What Would Be Your Second Choice?

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What Would Be Your Second Choice?

June 22, 2013, 10:11:59 am

My wife and I have been searching for the "right" Foretravel for several months now - no luck so far. Our "dream" coach would be a '97 or '98 40' WTFE floor plan, either a U295 or a U320 (prefer the walnut woodwork). Need to stay at or below $60K initial cost. We are anxious to get "on the road", and since (affordable) Foretravel coaches seem to be "few and far between (or far away)", I am thinking we might need to expand our search to other brands.

This might be a stupid question to ask on a Foretravel forum, but then again, I'm sure many of you have owned other brands or investigated other brands before buying your present coach. So I'll give it a try: "What would be your second choice after Foretravel?" I would like to stick to models built on a DP chassis, with reliable engineering and construction, and hopefully good manufacturer support. I am less interested in "fancy and expensive looking" (i.e. Newell and Country Coach), and more interested in "comfortable and useable". As an example, this ad caught my eye:

2003 Endeavor W/Warranty

This HR coach seems to share some of the better attributes with Foretravel (330 Cummins, Allison 6 speed, RoadMaster RR8R airbag chassis, simple but attractive interior, etc). I know it's not a Foretravel, but is it "close enough"? Do any other "reasonably priced" used DP coaches come near enough to Foretravel quality to be considered a feasible substitute, or should we just be patient and keep hoping to eventually locate the "right" Foretravel?

All thoughts and opinions cheerfully accepted!

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #1 – June 22, 2013, 10:31:36 am

Is it close enough?

.... close, but no cigar. Don't be afraid to travel to see a rig that looks like it fits your needs. There are a few mentioned for sale right now that really deserve an in-person look. The cost of traveling there is a very small % to be added to your eventual purchase price, IMHO.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #2 – June 22, 2013, 10:33:33 am

RIght now it would be a bus conversion or a Newell.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #3 – June 22, 2013, 10:44:10 am

And call MOT in Nacagdoches Tx, often they get trades that don't make it to their website since the maintain a list of prospective buyers. You can find privately sold bargains, (estates usually) but generally owners have an inflated valuation on their coaches, while MOT and FOT are generally priced realistically.

Good luck and don't settle.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #4 – June 22, 2013, 12:14:28 pm

If your first choice is FT, then don't settle for second choice. Your expectations regarding price, size, and model year are reasonable.

Continue to use search engines and watch this forum. Also, I agree with the recommendation to contact MOT and FOT to let them know what you are looking for.

Our 1997 U295 popped up on Craigslist in Austin, TX, and the link was posted on this forum. The coach was six miles from our home in Bellville. I called immediately and bought it within the week. I talked to Jason at MOT and found that they had contacted the seller, also. They were considering buying it for resale, and suggested that I buy it if it looked good to me. We've owned it for three years and continue to be pleased.

MOT sold our SOB coach in a week. I think they had a potential buyer before we took the coach to them for a consignment sale. Our "old" coach never made it to their web site.

We've found that maintenance and repair costs are significant. However, they are probably similar to the costs for a newer coach. Prices for the similar coaches are the same as they were three years ago.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #5 – June 22, 2013, 01:10:22 pm

Consider any 1997 or later Foretravel, rather than go to another brand. Why not 36', U270? Consider Kenny & Ann Lemon's coach just put market by Barry Brideau.

1996 model year did not have standard dual-pane windows, but some came with it, but many dual pane windows have serious problems and would have to be repaired or replaced. 1996 also did not have ducted roof air, which along with single pane windows should not be a deal breaker. So including 1996 will be almost the same as 1997, except for roof air distribution.

Also seeing a coach that is not in mint condition is also workable as everything can be fixed and can be purchased for less and use part of your $60 grand for updates.

Our 2nd choice is Foretravel. The problem with owning a Foretravel, is that all subsequent coaches have to be a Foretravel. Just wanting the Allison retarder excludes all other brands.

Keep looking, don't give up.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #6 – June 22, 2013, 02:58:11 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – June 22, 2013, 01:10:22 pm

Our 2nd choice is Foretravel. The problem with owning a Foretravel, is that all subsequent coaches have to be a Foretravel.

