Fulltiming in a Foretravel

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Fulltiming in a Foretravel

June 30, 2014, 02:54:45 pm

Just out of curiosity, how many of you forum members full-time in your Foretravel? As I think I've mentioned elsewhere, my wife and I hope/plan to buy our first coach in two or three years. (In the meantime, I'm reading as much as time allows.) With the budget that we've set, that coach could be an older (pre-2004, based on current pricing I've seen) FT or Country Coach or a slightly newer Newmar, Tiffin, or Winnebago (possibly 2011 model, with Newmar the favorite of those three brands).

I know a person can full-time in just about anything, but curiosity got the better of me, so I thought I'd throw the question out there. Thanks.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #1 – June 30, 2014, 03:30:35 pm

We've full-timed since 2003.

In two different 26ft Lazy Daze Class C's and a 1997 36ft U295 and 1999 40ft U320.

best, paul

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #2 – June 30, 2014, 03:34:58 pm

Quote from: Paul Smith – June 30, 2014, 03:30:35 pm

We've full-timed since 2003.

In two different 26ft Lazy Daze Class C's and a 1997 36ft U295 and 1999 40ft U320.

best, paul

Thanks! From your signature, I see that you are well-equipped with solar power. Based on your memory of your U295, would it support that much capacity? The 36-foot length is the one I feel most comfortable with in the FT line, and the idea of spending much of my time "off the grid" also appeals.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #3 – June 30, 2014, 05:07:22 pm

I've been living in mine for almost three years.. I know that this (fulltiming) isn't for everyone but for me at this point in my life is perfect. For the most part I'm plugged in but am equipped with solar panels so I can dry camp only needing the generator for using the A/C or micro wave. I've gone for days without having to run the gen and living comfortably. The hardest part for me was taking the first step. I had the coach for years but just used it for fun. The first couple nights being "homeless" were a little shaky in my head but as I look back,no regrets. I have my house rented so if I ever decided to grow up I could go back. I don't see that happening (knock on wood). Poor health would be the only thing I could see that would change how I live.. Good Luck!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #4 – June 30, 2014, 05:17:29 pm

I have 750 watts of solar on the roof of a 36' and can place more up there. I may have to move a couple closer to each other than present but getting 1200 would be easy.
If we want to use the Micro we do not have to start genset.
JohnH

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #5 – June 30, 2014, 05:22:20 pm

Howdy Walt,
Nancy and I have been full timing since the fall of 2009. 65,000 miles and having a blast.
Here' a link to our travels in 2013: Our Travels 2013
Good Luck, Dave and Nancy A

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #6 – June 30, 2014, 06:13:42 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – June 30, 2014, 05:17:29 pm

I have 750 watts of solar on the roof of a 36' and can place more up there. I may have to move a couple closer to each other than present but getting 1200 would be easy.
If we want to use the Micro we do not have to start genset.
JohnH

Thanks, John, for the info. My wife and I are not RV park types and prefer state parks, Forest Service campgrounds, and even getting off the beaten path whenever we can, so solar will likely be a big part of whatever we do. Good to know we can "go big" in terms of solar without going really big in terms of the coach.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #7 – June 30, 2014, 06:18:57 pm

Quote from: Dave and Nancy Abel – June 30, 2014, 05:22:20 pm

Howdy Walt,
Nancy and I have been full timing since the fall of 2009. 65,000 miles and having a blast.
Here' a link to our travels in 2013: Our Travels 2013
Good Luck, Dave and Nancy A

Dave and Nancy,

You certainly got around quite a bit in 2013.

You also picked a hot time to visit Three Island Crossing in Idaho (guessed that was the location when you mentioned Glenns Ferry). My wife was born in Mobile and still has family in lower Alabama (or L.A., as she refers to it), so I've been through that tunnel a few times. Thanks for sharing that experience.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #8 – June 30, 2014, 06:47:15 pm

Howdy Walt, Yes, it was Three Island Crossing. Nice park, but boy it was hot!! Only a 30amp, but in our great FT coach, we got along fine.. I wish you had been looking last year, as we spent a couple of weeks in Boise, and you would have been welcome to look us over.
Good Luck in your search. Your definitely on the right track looking at FT. IMHO, these are the best coaches available, especially for full timing.
Dave A

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #9 – June 30, 2014, 08:14:33 pm

Walt, we're almost full-timers in our 93 U300 40' coach. We live in it but use the house for the dishwasher and bath so we don't have to dump as often. As soon as the place sells, though, we'll be full-time in the coach. We bought this coach specifically to be our full-time coach, and the more we travel in it the more we are convinced we made the right decision.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #10 – June 30, 2014, 09:30:29 pm

Walt we have had our FT for about 9 years. We will be full time in about a month, house is sold along with most everything else. No second thoughts yet. In the middle of all the moving just started tearing out the old carpet tonight and getting ready for new hardwood and tile, and new washer and dryer.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #11 – June 30, 2014, 09:52:57 pm

Thanks everyone! It's good to know that if we do end up buying a Foretravel for travel full-time we won't be alone. Not that I thought we would be.

Dave and Nancy, Three Island Crossing is a nice park. We usually go there at least once a year, but definitely not in July or August.

If you ever do pass through Boise again, I'd love to see your coach. The one coach I've seen so far in person convinced me of the quality of Foretravel.

