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Topic: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx) (Read 1740 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #25 –
Yup, With the Newell you will need that ISX 650 as does the new Foretravels, they are both in the heavy weight department.  One reason I still love the lil ole 36' 320 with the ISM500  ;D  Love runninhg past em big dogs in the mountains, guess I spent too many miles being the small dog with the 318 & RTO13. (A few of you know where that came from).

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #26 –
Quite a long time, I suspect.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #27 –
You would have a good coach but they use air for lots of stuff like sliding doors etc. Imagine tracing all the air leaks over time.... That said, they make a great coach and it is a true competitor to our FT.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #28 –
Hmmm, Wondering how heavy ceramic tile flooring is vs marble flooring ?
When I had my 320,36' redone with the ceramic flooring, I would guess the total weight of the added ceramic tile would be about 350 lb.  In the overall, that additional weight is a non issue unless you are already carrying all your junk including an old kitchen sink or two just for good luck.
In other words I feel you would have a heard time grossing (GVW) out a 320 36'
I enjoy a light footed coach that can get r done, not a lead sled.
Prefer ability of going up mtns. at75 and down at 45, is happiness
Where am I going wrong ?

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Dave M –
I love these comments, and always go back to the comment made by a gentleman,
"He would rather have a 10 year old Foretravel than a brand new anything else"
I figure he is either well educated or a total fool, I am betting he knows something.
And as the old saying you pay your money and take your chance.
Heck , Buy what ever makes you happy, It might last a while.
Cheers
You can put me in that camp too Dave.  There are SOB's out there that are good coaches.  But Mr. Fore wanted to sell you one coach.  He built them to last.  Friend of mine said.  Let someone else open the box".  :)
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #30 –
Marilyn and I toured the Newell factory in Miami, OK, several years ago. It appeared to be a fine operation that turned out high quality products. We toured the Foretravel factory in January, 2011. There were many similarities, such as a high quality chassis built from scratch for the purpose, high quality components, and a small operation with some specific goals.

Marilyn commented after the tour of the Newell factory and sales lot, that she would not feel comfortable with the opulent interiors of the Newells that we saw. I couldn't handle the price of the used units, much less the new ones. Our comments were the same regarding some of the newer Foretravels. She likes our 1997 U295. I like the high quality chassis and drive train. Fortunately, the relatively old unit was priced so we could enjoy it.

I was interested in the Newells because of the quality, until I found the Foretravel. It had the quality without the weight and the price. At the other end of the spectrum, I thought something on a Freightliner chassis would be great until we owned one for eight months. That experience was a good education regarding issues to consider, and our preferences.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #31 –
When we had our graphics re-done the gentleman that did our work for us said he was very impressed with the gel-coat on our couch. He said he has worked on some where the owners had done their own prep work and during the process of wet sanding went through the gel-coat on accident because it was so thin.

We had friends stop by today who just arrived in AZ and had not seen our coach. They told us it looks brand new. I don't think we could have been paid a finer complement nor could Foretravel.
Coleen Elkins
Former 95 U240
One retired husband &
two Border Collies Isabelle and Katlyn

Re: FT or Some Other Brand (was Re: Bellville, Tx)

Reply #32 –
Quote
When we had our graphics re-done the gentleman that did our work for us said he was very impressed with the gel-coat on our couch. He said he has worked on some where the owners had done their own prep work and during the process of wet sanding went through the gel-coat on accident because it was so thin.
I would like to ask a question, as it appears you've "been there and done that". We have stripped about half our vinyl graphics and will complete the job before taking our coach in for some body repairs (hit a suicidal Antelope in CO) and would like to apply newer/redesigned graphics. We have been using a wall-paper steamer which worked very well removing the vinyl, however there is fairly obvious "ghosting" underneath. We've been told by several refinishers there is really nothing you can do beyond ensuring you cover those areas with the "new" graphic design. We have been reluctant to attempt buffing-out this ghosting for exactly the reasons you mention. Was that your experience?

Thanks!
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