Looking for a FT

Topic: Looking for a FT (Read 3577 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #25 – February 20, 2012, 08:15:02 pm

I'm finding it interesting that 'words of wisdom' continue to come to me and others, suggesting the benefits of 'more space', ie: buy a 40! and no comments on "less is best"..........
I've read of a number of folks downsizing but have not heard a comment here. So, OK, what gives?

I guess I'm asking why 36' owners are'nt as vocal as 40' owners. Are there more 40's built in this 97-01 vinage, hence more owners on this forum? Are 36's really less desirable as a motor home? (In boats we call this 5' itis. Every few years, you move up to a boat 5'bigger) I want to get around that. Sold the first car i bought when I was 16, 4 years ago. Bought my boat 21 yrs. ago....I tend to research and buy and hold. (that said, I hope I am not asking too many questions of those that don't)

Many of you 'know' and some have written......including those to my posting. Some of you have owned both but if you can take a few minutes and clear something up for us, you will add immeasurable savings to our search endeavor, and maybe to those of others.
to explain a bit of my perspective:
I was a NYC Firefighter and filled in as pumper rig driver in Brooklyn NY during the highest burn rate years of late 70/early 80s..........the ones books and movies have been written about.
Driving mean't peddle to the floor. No matter what peddle, brake or fuel, you buried the peddle; you 'slammed' one or the other down. Drive wheels around corners were squealing/burning rubber/chirping/ up on medians, sidewalks etc........... However, I now ......................want to pull into a Mickey D's or a yard sale or flea market to keep our adventure going as fun. It's really easy with our 23.5 class C baby, but to move up certainly adds much in living space but in some ways I know it can take spontenaity from our travels. For those who are havin' fun in these now and have owned 'both', is there NO difference in mobility factors that you have found between 36 and 40'??? (And 'Yes' certainly we Love the rustic, remote locations, generations of folks have left for us in the most beautiful parts of America still left.) [ I'm not talking about the few extra minutes it might take backing into a campsite, but real usability, so please and thank you at the same time.]
For the last year, i've been looking at every branch, every dip in the road(some huge) and every turn off we have done in shopping centers, Radio Shacks, Restaurants, etc........., thinking..................could I do this with a 36' or 40'? My mind has occasionally 'slapped me' saying don't do this with a 40!
Am I wrong to think this...........come on drivers of FT 36's and 40's of the non-IFS models.......offer your thoughts. I'm not a guy who just wants to park in something; we are 'travelers'. I'm sure many others are and will read this great info you will offer.
I cannot express how good it is to be able to 'ask' such questions to.... a 'group'. Again, thank you.
I trust these are fair questions.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #26 – February 20, 2012, 08:33:38 pm

I have owned both a 36 and the current 40

36 advantage - cheaper to buy for similar year/equipment, 1 mpg better if driven the same (hard in my case), since wheelbase is shorter will level on a spot that might not level in a 40 (total suspension adjustment is the same, but longer wheelbase in 40 allows 4' more grade change), accelerates better,

same - neither one turns like an IFS machine, driving is the same, (maybe a touch more rear overhang to think about, but adjusted in first two hours), braking, never was kept out of a campground due to length (even yellowstone had a spot for me in the park!)

40 Advantage - space inside - especially bath and living area, ride, space below

to Dave Head's point - figure out your budget, and "must have options" (aqua hot and retarder for me, most of the rest can be added - just factor into purchase price) - then look at all the 36, 38 and 40's that meet your budget and minimum equipment list - like a boat or airplane, usually better to buy something that has been used regularly and lovingly maintained (Like Moose, George Stolz's old coach, or Dave M.'s, or mine or many others in the group - if they were for sale.....) at a fair price.

Good luck finding your machine - you won't be unhappy to have a Foretravel.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #27 – February 20, 2012, 08:50:56 pm

MemoryRoads, first of all a bit "Thank You" for your service as a firefighter. That's a job I could never do.

Since you have some experience driving a large, heavy truck in city traffic, you have a much better perspective than many of us do when we contemplate buying a MH. Your decision, ultimately, will be yours. You will find the right coach for you, just as we will eventually find the right one for us. That coach will be a compromise. A 40' coach has more room than does a 36'. The 36' will fit in more places than the 40' will. A slide adds room, but it also adds weight and complexity.

