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Topic: Foretravel woodworking quality (Read 1418 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel woodworking quality

I really appreciate the wood working quality in our motorhome.  After 10 years of use, everything works.  No seams have come apart.  No cracks in the wood have appeared.  No drawers have come apart. Aside from occasionally having to tighten a hinge screw they are just like the day it was finished.  We especially like the way the top kitchen drawer slides over the dining room table with about 1/4 inch clearance. 

Here on ForeForums we often talk about the flexing that our coaches experience, yet none of the long vertical joints have opened up.  Now, that is real craftsmanship.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #1 –
I agree wholeheartedly. My coach is 18 years old and all of the wood work is as good as new. I wonder what other brands could say that.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #2 –
X3 - and 17 years old!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #3 –
Craftmanship of the interior fabrication is one of the features I was looking for when I began the research to purchase a DP.  I figured that if I was going to spend a large sum of money, I wanted a coach that would last a long time as the drivetrains are very similar in SOB's (except the transmission retrarder, and the factory chassis).
 
I recall when I was looking around RV shows that some SOB's doors and walls (made of flimsy thin stuff) felt like they would fall apart in less than a year.  In fact one particular coach the bathroom door fell off the hinges.
 
ps.  Newmar's high end coaches' interiors aren't bad either; but the ride can't compare to the Foretravel Chassis.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #4 –
My reason for wanting a Foretravel was going on a field trip to the Foretravel woodworking facility when I was a member of the Houston Woodworkers Club.  I was very impressed.  I just did not think I would ever get to own one.  I looked at many coaches for two or three years and could not find anything as nice as a Foretravel.  Finally, we found what we wanted at a price I could afford and got our '91 GV for Christmas!  The ONLY issue I have with the wood work in mine is that the tambour  doors will not stay closed.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #5 –
John, I am on my third FT and All have had the tambour doors.  Staying closed has never been an issue.
On My 85 ORED I had the plastic enclosure on one door break up due to someone STUFFING the cabinet over full.  At that time FT still had replacements in stock.
I love these doors and since they have been a trademark of FT for years I hated to see them discontinued.

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #6 –
OK, educate me. What is a Tambour door?
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #7 –
Think roll top desk.  These are units that are typically made of thin slats that are held together by a cloth/canvas strip stapled to the slats.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #8 –
OH! Those tambour doors. Thanks for the education.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #9 –
Your comments echo my feelings on the wood working quality of FT Coaches.  After owning 3 other units (bumper pull and 2 fifth wheels) there is no comparison on our 12 year old FT.  The good news is it sounds like it will continue to retain that quality with our use.  A Foretravel decision is hard to beat!!
Loving our gently used
1998 U295 3600 WTFE
Bill and Ricki

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Kent Speers –
OH! Those tambour doors. Thanks for the education.

Think of a roll top desk -- only on its side.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Foretravel woodworking quality

Reply #11 –
JUST GOT BACK FROM FIRST OUTING WITH OUR "NEW" 1989 FORETRAVEL GRAND VILLA SO CAN FINALLY GET IN MY TWO CENTS RE WOODWORK. NOT A SINGLE SEAM HAS LET GO, NOT A SINGLE DELAMINATION, NOT A SINGLE FLAW IN THE ENTIRE INTEGRITY OF ALL THE WOOD COMPONENTS. THE DRAWERS, DOORS AND SLIDES ALL WORK FLAWLESSLY YET AFTER 21 YEARS!! THE BATHROOM DOOR CLOSES AND LATCHES EFFORTLESSLY, WITH NO BINDING OR HAVING TO PUSH DUE TO WARPING.

QUALITY FOR THE AGES???? DEFINITELY THE FORETRAVEL!! THOUGHT PUT INTO THE DESIGN?? DEFINITELY THE FORETRAVEL!! BANG FOR THE BUCK?? DEFINITELY THE FORETRAVEL!!

THE WIFE AND I LOOKED FOR FOUR YEARS FOR A USED CLASS A IN GOOD CONDITION AND WERE BLOWN AWAY WHEN WE WENT INTO THE FIRST FORETRAVEL WE EVER SAW. AS OLD AS IT WAS IT WAS IN GORGEOUS CONDITION WITH PRICE BELOW $20K!!!!!!!!!!! COULDN'T TURN DOWN A DEAL LIKE THAT!!!


NIGHTHAWK
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