Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

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Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

May 15, 2014, 09:00:36 pm

Hi folks,

After five failed attempts, I finally got close enough to a deal to actually see a coach at MOT today. This was the culmination of many months and a lot of effort to locate our "dream" coach and we found our Foretravel!

I first want to thank so many of you who contribute so often to this forum. The incredible range of expertise evidenced in the many postings here, and the willingness to share your experiences was very reassuring to this rookie. I received many kind words, recommendations, and suggestions from so many. I especially want to thank Brett Wolfe, Don Hays, Michael and Jackie, and Chuck and Jeannie. A contribution to the board has been made in your names.

This is not only our first Foretravel, it's our first RV! For a variety of reasons, we are getting a late start to RVing in our own unit. We decided to take the leap to the best coach out there, bypassing "paying our dues" and working our way up through the ranks, in order to embark on this wonderful adventure while we still have the good health to enjoy it.

As I alluded to, it was still not a smooth climb to the top. We missed our first two attempts by one day and had the opportunity to read the posts of those fortunate folks as they described their exciting journeys back home in their "new" units. Boy, talk about envy!

A third opportunity from a dealer in Florida sounded very promising, almost too promising. The dealer kept assuring us that he was "almost certain" the coach was equipped with all of the key considerations we listed. It seemed everything we wanted on our ideal coach was already on the unit he had for sale. Sure enough, when it came time to put a pre-visit deposit down and specific questions had to be verified, "Oops, I could have sworn that unit had that configuration. Well, that's not really that important." Riiight. By this point, we knew we had to do two things: deal exclusively with FOT or MOT and get our names out there to be contacted about units that were coming in on consignment.

This was how we found out about the fourth opportunity, a 38 footer that had just about everything we could want. Sadly, the owner passed away the day before I was scheduled to travel from Virginia to Nacogdoches to look at the coach. The unit was, understandably, pulled from consignment.

However, we were convinced our Foretravel was out there and keeping tabs on incoming consignments was the most promising path to finding it. That is exactly what happened. Mel Cordray advised me a 2007 Nimbus was arriving for sale with very low usage. It was a 40 footer, longer than we had been wanting, but appeared to be ideal in all other respects. We immediately went into high gear, getting everything set in case this was the one. Insurance was arranged, storage was set and Jason Haskins at MOT found us financing that we couldn't refuse! The only thing left was to arrange an inspection and test drive to see if this was an option for us. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of several members, conflicting schedules just didn't allow enough time to get an inspection set up as planned. However, the excellent suggestions and reviews I received through many phone calls and emails gave me the assurance that this coach, for several reasons, would be a safe option for us. All new batteries and tires were installed and all services were completed. I supplemented that with the extended warranty, and I feel we are as prepared as we can be at this stage. The test drive confirmed a coach of this size and weight demands the utmost respect and focus on safety. However, the many safeguards and quality features which Foretravel packages together make this an enjoyable, safe, and viable "home" for our new adventures.

To say we are excited doesn't begin to describe how eager we are to start on this new stage of our lives. We have been reading on the sidelines, with great envy, about all of the fun times and good fellowship the members of this forum have been enjoying. The Foretravel Motorcade Club numbers go on the coach tomorrow! Now the real learning begins.

Hope to see some of you fine folks soon!!

Many, many thanks.

Don and Nancy

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #1 – May 15, 2014, 09:09:04 pm

Congratulations!!!

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #2 – May 15, 2014, 09:13:06 pm

Congratulations. You will love it. Where in VA are you from. There are a few of us around here.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #3 – May 15, 2014, 09:22:16 pm

Don & Nancy,
Congratulations. Remember to always ease on down the road with plenty of time to "get there". It's always more enjoyable and safe when your mindset is not dialed to rushing at the last minute.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #4 – May 15, 2014, 09:41:12 pm

Congrats - Pictures?

