Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

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Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

November 28, 2020, 08:41:18 pm

Great group! So informative. We are FT Rvers currently in a 27" Class C with an Ford E450 V10 and automatic hydraulic auto-leveling system levers. We do a lot of boondocking and dry camping in BLM and other off-road areas.

We saw one of our new friend's Foretravel (thanks Danny!) and another from new friends here and love their coaches for their comfort, tons of storage and most of all the incredible build quality. We've been on the road for about 20 months and are realizing that we really need some comfort, space and livability if we are going to do this long-term. We've been looking around and have our eye on a 2002 34" Unicoach U270 that looks great. We had a 2 hour Xoom call with the seller this morning.

We love everything about it, but.... After a call with another friend to get his feedback, he raised some concerns about moving to a DP, particularly with the air suspension and leveling system. He though given the way we like to camp outside of campground and off the highways, the DP could pose some significant limitation on our lifestyle and where we can go. His opinion was that we will have more flexibility with a Class A front end gasser, given the engine and sits higher, the chassis on springs generally provide more clearance, and that on rough and washboard roads, springs are going to give a better ride and more clearance without risking bottoming out and hitting your engine on the ground.

So, I want to get the opinion of some Foretravel owners. Do any of you camp off-road frequently? How is your experience driving in and out, getting level and just the overall ability of the coach to handle these type of conditions? Appreciate any feedback

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #1 – November 28, 2020, 08:47:08 pm

Can you drive a DP (don't think Foretravels are unique in their off road prowess) on gravel roads (even some poorly maintained ones)-- sure. Been there, done that. We did some archeological work 6 miles down a graded private one lane road-- after rains, "less graded". Did that road a total of 8 times. Never a problem.

Off road-- I wouldn't. Not with any large coach. Body flex in a 34' or longer coach in off roading is not a good idea.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #2 – November 28, 2020, 09:25:29 pm

I have gone down gravel roads with no issues. Anything other or rougher you need a different class like an earthroamer or global expedition vehicle. I have a 29 foot class c on a f550 and it will go place I would never take my FT . I would pull my Jeep and take that instead.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #3 – November 28, 2020, 11:25:20 pm

Thanks, guys. Off-road as in 4WD is certainly a no-go. We try to avoid the logging trails and those type roads, but roaming out in the western states, its the washboard roads we navigate all the time. We will usually take Tracker and scope out the terrain before wandering off the highway. But sometimes you just can't avoid the washboards and when you we finds a site, it often takes several maneuvers or repositioning to get to a point where the auto-leveling can work. That's where I'm trying to figure if we are looking at additional complications, or if the airbags and leveling system on the DP are going to end up complicating life or severely cramping our choices. We see a lot of DPs out there, some going down those washboards at speeds I wouldn't attempt. Mostly, I'm kind of spooked as I go the impression that the air levelers are not going to give me anywhere near the height I get on the Sunseeker.

On the plus side, the quality, craftsmanship and additional comfort in the FT is certainly a huge step up for us.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #4 – November 28, 2020, 11:54:29 pm

Quote from: jphebus1 – November 28, 2020, 08:41:18 pm

His opinion was that we will have more flexibility with a Class A front end gasser, given the engine and sits higher, the chassis on springs generally provide more clearance, and that on rough and washboard roads, springs are going to give a better ride and more clearance without risking bottoming out and hitting your engine on the ground.

They both represent a different classification. So the air-ride does give you the ability to raise the entire coach when needed for slow speed short term. It's leveling system works well within its limits. But it's limited to having to be nearly level to start with. When level it also can drop down for better access. Airbags perform well and operate smoothly. Rear overhang on both rigs. Engine air filter is at the back of the coach and a particle separator (Donaldson) needs to be used to prevent plugged air filter or damage. FTs are longer and much heavier. My tow capacity is 10k. Some models are less and some 18k. Post 2003 have traction control as I recall. You will have to be much more cautious and calculated in were you go and how you will get out. If you exceed its limits you may damage your coach. BUT there is no comparison when going down the road. That's what our coach does well. Great brakes, good running gear, outstanding performance. Quality build from one end to the other. These are things you need to weight out for yourself and your use requirements. For me a F550 wouldn't be for me, A 34' with a ISL would be a great coach IMO. Try to spend some more time around Danny's coach if you can. I'm real happy with my coach and plan to use way too much on dirt roads that are prepped for other large vehicles (Race support trucks).
Scott

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #5 – November 29, 2020, 12:06:55 am

We mostly dry camp/boondock with our favorite about 6 miles down a dirt and gravel road near Bridgeport, CA. The rear engine has better traction than front engine RVs, sort of like a VW Bug or Vanagon. We've gone down the twisty road in with some snow and never had a problem. When we turn off the gravel road to find our campsite, I take a walk to make sure the ground is fairly firm. While we have gone down a couple of double tracks through the desert, we don't make it a practice and almost never go across ground that has not been driven on. The HWH air bag system does allow greater ground clearance and if navigating close to trees, may allow the coach to be raised on one side to avoid scraping the awnings or upper portions of the coach in primitive camping areas. The airbags also allow campsites that are not level and if stopping for the night in parking lots, will level the coach without damaging the blacktop.

