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Topic: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?) (Read 1559 times) previous topic - next topic

Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

New to us U270 Special/wheelchair access. Manufacturers Coach Inspection/Certification tag located outside at the entry door is from Washington State, not Texas. PO claimed ForeTravel once had a factory located in Washington where they purchased the coach new. I believe this location was closed during the retrenchment of the company in 2002-2003. I'm not even sure this was a FT factory location, (although I recall briefly reading about it). The factory ID tag at drivers seat lists FOTexas as manufacturer. We've been wondering if ForeTravel NW was a factory location where coaches were actually built, or were they just finished off there? Our U270 build is 6030, completed in March 2002. One of the last from ForeTravel NW? Any one else have a coach from Foretravel NW?

I didn't get much clarity from FOT when I called them about the NW location last summer. I didn't pursue the issue further at the time. At some point I would like to obtain from them coach structural info etc. Unfortunately, following up in person at FOTexas may never happen. Texas isn't on our schedule for the foreseeable future. I lived there once and am glad to have made the move to Oregon. No disrespect intended. It was just too darn hot there for the wife and me!

Since we are committed to staying in cooler climes, the closest, (3 hrs) authorized service center is "Oregon Motorcoach Center, 29525 Airport Rd. Eugene OR." Has anyone been there?

We'd love to find service in the Medford area of Southern Oregon. Any suggestions?

Appreciate the forum member input. Many thanks to all !!!




2002 U270, 36' WTNS, Build # 6030, Cummins 400 ISL.
Wheelchair accessible modifications by ForeTravel, Braun UVL lift.

2001 Dodge IMS RampVan, M&G tow brakes, Sterling tow bar.

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #1 –
Mike, Last Sept we had the120K service done at Oregon Motor Coach and I have nothing but praise for their professionalism and quality. I would go back for any serious service, even though it is an 8 hour drive for us. Ken
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #2 –
I've heard good things about, and see they have a positive Yelp rating at Oregon Light Truck & Rv in Medford.  I have never heard positive comments regarding Triple A RV Center in Medford and I see their Yelp rating reflects that also.  Oregon Motorcoach Center, in Eugene, will be your most qualified choice and has a good reputation however much can be done at Oregon Light Truck and RV.

The sticker by the door, "Manufacturers Coach Inspection/Certification tag located outside at the entry door is from Washington State, not Texas." was just required by the state of Wahington for new rvs sold in Washingtion (not necessarily they were built in Wash).  This sticker was more of a tax, or their seal of approval to sell in the state of Washington.  Oregon has a similar door sticker. 

The federal sticker showing where it was built and the date it was built should be on the wall near the drivers seat.  The attached picture is mine showing my build number as 5040.

Congrats on the rv, maybe send me a PM if you venture near Eugene.  I believe the Washington location was a factory retail outlet, not a mfg facility, of Foretravel, hopefully CaBob will see this and give you accurate information.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Mike J –
Since we are committed to staying in cooler climes, the closest, (3 hrs) authorized service center is "Oregon Motorcoach Center, 29525 Airport Rd. Eugene OR." Has anyone been there?

We'd love to find service in the Medford area of Southern Oregon. Any suggestions?
We have used Oregon Motorcoach Center twice for routine service stops while traveling in the PNW.  We were treated right both times.  I would not hesitate to stop there again.  If you show up the day before your (recommended) appointment you can stay overnight in their parking lot.  They have hookups with 50 amp and water, plus there is a dump station available if needed.  They are a Foretravel Service Center location.  They did honor the Motorcade Club discount when we were there, so if you are club members be sure to ask about it.  See below for photos of the shop and our little old GV in the parking lot, surrounded by some "Big Dogs".

Foretravel Motorcoach - Service Center Locations

Here is a longer list of shops that have been recommended by Foretravel owners (includes the above listed Service Centers):

