Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Another Clueless Wannabe (Read 2943 times) previous topic - next topic

Another Clueless Wannabe

Yes, another one!

Long time forum members probably get really tired of hearing from Wannabes.  I know I would if I was in your shoes.  On the other hand, a forum like this must continually recruit fresh new members, or it will simply fade away.  So perhaps we aren't so bad, after all.  On with my story...

Like many before us, my wife and I have zero RV experience.  We're both retired, too much time on our hands, have decided we need to get off the couch and go explore this great country of ours.  Plus we would like to eventually relocate to a more desirable retirement site, but don't know where...figure the best way to decide is to go take a look...  Current state of neglect in most motels these days is off-putting, plus I have dietary restrictions that make cooking our own meals almost mandatory.  We have decided a RV makes sense for us, but have come to the big question: which one?  Briefly considered towables - then decided motorhomes more our style.  We started out looking at Winnebago/Itasca gas coaches and the many clones - were totally unimpressed by quality to cost ratio.  Online search for something "better" led me first to bus conversions, then to BlueBirds, and finally to Foretravel.

I have spent the last several weeks trying to digest the massive amount of knowledge contained in this forum.  I realize I have only scratched the surface.  What a terrific resource this is!  It is so impressive how members go out of their way to help each other.  I have never even set foot inside a actual Foretravel coach, but based entirely on what you (the forum) have said, we have decided we must TRY to join your merry company.  Since no examples of this coach exist locally, we plan to make a educational/investigative trip to Nacogdoches on the 25th of this month.  We live in Midland, TX and it is 500 miles one way, so more than a day trip, but not too bad.

I have been monitoring the online inventory at MOT for a while.  They seem to have a good selection of various size and price units, so it will be a great place to get "hands-on" exposure.  Based on our financial status, and from what I've read here, I believe we would be most interested in the 1996 through 1999 Unicoach.  Within that category, we are pretty flexible as to which model, length, etc.  Again based on my reading here, I would like to stick to a Cummins engine.  It will be a big stretch for us to afford much above $60,000 initial cost - I need to leave some in the bank for contingencies.  I see 4 (or 5) units currently listed online at MOT that would fit our broad requirements (listed in ascending price): a '96 U270 36', an '98 U270 36' ("All White", no photos posted yet), a '98 U270 34', and a '97 U320 40' (the one with the wild purple graphics).  There is also a '99 U295 36' which, while slightly above our "budget", has some very desirable features like Aqua-Hot and the headlight conversion.  There may be others not yet listed online?

If we are going to make this dream come true, my wife and I will need ALL the help we can get from this forum.  I will start out my membership here by asking the group 2 questions.  First, do any of you have any direct knowledge about these particular units at MOT?  I would be very interested in any history, details about interior or tire condition, or (better yet) your opinion of them if you have actually walked through them recently.  If someone here believes any one of them would be a particularly good buy (at the asking price), I would love to know why.  My ultimate goal, like most wannabes, is to find a well-maintained, well-documented, gently used, roadworthy, and reasonably priced (non-smoking) Unicoach.

My second question: is there any forum member who lives close by Nacogdoches who would be (on possibly short notice) willing and able to assist me by doing a complete detailed inspection of a coach, closely following the "50 Things To Check..." list found at this forum?  This would only come up in the extremely unlikely event that we stumbled across the "perfect coach for us" on this trip to MOT.  Pretty remote chance, but stranger things have happened...especially to me.  I would, of course, insist on paying for this service at the going rate, whatever that might be.

In closing, i apologize for the length of this introductory note.  If you are still awake, let me say in advance thanks for all the help I know I will get here.  You people make up one of the best online forums I've ever found.  Even if i don't ever find my dream coach, I know I will learn a lot hanging out here.

Good Day to all of you, Chuck and Jeannie Avery in Midland, TX.


Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #1 –
Quote from: cajk –
Long time forum members probably get really tired of hearing from Wannabes.

Hardly!  I know Steve and I smile when we see a new member/first time poster.  Every one of us was a wannabe at some point :)

So welcome to the forum!

Quote
I have been monitoring the online inventory at MOT for a while.  They seem to have a good selection of various size and price units, so it will be a great place to get "hands-on" exposure. 

For both MOT and FOT, you might touch base with their sales folks directly now - many coaches never even make the website and I believe they keep a list of potential buyers' criteria as well.  I know Mel Cordray from MOT is on the forum fairly regularly so you can always PM him. 

Quote
I will start out my membership here by asking the group 2 questions.  First, do any of you have any direct knowledge about these particular units at MOT? 