In Mexico, we head to the beach if we can see where the road goes except when we see a Mexican bus heading down a wash. It has to make a gentle transition as Foretravels flex quite a bit in the front cap and may crack the glass or cause it to move.

In any RV, muddy roads and worse, muddy fields are to be avoided. The air cleaner intake on earlier GV Foretravels seems to have been designed to suck in anything the rear tires kick up so best to avoid dusty or sandy roads unless dead slow. Anyone buying an older model should plan on modifying the engine's air intake.

So, the trade offs are better traction with the engine in the rear, less heat and noise in the front but anything the front or rear tires goes through gets the engine compartment dirty much faster than a front engine coach. Access to the engine for major repairs is more difficult and costly with the engine in the back. Washboard roads in any RV best a low speeds.

Most front engine RVs are of less quality. The exception that stands out is the Freightliner Cascadia based RV with a DD13 and a DT12 transmission. https://www.rvtrader.com/Renegade/rvs-for-sale?make=Renegade%7C7616915

One of my first jobs was making maps for the cable TV company. We had a fleet of Ford Econline vans an one rear engined Corvair van. When it rained, several Econolines would get stuck but the Corvair van always saved the day pulling them out.

Pierce

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #6 – November 29, 2020, 12:22:42 am

Last summer I was looking for a place to go for a hike and I went down this old single track road and I now know that the coach
can maneuver quite well.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #7 – November 29, 2020, 12:47:38 am

This is pretty much what kind of a campsite a Foretravel can easily drive to. It does not show the tighter turns in canyons on the way in. The primitive sites are a couple hundred feet off the gravel road and with a spotter, can easily be driven to and be a good campsite for a few days. Great views, cell service and a short walk to the hot springs with other campers a couple of hundred feet away. There is also a dry camping NF campground about a mile away. Buckeye Campground, CA | The Dyrt

Five excellent photos here: Soak at Buckeye Hot Springs, Bridgeport, California

Pierce

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #8 – November 29, 2020, 08:27:29 am

I did a lot more off roading in my previous coach, a 1981 36' Foretravel, than I have in my current coach and I learned a lot. You have the same learning experience in your current class C. There may be a few places you would go in your class C that you wouldn't probably attempt in a class A but there are plenty of suitable boondocking sites out there for class A's.
I have been a snowbird for 16 years, mostly out west, and I have great short and long term campsites and overnight parking spots from the Mexican border all the way up to WA.
Finding new suitable spots can be a PITA no matter what kind of a coach you have and what your criteria is. All I really really needed was a Verizon signal. There were a few times when I had to stop, disconnect my toad and back out of a couple places because the road became impassable for the coach. I learned to do the exploration part with my toad -- a Suzuki Samurai.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #9 – November 29, 2020, 10:45:48 am

We spent seventeen years fulfilling. The last eight years we were in our U280 nonslide FT, and that time was spent boondocking. I admit we went in places that a lot of folks would avoid. I always "previewed" the "questionable" locations with a bicycle or the Jeep. One of our favorite spots was in Ajo AZ. The last 1/8th mile was "off road" and took us fifteen to twenty minutes to "navigate", but the view and privacy was worth it for us. On the other hand we do not have a "shiny" unscratched coach, but we did not get the coach to spend time waxing and polishing we bought it to comfortably continue the lifestyle to which we had become accustomed. As folks say on the Forum DWMYH.

Roland

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #10 – November 29, 2020, 02:29:57 pm

Go SLOW..... I think is the best advice you can get. We have been racing in Barstow, Johnson Valley, Primm, Superstition, and Mexico in the MORE, SNORE, and SCORE Series since the 80's. We have had several SOB's and while some were better than others, none of them were really built to hold up on those type of washboardroads. Seems like after every trip, we would have to put something back together on the rig.

With our FT, I won't take it on any road other than a relatively smooth dirt road for two reasons. #1, the FT is just too nice and I don't want to damage it. #2, even on my 36 footer, it has quite a bit of overhang and low clearance.

