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Why Foretravel

Thread Hi-Jack Alert - apologies in advance

Talking to Sue and Jeff yesterday at my coach caused me to reflect on the question "why Foretravel?"

my reasons to date

    • Best in class chassis - any house starts with the foundation...

    • ride/Handing/stopping power

    • Top notch design, top notch quality and craftsmanship in the build process

    • Built using best of breed components, Cummings, allison, HWH, etc.

    • Manufactured coach vs. bus conversion means enough units of the same model made so that "bugs" can be worked out

    • Durability built in so that 20 year old coaches on the road still smooth, quit, reliable, comfortable

    • Manufacturer still in business and support on all coaches (even 20 year old ones) better than can be expected

    • James Triana

    • The availability of the "eco-system" experts and repair/conversion facilities noted in this threads

    • And most importantly, this Forum, and the efforts of the members, moderators and most importantly Steve and Michelle.

    For me if it isn't a Foretravel, I won't own a Motorhome. I might own a small RV some day, but for me, there is only one "motorhome" and that is Foretravel.

    no, I am not going to have a Foretravel logo tattooed on my body....
    Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
    2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
    1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
    Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
    Cessna P337
    1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #1 –
    Last week I took our 21-year-old U225 (Foretravel's "entry level" motor home) out for an installation of the thermostat. Every time it has been a month or so between outings I find myself surprised all over again over just how comfortable that old 36-footer is to drive. No rattles or noises (once I secured the cabinet door under the sink, at least). Plenty of acceleration (the Banks helps, I have to admit); we regularly hit 50mph by the end of a freeway on-ramp (traffic permitting... it's amazing how many automobile drivers don't go faster than 40mph getting onto a 70mph freeway).

    Great visibility, well designed systems. Pretty easy maintenance, actually. But mostly it's the comfort level that I notice. The seats, the layout, the bedroom....

    I agree... if I didn't have a Foretravel I probably wouldn't have a motor home at all. A 5th wheel or a travelt trailer would be the likely candidates.

    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: Why Foretravel

    Reply #2 –
    The main reason Foretravel is better than most is the fact they use the highest quality available. Motorhomes are made up of systems.  Foretravel uses the best wood, engines, transmissions, generators, furniture, gauges, hot water and aqua hot, on and on .  Top of the line all the way.  I have been in expensive motorhomes and see fiberglass thin showers and low end electronics.  DAN 

    Dan & Shirley Stansel
    2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
    Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
    Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
    MC# 16650

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #3 –
    No, been there, done that . Like Gary B, when the FT goes, I'm hanging up my Spurs.....
    Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
    2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
    1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
    Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
    Cessna P337
    1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #4 –
    Over 10 years, I have been driving new and used sobs, for a major dealer in Yuma. I prefer to drive my ' 92 u280 with 236000 miles,enough said!
    George Ray 1992 U280 40'

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #5 –
    Some people might think that I would be at least a bit down on Foretravels, given the various problems we've dealt with, but I'm not. In fact, every once in a while I think about what I would get to replace this coach should some disaster befall it. No matter what I think about, it comes back to a Foretravel. That's not to say that a Foretravel is the best choice for everyone, but it IS the best choice for us.

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #6 –
    I just wish they made 34 footers still.....and maybe even 30 footers.
    1998 U270 34'

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #7 –
    We purchased our Foretravel because it was the only 36' motorhome I could find with enough power and hitch to pull my 9500 pound enclosed race car trailer.  I was also impressed by the wood work on the inside and how unused it looked and this unit has over 3000 hours on gen set so it has been used.  Only after the purchase did I find this web site and come to understand what a quality unit I now own.  I was nervous as to what I had gotten myself into this time, but the info and willingness to help others displayed on this web site makes me feel a whole lot better.  I am sure I will have problems (anything 13 years old will have some problems) but with the resources available here I am no longer concerned.

    The only rv'ing I will be doing is going to local drag strips in B.C. and maybe Washington state so I am not likely to run into many of you.  I find myself already addicted to this site, I must check it out in the morning before I go to work, before I go for lunch before I go home and before I go to bed at night.  I have already learned so much from this site that I can't imagine owing a coach other than a Foretravel.

    Steve
    Summit Drag Racing
    Blown alcohol top dragster
    Penticton, B.C.

