Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #25 – May 22, 2018, 10:14:52 am Well I have been a silent member here for a while (since 12/2011 !) and knew if I was going to go with a Class A, it would be a Foretravel. Part of the reason is due to the support that is here on these forums. I know the Foretravel factory gives great support as well, and MOT too. Buying a older coach can be a surprise, as I am finding out in the rats nest of cables and wire above the windshield. Each owner put his own addition to the factory stuff... now it's up to me to figure it all out. But it's part of the fun of it. And there is good support from places like Zip Dee and I'm sure others I haven't found yet. But I will tell you, now that its parked in my driveway, and I think about all those moving parts and their relationship to each other... it scares the crap out of me. LOL... just got to take it one by one and ask for help which I am sure I will find here. Bob Quote Selected 5 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #26 – May 22, 2018, 10:18:27 am Yup, very normal to be overwhelmed by these beasts, particularly at first. We have all been there, done that.Take it one project at a time and ask for advice as you go. Quote Selected 5 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #27 – May 22, 2018, 10:35:45 am Look at it this way, Bob. When you own an old motorhome you never run our of things to do!jor Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #28 – May 22, 2018, 11:31:21 am Do not take this as a negative, because it is not meant to be. Theres an old biker saying (That come from old bikers like me):"It's not IF you fall over, it's WHEN you fall over". My break down happened to be when my Exhaust pipe fell off my turbo and ended up melting my air brake hoses while going up Killington Mt. in Vt. The question then becomes, what do you do next? Do you freak out (as my DW did when she realized we had no brakes)? Or do you sit down, calm down, realize that this too is part of life and figure out what to do next. In my case I had no real options and I called for a hook. No easy job when cell service is sketchy. Even then the board was here, trying to help from miles away. Somebody even called to try and help. (I don't recall who it was, but if your reading this, thanks again). Your friends will always be here to offer guidance. My point, from a guy new to this also, is relax. Have fun. Read, learn, educate and if you enjoy it, spin a wrench.A while ago I had a series of posts along the lines of "Mobys RV rules". I think I was up to 12 or so. I'd like to add three more:1) Are you enjoying yourself?2) If NO, do something else.3) Go back to rule #1 Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #29 – May 22, 2018, 03:45:21 pm You call your motor home "older", I call it "newer". All is in perspective. Enjoy, and welcome to the best of forums. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #30 – May 22, 2018, 05:55:41 pm Best era and model Foretravel in my opinion.A may be a little partial though. Quote Selected
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #31 – May 22, 2018, 06:19:19 pm Bob, almost all us stood where you are now. The lucky ones found this forum, started carefully asking questions, learning as much as we could and began sorting out the complex systems into manageable parts. Motorhomes are still big complicated machines that will breakdown occasionally but the more we learn the less likely these events will be panic driven and more problem solving events. Be calm. figure it out, get help when you need it, get it fixed. Then it is time for the next adventure.Welcome to our world. What we do, where we go, how we get there, who we meet - make everything we do to make it possible worth it. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #32 – May 22, 2018, 06:22:58 pm Adding to my earlier post:If, when you first buy one of these you aren't overwhelmed, YOU ARE NOT DELVING IN DEEPLY ENOUGH.They are complex, but "masterable" and well worth the effort. Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #33 – May 22, 2018, 07:16:14 pm Welcome from a fellow Texan! We have owned our first MH, a 2000 Foretravel u320, since September and are in the overwhelmed state right now. Because of varying circumstances we have only taken it out 2 long weekends but have a week long trip planned to Durango Colorado at the end of July.. can't wait!!! Have been trying to learn and deal with small issues in the mean time.. hope to see ya down the road sometime!!!Keith Quote Selected 1 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #34 – May 23, 2018, 01:53:51 pm Keith and Jo... where in Texas you guys located?Our first real trip is planned for August to Eagles Nest New Mexico. Brett recommended it and it feels like a good place to go so.. hope to stop at Ft Davis and possible Ft Stockton to take my class B drivers test. We might take a weekend and go to Inks lake state park north of Austin before that but it will depend on if its drivable first. I am in the middle of some 'alterations".... Bob Quote Selected