Bruce and Linda, and David - best of luck as you start your full-time odyssey. We're still several years away, but I've been thinking about it almost every day since I first heard of the idea five years ago. Got the DW on board with the idea a couple of years back. Now to sell on FT as a coach brand to consider.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #12 – July 01, 2014, 12:07:43 am

Hi Walt -

Carol and I have been full timing for about 1 1/2 years now. One of the best decisions that we have made. Good luck.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #13 – July 01, 2014, 12:56:27 am

Hey Walt, Donna and I have been full time now for 13 months! It seems to suit us well. Our coach is very comfortable and has been stone reliable...that provides a lot of comfort. Also knowing that when / if we retire from the coach, it will be sought after and have value. Another great perk is you meet great folks like Scott and Carol among others.
We leave in the morning for our family reunion tour. Western Oklahoma for the 4th and then to central Texas for the other side reunion. We will take two of our grandchildren with us....life is good.
The right time and coach will come! Good Luck!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #14 – July 01, 2014, 07:40:40 am

We would seriously recommend also including a 40-foot coach in your consideration. It's really not much different in terms of driving and maneuvering than is a 36-foot coach, and there is significantly useful storage space than is available in a 36-foot coach. While we aren't yet ready to full-time (and perhaps may never be), we are really glad we have the 40-foot coach. It's already clear that we appreciate the extra space.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #15 – July 04, 2014, 10:54:11 am

Hey,
We have had our couch 1 year and been in it 11 months. Love it! This winter proved to me that I like my coach with out a slide. Although I have not had a ft with one. Aqua hot is a must in cold climate's. I saw a prevost with a frozen basement and water flowing out all of the doors. He said it was to expensive of an option. Mine stayed 55 every were but the compartment with the ah in it was 70s. Cycled off a lot at 0 outside. Get 7-8 mpg with toad at 73 mph cruise. Retarder breaking system is very needed with weight. My engine ran great when it was this cold. Great coach for 2 people. Not good sleeping on the leather sleeper though. My floor plan is like the 99 320 that is for sale in Texas.
I moved the table up to the edge of the wrap around couch. More walk way as the table slides out to sit and eat. Desk is great mounted large monitor on wall wireless key board all works great.
The kitchen is great for one person only. We can dump and unhook while building air ready to drive in 15 min.
Happy shopping , but really look heavy at fortravel. No doubt they are one of the top from 95 or so on. 40 footer for me though.
Good luck!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #16 – July 04, 2014, 03:49:02 pm

Reta and I are in our 14th year of full-timing and would do nothing else. We've had our FT for 9 years and would have nothing else. We have 465 watts of solar and could add enough to get it well over 1000watts. Higher wattage panels and smaller design could bring that all to the ridiculous point with money being the only limit. See you all down the road.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #17 – July 06, 2014, 01:57:06 am

We've been full-timing in ours since 2008 and expect to keep doing it for a long time. 500 W of solar on the roof, 2 8D AGMs, and 8kw generator is all we need for drycamping. We run both the residential fridge and the standalone (U-Line) ice maker on solar all day/over night with no problems. We have gas heat (furnace) and catalytic heaters, and are never cold in the winter (OK, not up north often in the winter, though...).

It's a great full-timing coach!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #18 – July 06, 2014, 11:44:26 am

Quote from: Dave Katsuki – July 06, 2014, 01:57:06 am

It's a great full-timing coach!

We agree! While we don't know whether or not we will ever actually "full time," we definitely look forward to some very extended part-time traveling! Our coach is fully equipped and all ready to go--it's just waiting for us!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #19 – July 06, 2014, 06:03:29 pm

Thanks for all of the input and advice. We were out with the trailer for the weekend, and I had some problems getting onto the forum before that, so I'm just now seeing some of the responses.

For those of you with 40-foot coaches, do you find the extra length limits you much in terms of the places you go or can go? I ask because my wife reiterated today that 40-feet is too long. Her opinion was further solidified by the fact that we had to back our 34-foot fifth wheel out of a pull-thru site in a state park in order to be sure we could get around the corner coming out of the site. Having never driven a coach, I'm not sure if such maneuvers are any easier with a motorhome.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #20 – July 06, 2014, 06:14:50 pm

I have not wanted to go anywhere that I could not find a space. Sometimes it is a challenge but you just had one and it is doable. Thought it would be harder but finding a spot but it has not turned out that way.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #21 – July 06, 2014, 06:51:55 pm

Just remember: when towing that 34' 5th wheel, your total length is 50+ feet. I would think a 40' coach would be no problem at all for you.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #22 – July 06, 2014, 06:58:50 pm

Quote from: bogeygolfer – July 06, 2014, 06:51:55 pm

Just remember: when towing that 34' 5th wheel, your total length is 50+ feet. I would think a 40' coach would be no problem at all for you.

True. Guess I hadn't considered that. On a somewhat related note, Foretravels (as I think I've seen somewhere) appear to have longer wheelbases than a lot of other similar length coaches. Is that a good, bad, or simply different thing when it comes to handling, turning, and overall maneuverability?

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #23 – July 06, 2014, 07:01:23 pm

No issues anywhere with my 40 to date. Lots of 42 and 45's out there. Btw, primo coach was 36. Drive them before you get so rigid on what works and doesn't

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #24 – July 06, 2014, 07:18:34 pm

Quote from: WaltH – July 06, 2014, 06:03:29 pm

For those of you with 40-foot coaches, do you find the extra length limits you much in terms of the places you go or can go? I ask because my wife reiterated today that 40-feet is too long.

We have a 40 foot unit and it has never prevented us from staying at any location. Obviously, more care and planning is required as any vehicle's length increases, but it has never been a problem for us.

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