Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Topic: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion? (Read 1593 times) previous topic - next topic

Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

October 30, 2020, 05:38:56 pm

Hi again folks,

My wife and I are still on the hunt for a DP to replace the 5th wheel we've been full-timing in for the last three years. A 99-01 U320 with a slide is still very much the top contender but mostly out of my infatuation with Foretravel and not because I've eliminated other brands for any particular reason.

Are there other coaches in that $60k - $100k range that should be part of the conversation? A friend of the family recently offered us a 2005 Country Coache Allure 470 Siskiyou with 50k miles on the clock for $90k and it made me realize I probably need to at least explore comparable coaches in that price range. Build quality and reliability are my top priority.

Thanks in advance for your input

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #1 – October 30, 2020, 06:00:10 pm

You might find the thread linked below to be of some interest.

Foretravel vs. SOB Decision Analysis

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #2 – October 30, 2020, 07:33:58 pm

Quote from: ejbeaty – October 30, 2020, 05:38:56 pm

2005 Country Coache Allure 470 Siskiyou with 50k miles on the clock for $90k

I looked exclusively at CC prior to purchasing by Foretravel. CC is a great coach, but because they are out of business it is not easy to get certain parts and definitely no product support. $90k is not a bad price, if it has a Cummins, which I prefer over Cat. But after much research I went with Foretravel Nimbus (comparable to Allure) and I'm glad I did.

Pat

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #3 – October 30, 2020, 07:46:58 pm

Quote from: ejbeaty – October 30, 2020, 05:38:56 pm

Hi again folks,

A 99-01 U320 with a slide is still very much the top contender but mostly out of my infatuation with Foretravel and not because I've eliminated other brands for any particular reason.

Funny I had never heard of Foretravel when I started looking at SOB's and ended up getting stuck in the decision corner with the 99-05 U320 for ALL the "particular reasons" Safety, Brakes, Retarder, performance, ride, stability in crosswinds, fuel economy, quality of build, tow capacity, drivability, standard equipment Granted there are some deficiencies in rust prevention but maintainable. Way more systems than I gave credit for but I genuinely feel you reap what you sow.
Start comparing line for line in your decision. These may not be for you, but nothing I could afford comes close to my Foretravel. Good luck in for search, there out there waiting for you. Earlier this month in Texas as heading west on 40 I actually slowed down to point out a poor guy getting beat up in the wind . My DW was unaware we were in a crosswind. Felt bad for him as I hit the resume button on cruise control and continued on.
Scott

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #4 – October 30, 2020, 09:11:19 pm

CC......nice coach for nice price. Just NOT a Foretravel.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #5 – October 30, 2020, 10:38:33 pm

We had a SOB coach before our current 99-320 45mph crosswind your speed was 45mph if you wanted to stay out of ditch!!!
32' on a P-30 chevy frame that was over 12 high and only weighed about 19,000 fully loaded. That combination just made for a bad day when you had cross wind. For those that don't know the chevy P-30 frame is what was used on bread trucks etc. and the front tires line up with the inside duel on the rear. In my opinion that is a very unstable platform for a MH.
Chris

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #6 – October 31, 2020, 03:49:08 pm

Personally my opinion is is that if you want opinions of other types of coaches you should go to forums that cater to those brands to get up to date and accurate information. You come to these forums to find up-to-date and accurate information about foretravel coaches, and specifically older models not ones that are just coming right off the line. When I was looking and doing my research which took many years I heard that four travels were one of the best coaches built. I believed it then, I believe it now. Are they the best built? I don't know I suspect not. But for how much you pay I suspect that they are as good as anything in that price range or even more. We all like our coaches. Sometimes we have love hate affair with them, but the main difference I think between a foretravel coach and a different coach by a different manufacturer is these forums.
Well I know there are other RV specific forums out there, and I check them out from time to time, as far as I know this is the best place to get information for your foretravel coach. If I had a Prevost, I would be on the prevost forums. Also the fact that the company is still out there making coaches with parts available for most parts is a significant factor. In the end by the best coach you can and be prepared to put money into it. Get a layout that is pleasing to you and your partner and know that most things inside can be changed with the right amount of money. For us it's a Foretravel.
Good luck in your search.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #7 – October 31, 2020, 05:53:31 pm

I had a Monaco Dynasty before this and the wiring was a nightmare. Their wiring diagrams were great though. I got one the works
like google map. On their forum I don't remember getting any help with a problem, not like this forum. The amount of knowledge
on this forum is incredible. Working on the engine on my coach is fairly good. When I put the Jake brake in it was easier to work
on my coach than the truck I took it out of.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #8 – October 31, 2020, 06:03:49 pm

I was looking for a Chevy Class C for towing the race cars. I stumbled across the 88 GV and did a quick search , found this forum. Bought my GV. Easy to fix and the power train works at about 50% of it's designed duty cycle/ loading. Unlike the Chevy Class C that is overloaded and over worked. ( and expensive).
This Forum has been a godsend for little issues on my bus and I have fixed everything myself. Thanks for the help .
The ORED is simple, easy to fix and robust.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #9 – November 01, 2020, 07:58:20 am

When we first started looking for a coach back in 2000, we settled on Bluebird, Foretravel, Country Coach, Prevost and Newell. That was my search engine in our perfect coach. We ended up with a '98 U320 that is still considered our best coach to date, with no slides, zero issues and a great floor plan. We full timed in that coach for 6 years and yes, cried when we sold it. It sold for $5k less than what we paid for it back in 2000. Not bad for 6 years! We do love our 2000 U320, but it isn't the coach our '98 was. Just some FYI, to think on!

