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Topic: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome? (Read 1318 times) previous topic - next topic

Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Hi, This is my first post and I am still dreaming about my first Foretravel purchase.

I am aiming for a U320 from the mid to late 90s. I've seen many of the testimonials about the superior ride and construction of the these coaches. No need to sell me on that :). I'd just like to know what I'm getting into versus what I currently have.

As the current owner of a '93 Itasca Diesel pusher for the past ten years, I am well aware that all motorhomes are very needy vehicles. I would like to know HOW Needy a Foretravel is by comparison.

I will assume that most owners here have 'cut their teeth' with 'some other brand' prior to buying a Foretravel. What has been your experience when it comes to the level of maintenance needed for your current coach versus what you had before?

Thanks, Bob
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #1 –
My 1994 U225 is very much less troublesome than my previous 1994 Tiffin Allegro 28DA, GM P32/454.  And rides much better even though it is not on air bags, plus it handles so nice!  But I do have a problem with the Dominic Frig not wanting to stay lit while traveling down the highway.  Parked, it is fine.  And the fit and finish is fantastic.  I marvel at mine when we go to a RV show,  Love to compare my 19 year old U225's fit and finish to the new sob rigs on display.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #2 –
The Foretravel is not my first, but I agree with a comment
 "I'd rather have a 10 year old Foretravel than a brand new anything else".
That about sums up my feelings.
Good luck
Dave M

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #3 –
Well, I have first hand experience with a lot of different RV brands and can say that my 1983 Foretravel is quieter and better constructed than any of the new "sob" coaches I deal with. These are both "A" and "C" units that range in price from $80k to over $400k. My '83 FTX diesel has over 300K miles and is still quiet, solid, comfortable, and very dependable.
James Holder
'83 3500 FTX ORED LIMITED

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #4 –
A Foretravel is a very complex motorhome but the quality of the cabinetry, the well organized electrical system, the choice of drive components elevate it above the crowd both for livability and reliability. Little extras like a premium carpet that will clean up time after time and still look good 20 years later add even more to Foretravel quality.  This insures that after thousands of miles of driving, fewer items will rattle loose, smoke won't come from under the dash from substandard wiring and more time can be spent enjoying the fun of going places.

The day in day out feeling when traveling or just coming home to relax makes our choice a winner. Everything about the interior is easy on the eyes, totally without the tiny irritations that come from compromises and lesser quality materials others incorporate in their product.

Just the fact that our forum exists is a testimonial to a product that has stood up extraordinarily well since it's inception many years ago.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #5 –
Well, I have on my fourth motorhome (GMC, Holiday Rambler, Gulfstream DP, and now FT).  All had some pluses, the FT is certainly the cream of the crop.  I have had some minor issues with the FT.  I had more issues with the others.  A friend of mine who once had an old airstream motorhome told me that any home that travels down the highway at speed and has bumps in the road will have things break and need repairs.  I think no matter which brand you purchase will parallel that thought.  I can say that my FT has been a good one.  Rides well, good insulation, quality components, factory still in business, great foreforums support, not too glitzy, much to like.  My advice would be look around to find a good one in your price range.  I still can't believe what I got for what I paid!  Great motorhome in excellent condition for less than 20% of original sticker.  Good Luck in your search!
Best of Travels

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #6 –
I had a new Tiffin Phaeton in 2008.  My FT is SO much easier to drive and the ride is smooth as silk.  I did give up 4 slides and a dryer though - but we don't full time now either.  The only thing about getting one of these fine older coaches is that you may have to spend some money to update some of the equipment or replace worn out items.  I figured it was better to spend about $100K on a used FT and then add my own things rather than spend $150K for a newer RV of a different brand.  I knew that before I bought it though. :)

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #7 –
Kind of hard for me to say. Our first MH was a class C that cost three transmission rebuilds in less than two years altho we only paid @ $2800 for the first one.