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #5 – May 15, 2014, 09:49:11 pm

Congratulations, Don and Nancy! After the grin subsides a bit you can change your sig file to include your coach information. And, as Carol and Scott said, pictures are needed.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #6 – May 15, 2014, 10:02:15 pm

Congratulations and welcome!!!! Enjoy your fine new coach!

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #7 – May 15, 2014, 10:22:30 pm

WOW straight into a late model Nimbus. You have no idea how much trouble you've saved yourselves by not starting off in, oh, prettymuch anything else. Congtratulations!

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #8 – May 15, 2014, 10:43:20 pm

Congratulations!

If this is your first RV you might consider an RV driving school. We did after buying ours. It was a great experience for both of us.

Lessons behind the wheel (Locations) | RV School

Hope to see you someday.

Roger

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #9 – May 15, 2014, 10:43:30 pm

Congrats! Welcome to the Foretravel family!

hope to see ya
ken

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #10 – May 15, 2014, 10:44:17 pm

Another WOW, and enjoy the journey, and remember that the adventure only can begin when the plan falls apart. That can be the best part of ownership sometimes! Till then, happy tail winds, and blue skies.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #11 – May 15, 2014, 11:15:05 pm

Welcome, you're officially forenatics!

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #12 – May 15, 2014, 11:43:46 pm

Hi Don & Nancy,
Congratulations and welcome. What a way to start! We have had a similar experience. Back in 2003 we purchased a new to us 1997 U 320. It was our first motorhome. Take your time, ask every question you have, be safe, and enjoy.
Raymond & Babette

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #13 – May 15, 2014, 11:50:47 pm

Wow, thanks for all the welcomes folks!

Will definitely work on getting the grin under control in order to post pics and specifications. Have been cramming tonight to get ready for tomorrow's session with Professor Cordray!

Absolutely would like to do a driving school. Talk about putting the cart before the horse--have to slowly get the coach back to Virginia before flying out to Iowa next week. Focus changes when I finish up this last bit of running around at the end of the month. Going to be looking for someone reasonably close to Virginia that might be a good source for the driving school. Mel has been very helpful and I have been sponging up any videos I can lay my mouse on. That and some very, very careful and slow driving will get me home but will not suffice for doing some serious trips. Would welcome any recommendations.

Thanks folks.

Stay safe,

Don

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #14 – May 16, 2014, 03:40:45 am

By the time you get home I doubt you will need a driving school. The good part us that it is light traffic till you get 500 miles done then it picks up a little. Your first real traffic will be Chattanooga. You will bail off on 66 before the painful part. Remember your turning pivot point and use the truck lanes to fuel. You will have about 1500 hundred miles by then. The first 500 are the toughest but those will be the easiest roads.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #15 – May 16, 2014, 07:33:21 am

After 1500 miles you should be getting the hang of it. My first 100 miles was over Grapevine Pass in CA. Little or no idea how to do anything. We made it to Palmdale where we met our driving instructor. Two days, both of us. Freeways, mountains, two lanes with no shoulder, construction zone, a Target parking lot and a much smaller tighter parking lot, the gas station and more. About 1/3 of the time was in a giant empty parking lot where he set up cones for right hand turns, left hand turns, backing into campsites and other maneuvers. We did hard braking stops from about 40 mph just to see how it felt.

The rv driving school experience gets you started. It gave both Susan and I confidence in ourselves and each other so that we can both drive comfortably. We still run into new situations where we have to think a bit about how it is going to work but we do and stay out of trouble.

Do what makes you comfortable. Lots of folks, probably most, just get in and go.

Roger

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #16 – May 16, 2014, 08:08:28 am

Roger, that is good experience to get. I agree. The op will head into some of the worst traffic in the country on his way home. He will get mountain driving experience too. I learned in the end of a hurricane that was flooding the roads and I drove they the smokies in it. I turned the cb off as all the trucks were complaining about that da...Ed winnabego going so slow. No guard rails and rain and mountains makes for a tough first trip. His will be all good interstate and the first traffic and tight roads will be 700 miles or so in TN.

