Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Topic: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness (Read 3611 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #25 – May 23, 2013, 02:23:53 pm

I readily admit that I know nothing about the circumstances "propman" describes. However, based upon the positive comments about MOT over the years from a wide variety of posters here, I would really like to hear all sides of this story before reaching any conclusions.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #26 – May 23, 2013, 02:46:29 pm

True. And I speak from experience with Dave.

best, paul

Quote

MOT is the best dealer I have found....ethical, knowledge and does a great job. If anyone ever has a bad experience they should be sure to talk to Dave Robinson and he will fix it or explain the issues until you are satisfied. If MOT is poor then other dealers are "bottom feeders".

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #27 – May 23, 2013, 02:59:36 pm

Crazy I say, having purchased my coach there about five + yrs. ago, having a few upgrades done there, Always happy to pay the tab and smile, all concerned there have always treated me 1st class, ad will have more upgrades there as well as FOT.
Not looking for a bargain, just good quality professional service for my toy.
Dave M

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #28 – May 23, 2013, 04:38:05 pm

I've been on this forum for a couple of years now, and this is the second complaint I've seen about MOT. I doubt that many businesses can say that they have had only one complaint per year. I fully expected that we would buy our Foretravel from MOT, but we got lucky and found ours closer to home. It might be that we'll buy from them some time in the future, and they may get some repair/upgrade business from us. We'll see what happens in the future.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #29 – May 23, 2013, 04:48:39 pm

Agree, Dave Robinson would want to know if you are dissatisfied, and my experience is he ALWAYS tries to do the right thing.

That said, everyone can have a bad day, including MOT. I think a call to Dave would be a great idea right now.

Tim

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #30 – May 23, 2013, 05:46:35 pm

Propman

I agree with Tim ... I would reach out to Dave Robertson the owner. I bought my coach there the first year he opened (2004) and have been doing business there ever since. If he has a problem with someone on his team, I'm sure he would like to know about it.

Jimmy
98 U295 36'

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #31 – May 23, 2013, 11:24:27 pm

The disappointment with experience at MOT sounds to me like a difference in expectations and opinions about the value of the coach. I was surprised at the mention of "Carfax." I don't recall hearing Carfax mentioned previously in my three years of participation in this forum. I would expect the disappointment to relate to expectation of buying a high end motorhome to be similar to buying a common automobile. I personally would expect the experiences to have similarities, but also have significant differences. Indeed expectations are likely to differ.

In general, Foretravel quality and general sturdiness is excellent. However, the coaches can have problems and need appropriate maintenance. The prices for coaches for sale in NAC generally reflect appropriate value regarding the age, condition, and amenities of a Foretravel coach. It is a relatively small community of sellers and buyers.

My personal experience with MOT was excellent regarding sales and poor regarding service. The poor service experience was partially my fault (expectations) and partially a problem with leaving a "new to me" coach with MOT during a brief time when they were having some personnel problems in the shop. They were most helpful when we were shopping for a coach. They even gave me some good advice on a used coach which they were not selling. They in fact were considering buying the same coach for resale.

Set your budget. If a Foretravel fits, buy it and enjoy. If you take care of it, it will continue to by a high quality, sturdy coach ... even if it is 25 years old.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #32 – May 24, 2013, 12:20:32 am

I considered and reconsidered commenting on this and decided it only fair to repeat what J.D. said, it seems a vast difference in experience and expectations. That seems usual with folks going thru the PDI process if they have not owned a coach before. It sure was for me! The buying process benefits from an earned trust and effective communication has to begin that.

We bought three coaches from MOT and while I suppose nothing is ideal as viewed from all parties, MOT has been outstanding to us from ethics to prices to followup help and service. I think you would find FOT also in the business to stay and a solid reputation so you could go to them but they do not usually have coaches of this age.

I have seen the coach in question, it seems fairly priced as is and I am not familiar with any dealer cutting the cost because they can sell me maintenance. So if that coach really fits your needs and the price and repair needs seems reasonable as you read these replies, I think you contact MOT again, talk to Jason Haskins or David Robertson and try again.

To echo Michelle's comments, get Bret to inspect or Don Hay who is local in Nac and, as Bret, quite familiar with coaches of this age and design. I bet they could help in thinking thru the buying process too.

Good Luck

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #33 – May 24, 2013, 11:47:15 am

I have had some private conversations with propman, as he was interested in my U225 that I sold. He has made a new deal Thur late afternoon. Sometimes emails don't convey all the meaning intended, and things are missed in readings. He and MOT worked things out, hopefully for all parties.

I have yet to do any business with MOT, but from all that has been said and written in this thread, I am sure to enjoy the first visit when I need service. I did have some many emails and chats and visits with Mel Cordray, and we wish he had the coach we wanted to buy. He has been helpful beyond measure dealing with us, and keeping us on his incoming coach list.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #34 – May 24, 2013, 02:18:58 pm

I have learned through the years that non expert owners have greater opinions of their used coaches.

I had a customer complain about things wrong with his new ored way back when. After listening for a long time and as he got more heated in his comments I remember stopping him and telling him about a laundry list of things wrong with his trade in. Several thousands of dollars worth. He was surprised. He told me it was perfect.....

So he pulled out his check book to write me a check. I stopped him. I told him that as he did not honestly know that anything was wrong it was my job to allow for such issues as part of the deal. And I had.

Many here know every switch and button and every system in their coaches and can prove it. Their coaches are worth more to my thoughts.

My current coach is a normal example. My problem is that I know too much. Things the average owner and even service people would have no idea about I fix. About half way through the laundry list on this coach.

After 7,000 miles very few things are undiscovered anymore.

Totally expected. I would pay more for an expertly maintained coach versus a normal trade.

Not the trade in coaches owners fault. I have learned they honestly did not know what was wrong or needed service. Especially the plug in every night folks.

Versus you dry camp.

Reflect in any pricing the idea that even the most honest owners really do not know their coaches condition.

My coach had a survey done by a service guy. He missed most of the things wrong.

Bob

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #35 – May 24, 2013, 05:42:14 pm

I just got back from driving 900 miles to MOT for service and refrigerator replacement and the work was done professionally. I added additional items to take care of which they finished in a timely manner. Keith and Mike need to be complimented for their dedication to detail and customer service. They were extremely busy on Monday and Tuesday. I felt bad for all the employees because you could tell they were working very hard and yet the quality never suffered. I was told that MOT sold 14 units in April alone.
If MOT cannot make you happy, I don't know I would do?

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #36 – May 25, 2013, 12:15:30 am

Ok Ok :-) Sorry I was too busy and could not post. First of all I already knew that there was more positive experience with MOT by many. That is why i went there in the first place. My visit with them was all good. Mike (M) sales who helped me was knowledgeable and quite helpful. Keith (D) service manager also took 10-12 min from his busy crazy day to talk to me.
Based on what I already knew and also read on their web site about them and how they sale used RV's I had expectations.
When I made my offer (almost full offer) I send them a list of items that had to be checked and repaired on the RV some by them some by me. During this process, emails going back and forth it was possible that there was some miscommunication. So at the end of that round there was no sale. Well next day I kept thinking about what everyone was saying, all good things about them. So picked up the phone and asked if we can clarify to each other what went wrong. So I asked how I can buy this RV from them, I asked "If I pay full price what can you all do for me?" Well guess what it looks like they are coming through. They reconsidered my requests about 7 of them and They found them to be reasonable. Now you all have to remember when I got there the Gen was not working the engine would not start had to be jumped. So i am happy to report that they are working on fixing all they can fix and I am buying my first FT :-) from MOT. .... Now it ain't over till the fat lady sings but I believe it is going to be a good experience all around. I will report once I pick it up and bring it home (230mil) ... I didn't want to just buy a RV from them I also wanted to make sure it was a place where I can always trust and go. During this process you all helped so much THANK YOU! and most of all THANK YOU DAVE COBB.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #37 – May 25, 2013, 01:08:50 am

Quote from: propman – May 25, 2013, 12:15:30 am

Ok Ok :-) Sorry I was too busy and could not post. First of all I already knew that there was more positive experience with MOT by many. That is why i went there in the first place. My visit with them was all good. Mike (M) sales who helped me was knowledgeable and quite helpful. Keith (D) service manager also took 10-12 min from his busy crazy day to talk to me.
Based on what I already knew and also read on their web site about them and how they sale used RV's I had expectations.
When I made my offer (almost full offer) I send them a list of items that had to be checked and repaired on the RV some by them some by me. During this process, emails going back and forth it was possible that there was some miscommunication. So at the end of that round there was no sale. Well next day I kept thinking about what everyone was saying, all good things about them. So picked up the phone and asked if we can clarify to each other what went wrong. So I asked how I can buy this RV from them, I asked "If I pay full price what can you all do for me?" Well guess what it looks like they are coming through. They reconsidered my requests about 7 of them and They found them to be reasonable. Now you all have to remember when I got there the Gen was not working the engine would not start had to be jumped. So i am happy to report that they are working on fixing all they can fix and I am buying my first FT :-) from MOT. .... Now it ain't over till the fat lady sings but I believe it is going to be a good experience all around. I will report once I pick it up and bring it home (230mil) ... I didn't want to just buy a RV from them I also wanted to make sure it was a place where I can always trust and go. During this process you all helped so much THANK YOU! and most of all THANK YOU DAVE COBB.

I had many customers over the years negotiate the prices in used coaches. Duh.

I mentioned that at my price I would fix anything they found wrong with the coach for an extended time.

Or pay less and pay the shop rate for future repairs.........

Told them to bring a laundry list when next in for service. Better for my biz if they were happy with their coach. If they paid retail they got a retail job.

Most shops cannot do that as the pay structures time is finalized at the time of sale.

Or the future repairs costs back charged to the sales people for their percentages.

I ate $75k worth of back charges without charging the salesman in one year. Cost me money but well worth it.

Sounds like mot is part way there. I found if I asked for a little more I could roll the dice on issues and the average was the customers and I both came out fair.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #38 – May 25, 2013, 09:48:48 am

Propman.
BTW, welcome to the forum. Well done, and if Don Hay is in NAC, look him up when you pick up your coach. Great guy, and since this is your first FT his knowledge and friendship (or Brett Wolfe's in Houston) will be invaluable.

Only other suggestion that I have is budget about three days to pick up your coach. ONe day for delivery and check out at MOT and loading in a few things at WalMart, etc. That night and the next day take the coach to a campground within an hours drive, do the camping thing and see if you can use every thing in the coach during that trip. Be prepared to find a couple of items that you don't understand how they work, or they won't work. Have an appt. bright and early on day three back at MOT to learn of fix what you had any trouble with.

Good luck, welcome to the FT club and the best internet users group on the planet.

Keep posting. Maybe this will be the only coach you ever buy, but if you move up like most of us, I bet it is in a FT probably with MOT in the mix.

Tim

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #39 – May 25, 2013, 07:19:03 pm

Tim is right, go an hour away and spend two nights then come back.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #40 – May 27, 2013, 09:28:20 pm

I see the "Pending" stamp on that coach. Congratulations, propman! There WILL be things that will need attention, but my guess is that if MOT accepted the coach on consignment it is basically sound. As you work on your own Foretravel you will learn to appreciate the thought that went into these coaches. I keep reminding myself that the people who build the coaches are generally much younger and in better shape than I am AND they have the advantage of doing the same job many times. I have to figure out how it went in, how to get the screws out, and how to get the replacement back in, all the while contending with trifocals and arthritis. The more I do, though, the more I appreciate what I have.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #41 – June 19, 2013, 11:39:04 pm

Thank you all.
So far so good. I was not able to stick around in Nac. We picked it up last Friday & drove it 240mil without any issues. I was lucky enough to have a good friend who knows quite a bit about RV's and heavy rigs go with me to pick it up and essentially test drive it back for 240 mil. It is in his shop right now; we are going through it and doing some improvements to it. Luckily it does not appear to be needing anything more than a light bulb, alignment, new tires ... we'll see. We will be taking it to it's first trip with us to TX Cost for the 4th of July weekend. If you see us say hello ... I plan on having lots of red, white and blue on it :-)

