Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

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Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

January 15, 2014, 03:03:54 pm

I would like to solicit opinions and thoughts behind the need to upgrade and renovate our Foretravels. I strongly believe that making our coaches more livable and updated with the latest technology and décor and exterior appointments/designs and paint is such a personal matter that it is worth considering your thoughts for others to ponder.

My guess is that full-timers owners as opposed to recreational types should vary in their opinions.

Also, do you think that say, a $30,000 renovation investment on a coach valued at $100,000 will increase the cash value of the coach very much? How about a $30M renovation on a $50M coach?

I realize that to some money is no object when it comes to our favorite toy, but to others their Foretravel is their home and need to consider budget thinking for those down the road considerations.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #1 – January 15, 2014, 03:14:00 pm

I upgrade since I am keeping it to make it more livable. They were the first ones like: seats couch eating area, fridge and TV and blinds. Now doing the counter tops because it makes it more live able too. Will I ever. Get the money out, no. A residential fridge. Is a fridge when you sell it. MCD blinds are just Blinds. A full body paint may help it sell faster but not for much more money, at least in relationship to the cost. I think the remod stuff is spreading because people are keeping their coaches longer. If you are keeping your coach then a remodel maybe worth it to you.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #2 – January 15, 2014, 03:20:54 pm

my guess, best case recover 50% of cost of upgrades, worst case, recover $0 and it sells faster. Unless your Dave Head and you want my coach in which case i am sure he will pay 125% of my investment! (not.....)

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #3 – January 15, 2014, 03:28:14 pm

We're soon to be full-timers, and until our place sells we don't have much money, so we're doing only what is necessary. The original plan was to travel a bit with the coach, then have it at home for some time to so what needed doing, then go out again, do some more, etc. Well, that didn't happen and won't happen. We will do some renovations/upgrades as we see the need and time and finances permit. I'm a firm believer in making haste slowly. We bought a flat screen television that will go in the coach, but it won't be permanently mounted at this time. Eventually we will figure out where we want it, and then I'll see about what can be done.

Will we get back the cost of our improvements? Probably not even ten cents on the dollar, but they will still have made our lives better.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #4 – January 15, 2014, 03:51:03 pm

Just history,

Bought 88 GV ORED in 04 78K miles 44K upgraded:
floors, tile, tvs, dvds, cb, batteries, maintenance on all mechanical, new AC units an completely re did exterior. About $16K in improvements.

Sold in in 2013 for $16500.
NEVER FAILED US, STRANDED US OR MADE US UNEASY in 50K+ miles

Bottom line, were at it again with our new to us U280. Sold our Newmar London Aire because of 2 things; Foretravel simplicity- reliability and "Coolness", guess thats 3.
25 years old and everything worked in the 88!
Already had electrical and engine issues with the Newmar.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #5 – January 15, 2014, 03:56:25 pm

Talk to David F. He is two months out again with lots of big remodels. These coaches just go and go,so why not remake them.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #6 – January 15, 2014, 03:57:21 pm

Oh, I was also going to say David will also tell you what not to do unless you really want it that way.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #7 – January 15, 2014, 07:53:53 pm

flooring is always a great upgrade

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #8 – January 15, 2014, 07:56:28 pm

I didnt buy mine to resell, I bought it to live in, Permanently, later on, After I circumnavigate Australia in my Boat,

I them sell the Boat and will have the money to drive the Coach, Diesel is Expensive, Boat is free,

Cost me $15000-00 to buy in Texas, Conversions, etc, Roadworthy, Replace worn parts, Solar, Modifications to my Coach.

And get it on the road Running, About $70,000-00 so far, I still have a very cheap Coach here,

Can I sell it and recoup my losses, YES, and Double my Investment also, Is it for sale, Definitely, NOT,

So what ever I put in my Coach, I will recoup if I ever sell it,

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #9 – January 15, 2014, 10:10:10 pm

I hesitate to reply, I think everything has about been said, but John and I talked about this the other day and this was what I felt and John, meaning to or not, reinforced it.

Foretravel built and builds a heck of a coach. Nonetheless the quality of a used coach is at the mercy of prior maintenance, etc. Depending on financial aspects or perhaps a need to balance time on the road versus making upgrades, it may be as simple as a choice between....

Keep what you have and make upgrades OR sell it and buy a coach that has the upgrades. If I upgrade what I have, I probably know more about what I have as a basic unit versus whatever I buy and know less of its major systems integrity. Is that all I really need to focus on to decide....Do I list it or do I keep it?

It may be more complex, such as factor in the risk of one coach's age versus another, the depreciation differences, partial recovery of upgrade costs, different engines or models, or I just enjoy doing the upgrades myself? I think at this point I find that we settled on upgrading what we have.