http://foretravel.com/documents/Service_Center_Referral2.pdf
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: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #4 –
Foretravel Northwest was a factory owned store. They sold and serviced coach's there only. Nothing was ever built there, only in Nacogdoches Texas. I worked at the NW store till the building was sold to La Mesa RV. I then went to work for them when Foretravel left the NW.
All coaches sold in Washington, required a Washington tag, so that is where the confusion is.
Some of the FT people still work down the street in Liberty Lake at RnR RV. Kieth Woodruff who was the FT service manager, is the service manager for RnR. They are a authorized Foretravel repair shop.
Hope this helps clear it up for you
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #5 –
I always get a chuckle out of seeing one of the older GVs like ours parked in with newer, bigger Foretravel coaches. Ours ends up looking like an overgrown class "B". Or maybe a coach that hasn't finished growing. :))  :))
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #6 –
Gracerace is correct.  Foretravel once had a factory dealership/service center in Coer D'Alene, Idaho just on the Western border of Idaho.  When Foretravel did their retrenching a few years ago those folks were dumped and went a few miles down the Interstate and formed R&R.
Keith Woodruff is still there as the service manager and has looked after my coach on a couple of occasions and still has all of its maintenance history as it was originally sold by Foretravel in the Idaho location.
They are an outpost of Foretravel knowledge although I suspect a lot may  have retired by now/
Speedbird1
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #7 –
Coer D'Alene, ID? I remember visiting the old Foretravel Service center in Liberty Lake, WA which is half way between Coer D'Alene and Spokane.

Jim

2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #8 –
Add Cummins Coach Care in White Bear Lake MN to Chuck's List.  Very capable for anything I have asked them to do. Overnight hook ups on site.
Coach Care | Cummins Sales and Service

This only applies if you happen to be our way.  But there are Coach Care centers scattered about.  And they primarily cater to motorhomes.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #9 –
Quote from: speedbird1 –
Gracerace is correct.  Foretravel once had a factory dealership/service center in Coer D'Alene, Idaho just on the Western border of Idaho.  When Foretravel did their retrenching a few years ago those folks were dumped and went a few miles down the Interstate and formed R&R.
Keith Woodruff is still there as the service manager and has looked after my coach on a couple of occasions and still has all of its maintenance history as it was originally sold by Foretravel in the Idaho location.
They are an outpost of Foretravel knowledge although I suspect a lot may  have retired by now/
Speedbird1

*One correction. Yes, the Couer D Alene store was 1st. I also worked there. Then FT built the Liberty Lake Washington store and moved across the border to Washington.

The FT folks didn't "go down the street and start RnR". RnR had already been established for years when FT left the NW. Maybe eight people went to work at RnR. They were actually a much larger RV store at the time.

None of the salesman went to work for RnR, they all went elsewhere. Some moved away working for la Mesa in their southern stores.

Keith Woodruff went to work for RnR as the chassis shop foremen, then moved up to service manager a couple of years later.

When La Mesa also left the NW, I went to work managing a mom and pop store in CDA. Later I went to work for a at RnR as a service adviser for a year and a half before I retired.

There are several of the FT tech's still working at RnR. I only know of one other besides myself that retired. Most the tech's were quite a bit younger then us.

It was never close to the same vibe at RnR. They do business totally different.

The old FT building in Liberty Lake,after La Mesa added on, and hacked it up is now a Peterbuilt truck shop

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #10 –
Quote from: gracerace –
  Then FT built the Liberty Lake Washington store and moved across the border to Washington.

Years ago, I drove by there in the Airstream, first time I'd ever seen a FT. That classy building, with the new coaches outside, said "quality"! Took me a while, but when a fresher coach was needed, I remembered that outfit and that brand.  ^.^d
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: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #11 –
Many thanks to everyone that has responded. Good info on history of FT in the NW. For a newbie as new as we are, this forum is a wonderful community resource. I look forward to expanding my FT knowledge and someday passing it on by being of service to others here.
We plan on passing thru the Eugene area end of May. (Jack Lewis, I will PM you when, maybe connect up?.)

Will try to get an appointment at Oregon Motorcoach for June 2nd. Want them to do an inspection just in case I have missed something. Which is entirely possible since we have never had a FT. Seems that most everyone on the forum has either searched extensively for the FT of their dreams or they already knew what great coaches FTs are. We honestly didn't know anything about FT or Class A motorhomes until this U270 thru either fate, luck or divine intervention landed in our laps. The circumstances/timing of this purchase remain amazing to us and perhaps will become the seed for a future post, around the fire ring. For all of you feeling fortunate to be in a FT, we are right there with you!

Good to hear that OLTRV, Oregon Light Truck & RV has good reviews. Fortunately, they did most of the chassis/engine work we have needed so far. Only notable miss was they didn't catch how bad two of the airbags were before we departed on our 1st trip to Monterrey CA. Dave, the OLTRVs owner called after we left just to say hi and wish us a good trip. Later when a bag burst, (uneven campsite), he apologized for missing the issue and gave me tech support by phone. He said he would have come to us if we had been stranded closer to Medford. Family operation and lots of appreciation for their customers. They make things right up front or in the end.

