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Topic: Living the " DREAM " (Read 803 times) previous topic - next topic

Living the " DREAM "

We just drove our 2001 U320 36' # 5812 down from Phoenix to Tucson on Tuesday and slept in it for the first time last night. I can't say enough about this motorhome. We call it the Gleam " DREAM ".  We are in the process of getting our toad, a 2014 Honda CRV, ready to follow us to new adventures.
I had been reading this forum for a while now, and anticipate LOTS of questions, etc, that will come about. I know that there is a whole bunch of knowledge and advice out there. So, without further ado.....
I see that I have an old Thetford 4 prong outlet at the valve. I am used to the more modern setup, having last used Camco Rhino Flex, and really want to install a clear fitting near the valve as I had on my trailer. Is there an adaptor I can purchase, or do I have to take out the chain saw. How will I get it into the storage well with the new type of fittings.?
Also, I have a couple of struts at the upper cabinets that have lost their vim and vigor. Does anyone know who made them and how I can replace the ones I have encountered?
I also am in the process of establishing the " wish list " with my co pilot. So far, we want to pull out the carpet and put in Kardean Tile like our friend Andy 2. I also see the need to add some wall outlets around the kitchen counter and the bedroom night stands. I have done my share of electrical work, but want to make sure I can run some circuits from below without doing major damage. Any ideas would be appreciated. If I just need to search past discussions, I will.....after I read the owners manual, the 15 years of maintenance history and on and on ....!!
I will contact the factory next week and join the FT club?? We are Good Sam- ers and are being told that we should join the Elks also. Any other recommendations??
We are overwhelmed by the quality and features of our new home. A few people in our RV Park, here in Tucson, thought the FT was NEW!! Gotta take real good care of her. It will be our one and only MH.
Nice to be part of this community. HAPPY TRAILS..........
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #1 –
Best price around for the struts is Foretravel,after you join the club and get the 10% discount.Look at the foot of the bed on the sides,will be outlets,also is one under the cabinet in the kitchen facing down,if you do replace/get new ones they are special
RVstyle outlets.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #2 –
Quote from: GleamB –
I see that I have an old Thetford 4 prong outlet at the valve. I am used to the more modern setup, having last used Camco Rhino Flex, and really want to install a clear fitting near the valve as I had on my trailer. Is there an adaptor I can purchase, or do I have to take out the chain saw. How will I get it into the storage well with the new type of fittings.?

I also see the need to add some wall outlets around...the bedroom night stands.
 
I will contact the factory next week and join the FT club?? We are Good Sam- ers and are being told that we should join the Elks also. Any other recommendations??

Congrats on your new ride!  Glad to have you guys joining the group.  Here's a couple answers:

On the sewer line question.  Yes, there is a adapter available.  Check the Camping World catalog, or at Walmart for Camco products.  Most owners prefer modding the dump line by removing the Thetford and adding a Valterra fitting.  Use the Forum search box (upper right corner of this page).  Search for "third valve" - you will find many suggestions/ideas on how to make the conversion.

We have a duplex electrical outlet at the foot of bed base, both sides, right under the mattress platform, facing the side walls.  I used 2 power strips with short cords to add additional outlets up at the head of the bed.  Tack the cords up under the edge of the bed platform - they will be totally hidden. 

Belkin 6-Outlet Surge Protector, White - Walmart.com  (Also available in brown)

When you join the Motorcade Club, you also get a "free" membership in the FMCA.  They have a great magazine.  We also joined the Escapees - excellent website and forum, many discount campgrounds, training programs, "SmartWeigh", etc.  Highly recommended.

SmartWeigh

Good luck with your new coach!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #3 –
Hi GleamB -

Not to be redundant -

Welcome to FT ownership.  You have q good list started.  We have had our 2002 36' U320 for about 4 years.  How time flies.  When we first acquired our Ol' Girl we had a couple of TT previously and our FT was our first MH.  Lots of systems and lots to learn about.  We were overwhelmed by the complexity of the machine but as time went on and we researched different systems,  usually by trying to understand problems we became familiar with many of the on board systems and have effectively repaired/replaced many of them.  I have often shared with others that without this forum we could not be doing what we are doing.