+1

I would also suggest looking at FTs that maybe don't quite meet your desired criteria for floorplan, length, wood, etc. The coach we ended up buying does not fit the parameters we were originally looking for, but the longer we own it (9 years now), the more we are really glad it's the one we bought.

To consider a brand that is no longer in existence/has no factory support whatsoever, I would research very carefully how much of an owner community there is, if there are any proprietary parts that are not available, and be prepared for the challenges that presents. FT is still in business and does support the older coaches to the extent they can (if a part is no longer available, there will usually be something that can be retrofit).

And there's no rule that says it has to be your first AND last FT - just ask Jeff and Carol

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #7 – June 22, 2013, 05:05:14 pm

I would also like to second what others are saying here. Foretravel is the one to go with and stay with. As a private charter bus owner, I have owned buses from MCI, Prevost, VanHool, Eagle, GMC, and Septra. The Foretravel is the only manufacture in the RV segment that even comes close to a true bus. The durability and toughness of a Foretravel along with the safety of a Foretravel is nothing others come close to today. Unless you want to purchase a new bus, rip out the seats, and convert it to an RV, then you better stick with a Foretravel. I am an owner of the newer versions of Foretravel and am speaking about the newer models since that is all that I have had the experience of owning and driving. I am sure the quality goes back twenty years in the original models under the Fore family.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #8 – June 22, 2013, 05:23:29 pm

MOT web site has 3 Foretravels under $60, including 2 36' models

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #9 – June 22, 2013, 06:18:08 pm

Give brad at transwest Colorado a call , (714) 863-8740 he has been selling foretravels for many years and still buys foretravels back from old customers , again lots dont make it to the website , worth a phone call

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #10 – June 22, 2013, 06:26:38 pm

60 Gs can buy you a great Foretravel. Just find one you like. If not, go for the Bounder. I love that kangaroo!
jor

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #11 – June 22, 2013, 07:53:12 pm

Quote from: John S – June 22, 2013, 10:33:33 am

RIght now it would be a bus conversion or a Newell.

Not for that $60K budget mentioned by the OP. Unless they have 2X that on top of the purchase price to bring it up to snuff

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #12 – June 22, 2013, 08:05:40 pm

I'd have to say that if I absolutely *had* to get out on the road right now - but was not going to full-time -I think I'd look for a 28' Streamline Trailer (they're out of business) from the 1970s with solid floors and just tow it with my pickup or SUV until a FT came up for sale. These rigs come in under 5,000 pounds and are surprisingly comfortable to stay in for a couple of weeks at a time.

Or buy a new (or "newer") Airstream. Frankly, the only RVs we saw at the last show we went to that we thought were quality were Airstreams. The light weight and solid feel to these trailers impressed us.

Edit: I should explain that my motive would be to conserve cash while still having an RV so that when a suitable Foretravel became available we could jump on it.

But we have a Streamline (which I use as my fishing trailer... an RV away from the RV if you will) and are impressed with the high quality of that rig.

We are probably going to take our Streamline to Glacier next month instead of the FT just because it's easier to find a spot for a 21' trailer than it is for a 36' motor home.

Craig

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #13 – June 22, 2013, 08:17:37 pm

I also like the Country Coach Magna and the Bludebird Wanderlodge but I still would not buy one unless there were no Foretravels left. My next choice would be a Sprinter Chassis.

Stay with a Foretravel.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #14 – June 22, 2013, 08:36:19 pm

I stayed near Glacier two years ago in my 40' FT, plenty of nearby commercial campgrounds that can handle 40, think we stayed at a KOA just outside park

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #15 – June 22, 2013, 08:53:56 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – June 22, 2013, 08:36:19 pm

I stayed near Glacier two years ago in my 40' FT, plenty of nearby commercial campgrounds that can handle 40, think we stayed at a KOA just outside park

True enough (although the KOA reservations are hard to get for this summer - our kids are staying there). With a 21' trailer we can get access to the smaller camping areas scattered throughout the park; inside the park itself.