Our '89 GV has been very expensive to maintain. (cough, cough) One $6 circuit breaker for the block heater, one $500 Michelin tire due to valve stem extension failure, one thermocouple for the water heater (at FOT) $10. two valve stems @ $6 each. Doesn't seem too bad for three years and 10,000 miles on a 24 year old coach!!
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: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #8 –
Thanks all. I was just wondering and you seem to confirm what I had hoped.

With my current motorhome, I have to produce a checklist of things to fix once the trip is over. The list does get addressed before the next trip, but I was hoping to have less of a list with a Foretravel.

As with most other things, quality costs less over the long term. I have a Kirby vaccuum cleaner like that. I bought it used, and never had big issues with vaccuums again. I look at Foretravels the same way:)
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #9 –
I especially love hearing the positive accounts of "very old" Foretravels!  Being the new owner of a 17-year old coach, I love seeing the 20+ year coaches getting accolades still! 

We've spent some money on ours - some we had to (bad front a/c), some we didn't (replaced working rear a/c also - so both would be trouble-free).  Replaced all 6 tires with Michelins - only four were out of date.  Have a leaking steering box now and hoping that's not too painful. 

Otherwise, wow, what a great riding and performing coach.

Our family had a brand new 1992 Coachmen Royal rear diesel...what a POS that SOB was!  It had a Cummins 5.9 and Spartan chassis (no problems there) - but the house was total junk.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #10 –
Had a Coachmen...was total Junk.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #11 –
I think your issue and money spent will be on remodeling the coach. I will say at 15 to 20 years you might have to replace some appliances depending on if they have been replaced yet. Lots of fridge replacing going on now. You get a two stage fridge with a 10 to 15 year lifespan and you will start seeing lots of those issues come up on the forums.  You will probably have to replace flooring sometime or other too. Stuff wears out on older coaches but they are well built and the stuff just works till it is worn out.
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: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #12 –
Our 93, U300 has the original refrigerator, water heater and the front air conditioner and all work very well. OK when Oklahoma outside temps reached 115 in the summer of 2011, the refrigerator got a little too warm until I reworked the cooling plenum and put two fans on the coil. It appears that the previous owner replaced both furnaces but I am not sure why.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #13 –
I've had seven MHs and this 02 is my first FT.  I am very pleased with it.  The one big thing I like is that FT builds the whole thing.  Where most other SOB buy their Chassis then build the body on it.  The right hand does not know what the left hand has done.  Chappell
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #14 –
I have had several SOB's, I must say the FT is the best of the lot although not with out the problems that 13 years of use brings to all things mechanical. The thing about Foretravel is the initial quality of construction is still there making Foretravel owners more willing to put the time and $$ into keeping everything up to snuff. When you see folks putting 15-20K into upgrading a 15+ year old  coach that tells you something. Wanderlodge is another one like Foretravel.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country
 

Re: Is your Foretravel less troublesome than your previous motorhome?

Reply #15 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
Kind of hard for me to say. Our first MH was a class C that cost three transmission rebuilds in less than two years altho we only paid @ $2800 for the first one.

Our '89 GV has been very expensive to maintain. (cough, cough) One $6 circuit breaker for the block heater, one $500 Michelin tire due to valve stem extension failure, one thermocouple for the water heater (at FOT) $10. two valve stems @ $6 each. Doesn't seem too bad for three years and 10,000 miles on a 24 year old coach!!

Cough Cough, Thats what I like to hear, I havent even seen mine yet, But the more I see comments like this, The more I know I havent wasted my hard earned,

I did look at a lot of SOB's, but there was always some thing not quite right with them, Its a Gut Feeling,

Cheers,
Brian,

Toys, 1989 Grand Villa, 36 foot, ORED with 300 Hp Cat. 2002 Gemini 34 foot Sailing Catamaran, 2006 Honda Super Blackbird 1100XX, 2002 ZR7 750 Kawasaki,
25 HP Chinese tractor and Backhoe,