NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Topic: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6" (Read 7113 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #125 – July 05, 2014, 06:49:24 pm

Quote from: Lucky1 – July 05, 2014, 09:36:07 am

The confusing part to me is why for a factory that has had far more capacity in the past, why my options are a $1.3 new coach or a $200,000 ten year old coach with nothing (or very little) in between.

It also makes it very difficult for folks like Steve and I (and many others on the forum) who have several more coaches to buy in our lifetimes. What will our next coach(es) be? We still haven't been able to answer that question.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #126 – July 05, 2014, 07:41:57 pm

Well put Michelle. I will face that issue too, sooner or later.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #127 – July 05, 2014, 10:59:52 pm

The k3 could cost more. Probably does.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #128 – July 05, 2014, 11:37:06 pm

Quote from: Michelle – July 05, 2014, 06:49:24 pm

It also makes it very difficult for folks like Steve and I (and many others on the forum) who have several more coaches to buy in our lifetimes. What will our next coach(es) be? We still haven't been able to answer that question.

Sometimes newer isn't better. A refit on an existing coach is much less expensive than a new one!

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #129 – July 06, 2014, 07:00:08 am

That is true about a refit and I have done that on mine. But you can only do so many miles too.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #130 – July 06, 2014, 08:41:47 am

How many miles are people getting out of their Foretravels?

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #131 – July 06, 2014, 09:13:27 am

Quote from: krush – July 05, 2014, 11:37:06 pm

Sometimes newer isn't better. A refit on an existing coach is much less expensive than a new one!

Definitely, and that's what we've been doing. It certainly is possible that we won't ever buy another coach and will instead keep refreshing this one for the next 20-25 years

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #132 – July 06, 2014, 09:40:15 am

Tennessee RV did some engine and bulkhead work on a FT to support construction projects that shows a very large heavy trailer.

Most will die of neglect or poor maintenance long before they mileage out

Wish I could afford enough diesel to drive mine into the ground!!!

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #133 – July 06, 2014, 11:30:37 am

Quote from: Michelle – July 06, 2014, 09:13:27 am

Definitely, and that's what we've been doing. It certainly is possible that we won't ever buy another coach and will instead keep refreshing this one for the next 20-25 years

I have a bad habit (maybe it's good?) of buying stuff that is pretty much fully depreciated and running it into the ground. I plan to do the same with my newly acquired FT. I plan to get at least 10-15 years out of it. It's never seen snow, and I'll keep it that way.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #134 – July 06, 2014, 11:38:39 am

Quote from: John S – July 06, 2014, 07:00:08 am

That is true about a refit and I have done that on mine. But you can only do so many miles too.

How many miles are too many? Many semi tractors are typically sold at somewhere a million miles. My Foretravel should be good (from a chassis, suspension and drivetrain standpoint) for roughly that many miles. I, however, will probably be worn out before that point!

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #135 – July 06, 2014, 12:34:47 pm

We plan for this coach to last as long as we can travel. Just keep up with maintanence & repairs, upgrades when we want and off we go.

We can keep her cheaper than a new one and still have some $$$ for diesel.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #136 – July 06, 2014, 06:13:02 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – July 05, 2014, 03:32:17 pm

A motorhome for weekend use and maybe a two-week vacation is a far different machine than one that is intended for full-time, or even long-time, use. While it is possible to full-time in most anything (there are people full-timing on motorcycles), Foretravel has gone after the full-timer market, and most full-timers prefer larger coaches.

Would there be a market for a smaller coach? Perhaps. Perhaps someone could check production statistics and see what percent of the coaches built in each year were of what size and the number of slides. That would give an idea of what to expect in the future.

Well, I know we will be in the market for a somewhat smaller coach when we full-time. My wife reiterated again this weekend her opposition to going 40-feet. For her, 35-feet is the sweet spot. I can hopefully push her to 36-feet so that any number of FT coaches would become candidates, but I likely can't get her to go longer. At least not as things now stand.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #137 – July 06, 2014, 06:35:16 pm

Has she been in a FT yet? Look at everything nearby as a start .

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #138 – July 06, 2014, 06:40:52 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 06, 2014, 06:35:16 pm

Has she been in a FT yet? Look at everything nearby as a start .

Going to work on that. I may have to skip over the length as anytime she hears how long a coach is she has no interest in seeing it.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #139 – July 06, 2014, 07:02:36 pm

Hmmm, life must be interesting there.....:-)

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #140 – July 06, 2014, 07:12:42 pm

Quote from: WaltH – July 06, 2014, 06:13:02 pm

Well, I know we will be in the market for a somewhat smaller coach when we full-time. My wife reiterated again this weekend her opposition to going 40-feet. For her, 35-feet is the sweet spot. I can hopefully push her to 36-feet so that any number of FT coaches would become candidates, but I likely can't get her to go longer. At least not as things now stand.

Why is 35 feet the "sweet spot"? Is there some specific reason for it, or is it an emotional thing?

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #141 – July 06, 2014, 08:24:32 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – July 06, 2014, 07:12:42 pm

Why is 35 feet the "sweet spot"? Is there some specific reason for it, or is it an emotional thing?

