Hello, new to the forum

Topic: Hello, new to the forum (Read 3200 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #50 – November 14, 2011, 09:21:48 pm

Amen X 2. I always end up rushing my nac visits and regret it.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #51 – November 14, 2011, 09:50:15 pm

We just recently took delivery of our coach at FOT on a Thursday. Went over what I thought was everything in a day. On Friday after spending the night in the coach we had more questions. I'll just leave it at info overload but there were a few things we thought we understood that we obviously did not absorb...

Decided to spent the weekend at camp FOT. Practiced driving on the local roads and living in the coach using everything. Guess what? We had a few more questions Monday morning. If this is your first coach then there is alot to learn and the time spent at FOT is worthwhile.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #52 – November 14, 2011, 10:05:39 pm

If you have one, capturing the instructions and demonstrations of the coach features in video is a good approach. This way, you don't have to absorb and retain all that's given to you in a matter of hours. Later on you can review the video and be amazed that that "stuff" was indeed covered during delivery.

I can assure you you will forget 80% of what was discussed during the walk around.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #53 – November 14, 2011, 10:17:23 pm

Video is a great idea, may be great excuse to buy new iphone or ipad!

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #54 – November 14, 2011, 10:31:48 pm

Never be in a hurry to pick up a new coach.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #55 – November 14, 2011, 10:40:29 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – November 14, 2011, 10:31:48 pm

Never be in a hurry to pick up a new coach.

Wise words, there. My wife's folks have had an assortment of motorhomes (always Winnebago) over the past 30 years and they have spent a lot of time trying to get issues fixed while camping in the parking lot of the RV dealer they bought the coach from. Almost never comfortably. Much better to take time (if you can) to sort it out before you leave the dealership. Foretravel in Nac seems pretty good about fixing any issues; certainly better than average. And you'll have company. You might consider waiting until you have time after Thanksgiving.

Craig

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #56 – November 15, 2011, 07:57:05 am

Thanks all words of wisdom, unfortunately if we don't go and pick up the coach now it will be well after the first of the year before we'll have a chance to get out there. I know it's less than ideal, but if we have to we could stay as late as Tuesday and then do a bee line home. I'd rather not do that but I will if I need to.

About the video camera, it's already packed specifically for the propose of videoing the walk through, and I'm typing this on my new Mac Book so I have that part covered. So now encouraging words would be helpful at this point

.

Thanks again

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #57 – November 15, 2011, 08:46:32 am

Quote from: surfndav – November 15, 2011, 07:57:05 am

Thanks all words of wisdom, unfortunately if we don't go and pick up the coach now it will be well after the first of the year before we'll have a chance to get out there. I know it's less than ideal, but if we have to we could stay as late as Tuesday and then do a bee line home. I'd rather not do that but I will if I need to.

About the video camera, it's already packed specifically for the propose of videoing the walk through, and I'm typing this on my new Mac Book so I have that part covered. So now encouraging words would be helpful at this point .

Thanks again

You might take a look at this Pre Delivery check list to make sure you dont miss anything.
50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #58 – November 15, 2011, 09:08:58 am

Barry, was going to suggest that, great point. Plus you might reach out to member Don Hay who lives in NAC and see if he might check out the coach to a certain degree before you arrive. Just met Don in person, he is a great guy and very FT knowledgeable.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #59 – November 15, 2011, 11:11:03 am

What all these people are forgetting is this great resource for finding stuff out, (this forum) at your own pace. I picked mine up from the previous owners son after flying in late the night before. Spent 1/2 hour with me telling me what HE knew and then hit the road. You don't need to know everything just to drive it down the road to get home. I just learned yesterday that I maybe have a telescoping steering wheel, but I've gotten along not knowing just fine and doubt that I would ever use it anyway. I don't know what all this talk is of stuff needing to be fixed before you leave either

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #60 – November 15, 2011, 11:21:54 am