You are wise to consider where you go with a coach in mind. If a 40' won't fit in a particular scenario, ask yourself how often does that situation come up, and what could you do differently. Pulling into a fast food place may mean parking at the end of the parking lot and walking inside to order rather than driving up to the window. You may need to park down the street from the yard sale, rather than in the driveway. For some people, walking even that much is impossible. For others, that's no big deal. Only you can answer for yourself.

We're working on a "mission profile" for ourselves. True, retirement and the full-time RV life is still three years away, but we want to get it as close to right the first time as we can. Do we want a motor home and toad, or do we want a towable and pickup truck? How much boondocking will we do? Do we need to have our own washer and dryer, or should we use a laundromat? You get the idea, and can develop your own list of questions that you will need to answer. Having a good idea of what the ideal coach ought to look like before you start shopping should help you.

Once you find a coach that looks attractive to you, be sure to call on the experts here for advice. They are all really nice people and can help you avoid a costly mistake.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #28 – February 20, 2012, 09:02:57 pm

Quote

I'm finding it interesting that 'words of wisdom' continue to come to me and others, suggesting the benefits of 'more space', ie: buy a 40! and no comments on "less is best".......... I've read of a number of folks downsizing but have not heard a comment here. So, OK, what gives?

I guess I'm asking why 36' owners are'nt as vocal as 40' owners. Are there more 40's built in this 97-01 vinage, hence more owners on this forum? Are 36's really less desirable as a motor home?

A 36ft U295 Foretravel is a great RV. I would not say it is less desirable. It's just, feature-wise, a U320 is more desirable. In other words, in general, feature-wise, a 36ft U320 is more desirable than a 36ft U295.

As I mentioned earlier, we went from a 1997 36ft U295 to a 1999 40ft U320.(In between we had our second 27ft Lazy Daze.) There are 2 issues here. One is length. The other is features. The biggest question I have length-wise is that our U320 appears to have put more than 4 ft of real estate inside. But I have yet to be curious enough to get the tape measure out and see. Feature-wise, we have ceramic tile everywhere but the bedroom.

At first, the additional 4 ft seemed like a lot - driving-wise. Not any more. The other day I backed into a tight RV site in one swoop - so slick a neighbor commented on it ;o) And I don't find I get into more places where I have to unhook tow with our 40 footer than I did with our 36 footer.

But you are moving from a 23.5 ft Class C to a Foretravel DP. That's a BIG step, whether you get a 36 footer OR a 40 footer. Forget about driving into MacDonald's. Since we tow, I don't even try to get into RV lanes to refuel, 36ft or 40ft. I only refuel where truckers do. And have yet to get bad diesel.

However, it was a white knuckle drive on CA I-80/I-680 from Sacramento to Fremont after driving our 2003 27ft Lazy Daze ;o) My first drive of a DP!

Good luck in your quest. Don't hesitate to ask all the questions you need to.

best, paul

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #29 – February 20, 2012, 10:21:27 pm

We have a 36' U295 with no slides. It's relatively small DP with relatively simple systems. I use the term "relatively" because there are a LOT of systems, but they are less complex than I have seen on other units. We have been pleased with our coach in the two years we have owned it. We had one bad trip on which an oil seal failed, the refrigerator failed, and one furnace failed. None were "show stoppers," but cumulatively it was a short challenging trip. On many trips we'll have some annoying little issues, but it's great to dine on our own freshly prepared meals, sleep in our own bed, and have our own "water" facilities. With your experience with boats, you will be familiar with many systems that require some skill and attention for successful travels.

If we were going to spend months in the coach at a time, I would prefer a 40' unit. For our use 36' is good. We have not spent more than three weeks at a time in the coach. We found a significant difference in the 36' between towing and not towing. Without a towed vehicle, we could fit into a Cracker Barrel parking lot, and sometimes into a Perkins or other restaurant with a large lot. We could turn around in a residential cul-de-sac. With a vehicle in tow, we can fit into parking lots for Walmart, truck stops, and some big box stores. Restaurants are not very available while in the "big rig." That may be a blessing or a curse, depending on your attitude and how things are going on that day. I expect a 40' unit (with or without towed vehicle) would put one in the same "will it fit" class as a 36' with vehicle in tow.

My "target" coach was a 1999 U320 in 36' or 40'. I wanted Aqua-Hot, bus style bay doors, a quiet box on the generator, no slide, etc. The price would have been a real stretch. We were alerted on this list to the coach we bought. We called about it about two hours after it hit Craig's list. It was for sale six miles from our home and we bought it three days after it was listed. We bought the 1997 U295 with a Jeep Grand Cherokee attached for about half of the price of my "target" coach without a Jeep attached. I decided we would be pleased with the relatively simplicity of propane furnaces, mechanical engine, slightly louder generator, and a "beater" Jeep that was already in tow.

