Real length of 36'

Topic: Real length of 36' (Read 1733 times) previous topic - next topic

Real length of 36'

October 23, 2020, 09:57:22 am

Hello.

I am looking at 36' Foretravels as I expect it will fit into my 40' wide building. I did some measuring and it is going to be tight.

Are the Foretravels that are listed as 36' actually 36' or are they longer by some degree. From bumper to bumper is the actual measurement I need if anyone knows it off hand. Also the height while I got you on the line as my door is 13' in height.

Thanks.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #1 – October 23, 2020, 10:01:25 am

It fits both specs .

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #2 – October 23, 2020, 10:20:23 am

Our 2001 36" fits in our 11"-11 1/4" door opening and under all of the 12" clearance to the roof trusses with room to spare. Our 40' barn has doors at both ends and inside door to door is 39' 7". With about 18" clearance in front we have about 5" at the back, door to tow bar folded to the side. Door to ladder is maybe 16". It will be snug but it will fit.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #3 – October 23, 2020, 11:08:32 am

Like Roger said take into account the length with towbar and ladder and exhaust pipe. Also you probably won't be able to open either the engine or generator hatch. 40' should be doable.
I think the total height at ride height on mine is 11' 4" so height shouldn't be an issue.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #4 – October 23, 2020, 11:28:14 am

Thanks for the replies, kind of what I expected. Hadn't considered a tow bar or exhaust stack. That might make it really tight.

Another question I should have tacked on, without doing too much digging and being lazy, are the wheel base of the 36' and 40' same or different?

The neighbor put up a building, with 12' height door. He then bought a motorhome without suspecting there might be clearance problems. His motorhome won't fit into the building. Don't want to go down that road unawares.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #5 – October 23, 2020, 11:39:31 am

Quote from: markb – October 23, 2020, 11:28:14 am

Thanks for the replies, kind of what I expected. Hadn't considered a tow bar or exhaust stack. That might make it really tight.

Another question I should have tacked on, without doing too much digging and being lazy, are the wheel base of the 36' and 40' same or different?

The neighbor put up a building, with 12' height door. He then bought a motorhome without suspecting there might be clearance problems. His motorhome won't fit into the building. Don't want to go down that road unawares.

40' has longer wheel base

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #6 – October 23, 2020, 12:26:04 pm

228 vs 276 without a tag.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #7 – October 23, 2020, 01:11:17 pm

Thx all for the information.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #8 – October 23, 2020, 01:12:05 pm

Quote from: markb – October 23, 2020, 11:28:14 am

Another question I should have tacked on, without doing too much digging and being lazy, are the wheel base of the 36' and 40' same or different?

Foretravel Specifications, Floorplans & Brochures [ForeForums Foretravel...

Be aware a 40' SRA and a 40' tag axle coach are going to have different wheelbases as well.

Depending on year, there will possibly be some differences between pre-1995, 1995-2001, 2002-2005(6 if you count the 2006 Nimbus), and 2006+ since there are some chassis differences.

Height specs don't necessarily take into account any aftermarket items like satellite dishes, replacement roof air conditioners (if replaced with non-low-profile), etc.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #9 – October 23, 2020, 02:26:39 pm

I guess the only way to know for sure is to measure. I took off the CB antenna and some other antenna because they didn't clear the 12' door opening. I have a short antenna on the top of the ladder that just barely clears. Our Travler sat dish is no higher than the AC covers.

We were very limited on size for our barn. If I were able to build bigger it would have been big enough to have the slide(s) out, the window awnings out (to dry), all the bay doors open, the engine hatch open and 3-4 ft all around. Maybe 24-28 ft wide and 48 ft long for a 35 ft coach. And 14'x14' doors. And enough room to walk around on the roof? 18'? 20'? And lots of lights..

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #10 – October 23, 2020, 05:48:56 pm

markb, one other thing to remember is the mirrors. Depending on how you set them, they can add to the overall width and length.
We had a 38 foot garage and it fit nicely for our 34 ft. other brand. I did lots of measurements of our FT 36 before the purchase and was sure it would fit.