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #10 – November 01, 2020, 08:56:06 am

I love the Foretravels but I'm thinkin' an old Newell would be an excellent choice. Just a great coach in every respect.
jor

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #11 – November 01, 2020, 11:01:24 am

I agree with a Newell especially pre-2000's. Great coach but there are very few made less than 45'. The 80's classics through the early 90's had a few 40' and even fewer less than 40'. But these are a great buy if you can find one with good bones.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #12 – November 01, 2020, 11:06:56 am

I do like our '89 GV. I have been able to do whatever needs fixing or servicing. It has been simple to repair and not a money pit when it comes to keeping it going.
This has been a coach that can be used treated pretty much like a car. Let it set for a month, get in it and take off.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #13 – November 01, 2020, 06:43:01 pm

I wanted a Prevost until I read a post on this forum that Prevost owner had owned Foretravel stating" difference was for Foretravel at service time he spent thousands and the Prevost at service times he spent tens of thousands"
But the main difference for me was 99 Foretravel I could get in for 60k to 75k depending on shape, for Prevost same model coaches that I could find were 150k plus and some of them needed another 30 to 40k to get ready for the road "Above my pay grade"
But I still like them!!!
Chris

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #14 – November 02, 2020, 07:09:44 pm

Thanks for the input guys. We went and toured the the Country Coach today and were pretty blown away by it. The tag axle and 4 slides made it look and feel monstrous. It just had a new aqua hot system put in and brand new shoes all around. I was also wrong, it only has 50k miles on it. I'm trying to dig up more on the chassis and drivetrain and it's proving a little more tricky, which in and of itself does cause me some concern. Now that my CFO has been in a 4-slide rig, I'm not sure I'll ever get her into a single slide unit

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #15 – November 02, 2020, 08:03:12 pm

Quote from: Chris m lang – November 01, 2020, 06:43:01 pm

I wanted a Prevost until I read a post on this forum that Prevost owner had owned Foretravel stating" difference was for Foretravel at service time he spent thousands and the Prevost at service times he spent tens of thousands"
But the main difference for me was 99 Foretravel I could get in for 60k to 75k depending on shape, for Prevost same model coaches that I could find were 150k plus and some of them needed another 30 to 40k to get ready for the road "Above my pay grade"
But I still like them!!!
Chris

Same here Chris. I've seen other posts about how much more complicated they are to repair due to how complicated their systems are. And while I find foretravels to be somewhat complicated I don't think they're in the same league LOL.
I never once considered a fifth wheel and still don't want one. The only other thing I've ever considered seriously was an airstream. Usually the 30 ft ones. But once I realize that they have almost no storage space and the only place I would probably be comfortable standing upright would be in the middle of it I walked away on those. It was only after I saw David's coach and then he alerted me to my present coach being for sale that I truly decide that the Foretravel would be what I was going with.
The only other thing that I really considered and they still do in the future is another sailboat.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #16 – November 02, 2020, 10:40:38 pm

The previous owner of our coach bought a four slide SOB. One year later he asked if I was interested in buying it. Hmmm makes one think, doesn't it?

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #17 – November 14, 2020, 05:38:22 pm

Quote from: Elliott – November 02, 2020, 07:09:44 pm

Thanks for the input guys. We went and toured the the Country Coach today and were pretty blown away by it. The tag axle and 4 slides made it look and feel monstrous. It just had a new aqua hot system put in and brand new shoes all around. I was also wrong, it only has 50k miles on it. I'm trying to dig up more on the chassis and drivetrain and it's proving a little more tricky, which in and of itself does cause me some concern. Now that my CFO has been in a 4-slide rig, I'm not sure I'll ever get her into a single slide unit

Unless she sees how rare the parts are sometimes....

I like the country coaches, we looked at a couple that were really good quality, but in the end I chose the Foretravel because of the parts availability, the service, and the fact we live in Texas so we can get to FT or MOT fairly quickly for whatever we needed.
YMMV of course but remember to consider those things.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #18 – November 14, 2020, 08:23:32 pm

Quote from: Kiwitex – November 14, 2020, 05:38:22 pm

Unless she sees how rare the parts are sometimes....
I like the country coaches, we looked at a couple that were really good quality, but in the end I chose the Foretravel because of the parts availability, the service, and the fact we live in Texas so we can get to FT or MOT fairly quickly for whatever we needed.
YMMV of course but remember to consider those things.

We've come back around to a Foretravel and have a deposit on one at MOT. The CC was at the tip top of our budget and didn't leave much slush fund for repairs. Knowing that it hasn't been driven in a couple years and that it has a fair amount of questions we weren't able to get answered, we decided it wasn't the right one, at least at that price point.

Re: Coaches that also deserve to be in the discussion?

Reply #19 – November 14, 2020, 09:38:23 pm

Quote from: Elliott – November 14, 2020, 08:23:32 pm

We've come back around to a Foretravel and have a deposit on one at MOT. The CC was at the tip top of our budget and didn't leave much slush fund for repairs. Knowing that it hasn't been driven in a couple years and that it has a fair amount of questions we weren't able to get answered, we decided it wasn't the right one, at least at that price point.

Congratulations! Can't wait to see your coach!

Keith