It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Topic: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction (Read 863 times) previous topic - next topic

It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

July 17, 2014, 09:48:04 am

Hello all!

I've been lurking here for more than a year, learning all that I can. There is an amazing amount of information here along with people willing to help. It's what an online community should be.

My wife and I grew up camping and we did the same with our kids growing up. We sold our camper when we got transfered to NY City, knowing we'd buy another in the future.

We retired a few years ago and moved to the mountains in western NC. We had planned to buy a camper when we retired.

Opportunity knocked, we un-retired and bought bought a pet store. We put our camper plans on hold until we could get our arms around the store. Things are going pretty well so we decided to restart our quest.

I have learned enough to know that we want an older FT. My wife recently agreed to go in this direction as opposed to pulling a camper around. We prefer the warmer feeling of these beautiful wood covered, classic coaches compared to the newer marble, granite and chrome palaces.

I am pretty handy around the house with plumbing, electrical, etc. but I've never done my own maintenance on my vehicles. When I think about all the moving parts and systems in an older motorhome it is a bit intimidating. Like anything else I'm sure there is a learning curve.

We are starting to get more serious about our search, trying to figure out what we like and don't like. We love visiting the national and state parks so we are leaning towards a 36 foot coach. On the other hand the extra room and features of a 40 footer would be great. See what I mean?

We aren't in a hurry so we can wait for the FT that is best for us.

I'll continue to read and learn. Thanks all!

Jeff

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #1 – July 17, 2014, 09:57:48 am

Welcome to the Forum, your right lots of knowledge here. Hope you find your FT soon.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #2 – July 17, 2014, 10:29:00 am

Welcome to the forum, Jeff. We're looking at full-timing, so we opted for a 40' coach, but we also went with an older Foretravel. Yes, there is a lot to learn, but there is a lot of good advice here on the forum. Ask your questions and you'll get good answers.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #3 – July 17, 2014, 11:01:32 am

Hi and welcome! With the existence of this forum, someone seems to have always ran into the issue before and can come to help. No one gets chastised for failing to search thoroughly before asking a question, either. So feel free to ask questions, knowing you won't be pounced upon for not seeing the answer posted 6 years ago somewhere...I like that part.

All that said, all you need to survive with a Foretravel is a cell or computer that can reach ForeForums. Seems like answers come within 60 minutes to most problems.

Good luck in your search for just the right coach. I've spent as long as 6 months in both a 1990 with no slide and a 2002 with 1 slide. I loved them both...and they were both 36', plenty room for me and my wife...and a dog or two.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #4 – July 17, 2014, 11:21:15 am

welcome 001...Brad that is one of the finest looking dogs I guess I ever looked at... Not to hijack but I gotta know how you keep him from tearing the throat out of someone.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #5 – July 17, 2014, 11:28:17 am

Welcome,

You sound like us, always had others for maintenance on vehicles. Did most everything else but not that. What you will find in the late 80's to mid 90's coaches mostly mechanical mechanisms.

Can you change a light switch? Same here, turn off circuit, replace. Now that is simplified but have common sense and confidence it taking something apart and putting it back together.

First and for the most part a good coach has maintenance records, thats a must it gives you a starting point and shows the care taken.

Second, your not alone, this forum has many members all over the country, once you find the FLOORPLAN and features you desire, ask someone here to help you look.

Beamalarm.com is a very valuable site, use it during your search.

The most important thing to remember, you art not alone! This forum has true Statesmen that care beyond what otyer "community" sites try to be.

Good luck, have FUN this is an exciting time

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #6 – July 17, 2014, 11:34:45 am

Welcome to the "Forum"

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #7 – July 17, 2014, 11:53:20 am

jy001 - Welcome to the forum! I joined a month ago and had plenty of questions, not being all that familiar with Foretravel aside from thinking it was a brand well out of my reach. I don't have a coach yet and am not sure when that will happen, but people here have been very generous is answering my questions, and thanks to this forum, I have had the opportunity to see my first Foretravel coach up close and in person - from top to bottom.