The purple one is "Purple Haze", on consignment (I think) by a longtime forum member Mark Baldacchino. 

Quote
My second question: is there any forum member who lives close by Nacogdoches who would be (on possibly short notice) willing and able to assist me by doing a complete detailed inspection of a coach

Brett Wolfe would be my first choice for inspection; he's a member/moderator here and is based in the Houston area.  A number of members have hired Brett for their inspections.

Good luck later this month!

Michelle

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #2 –
Welcome aboard. I know for fact the purple snazzy U320 was Mike Baldacchino's coach. He was a member here so you can actually do a search for his posts to further decipher any of that coach's history.

Good luck in your search.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #3 –
Welcome aboard.  I think in this age range youare going ot have to actually go and look at them.  You should plan a trip down there and look them over. One big difference on the ones you listed is the 320 has an ISM and aquahot.  The bigger engine and transmission makes the retarder work a bit better and you have quiet heat in the winter too. If you are going to fulltime to find your retirement location you will want at least a 40 footer.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #4 –
I have a copy of my original 'Welcome to..."

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #5 –
Welcome,

I believe the later years you are looking at will have ducted air, which is a plus, not sure when that became standard.  Agree that 40' and U-320 (aqua hot) would be my preference, headlight conversion looks cool and I think are mandatory for any night time driving. Many on the forum choose not to drive at night, so not that big a deal.

Pay attention to

battery age

tire age

refrigerator operation

things like tv conversions are pretty common and getting relatively inexpensive.

flooring can be changed, but can add some dollars,

make sure you like the floor plan

Stuff will break, especially in the first year if the coach hasn't been used a lot, then it will "settle down'

Nacogdoches a great resource, check out MOT and FOT for sure, but swing by and say hello to James at Xtreme (local paint shop for high end RV's. James is a great person and a wealth of knowledge.

Brett Wolfe is the right person to pay for a pre-purchase, and knowledge transfer, hands down

GOod luck and welcome!

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #6 –
I am a newbie also, I started out looking for a Monaco, as I seen piccys of one here in OZ, They are a nice coach, But lots of looking and accumulating knowledge of a few differerent brands and conversions,

I stumbled over a conversion company in California,who mentioned that I could import Grand villa's into OZ,

Whats a Foretravel Grand Villa, I had never even heard of them, Well, more square eyes over a period of months looking, and getting onto the Foretravel Forum as well, And all the info on them and more, Plus the very friendly people on here, with no Negativity at all, They are all positive,

My question was,

 what goes wrong with these Coachs, Very little it seems, The odd bug or two, But considering the complexity of what an RV actually is, Foretravels, dont fall apart at the seams like some do,, well built, Nice looking,

I finally found one in Gladewater Texas, a 36 footer, ORED, I was so impressed with it, I bought it, and had it driven to California where it got converted to right hand drive and Australian ADR's,

Its currently on a ship heading to Australia,

Did I mention that I bought it sight unseen, Just piccys and looking and reading the info on here about the Foretravels, Is what made me buy my coach,

Do not buy a coach that has been lived in permanently and has not been driven in years, It will fall apart, It will cost you big time and make you cry, you will be dissapointed with one from a caravan park, I think you call them Trailer parks,
On site permanent living,

Good luck and welcome,





Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #7 –
I'd warn anyone to be prepared to spend about 10-20% of the purchase price for a cared-for but underused coach in the first year or so on repairs and must have modifications so fit that into your budget before you go shopping.  Even more for a neglected or storage unit queen.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #8 –
 Welcome Chuck and Jeannie,
Ask away and we will help you.
I know it's overwhelming, trying to make a "first RV" decision.  We did it with great difficulty for our 1st and only coach.  We did it the tedious way (no ForeForums existed in 1998).  We did it by reading everything we could get our hands on and by visiting RV shows and by talking with every owner that we could get access to, across a dozen SOB's, over several years.  This really is the "Information Age" and is so much easier today.  The trick though is successfully sorting through all of the information, gleaning the facts from the fiction and deciding  what is of value to YOUR list of "musts", "wants" and "not importants".
Being in the Northeast, it took my DW and me a long time to learn anything substantive about Foretravel, and you have already crossed that threshold! 
So to add a bit to what's already been offered:
·        1998 (Correction - 1997) was the first year for thermo pane windows and for ducted AC's
      1998 was the last year for the 8.3 L/325 HP mechanical engine
·        1999 was the first year for the electronic  8.3 L engine and for the 2" wider entry door (28.5" ID, frame wall to frame wall vs. 26.5")
·        2000 was the first year for a slide
·        The 11 Liter engine and the Aqua Hot were standard on the U320
·        The 8.3 Liter engine and the Propane furnace (1 on U270's, 2 on U295's) and Propane (plus electrical element) hot water heater were standard on the U270 and U295's.  A few of the U295's were custom built with Aqua Hots.
 
