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Topic: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270 (Read 1141 times) previous topic - next topic

Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

We are looking at a 34 ft. Foretravel. Do they have the standard Foretravel ride quality in the shorter wheelbase. Ride quality a big problem in our coach of SOB.

Sheila

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #1 –
No difference to my recollection between my 36 and my 40, can't say for sure on 34 but with same suspension I would expect very similar rides
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: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #2 –
Sheila,

Welcome to the ForeForum.

The suspension is the same (8 outboard air bags, 8 shocks, etc).  You would be very hard pressed to tell the difference.  Only exception could be in heavy cross wind where the shorter wheelbase/overall length would make it slightly more susceptible to movement.

Indeed even Foretavels follow the laws of physics, but a lot can be overcome by spending big bucks on the suspension as Foretravel did.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #3 –
A 34' would have bilstein shocks new.  If worn they are too soft according to most here.

The airbags inflate to bring the coach to ride height.  Less pressure internally from the lighter coach.

Softer than a bigger heavier 40'.

A shock swap to the Koni FSD's would be highly reccomended.

While 8 run "h" tires to be at 97/87 pounds for the best ride and higher payload reserve a 34' could probably run "g" load rated at similar pressures with a adequate load reserve.

Part of the ride quality is the tires.  I sure would install new Michelin's based on my experiences.

Shocks, tires, centrimatics and any worn suspension parts being replaced will result in a driving experience that will bring a grin to your face that will be hard to wipe off.

If it's too soft and/or wanders a bit the underneath steering stuff was my first fix.

Loose wheel bearing were part of my issue.

Fixed and updated the u270 along with its sister models are among the finest riding/driving coaches made.

Ask Jack Lewis as he sold and drove everything while at guarantee.  He now owns a unicoach
"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: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #4 –
My 34 ft with FSD front shocks, actually rode and handled better than my 40 ft coaches, with the exception of crosswinds and truck passings. Think this was partially because shocks and bags do not have to work so hard because of lighter weight and partially because of the ability to run lower tire pressures, again because of the lighter weight.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #5 –
The shorter the wheelbase the more out of level the site can be and still level. One advantage of 34 over all other length FT
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: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #6 –
You folks are amazing, thank you so much for all your responses. Big step and we want to avoid as many issues as possible.

Sheila and Kelly

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #7 –
The heavier the coach, the longer the suspension takes to react with the increased mass. It's like a sailboat. The bigger/heavier they are the slower they react to heavy seas. Having said that, all Foretravels are heavy and with shocks that are in good shape they will all give a comfortable ride. Correct front end alignment will mean very little extra attention to the steering. Ours is 36 feet but don't expect any difference between it and a 34 footer. 110 psi all around gives us a good ride on most roads.

With many of the nation's highways in poor shape, no coach will make them smooth. In other words, don't blame the coach. It didn't make the pot holes.

If you plan much touring in the west, shorter is easier/better and allows more site possibilities.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #8 –
I owned a 34 36 and 42 foot. There was no difference in the 34 or 36 foot coaches. The tag axle added some stability in strong winds and passing semis but that could also be the added weight as well.  I would not hesitate to get a 34 foot again if that is the size I wanted. 
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: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #9 –
Quote from: srshelee –
We are looking at a 34 ft. Foretravel. Do they have the standard Foretravel ride quality in the shorter wheelbase. Ride quality a big problem in our coach of SOB.

Sheila
GO for the Foretravel (after a full inspection of course)  The differences of ride/build quality & design/component quality, amount of fresh/black/gray tank capacities between a Foretravel and a SOB..... is night and day...You will not be sorry!

Happy Trails & Comfortable Camping
'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: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #10 –
Over the years I've owned coaches that was 32' to a 45' Newell.  The 36 270 Foretravel I now own, I am very satisfied with the way it drives and handles.  I have had the wheels aligned and it has Koni shocks. I have no complains. 
Chappell & Mary
36' 2004 Foretravel U270 build #6273

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #11 –
I too have had 34, 36 and 40. I expected that the 34 would ride a little rougher and handle less well than the longer coaches. It does not. Matter of fact, I think of the four I have owned this one (34) handles the best. Lots of other considerations though in choosing a short one.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320
 

Re: Ride quality of a 34 foot 2002 U270

Reply #12 –
Quote from: jcus –
My 34 ft with FSD front shocks, actually rode and handled better than my 40 ft coaches, with the exception of crosswinds and truck passings. Think this was partially because shocks and bags do not have to work so hard because of lighter weight and partially because of the ability to run lower tire pressures, again because of the lighter weight.

We now own Jim's 34' and with about 2000 miles under our belt I can say the ride if really wonderful.  Yes you can notice the 18 wheeler's roaring past and a bit of movement in heavy rain/crosswinds, but not really anything to fret about.  Smooth, comfortable and quiet.  We love it!

You'll love how easy it maneuvers in close quarters and how easy it is to back in tight camping spots.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"