I bet with a bit of coaching on backing and parking lot driving he will be fine after that first trip.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #17 – May 16, 2014, 08:53:14 am

Don and Nancy,

Glad to hear you guys finally found the "Right One". I know it seems like you have made a BIG step, but actually the adventure is only getting started! We were also first time RV buyers when we purchased our Foretravel, so we know exactly how you both feel at this moment. It is all a big blur - trying to absorb all the information, and listening to all the advice literally makes your head spin. Just take it easy and be very cautious (especially during the initial drives) and you will do fine. By the time you get home you will be simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated, and you will sleep like you're in a coma. But the next morning, when you get up and go out to admire YOUR beautiful coach, it will all be worth it. Enjoy the ride!

Chuck and Jeannie

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #18 – May 16, 2014, 10:54:04 am

These are all great (as always) comments and suggestions, folks. Really reinforces my plan to be very cautious on this initial outing. No the way I would have wanted or planned it, but no getting around the fact this first one is going to be some serious distance.

Excellent information about the routing. I won't get complacent if the first 500 miles seems like a breeze. Know I have the mountains and traffic ahead, so I will plan additional time through there. "Planning time" is a bit of a misnomer--I'm making it a point to never get in a situation where I have to get in the coach and make it to Point B in record time. There's always an RV park and a plane ticket to address those situations--is a lot cheaper than hurting other people or myself.

Still want to do the driving course, though. I started flying about 10 years ago and learned the more dangerous phase is right after you get your private and instrument rating. You think you know a lot more than you do and can very easily convince yourself you don't really need to keep up recurrent training. Big mistake.

I will say, however, you generally can find out where the front of the plane is located. It's usually the pointy end with that flat-bladed attachment on the nose. Not so with a Foretravel. I had a dream last night that I woke up in a campground on my way back home. It was dark, I couldn't figure out how to raise the front blinds to see and I couldn't find the steering wheel. I panicked and called Mel, explained the situation and pleaded for some help. In the dream he said, "Well Mr. Rickey, if you just turn around and walk out of the bedroom to the front of the coach, I'm sure everything will be just fine."

Aren't nightmares wonderful?

Don

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #19 – May 16, 2014, 11:04:14 am

As 1 year owners and new to RVing also, the big thing for me was the "stopping distance". I scared myself a couple of times before I got the feel of what is required to stop these things.
Enjoy, you will love it.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #20 – May 16, 2014, 11:55:35 am

Agree. I've driven all sorts of things over the years, but this coach was the biggest one. Add to that the different driving position and non-working speedometer, and I was a bit nervous. My instructor was the PO, and she made it pretty easy. I always leave more room than I need, just in case, so that was easy to bring over to the coach. When we're in tight situations Jo Ann gets out and talks to me on the radio. That sure helps.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #21 – May 16, 2014, 12:13:16 pm

Longer term, help from Nancy will be the routine. Unfortunately, I had to make the trip down solo. She is at home torn between chomping at the bit to see our new RV and wanting me to take forever and be safe. Safe wins out.

Don

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #22 – May 16, 2014, 12:52:16 pm

When are you heading home?

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #23 – May 16, 2014, 04:08:39 pm

Remember to drive very slowly in tight spaces, if concerned stop and get out and look. Especially if doing any turning.
If backing have someone behind you on the ground to guide you.
Also look out for low branches and other things like low bridges.
By the time you get home you should have feel for where you are in the lanes. It is uneasy at first.

Re: Newbie takes delivery at MOT--FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!! With Thanks

Reply #24 – May 16, 2014, 05:03:12 pm

If you center your body on tire tracks on the pavement; it will put your coach equal distance from the right and left road lines.
Best of luck. And remember to get your drivers license upgraded if necessary. That is after you feel competent. Illinois's test was not very easy but maybe it was the luck of the draw. John

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