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Topic: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion? (Read 1206 times) previous topic - next topic

Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

This is the Companion over in Lazy Daze land:

The Lazy Daze Companion

best, paul

1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #1 –
Nice post Paul. Splains a lot of little questions. Schematics blow up nicely. You probably didn't pick all this up last week. :))

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #2 –
I hope my post did not mislead anyone to believe I developed Companion.

I certainly did not. I saw it for the first time today. We have owned two Lazy Daze (and two Foretravel's)

We may have to downsize from our 1999 40ft U320 to an LD in future, but I hope that day is far in the future.

best, paul

Quote
Nice post Paul. Splains a lot of little questions. Schematics blow up nicely. You probably didn't pick all this up last week. :))
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #3 –
Paul...what are the pros and cons of the downsize?  Obviously the chief pro would have to be cost of ownership but could you elaborate?
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #4 –
The main reason I think downsize might be in my future is if I'm too old to drive a 40 footer safely.

Having driven two 27 ft Lazy Daze they are more like driving a car than a bus.

best, paul

Quote
Paul...what are the pros and cons of the downsize? Obviously the chief pro would have to be cost of ownership but could you elaborate?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #5 –
This is a hoot, Between the MCI bus and the Foretravel, I had a Winny View, Thought it might work just fine, but soon found the small size had a major short coming. Loved the small size for getting around, fuel mileage with the MB diesel etc, however one big drawback, you have no where to just sit back and relax, either setting at table, on couch or laying on couch does not work for long. After a 3000 mile trip / vacation to visit Battle Ships, 8th Air Force museum and a customer in Fl, it took me about 4 days to recover.  Had been so spoiled with the MCI and comfy easy chair, just like the FT to sit back relax and snooze. The 36' FT works for me.
These mini RV units are great for a weekend outing, like go to beach, go to ball game, go shopping, but to actually spend time in, best calculate a few motel stops.  Yup, no thanks.

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #6 –
Well, Paul this is an interesting post. I am fortunate enough to have both a 42 foot FT and a 24 foot Born Free.  I will second what Dave said. It is a great short distance weekender though you can stay longer in one the comfort factor is not anywhere the same and that goes for driving or sitting.  I will say that it is easier to drive in a way only in that you have more places you can get into but not actually running down the road especially in a high wind.  My Born Free is very similar to the LD and is built like our FT with wood and screws and three roll bars going the whole length.  I guess one day I will not be able to drive a FT but I wonder if you would really be able to drive a smaller rig. I have so many miles now in bigger units it is second nature when I drive one now and I drive it as easily as my pickup.  In fact I find myself reaching for a retarder every so often in the pickup.

I will say that running a smaller unit like a Born Free is considerably cheaper than the FT over time by a huge amount.


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: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #7 –
We have a 21-foot Streamline trailer (1972 vintage) that is barely noticed by the Dodge diesel 3/4-ton pickup. It's not at all perfect for long stays (a week is the most we've done) but it's perfect for quickie fishing trips or kayaking. No parking problems as it will fit into almost any niche. Kitchen has double sink and 4-burner propane with overn, bathroom has a stand-up shower and two closets. We have to set the beds up each night and turn them back into a settee and dinette in the morning but that's not a big issue.

And it can be towed by the FT!  :P
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #8 –
Quote
[And it can be towed by the FT!]

Refueled next to a late-model very high-end looking Prevost that was towing a travel-trailer, so I asked the driver about it. He said "I'm not the owner; I'm the 'man's-man' and that trailer is my quarters."
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #9 –
@Chad I love that story. I may have to steal it.  ;D

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #10 –
Chad,

If a ocean yacht can have a captain, cook and steward with their quarters below, why not a land yacht too.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #11 –
Just taking this back to the original question, I'd say Barry's site is a pretty good start!
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Paul Smith –
The main reason I think downsize might be in my future is if I'm too old to drive a 40 footer safely.

Paul,I Guess I am to old to drive/maintain a 40'er too. 78 & 10/12

bill

best, Paul

Quote
Paul...what are the pros and cons of the downsize? Obviously the chief pro would have to be cost of ownership but could you elaborate?
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #13 –
Quote
If a ocean yacht can have a captain, cook and steward with their quarters below, why not a land yacht too.

My thoughts exactly! I'm looking at travel-trailers as we speak...
Chad & Judy
'98 U320 - Build #5315
Motorcade 16317
Wickenburg, AZ

Re: Any Volunteers To Build a Foretravel Companion?

Reply #14 –
If one is looking for another trailer to tow, you might enjoy a Work & Play, toy hauler.  We had a 18LT, and towed it with the coach home when we first bought the coach.  It would have made a very nice guest room, had a king sized bed, of course all the other things a travel trailer had, but also carried our motorcycles. 

In hindsight, we should have kept it for those dual propose uses.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)