While many FT owners are quick to advise newbies that the U320, 40' and Aqua Hot  "bells and whistles" are wise choices, a silent minority feels that there are significant "Cost" and "Quality of Life" advantages to "Keeping It Simple - KISS".  Here are a few items that I feel you need more information about.  I'm sensing that KISS may be of importance to you.  If not, disregard:
·        The numerous filters, larger oil capacities and larger transmissions on the U320 translate to higher routine maintenance costs in order to create an admittedly  delightful "purr" and more weight-hauling capacity.  But compare the routine engine/transmission filters/fluids service costs, before you decide.  Our 8.3 mechanical is simple to PM and CM and has more than enough "giddy-up" to haul a 24' trailer plus SUV plus Goldwing throughout the USA (180K+ miles and counting).
·        The Aqua Hot system vs. Propane choice is akin to an exotic sports car vs. a F-150 pickup truck utility choice.  Most of us enjoy sports cars, BUT:  The exotic sports car is delicate, loaded with idiosyncrasies, distasteful to some and good service personnel are usually expensive as well as few and far between.  In comparison to propane, Aqua Hots are expensive to keep up with in terms of proper preventative maintenance.  Corrective maintenance can be BIG $$$$$'s and they violate all of the KISS principles in comparison to Propane hot water heaters and furnaces.  We seldom use our propane to heat water (the electric heating element provides more than enough hot water for consecutive showers), or to heat the coach (the AC heat strips do fine down to 35°F - just went through a night of that).  One propane tank fill lasts us 12 months of daily cooking,  BBQ's, heat  and hot water.  Our fourteen year (+) furnace and water heater PM and CM costs would easily leave a $100 bill unspent.
·        We essentially "full time" 8 months a year in a 36', non-slide FT and (following the sun) we don't find it lacking enough in size to warrant change.  WE find "6 for drinks, 4 for dinner, 2 for sleeping" (in any size coach) to be ideal. 
·        We have seriously considered many, newer, larger FT's and much prefer our (existing) dedicated storage space that would otherwise be lost to slides, tag axles, aux. equipment bays (in the alternative FT's with more bells and whistles).  And all of the alternative "bells and whistles" increase initial, preventative  maintenance, corrective maintenance, and ongoing complexity costs.  If we could put 4 more feet into our coach, we would probably dedicate it all to two, opposing,  4 foot desks.  That's about the only thing we miss.  WE would miss the easy maneuverability of the 36' though.

Once again, welcome, ask away and we should be able to help you.
Neal
 

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #9 –
Neal, I think that you have laid out some good information.  I have had both a propane coach and now two aquahot coaches.  The propane heated coach was warm and worked but it was not really simpler than the aquahot.  you have to change the filter and the nozzle and clean the burner chamber.  Standard maintenance is about 275 dollars a year.  Yes stuff can go wrong but that can happen on any coach.  If you are going to camp in cold weather the Aquahot is hands down a winner.  In fact I am driving south to FL and hit a snow storm so I pulled over in a rest area for the night. The aquahot never missed a beat.  Also you can use the engine heat to run it when you are driving so that BTU rejection that the radiator is doing is helped out and you keep the coach warm. I had to run the furnace in the winter when I travelled. The reason for 40 foot is also simple.  If you are going ot full time the two pass thrus hold huge amounts of stuff.  You can put totes with winter clothes underneath crafts or whatever.  I will say that I had to have my propane water heater worked on and I have had my aqahot worked on and over the years they averaged out.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #10 –
Neal,

I love diversity. and various opinions, we can all be "right" on this forum

Had two 36 FT's, and now one 40' FT 200, -320 - no comparison, if full time go for 40

My real life experience here, not conjecture - had all three, traveled with my wife for 6 weeks straight in the current one, I get FT.

Recommendation -

1999 40' U-320

Ducted air, and if your budget allows, a 2000 or 2001 with a slide.

buy as many upgrades as you can on the original, the upgrades bring very little at resale, so headlights, tailights, step, roof paint, floors, batteries, solar, Washer/dryer etc. bargains if already preformed.

Personal experience: Have had three FT coaches (along with numerous SOB's) first two earlier non slide coaches were 89 Grand villa OREG, and 1999 36' U-270 with ISM and retarder.

prefer a slide, unless my budget didn't allow, then prefer and non slide FT to any other coach with a slide.