     
    "Rocket"  2001 3610 U320 IFS  #5907
    Car crazy guy with too many toys to list here.

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #8 –
    We just got back from a 3 month trip in Western Europe. We had rented a small rv for our time over there. It was about 20 feet long. We had a great time and drove about 17,000 Km while there. We got home last night and this morning, I just had to crank up the ISM Cummins. What a great sound. If anyone is interested in touring Europe what we did worked great for us.
    previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
    previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
    previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
    1999 Mazda Miata
    Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
    1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #9 –
    Steve, we live in Kaleden and would be nice to meet you. have a little bit of experience on Fts
    JohnH
    Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
    1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
    2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
    ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
    ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
    2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
    jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
    treat everyone as you would like to be.

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #10 –
    My wife and I are relatively new to this lifestyle but here is my take:
    Pros:
    1.) Overall construction quality is better than most motorhomes, with few exceptions.
    2.) Good quality components in most systems such as the levelling/slide system, drive train, heating, etc.
    3.) Impressed with the technical backup at FOT, MOT and of course, this site.
    4.) Driving/handling qualities.
    5.) Very good camaraderie with everyone we meet relative to Foretravel. This is really appreciated.

    Cons:
    1.) Somewhat outdated manufacturing facilities at FOT, in my opinion. This is understandable with the current MH market.
    2.)

    We have looked at and researched other brands and Foretravel was the best value at the time, and still is, again in my opinion. I would not consider another brand unless I won the lottery, and maybe not even then :o.
    Our second choice was Newell and it was second only because of the additional cost to purchase a comparable MH.
    Have a good one,


    Mark and Judy Blain
    2010 Nimbus 45, ISM500
    Build No. 6528
    Motorcade No. 17243
    Burton, Texas

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #11 –
      Ron,
      How much did it cost to rent the RV in Europe? Which outfit did you use?  Love to hear anything you would
      care to relate about your experience. I am planning to go and that is something I have thought about.

      Thanks,
      Dan

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #12 –
    Every time I've even entertained the idea of SOB it only takes a quick comparison of features, quality, support and the "Foretravel family"  to be me back to the reality that the Foretravel is the superior coach.
    2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
    Coach # 5995
    Previous coaches
    2002 U320 coach  #5941
    1996 U270 coach #4808

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #13 –
    These coaches are such classics, they have a "timeless" look that transcends everything you thought you knew about a quality motor coach in the past, they are "first class", & I have always loved traveling first class!  :))

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #14 –
    Quote from: Mark Blain –
    My
    Our second choice was Newell and it was second only because of the additional cost to purchase a comparable MH.


    Not a fan of aluminum skinned non laminated wall coaches
    "Riding and rejoicing"
    Bob
    1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
    2007 Solara convertible
    2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

    1095 watts solar
    08 Ls 460 and a sc430
    2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #15 –
    I bought a Foretravel that was close to being a lawn ornament. We were in a position where our travels were coming to an abrupt end if we did not have something that would take us down the road. Our fifth wheel was no longer road worthy. We bought the Foretravel knowing that it had not been properly maintained. There were a few unexpected surprises and a higher cost in repairs than I anticipated. We still have a few issues that need to be addressed. All that said, would I buy another Foretravel? Absolutely! Would I still buy this one? Guess that depends on what is available. Some of the problems I had I expected, others I don't believe anyone could have predicted. What brought us through all our issues was this Forum. I did not realize when we purchased this coach that it came with a support group that had answers and solutions or approaches to address the issues that we faced. This Forum is a value to all current and future Foretravelers. I don't know how you factor the value of the Forum into the purchase of a preowned coach but it is a value that should be considered.

    Roland
    1993 U280 4341
    2010 Jeep Liberty
    The Pied Pipers
     

    Re: Why Foretravel

    Reply #16 –
    I'm full timing in a 26 year old U300. Think about that. What do you have that's 26 years old and you can depend on? I'm warm when I need to be warm and cool when I want to be cool. I take at least one hot shower a day and sleep in one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in... I have flat screen TV's with blue ray player's and a bitchin sound system. What more do I really need?? My old girl, once in a while tests my patience but never (so far) leaves me stranded.. I still have strangers tell me that they think it looks cool and ask me what kind it is. I'm babbling a little but my point is true quality takes time to show itself... My old Foretravel shows what quality really is..
    Andy 1989 U300 40'