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Topic: Newbie scratching the itch (Read 710 times) previous topic - next topic

Newbie scratching the itch

Hello:
I am a veteran rver of more than 20 years but have never owned a motorhome. We have had 5vers for the past 12 years and are getting close to retirement.
We are planning on upgrading to our retirement unit in the next year or two and are strongly considering a class A diesel pushers.
I like very well made, well engineered equipment and am reading all I can about the Foretravel units. I hate creaks and squeaks and rattles in my vehicle moving down the roads and although I know it is likely unreasonable to expect there to be none in a motorhome I do expect it to be very minimal.
I had a low mileage 2006 HR Scepter 40ft for a test drive last weekend and found it quite annoying with the creaks and noises from the front clip dash area around the windshield as I drove it.
Couple questions pertaining to the Foretravel.
#1. I am hoping to take a 2004 Foretravel 3820 with 2 slides out for a drive and inspection that is for sale by consignment shortly. What expectations should I have for creaks and squeaks will driving.
#2. All of the U295 and U320 model units in the 200-2005 vintage appears to all have 2 inch lip at the edge of the slideout and therefore many seem to have booth dinettes. Do they all?? I would prefer a free standing dinette but the booth dinette upholstery looks to be leather and I am wondering how easy they are to get into and out of with leather.
#3. Looking at the pic's I don't see any seals around the slideouts. Can someone please educate me on the slideout design and how it seals while both open and closed.
Thanks in advance Will

Re: Newbie scratching the itch

Reply #1 –
Can't speak to the slide issues but my 96 U295 doesn't squeak, rattle or groan.  Zero body noise but dishes will rattle sometimes....
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Newbie scratching the itch

Reply #2 –
Hi Will,
  No Foretravel slides, any year, have the two inch lip, as seen on most slides. The Foretravel design has a rubber seal/boot that forms a complete circle around the slide that fills with air when closed. The seal deflates when moving the slide in/out, then inflates again to make the seal.
  My non slide 1997 U 320 rides very quietly down the road. It makes you think you hear noises it is so quiet. Every now and then something will come loose, like a door not completely shut, something in a drawer is jumping around. Easy to remedy.
  Best of luck on your search. This forum is your best tool in researching!
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Newbie scratching the itch

Reply #3 –
Quote from: gitane59 –

#2. All of the U295 and U320 model units in the 200-2005 vintage appears to all have 2 inch lip at the edge of the slideout and therefore many seem to have booth dinettes. Do they all?? I would prefer a free standing dinette but the booth dinette upholstery looks to be leather and I am wondering how easy they are to get into and out of with leather.

Welcome to ForeForums!

Are you asking (do they all?) about a) a 2" flange around the outside of the slide, b) whether there are "flat floor" slides, or c) whether all 2000-2005 have booth dinettes?

a)  No flanges on the outside of the slide - there is an air bladder that fills a gap between the outside circumference of the slide room and the body of the coach.

b)  Flat floor slides are new with the IH-45 models.  The 2000-05 coaches will have a raised floor to the slide room itself since it slides into the interior of the coach.

c)  There are a variety of floorplans - there are L-lounges (with football-shaped tables), opposing-bench dinettes, and some free-standing chair dinettes.  Barry's site has a nice resource for the different years with pictures of floorplans Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year  We have also seen some coaches where the benches were removed and chairs used with the existing dinette table.

There are fewer 2004 than 2003 coaches and many fewer 2005 than earlier years, so choices are more limited on those model years (especially 2005).

Quote
#3. Looking at the pic's I don't see any seals around the slideouts. Can someone please educate me on the slideout design and how it seals while both open and closed.

Foretravel uses HWH slide systems with air bladders to seal the gap in the coach wall between slide room and coach body.  This creates a flush-sided coach when slides are in.  The air bladder inflates when the slide is fulling extended or retracted to seal the room.  It's deflated to move the room in or out.  Here's a link to a page on Barry's site that shows the slide bladder replacement to give you some photos of the slide design Slide Bladder Replacement

There are different room mechanisms (what moves the slide in and out and secures it) depending upon the year of the coach.  I think 2000-2002 have one style room mechanism that has locking pins to secure the slide.  Our '03 has a different mechanism that does not use locking pins. 

Hope that helps, and good luck with your test drive!

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Newbie scratching the itch

Reply #4 –
We had the booth in our 03 u320, but took them out and now use chairs at the table, takes up much less room and we really like the chair setup
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Newbie scratching the itch

Reply #5 –
"Looking at the pic's I don't see any seals around the slideouts." 

Surprised me too when I first saw the slide on a FT.  It's amazing on how much cleaner the inside stays becuse of the air bladders seal around the slide compared to other designs.  No dust gets in that way.  I think the same design is on Prevosts or Newells?