Read the specifications at Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year , browse the archives of this forum, set up a search on Oodle, and continue to converse with the folk here. I've been pleasantly surprised at the fine coaches that find their way from one owner to another on this forum. You are likely to find something suitable for you.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #30 – February 21, 2012, 12:06:56 am

To those several of you said looking for a FT, I may have a lead on a nice 2000 40 ft U320. The only reason I know about it is because while looking for one in that vintage I found this one soon after we bought. I can find out if it available. Maybe our class C/FT experience would help you. The responses on the forum already provide you pros/cons of many options. The only thing I can offer may be a lead on what appears to be a good one slide FT of this vintage. Send an email if want more info/help. Best of luck finding what you want. Mike

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #31 – February 21, 2012, 12:47:30 am

Memory Roads: FWIW. Just anecdote, not comparison or advocacy or advice. Hope it's some of what you are looking for.

We too defined ourselves as "travelers" when we went looking for our FT 6 years go, and when we bought ours 4 years ago. We had been traveling/visiting/camping in our class A motorhomes 150-180 nights per year for 6 years, and had learned how to be efficient in stocking and operating 29 and 32 footers. So our first target, once the appeal of having a FT became irresistible, was a 34 footer, the smallest in the FT line. We considered 34' to give us everything we needed and a little more, and nothing less.

Found 34 footers to be extremely scarce - went instead with a 36 with single slide. Found that we liked the extra square footage in the pass-through storage bay. Also found that we really liked how an extended slide positively transformed our sense of space when in camp, and how a retracted slide did not interfere with full cabin functionality when on the road.

For the past 17 months we have been fulltiming. We continue to be travelers, but are finding ourselves more often in extended stays also. In this application, we are understanding how longer rigs could help us meet new storage challenges in the switch to fulltiming, but we are learning how to recalculate needs and wants, and we are finding our 36' meets our needs for living comfortably.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #32 – February 21, 2012, 09:30:17 am

We went from a Gold Wing and a two man mountain tent to a 36 DP when we bought our U225. That was quite a transition but took only a couple of trips to get comfortable with driving and parking it. The transition to a 6" wider, one foot taller and 4' longer U300 took only a couple of hours of driving to get comfortable. In two years we have found only one of our favorite camp sites where we cannot fit the 40 footer.

The biggest benefit to me is the ride and wind resistance. The longer wheel base on the 40' coach is much less susceptible to lateral movement caused by wind and big trucks passing. The difference is remarkable.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #33 – February 21, 2012, 09:54:43 am

Michael and Jackie. Do you have any further info on the U320 that might be for sale.

Thanks
Kennie

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #34 – February 21, 2012, 09:55:26 am

Quote

The biggest benefit to me is the ride and wind resistance. The longer wheel base on the 40' coach is much less susceptible to lateral movement caused by wind and big trucks passing. The difference is remarkable.

Good point. I hadn't before thot about that in our 40 footer. Altho I'd noticed our 40 footer behaved better laterally than our 36 footer.

Engine in a 320 is an issue, too. Our 1997 U295 had an 8.3. Our 1999 U320 has an M-11. With the M-11 in the mountains it's like:

Bridge to Engine Room, "More power"

Engine Room to Bridge, "Aye, aye, Sir"

No so in the 8.3

Bottom line: 36 or 40, if your budget allows it, try a U320. You'll like it.

best, paul

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #35 – February 21, 2012, 10:45:22 pm

With the banks kit on my 8.3 36 footer it was "more power?" HOO YEAH!

But I still like the 40 footer better. It's calmer.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #36 – February 21, 2012, 10:49:57 pm

Quote

With the banks kit on my 8.3 36 footer it was "more power?" HOO YEAH!

But I still like the 40 footer better. It's calmer.

Right. It's kinda like "HOO YEAH!" vs "Aye aye, Sir" ;o)

best, paul

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #37 – February 22, 2012, 06:10:26 am

As far as engine size is concerned 450 hp is better than 350. But in reality my ISC runs down the road just fine at 70 mph, except maybe the .5% of the time I'm running big mountains in WVA.