Quote from: Gayland Baasch – November 15, 2011, 11:11:03 am

What all these people are forgetting is this great resource for finding stuff out, (this forum) at your own pace. I picked mine up from the previous owners son after flying in late the night before. Spent 1/2 hour with me telling me what HE knew and then hit the road. You don't need to know everything just to drive it down the road to get home. I just learned yesterday that I maybe have a telescoping steering wheel, but I've gotten along not knowing just fine and doubt that I would ever use it anyway. I don't know what all this talk is of stuff needing to be fixed before you leave either

The forum is a great resource but should not be an excuse for not doing your own due diligence.
Making sure the important things are working and you understand them before you get on the road is prudent. It is a lot easier to get them fixed while you are there then after you leave.
Not knowing you have a telescoping steering wheel is a little different than not knowing your aquahot does not work or your batteries or tires need replacing.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #61 – November 15, 2011, 01:39:34 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – November 15, 2011, 11:21:54 am

The forum is a great resource but should not be an excuse for not doing your own due diligence.
Making sure the important things are working and you understand them before you get on the road is prudent. It is a lot easier to get them fixed while you are there then after you leave.
Not knowing you have a telescoping steering wheel is a little different than not knowing your aquahot does not work or your batteries or tires need replacing.

Trust me lots of due diligence is being done. When we went to Nacogdoches in late October we went with the intent to purchase this coach. We spent over 3 hours going through the coach opening all draws and flipping all the switches. We made a small list that we have been keeping tabs on. The tires are less than 2 years old, I don't remember the exact date code but they are under 2 years. About the house batteries, we were told that if they were more than two years old they would be replaced. We were told last week that because of their age they have been replaced. So at least that is covered. About the Aquahot....I intend to have the Foretravel rep go over that with me thoroughly and capture it on video as well. So we know we don't have the best of circumstances but we plan to do the best we can with what we have.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #62 – November 15, 2011, 02:51:37 pm

Quote

About the house batteries, we were told that if they were more than two years old they would be replaced. We were told last week that because of their age they have been replaced.

My MK 8D's are approaching 8-years and continue to perform quite well. I'm motivated to contact FT and inquire about purchasing your "old" batteries ....

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #63 – November 15, 2011, 04:57:33 pm

Jeeze guys, lighten up. The OP asked for words of encouragement. You're making it sound like he's going to be heading over the mountains in a covered wagon. Are you saying they don't check out the main systems at Nac before they sell it? He's doing what he has to do, and I'm sure he can survive even if his aqua heat thingy doesn't work. My point about the telescoping steering wheel wasn't that it was important, it was that learning is on going.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #64 – November 15, 2011, 05:17:13 pm

I for one would not be able to wait another day to get it, but then again I fall into the Gen X "instant gratification" age group.

Seriously, as long as you have time to spend a day or so learning as much as you can, I think the only risk you run is finding something not working that could have been remedied by the dealer. Would spending more time be ideal, yes, will it ruin the experience, probably not.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #65 – November 15, 2011, 05:25:19 pm

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 15, 2011, 05:17:13 pm

Would spending more time be ideal, yes, will it ruin the experience, probably not.

Maybe...if you have $3 or $4 Thousand laying around you don't need. You can save some on these type repairs if you can do the fixin' yourself.

Besides, I think that most of us have experienced the new to us Foretravel learning curve and we just want to shorten that curve for the new owners.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #66 – November 15, 2011, 05:35:14 pm

Thanks everybody. I don't feel anyone is being overly heavy handed, believe me I wish I had the time to take a 2 week vacation and try to learn it all, but that will not be possible until sometime in May, and I can't wait that long!!! In an earlier post I stated that "we are very excited to start our Foretravel adventure". When I wrote that my brain got stuck on the word challenge and it took me a minute to come up with "adventure". That made me chuckle a little thinking about how the word "challenge" would have been received by the members here.

