New to Foretravel...

Topic: New to Foretravel... (Read 4764 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #25 – May 09, 2014, 06:00:50 pm

I believe that the 40 foot yU270's have two furnaces, the 36 and 34 have just one.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #26 – May 09, 2014, 06:07:18 pm

Quote from: dengineer – May 09, 2014, 05:20:59 pm

Trent, the reason we left out the 295 is that it only has 5k # towing capacity, we had found a beautiful 295 but could only tow5k#, our p/u weighs in at abt 7500#, full size 4x4 crewcab..

Looking at the specs, all models for 1999 have a 10K lb rated receiver hitch. Curious why that particular U295 was only 5K - was is a GCWR issue?

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #27 – May 09, 2014, 06:29:02 pm

Quote from: dengineer – May 09, 2014, 05:20:59 pm

Trent, the reason we left out the 295 is that it only has 5k # towing capacity, we had found a beautiful 295 but could only tow5k#, our p/u weighs in at abt 7500#, full size 4x4 crewcab..

Tony,

Not according to the specs I looked at (from Barry's gorgeous site); all three models for 1999 are rated for 10,000 lbs.

Trent

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #28 – May 09, 2014, 06:29:54 pm

for us, the worst part about our U-270 was the noise of the furnace fan as it cycled on and off during the night - woke my DW up all the time-

Come to think of it, when we sleep with the AC on, she leaves the fan on low all night - keeps the noise level pretty constant (compressor cycle on and off is less noticeable because fan never quotes making its noise) and keeps the interior temperature more even, so compressor cycles more frequently but for less time, keeping entire bedroom closer to temp selected on thermostat

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #29 – May 09, 2014, 06:36:26 pm

Quote from: acousticart – May 09, 2014, 06:00:50 pm

I believe that the 40 foot U270's have two furnaces, the 36 and 34 have just one.

Don,

I did not see that specified on the spec sheets I accessed, but it easy to believe it might have been an oversight on the spec sheet. 1999 was the first year they made the U270 in 40' (at least according to the spec sheets).

Trent

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #30 – May 09, 2014, 07:21:20 pm

Ladies and gents, I stand corrected, the unit was a 98 and yes the GVW was 31k and the GCVW was only 36k.
The unit is located in Las Vegas Nv and it was listed I believe in rvtrader, but do not quote me, we have checked many and now we are down to just 2... imagine that!!!!
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #31 – May 09, 2014, 07:51:55 pm

The two we are looking at now are both 99 and 270 and 320 respectively, the other one as I said above was a '98 295.
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #32 – May 09, 2014, 08:07:17 pm

You will find other then engine and drivetrain the construction is the same. Same air bags same heights and widths. The 270 also had a 150 gallon tank and my 320has 192. Extra battery in the 320 but room to put it in the 270. I have had both and would choose the one with the best deal.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #33 – May 09, 2014, 08:12:23 pm

We've full-timed since 2003.

If we didn't have STICKS & BRICKS somewhere then there's another consideration on $$$'s: Namely, what would we spend on lodging, food, etc, if we didn't have a Foretravel?

We could easily spend more per year in STICKS & BRICKS than we do our 1999 U320. Even tho it has an Aqua-hot. Then we add in visiting kids and grand kids in 4 widely seperated locations, and drive there in a Honda and stay in hotels and fly and, and, and ....

I'm just sayin'

Of course, YMMV ...

best, paul

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #34 – May 09, 2014, 09:48:26 pm

I usually value Barry's comments, but the '99 U320 doesn't have accessibility problems for either the Aqua-Hot or batteries. As you can tell from my coach, I appreciate the all-around plusher details in the U320, but that's a very subjective thing. One item not mentioned so far is carrying capacity. In this vintage it wasn't listed on the data plate. With the amount of customization common in Foretravels, it is important to have any coach weighed before purchase is complete. You didn't specify your intended use aside from your toad, but if you or your DW intend to carry a lot of stuff, check weights carefully.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #35 – May 09, 2014, 10:18:44 pm

Wow!!!! You are ALL great!!!! The amount of good info we have received today is amazing... you have no idea how much you have eased our minds and we definitely know that we are on the right path with the right company, meaning all of you as well as the coaches. We are striving to get this finalized next week and start then our new fun project which we will keep you all well informed about. So please keep the comments and suggestions coming!!!! We are all ears!!!!

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #36 – May 09, 2014, 10:31:58 pm

Brett, thanks for your comments, I was able to abtain a pix of a paper plate in both coaches that list the empty weight, combined weight and gross GVW and GCVW as well as cargo capacity... Are those numbers acceptable in general terms? I realize that any mods would affect the bottom line and weighting is the only way to know for sure, however I hope these numbers are enough for a fair estimate, what do you think?
Thank you,
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #37 – May 09, 2014, 11:53:34 pm

RE: Trent, the reason we left out the 295 is that it only has 5k # towing capacity,

I think all Foretravels of these vintages have 10,000 lb towing capability, so maybe the specifications are conservative on that U295. They built all of them about the same with the same frame, hitch & braking design. The limit may be a GVCW limit based on legal liability for new coaches.

But I do have a concern about towing 7,500 lbs up a mountain. You may be happier with 450/500 hp M11 engine with all that weight behind you.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #38 – May 09, 2014, 11:53:37 pm

RE: U270 normally has one propane furnace. U295 normally has two propane furnaces.

I thought that floor plan & length more than anything else dictated if there is one or two propane furnaces. Some floor plans do not allow one furnace to be ducted to front and rear of coach.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #39 – May 09, 2014, 11:53:38 pm

RE: Barry, how many miles do you have on your engine?

