Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Topic: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch. (Read 880 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

November 24, 2015, 02:23:08 pm

As per the title. It's on the west coast in about 30 minutes. It's a repeat.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #1 – November 24, 2015, 02:42:54 pm

Just saw it a little while ago. Showed construction of one of the new units. Don't know if I would want to own something as complicated as a space shuttle without a crew from NASA on the payroll....wait a minute, I couldn't afford either!
It is kind of neat to see the mother ship, though.
Len

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #2 – November 24, 2015, 02:46:05 pm

Sorry, I watch "Ice Road Truckers" and " Highway Thru Hell". That mo/ho show rots my socks off.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #3 – November 24, 2015, 03:24:38 pm

I generally don't watch this series either. But it is interesting to see the process.

It also reaffirms my thought that we bought the right coach. My wife & I after having seen some of the "fancy" coaches didn't care for them. We don't want to live in a Las Vegas penthouse and prefer a more homey abode. I don't like one bit all the mirrored ceilings and other shiny crap inspired by a brothel owners idea of what first class is. We want to have a nice place to stay while we visit amazing places but don't want to have the coach be the main attraction.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #4 – November 24, 2015, 03:36:53 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 24, 2015, 03:24:38 pm

I generally don't watch this series either. But it is interesting to see the process.

It also reaffirms my thought that we bought the right coach. My wife & I after having seen some of the "fancy" coaches didn't care for them. We don't want to live in a Las Vegas penthouse and prefer a more homey abode. I don't like one bit all the mirrored ceilings and other shiny crap inspired by a brothel owners idea of what first class is. We want to have a nice place to stay while we visit amazing places but don't want to have the coach be the main attraction.

Of course all due apologies to those that own one of the aforementioned disco Foretravels. Just our taste & nothing personal.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #5 – November 24, 2015, 03:59:08 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 24, 2015, 03:36:53 pm

Of course all due apologies to those that own one of the aforementioned disco Foretravels. Just our taste & nothing personal.

Never thought crystal chandeliers made it; we visited a Marathon/Prevost one time and it struck me as a "whorehouse on wheels." We all have our tastes, after all.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #6 – November 24, 2015, 04:51:38 pm

Be the ONLY way I could afford a new Prevost!

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #7 – November 24, 2015, 06:39:28 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 24, 2015, 03:24:38 pm

I generally don't watch this series either. But it is interesting to see the process.

It also reaffirms my thought that we bought the right coach. My wife & I after having seen some of the "fancy" coaches didn't care for them. We don't want to live in a Las Vegas penthouse and prefer a more homey abode. I don't like one bit all the mirrored ceilings and other shiny crap inspired by a brothel owners idea of what first class is. We want to have a nice place to stay while we visit amazing places but don't want to have the coach be the main attraction.

Couldnt say it better myself. I have no need for eight tvs, fancy lighting, slideouts, full body paint, or any of the frills the new ones have.

Its sad that the market demands such extravagance, over basic quality and comfort. I would have expected the realm to be a lot more basic, to set it apart more from the IH. I guess other than the custom foretravel frame, I really dont see much of a difference between the two. My rv is a place to sleep, eat and work while traveling, nothing more. I'd rather spend time outside the RV, hiking, dirtbiking, atving, and attending music festivals. I enjoy that I can fit under bridges, into most campsites, and boondock for days with propane appliances. If FT still made my rv brand new, I'd probably buy one, minus the horrible gold trim and flower print fabric, of course =)

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #8 – November 24, 2015, 11:22:34 pm

bet I would hate every minute driving it around. Constantly. Foretravel bones done hi tech

The Spartan k3 I looked at is that good...

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #9 – November 24, 2015, 11:44:04 pm

Comparing the build process between the IH and the SOB was illuminating as well. I do not like the walls relying on a skinny aliminum extrusion "securely located" by some 2" long screws. Nope. Nope nope nope.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #10 – November 25, 2015, 07:22:55 am

The older foretravels are the homey ones. They just feel right and allow us to relax after being on the road all day. I started out camping in a 1949 36ft gmc bus with a 200 hp white mustang (gas) motor in the rear with a 4 speed manual transmission.I was very young , but my dad and I converted it back in the sixties. This is why I like the homey feeling when on the road. He was a clever man and the coach was great!!! It did not have a lot of amenities but those camping memories live on today...

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #11 – November 25, 2015, 08:54:41 am

Quote from: Bob in CT – November 25, 2015, 07:22:55 am

The older foretravels are the homey ones. They just feel right and allow us to relax after being on the road all day.