Not having a coach as yet, there is much on these forums I have not yet read, but if and when the time comes that I am lucky enough to own a Foretravel, you can bet I'll be looking through the archives for tips, suggestions, and solutions.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #8 – July 17, 2014, 11:57:11 am

Quote from: dub – July 17, 2014, 11:21:15 am

welcome 001...Brad that is one of the finest looking dogs I guess I ever looked at... Not to hijack but I gotta know how you keep him from tearing the throat out of someone.

That's his gremlin face. The fact that he weighs only 10 lbs and can't even get up to a knee, throats everywhere are safe.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #9 – July 17, 2014, 12:19:12 pm

Welcome Jeff and wife. I know how you feel. I lurked on the forum for over a year before we bought our Foretravel. You will find that a 36 foot Foretravel with the right layout you like will give you all that you need. We decided on a 36 foot no slide for the convenience and less things to go wrong.
I get most of my engine, chassis service done at FOT. FOT also does my upgrades. I do the minor things. It works out fine. Wish I had bought the Foretravel a lot sooner.
Keep looking, you will know when the right one shows up.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #10 – July 17, 2014, 04:35:16 pm

Jeff, sure hope that you have found the web pages for Foretravel of Texas and Motorhomes of Texas since that is where the vast majority of Foretravels for sale will appear. An occasional one will show up at Tennessee RV near Knoxville but they are primarily a Tiffen dealer, now.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #11 – July 17, 2014, 04:45:00 pm

Hi Jeff.

I could have bought a 40 footer cheaper than my 36 foot GV, But I was worried about getting the 40 footer around corners here, Which worked out right for me, as I need a couple of goes to get the 36 footer around some of the corners, The 40 footer just would not do it,

The systems onboard are quite Daunting at first, But I have had to do most of my own work on my coach, They are actually very simple when you get amongst it all,

The more you look at it, The easier it gets,
The help on this Forum has been with out doubt the biggest contribution to getting my Coach up and running, with out it, I would probably be still scratching my head, What does this thing do, Etc,

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #12 – July 17, 2014, 07:26:37 pm

After a few months of looking, my wife and I decided when we bought , we wanted a FT. Then one day she informed me she found one in Arizona she liked. A few days later it showed up on the farm. We couldn't hardly spell foretravel . Sometimes I think it was best to learn as we go, but we didn't have the alternative. We've gotten service assistance and questions answered from fot and mot. Having a farming background helped with knowledge of cummins engines, hydraulics, and some electronics. I will agree that older models are easier to service due to advanced technology in the newer ones. Jump on in and get some of it. Part of the fun is getting dirty. God bless my wife for pushing our decision.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #13 – July 17, 2014, 08:19:05 pm

Thanks all! I appreciate the warm welcome.

I do have what may seem like a dumb question. We live in the mountains in western NC. To get to our home we must travel 8 miles up a state maintained dirt road. There are many twists and turns and some steep grades. We are planning on keeping our future coach in town. That said it sure would be convenient to bring the coach up to the house on occasion.

Can the coach handle these rough roads if care and time is taken?

Thanks again.

Jeff

PS. I mention this because I read a thread recently where a coach slipped off of a driveway and cracked the windshield.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #14 – July 17, 2014, 08:43:40 pm

I would say it probably can handle it. As you said, slow and easy is the way to go. You mentioned "mountains" and that brings to mind narrow switchbacks. If those are part of the issue you will have to get someone closer to you to help. If the roads don't have real tight switchbacks you should be okay.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #15 – July 17, 2014, 08:49:52 pm

Thanks David. We've got one switchback to deal with but it is pretty wide. I'll measure and post pictures before i make the attempt.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #16 – July 17, 2014, 08:58:14 pm

David has good advice.
I will add this; do you see big box delivery trucks on your road? 6%, 7% grade? Is there anywhere you could turn around?

What size truck have you had making deliveries to your home?

In any event, be careful.

Brians experience was in Australia and extreme. However, if your road washes out you might have a concern, caution would be in order.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #17 – July 17, 2014, 09:11:48 pm

We go to campgrounds down gravel roads all the time without any problem. One of our favorite hot springs is in 6 miles with a couple of switchbacks. You do have to take it easy and should avoid washouts that may drop one wheel down and twist the front cap. I got into a situation where we were twisting with front driver's section really protesting, so I stopped, backed up and moved over a few feet.

Pierce

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #18 – July 17, 2014, 09:15:51 pm

If you have not looked, here is a link to a site with turning wheel base curb to curb, and coach end length wall to wall.

Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year

With a long tape, you could check the road before you drive the coach up the switchback.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #19 – July 17, 2014, 09:19:37 pm

Dave, great info. I forgot barry had that

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #20 – July 18, 2014, 06:56:56 am

Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter – July 17, 2014, 11:57:11 am

That's his gremlin face. The fact that he weighs only 10 lbs and can't even get up to a knee, throats everywhere are safe.

Bet he's an excellent early warning system!

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #21 – July 18, 2014, 08:59:34 am

Welcome to the community Jeff. And good luck in your hunt.

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #22 – July 18, 2014, 11:05:17 am

Quote from: jy001 – July 17, 2014, 08:19:05 pm

Thanks all! I appreciate the warm welcome.

I do have what may seem like a dumb question. We live in the mountains in western NC. To get to our home we must travel 8 miles up a state maintained dirt road. There are many twists and turns and some steep grades. We are planning on keeping our future coach in town. That said it sure would be convenient to bring the coach up to the house on occasion.

Can the coach handle these rough roads if care and time is taken?

Thanks again.

Jeff

PS. I mention this because I read a thread recently where a coach slipped off of a driveway and cracked the windshield.

Have a look at my Avatar, Thats my Coach stuck on the top corner of my drive, I cut the corner, My Fault, Its 1 in 3 there as I come around the corner,
My drive is extreme; I doubt if any other Coach would have to go any where near this extreme;

My 300 HP Cat, doesnt even notice the hill itself, It creeps or races up it, Makes no difference to the power of it,

But steer tyres in muddy slop, on a steep hill, They just dont cut it, Same as flat sloppy roads covered in mud, The smooth tyres slide all over the place if the road has a sideways slope on it,

Any vehicle in soft sloppy mud will slide everywhere, Its not the vehicles fault, its purely tyre choice. The smooth tyres lose traction in the sloppy conditions,

Foretravels are not off road 4x4's, They do handle reasonable dirt roads easily, You just have to take a bit of care with narrow roads and very tite corners,

The bottom piccy is the type of roads I travel on, It is a main road here by the way, Hahahaha

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #23 – July 18, 2014, 11:24:05 am

Soooooo ---- How do you/did you get out of that mess?? Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: It's a bit overwhelming...and proper introduction

Reply #24 – July 18, 2014, 11:29:17 am

Welcome! We began with a '93 U225 36' coach and would happily spend 3 or 4 months in the coach when escaping the PA winters by going to Texas. We also had an incident in Newton, NC when we were introduced to "Coca Cola Curve" ... a VERY sharp turn with a culvert at the corner obscured by high weeds. So named because the Coca Cola delivery trucks routinely took it too close and their rear wheels would slide on the sloping pavement and into the culvert ... allowing the rear axle to bottom out on the road. We fell prey to this hazard. I think there was a cottage industry that had sprung up around these events, because Buddy's Tire Service on the corner had the tow company on speed dial. Buddy had all the scrap pieces of 6 x 6 lumber to build up a platform under the rear wheel that was spinning lazily in the air, and when the BIG tow truck came all the good ol' boys knew just how to pull us back on the road. The coach flexed enough that one side of the windshield popped out of the gasket and then tried to reseat itself (driver's) and the other side started a small crack at the bottom outer corner. The folks from the campground had come running up on their golf cart (we were THAT close to getting there!) and I think the neighbors brought out lawn chairs to watch the excitement. The local police officer came to hang out awhile just in case there was traffic to direct and they all had a good time reminiscing about the other trucks that had gone into the ditch and required extraction. It was quite a day!!! But no real damage to the coach. These things are pretty tough. And we had PLENTY of storage in the '93. Have fun looking!!

Affiliate Notice