We cut our Thetford fitting off and replaced it with a Valterra.  The sewer pipe is a standard size.  A slip on adapter is available but our solution was to cut off the old and replacing it with a Valterra.  Search Function will provide you with many threads addressing this issue.  Below is one way to accomplish the change from Thetford to Valterra:
FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Best source of gas struts as posted is the FT Parts dept.  I think under $10.00 per strut.  We started by purchasing 4 or 6 to start with and there after 2 to 3 at a time.  We usually have two spares in a cabinet to use as replacements.  Since we have had our coach we have replaced almost all of the gas struts in the overhead cabinets.

Re:  Flooring - There is a wide variety of flooring choices available.  Search here for options and How To's if you are inclined.  Just watch your rear axle weights by having your coach weighed to see what the rear axle currently weighs so you can determine the weight of your new floor so as to not overload the rear axle capacity.  Axle wight is also important for appropriate tire pressure.

Roadside Service - Many here use Good Sam and others use Coach Net.  After having the Good Sam plan for many years it appeared to us that the Coach Net program was better so that is where we are now.

The Motorcade Club - Beverly is the Manager of that club and can be contacted by contacting FT in Nac.  I believe the first year is free and she will assign you a MC, Motorcade number with decals that you can place on the top of your front cap.

Many here have also experienced the interest others have in our coaches and the condition of the paint.  It is easy to be proud of our machines.

I think that if you use the Search function you will find many answers to your interest areas. 

If you have not found this site it also has many topics that you might be interest in Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year


Good luck and happy ownership.  :D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #4 –
GleamB

Welcome and Ditto on the recommendations in this thread, especially using the "search" functions I have had my coach 8 years, just this summer "discovered" the outlets on either side of the bed...  Doubt you will have to add outlets.
Recommendations

As others have said - join Motorcade club.  Plan a trip to Nacogdoches in your journey (AKA "meccadoches" and "Coach Buck City" - "CBC") - incredible support eco system there - you will find lots of the names as you search the Forum threads.
Finally, please add your coach info by adding it into your profile - It will then post with every post
- helpful for all
Welcome!!
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: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #5 –
Good news Glen, now get your toad done and come up to the Q  ^.^d
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Roadside Service - Many here use Good Sam and others use Coach Net.  After having the Good Sam plan for many years it appeared to us that the Coach Net program was better so that is where we are now.

Scott, can you elaborate please on "better"?  I think we're paying $119.00/yr for Good Sam and the Coach Net is $249.00/yr from what I read on their webite.

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #7 –
Thanks, everyone, for all the good info!!
I have been an active member on other forums when we bought our first trailer, a Lil Snoozy 16 footer, number 15 off the assembly line, and then on the LivinLite site, when we bought our 21RBS. I am impressed with the knowledge and pride of ownership displayed on this site. I will enjoy being a part of it, as time goes by. We will "full time" about 7 months a year now, and that is why Amy wanted a Class A. I had just gotten the LivinLite JUST THE WAY I WANTED IT!!! I have to say, I LOVE this MH !!
I will do my homework and search past discussions, and will probably do the third valve change pretty soon. Thanks Again.
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #8 –
Welcome to the club! I've been working steadily on my coach since I bought it in June, but I think I had a lot more to do.  Regarding the struts, this is what I bought for the cabinets:  2ea RV Marine Bus Nitro-Prop Gas Strut Prop Rod REP Spring Lift SL-11-20 | eBay
If you can get them for less from Foretravel, that's great.  My limited experience with them did not leave the impression that they had the best prices.
These struts fit perfectly and were very easy to install - just takes a small screwdriver.
Good luck,
Sven
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #9 –
They were under $10.00 from FT I bought a bunch for spares. There was a thread earlier about the fact they need to have the rod at the bottom not the top to keep the seal lubed for longer life. As I replace them I put them in that way now.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #10 –
Our coach net plan covers everything we want.  I don't care about concierge services or all of the other stuff we would never use anyway.  When we have needed help they have been perfect.  Not so with Good Sam.  Compare what you get and what is covered carefully.  We just renewed coach-net for $189 which covers both of us anywhere and every car we own.  Coach net has been good for us.

About $10 at FT for struts.  Buy then while you are there or get some one to buy them for you and mail them to you.  FT + UPS = not so cheap shipping.  -10% with your Motorcade discount.  Check with MOT for parts as well.  Sometimes they have what you need when FOT does not or they are cheaper.  MC discount there as well.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Living the " DREAM "

Reply #11 –
T-man -
I would suggest that you open two windows on your computer.  One tab for Good Sam coverage and one for Coach Net.  Put them side by side and compare.  Coach Net is more expensive but we feel the coverage is better for us.  :D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320