Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Topic: Fulltiming in a Foretravel (Read 2110 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #25 – July 06, 2014, 07:29:36 pm

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #26 – July 06, 2014, 07:38:25 pm

A truck pulling a 5'er or TT bends in the middle. A motor home doesn't. That isn't the real issue, though. A long wheelbase MH will have a larger turning radius, but the actual road space it needs to make the turn is narrower. With our toad we are about 58' long. We usually unhook the Jeep before we leave the park office. We were in a state park recently that was a bit difficult to get into some spots - for everyone. I cheated by pulling forward into the empty spot across from us, then backed straight in to our spot. If that spot hadn't been empty it would have been a bit of a challenge, but still doable.

With all of the maps and satellite views online it is generally pretty easy to check out a potential site before going to it. If you find something that looks promising, but still have questions, just unhook the toad and go check out the site before taking the coach there.

Walt, you might want to go to some of your nearby favorite parks next weekend and see what sort of coaches are there. If you don't see any over 36' then you might be onto something. If you see longer coaches there, though, you will know that they can fit. Go talk to some of those people and see what they can tell you. Even if the coach is another brand, a 40' coach is a 40' coach.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #27 – July 06, 2014, 07:49:19 pm

Here's a picture of our television. Yes, we take it down when we're traveling. (Someone actually asked about that recently - not on this forum, though).

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #28 – July 06, 2014, 08:29:12 pm

A longer wheelbase is good for stability while driving. The tradeoff is turning radius.

We consider our 38' Foretravel the perfect length, but almost as rare as 34'. Unless you need lots of storage space, you should be very happy at 36', an easier to find length.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #29 – July 06, 2014, 09:14:48 pm

We prefer 36'. . .

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #30 – July 06, 2014, 09:34:11 pm

I know some people like slides, but NOT having slides gives more storage space and less headache. I travel single most of the time, and I'm usually outside anyway. Slides were a definite NO for me. I didn't want the extra systems and more stuff to break.

Also, I know many like AquaHot, but I really didn't want it due to my lifestyle. I'm not usually in super cold places, and it takes up more room and more to maintain. I've yet to ever run out of hot water...and it is 3way with the engine heating it.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #31 – July 06, 2014, 09:42:38 pm

Aqua hot has had very little in the way of big issues. I would not discount one for that reason. Works like a water heater on elec too. You are trading space near the outside for inside spaces the older units.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #32 – July 06, 2014, 09:43:18 pm

Oh if you are boondocking and want to preheat the engine you can as well.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #33 – July 06, 2014, 11:04:13 pm

Hi Walt,
Never had any trouble getting our 40 foot U 320 into any place we have traveled.
Raymond

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #34 – July 06, 2014, 11:36:59 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – July 06, 2014, 07:49:19 pm

Here's a picture of our television. Yes, we take it down when we're traveling. (Someone actually asked about that recently - not on this forum, though).

Clever! Never quite thought of that.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #35 – July 06, 2014, 11:37:36 pm

These are more religious wars I had a 270 and now a 320. 270 had no slide. Aqua hot and slide our are like power windows and remote door locks in a car. Once you have them you don't want to go back.

Love my 270 but hated those noisy propane furnaces

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #36 – July 06, 2014, 11:42:13 pm

Quote from: krush – July 06, 2014, 09:34:11 pm

I know some people like slides, but NOT having slides gives more storage space and less headache. I travel single most of the time, and I'm usually outside anyway. Slides were a definite NO for me. I didn't want the extra systems and more stuff to break.

Also, I know many like AquaHot, but I really didn't want it due to my lifestyle. I'm not usually in super cold places, and it takes up more room and more to maintain. I've yet to ever run out of hot water...and it is 3way with the engine heating it.

I'm torn between having slides and not having slides. I think I'd be happy either way. I don't know how strongly my wife feels about having them. As far as AquaHot and the like is concerned, I don't have strong opinions. I would not buy a coach simply because it has it or discount a coach simply because it doesn't. It isn't a deal maker or deal breaker for me.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #37 – July 07, 2014, 12:04:25 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 06, 2014, 11:37:36 pm

Love my 270 but hated those noisy propane furnaces

I can agree with the furnace being a bit loud. But I feel it's compatible to the A/C.

