First time driving a Foretravel

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First time driving a Foretravel

July 06, 2012, 08:06:57 pm

It took a year to buy it, then its taken me a year to rebuild the interior from the original owners refrigerator fire.

Now I will take it out and see what the big deal about DRIVING a Foretravel is all about!

I hope "good things are worth waiting for" is true.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #1 – July 06, 2012, 08:35:06 pm

Fantastic, Glad you have it in shape to travel, enjoy it. How about some pictures of all your hard work ?

Gary B

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #2 – July 07, 2012, 03:35:28 am

VERY happy with the Foretravel. Drove very nice, and it even stopped when I hit the brakes. I bought a laser thermo thermometer gun and used it to monitor the disc rotors and the tires, both stayed at a very reasonable temp since its about 100 outside today. The Foretravel tracked straight as a arrow.

I did learn the limitations of the turning radius, OMG! Made a note to NEVER drive in someplace that I didn't know for a fact that I could either back out of or make the turns. I drive a CDL B truck almost daily but the Foretravel is in a league of its own for real estate needed to make a turn. Some REAL practice in a parking lot is coming.

I also learned the hard way that the Foretravel does NOT go through the automatic Illinois I pass toll lanes well. I had a "slight" rub going through one ( I should have learned from that one) and a SOLID contact on the passenger side front just in front of the door on the next one I encountered.

I will consider it a "birth mark" right now. I'm sure as time goes on and I look at it more It will bother me.

The only mechanical problem I think I might have is the Hehr Powerline 190 amp alternator. It has always put out 13+V at a idle. But after driving for awhile the voltage on the dash gauge showed just over 12v. Since I was driving at night I started the generator so I would be sure the batteries were being charged. What would the normal voltage reading on the dash gauge be?

So, after my first 150+ mile shake down cruise I'm very happy! I hope to keep the Foretravel in the family for many years. In a few years I may buy a newer model and then let my Kids enjoy this one.

I will get out and take some pictures hopefully this weekend of the finished interior and post them, Before and after. Time, blood, bruises, aches and pain, and money well spent.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #3 – July 07, 2012, 06:38:00 am

You need one volt more for the isolator. So to charge at about 13.5 to 13.8 at the batteries and that would be 14.5 to 15 at the alternator.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #4 – July 07, 2012, 06:46:31 am

How would I get that 1 volt?

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #5 – July 07, 2012, 09:06:15 am

I would take some measurements at the chassis battery with the engine running on high idle and compare the battery reading to the dash voltmeter. My dash voltmeter has never showed more than 13v and it drops about .5 volts when either the parking or headlights are on. But measurements at the chassis battery show about 13.8

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #6 – July 07, 2012, 09:27:51 am

Lon, The dash mounted volt meters are notoriously inaccurate.
Mine has never registered more than 12.0 V but I know from experience that when it shows 12.0 V that the alternator is actually charging the chassis batteries at 13.6 or 7 so I watch the dash and if it does drop below 12.0 I know I have a problem. Some FT owners have installed digital Voltmeters.
Gary B

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #7 – July 07, 2012, 09:44:57 am

I agree with Bob and Gary check with a volt meter at the batteries. I thought you had done that. If you are low you may be able to turn up the voltage with eh regulator. Some have a screw or you can have it rebuilt as well.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #8 – July 07, 2012, 09:45:51 am

Quote

I will consider it a "birth mark" right now. I'm sure as time goes on and I look at it more It will bother me.

Lon,
Just wait until you're done applying "birth marks" then take it to Xtreme to have it "dolled up". You may even want a full body paint once you're done tatooing...

Peter

BTW...When driving down the road with genset running, only the house batteries get charged. I would NOT use the "boost" switch while the engine is running along with the genset. Others may disagree.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #9 – July 07, 2012, 11:29:02 am

Your experience and the advice others have shared all sound good.

Rely on the voltage gauge on the dash for relative measurements. The indicated voltage will drop noticeably it you turn on headlights. Our gauge varied from about 12.1 to 13.1 volts under normal conditions. It was obvious when the alternator failed. The voltage dropped from normal values.

During the first year we had our coach, we suffered some self inflicted wounds on the rear of the coach -- collision with a mail box while backing, collision with my own trailer because I didn't secure the ball hitch. We took the U295 to Xtreme to be touched up. We had several other small issues fixed as well -- entry step, roof access ladder, roof caulking, dryer vent upgrade.

