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

Through the door?

January 03, 2012, 09:28:24 pm

Last summer we were able to tour three RV factories, one of which was Airstream, in Jackson Center, OH. The tour guide made a point of telling us that "everything inside an Airstream get there by way of the door." That was obviously not true in the other factories, where every coach had at least one slide, and we saw things being put in by way of the slide opening. Since the Grand Villas of the mid 90's (the Foretravels that we're interested in) don't have slides, am I correct in assuming that they can make the same claim as Airstream, "everything inside got there by way of the door?" If not, how did the larger items (refrigerator, couch, mattress, etc.) get there?

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Re: Through the door?

Reply #1 – January 03, 2012, 10:21:13 pm

I too am interested in the answer.  Some have talked about removing a window to install refers, and chairs and couches.  But I too wonder about how all the major pieces in my coach got inside.

I have toured maybe 10 sailboat companies and have seen major work done before the decks are set on the hull. Wondered it maybe the Grand Villas were done from the front to the back with the end cap installed last?

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Reply #2 – January 03, 2012, 11:48:06 pm

I had no problem taking the chairs out the door when I redid the floor.  The sofa appears to come apart easily.  Mattress goes through the door.  I suspect the fridge would go in with the fridge doors removed.

I am not well educated in such, but I have never heard of windows being removed for furniture or standard appliances.  In our old coach, the engine would go in and out through the windshield.  With the engine out, the trans could be removed conventionally.  This was in a front-engine diesel Safari.

oldMattB

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Reply #3 – January 05, 2012, 10:32:38 pm

When I replaced the refrigerator, I removed the window at the dining table to get the old one out and the new one in.  The storage yard owner made it easy by backing his flat bed truck up to the side of the coach under the window.  I'm fairly sure that some of the cabinets did not come in through the door. 

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Reply #4 – January 06, 2012, 05:48:18 am

Thus far, everything has gone through the door. Width of appliances and furniture seems limited to the 24 inch opening of the doorway. We did have to remove the doors of the residential fridge to get it through the doorway and kitchen, but it was no big deal.

I personally prefer a mid-entry door vs a forward entry door.

Steve

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Reply #5 – January 08, 2012, 09:22:56 pm

I suspect that everything can fit through the door. Most likely, the cabinets were partially assembled when brought in the coach, and final assembly in place. We took out the huge recliner and brought in the washing machine... They were tight but managaeble. That was without removing the passenger seat, which would have made it much easier to accomplish.
Don

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Reply #6 – January 08, 2012, 11:02:27 pm

actually if you go on the Tour of factory you will see that all the cabinets etc are installed before the roof is put on for ease of installation. (at least that is what I seem to remember)correct me if I am wrong.
John H

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