Help set me straight....Country Coach

Topic: Help set me straight....Country Coach (Read 2916 times) previous topic - next topic

Help set me straight....Country Coach

June 18, 2014, 04:15:45 pm

Have been looking for a Foretravel for awhile now. Seems there are very few in the north east most seem to be out texas way. Found a very nice 2001 Country Coach Magna close to home. I think it would work for us. It is also priced 30k lower than 01 FTs I know this is a FT forum and everyone will steer that way but was just wondering.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #1 – June 18, 2014, 04:25:20 pm

Country Coaches are very nice and well built coaches, especially around that age. When we were looking, CC was on our short list until I decided outboard air bags, all wheel disc brakes, and a transmission retarder were must haves. Keep in mind that CC is no longer in business, so don't expect much in the way of factory support (but I believe some factory like support is still to be had). The Magna is a good model, the high end models are very Foretravel-like.

Foretravels are around. and not just in Texas. I would keep looking. I found mine in Southern California.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #2 – June 18, 2014, 04:28:25 pm

Hi Mike. I think a few people here have owned both Country Coach and Foretravel, so you might get some good answers. One thing to check is what the CC sold for new and what a similar FT sold for new. That will help you to make sure you are comparing competing coaches. A used Chevy will sell for less than the same age Cadillac, but the Cadillac sold for a lot more than the Chevy did when they were both new. We almost fell into that trap ourselves.

CC was mentioned to us several times as a high quality coach, but when I researched them I found that they were no longer being made and there was some sort of feud about the name going on. That was enough for us to strike them from our list. The feud may be resolved now, but they still were out of business for some time. There may well be some quality issues from the years before they went under, so be sure to do your research.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #3 – June 18, 2014, 04:55:18 pm

I just called Foretravel and ordered a pulley I needed because they knew the EXACT part I needed. They shipped it same day. You can't do that with CC.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #4 – June 18, 2014, 05:05:20 pm

There is a foretravel in New Jersey if you need to see one

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #5 – June 18, 2014, 05:14:22 pm

I will add one thing. CC went downhill after it was sold to national RV. In 02 CC Monaco and FT were the short list. I decided after looking at the quality that CC was not built as well any longer. You will get an earful at MOT if you talk to the service techs who work on them. There are coaches out there but if you get a great deal even if it is mot a FT.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #6 – June 18, 2014, 07:25:53 pm

I have worked on many country coaches and high end monacos, and that is why I own a foretravel

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #7 – June 18, 2014, 07:34:22 pm

I decided a long time ago that I needed (actually really wanted) a Foretravel, and so I took the time and we drove the distance (from Ohio to Arizona) to get the one that's perfect for us. I remain extremely glad I did.

My recommendation (not surprisingly) is to keep shopping and wait until you find the right Foretravel!

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #8 – June 18, 2014, 09:54:08 pm

I was looking at a couple of Country Coaches that I liked a lot but after some research decided to keep my old FT. The deciding factor was this forum as well as factory parts and tech support. Keep looking you may have to travel a little but it will be well worth it. Just my opinion but 99-01 Foretravels are about as good as it gets for the money.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #9 – June 18, 2014, 09:57:38 pm

Mike,

You can talk yourself into "settling" for almost anything, or you can decide on what you want and then do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. There are so many factors involved in buying a motor home that it MUST be a individual decision. Only you know what is important, and what you can get along without.

The three most important things we learned when shopping for our Foretravel:

1. Do the research, decide what you want, and be honest with yourself about what you can afford.

2. Have the cash (and/or financing) lined up ahead of time, so you can jump on the "right" coach when it becomes available.

3. Realize you MAY have to travel cross-country to get the one you want - many on this forum have done that.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #10 – June 18, 2014, 10:33:01 pm

"1. Do the research, decide what you want, and be honest with yourself about what you can afford. 2. Have the cash (and/or financing) lined up ahead of time, so you can jump on the "right" coach when it becomes available." These two really belong together. As Chuck says, do your research well ahead of time, and you will not only know what you want and need, but how much it will cost, too. Get for finances ready and go shopping.

"3. Realize you MAY have to travel cross-country to get the one you want - many on this forum have done that." Plan on a cross-country trip, but don't forget coaches that might be fairly close to you. Our list included one coach 300 miles away, a couple 500 miles away, and a couple nearly 1000 miles away. We started with the close one and never went any farther.

Many people say the shopping part can take up to a year, depending on how flexible you are. Some people find the right coach almost immediately. Plan on spending some time on the telephone and on your computer before making some travel plans, and plan on making at least one trip to see the wrong coach.

Spend time with Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year to help you narrow down features and floor plans. And, of course, ask here for advice. We love to help people spend their money! <grin>

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #11 – June 18, 2014, 11:27:36 pm

CC was also on our short list. I believe they also have a pretty active forum. We met a Magna owner a couple of years ago who told us when we changed MHs we would probably get a CC. He stated that the documents were second to none. He felt the build quality was better than FT and listed many things. They showed us 3 - 3 ring binders full of drawings and other technical data. It was impressive.

We are glad we found our FT for many of the reasons stated above and more. If/when we get another coach we will search for a FT first.

When we decided that we could not afford the FT we wanted and were ready to settle for a SOB we found ours In Las Cruces. Who'd of thunk it.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #12 – June 18, 2014, 11:59:55 pm

Check out Used RV List Service: buy, sell used RVs, homes, houses, boats, motorhomes,

Lots of Foretravels on their listings

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #13 – June 19, 2014, 12:08:23 am

Having worked on a 2005 Magna a fair bit I have to agree that they are well layed out. The manuals are excellent, much better than ours.
Quality of materials is good too, and I like the easy placement of filters etc that are the most important regular item to need access to.
Very high on my list is the frame-solid.
JohnH

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #14 – June 19, 2014, 12:32:02 am

Have just looked at that RV online listing section and figure most have been trying for years as those prices are way out of line. I think I will put mine on it for $110k as it is way better and has many-many updates than most shown.
johnH

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #15 – June 19, 2014, 04:18:00 am

Hi Mike, I have zip for experience with CC and only 2700 miles (trip home from MOT) with my Foretravel.