That's why we're so happy with our 1995 U320. The full-wall walnut paneling has the feel of a classic home library or sitting room, and the lack of slideouts makes it so easy to do nothing more than level and close the drapes in order to begin the relaxation.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #12 – November 25, 2015, 11:49:10 am

Most of the places I go, one would be darn hard pressed to get a 40footer in. But a FT low-height 40footer that is only 30,000lbs could probably make it. But damn sure a 45 footer that is as tall as the empire state building and weighs so much it will crush the asphalt below it (or high side, due to long wheel base) won't make it.

Which leads me to, what the heck is the point? I guess going from "RV RESORT" to football games?!? No boondocking. No nature (do the windows even open?). Why not just stay in a hotel or rent a house? It'd be much more economical.

But do what works. Fewer foretravels will be in the fleet in 10 years. Sad.

FT should start making high quality 5th wheels for the 75-150k price range. I bet they'd sell a ton.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #13 – November 25, 2015, 11:57:32 am

Quote from: krush – November 25, 2015, 11:49:10 am

FT should start making high quality 5th wheels for the 75-150k price range. I bet they'd sell a ton.

Alpenlite did it in reverse: started making high-line coaches after doing well with 5th wheels. Guess what? They went belly up. Bottom line: stick with the gal who brought you to the dance.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #14 – November 25, 2015, 12:11:16 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 25, 2015, 11:57:32 am

Alpenlite did it in reverse: started making high-line coaches after doing well with 5th wheels. Guess what? They went belly up. Bottom line: stick with the gal who brought you to the dance.

FT used to make 100-200+ RV's a year. Now they make 20? Much of their revenue is after sale service. Well, if the fleet shrinks, this business goes away. Just an idea.

5th wheels don't require all the expense and headache of the drivetrain. I'm not an expert on tow'd RV's, but I've yet to see one that had the interior quality of FT. This is one reason I bought my FT instead of a 5th wheel.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #15 – November 25, 2015, 12:52:30 pm

Quote from: krush – November 25, 2015, 12:11:16 pm

This is one reason I bought my FT instead of a 5th wheel.

When we decided to retire the Airstream last year, I researched all the hi-liners (ultra hi-liners like Newell & Prevost were out of the budget, not to mention too glitzy for our lifestyle!) Looked at Country Coach, Beaver, Alpenlite & Airstream. When we saw the Foretravel, we knew we'd found a home!

I'd never even consider a 5th wheel after having coaches for so long.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #16 – November 25, 2015, 01:47:22 pm

Ditto Mike...

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #17 – November 25, 2015, 02:13:27 pm

Weight. Load capacity of small 5ver tires restricts quality/fit/finish in 5 th wheel

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #18 – November 25, 2015, 02:57:42 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – November 25, 2015, 02:13:27 pm

Weight. Load capacity of small 5ver tires restricts quality/fit/finish in 5 th wheel

Not to mention my DW and her rock collecting hobby!

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #19 – November 25, 2015, 03:40:27 pm

Quote from: mike leary – November 25, 2015, 02:57:42 pm

Not to mention my DW and her rock collecting hobby!

I have a rock collection, and it resides between my ears.

Of course we shouldn't be to hard on those that buy such a coach. We would all like to be in the position to have the opportunity to actually consider buying one. Then come to our senses.

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #20 – November 25, 2015, 04:43:41 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 25, 2015, 03:40:27 pm

Of course we shouldn't be to hard on those that buy such a coach. We would all like to be in the position to have the opportunity to actually consider buying one. Then come to our senses.

I have no sense, never had, never will, but have always bought the best. Never thought (maybe in my worst dreams) to want a "plushmobile". Hell, this girl is plush enough for us, considering it took us six tries once we started with a tiny"Teardrop" trailer. Of course, if I pimp my kids and grandkids, we might have another, Lord willing!

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #21 – November 25, 2015, 05:11:35 pm

Heck, we were looking at popup trailers when we ended up with our GV! Talk about going from "fun" to LUXURY!!
And after browsing thru dealerships looking all the used SOB class A coaches we still think we are living in "the lap of luxury!!"

Re: Foretravel on extreme RV's on the travel ch.

Reply #22 – November 25, 2015, 06:09:57 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – November 25, 2015, 02:13:27 pm

Weight. Load capacity of small 5ver tires restricts quality/fit/finish in 5 th wheel

How so? My 34' weighs approx 27,500 fully loaded with a dirtbike on the back. I think 15-17.5k gross is easy to handle with a 1ton truck...I've towed much more behind mine. 12-14k on the axles and 3-5k on the truck.

And that is 10,000lbs lighter than my FT. Take away the engine, transmission, heavy axles, steering, radiator, etc etc....easy to shed 10,000lbs.

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