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Topic: Foretravel's Business Model (Read 2595 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #50 –
Not going to try to irritate any of you as you're all intelligent having owned or now own a FT. Having said that...go buy a Born Free or Newmar of Country Coach...They all have their market. I'm glad I was able to get a '96 U295 for the price I did seven years ago and consider each repair/upgrade as an investment in future happy RVing. We've talked about the problem with our retirement income and what if we needed to buy another coach and just don't know what we'd do. when you have owned a FT where could you go to get the quality and hand-holding of the factory or this forum? Keep in mind that the "entry level" FT is not for somebody looking to do a weekend here and there and then a couple of weeks in the summer with the kids. No coach claims to be for "full-time" living but FT comes very close. Seven years of full-time living and we're still on the road with a bunch of miles and very happy about it. I have no complaints about the IH or any of the new FTs. They sure are pretty, but many are amazed with our 16-year-old coach. I see people driving around WalMart "shopping" for the over-night RVs and they always take a couple of exra trips around our FT! I think that says something. With the monied boomers coming into the market now and in the future I think FT will have a very happy future.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #51 –
I already own a born free in fact I have purchased two new ones over the last 4 years.  They make a wonderful coach and many FT owners downsize into one. At rally I was at 20 percent of the owners were previous FT owners. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #52 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
FT had a sales and service facility in San Antonio Fl. in the winter time you could not get in there as the people on the East Coast had it booked up, this Factory Store was supposed to be one of the most profitable.
In fact that's the dealer I initially stopped in to see my 1st Foretravel.  Ron Augustadt was the sales rep and a good one at that.
Peter

ps.  We sometimes forget the reason we all purchased a Foretravel.  They're built to last, well powered and are very comfortable to drive.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #53 –
Ron was working at Lazydays in 2005 when I met him and introduced me to Foretravels Within 6 months I was buying a Felix Matthieu's consigned 93 U280 from David Robertson's and his new employee Lance at MOT (where Ron had directed me).
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #54 –
Looks like with all the unused talent lurking here, with the brilliant methods for making Foretravel competitive,  some of you would gladly head on down to Foretravel and tell them just how to run their company in a profitable manor.  Surely they would appreciate the help.  Soon after Foretravel coach's would be thick on the highways.
Sounds simple simple doesn't it.  Like the old saying, "Talk is cheap"
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #55 –
Quote from: Dave M –
Looks like with all the unused talent lurking here, with the brilliant methods for making Foretravel competitive,  some of you would gladly head on down to Foretravel and tell them just how to run their company in a profitable manor.  Surely they would appreciate the help.  Soon after Foretravel coach's would be thick on the highways.
Sounds simple simple doesn't it.  Like the old saying, "Talk is cheap"
FWIW
Dave M
Dave M,
I guess you know very well what it's all about...blood, sweat & tears; and success is made up of two elements; 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.
Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #56 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Dave M,
I guess you know very well what it's all about...blood, sweat & tears; and success is made up of two elements; 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.
Peter

Not to mention, "right place at the right time". Fortune 500 corporations have been started because the first choice didn't respond quickly enough...

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #57 –
As Foretravel owners I think we all want to have a company that is healthy and able to back the product that many of us love and enjoy.  I'm not going to pretend that I know what is best for Foretravel's business future.  I do however have concerns with what I understand is the current business model. 

As I understand it, and I may be way off, Foretravel has been in business for over 45 years.  I think I read somewhere that over the life of the company they have produced 17,000 coaches give or take 1000 or so.  If this is anywhere near correct that would be just under or around 400 coaches a year as an annual average. This next part is me doing some guess work.
Last October when we were in Nac picking up our coach Paul Tinkle said that they had, at that time sold 17 IH45's.  I think 2011 was the first year for the IH45.  Add the few Phenix and Nimbus' and I'm guessing they are doing in the neighborhood of 50 coaches a year, and this may be a high estimate??

As this is my understanding as rudimentary as it is, here is my concern.  The cost of a new coach is out of reach for me, and I don't think that will ever change.  But I do dream of a newer coach someday, and with the reduced production levels I'm afraid that my choices will be very limited if not completely unavailable. 

On the other hand, my 2004 U320 is a quality coach, therefore if I choose to keep it long term I can do upgrades here and there in order to satisfy my craving for new shinny stuff.  In the long run that would be the most economical route, and likely the way I go.  In this case I want the Foretravel factory to be there to support me in these efforts. 

Owning a Foretravel is a source of pride for me and I think other owners share this pride.  Having the Foretravel brand healthy and strong supports my belief that Foretravel is one of if not the best brand in the Motorhome industry.  With the limited production they are doing at this time it makes me question their ability to support the companies future.  I'm going to go ahead and guess they know what they are doing and are taking the company in the direction it needs to go.  I sure hope so......
 
 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #58 –
Quote from: surfndav –
I think I read somewhere that over the life of the company they have produced 17,000 coaches give or take 1000 or so.  If this is anywhere near correct that would be just under or around 400 coaches a year as an annual average. 

There are over 17,000 MC member numbers issued, but that's not how many coaches have been produced.  I think the build numbers are more accurate, which is 6567 if the most recent one listed on the FOT site is the latest and greatest.

-M
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #59 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
There are over 17,000 MC member numbers issued, but that's not how many coaches have been produced.  I think the build numbers are more accurate, which is 6567 if the most recent one listed on the FOT site is the latest and greatest.

-M

I read the 17,000 number somewhere and I thought that might be high.  6567 would mean they've averaged around 150 per year.  With the economic down turn, 50ish coaches a year may not be a low number after all.  I'm hopeful that if/when the economy ticks up, that Foretravel's production levels follow suit. 
David
2004 U320
This is my good stuff

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #60 –
In 99-2000 they hit their high with 300 or so coaches being built.  THey did about 75 the first year they had the phenix and nimbus I think.  I do not think they have met those numbers yet. I heard about 20-30 a year.... Dave, you hit the nail on the head I think.  The MC numbers show the number of times coaches have turned over and new people have purchased a coach but it does not indicate those who have done repeat purchases. I have a friend who is on number 14. It is his last though due to age I would say not desire.  I am on my third coach but noticed the issue you brought up when I started looking at coaches again.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #61 –
Supply vs. demand.  The depreciation curve is destined to flatten out as more people like David seek newer coaches.  Upgrades will probably separate winners from losers.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: Foretravel's Business Model

Reply #62 –
And as people buy newer coaches those of us who are just getting ready to buy the first one will find that there are still some older coaches available. Since the coaches got better each year they are lasting longer, so there ought to be plenty to go around.

Thanks to those who are able to buy the new coaches, since you are supplying the used ones that most of us have to buy because we can't afford the new ones. You also keep the factory in business, which keeps people working. Seriously, thank you.