Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Chuck I'm sorry to say the Wikipedia only seemed to confuse me even more.

The aqua hot puts out warm not dried air. 

STD furnace's have the fan come in first when signaled to prevent explosions if the unit had an internal gas leak.

So the temp drops.  Then the flame comes on.  Then when the set point is reached the the flame cuts off but the fan continues running to avoid overheating the heaters box.  So the temp goes up even more.

Roughly 5 degree swings.  Dried out air.  2 zones.  Limited tank heating.

Aqua hot,  3 zones plus engine in and out for a emergency heating source and to preheat the engine for severe winter use.

Separate twin heat exchangers with a separate thermostat for the tank bays and plumbing.

2 1/2 degree temp swings vs 5 degrees.

Propane is noisy.  Aquahot very quiet, 

The Agua hot units also have two front outlets for heat under the counter and sofa and a third in dash exchanger that I understand can be switched on and off and maybe can be adjusted to output it's heat from the various dash outputs?

The idea is that a Foretravel can be a true 4 season coach without mods if aqua hot equipped.  All coaches can be modded to work in winter with more work.

The aqua hot adds 55 degrees temp increase over the water tanks water temp. 

So the dual exchangers heat the tanks water enough to allow hot showers if you run from the tank versus external water.

Aqua hot will allow continuous 1.5 gpm 55 degree temp  rise hot water and in temps down to,the low 50's will heat the coach and the water tank from its 110 volt heating element.  No fuel consumed. 

As we are sort of preppers in shaky town(la) the limited propane tank capacity if used for refer and heating and the cook top is a consideration.

Versus heating the coach and it's water system from a 19 gallon tank?

The diesel gen consumes .44 gph under load.  192 gallon supply.         

Like I said.  Many considerations to take into account.

The temps swings and noise I experienced for many years long ago in the use of many rv's were a large negative for any coaches consideration.  When we saw the Barks traded in U320 we were very happy. Aquahot. M11. WTBI floorplan and the unicorn of all times a mid entry coach.  Done

We have had problems with our Aquahot  from time to time.  We have had problems with our electric window shades from time to time.  We have had problems with electric awnings from time to time.  Our refrigerator has given problems.  We have a big house with a pool and those give problems from time to time. 

That said, the good days more than make up for the problems IMHO and I don't want to be without any of those things. For some it's not worth the trouble and I say more power to you. 

Bob, I need some clarification from you if you would. You say heat strip and heat pump, my confusion comes from the term heat pump. My understanding of a heat pump, certainly where we live is static fixture on on a house that has pipes and heaven knows what else buried at least 100ft in the ground. This set up takes advantage of the constant ground temperature of 52 degrees.
Our coach has the ac/heat overhead.

Residential  consumes 175 amp hours a day.  Needs 4 batteries if not more.  Thousands of dollars of solar. 

Made to be in a non moving people temperature space.  Vents heat to inside. Not out.

You are seeming to want a park model somewhat.

Some here like a dry camp non gen running rv at times.

Painted coaches get hotter.  More ac use. More gen run time.

Or travel power pedestal to power pedestal. 

 All campgrounds are full anymore.  Better setup a dry camp capable coach.

When we were younger and more hot blooded the propane temp swings interfered with our recreation noticeably.  Too hot. Uncover. Sweat.  Cold. Blankets needed too much...

Probably not a consideration for most here but a more even temp has numerous advantages.

Oh the propane furnaces smell out side as does the water heater in use.  Had the wind blow the smells back into the coach.  Gag.

The type of heat pump system that you're describing is more of a hobby than an invisible heating system.


Dear sir, I haven't a clue as to what you are talking about, a hobby? And where did the " invisible heating system" comment come from ? I don't want to sound rude but I'm speaking English to someone who speaks American.
So one more time, thank you Craneman for the Clear explanation.