I will say from reading and looking, CC , Foretravel, and Beaver were on my short list. The list got shorter when looking very carefully. CC and Foretravel were left.

I do not know how well jake and or pac brakes work going down the mountains leave alone emergency braking when your cut off or need to stop but I would bet all on the brakes and transmission retarder Foretravel motor homes are equipped with. The retarder works with the service brakes.

The retarder was a deal sealer. The drive-ability of this machine seems to melt 400 miles to a hundred.

But I did not drive a CC. I am very pleased with my purchase and 'am not wondering what a retarder might have been like. Tom

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #16 – June 19, 2014, 05:59:18 am

Mike
The DW and I looked for close to a year before pulling the trigger on our '98 U320 which we found 1300 miles from home. After the purchase we commented to each other how we missed the search. We spent many hours looking at web sites, comparing units along w/ discussing the different amenities each one offered or went missing. It was so much fun. Take your time and enjoy the process. You'll find the right FT. In the end you'll be glad you didn't settle for less.

BTW, the transmission retarder is such a value. We've had a few occasions where if we hadn't had it, a serious accident would have occurred.

B&J

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #17 – June 19, 2014, 10:07:38 am

Some friends of mine looked at Foretravel but got a CC from MOT. They seem happy with their purchase as before they had an allegro bus by tiffin. They hated the tiffin as it had just too many squeaks and rattles they could not get rid of. I know they seem to have problems getting parts in on time. They have their service done at FOT. The CC 40ft with tag seems to be a heavy coach. The problem is (as stated) that you always wonder if the other one was better. I have a Foretravel and know for the money it is the best. DAN

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #18 – June 19, 2014, 10:45:39 am

Quote from: bill & jan velting – June 19, 2014, 05:59:18 am

Mike
The DW and I looked for close to a year After the purchase we commented to each other how we missed the search. We spent many hours looking at web sites, comparing units along w/ discussing the different amenities each one offered or went missing. It was so much fun.
BTW, the transmission retarder is such a value. We've had a few occasions where if we hadn't had it, a serious accident would have occurred.

B&J

Well I'm motorhome less for the first time in over 20 years and the search for me is not fun at all and is really starting to piss me off. I had my old gasser P30 for 12 years with crapy brakes and never came close to a accident let alone a serious accident knock on wood.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #19 – June 19, 2014, 10:55:26 am

Mike ,sit back have some Java,Doris and I looked for 2 year's for what we wanted, it was a Foretravel, our Daughter work for Lazy Day's , I drove Beavers, CC and any thing I could, then I meet Red Tractor, he said if you want to travel buy a Foretravel.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #20 – June 19, 2014, 10:59:36 am

Quote from: Bill Willett – June 19, 2014, 10:55:26 am

If you want to travel buy a Foretravel.

I want that on a T-shirt!

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #21 – June 19, 2014, 11:21:37 am

Many pluses for the FT, but a very biggie is the RETARDER, nothing else on the road RV wise will stop in the same county. Give it a try, driving along at 65 mph, push hard on the brakes, and get ready for all the junk coming forward, pots, pans, refrig items, coffee maker, toaster oven, soap bar from bath room and pillows.
Try it.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #22 – June 19, 2014, 11:24:48 am

Yup.

I've done that twice in my six years with a Foretravel. She really digs her claws into the pavement.

Built for travel ... And for stopping.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #23 – June 19, 2014, 11:32:39 am

Mike, Be glad that you have sold your old RV. When we purchased our Foretravel from FOT, they would not take our gas Winnebago in on trade. We still are trying to sell it almost a year later. By The Way, a Foretravel is the way to go.

Re: Help set me straight....Country Coach

Reply #24 – June 19, 2014, 12:23:34 pm

David makes all the right points. We shopped for a year, had the cash, make a few trips to see the "wrong" coach and then flew 2700 miles to pick ours up on the other side of the country. There are just not that many Foretravels out there plus most RV sellers have a hugely inflated idea of what their coach is worth. The reasonably priced coaches are there and when the right coach at the right price comes up, you have to move quickly. Bottom line: it's a buyer's market no matter what anyone tries to tell you. Part of having your "ducks in a row" is knowledge. An almost daily search for information and prices with a check list to go with it gets you ahead of the game.

For us, our U300 had the perfect interior design with quality materials, wiring, etc used throughout the coach. We also wanted the Detroit engine with Jake brake so we got almost exactly what we were looking for at the right price. After going to many RV shows, the poor quality of most SOBs was quickly apparent. The remaining few with better materials were over the top Las Vegas entertainer appointed.

This forum is not only a great asset for prospective owners but is a must if you own one as the factory manuals are poor at best.

I loved my bus with it's tank like construction but without spending a great deal more, it's impossible to get a low mileage bus with the quality interior as well as the four corner disk brakes, etc that our Foretravels have.

Several years ago, I traveled to Eugene, OR with a friend to pick up his new motorhome. In a private conversation with the shop foreman, he remarked that 90% of their buyers have no clue how much it costs to own and maintain an RV once they have signed on the dotted line. Especially important if you are a retiree on a fixed income.

Best spent $$ is bringing in another Foretravel owner to look over any prospective coach. Hiring Brett to do an inspection will save money, not only in the short term but further down the road as well. Love the old adage, " A lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client."

Pierce

Affiliate Notice