Use it a bit more before tweaking too many items. Yep, it's pretty wide! Yep, you better be able to see a way "out" before you go "in," especially if you are towing something. We have been using our FT for two years and we continue to learn how to make better use of it. Recently we've been learning about managing temperature in 104F ambient temperatures in a campground with 30A hookups. (The generator is a wonderful tool on a HOT afternoon.)

Welcome to the "FT driving club" and congratulations on the completion of a significant renovation.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #10 – July 07, 2012, 04:10:52 pm

With an electronic engine and a failed alternator, you'd best use the boost switch with the generator running to charge the chassis batteries.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #11 – July 07, 2012, 05:18:19 pm

Our dash voltmeter never registered properly, nor did the air pressure gauges. In the course of troubleshooting a totally different problem, one mechanic cleaned ALL the contacts. Front to back. BINGO!! Everything measured differently and have been fine ever since. Do the easy stuff first, is my suggestion ... before you start monkeying with alternators and such.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #12 – July 07, 2012, 05:56:56 pm

Using the art of positive thinking I'm beginning to like the scuffed up fiberglass look. It gives the coach that manly look! It also will serve well as a back scratching post! the MOST important thing is it gives me a excuse to my wife that I actually did it on purpose, thus not changing my perfect record as to never making a mistake.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #13 – July 07, 2012, 06:26:15 pm

Me too.
jor

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #14 – July 08, 2012, 12:12:21 am

Quote from: amos.harrison – July 07, 2012, 04:10:52 pm

With an electronic engine and a failed alternator, you'd best use the boost switch with the generator running to charge the chassis batteries.

When our alternator failed, we drove the 200 miles to NAC with the generator running and the boost switch on. The engine is mechanical. We did want to be able to start it if it ever stopped. Keeping the chassis batteries charged is important.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #15 – July 11, 2012, 01:48:25 pm

Lon,

Get an Ipass transponder. Saves money and scrapes. No more of those toll booths. You will need the blue transponder as there is a higher charge for heavier vehicles. Or you could always go through the far right lane as it's for wide loads.

I went through the first toll lane on I294 when I brought my coach home and it is a tight fit. After that I just breezed through the open toll lanes and called to pay the toll later. As I had a Texas temporary tag that was unreadable the nice guy at the customer service told me "Sir, if we can't read your plate then it's on us".

Keith

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #16 – July 12, 2012, 02:21:32 am

I have one transponder but have all the cars license numbers listed with the IL Tollway. They just look at the plates and deduct the money from the account.

I may have to check to see if this practice works with the RV.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #17 – July 12, 2012, 08:13:45 am

Yes it does from my experience on the tollway.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #18 – July 12, 2012, 08:38:22 am

I always get a kick out of driving on the Sam Houston tollway around Houston. The coach goes through for the same cost as a Honda civic, based on axle count.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #19 – July 12, 2012, 03:29:24 pm

Lon,

I believe that they only look at the license plate if the transponder does not register. If its on file then they charge your account. If not then they look up the license number on the Secretary of State's database and come after you.

Keith

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #20 – July 13, 2012, 03:18:52 am

Quote from: Keith and Joyce – July 12, 2012, 03:29:24 pm

Lon,

I believe that they only look at the license plate if the transponder does not register. If its on file then they charge your account. If not then they look up the license number on the Secretary of State's database and come after you.

Keith

Then they will come after me and approach with due caution.

Between the smoke, flames , and flying fiberglass body pieces, the sound of the beast growling and roaring, as it swaggers lane to lane striking terror in the minds of everybody near, I say to them, " bring it on, charge me your toll if you dare! or perhaps just let it go"

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #21 – July 13, 2012, 09:52:11 am

@Lon I like the way you roll!

see ya
ken

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #22 – July 13, 2012, 08:46:48 pm

Last year we took a tollway north of Dallas, my wife was driving and went through a toll booth, and I thought we would not make it through the narrow concrete barriers. We made it thanks to my wifes great driving. We passed two more boots before we could get off the tollway. I told my wife to bypass them , and didnt care if we got fined, but never did get any notification by mail. From now on I am avoiding tollways.

Re: First time driving a Foretravel

Reply #23 – July 14, 2012, 01:16:37 am

A yr ago we came both ways on the cOLUMBIA toll road from San Antonio to mexico and did not have a transponder or pre pay the toll (it is not manned) and we never heard a peep from texas, so I guess they could not check our plates as we are from the cold white north (maybe some ice still on it).
If you want to see a tight sqeeze coming thru toll gates try the ones coming back into US at mexicali, if you have an inch each side that would be a lot!!!
john H

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