One other thought. Don Hay told me, pay a lot of attention to the floor plan. You will be pretty much locked into having it, it would be quite costly to change if even possible. Be sure you want to stay with that.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #10 – January 15, 2014, 10:30:55 pm

The DW and I watched her parents buy at least six motor homes in 20 years. All of them Winnebago (after the first two or three) and most of them class A and diesel. All but a couple were bought brand new (I think for the ease of financing). Each was upgraded with Pacbrakes, steering stabilizers, entertainment extras, joey beds, etc. None were kept long enough to get paid off; I am pretty sure they traded them in just before the warranty expires.

We didn't ride in many of them but we slept in all of them during holiday and vacation trips.

Many times we thought that we could happily live with a coach that they had just traded in.

So we vowed to get the best motor home we could find (and afford) with the major upgrades already done. I knew in 2005 that we wanted a Foretravel but it wasn't until 2010 that we started looking seriously..

We upgraded the tv sets, bathroom flooring, new inverters, BluRay players, solar panels (bought but not yet installed) and plan to upgrade to wood floors, new tires, new batteries, and more before we are ready to snowbird in December of 2015.

I'm not at all sure we'll get the $10k out of all those upgrades... but I don't care because they'll make the coach suitable for our purposes; desert boondocking on the shores of the Sea of Cortez with a Jeep Wrangler for exploring.

Craig

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #11 – January 15, 2014, 10:55:44 pm

They just don't make the classics any more, so if it works for you, keep it looking good and enjoy it. We really like our 91 GV and want to keep it as original as possible and just enjoy it. Old woman does want to upgrade the flooring which would be a good upgrade. Every one of us has our comfort zones, so go for it!! Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #12 – January 15, 2014, 10:59:52 pm

So far I've heard what I anticipated. We've owned Forrest now going on 11 years. Darn thing is practically unbreakable if well maintained. I can't see much value to us in doing a full body paint or headlights update as we don't drive at night anyway. We also like the Foretravel classic look. Any upgrades would likely be on the inside at this point. Basically wear & tear items...new leather, flooring is about all. Don't think it would raise the value of the coach any, however.

For Foretravel wannabe's, it's a great time to buy a used coach in the pre 2000 model years and put some money into renovation and upgrades right off the bat.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #13 – January 16, 2014, 12:21:01 am

I happily stepped into the Foretravel family with a 1990 U280. There was a lot to love there, and I doubt that it has reached its end, although there have been 3 subsequent sets of owners after me. After that experience, there is no other brand motorhome for me to consider. I found my 36' U270 and it has everything I want, as far as the non-alterable parts go (length, engine, single slide). I don't expect to ever put enough miles on it to wear it out. I never thought of it as an investment, so the residual value doesn't really matter to me at this point.

So, whatever upgrades/refurbishments catch my eye, I will happily add them to THIS coach, rather than wanting a new one. I spent too much of my life thinking things were "supposed to be original" and have finally given myself permission to change things as I see fit. Add switches, drawers and other doodads. I am eyeing the dinette right now, since it is removed for the slide repair. I may well install something else there, as when we are having breakfast, one of us can see the TV, and one must view it in reverse from the pantry mirrors. While my "it's supposed to be that way" says to put the dinette seats back, the other part of me says...change it!

I am still debating the idea of full body paint, as the chalkiness of the gel-coat bugs me. So far, it isn't bugging me $20,000 worth, but it might in the future.

Bottom line, the basic coach will last me my "forever", so I'll renovate as needed. Luckily, not much is needed.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #14 – January 16, 2014, 08:01:43 am

Mike, if your referring to my post - that is precisely my point!

Value Vs reality = Preception of the owner.

These coaches were built wth forever in mind, the frame, the chassis, the engine, otr truck parts. Do you realize there are planes that are over 60 years old still flying that have the same "concept" in there construction and trucks with millions of miles on lesser designed chassis?

The Mechanical guys, the Electronic guys and the Systems guys on the Forum continually display the "sturdiness" of these machines - I am an amature driver and tinkerer at best.

Another coach I would be interested in is as followes;
2016 U400 or 450
Grand Villa Styling with a Stainless Bumpers
ALL CURRENT STD FEATURES, brakes, tanks, inverters etc
6"taller inside
Vented AC
40' or 45' one with tag, center entry and front
Drivers side door
2 tip outs
Mechanical 400 or 450HP - 12mpg and 10mpg
VM spec type montering
Front mount 10k or 15k genset
Standard WTB OR SB - KING BED option
Minimum of 3 batteries
Residential fridge
Dishwasher
Better designed cargo spaces with bus up doors
Stainless trim in water and fule bay
Dual pane windows
Dual fule ports
Manifold water
Central electrical area
Central filter area
OPTIONS
Window sills
Heated floors
Tile, wood floors
SHADES
Paint
Roof coating
Solar
Kitchen cabinet drawer organizers
2 types of heating: furnace, aqua hot
2 types of water heaters gas elect, on demand
More...

