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'81 Foretravel question

My curiosity has finally got the better of me, and I will see if I can get some information here on my '81 FT. I am now thinking that it was not a production model, but one specially made like they have done trailers etc. It is a Hendrickson chassis and is 40' and has the FTX as the model. Actually the coach vin is FTX81150040 The confusion arose when I bought it in 1994 and the insurance companies said it had to be a 38' model as FT didn't make a 40' that year and DMV questioned it also. It came factory all electric with residential fridge 2 diesel fired ducted space heaters and 12 kw diesel generator and a pop-up skylight that is over 3' long in the living room. It came in handy to change out the fridge when it wore out. Other questionable items include garbage disposal, reverse osmosis filter under the kitchen sink, MR steam jets in the tub shower enclosure 2- 100 gal. fuel tanks for the engine and 1- 100 gal tank for the generator and heaters. Seeing that all the early diesel models were using propane generators and the GVWR of this is 33,800, front 12,600 rear 22,000 is my thinking this is one of a kind correct?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #1 –
, I would call the factory and ask them. Who knows somebody who actually built it might still work there.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #2 –
I tried that in 1994 because of the insurance issue, couldn't get an answer.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #3 –
Foretravel bought Hendrickson and got several frame rails and the name for $25k.  That was after building six 1979 35' provost coaches.

Prevost went to 40' only and Foretravel did not want to build 40's then

Probably too much money.  Notoriously frugal east Texas folks.

"Built especially for you." Really was available.

Carlistos sister 40'  coach was a custom also. 

We put enough batteries under it to run roof airs for a couple of hours just for fun.

I custom built almost every ordered coach from 86-89.  Because I could.  Not much extra.

How deep,were the counters.  Exactly how many drawers and where they were,

That was my advantage versus the other brands around me in Traveland USA in Irvine,ca.

Can't remember if Jacks coach had similar tankages but I think so



"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: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Foretravel bought Hendrickson and got several frame rails and the name for $25k.  That was after building six 1979 35' provost coaches.

Prevost went to 40' only and Foretravel did not want to build 40's then

Probably too much money.  Notoriously frugal east Texas folks.

"Built especially for you." Really was available.

Carlistos sister 40'  coach was a custom also. 

We put enough batteries under it to run roof airs for a couple of hours just for fun.

I custom built almost every ordered coach from 86-89.  Because I could.  Not much extra.

How deep,were the counters.  Exactly how many drawers and where they were,

That was my advantage versus the other brands around me in Traveland USA in Irvine,ca.

Can't remember if Jacks coach had similar tankages but I think so
What year was Carlistos coach?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #5 –
Good question.  I think an 81 also?
"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: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: craneman –
My curiosity has finally got the better of me, and I will see if I can get some information here on my '81 FT. I am now thinking that it was not a production model, but one specially made like they have done trailers etc. It is a Hendrickson chassis and is 40' and has the FTX as the model.

A quick search of the forum for Hendrickson turned up some previous discussion

new owner of an old rv

please diff between 240 and 280

James Holder (jaholder76) is your forum go-to guy for info on that era coach  :)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #7 –
How far back does the owner of MOT go with FT? He might know someone

that is retired that might remember that coach. It is unique enough anyone

that was there should remember it.

Carter-

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
A quick search of the forum for Hendrickson turned up some previous discussion

new owner of an old rv

please diff between 240 and 280

James Holder (jaholder76) is your forum go-to guy for info on that era coach  :)

Thanks Michelle, reply # 3 by James says it. Custom order. I will change my signature on my '81 as it is now identified. The other link you posted was also very informative on this coach.

most likely the rarest of all foretravel coaches.....
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: '81 Foretravel question

Reply #9 –
I had forgotten that Carlistos coach had a flat floor front to rear.

"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