Before buying, I did some online research. A few people said the new 2 stage furnaces were much quieter...like aqua hot quiet.

Also, it's not fair to compare aqua hot running on electric to a propane furnace. It needs to be firing diesel. I know it's still quieter, though.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #38 – July 07, 2014, 04:19:21 am

If you wish to go all electric at any time and ditch the propane tank, you will need aqua hot.

I will admit the propane furnaces are noisy, but so are the roof ac units. In either case, we often run the one on the back when we are in the front to lessen the noise.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #39 – July 07, 2014, 07:54:01 am

All electric and longer-term boondocking don't really seem to go together in my mind. I'm sure people do it with solar out west, but in the woods or the shade it won't work too well, haha.

The Norcold in my couch is 2 years old. So far it works great. It's a smaller unit. It kept my ice cream nice and hard on setting 4 out of 9 (coldest) in the Florida heat last week.

It really comes down to use. If one is going to use the RV and stay in places that offer power to plug in, then all electric is great. If I'm plugged in, I can always use an electric space heater. Propane really makes sense for a user like me though

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #40 – July 07, 2014, 07:55:21 am

From another thread

Quote from: Tom Lang – July 07, 2014, 01:53:50 am

I found this interesting, taken from the Beamalarm site:

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
36'     228" wb
38' no tag   252" wb
38' tag    228" to drive /278" to tag wb
40' no tag    276" wb
40' tag    252" to drive /302" to tag wb
42' tag    276" to drive /326" to tag wb

Those wheelbase numbers do come into play, and I've deleted the turning radius info to highlight them. We saw evidence of this at the Mineola Grandvention - with our tag axle we couldn't get level in sites non-tag 40' coaches could and we had to ask to move.

In the same length coach, those without a tag will be easier to level (shorter wheelbase) but an advantage of the tag is that it gets you vastly more CCC and I wouldn't want a 2-slide 40' coach without a tag for that reason (I recall a 40' non-tag 2-slide with all ceramic flooring that left relatively little (maybe 1500 lbs?) capacity not including people, I don't think it would have worked for fulltiming). 36' or 38' will be less sensitive to a challenging site than 40' non-tag since it has an even shorter wheelbase. Tag and slides also reduce storage compared to the same length non-tag coach (both bay and interior due to the associated mechanisms).

That said, we half time and love our 2-slide, tag-axle 40' coach.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #41 – July 07, 2014, 08:22:32 am

I half time too it seems and in a 42 and love it. I could do with a 40 as well. I have a 24 foot as well but find other then going into the city I do not use it like I thought. I have owned a 34 foot and 36 as well. I could get the 36 into anywhere the 34 fit even the same spots. Now I have been able to maneuver the 42 into them too but it took a bit of work but it would surprise you where it has been. Now I have found places none of them will fit and the jeep goes there. Why hike is my motto on the jeep.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #42 – July 07, 2014, 08:26:03 am

Walt,

If you stay a day and then move as a normal routine, non slide might be the way to go. If you tend to drive and they sit for a few days or weeks, slides may serve her better.

She will LOVE the aqua hot and slides, careful if you show her those coaches

Like I said , choices!!!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #43 – July 07, 2014, 11:31:01 am

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 07, 2014, 08:26:03 am

If you stay a day and then move as a normal routine, non slide might be the way to go. If you tend to drive and they sit for a few days or weeks, slides may serve her better.

From our experiences Tim is right on. It all comes down to how you like to travel.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #44 – July 07, 2014, 12:41:12 pm

When we are traveling and only staying for one night, we use our one slide 36' as a non slide. The only thing in our coach that cannot be accessed with the slide in is the pantry. This requires some planning to ensure that any items in the pantry that will be needed are removed from the pantry and stored elsewhere. I understand that a slide model has less storage than a non slide model. That may be the case as our one slide model has a GVWR of 35,320 pounds. When loaded for a trip our weight is around 31,000 pounds. Bottom line, purchase a one slide model and use it as either a slide or non slide as the need arises.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #45 – July 07, 2014, 12:43:06 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 07, 2014, 08:26:03 am

Walt,

If you stay a day and then move as a normal routine, non slide might be the way to go. If you tend to drive and they sit for a few days or weeks, slides may serve her better.

She will LOVE the aqua hot and slides, careful if you show her those coaches

Like I said , choices!!!

I'm hoping that staying a day and then moving will not be our routine. I think our plan is to go somewhere and stay a few weeks to a month before moving on so we have time to explore. I already know she likes the slides as we have them in our fifth-wheel. of course, that layout would be impossible without them. I will, though, have to keep that in mind about the Aqua Hot. I also have not ruled out going all-electric as we do plan to install solar on whatever we end up buying. Thanks to everyone who has chimed in so far!

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #46 – July 07, 2014, 12:45:09 pm

Quote from: LTG – July 07, 2014, 12:41:12 pm

When we are traveling and only staying for one night, we use our one slide 36' as a non slide. The only thing in our coach that cannot be accessed with the slide in is the pantry. This requires some planning to ensure that any items in the pantry that will be needed are removed from the pantry and stored elsewhere. I understand that a slide model has less storage than a non slide model. That may be the case as our one slide model has a GVWR of 35,320 pounds. When loaded for a trip our weight is around 31,000 pounds. Bottom line, purchase a one slide model and use it as either a slide or non slide as the need arises.

I've noticed than many of the two slide models - at least in the model years we could consider - tend to have the wardrobe on the second slide, so the one-slide coaches to me seem like a better option. Gotta talk to the CFO and see how the motorhome savings fund is shaping up.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #47 – July 07, 2014, 12:54:35 pm

Quote from: WaltH – July 07, 2014, 12:45:09 pm

I've noticed than many of the two slide models - at least in the model years we could consider - tend to have the wardrobe on the second slide, so the one-slide coaches to me seem like a better option. Gotta talk to the CFO and see how the motorhome savings fund is shaping up.

Look carefully at the bedroom photos of wardrobe slide units. You will notice that there are no, side wall overhead cabinets, on either side wall, to either bump your head on, or store anything. Also harder to see is that the rear overhead cabinets are not as deep, front to back, to allow a slide on the side wall to be as long as possible. That further cuts down on bedroom storage.

We bought our coach, without slides, as the seller move up to another 36' but with two slides. Their comments about the lost storage capacity in the newer 320 was interesting. We all guessed they lost 40-50% of their storage that we have in their old U295, inside and in the bays.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #48 – July 07, 2014, 12:57:56 pm

Quote from: Dave and Dolly Cobb – July 07, 2014, 12:54:35 pm

Look carefully at the bedroom photos of wardrobe slide units. You will notice that there are no, side wall overhead cabinets, on either side wall, to either bump your head on, or store anything. Also harder to see is that the rear overhead cabinets are not as deep, front to back, to allow a slide on the side wall to be as long as possible. That further cuts down on bedroom storage.

We bought our coach, without slides, as the seller move up to another 36' but with two slides. Their comments about the lost storage capacity in the newer 320 was interesting. We all guessed they lost 40-50% of their storage that we have in their old U295, inside and in the bays.

That is something I've noticed in the FT slide models. Many of the overhead storage compartments seem smaller, height-wise, to the compartments in non-slide models or in other brands. I know my wife would not be happy with that.

Re: Fulltiming in a Foretravel

Reply #49 – July 07, 2014, 01:07:52 pm

"That is something I've noticed in the FT slide models. Many of the overhead storage compartments seem smaller, height-wise, to the compartments in non-slide models or in other brands. I know my wife would not be happy with that."

We picked up their coach as a trade in at FOT, after the full timer/seller had emptied it into their newer 320. They were looking for where everything should go, and had their towed car full, and still piles of things to find places. Granted they got a great coach, and more carpet room, that works better for them as they spend 1-4 months parked during their winter's in TX.

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