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Topic: Questionnaire for New Model (Read 1141 times) previous topic - next topic

Questionnaire for New Model

Hello members of the Fore Forum.  The survey is now available to anyone that is not a motorcade member.  If you have not already done so; please take a few moments and complete.  Thank you for your time in giving your opinion, safe travels.

Link to Home page: Foretravel Motorcoach - Custom Handcrafted Luxury Since 1967

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #1 –
Just did the questionnaire, not enough questions asked, there is no reason why the factory cannot "build down" to a smaller more usable unit.
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #2 –
I've been in a few newer FT coaches. My question would be, "who thought the interior should look like a Beverly Hills proctologist's office?" ???
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #3 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I've been in a few newer FT coaches. My question would be, "who thought the interior should look like a Beverly Hills proctologist's office?" ???

Well I'd say if you walk into a coach that has surgeons glove dispensers everywhere. "RUN" Because it just might be owned by a Proctologist.

Of course the following is simply my opinion based on an article about 1st class air travel from a few years ago. The uber wealthy that buy modern high end coaches or 1st class tickets simply want to justify "why" they had to spend so much and also to point out that "you" probably can't have one. In the article I read, Those that routinely travel 1st class in airplanes normally do not spend that money for the perks from the airline. For them the main perk is to not have to sit with the lower class dregs of society in the back. So if Foretravel made a high quality $1,000,000 coach with a "normal" but well appointed interior. They probably couldn't sell it.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #4 –
The people who would never drop the money for a new top of the line coach don't get much say in how the new coaches are appointed. I am sure Foretravel will fit out the coach any way you like it.
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #5 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I've been in a few newer FT coaches. My question would be, "who thought the interior should look like a Beverly Hills proctologist's office?" ???
Or a morgue ......
Bring back 100% real wood cabinets.drawers.. no damn laminates.

Only need one slideout and that is for the couch & dinette, North/South bed, 32' to 40' length, a 32' & a 40' being optimums, 500/550 hp.
3 or 4 burner gas cooktop with a gas oven should be an option.  (don't mess with my biskits)
Oasis or AquaHot
full air ride leveling... no jacks (like the Realm)
A Patio awning that works every time & not in a consistent need of repair/tweeking
A big single bath,
True usability when all slides are retracted.. not just  an "almost" path from one end to the other... a lot of times you do not have the parking space available to slide everything out to just impress your neighbors.
Lose the swirly squirrely vertigo inducing paint jobs  and try to reduce the use of dark colors.... de-lamination is no fun to repair.
at least 2 full pass thru bays with joey beds (40'er's)
BIG BIG tanks for fuel/fresh water /black & gray
All components usable and practical.. from electronic's to plumbing and beyond.

end of rant



'02 40' U320t  4010WTFS Build 6036 1 slide
Motorcade # 17841
SKP 151920
Retired truck driver
 5 million miler
Still have itchy feet for travel

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #6 –
Talking about getting rid of dark colors, have you seen the 2018 on the Foretravel website?
Steve DeLange
2005 U320T 40'
Pearland, Texas

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #7 –
Quote from: sedelange –
Talking about getting rid of dark colors, have you seen the 2018 on the Foretravel website?

I did not think designers took LSD anymore.  ::)
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #8 –
I answered it and thought most of the questions were good ones.

Steve D. is correct - this isn't about what coach you would like someone else to order so you could buy used, it's for those who will be buying a coach new (and would like that coach to be a Foretravel).  Let's keep that in mind when answering the survey.

Having now lived in our smaller coach for a week and a half, one of the questions in particular is something we talked about just the other day - a 96" wide coach would work great given how much slides open up the space (our Unity is 94" with 1 slide).  If the layouts were done smartly, a narrower driving coach opens up just fine for livability with just one slide in an area yet still allows easy passage and access to all coach living systems.  A smartly-done layout could also get away from the flat floor slides (which look cool but seem like a maintenance/debris issue and certainly add to the cost and complexity of a coach).

It seems as coaches have gotten bigger (too big, IMHO), design engineers aren't working to optimize the space like they used to.  Of course, we can blame the customers as well - everyone thinks they want the biggest, most slides, most horsepower coach on the market (bragging rights?  compensating for other shortcomings?).  I would rather have a clever, livable design that didn't waste space or money.  Oh and easy to clean, practical, fresh interior materials. 

As much as we are loving the new "rigette" as a dear friend calls it, we expect to buy another DP in the future.  Intriguing to think that it could actually be another Foretravel when we thought that wouldn't be a possibility because of the size/design direction the current product line has gone.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #9 –
Out of respect for the OP (which is Foretravel themselves) let's keep this on-topic to the questionnaire, especially since it is in Foretravel Discussions.  I split some off-topic discussion out to Fire Ring and merged it with several other identical themes on how much someone liked a different brand of coach.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #10 –
Michelle hit it right on the head! If followed, the market will have a well thought out choice for a "higher end" coach, made by Foretravel, that will stand out from all other manifacturers. And- just make certain "niceties" as options for those willing to splurge.

Thanks Michelle
Ed
Ed Pan, M.D.
2002 U320 40'

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #11 –
Very good to see FT at least gathering outside data.
1998 U270 34'
 

Re: Questionnaire for New Model

Reply #12 –
I would add one question to the questionnaire, one that might give them guidance without tipping their hand:

As a current, past, or possibly future Foretravel coach owner, name one competitive coach you wish Foretravel would produce. (Obviously built to Foretravel standards)

My answer:  Winnebago View
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer