2003 38' tag

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2003 38' tag

August 14, 2010, 04:02:34 pm

I have just discovered Foretravel Motorhomes so thought I should join the forum to learn everything I can from the experts. I am thinking of purchasing a 2003 38' tag and would appreciate any thoughts pro or con. Thank you for any help that you can give me.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #1 – August 14, 2010, 04:14:17 pm

You will be so happy
.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #2 – August 14, 2010, 04:25:28 pm

Quote

I am thinking of purchasing a 2003 38' tag and would appreciate any thoughts pro or con. Thank you for any help that you can give me.

Thats a pretty broad question.
It might be more advantageous to you to give us some idea of what things are you interested in knowing or what concerns you have.
You will get better answers.
I have a 2003 and love it.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #3 – August 14, 2010, 04:34:32 pm

We also have an '03 with tag (40 foot, though) and love it as well.

Specific to having a tag axle -

pros - better ride, much greater carrying capacity (weight of stuff)
cons - 2 more tires to buy, loss of some bay storage volume, possibly harder to access engine batteries

For us, the pros for the tag outweigh the cons.

What other aspects of the coach are you wanting pro/con input on?

Michelle

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #4 – August 14, 2010, 05:21:10 pm

Someone had told me that only 8 38' with tag were built, one of them belonged to Charlie Adams before his untimely death. If this is his it is one of the best ones built, I am not sure if his widow has sold it.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #5 – August 14, 2010, 06:25:20 pm

If only eight were built, I have one of eight. It is marvelous, good looking, great ride, has held up well, after 75000 miles. Has all the amenities. It fits in nearly all campsites. Storage is compromised by the tag axle and the two slides. There are two more tires to buy.
I love mine, this is my 4th Foretravel. There was one for sale at Tennessee RV when I bought mine in 2006 that had a serious rear axle problem, I heard they had it fixed before it's sale, at that time. It had a tan and red paint color.
PM me for specific questions, I'll try to help.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #6 – August 14, 2010, 08:02:35 pm

Thank you for all the replies. It sounds like it would be a good choice. We definitely wanted a tag axle on a smaller unit so it was easily managed and hopefully able to get into more areas as opposed to her larger sister chassis. We were a little concerned about outside storage space, ride quality and also given the year and age of the coach whether we would be looking at a lot of maintenance replacing worn out or deteriorated items.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #7 – August 14, 2010, 08:09:39 pm

Quote

We definitely wanted a tag axle on a smaller unit so it was easily managed.
We were a little concerned about outside storage space, ride quality.

It is definitely a smoother ride with a tag axle and you can lift the tag when you need a shorter turning radius.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #8 – August 14, 2010, 09:17:36 pm

We have a 36' 2003 non-tag and to me, the ride is great. Admittedly, I have not ridden is a tag 38'. but IMHO there can't be that big a difference. The disadvantages of two additional tires, less storage and more mechanical complexity make me think the non-tag is the right one for us.... but like I said... IMHO.

Question to tag owners.... would a tag axle smooth out some of the rough interstate we now have to suffer through? For example that stretch of I-40 near the CA-AZ line. Both sides are VERY rough.

George

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #9 – August 14, 2010, 09:25:56 pm

George,

I do not have them installed, but from what others have said on the forum, Koni FSD shocks will help the ride on those bumpy roads. I think the tag provides stability in cross winds, not to mention the additional weight of units requiring a tag axle.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #10 – August 14, 2010, 11:06:58 pm

Thanks Peter. I would add that our non-tag 36 is very stable in cross winds. We've been in some severe cross winds since we bought the coach and have hardly noticed any instability.... did notice that I had the wheel canted into the wind though while traveling south in Texas to Mission. It blew so hard that day that the flame in the gas refrigerator blew out. Same with large trucks passing.... little or no noticeable effect. The ride and stability of the FT has been very impressive. I am sooo glad my wife made me buy one rather than SOB!

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #11 – August 14, 2010, 11:53:27 pm

Welcome to the ForeForums, Dr. R,

You have come to the right place for accurate information about Foretravel motor homes. If you can't locate a 38' tag axle, do not be afraid to consider the alternative. We have 40' non-tag axle coach with Koni FSD shocks and it is very stable when a huge semi blows past us at 70 miles per hour. We feel a very slight pressure, but there are no white knuckles or struggling with the steering wheel. That comes with SOBs (*S*ome *O*ther *B*rand).

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #12 – August 15, 2010, 08:30:22 am

They are rare. For a non full timer they are about perfect with respect to maneuverability, ride quality and size. You will be short on storage underneath.
Most went direct to 40 or 42 footers ordering new which is why there are so few.

Quote

Dr. R wrote:
I have just discovered Foretravel Motorhomes so thought I should join the forum to learn everything I can from the experts. I am thinking of purchasing a 2003 38' tag and would appreciate any thoughts pro or con. Thank you for any help that you can give me.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #13 – August 15, 2010, 10:01:26 am

I've been keeping an eye on this 38' at MOT for a while now. It's a rare mid entry. That could only mean less basement storage though. Maybe that's why it's been around for some time now.

http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv/foretravel/2003--u295--38--C1365

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #14 – August 15, 2010, 10:11:06 am

It looks like it has storage under the passenger seat. All in all, its basement storage might equal that of a 36ft U295 - which is not bad (I had one).
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
See our blog at LazyDazers.com

Quote

I've been keeping an eye on this 38' at MOT for a while now. It's a rare mid entry. That could only mean less basement storage though. Maybe that's why it's been around for some time now.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #15 – August 15, 2010, 10:51:55 am

I think the 38' mid entry at MOT has not moved because the owner did not want to lower the price (or so we were told by MOT). We looked at it when we bought our coach last fall. It seems to be very nice, but it has sat there for at least a year. They recently dropped the asking price by $20K, but I think it will take more than that.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #16 – August 15, 2010, 11:14:37 am

Check this one out! Meets all the specs. May need a TV - Blue Ray upgrade, if you need HD.

http://motorhomesoftexas.com/coachrv/foretravel/2003--u320--38--C1426

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #17 – August 15, 2010, 12:41:48 pm

You are right Peter, that is the one we have been looking at. The biggest upgrade for us would be the couch, it looks really ugly in the picture. Maybe (hopefully) it looks better in person.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #18 – August 15, 2010, 12:54:45 pm

Hopefully the couch is not a deal breaker. One saving grace is that Foretravel uses the highest quality tapestry estimated to last a lifetime is kept up and well maintained/cleaned.

Beautifull coach. You'll love the cabinetry craftsmanship. Has Aquahot! Separate washer/dryer, all great! Price not bad either. It's definitely in the ball park with a little room for "play".

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #19 – August 15, 2010, 01:22:43 pm

Quote from: Dr. R – August 15, 2010, 12:41:48 pm

that is the one we have been looking at. The biggest upgrade for us would be the couch, it looks really ugly in the picture.
Quote from: Peter B. Martin – August 15, 2010, 12:54:45 pm
One saving grace is that Foretravel uses the highest quality tapestry estimated to last a lifetime

Well.... except for the ivory and charcoal "safari hide print stripe" used in '03. The pattern actually wore threadbare on our sofa VERY quickly.

We had ours recovered in Ultraleather by the factory in spring 2009. About $1850 after Motorcade discount. Something to consider.

Michelle

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #20 – August 15, 2010, 02:12:31 pm

Ok - I can't add anything but I will jump in with more questions.

Does a 38' tag have the equivalent wheelbase of a 36'?
Is there somewhere that wheelbase info is available?
On a coach with a tag, is the wheelbase length measured from the front wheels to the dualies or to the tag?

I've looked through most of Barry's links but have not seen any wheelbase info. Could be I just missed it.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #21 – August 15, 2010, 02:45:13 pm

Quote

Well.... except for the ivory and charcoal "safari hide print stripe" used in '03

Huh!...Imagine that! I'll have to have a talk with the interior design folks in Nac. Can't let that kinda stuff pass w/o giving them some grief. A Foretravel has no room for such decay.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #22 – August 15, 2010, 03:16:14 pm

FWIW, my FT is a 2003 38' with a single slide and no tag. We love it in every way.

I cannot imagine a tag axle improving the ride or handling, it is so good as it stands. And I have more than enough bay storage, one that runs from one side all the way to the other and one that goes 3/4 of the way across, both with joey beds.

We chose the single slide on purpose, as we get windows on both sides of the bedroom and a gigantic bathroom that way.

-Tom

ps no safari hide print stripe on ours.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #23 – August 16, 2010, 12:55:43 pm

Quote

Does a 38' tag have the equivalent wheelbase of a 36'?
Is there somewhere that wheelbase info is available?
On a coach with a tag, is the wheelbase length measured from the front wheels to the dualies or to the tag?
I've looked through most of Barry's links but have not seen any wheelbase info. Could be I just missed it.

I knew there was a reason I did not have it listed

From James Triana:
The wheel base is not the same every year for the different model/length coaches.

This will be difficult information to obtain, we would need a specific year model i.e.: Year model 2008 or for you to be coach specific.
If you are looking for information on a model year earlier than 2005, an hourly engineering fee would be charged for obtaining generalized info.

On tag axle coaches there are 2 measurements, from front wheel to main axle and front wheel to tag axle.

Re: 2003 38' tag

Reply #24 – August 16, 2010, 08:34:07 pm

Folks,

this information is not difficult to get it just takes a 50 foot tape measure and two people. Measure center of hub to center of hub, front to tag and then front to main axle.

John Cooper

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