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Mirror Clearance for storage

Hi there FT veterans,

We are in the market for an FT and have lots of questions.

My first of many questions regards mirror clearance. I have rented an indoor storage garage which measures 12' X 50' - the door opening is 118" or roughly 9'8" - will the mirrors fold to clear? Or will I'd need to manually swing them forward (if they do so)?

Thanks,

John (the FT wanna be) in Northern California

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #1 –
Hi phojo, welcome to the Forum.  You will find the more specific your question, the better your results.  For instance, a question about the width of coaches (or mirrors) will get different answers depending on model year.  Our 1993 U280 is supposedly (according to Beamalarm.com) 102" wide.  I don't know if that includes such things as awnings and mirrors, which can add to the width.  My mirrors stick out past the sides of the coach about 10".  If I add 10" on each side for awnings and mirrors, then that would bring our total width to 122".

Our mirrors CAN be folded (rotated) either forward or backward, but this requires loosening a bolt or two.  Newer coaches may offer power folding mirrors - I don't know about that.

See all Foretravel coach specs here: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year
Good luck with your search!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #2 –
Quote from: phojo –
My first of many questions regards mirror clearance. I have rented an indoor storage garage which measures 12' X 50' - the door opening is 118" or roughly 9'8" - will the mirrors fold to clear? Or will I'd need to manually swing them forward (if they do so)?

I think that door width will be a challenge. Your Foretravel will likely be 102" wide, plus the awnings and the mirrors. The mirrors will likely need to manually folded to fit through the door. However, that door will feel really narrow with just a few inches of clearance on each side--and that's if you can pull or back in perfectly square to the opening. Coming in at any angle will require more width. In addition, it will be a real challenge to back without using the mirrors, and you will need a really good "spotter" (or two) and develop excellent communication methods.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #3 –
As we have our mirrors set on our '97 U-320 we are 124" wide from outside to outside of mirrors. If you fold the mirrors around our unit is 104" wide to clear the awnings & awning arms.  Our barn door is 139" wide. You need to be stone sober to get backed in. Like D.J. it would be almost impossible to do without your mirrors.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #4 –
Welcome, John. The width is one issue - height is another. How tall is the door opening? Get a stepladder, a helper, a tape measure, and check it yourself. While you're at it you can measure the actual door opening width. Having those measurements will let you know if the coach can at least fit.

Assuming that it will fit, I second the suggestion of having a spotter (or two) with radio communication between you and the spotter(s). I'd pull in going forward, since that will be easier. Also, you may need to idle the engine a bit before shutting down and you probably will need to idle it while you are building air. Having the exhaust by that big, open door will help keep you alive.

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #5 –
Our '93 U225 is 96" wide not including mirrors snd awnings. The  gate on our shop driveway has posts 11' apart and we drive in withe a little to spare.Never been an issue.

You also have the option of keeping the mirrors out until you finally have to fold them back for the last few feet.

A spotter is a good idea.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #6 –
I can tell you from personal experience that Craig's gate width is NARROW, I made it in and out with my 95 U280 but it was close.
The cost of overnight camping was right so I can't complain.
Gary B

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #7 –
D.J. is correct, you will need a straight in shot. Longer than you expect.
I assume you will have to turn 90 degrees to get in.
f you could do the power slide  turn like the car commercials you'd be ok but I havn't been able to master that yet.

Measure the width of the drive along with the other measurements.
hth
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #8 –
You can mark the mirrors and fold them in for the last couple feet and use the camera.  Then pull out and pull the mirrors out to the mark and snug them up and the finish pulling out.  I would think it will work and you can do it slowly with a spotter in the front.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #9 –
Quote from: John S –
You can mark the mirrors and fold them in for the last couple feet and use the camera.  Then pull out and pull the mirrors out to the mark and snug them up and the finish pulling out.  I would think it will work and you can do it slowly with a spotter in the front.

