on my list are the Realm and ih-45. I realize the Realm is fairly new and that's why there's so few owner or test drive reviews. But I'm having difficulty finding solid information on the ih-45. I've checked a variety of forums and just can't find too much info on this model.

I realize that at this price point these motorhomes fall into the pre-owned Prevost territory and yes, that could be an option, but I'd prefer to make this purchase a new model.

I'm hoping that those who have either taken an extended test drive or who own this model can provide some insight as to what they liked about the ih-45 and what could use some room for improvement. Also any input from those who have experience getting this model serviced would be helpful.

Your input is appreciated.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #1 – April 07, 2015, 06:14:05 pm

Welcome to the forum! Yes, there are more of us who own older Foretravels than those who own newer ones. There are many reasons for that, and this isn't the place to go into them. There are a few IH-45 owners here, so you ought to hear from one or two of them. There are also several very knowledgeable people here who know Foretravels inside and out who will be able to give you some advice. Please ask your questions here. You are more likely to get an answer to a specific question than to a general one.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #2 – April 07, 2015, 06:25:53 pm

Thanks David, your advice is appreciated.

I'll follow your lead and ask a specific question about the ih-45 and the Realm...Service and Repairs.

Considering there are basically two dealers selling these models and they are both located in the same state, how does Foretravel respond when warranty service is needed? At certain times of the year many motorhome dealerships are backed-up servicing brands they sell and I'm wondering just how easy/difficult it be to get a FT model serviced when it's located in a different part of the country?

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #3 – April 07, 2015, 08:57:19 pm

I have a 2015 IH Foretravel that I took delivery of in July 2014. This is our4th foretravel and each one has something unique about it. I really like the IH and my wife likes to drive it also. As with any product made by man you will have some items that are not what you would like, but foretravel stands behind their product and will provide all the support you need. They are updating the coaches and I believe they will continue to build a great product. If I can answer any questions please contact me. Jim

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #4 – April 07, 2015, 09:09:48 pm

I do not have an IH but I will say that I have driven a couple of them in the past and it is the culmination of many years of work to make it a tremendous machine. It is a purpose built coach like Newell is. The fact that you start with a clean sheet of paper is a great benefit. I too think you can look at a pre owned Prevost or maybe even an Outlaw version for about the same money. The issue is if you want new and your design and floor plan, then the IH stands alone.

If I was to buy a new coach now, I would get a phenix version. It is shorter in height. Out west it is not an issue but if you go to the NE it becomes more of an issue from time to time. Other then that, I can not think of many things I would change int he IH.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #5 – April 07, 2015, 10:40:53 pm

Thanks to all for the responses. Compared to other lines, there's not as much forum coverage on the IH as there are other higher end motorhomes. Maybe that's a good thing as sometimes people turn to the forums to post concerns or complaints. I'm hoping that's the reason for the lack of owner content online...not much to complain about!

I'm a few months away from making a final decision and I welcome all input on both the IH, the Realm and other comparable models...good and not so good...as it's nice to know these things before making the plunge!

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #6 – April 08, 2015, 08:51:43 am

I believe there are only one or two owners of IH-45s on the forum, Jim B. who's already responded being one. No Realm owners that I know of (and as of a couple of months ago, only one of those had been sold and was listed for sale by its owner).

ETA I did a q&d calculation based on coach numbers. First IH-45 (December 2010) appears to have been 6540. Most recent coach on Jim McNeece's chart is 6605. Need build numbers/build dates for 2003 and later (split from FT production)

65 coaches built (not including the Realm) since December 2010, so about 12 per year. That's likely the main reason there aren't many owners of newer coaches on forums compared to owners of the previous-generation models (when build rates were 100-200/year).

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #7 – April 09, 2015, 05:22:38 am

One thing you may consider with an investment of this price point is to make a factory tour visit. It would be well worth your time and many of your answers could be answered.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #8 – April 09, 2015, 06:30:35 am

A factory tour is a must in my opinion. As Bigdogsolo says, many of your questions will be answered. I like to tour factories of other brands, too, just to learn.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #9 – April 09, 2015, 09:58:49 am

Thanks All!

I've scheduled a factory visit for July and am looking forward to learning more about both the IH-45 and Realm and to see how they compare to a gently used Prevost model that's in the same price range.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #10 – April 09, 2015, 10:37:32 am

You might want to go visit with James Stallings at Xtreme Paint and Graphics in July when you in NAC. He owns an older Prevost and hast a steady stream of them though their shop. The folks at Xtreme mostly worked for Foretravel in the past and have pretty good insight into fiberglass, body and paint issues. It might be a worthwhile stop on you exploration.

Roger

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #11 – April 09, 2015, 10:43:51 am

I would second going to talk to James over at Xtreme. He has owned both a Foretravel and a Prevost.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #12 – April 19, 2015, 06:02:19 pm

In the fall of 2014 I asked the same question about the IH45 that you are asking. I also posted a question on other boards looking for info on this model. I was directed to Jim Busby who responded to your type questions and I sent him a private message. I talked with him on the phone and you might consider doing the same. More information comes from phone conversations than paragraphs on this or any other board.
We took delivery of our previously owned 2012 IH45 at the end of March. We've owned a Foretravel previously. We have not yet had a chance to use the 45 but from the delivery, the difference between this and our U320 is huge! One thing we noticed is this coach is more complicated but much quieter. We've looked for 5 years prior to buying this coach, because it's exactly what we wanted. The only thing being done to the coach was to install a dishwasher and Direct TV receivers.
We looked at Newells, Prevosts, Country Coach and Foretravel and found Newells were to our liking for numerous reasons, but the negative to it was the length of time the coaches stay on the market for resale. Prevosts had great structure, ride and little road noise but my wife didn't like this coach because of the 2-slide configuration - too confining. These 2 lines have high initial purchase factors and additional costs for remodelling. The IH45 gave us everything on our must have list but the above mentioned.
I wish you the best in your search and please do considering talking with Jim Busby direct.
Reese Cantrell