As Scott posted, I only take it where the roads have been graded for large Race Support vehicles i.e BF Goodrich Tire Semi Truck.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #11 – November 29, 2020, 02:54:39 pm

If you see at puddle in the dirt/gravel/poorly paved road stop! Get out and go step in it. If it is much deeper than the top of your shoe find a different route. These FT do not have much ground clearance.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #12 – November 29, 2020, 05:20:27 pm

Quote from: MarkC – November 29, 2020, 02:29:57 pm

Go SLOW..... I think is the best advice you can get. We have been racing in Barstow, Johnson Valley, Primm, Superstition, and Mexico in the MORE, SNORE, and SCORE Series since the 80's. We have had several SOB's and while some were better than others, none of them were really built to hold up on those type of washboardroads. Seems like after every trip, we would have to put something back together on the rig.

With our FT, I won't take it on any road other than a relatively smooth dirt road for two reasons. #1, the FT is just too nice and I don't want to damage it. #2, even on my 36 footer, it has quite a bit of overhang and low clearance.

As Scott posted, I only take it where the roads have been graded for large Race Support vehicles i.e BF Goodrich Tire Semi Truck.

It is very difficult to prevent desert pinstripping. And regardless of how well it's groomed and wetted there is always dust by the pound. Partial separator on the engine and I will be looking into positive pressure ventilation on the coach with hepa filtered air in a attempt to slow down the dust. On the list. Tire sidewall is Vulnerable to everything just like your 550 or more. I plan to build a wheel matching trailer with same tires and will carry a spare Wheel on the trailer. Or at the very least a spare tire that can be installed were ever needed. I prefer to trailer toys so they can always make it home.
Can't say that with the FT.
IT HAS TO MAKE IT HOME.
Scott

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #13 – November 29, 2020, 06:11:02 pm

Old saying come to mind.
"pick the right tool for the job"
I think there are better tools available for your camping plans than a Foretravel or anything too much different than what you currently have.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #14 – November 29, 2020, 06:50:19 pm

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – November 29, 2020, 06:11:02 pm

Old saying come to mind.
"pick the right tool for the job"
I think there are better tools available for your camping plans than a Foretravel or anything too much different than what you currently have.

But when you like to rough it under the pines and stars and the next trip, pull into a park with full hookups and a pool, best do as C,S,N & Y says, "love the one you're with."

We get the desert pinstripes and bear scratch marks too but a big buffer takes them off the hard gelcoat. Paint does not do so well with the thorns and claws. That's our excuse for not painting the coach.

Pierce

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #15 – November 29, 2020, 08:02:39 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – November 29, 2020, 06:50:19 pm

But when you like to rough it under the pines and stars and the next trip, pull into a park with full hookups and a pool, best do as C,S,N & Y says, "love the one you're with."

We get the desert pinstripes and bear scratch marks too but a big buffer takes them off the hard gelcoat. Paint does not do so well with the thorns and claws. That's our excuse for not painting the coach.

Pierce

100% the reason for the U320. IMO it is exactly the right tool I was looking for. For Me. My coach is a usable workhorse. Certainly not a show horse. It will get scratched in use. It's definitely not a dock smasher but it fit my needs better than a f550 . If I get something smaller it will be AWD. A week after King of the hammers I can load up and head to North Carolina to see the daughter. Run 75 mph all the way and get 9 mpg. What a great tool!
Scott

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #16 – December 01, 2020, 11:05:43 pm

Thanks for the great feedback, everyone. Its given us a level of comfort in our decision making and understanding the tradeoffs as well as the pluses. This as such a great forum!

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #17 – December 02, 2020, 09:16:05 am

Offroad driving can mean scratches, dings, and tears if you have a beautiful, well cared for Foretravel coach and want to keep it that way.
Old saying: Pay now or pay later.

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #18 – December 02, 2020, 09:50:44 am

Quote from: nitehawk – December 02, 2020, 09:16:05 am

Offroad driving can mean scratches, dings, and tears if you have a beautiful, well cared for Foretravel coach and want to keep it that way.
Old saying: Pay now or pay later.

If I get myself in a situation where I may damage something and do, I take responsibility and never shed a tear. Beautiful and well taken care of don't necessarily mean the same thing.

Pierce

Re: Need feedback on off-road and boondocking in Foretravel DP

Reply #19 – December 02, 2020, 10:04:20 pm

Any off road, Just go slow, My airbags are great on my 36 footer,
Most of our dirt roads are corrugated,
The Coach would shake to bits going fast, No matter what suspension you have,
But if you see water on the road, even smooth gravel roads, My Grand Villa Gets bogged,
The smooth tyres dont get traction and you will just sit there, Going nowhere,
And I have 6 tons sitting on the back wheels, So it should get traction, Hahaahaha Not likely,

Plus getting it around tite corners, 3 goes at getting round some here,

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