A 228" WB Foretravel will make a right hsnd turn from a two lane road the another two lane road and not cross the centerline of either road.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #142 – July 06, 2014, 08:58:16 pm

I never really understood this 40+ foot phenomena. Granted, my use (and my demographic) is vastly different than the retired full timer. But a 40+ foot coach, plus something towed is really limiting on where one can go.

At that length it really is major highways and big RV parks that are essentially crowded cities! Isn't the point of a self sufficent RV to get out and and enjoy the country?

If Foretravel made a 25 or 30 foot coach, i likely would've bought that. I considered a class B, but it couldn't haul all my toys...lol. And I figured for a little bit bigger and a couple MPG, I can have it all!

I've driven 40 and 45 foot busses and truck/trailers that are much longer. I wouldn't want to deal with that when I'm exploring the country. I really think this is one reason the Sprinter RV's seem to be taking off. Funny how old school is new school.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #143 – July 06, 2014, 10:46:56 pm

quote"At that length it really is major highways and big RV parks that are essentially crowded cities! Isn't the point of a self sufficent RV to get out and and enjoy the country?"
Exactly my feelings too and one of main reasons I put solar in. It seems that a lot of people who like to get away and travel/live in their coach also have to have all the "electronic gadgets" too.
JohnH

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #144 – July 06, 2014, 11:05:50 pm

I really disagree, having had a 36 and a 40. Been to lots of COE and NP (Yellowstone and glacier included) campgrounds, plus numerous township and state campgrounds. A few took a little planning, but have never had an issue.

Most of this length debate is a lot like a Ford vs. Chevy debate.

My coach sits 6 months on a site that has a 35 foot max rating. Talked to owner, measured sit, backed it in 6 years ago and ever since.

Love to hear from 40 owners on where they haven't fit, or avoided because they thought they wouldn't fit

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #145 – July 06, 2014, 11:21:13 pm

I'm not trying to argue or start a debate. I know people have different desires and needs. I spend most of my time outside, so interior volume isn't such a big deal (plus it's usually just me). Sometimes, I even sleep outside! Ability to get off the beaten path is my goal.

Some people stay at one site for many weeks/months a year. Some people travel a lot and rack up the miles. I just think it's less stressful if one is doing lots of driving off the interstate to have something less than 40 feet (from experience).

I mean, once the coach is parked, it could be 100ft long and it wouldn't matter, because all the stressful activities are complete!

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #146 – July 06, 2014, 11:23:08 pm

Quote from: WaltH – July 06, 2014, 06:13:02 pm

... For her, 35-feet is the sweet spot. I can hopefully push her to 36-feet so that any number of FT coaches would become candidates, but I likely can't get her to go longer....

We measured our U225 36-foot motor home and it is 35' 7".

Craig

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #147 – July 06, 2014, 11:34:06 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – July 06, 2014, 07:12:42 pm

Why is 35 feet the "sweet spot"? Is there some specific reason for it, or is it an emotional thing?

I think some of subsequent replies touch on some of the reasons she doesn't want to go 40-feet. The maneuverability that CaflashBob referred to is part of it. The getting off the beaten path that krush stated and John alluded to are also part of it. We don't expect/plan to spend much if any time in RV parks. Our goal is to stay in Forest Service campgrounds, state parks, and maybe a bit of boondocking on BLM land. Based on what I've read elsewhere, it just seems those things are much easier if you stay closer to 35-feet in length. While I want a nice home on wheels, by which I mean comfortable, functional kitchen, place to watch a movie or read a book, it does not have to be huge. I like the construction and the simple, stylish lines of the FT coaches (especially, say 1995-2003), which is what brought me here.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #148 – July 07, 2014, 01:53:50 am

I found this interesting, taken from:
Turning Radii

Coach length/wheel base/ approximate turning radius for beam axle coaches:

This should apply to both the U270/295/320 and the Nimbus/Phenix beam axle coaches.

34'     204" wb     35'9" curb to curb   37'8" wall to wall
36'     228" wb     39'3" curb to curb   41'4" wall to wall
38' no tag   252" wb     39'7" curb to curb   41'9" wall to wall
38' tag    228" to drive /278" to tag wb   39'3" curb to curb   41'4" wall to wall
40' no tag    276" wb     44'3" curb to curb    46'6" wall to wall
40' tag    252" to drive /302" to tag wb   39'7" curb to curb   41'9" wall to wall
42' tag    276" to drive /326" to tag wb   46'5" curb to curb    48'9" wall to wall

What I note is that the turning radii fall into three tight groupings. The 34' is short, at 35'9", the 42' and 40' without tag fall long, at 44'-46', and in the mid range are all the others, the 36', 38' with or with our tag, and 40' with tag, in the mid 39' turning radius range.

So as far as turning radius goes, there are only three choices, short-medium-long, and the four most common configurations (36', 38' with or without tag, and 40' with tag) are essentially the same.

So that leaves overall length a factor when the parking space has hard limits and a factor in deciding how much non-essential stuff you fan find room for (where tag axles add carrying weight capacity but subtract cubic feet of bay storage space. And of course a factor in which floor plan you fall in love with.

Re: NEW Foretravel "Realm FS6"

Reply #149 – July 07, 2014, 06:30:45 am

The operative word is 'radius'

Double it to get an estimate of whether the space in front of you is enuf ;o)

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