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #35 – May 23, 2018, 02:49:37 pm Quote from: wolfe10 – May 22, 2018, 06:22:58 pmAdding to my earlier post:If, when you first buy one of these you aren't overwhelmed, YOU ARE NOT DELVING IN DEEPLY ENOUGH.They are complex, but "masterable" and well worth the effort.Well said Brett, and great advice for anyone. You just made my day.True confession: Naivete and good luck got us into our Foretravel. Others have planned for theirs for years. That's certainly a smarter path than ours. We love our U270 but had some doubts about the purchase when stranded in circumstances requiring me to learn and then teach the mechanic how to do an airbag replacement in the field. John S, a Forum member talked me through it. Thank you John! My wife and I agree the experiences we have had in our Foretravel have brought us closer.It has been exactly one year since our new to us arrived. For 9 out of the past 12 months I thought my brain would explode from all the new things to learn about our coach. Now I realize true ownership in the Foretravel experience requires an ongoing commitment to study, question, listen, learn and calmly implement the solution that merges our needs with the demands of our U270. It is rewarding! Quote Selected
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #36 – May 23, 2018, 05:34:37 pm Mike,Having worked with and presented seminars on DP maintenance to owners of many brands, I can tell you that the "steep learning curve" is true for ALL of them.The good news on Foretravel is that your investment of time and money will result in an excellent coach. The same time and money on some "lesser coaches" still leaves you with a "lesser coach".This is not a "Ford vs Chevy" comment. There ARE mechanical/structural differences! Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #37 – May 23, 2018, 08:34:45 pm Quote from: wolfe10 – May 23, 2018, 05:34:37 pmMike,Having worked with and presented seminars on DP maintenance to owners of many brands, I can tell you that the "steep learning curve" is true for ALL of them.The good news on Foretravel is that your investment of time and money will result in an excellent coach. The same time and money on some "lesser coaches" still leaves you with a "lesser coach".This is not a "Ford vs Chevy" comment. There ARE mechanical/structural differences!I agree with Brett, our first coach was a well known brand and after 4 years and a few thousand coach bucks complete redo of suspension plus adding watts link to rear differential it still had some tail wag (32' class A) . Once I was introduced to Foretravel I knew that was the coach for us., It took me a year to find the model I wanted went to Alexandria LA for the test drive and left DW home. Upon returning she ask 2 questions 1. how was it 2. did you buy it. this was Jan 2018 my answer to #1. was we agreed that we liked our OB coach but it was like going from a Volkswagen Beetle to a Mercedes Benz and #2 was yes.when we picked it up about 3 weeks later and headed to Gulfport MS. I ask her what she thought and the answer was your original comparison summed it up.--- It is not perfect but anyone who buys a 19 year old coach and don't expect to have some repairs is not living in realityJust my thoughtChris Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #38 – May 23, 2018, 08:40:48 pm One other comment-- the people on this forum are great folks and I really appreciate the assistance that I have been given when I encounter something I have questions about. It is a pleasure dealing with knowledgable people who are willing to help and give adviceThanks to ALLChris Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #39 – May 23, 2018, 09:44:55 pm Bobfnbw, we are in Pasadena, SE of Houston.. we leave July 27 for a week and a half..... my work schedule limits us a lot, rotating shift work sucks! Hopefully in a few years I can retire.. hope to meet y'all down the road sometime....Keith Quote Selected
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #40 – May 24, 2018, 01:23:11 pm Quote from: wolfe10 – May 23, 2018, 05:34:37 pmThe good news on Foretravel is that your investment of time and money will result in an excellent coach. The same time and money on some "lesser coaches" still leaves you with a "lesser coach".Brett,The bumps we have had thus far as newbie owners have not dissuaded us at all from our Foretravel. I concur, the investment of time and money is worthwhile because the coach construction is excellent to begin with. We had never even heard of Foretravel before buying this one. We get compliments on it all the time. Nobody seems to believe a 2002 coach of any maker could still be this solid. No doubt about it, we're happy about joining the Foretravel family. The more we learn about our U270 the more fortunate we feel. It certainly helps that there are no bulkhead problems. That may have moved the needle for us since we were not Forum members at the time and knew nothing of your work in depth about bulkhead inspection. We've spent close to 10 coach bucks on the chassis, engine and house electrical over the past year. All items passed prepurchase inspection but failed once we started using the coach. IMO, not unreasonable expenditures for a 2002 that was little used and stored indoors before it came to us.My wife and I haven't been able to travel seriously away from home for 14 years because of my disability. In a few days, our new to us Foretravel home will start taking us places we never imagined possible. We now have what we want. A wheelchair accessible coach that is built unlike any other manufacturer.Congrats to Bob and safe travels in your new to you coach! Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Bit the bullet.... Reply #41 – May 25, 2018, 12:21:14 am Quote from: Mike J – May 24, 2018, 01:23:11 pmCongrats to Bob and safe travels in your new to you coach!Thank you sir! Hope to see you out on the road some time!Bob Quote Selected 1 Likes
Topic: Bit the bullet....