As to folks looking for "deals"on used coaches you see all kinds of good deals and everyone worries about NADA value. Well finding a good deal that has been sitting for a couple of years, and no history of what kind of care it has had, and nothing has been updated may not be such good deal. All those little things that don't work, need repaired or replaced, no factory manuals, all the remotes missing, start to add up very quickly. Finding a used coach from a private owner you can talk to that has taken care of it, and you can get in and go Rving can be well worth the higher price you pay for it, all the nice remodeling, repainting, and upgrading ain't free, it comes at a price.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #38 – February 22, 2012, 12:26:31 pm

Quote from: bbeane – February 22, 2012, 06:10:26 am

As far as engine size is concerned 450 hp is better than 350. But in reality my ISC runs down the road just fine at 70 mph, except maybe the .5% of the time I'm running big mountains in WVA.

As to folks looking for "deals"on used coaches you see all kinds of good deals and everyone worries about NADA value. Well finding a good deal that has been sitting for a couple of years, and no history of what kind of care it has had, and nothing has been updated may not be such good deal. All those little things that don't work, need repaired or replaced, no factory manuals, all the remotes missing, start to add up very quickly. Finding a used coach from a private owner you can talk to that has taken care of it, and you can get in and go Rving can be well worth the higher price you pay for it, all the nice remodeling, repainting, and upgrading ain't free, it comes at a price.

You should be prepared to spend about $5000 on any coach you buy in the first year ... stuff you want to do to personalize it and get a "base line" and stuff that just happened. That said, the comment that buying a coach from a private owner who has taken care of it and that you can talk to can easily be worth another $20,000. I am speaking from experience.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #39 – February 22, 2012, 02:41:09 pm

My $.02: not sure which model or year of FT but, being financially challenged, the oldest with no slide (thus, complete monocoque construction), retarder, air bag suspension & diesel generator. If I ever move up to another coach...this would be it. Although the thought that over the years I have about the same amount of money in mine that Brett is asking for his makes me ill.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #40 – February 22, 2012, 02:42:35 pm

Quote from: MemoryRoads – February 20, 2012, 08:15:02 pm

I'm finding it interesting that 'words of wisdom' continue to come to me and others, suggesting the benefits of 'more space', ie: buy a 40! and no comments on "less is best"..........
I've read of a number of folks downsizing but have not heard a comment here. So, OK, what gives?

I guess I'm asking why 36' owners are'nt as vocal as 40' owners. Are there more 40's built in this 97-01 vinage, hence more owners on this forum? Are 36's really less desirable as a motor home? (In boats we call this 5' itis. Every few years, you move up to a boat 5'bigger) I want to get around that. Sold the first car i bought when I was 16, 4 years ago. Bought my boat 21 yrs. ago....I tend to research and buy and hold. (that said, I hope I am not asking too many questions of those that don't)

Many of you 'know' and some have written......including those to my posting. Some of you have owned both but if you can take a few minutes and clear something up for us, you will add immeasurable savings to our search endeavor, and maybe to those of others.
to explain a bit of my perspective:
I was a NYC Firefighter and filled in as pumper rig driver in Brooklyn NY during the highest burn rate years of late 70/early 80s..........the ones books and movies have been written about.
Driving mean't peddle to the floor. No matter what peddle, brake or fuel, you buried the peddle; you 'slammed' one or the other down. Drive wheels around corners were squealing/burning rubber/chirping/ up on medians, sidewalks etc........... However, I now ......................want to pull into a Mickey D's or a yard sale or flea market to keep our adventure going as fun. It's really easy with our 23.5 class C baby, but to move up certainly adds much in living space but in some ways I know it can take spontenaity from our travels. For those who are havin' fun in these now and have owned 'both', is there NO difference in mobility factors that you have found between 36 and 40'??? (And 'Yes' certainly we Love the rustic, remote locations, generations of folks have left for us in the most beautiful parts of America still left.) [ I'm not talking about the few extra minutes it might take backing into a campsite, but real usability, so please and thank you at the same time.]
For the last year, i've been looking at every branch, every dip in the road(some huge) and every turn off we have done in shopping centers, Radio Shacks, Restaurants, etc........., thinking..................could I do this with a 36' or 40'? My mind has occasionally 'slapped me' saying don't do this with a 40!
Am I wrong to think this...........come on drivers of FT 36's and 40's of the non-IFS models.......offer your thoughts. I'm not a guy who just wants to park in something; we are 'travelers'. I'm sure many others are and will read this great info you will offer.
I cannot express how good it is to be able to 'ask' such questions to.... a 'group'. Again, thank you.
I trust these are fair questions.