Once I got it home, while it did fit, it was very tight on the length. Once in, after adding in the tow bar and mirrors, the clearance was just inches.

I actually tore off the back of the garage and added 6 feet. 44 feet now and have plenty of room. To Rogers point, I wish it was as easy to add width, regardless of the size, it never seems big enough !

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #11 – October 23, 2020, 07:05:18 pm

Thanks for all the in sights. Be nice to fit in shop. If it doesn't there's s storage facility 1/2 mi away as the crow flies. But rather not go that route.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #12 – October 24, 2020, 11:37:08 am

I had to put a hitch extender on my coach to raise the tow bar attachment high enough to work with my Chevy Colorado. That adds another 8 to ten inches. For storage it could be removed along with tow bar. Then had to modify extender so engine door would open (nothing is ever simple). I've also adjusted my mirrors forward to get rid of a bad side glass reflection. I will measure my 36' coach for length, but it seems all "new" coaches have grown about a foot taller than my vintage (98) Unicoach. Almost all brands are plus 12'. You also have to evaluate the entry angle of the barn entrance as that can add height going in.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #13 – October 24, 2020, 03:38:42 pm

Ah. Entry angle. Thought about ground clearance but hadn't thought about the top side. There is an angle going in with a flat 20' apron. Don't know if it would come into play. Good point!

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #14 – October 24, 2020, 07:13:11 pm

I built a 20x40 garage with the opening just under 12'. My 36' enters slightly "nose down" so there is an entry angle, but there has been no problem. I have about 6' clearance on each side so there is plenty of room to have slide out and doors open and still be able to walk around. I also lower my antennas when entering or they will slap each of the trusses (12'8"). Along with the tow bar and exhaust pipe, there is also the right hand mirror which is a little forward of the windshield. The overall length is 36' which I measured when we bought, since our Safari was longer than the stated length.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #15 – October 24, 2020, 07:34:38 pm

Ah thanks. 36' 320 is high up on my list.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #16 – October 24, 2020, 09:47:11 pm

markb, A
nother thing that can help with approach angles is the air suspension. I raise mine all the way up when going in and out. Go slow and it will stay raised. Keeps the tail from dragging.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #17 – October 25, 2020, 09:46:59 am

Yeah, have to keep it high going in for high center clearance. But then the height comes into play. One will never know till it's tried.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #18 – October 25, 2020, 12:32:04 pm

Mark,

Just a thought but I would be willing to bet that someone on the forum who owns a 36 foot Foretravel would be willing to drive to your location and give a shot at tucking into your building.

Richard

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #19 – October 25, 2020, 01:32:39 pm

My 40' 99 will go in a 12' tall door at a pretty steep angle with room to spare. 10' wide doors are tight mirrors need to move. Just a hint make sure you can move them, mine are not moving without breaking something.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #20 – October 25, 2020, 07:12:49 pm

Wow. I have 10' wide doors. Always considered mirrors to be swiveling. Guess that idea gets thrown out.

I think it comes down to finding something preferred. Would be nice to slip it in the shop, but there are of course always trade offs.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #21 – October 25, 2020, 07:42:30 pm

Loosen the 3/4" head bolt. Use a drift pin and hit the head of the bolt, works for me on frozen shafts on the mirrors.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #22 – October 26, 2020, 05:04:57 pm

And just found out the 5th eheel I had been considering is 13'3" tall. Kind of kills the idea of inserting it under a13' door without some type adjustment.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #23 – January 31, 2021, 12:57:09 pm

I put a 14x14 door on my building. Who knows what you purchase in the future. :-)

Mine is also 75 ft long so the TOAD will fit behind it. Doors on both ends so I can drive through if I want to.

48 x 75 gives room for other vehicles and a wood shop.

Re: Real length of 36'

Reply #24 – February 02, 2021, 03:45:33 pm

If anyone is considering building a garage and intend to back in, keep in mind that the exhaust will completely fill the garage with fumes unless you have an adequate opening adjacent to the exhaust. We have an 8' roll up door on the side toward the rear of garage.

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