Craig

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #16 – June 22, 2013, 09:08:23 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – June 22, 2013, 01:10:22 pm

Our 2nd choice is Foretravel. The problem with owning a Foretravel, is that all subsequent coaches have to be a Foretravel. Just wanting the Allison retarder excludes all other brands.

Keep looking, don't give up.

This quote above gave me a chuckle, and it's probably true.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #17 – June 22, 2013, 09:45:25 pm

We bought our second choice, a 1996 Foretravel U295. That was because we couldn't find our first choice, a 1997 Foretravel U320, at a price we wanted to pay. So you see, a Foretravel can be a second choice as well as a first choice. And so far, I'd do it again!

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #18 – June 22, 2013, 09:53:13 pm

I've been to Glacier 3 Times and never had a size issue with our 36' U-280. We stayed in St. Mary's CG in the park with no problems.

On Saturday, June 22, 2013, wa_desert_rat wrote:

Quote

We are probably going to take our Streamline to Glacier next month instead of the FT just because it's easier to find a spot for a 21' trailer than it is for a 36' motor home.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #19 – June 22, 2013, 10:55:34 pm

There is no second choice to Foretravel. I would not buy anything else since I would not be satisfied with anything else. A secondary purchase would be a BIG mistake!

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #20 – June 22, 2013, 11:09:23 pm

Not a DP but I have had wonderful service from a Born Free. They are the FT of the class C market. Not as easy to drive but much smaller. In fact the old Kodak story would have one in their showroom at times.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #21 – June 23, 2013, 08:30:00 am

I agree -There is no second choice. When your used to the good stuff how can you take a step backwards . Just don't fit my think . Brad Metzger

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #22 – June 23, 2013, 08:55:44 am

Chuck, we did extensive research before we bought our U300. The only other two brands that were on our list were Wanderlodge and Newell. Both have advantages and disadvantages, just like a Foretravel. I don't know if your $60,000 budget includes about $10,000 for repairs and upgrades or whether you already set that aside, but either way there are plenty of good coaches for $50-60,000. As others have said, a phone call to MOT may put you onto something that hasn't made it to the website yet. We expected to spend a year or so hunting for the right coach, and were very fortunate to find it only six hours away and the first coach we seriously looked at. It was advertised on this forum.

If you are in a big hurry to buy "something" (and I think that's a mistake) I'd look at a 'Bird or a Newell in addition to the Foretravel. On the other hand, if you really want a Foretravel why not post a "coach wanted" message and see what happens. Someone may be thinking about selling what you want but haven't yet made the decision. Knowing that there is someone looking for exactly what they have might just give them the incentive to sell it so they can step up to their next coach.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #23 – June 23, 2013, 10:18:19 am

I'd have to go with another Foretravel, U280, 300, or 320, or the Country Coach Magna. When I recently had mine detailed in and out, I repeated most of the same process myself, and I can't help but frequently admire the way the Foretravel's are constructed, and the craftsmanship that goes into building them is extraordinary. This and the fantastic service the folks at the factory provide to their customers there or on the road has to be unmatched.

Re: What Would Be Your Second Choice?

Reply #24 – June 23, 2013, 11:32:28 am

Some really great responses to my question! I appreciate all who took the time to answer.

I really just threw out that link to the Endeavor to stir up the pot a bit. I figured it would get a rise out of the "Foretravel Faithful", and it did. You guys are preaching to the choir - my wife and I are totally convinced that a classic late 90's Foretravel is the best combination of quality, performance and reliability available in the RV world today (at least at a price we can afford). Unfortunately, they are also hard to find.

We understand we are making our search harder by being locked into a specific size (40') and floor plan (WTFE) and model (U295 or U320). We do not want a shorter coach, and would only consider the oak interior (U270) if EVERYTHING else about the coach was absolutely perfect. Perhaps we are being "too picky", but to this old retired couple, even our modest budget of $60K is a lot of money. We want to get as close as possible to our "Dream Coach" the first time - trading up 2 or 3 times is not gonna happen. We will remain patient, and keep looking, and hope the right one eventually shows up.

Thanx Jimmyjnr for the tip about Transwest - we will look into that idea.

This forum is a invaluable source of knowledge and ideas - without it the Foretravel brand would be a lot less desirable. Thanks to all who participate.

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