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #13 – April 21, 2015, 01:43:28 am

For the price point you are shopping in .... why bother with anything else but Foretravel. I think Band Perry got one build for them. You know anyone in Music business? I believe once you go and meet with good folks at FT and the others who make their living in Nac by doing something with or for FT owners you will be able see yourself why we all think you should get a FT.
Enjoy your journey.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #14 – June 23, 2015, 02:40:35 am

Quote from: PalmBeachRider – April 09, 2015, 09:58:49 am

Thanks All!

I've scheduled a factory visit for July and am looking forward to learning more about both the IH-45 and Realm and to see how they compare to a gently used Prevost model that's in the same price range.

Interested in what you've experienced in shopping the ih 45s.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #15 – June 24, 2015, 10:51:05 pm

I am not an IH owner, nor Realm. I have, however, owned three brands and five motorhomes. A Newmar King Aire was one, which we loved, until we bought the Foretravel. Last year we purchased a 2005 with almost 100,000 miles. It is an awesome coach but only has two slides. We knew when we bought it was an experiment. What we learned is that the build quality is awesome, the people in Nac are fantastic, and that this owner's forum is a huge asset for the brand.

Last week we traded for a 2010 Nimbus that is pretty well tricked out. We did this after driving several IHs and coming very close to buying a Realm. But, with the Realm, I didn't want to deal with that dealer in Dallas. They might be fine at what they do but my experience made me think I'd have little support from them post sale. When FOT could sell the Realm, I became interested but in the end there were just too many people involved and the distribution model seemed really unclear. And, for the price difference, just buy the IH because there are more on the road and while the distribution is still not perfect, the machine is much much more proven.

However, we passed on that too. I could never get comfortable with not having a better feel for what fair market value is. It seems like the deal is only as good as your ability to negotiate with your seller and they usually have a heck of a lot more information than you do.

So, I bought a rig that has the bones and floor plan to support us, and a proven sales history to tell me better what a fair price is. In the end, I can upgrade everything in this coach to IH grade and still face a fraction of the depreciation and be able to sell it to a much broader market when I'm ready for what's next.

So, that's why I'm not a Realm or IH owner. But I did double down on Foretravel as my preferred rig builder. For the money they are hard to beat. And the people in the whole community are just top drawer.

Good luck!

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #16 – June 24, 2015, 11:48:53 pm

Quote from: John S – April 09, 2015, 10:43:51 am

I would second going to talk to James over at Xtreme. He has owned both a Foretravel and a Prevost.

Agreed.
When I was staying on-site at XT, I spent a long time, particularly after hours, examining details of a few Pre's that came and went.
I also had some discussions with Rance and Greg about Pre's. Don't get me wrong. I'm not in the high caste of people who can buy one. Never the less, they fascinate me. Seeing one partially dismantled reveals the extraordinary construction. Far more than the skin is made of stainless steel. I noted one little exterior thing that seemed flimsy and pointed it out to Greg. He said "Well, you've found one of the few things on the exterior that was put on by the converter, not Prevost." In other ways, I could see that all Prevost conversions are NOT equal -- another reason to pick the brains of James, Greg and Rance at Xtreme.

In favor of FT service on late model coaches, I watched a service person, with an owner, going through a list of flaws (mostly tiny, as far as I could see) on an IH. This was when I was spending a few days at Camp ForeTravel (parking lot), the end of March. The IH was parked in a space two away from the one I occupied. The various (tiny) flaws were marked w grease pencil or something -- presumably to be eliminated, or reduced, in the factory service department. I could not hear what interior items were on the list. I have no doubt that each and every one of them was also going to be remedied.

If I understand correctly, Prevost does NOT build finished "motorhome" motor coaches. They all come from various conversion shops. If I understand correctly, the FT Realm, like most motorhomes, is built by a coach builder upon an out-sourced chassis. Unlike either of the foregoing, the IH is a complete, integrated package constructed at Nacogdoches. To me, the IH resembles a number of high-end motor coaches more than it resembles a Prevost. It seems to me Prevost is to motorhomes what Duesenberg is to classic cars.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #17 – June 25, 2015, 07:22:08 am

Actually, prevost does build a MH chassis and even converts entertainer style coaches too. I was told you have to be a corp customer for that. The MH shells go to the converters.

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #18 – June 25, 2015, 08:04:56 am

Quote from: Mogan David – June 24, 2015, 11:48:53 pm

In favor of FT service on late model coaches, I watched a service person, with an owner, going through a list of flaws (mostly tiny, as far as I could see) on an IH. This was when I was spending a few days at Camp ForeTravel (parking lot), the end of March. The IH was parked in a space two away from the one I occupied. The various (tiny) flaws were marked w grease pencil or something -- presumably to be eliminated, or reduced, in the factory service department.

Sounds like a new coach delivery walk-through/punch list or the initial warranty service. It reminds me of the pre-closing walk-through when you've built a house from the ground up; much as having that IH built would have been (except you typically use painters tape rather than grease pencils on a house

Re: Input on ih-45 and Realm

Reply #19 – June 25, 2015, 09:55:34 am

exactly right, Michelle.

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