Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not (Read 2029 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #20 –
Didn't mean to scare you but while we travel around here light, heading across country, we keep more water in it and before hitting a campground, we fill the water tank and have plenty of propane as we fill the tank before leaving for a longer trip. A lot of campgrounds have showers so we use them rather than using our water and filling the gray/black water tanks. We do travel in comfort but keep it light around home where everything is almost vertical.

We ran into the Bluebird/Wanderlodge group in Death Valley and was really shocked with their weight. A lot had Detroits but one fellow told us about his old Bluebird with a 3208 CAT pushing well over 40,000 lbs. Said it made the original VW bus seem fast.

Pierce

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #21 –
We are "some timers." We spend a few weeks every year in the coach. I seldom go more than about 460 miles on a fresh tank of fuel. We could easily travel 800 miles on about 115 gallons of fuel, but I prefer to keep a full tank of fuel when stopped overnight. We also try to travel with full fresh water and empty waste tanks. We sometimes travel in winter and try to keep enough food, water, waste capacity, and fuel to last 3-5 days in case we get trapped by weather or mechanical issues.

We seldom use toilet, shower, and cleaning facilities outside the coach. We do use laundromats if we are out more than about 10 days.

We easily run self contained for 4-5 days. We could go longer if we were conservative. I went about twice that long by myself on a recent trip.

Fully laden our coach weighs around 28,000# and towed vehicle weighs about 3,200#. Our engine is a Cummins C8.3-325 (fully mechanical) with Banks Stinger (maybe 340-375 HP). We drive at 65 mph when conditions allow and get 7 mpg +-.

For eight months we owned a 37' DP of another brand. It was the same model year as our Foretravel. There was a lot we liked about the floor plan and amenities. It was lighter and had a Cummins B5.9 engine. Fuel mileage was around 9 mpg. It had enough power, but the brakes were marginal. The ride and handling were bad. The insulation and heating systems would not keep us safe in freezing weather. We were pleased we owned it in order to find out the difference a good motorhome and a very popular brand.

Perhaps my data points will assist you in establishing your expectations.

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #22 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
We are "some timers." We spend a few weeks every year in the coach.
I would like to expand my description of us as "some timers." We have put over 45,000 miles on our coach in the four years we have owned it. We have traveled in temperatures ranging from -10F to 110F. We have traveled in Montana in the winter and Texas in the summer. We do have some varied experiences as "some timers."

Best wishes for a successful transition to your next vehicle.

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #23 –
I can go two weeks on my tanks if I am careful and many times a long week plus just living.

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #24 –
I think a coach like ours would work nicely for you. A 40' U320 in the mid-to-late 90s will have two very nice underfloor storage bays, if if you pick the right floor plan a very generous amount of closet and other storage space inside. Ours has the 400 HP Cummins M-11 and I really appreciate its torque. Even though I like the Detroit engines, the four-stroke Cummins and the 6-speed Allison make a superior combination. We typically drive the speed limit or about 70 MPH, and with Aqua-Hot and generator usage typically get around 8 MPG.

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #25 –
This is a little off topic but I want to complement this forum in general. You folks are pretty nice so far, and have been very helpful and informative.

I'll probably hang around whether I buy a Foretravel or not, if you guys don't throw me off!  ;D

TOM

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #26 –
Quote from: OldManSax –
This is a little off topic but I want to complement this forum in general. You folks are pretty nice so far, and have been very helpful and informative.

I'll probably hang around whether I buy a Foretravel or not, if you guys don't throw me off!  ;D

TOM

If you get your bird to so cal my friend is a bird genius on repairs.  Especially electrical stuff. Fixes the systems that the normal guys mess up.
 

Re: Introduction & Advice, Opinions, & Comments on whether to Foretravel or not

Reply #27 –
Thanks Bob, I'll keep that in mind.

TOM