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Seriously looking for another coach

We've listed our coach for sale a few times over the past few years, always asking maybe a bit on the high side, figuring we could come down if needed. We weren't in any big hurry to sell, though, so were reluctant to drop the price too much. Jo Ann, especially, didn't want to trade because we both really like our coach. Recently, though, she has come around to the idea of maybe looking at something a bit newer while we're at MOT in a couple of weeks.

I've been looking at what MOT has listed, and there isn't much that suits us. I've used only two limiters: age (up to 2005) and make (Foretravel and Newell). That gives me seven Foretravels and two Newells.

Neither Newell really interests me. One is a bath-and-a-half, while the other has the bath in the bedroom. Of the Foretravels, really only two have the floor plan that we like (the 2000 U270 3602 and the 1997 U320 4000 WTBI). I've heard that the 97 has some issues that need to be addressed. Haven't heard anything about the 2000. Several coaches have the bathroom and the bedroom as basically one room, and that's a deal-breaker for us.

Then there is the heating question. The U270 has only one propane furnace, while the U320 has AquaHot. We generally keep the bedroom a bit cooler than the front of the coach. That isn't as easily done with only one furnace, but from what I've seen, easily done with an AquaHot. True?

As I get older, stiffer, and more blind and deaf, I'm finding that I'm doing less of my own work and depending more on those who are younger and more flexible (and who actually know what they are doing). That would suggest that a simpler coach would be a better choice for us. True?

So, given what we like and don't like, (and we're both stubborn Germans) what are the pros and cons of coaches of this era? We're full-timers, and several people have told us that we shouldn't think about anything shorter than 40 feet. I suspect that if one measured from the back of the driver's seat to the back wall of our 40' coach, and then did the same on that 2000 U270, the actual measurement wouldn't be a whole lot different. The biggest difference that I can see comes in the basement and the bathroom. Both would force us to leave more stuff back at the ranch.

The big advantage of dealing with MOT, of course, is that we can trade in our U300. If we went with a private seller, then we would have to sell our coach ourselves, as well. If we do that, then we might want to consider a towable.

So, what should we be looking for?

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #1 –
If I had $90k burning a hole in my pocket, I'd already be on a plane to go pick up that U320 that just hit the classifieds today.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #2 –
With the Aqua-hot I leave the bedroom at 55 degrees and the bathroom at 70-72 degrees and the
front same as the bathroom when I'm sitting around the coach and when I'm out and in bed I keep
the front at 55 degrees, that is when it's below freezing. I like the 36 ft. coach but only you know what
will work for you.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #3 –
Just checked and the distance from the back of the driver and navigator chairs to the rear inside wall of the coach is pretty close to 32 feet. That should be pretty close to what a 36' coach is, I think.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #4 –
"Then there is the heating question. The U270 has only one propane furnace, while the U320 has AquaHot. We generally keep the bedroom a bit cooler than the front of the coach. That isn't as easily done with only one furnace, but from what I've seen, easily done with an AquaHot. True?"

My U270 has a single propane furnace. The heating vent in the bedroom has adjustable flaps so you can reduce or shutoff the flow of hot air. I keep the flaps closed during heating season, and it stays nice and cool in the bedroom.
Eric Pressey

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #5 –
Personally [and getting fat, deaf and joints not liking to bend anymore] I would be looking at a 40/42 footer with tag axle, 320 single slide with the walk thru bath. in an '02 to '05/6 year model..
Reasoning is:
  The '02 and newer has the full coach length ceiling A/C & Heat pump  ducting.
 The "Walk thru bath [with pocket doors fore and aft] opens up the bath such, that there is room to easily move around for the toilet and shower,, [think having to use a walker or cane for mobility]
The AquHot.. Once you have used/lived with one, You most likely will not willingly go back to a propane system..  [We have about 175 useable diesel, for heat that lasts a good long while]
 The M-11/ISM 450/500 is damn neart bullit proof, and will give you plenty of "Gitty Up".
Happy hunting.
 
'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: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #6 –
Red, with the exception of the slide, our '99 with the walkthrough bath and duct extenders is the same as yours. Couldn't be happier. the large fresh and holding tanks and the Aqua Hot can't be beat.
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: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #7 –
Quote from: EricFromPA –
"Then there is the heating question. The U270 has only one propane furnace, while the U320 has AquaHot. We generally keep the bedroom a bit cooler than the front of the coach. That isn't as easily done with only one furnace, but from what I've seen, easily done with an AquaHot. True?"

My U270 has a single propane furnace. The heating vent in the bedroom has adjustable flaps so you can reduce or shutoff the flow of hot air. I keep the flaps closed during heating season, and it stays nice and cool in the bedroom.
We'll actually its three zones two are controlled by front thermostat being the front area then the bedroom. The Bathroom has its own thermostat and is easy to access by simply sliding arm to hotter. Real nice on cold toes. Downside is that really nice feature will kill your batteries by running with the aqua hot turned off. Guess a lockout relay feature could easily be added to prevent

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsd –
Guess a lockout relay feature could easily be added to prevent
Or solar  ;)
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #9 –
When I turn off the Aqua-hot I turn off the thermostats.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #10 –
At the suggestion of some, I've looked a bit at Beaver, Country Coach, and Vogue. Foretravels are looking better all the time.

People like the 170 for the simplicity, the 320 for the AquaHot, 36' for ease of fitting in smaller sites, and the 40' for space. They also like slides for the additional space and dislike them for the extra maintenance. Looking forward to spending some time looking at all sorts of coaches at MOT soon.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #11 –
Foretravel has the factory and the others don't ?      That's the reason I'd consider a Prevost Marathon.  The factory is 80 miles down the road.  Of course it would have to be an early 90s so i could afford it.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #12 –
When we first started researching for a full-time coach, more than 10 years ago, one of the filters I used was that the factory still had to be producing new coaches. We knew we weren't going to be buying anything new, so what we bought wouldn't be something that was currently being produced, but we wanted to have the option of factory support. There was a lot that we didn't know then! Now, I'm less concerned about a particular builder being in business or not. I know where I can go to get excellent work done (NAC!) on anything I'd consider.

That said, there are certain design features that seem to be trademarks of certain brands. I'm not saying that I could be blindfolded, taken into a coach, and I'd be able to identify the maker, but I've yet to see a Country Coach, for example, with a walk-thru bath like Foretravel offers. I've yet to see a Foretravel with the kitchen sink in a slide. I'm not saying that both of those don't exist, but they are fairly rare from what I've seen.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #13 –
Anytime you have plumbing on a slide, there are moving parts that can leak. Fresh water, propane and waste water. Not having this on a slide is a good thing.

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #14 –
My 08 Nimbus has the kitchen sink on the big living area slide... it is a concern that I'm mindful of for sure..
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "
 

Re: Seriously looking for another coach

Reply #15 –
David, I can't address the particular brand issues since I have an SOB; however, I can address the length.

Assuming you are a competent driver, longer is better! We have full-timed in both 36s and 40s and the extra 4' makes a  LOT of difference.

Secondarily, get the Aqua-hot if at all possible. Consistent, quiet heat and unending hot water are hard to beat!

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D