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Topic: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?  (Read 850 times) previous topic - next topic

Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

We're looking for a used U270 Foretravel, early to mid 2000's. We looked at a 42 footer locally yesterday just to get a feel of what a Foretravel is actually like. Done lots of research but have never seen one up close & personal.

We were surprised to find no under bed storage, all wiring and such. Is this typical?
Our current 5th wheel is all storage under the bed, lots of room for stuff!

Thanks

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #1 –
In the Foretravels that I have lifted the bed I have found a full width and 1' fore and aft space for wiring and switches and the back side of the 120 and 12 volt panels.  The rest of the area is open to the ground and the easy access to the top of the engine.

Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #2 –
With the full width storage  bays you don't need under bed storage.  There is plenty of space in the bays, under the couch, in the cabinets and elsewhere.
Gary B

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #3 –
We full-time as others do and as Gary said the bays have huge storage.

Have you looked at a U280 Vs a 270?

You get a lot more for the $. Check the classifieds. ?.
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #4 –
Just wiring and or access to the engine.  On the coaches with no access cummins indicates they have to drop the engine and then reattach it.  About 16 hours labor, so the bed or cliset lifting saves in the long rung. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #5 –
hmmmmm. fifth wheels don't have an engine/transmission, Where else would they go?
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #6 –
Is there such a thing as a diesel pusher with storage under the bed?  I can't imagine that.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #7 –
Newmar makes the higher end with storage under the bed.

Our London Aire had storage, Dutch Star does too.
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #8 –
Yes the east west beds have it a lot of times.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #9 –
I prefer the convenient access to the engine over storage under the bed (which we had on a 5er but just used for extra blankets, etc.). It makes a big difference to have room to work plus have someone able to just hand you parts. We also work using a step that lets us kneel next to the bed-box and work on the engine that way too. Replaced a lot of burned wiring from the bedroom last year!

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #10 –
I'm with Craig. I can't imagine not being able to get to the engine from inside AND outside of the coach. The total basement space on the 5'ers we looked at was about equal to what we have in our large bay. The small bay is more than what would be under the bed. The end result is that we have more storage space in the basement bays than a 5'er would have and it is all down low. One big difference, though, is that with a DP you get more basement space as the length increases, while in a 5'er there is no difference regardless of length.

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #11 –
I am with Craig also.
That excess to the engine has saved me a lot of time, money, and headaches.
Donald & Cheryl
1999 U295 36'
2006 Saturn Vue Toad
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Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #12 –
To appreciate the engine configuration of the foretravel, all you need to do is own a front engine gas winnebago...  Trust me on that.  Though the doghouse configuration of the winnebago made certain jobs really easy.

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #13 –
Quote
Is there such a thing as a diesel pusher with storage under the bed?  I can't imagine that.

Yes, our Tiffin Phaeton had storage under the north-south bed. Also, engine access - the ONLY engine access. A PITA to work on.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #14 –
Storage bay comparisons : We moved from a 36' fifth wheel to a 40' motor home and the storage is pretty equal in the bays - just configured differently. For full timers it pays to watch carrying capacity - Anything less than 2,500 pounds CCC ( cargo carrying capacity on the label) is pretty skimpy. The newer coaches (mostly other brands) are making their floorplans more "residential" but check out slides-in-overnight-at-Walmart livability. Many are essentially not usable. Our 4 slide Phaeton was very cramped with the slides in - doable but really not enjoyable overnighting at Walmart and the like. We use Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Elks + some truck stops for overnight enroute traveling so this is an important feature for us (maybe we're cheap too).

Our one slide Foretravel is absolutely the best rig we have owned in this respect - also the air leveling means you don't have to put up with a tilted parking lot - much better than putting jacks down for the night and risk denting the asphalt. Love the N-S bedroom as I was the one who had to crawl across the E-W bed on nights we had the slides pulled in.
Jeff & Patricia
Rescue dog Molly
Previous Foretravel owner

Re: Under bed -Storage or just wiring?

Reply #15 –
Quote from: 2Escapees –
Storage bay comparisons : We moved from a 36' fifth wheel to a 40' motor home and the storage is pretty equal in the bays - just configured differently. For full timers it pays to watch carrying capacity - Anything less than 2,500 pounds CCC ( cargo carrying capacity on the label) is pretty skimpy. The newer coaches (mostly other brands) are making their floorplans more "residential" but check out slides-in-overnight-at-Walmart livability. Many are essentially not usable. Our 4 slide Phaeton was very cramped with the slides in - doable but really not enjoyable overnighting at Walmart and the like. We use Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Elks + some truck stops for overnight enroute traveling so this is an important feature for us (maybe we're cheap too).

Our one slide Foretravel is absolutely the best rig we have owned in this respect - also the air leveling means you don't have to put up with a tilted parking lot - much better than putting jacks down for the night and risk denting the asphalt. Love the N-S bedroom as I was the one who had to crawl across the E-W bed on nights we had the slides pulled in.

Good points my buddies new wall slide Winnebago tour when weighed had 300 pounds reserve on the front axle.  Not a full timer either.  He said later production 2013's had an higher yet front axle installed by the factory.

Floor plan won out versus the chassis like usual.

Bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4