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Detroit Area RV Show

The DW and I sent the day at the RV show today.  Mostly to see the new gadgets and stuff but came away pretty disappointed on that front.  There wasn't much to see at this show.  One thing we did come away with was another confermation that FT is the best brand on the market.  Our '89 GV had all of the SOB's beat in quality. The closest one we found there was the Tiffin's...after 4days of people going in and out of all those coaches I saw joint failing, steps into the coach sagging, and carpet matted to the point of tear-out just to name a few.... Ours isn't perfect but I can only imagine what these one will look like in 25 years!! If it's even on the road!  Plus I know that when we upgrade to someone's GV320 years down the line that one will still be a quality coach!!
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #1 –
Quote from: danieljeff545 –
The DW and I sent the day at the RV show today.  Mostly to see the new gadgets and stuff but came away pretty disappointed on that front.  There wasn't much to see at this show.  One thing we did come away with was another confermation that FT is the best brand on the market.  Our '89 GV had all of the SOB's beat in quality. The closest one we found there was the Tiffin's...after 4days of people going in and out of all those coaches I saw joint failing, steps into the coach sagging, and carpet matted to the point of tear-out just to name a few.... Ours isn't perfect but I can only imagine what these one will look like in 25 years!! If it's even on the road!  Plus I know that when we upgrade to someone's GV320 years down the line that one will still be a quality coach!!

Most SOB's are made to be sold twice.  Once from the factory to the dealer.  Next from the dealer to the retail customer.

Foretravel was one of the few manufacturers when I ran the ca store to buy back their own used coaches with their money. 

Bob
"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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #2 –
We also go to a local show just to confirm that our U320 was a good choice.  Nothing we have seen contradicts that.  I like the reaction when the salesperson tries to qualify us (is that the right term, Bob?) and when they learn we have a Foretravel they either look blankly at us or say "Nice Coaches" and walk away.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
We also go to a local show just to confirm that our U320 was a good choice.  Nothing we have seen contradicts that.  I like the reaction when the salesperson tries to qualify us (is that the right term, Bob?) and when they learn we have a Foretravel they either look blankly at us or say "Nice Coaches" and walk away.

Keith

Right term.  I will make you all expert buyers if given the time and interest.  Educated buyers.  They knew they were wasting their time.  You were not floor plan, refrigerator, countertop and  fabrics and the paint job buyers.  You wanted to know about a  motor home not a home with a motor. 

None of the sob's balance the two.  The marketing overcomes the coach part.  Almost always

Funny enough I do not like Newell's.  Aluminum skins and framing?  Painted metal?  Gen on or plugged in every moment.  Pretty.  Laminated fiberglass side wall steel framed has proven very reliable....

Bob
"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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #4 –
Looking at some of the new designs makes my eyes hurt.  Feel like I am in hotel lobby.  In the UK we have an uncomplimentary expression "like the back of a bus".  Newell has some of the ugliest rear ends I have seen.  Matter of taste I suppose.


Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Keith and Joyce –
Looking at some of the new designs makes my eyes hurt.  Feel like I am in hotel lobby.  In the UK we have an uncomplimentary expression "like the back of a bus".  Newell has some of the ugliest rear ends I have seen.  Matter of taste I suppose.

Just because you *can* put LED lights everywhere doesn't mean that you *should* put LED lights everywhere...

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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #6 –
LEDs are better than halogens I think. Newell's are great coach and I would look at them but they are way too heavy. I found the best way to tell about a coach is to look at that brand and trim level 3 years later. I saw lots of cracked dashes on Dutch Stars. They had the screw gun to tight. I saw stuff falling off Winnie's. I will say that the high end beavers looked good even five plus years old and so did the Monocos at dynasty level and above. Only the busses and the old Country cCoaches prior to national purchasing and beavers and high end Monocos held up. So we are down to one left and that is Foretravel.  It is the best motorhome on the market.
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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #7 –
Keith that is so true...I had one salesman tried and "sell" me on how great their construction is and how they use only the "best" materials. As I pointed out the stapled cabinet over the couch was beginning to separate,  I told him that my older Foretravel did not have any issues staying together.  The salesman said something to the effect of well I meant in this price point, and that Foretravel was an nice coach.....  Yeah I knew that LOL
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #8 –
LEDs are now the bulb of choice for landing lights on light aircraft, plenty bright, and really suffer the vibrations of the mounting place well
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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #9 –
I rather enjoy going to RV shows just to compare fit and finish between my '94 Foretravel and the new SOBs on display.  And when the salesmen start trying to sell me, I tell them about it. 
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #10 –
The Rv biz builds "price coaches." my term.  End price is determined and the materials selected.  What's left in the budget is what you get in hidden quality.

You have to build a semi-monocoque body and chassis on site.  Not shippable. No credit from the chassis builder until sold to the dealer.

Hard to build a chassis coach that does not have "bump steer"

Bob
 
"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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #11 –
Bob,

"Bump steer"?  Please explain; I'm very curious.

Thanks,
Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #12 –
Quote from: bogeygolfer –
Bob,

"Bump steer"?  Please explain; I'm very curious.

Thanks,
Chris

Chassis coaches when the air suspension is lowered typically have the steering wheel turn. 

So every time the coaches front suspension goes through its travel the coach is turning if the steering wheel is not turned to compensate for it. 

Unihome moved the steering box way lower and the long Pittman arm parallels the suspension trailing links. 

I think that starting in 97 they moved the box out farther from the centerline so as to match the wide body.  Previous I understand the box was at the 96 width.

I noticed in my 97 from full dumped to full extension manually the steering wheel does not move a bit.

Fixed.  No "bump" steer.  Not noticeable on smooth roads.  Big rolling bumps caused the coach to go to the right under compression then back to the left as the coach's suspension extended.

Told the ored customers just to hold on as if the ride height valves were good the coach normally came back to the original heading.

Used to dump the air three times then reinflate the chassis and measure the bumper height then extend the suspension to the top and let the coach auto level.  Measure again. 

If the coach returns exactly to the same height every time then the steering will be the same. 

If the ride height is not repeatable in the coaches that have some bump steer then the coach will wander.

Spicer 710 boxes also needed the center spool reset after a few hours from new.  Old ored stuff.  Do not think the unihomes had the spicer but not sure.

Bob
"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: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #13 –
I know bump steer in cars and how to fix it, but I thought the primary reason Moby tracks so much better that our first rv was just because it  rides on air.  Just not used to the idea that big rigs deal with it too. Clever, how FT worked it out. Every time I get on this forum it seems like I learn something new. Thanks for that1
Jay
1989 U280 SE, 36', 3208T Cat, build 3292

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #14 –
Very interesting and informative.  Thanks, Bob, for sharing.

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI
 

Re: Detroit Area RV Show

Reply #15 –
When I mentioned LEDs I wasn't referring to headlights or reading lights but the myriad of lights around designs in the ceilings, around the cabinets, around the dining table, etc. I'm a fan of LEDs. I just don't think that I need them outlining my granite counters. Or the granite counters, for that matter. :P

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."