My take away experience is:
1. Even the best inspection will not reveal what the future holds. (Be prepared for the unexpected, suggestions welcome here!.)
2. Anyone new to this mode of traveling should always make a few short trips under 50 miles before going long.
3. I wonder if testing our airbags by leaving them fully inflated for 1-2 days would have revealed the problem? Regardless, very close attention should be paid to any coach that sees little use and is parked on deflated airbags in storage, indoors or out.

FYI: All bags have been replaced with OEM Firestone, plus new air connections.
2002 U270, 36' WTNS, Build # 6030, Cummins 400 ISL.
Wheelchair accessible modifications by ForeTravel, Braun UVL lift.

2001 Dodge IMS RampVan, M&G tow brakes, Sterling tow bar.

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #12 –
Hello Mike, thank you for your post, look forward to seeing you in Eugene.  Yes, all possible failures can never be averted.  What I have found helps is at least staying up with smart maintenance and inspections and establishing yourself with a shop you have confidence in, as you have.

Second I think what helps is this forum.  You most likely will not encounter a failure that someone on this forum has not already had.  And yes, sometimes the world does take care of you.

Talking about your airbag fail, reminded me of my own experience last year.  I serviced and completed all preventive maintenance on my new to me FT of May 2017, that I was aware of.  The previous owners had well maintained, roof seals, replaced air bags, redone basement floor, maintained brakes, (I still had them checked at a shop called Kaiser Brake and Alignment in Eugene, they service the local fire trucks, they are excellent).  I did preventative maintenance of all the filters, fluids, belt tentioners, water pump, lift pump, etc.  We took off on our 3 week 2700 mile trip with my wife's family (her five family members + our two), picking them up at LAX returning to Portland and back to Eugene.  The truck repair shop I used missed the bad fuel lines, after an instance of none start from drained fuel line due to cracks.  I still was able to make the excellent family trip with only a couple hiccups due to the old fuel lines. 

Stuff can happen, never let it get you down,  it is ok to complain to us or even use a PM, never complain to the wife or let it get you down.  Enjoy your new rv.  Thank you to all the previous owners that took such good care of our FTs until they became ours.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Mike J –
New to us U270 Special/wheelchair access. Manufacturers Coach Inspection/Certification tag located outside at the entry door is
Quote from: Mike J –
New to us U270 Special/wheelchair access.
 Our U270 build is 6030, completed in March 2002. One of the last from ForeTravel NW? Any one else have a coach from Foretravel NW?
Since we are committed to staying in cooler climes, the closest, (3 hrs) authorized service center is "Oregon Motorcoach Center, 29525 Airport Rd. Eugene OR." Has anyone been there?
We'd love to find service in the Medford area of Southern Oregon. Any suggestions?

Appreciate the forum member input. Many thanks to all !!!
OH WOW!!!!!
Our coach build # is 3036 also March of '02..
You got a good one!
As for Oregon MotorHomes.
Was there last week....They do good work but are a bit unsure on the workings of a Foretravel installed HWH leveling system.
Kept telling me that "On a Country Coach this is how"........was not too impressed on that subject... but they DID do a good job moving the fuel filter for the AquaHot from under the drivers seat bay to the AH bay and replacing all the fuel lines (fuel tank to filter, to, to AH unit and both of the return lines..due to lines sucking air from Bio-fuel degradation).
And replacing coach batteries (jell to AGM Lifelines) and built all the needed wiring ends. and reset all the parameters  for the charge system.
I think next time I might take it to Premier in Junction City as their shop manager used to work as the shop manager of Oregon MotorCoach.. or the old Beaver shop in Bend.
Just keep in mind that there are a lot of RV repair shops that have never heard of a Foretravel, let alone have worked on them.
'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: Coaches from ForeTravel Northwest, (former factory location?)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
We have used Oregon Motorcoach Center twice for routine service stops while traveling in the PNW.  We were treated right both times.  I would not hesitate to stop there again.  If you show up the day before your (recommended) appointment you can stay overnight in their parking lot.  They have hookups with 50 amp and water, plus there is a dump station available if needed.  They are a Foretravel Service Center location.  They did honor the Motorcade Club discount when we were there, so if you are club members be sure to ask about it.  See below for photos of the shop and our little old GV in the parking lot, surrounded by some "Big Dogs".

Foretravel Motorcoach - Service Center Locations
Hey Chuck....your the little guy on the corner....great photo.!!
Here is a longer list of shops that have been recommended by Foretravel owners (includes the above listed Service Centers):

http://foretravel.com/documents/Service_Center_Referral2.pdf
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)