We have 150,000 miles and are using our coach every day for 13 years. Original furnace, new hot water tank, that we installed ourselves. Most heating is with small space heaters. Most hot water is heated with electric heating element. Given a choice, we would not have it any other way. We also don't want a slide.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #40 – May 10, 2014, 12:43:48 am

Thank you Barry, we are leaning more and more towards the U270 due to its simplicity, storage capacity...although sometimes we stray back to the U320.... but I would say we are abt 80/20... also the U270 appears to be in better shape...uummm!!!!!
So it seems there will be a new to us U270 next week...!!!!!
Agn tnx for your comments..!!
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #41 – May 10, 2014, 08:53:20 am

RE: our p/u weighs in at abt 7500#,

I just had a 2nd thought about 7500 lb tow vehicle...

That is a lot of weight to tow up a mountain. You may be happier with the larger 450 hp M11 engine with that much weight behind you.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #42 – May 10, 2014, 12:03:32 pm

The furnace cycling already mentioned here drove us crazy long ago.

Temp swings are around 5 degrees with a propane furnace setup if memory serves me and the quieter aqua hot is around two degrees.

DW is very cold/hot sensitive and the separate bath area temp control from the aqua hot is a pleasure she would not ever do without.

Towing large vehicles is easier with the m11 and its bigger 4000 series Allison trans also.

That same power train/ hot water heating system that the u320 has in the 99 is still sold today new by Foretravel I think.

The m11 is a heavy duty engine vs medium duty and was used in lower power ratings in over the road 18 wheelers and is electronic controlled. The computer aftermarket monitoring systems work on the m11/4000 combo.

The final design as it were. Probably more long term valuable on resale?

I know its harder to find from the posts here?

I bought our 320 knowing it was in need of a lot of massaging because of the basic u320 parts.

Worth the time and money to me to drive an old version of a more expensive/recent Foretravel model.

I like the window sills that the 320 has that someone pointed out here also and the villa furniture.

Bob

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #43 – May 10, 2014, 12:34:05 pm

If we were to full time in colder weather, the Aquahot sure would be nice. Otherwise, the 10 gal. water heater is plenty for most folks as is the propane heat.

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #44 – May 10, 2014, 01:47:55 pm

Bob, your points are xclnt!!!! and Peter, your thoughts abt winter also... we try to avoid winter and it is not always possible, for example, we were not ready to go until early Dec last and we ended up spending some -10F quality time, and a week to cross half of Kansas due to ice and blowing snow... it was just like home !!!!!!!!####!! who can say that we are not having fun???
I must say, we did ok, no probs and it all worked fine...but it was a close call, BTW these toys do not do very well in the ice... and the 4x4 could not push the coach very well... (lol)
Seriously, we are in discussion mode...!!!! AGAIN!!!!!
We are very grateful to all of you that are helping us with thoughts, ideas and comments... it is wonderful to find a good family!!! thank you!!!!!
Tony & Lora

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #45 – May 11, 2014, 03:17:30 pm

Hi Tony, welcome to the forum. I have no knowledge of the models you asked about. But you did state you're a full-time RVer. I suggest the KISS principle. Its one thing to trust high-tech a few weeks a year on vacation, but on a permanent basis, I think the simpler the design is, the more reliable it will be, all other parameters being the same. Good luck, see you on the road

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #46 – May 11, 2014, 03:48:14 pm

Fred, thank you! You have the right idea and that is the reason we are having such hard time deciding...both coaches are nice so it becomes a matter of reliability, niceness,? performance and all else to be balanced in as much a cold fact way as possible considering that we are humans!!!! I like to be able to take care of as much as possible... although now I am a bit limited due to lack of facilities for some projects...( engines, xmssns, turbos...) Which is why the advice of people with the hands on experience is so valuable to us, so that we may avoid some of the mistakes we are bound to make. Hopefully when we see the units this week we shall make a decision objectively with the help of the experts.
Tony

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #47 – May 11, 2014, 06:03:42 pm

Quote from: dengineer – May 11, 2014, 03:48:14 pm

Fred, thank you! You have the right idea and that is the reason we are having such hard time deciding...both coaches are nice so it becomes a matter of reliability, niceness,? performance and all else to be balanced in as much a cold fact way as possible considering that we are humans!!!! I like to be able to take care of as much as possible... although now I am a bit limited due to lack of facilities for some projects...( engines, xmssns, turbos...) Which is why the advice of people with the hands on experience is so valuable to us, so that we may avoid some of the mistakes we are bound to make. Hopefully when we see the units this week we shall make a decision objectively with the help of the experts.
Tony

Save incredible amounts of time and money and enjoyment and buy the last coach first.....

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #48 – May 11, 2014, 06:25:34 pm

Bob, we are speechless... what a concept!!!!!! such thoughts must be harnessed prior to their escaping into the realm of mush!!! Bob, we are so impressed that I will from now on start all at the end...We are so taken....our lives have been changed... ALLELU....!!!!
But wait, there is now a minor problem... we are full of it!!!! how do we clean this off?

(lol) thank you, we needed that!!!!
Tony & Lora

Re: New to Foretravel...

Reply #49 – May 11, 2014, 06:38:34 pm

I handled cold fine in my 270 but I handle it easier in the 320 with Aquahot. If you are a snowbird the 270 will do just fine. I have FT friends who spend the winter skiing in CO so Aquahot is important to them. Use of the coach drives the decision.

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