When I win the 100M from a future lottery, I will invest in Foretravel and we will build a few of these

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #15 – January 16, 2014, 09:24:19 am

Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter – January 16, 2014, 12:21:01 am

I am still debating the idea of full body paint, as the chalkiness of the gel-coat bugs me. So far, it isn't bugging me $20,000 worth, but it might in the future.

Bottom line, the basic coach will last me my "forever", so I'll renovate as needed. Luckily, not much is needed.

You might consider the roof coating for the chalkiness. I also like the "forever" part. Maybe we have Forevertravels...

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #16 – January 16, 2014, 09:40:50 am

Everything is a compromise, and each of us has to decide what is and is not important for US. John's dream coach is similar to mine, but I don't want a driver's door, dishwasher, or a king bed. A lifting or steerable tag would be good. A light exterior color is a must.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #17 – January 16, 2014, 10:25:09 am

In an exchange with Mike H., he suggested I post the following:

"If your coach layout works for you, there is no advantage to replacing your coach unless you need to downsize as you already have a 40' coach. It is better to spend the money in upgrades than to spend many more dollars trading for a newer one even with upgrades already done. After 11 years of ownership, I feel I know Forrest like a friend. After that long I almost feel like I have the situation under control and there is still yet more to learn. Our vintage coaches are the best Foretravel ever made. These are truly worth maintaining well and improving the interior, etc."

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #18 – January 16, 2014, 11:21:39 am

A bit more on my Old Banger, Hahahahaha,

I have done major works on mine getting it to conform to Australian ADR's. Etc,

I have crawled through nearly every nook and cranny it has,

Repairing mostly Shonky wiring from Previous owners,

This Old Banger is 25 years old, It has to have things wrong with it, Lots of them,

Even a well maintained Coach needs ongoing work from time to time,

But, What is actually wrong with the Chassis and the Structure above it,

On my Ancient Grand Villa,

The Foretravel Shed on top of the Chassis,

A few leaks on the roof, Easily fixed, A 6 inch crack on the roof, I have repaired that.

Battery Bank is falling out, It needs a stiffener under it to take the weight of the Batterys, Done that,

The Chassis and running gear, A couple of uni's and air bags perished from old age,

Inside the Shed, A Damn good clean, Maybe new Carpet, I repaired the Drapes, The track was bent, Fixed that,

The out side, Currently covered in big greasy finger prints, Clean it all when finished,

That Chalky white covering on the paint, Dust, Etc, Grease, will all be removed with a Good Cut and Polish,

It will look like a Million Dollars then, It will look like its Brand new again,

I am merely doing 25 years of Back Maintenance,

There is nothing to do on the Coach or Chassis.

This Coach will still be safely running the Hiways long after I am gone, I will get 10 years out of it,

It was built to last, And they did an excellent job of it,

I Seriously cant Fault it,

Unless I want to Knit Pick, And then it would be pushing it, Chair is too close to the wall, Etc, Hahahaha

The Carpet doesnt match my Eye colour, Hahahahaha, I have a Freezer, What do I need an ice maker for,

You can put 10 grand into a Foretravel interior, And you wont lose your money, Unless your going to sell it in a few years,
If your Full Timing, Put your Rates and Rent towards your GV, It was dead money, and its now in your hand, Its now your home, Splurge on it, Its a lot cheaper then a house to renovate, Hahahaha

Its a sight cheaper then buying another RV,

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #19 – January 16, 2014, 12:13:37 pm

If I had the $$$ I would have Bus Doors put on my U280's bays, how unique would that be? No mor head knocking either.

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #20 – January 16, 2014, 12:15:52 pm

Roland, added to my list

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #21 – January 16, 2014, 01:10:38 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – January 16, 2014, 12:13:37 pm

If I had the $$$ I would have Bus Doors put on my U280's bays, how unique would that be? No mor head knocking either.

I don't know if it is true, but someone recently noted the pantographic hardware was no longer available at FOT. I'd love those too!

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #22 – January 16, 2014, 01:47:09 pm

Brad, got me pantographic hardware

? Can't claim Senior moment, yet

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #23 – January 16, 2014, 01:55:00 pm

Roland,

Bill Chaplin had at least 3 of his doors converted and a small fuel filler door added on his 93 U300. I've seen them and they are great. No more bloody head banging and cursing those doors could possibly justify the price of conversion!

The fuel filler door allows closer access to the pump and you don't have to swing open the big bay door for fillups.

Jerry aka Murph

Re: Why Upgrade & Renovate a Foretravel?

Reply #24 – January 16, 2014, 02:17:22 pm

The reason for me to do some upgrades is to get it more like I like it. I guess I could spend more money and get some things (like a slide) that mine does not have (which would require me to change coaches). Whenever one buys used you may not get everything that you would like. But...., it is a heck of lot cheaper to fix/upgrade the things that would make it more like you like it. I have done that. I think it is totally worth the money.

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