Both previous 36' FT coaches had propane furnaces - No thanks ever again - can afford the Aquahot - and wont go back -

endless hot water, silent heat - three zones of temp, on and on - average cost to maintain Aquahot (paid, not done by me ) less than $300 per year on average over last five years.

Propane runs out fast vs. 150 gallons of diesel, propane furnaces are incredibly noisy when running vs. aquahot, aquahot yeilds endless hot water when camping with hookups vs. 10 gal on propane, and on and on.

no offense, but ask all of us who have had both\ U-270 and U-320 (propane vs. aqua hot), and I doubt you will find one taker that propanet is better. those that prefer propane have usually never had an aquahot.

Not the same on slides, very individual to experience. - usually if you sit more than you drive, (days) have a slide, if you drive more than you sit, skip the slides (except for resale)

good luck, and welcome to the club, PM me and I will call if you wish to discuss person to person.

Real life experience with both here, 36 vs 40, slide vs. no slide, propane vs. aquahot.

Your mileage and budget will vary......

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #11 –
Our coach is labeled as a 1997 U295 36'. It has double pane windows, ducted air, screen door, and the wider door. The engine is C8.3-325 (mechanical). Transmission is MD-3060R. It has two propane furnaces. Those features were all original equipment.

My target coach was a 1999 U320. We bought the 1997 U295. It came available in a situation that worked well for us. Also, we found that the price of the 1997 U295 was considerably lower than the target coach. We've had the coach three years and have been pleased. We talk about remodeling the current coach rather than looking for another one. We use the coach a few weeks each year. We do not expect to live in the coach for long periods of time. When traveling, we spend more days driving than days parked.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #12 –
My only advise comes from extensive looking before our purchase and not owning multiple coaches.  FT made a lot of coaches in many different configurations over the years.  And if a coach seems like a standard build it may not be - you won't really know until you actually examine it.  Owners make changes.  Neal made a great point - determine what is of value to you - and then go find it.  Happy hunting!

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #13 –
Forrest is a 97 U270 & it has both ducted A/C & double pane windows which began use with the 1997 model year. The 325 Cummins 8.3 started in the 1997 U270/295.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #14 –
Wow!  Thanks to each of you who have taken the time to respond to my initial post.  You guys really know how to make a couple feel welcomed!  I had my wife read over your posts, and she was also amazed and pleased at the response.  We really hope we can find a nice coach to buy - having this great support group standing behind us would sure reduce the anxiety factor.

Since we haven't even actually stepped foot inside a Foretravel, I hesitate to make any statement about what features we want or don't want.  I have read through many of the posts at this forum.  There are numerous discussions about the pros and cons of different models, floor plans, engines, systems, etc.  Aquahot versus propane furnace, ducted A/C versus non-ducted, 8.3 versus M11...enough to make my head spin.  I really envy those of you who got into this game early in life.  You had the time to try out several different coaches before your found the "best one for you".  I am 67, my wife is a few years younger.  Whatever coach we buy will probably be the only one we will ever own, so we really hope we can choose wisely.  I also get the feeling we are "less well-heeled" than most of you - finances will definitely be a major factor in our decision.  I have always believed that it pays to buy the best quality you can afford - that is why we are looking at Foretravel.  We hope, by concentrating on the late 90's models, that we can find a reliable, comfortable and attractive coach that will fit into our budget.  We will not eliminate any candidate at this time, but (based solely on what I have read here) I have a "feeling" the following things will influence our final decision:

1.  We are simple people - we dress simply, do not own a lot of "stuff", tend to hang onto things rather than trade up each year for the "newest model".  There are only the two of us, plus a small dog.  We pack light when we travel, so we may need less storage space than some folks.  We favor utilitarian things over fancy things.  Neal Pillsbury spoke at length about the benefits of KISS - he certainly has me in his corner on that subject.  I will always favor simple over complicated, just enough over too much, and well-engineered rather than over-engineered.  At the same time, I am not a technophobe - I recognize the value of modern devices.

2.  We do not anticipate full-timing.  We DO plan to take multiple trips each year, of varying length.  Driving time and "camping" time will be about an even split.  I think we could get along fine without the added cost and complication of a slide.  We will keep our house until we find another place to live, so we will always have a "home base".  We favor temperate climates - we are not winter sports fans.  We will avoid traveling in extreme cold conditions, as much as possible. 

3.  We want to be able to sample all the varied types of RV facilities, from primitive to fancy.  I feel maneuverability might be more important to us than maximum size - especially considering our lack of RV experience.  I know, the people with 40' and 42' coaches say they can go anywhere, but I have to believe in many cases shorter would be easier.  We will pull a toad of some sort (something ELSE to decide), so that will add to overall length.