Anyway spirits are high as we count down the hours.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #67 – November 15, 2011, 05:37:15 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – November 15, 2011, 05:25:19 pm

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – November 15, 2011, 05:17:13 pm
Would spending more time be ideal, yes, will it ruin the experience, probably not.
Maybe...if you have $3 or $4 Thousand laying around you don't need. You can save some on these type repairs if you can do the fixin' yourself.

Besides, I think that most of us have experienced the new to us Foretravel learning curve and we just want to shorten that curve for the new owners.

OK, I agree $3 - $4K would ruin the experience for me, but you should be able to cover the major systems that would cost this much in a day, no? Especially given the resources on this forum such as the 50 point checklist.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #68 – November 15, 2011, 05:59:32 pm

Hey, if you don't take the time that everyone is suggesting, you will still get by and you will still love the experience of owning your coach. We will still be here on the forum and be happy to answer any questions we can. Just be prepared, you may end up like me. I didn't visit NAC for over a year after purchasing my first coach. I got by but it took three years to find out that my coach had a telescoping steering wheel. Prior to that I just couldn't believe that such a nice coach had such a low steering wheel, but I survived.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #69 – November 15, 2011, 06:01:25 pm

For what it's worth. FOT uses a fairly extensive checklist when preparing a used coach for delivery. Ask them for a copy of it, I did on mine. And I was pleased with some of the comments on the form and items that were checked.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #70 – November 15, 2011, 06:19:05 pm

Quote from: brrving – November 15, 2011, 06:01:25 pm

For what it's worth. FOT uses a fairly extensive checklist when preparing a used coach for delivery. Ask them for a copy of it, I did on mine. And I was pleased with some of the comments on the form and items that were checked.

I have done this, and I intent to check as many of the things on the list on my own while in Nac.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #71 – November 15, 2011, 09:43:24 pm

Amen Kent -

My Experience - I do all the wrong stuff. Bought two coaches at MOT - one sight unseen. Went to pick them up, flew in, moved stuff over, drove away the same day (work, work work). Take my coach to FOT or MOT or Xtreme at least once a year. Drop it off and don't stay with it. Come in and pick it up and pay the bill and drive away.

Xtreme, MOT and FOT all make good if soething isn't right after I drive away. Why I dry WAYYYYYY out of my way to go to those places. THat being said, one of these days I will stay with the coach when it is worked on, I think I will be both happier and smarter (and probably a little poorer, since I will think of more stuff to do while I am there.)

It is still better to go get it and start having fun. FOT will treat you very well if there are any issues, I am sure, even on a used coach.

Good luck and congratulations.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #72 – November 20, 2011, 08:36:18 pm

We did it!!!!!

And we are staying until tomorrow in order to give the tech's a chance to fix a few small things we've found. The kitchen sink has low flow, it works but it should have more pressure. The driver side camera is not operating. This coach has three cameras, backup, right side and driver side. I did not know it had this feature until I did a test drive 4 weeks ago and I like it. I'm thinking that something happened when they did the headlight conversion. We found this when Paul was giving us the turnover tour, and he said they can get it fixed easily. Another thing that we found that may be a bigger deal is there are two small spider dings in the driver side windshield upper lift hand side. We just noticed this today before we did an 80 mile test run, which went perfectly. We have come across a few other small things but I don't see anything that can't wait if they can't get to it tomorrow.

More later, We're very happy campers!!!
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Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #73 – November 20, 2011, 09:02:22 pm

Rita is looking good behind the wheel. You may not get as much driving time as you thought, eh? But seriously, wish you the best of luck with the new portable digs. Now the honeymoon begins.

Re: Hello, new to the forum

Reply #74 – November 21, 2011, 06:25:00 am

I had Renfro Glass repair a stone ding in the driver's side windshield at FT before we left the coach for service. In the repair process a three inch crack developed! FT is now replacing the windshield. My insurance company wanted Renfro to do it, but I insisted on FT. BTW, FT said they had never had a crack develop during a repair.

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