A vocal 36 foot owner:

Several career firefighters are Foretravel owners. I was engineer/driving instructor with Santa Barbara City FD. Yes, either throttle or brake pedal to the floor all the time with Anchor Locs (parking brake) applied 100 feet before we stopped a lot of the time. Sometimes with a lot of smoke and 6 long skid marks. Mostly all Detroit 2 cycles probably like the rigs you drove.

So now I drive a 93 U300/36 with almost the same Detroit 2 cycle. For the campgrounds in the west, 36 feet does the job nicely. Too many campsites that 40' just won't fit in plus many National or State Parks have a 36 foot limit. About half the time, I put our rig where I have no business being even 36 feet long. A lot like driving a engine (engine company) where you don't have to pay much attention to the length in city driving. 40 feet seems almost like a snorkel to me. Have to look twice on some right hand turns in congested city traffic. Transitions from paved road to the dirt side roads are easier the shorter you are. I have not scraped the bottom yet but have been close. Watched several Mexican bus drivers take their 35 footers off the highway and down sandy arroyos to the beach before I gave it a try. I just hold the suspension up with the button while making the turn off the highways and while weaving down the pot holed sandy roads and go slow.

For two people or even with a couple of others along, the interior works really well. I fill the bottom compartment but don't use even half the interior compartments.

Both sizes are great. Just depends what your are going to use them for.

Pierce

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #41 – February 25, 2012, 03:00:35 pm

Thanks ALL!
Just got to a friends house in Green Valley, south of Tucson, Az. so now have great access to internet/phone services. Had been out of touch since the 20th, up in State Park campgrounds.
Have increased comfort level from advice and ideas offered by writers, so this will help us and I'm sure, others decide as we and they move forward.

Will continue to look generally at the 36-40', '97-'01 FT's with what appears to us, a reasonable asking price.

Will spend 5-6 days in Good Sam Pheonix rally coming up to better get the feel of all aspects of this endeavor, then may move west to S. Cal. before heading back to Fl. Hope to meet up with some of you during our next month.

ron and dorothy

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #42 – February 25, 2012, 03:47:32 pm

I have owned a 34 foot a 36 foot and a 42 foot. I could level the 34 footer anywhere the 36 foot almost anywhere including some huge inclines and the 42 footer is sometimes not perfectly level at times but not a big issue either. I have put on 300K miles over the three coaches and will say that the 42 foot handles much better on the road. IT is not only the length but the tag axle. I would not have believed it if I had not driven all my coaches in heavy winds. The 42 can run all day and the wind gusts have to be about 70 mph before i shut down. I could drive in it but then it is work. The 34 footer I had to stop at 70 mph gusts as it pushed it around about a half of a lane.

Now going places. I would get a 38 foot as the perfect length but I would not have any issue staying at 40 or 42 or even 45 foot. you get more room and more storage and you can get in almost anywhere. I can not park in some parks but then again they are not our style either. I have found most COE parks to be ok it is the older parks that are a problem. But in 12 years and almost every state I have not yet been shut out of an area due to not fitting in a park in the area. I may not be able to go in the local McDonalds but I could not do that in my 34 footer much either. You do back and fill a bit more and I have driven my 42 foot coach thru NYC area as well. Due to some poor planning I hit the GW bridge at 5 pm... talk about a mess.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #43 – February 25, 2012, 07:15:44 pm

Quote from: MemoryRoads – February 25, 2012, 03:00:35 pm

Thanks ALL!
Just got to a friends house in Green Valley, south of Tucson, Az. so now have great access to internet/phone services. Had been out of touch since the 20th, up in State Park campgrounds.
Have increased comfort level from advice and ideas offered by writers, so this will help us and I'm sure, others decide as we and they move forward.

Will continue to look generally at the 36-40', '97-'01 FT's with what appears to us, a reasonable asking price.

Will spend 5-6 days in Good Sam Pheonix rally coming up to better get the feel of all aspects of this endeavor, then may move west to S. Cal. before heading back to Fl. Hope to meet up with some of you during our next month.

ron and dorothy

We are just north of you in S Tucson. We we can help, just let us know. Will be here another week, then will be tied up giving Maintenance Seminars to the FCOC Rally being held at Lazy Daze here in Tucson (old Beaudry).

Brett

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #44 – February 25, 2012, 08:52:22 pm

Oh yes, there is no end to the points, all good, I would love to add me 2 cents worth and why I would prefer purchasing from ei9ther FOT or MOT as a general rule, Service, but the coach, with their warranty, stay a few days in their camp ground, learning all the many many little things you have not even thought of yet. Learning from actual staying in the coach is much better teacher than reading an opinion, when you feel comfy, take for a spin to a campground for a day or two, more experience with all the Little items, I am sure you will have many questions, so go back to FOT or MOT, get any repairs or answers you found during your test run.
Now if you purchase from an individual, yes you might save some money, but you will be a slow learner trying to getup to speed, as they most likely will not like answering all your questions, maybe not able to answer.
I feel a good relationship with FOT and or MOT is a very needed contact.
Fully agree with the 36', I have the 2001 320, with the ISM 320, was the 450 hp, however being a gear head, had Cummins make it into the ISM 500 @ 1550 ft lb torque.
along with the resonator, it is now avery responsive and happy puppy.
For what it is worth, the M11, can not be set up to the 500 hp per Cummins info. Gotta say the M11 @ 450 hp and no slide is a winner for sure.
Good luck
Dave M

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #45 – February 26, 2012, 06:53:56 am

Quote from: Carol Savournin – February 22, 2012, 12:26:31 pm

You should be prepared to spend about $5000 on any coach you buy in the first year ... stuff you want to do to personalize it and get a "base line" and stuff that just happened. That said, the comment that buying a coach from a private owner who has taken care of it and that you can talk to can easily be worth another $20,000. I am speaking from experience.

So true

Mine is at a shop in FL getting about $7K worth of " I want that" mods done to it right now. A custom desk (we're supposed to be retired, but my online business has almost turned into a full time job), a SeeLevel installation ( SO tired of not knowing exactly how much water are in my tanks), a modified wet bay (delete the faucet - replace with a sprayer, add a black tank flush valve & make access to the actual valves easier for ME to get to in case one breaks), a TV & DVD player installed in the basement, a new dash radio, and a couple of other misc personal items the DW wanted. After this wish list is complete, it will be perfect for US.

On the "I'd like to do" list is: new flooring, maybe an electric awning, a residential fridge and MAYBE a new dome satellite TV system

Weeeee.

The coach I bought from George had EVERY maintenance record from 2000 through the day I bought it from both owners. Since 2000 it's had at least $60K worth of updating done to it, i.e. a custom paint job from Extreme Graphics ($21K), European headlights, new tires, new inverter, new seats, new flat screen TV's, a fire suppression system, new tank valves, rebuilt Aqua Hot... the list goes on and on. The historical maintenance records were incredible and I will continue the keeping of the records for the next buyer - although I don't ever see ourselves selling our coach unless we HAVE to due to health reasons. That information was very valuable to ME in my decision to purchase. I had no doubt that this RV had been well taken care of since 2000. I know that a $2,500 custom desk or a SeeLevel doesn't add actual $$ value if I ever sell the Moose, but it adds "sellability" to the equation. If someone needs a RV with a desk - it's already there. Kind of like looking for a home - if the house is nicely landscaped, has a new roof and an updated kitchen, that's just less things a buyer has to worry about doing themselves and makes the house easier to sell.

So as other have said - when buying, think of anything that may need to be done to your RV to make it YOURS after you buy it. It can add up REAL quick

Happy hunting!

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #46 – February 26, 2012, 09:22:52 am

Good point! Jim Scudder, when asked by me why he was spending $25K for paint and new windows on a coach he KNEW he would sell in under 2 years said "Life's too short to drive ugly!"

Enjoy what you have, and have no regrets...

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #47 – February 26, 2012, 09:29:10 am

Quote from: Dave Head – February 26, 2012, 09:22:52 am

Good point! Jim Scudder, when asked by me why he was spending $25K for paint and new windows on a coach he KNEW he would sell in under 2 years said "Life's too short to drive ugly!"

Enjoy what you have, and have no regrets...

Yep! I'm not going to give it ALL to the kids. I had to work for it... let them work a little too.

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #48 – February 26, 2012, 03:03:40 pm

When we get our full-time coach, I'm going to put a bumper sticker on it that says, "I'm SPENDING our children's inheritance."

Re: Looking for a FT

Reply #49 – February 26, 2012, 04:00:44 pm

Our bumper sticker should say,"When we die, the last 3 checks will bounce."

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