At this point, from my totally inexperienced perspective, I would guess our ideal candidate would be a '97 or '98 U270 or U295, in 36' length.  That would get us lower initial cost (over a U320), no slide, ducted air, the good windows, the mechanical (KISS) 8.3, and a good compromise length.  Aquahot?  Could go either way and probably be happy.  I would prefer ANY feature that would lower our annual operating, upkeep and maintenance expense, but that seems to be a hard thing to pin down.  Also, I (personally) have a somewhat perverse attraction to the idea of a 34' coach - I know Peter and Beth seem very happy with their "shorty" - so I would certainly not rule out that option, at least until I've seen one in person.

We'll know a lot more after we visit MOT next week.  I hope the coaches they have in stock are good examples - I want our first impression to be a good one.  I've read here that the "really good" coaches get snapped up before they ever get posted on the Mot website (Michelle mentioned this).  Does this mean a coach that has been sitting on the lot for several weeks is likely to be seriously flawed in some way?  I hope not, but we'll see.

Thanks again for all the thoughtful and encouraging replies to my first post.  Keep them coming - we will need all the help we can get!

Chuck and Jeannie Avery

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Peter & Beth –
Forrest is a 97 U270 & it has both ducted A/C & double pane windows which began use with the 1997 model year. The 325 Cummins 8.3 started in the 1997 U270/295.
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
Our coach is labeled as a 1997 U295 36'. It has double pane windows, ducted air, screen door, and the wider door. The engine is C8.3-325 (mechanical). Transmission is MD-3060R. It has two propane furnaces. Those features were all original equipment.
Sorry, JD, Peter. 
I knew better, just didn't get it typed better!
Our Coach was built in Oct. of 1997 for the 1998 model year, but I've always known that it was the 2nd model year for ducted air and thermopanes (we have several close FT friends with 1996's).  JD really has me with the wider door in 1997, though.  I never saw any FT earlier than the 1999 model year, with the wider (28.5" ID) door and screen door.  Ours is 26.5 "ID, frame wall to frame wall.
I corrected my original post in order to avoid misleading anyone in the future.
Thanks,
Neal

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #16 –
Very well thought out - yes you do want the dual pane windows - but in those years you probably will see "snakes" in them - the dividing material around the edges on the manufacturer FT used seems to grow and impinge into the window - my 1999 U-270 had them, and they can be fixed (there is a great place in Hudson FL, and some on the forum have done the repair as a DIY). More unsightly than anything.

I loved that non slide U-270, and had a bunch of upgrades on it, alas, 40 ft, the slide and the Aqua hot were very lusted after, so when "this week's deal of a lifetime" came along at MOT we made the upgrade, and are very pleased.

36 will fit a few places the 40 won't, but I have been into every NP in the west (Except California) with my 40 and all could accommodate our coach. Wife would NEVER EVER go back to propane hot water, or NOISY Furnace. that being said, we usually don't dry camp, (except a Wal Mart parking lot now and again while driving), so with hook ups the endless hot water from the aqua hot is quite the luxury. Now if she never knew about aqua hot.......:-)

You will save a few dollars with a 270 vs. 320. Tires, Batteries, Refrigerator biggest things to look at on any coach, and if buying at MOT, have Brett Drive up or have Don Hay come look at it for you. Of course the layout and cosmetics up to my DW, so let's face it, I know who makes the decision........at least for this author.....

You can get incredible value in those price ranges, and the coaches were very at the peak of legendary FT quality in those years.

If you will ever drive at night, some sort of headlight upgrade is mandatory - plenty of different options discussed on the forum, most common a $3K conversion at Xtreme right there in NAC.

Good luck, and maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that buys "your last coach first!"

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #17 –
My 1999 36 U-270 had the ISC, and smart wheel, not sure when those came into the line.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #18 –
  Our 1997 U-320 had the smart wheel. Also the wider entrance door with screen, plus ducted air.
  Richard B.

Re: Another Clueless Wannabe

Reply #19 –
               We purchased our single slide 03 U270 at FOT last March. We had a high end Class C but we had always been intrigued by Foretravel's reputation and quality and ended up finding the perfect coach for us.
                  Like Neal P. we live in the Northeast and wanted the simlicity of the propane furnace and hot water. It works well for us and as the old saying goes, "You can't miss what you ain't had". Also one less thing to winterize. I love the 400 ISL. Plenty of power for a single or non-slide coach.

                          It sounds like you have a good idea of what you are looking for so I would just take your time and try to find the best coach for the money you can. Good luck and have fun!

                D&D