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #42 – June 20, 2013, 12:21:34 am

@Al if you don't find anything to repair it's time to start looking at upgrades! Welcome to the club. Once you have the Foretravel habit it's hard to shake.

see ya
ken

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #43 – February 10, 2022, 11:41:33 am

Is there an experienced 2000-2005 U320 owner with over 200,000 miles on their rig?
Curious how everything held up?
Its easy to find general statements testifying to the overall quality of these great machines. Like to hear the experience of those who diligently used their Foretravel and used it ALOT.
Like to hear about their ownership experience, if they could share it.
My 1985 Bluebird PT40 went 100,000 miles under my watch. Worked on it quite a bit. They have a lot of hydraulic hoses, coolant hoses, 13 filters, a maze of air lines, fittings, components, air bags, leveling valves, etc. Went thru 5 absorption refrigerators, finally installed a residential, it ran continuously for 7 years without a hitch. Replaced the air step actuator, the hydraulic cylinder that pushed out the generator, Replaced the 12.5kw generator with a Powertech, replaced all the fabrics inside)couches, carpet, driver passenger seats, went through 4 roof satellite systems(technology kept getting better), replaced all of the Moen faucet cartridges 3 times, 3 fresh water pumps, the good ones make 65psi water and are variable speed. replace all of the roof airs(3), 3 sets of 12R22.5 Michelins, 1 set of brakes(thank you trans retarder), Changed trans fluid 6 times in that 100K miles...
There was ALWAYS something to fix. I owned it for 100k-200k miles and from its 18th birthday until its 37 birthday.
Other than having someone else replace the chassis-engine mounted air compressor and exhaust, I did all the work. So much stuff failed in 100,000 miles and 19 years!!!
Now looking at buying a 19 year old 100,000 mile Foretravel... Hmmmm
If you have been 15 years in your 2000-2005 Foretravel, love to hear your experience ;~)

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #44 – February 10, 2022, 12:05:09 pm

We have owned our 1995 U320 for nearly 10 years and it now has almost 190,000 miles on it. We are still extremely pleased with it and expect to continue enjoying it for at least another 10 years. I honestly don't expect to ever wear it out!

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #45 – February 10, 2022, 12:28:04 pm

Quote from: JDarst – February 10, 2022, 11:41:33 am

Is there an experienced 2000-2005 U320 owner with over 200,000 miles on their rig?
Curious how everything held up?
Its easy to find general statements testifying to the overall quality of these great machines. Like to hear the experience of those who diligently used their Foretravel and used it ALOT.
Like to hear about their ownership experience, if they could share it.

I recently saw a higher mileage 2000 U320 with the rear most framework on which most of weight of the heavier M11 is supported have a surprising sag. Owner said he never towed a trailer with tongue weight.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #46 – February 10, 2022, 12:39:27 pm

My 2001, 209,000 mile U320 is running fine and expected to continue to do so.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #47 – February 10, 2022, 12:44:41 pm

Rear end sagging? Look for rust, bulkhead issues.
160,000 on mine, running strong

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #48 – February 10, 2022, 12:47:50 pm

Quote from: Doug W. – February 10, 2022, 12:28:04 pm

I recently saw a higher mileage 2000 U320 with the rear most framework on which most of weight of the heavier M11 is supported have a surprising sag. Owner said he never towed a trailer with tongue weight.

Good grief, look at the rusted through areas.

Can you destroy a coach-- sure.

Run it on salted roads for years and never rinse it off. OR, park it on a beach.

Re: Foretravel Quality and General Sturdiness

Reply #49 – February 10, 2022, 01:37:48 pm

I camped next to a 2000 U320 with over 500,000 miles, it had one slide. This was in Quartzite a couple weeks ago. Twig is friends with them. He did have some repairs done for rust in the slide area, I think. I'm bumping up to 100,000 on my 98 U270. I've put 50,000 on it in the last five and half years. Normal maintenance, a few things wore out and others aged out including power steering gear seals.

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