I think that this system is your best bet if you end up with a 102" coach. That comes out to 8.5 feet which gives you 3.5-feet of clearance for the coach body. Add ten inches on each side for mirrors (see note, below) and you cme up with just under 10-feet 2-inches overall width including mirrors, door hinges and awnings. But for most of your length it's only the door hinges and awnings you have to be concerned with and those are 3-inches on each side... so for the majority of your back-in you have (144-108) 36-inches (3-feet) of clearance (18-inches on each side).

A few discrete paint marks or tape on the driveway leading into the storage spot would help to line you up (the approach is important) along with some judicious tape on the floor inside and then simply backing straight with a spotter. Slowly, of course.

Even with mirrors out you have eleven inches of clearance on each side of a 102" wide coach. Folding the mirrors in probably adds 5-inches on each side.

Note: "Total length: 65 feet (includes bumpers); trailer length: 40 feet (includes bumpers); width: 102 inches (required light, mirrors, or devices may not extend more than 10 inches on each side of the vehicle. Door handles and hinges may extend 3 inches on each side of the vehicle); height: 14 feet." (From AAA/CAA Digest of Motor Laws)

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #10 –
Hello, I have the same dilemma as original poster. I would like to purchase a 270 wide body. But door is only 12' high 10' wide. I can however get a straight shot and drive thru another door same size. So no backing is needed which is nice. I am thinking 98 or 99 270 34' or 36' non slide. The opening is closer to 11'8 by 9'8 with the trim on building.  So my understanding is the mirrors will manually fold in? I can dump some air to fit height? Is anyone actually driving there foretravel in a building with this size opening? There are a couple nice ones at MOT which have the domes I wonder how much that adds? Thanks for help, I will pull the trigger one of these days, sure would be a bummer if I did and it didn't fit in my shop. Alan

Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #11 –
You should be 11'6" tall and you should fit thru if your front mirror is out front.  I have gone in a 10 foot door but there is very little clearance.  If you have to you can push the drivers mirror out in front of you and gain an extra 6 inches in clearance.  I do not think I would want to back into one that tight though. So you are 8.5 feet wide at the coach and then you have the mirrors which will be the biggest issue depending on location.  I have had my mirrors hit the caution signs in toll booths before and had to go a bit crooked to get thru and around one pole but it can be done.

Also you can dump the air for a short trip and lose a couple inches in height.  I have done that to get out of a parking lot when the main entrance was blocked.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #12 –
I think a 12 ft door height should be no problem for most coaches except for flexible antennas which would just flex. However a 10 ft door width would present challenges and I would definitely be much more comfortable with a wider door.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #13 –
Thanks for the replies. So if I fold both mirrors and have my wife spot ( well that could be good or bad) 🤔 And don't have to back up I guess I stand a chance. I don't have to do anything to mirrors except manually fold them forward?  And that would give me 12 inches? I know no way to say except try, anyone want to volunteer? Just kidding Alan
Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #14 –
I put two pieces of black gorilla tape on the upper and lower mirror parts at the base.  If memory serves me it's a 7/8" bolt underneath.

The tape allows me to reorientate the mirror if dislodged
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: Mirror Clearance for storage

Reply #15 –
I had a "12'" door, that was really 11'10" at the inside curb/slab, under door steel hard edge.  Hard parts on my coach measures 11'5".  I had to remove the satellite dome to be able to drive inside.

Dumping air on some Foretravels allows the top of the wheels to rub on the wheel well top materials.  You would want to check clearances, then maybe install short frame stops if you want to dump and creep.

It is usually easier to drive in and back out.  Lighting conditions can make backing really hard to do, into even a lighted building.  I used my docking lights, and a newer backup camera really helped.

I backed into a 48' building and had to parallel park, 6' out of the way of the door frame towards the driver's side wall.  Always a challenge, and those that saw it parked or being done were amazed.  It was never something I liked doing, along with having to miss the outside carport poles.  But only needed one new lower ladder unit in 3 years, the afternoon I scored a perfect score on the driver license upgrade..

Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)