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Topic: Met a nice Foretravel couple today (Read 1493 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #25 –
I consider it a challenge to drive our 1997 U295 in high winds. I would probably park it in crosswinds of more than about 45 mph. I have driven directly into 60 mph winds in Montana. I reduced speed to 45-50 mph and motored on. It was noisy, but stable. My understanding is that the longer coaches and coaches with tag axles are more stable.

Before the FT, we had a coach of the same size and model year that was on a Freightliner chassis. The FT is remarkably better than the other brand. The other brand was challenging to drive when the wind was not blowing.

We bought the FT because it has capacities that will allow us to stay for a few days anywhere we can park. We don't have to drive in bad weather.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #26 –
Quote
I can let go of the wheel at sixty on a straight FLAT road and not panic.


Hey Gary, Maybe YOU won't panic, but what about that guy alongside of you!  For your sake, I sure hope he doesn't have a red and blue light on top of his vehicle... :'( :'(
John Christman

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #27 –
Granted our 1989 36' Grand Villa is nowhere near the newer coaches as far as suspension, etc but-- when we first drove it to FOT it was the worst handling piece of crap I had ever driven!! The DW told me she would never, NEVER drive it.
The Alignment shop at FOT redid the alignment. Turns out the front end was toed out 3/8" and was supposed to be toed IN 1/16"!! To make it even worse the toe-in spec is on a label on the glove box door.
I respectfully suggest that the alignment might be better done by the folks at FOT rather than a tire or truck place. FOT even told me they have done quite a few coaches that had been done elsewhere and that motorhomes are different than trucks.
Try letting them work their magic and you might end up one very happy Foretravel owner.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #28 –
John, The place to try out the straight line stability of your FT is US 50 in NV, look ahead and behind ,  no  cars  ( there never are ), let go the wheel and see if it pulls one way or tother.  Would not try this on I 5. :)
Gary B

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #29 –
Gary, I guess they didn't have the autopilot option in the early 90s... :giggle:
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
John, The place to try out the straight line stability of your FT is US 50 in NV, look ahead and behind ,  no  cars  ( there never are ), let go the wheel and see if it pulls one way or tother.  Would not try this on I 5. :)
Gary B
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #30 –
All Gary needed is a 2 x 4 to lock the steering wheel and the end of it applies the fuel pedal.  Then go back and take a nap for 3-4 hours.  That road is so straight and flat for hundreds of miles!
John Christman

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #31 –
Thanks for the offer Gary, actually, foretravel should have a test coach set up as the "standard" that we could all drive so we know what is good and what isn't.  It could travel around the country for us who don't get to Texas :) I only mentioned my experience so newcomers don't have unrealistic expectations, but let me clarify.  Good road, no wind not a bit of problem.  Side wind and passing trucks I have to pay attention. 
1996 U270
Build #4846
 

Re: Met a nice Foretravel couple today

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Gayland Baasch –
Good road, no wind not a bit of problem.  Side wind and passing trucks I have to pay attention. 
^.^d That description agrees with our experience. Performance improved after an alignment at FOT.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX