Greetings Foretravel Owners

Topic: Greetings Foretravel Owners (Read 1278 times) previous topic - next topic

Greetings Foretravel Owners

July 27, 2014, 10:15:01 am

It's time to move from our 26' Born Free into something larger and more comfortable. I'm looking at a price point that puts us in the 2000 model year and older. We can live without slides. I think a 36' length would give more flexibility but wouldn't rule out 40'. As we've looked, I've seen the 270,295,and 320 model designations but not sure what the actual differences are. I see 270's as a possible more bang for the buck entry point, but less opulent then the higher end coaches. It looks like the 270's come without aqua heat and a smaller capacity generator, and more generic furnishings rather than the custom residential quality that the higher end models come with. I'd be interested in what am I gaining, giving up going with the various models. Also if anyone's Foretravel lives or is traveling within 100mi of Baltimore I'd love to take a look at it. Nacogdoches may be in our future but for now I'm hoping to find something closer. We're looking forward to your responses.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #1 – July 27, 2014, 10:52:15 am

Here's where you want to start in order to find the differences between the models each year.

Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year

I was in your position a couple of years ago and absolutely love my coach, and this forum.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #2 – July 27, 2014, 12:14:42 pm

Welcome as well. Someone has posted at least a year ago, in their search a really nice list of how the models from the 270, 295, and 320 advance in features, and equipment. But till you find it, take a quick look at this page, to see how the models compare. The page is from the link above, but the only one that Foretravel seemed to publish showing all three levels of trim in columns for comparison.

2005 Foretravel Specifications

We like the U295, for what it had, and did not have. Had walnut, not oak, propane heat, not Aqua Hot. The frames are the same, the layouts often as well. Level of trim, hp power, and as you mentioned the size of the generators.

We met a couple that looked at several newer, longer, more featured Foretravels, and move up from a 2012 21' View with two slides, to our old 1993 U225 36' non slide for the space, features, and more.

Good luck on your slippery slope to Foretravel ownership.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #3 – July 27, 2014, 12:25:11 pm

I have a born free and I will be up in Baltimore in a couple weeks with my Foretravel.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #4 – July 27, 2014, 12:28:24 pm

Also I am about 100 miles or less from Baltimore too. I was 118 miles to Millersville md.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #5 – July 27, 2014, 01:16:09 pm

The three models all possess the same high quality. The differences are in engine size, equipment like aqua hot, and trim.

We have a 295 that is just 50hp, aqua hot, and etched glass panels shy of a 320. And with walnut instead of cherry cabinetry.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #6 – July 27, 2014, 01:25:00 pm

John , we'd love to see your Foretravel when you get to our area. I'm about 20 min from Millersville.
The spread sheet was helpful. My impression is that there's more of a jump from the 270 into a 295 then 295-320 in regards to interior/exterior features. We're comfortable in the $50,000 price range. We could probably find a more recent 2000 in a 270 or an older 295/320. Hoping for cherry or walnut cabinet,corian counter tops,full size shower,300+ horsepower,and - 150,000 mi.A little more wouldn't be a deal breaker.
In this price point is there anything I should hold out for such as aqua heat,motor retarder, central vac,insulated windows ? Thanks for everyone's response.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #7 – July 27, 2014, 01:35:40 pm

Retarder And insulated windows a must. For DW, so is w/d, aquahot, residential refrigerator And slide out. Has 2- 36' and now 40 w/o tag. Prefer 40 by a lot. Oh, and headlight conversion

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #8 – July 27, 2014, 01:38:45 pm

Be aware that there can be quite a bit of difference in options between similar model coaches. For the most part, if you are leaning towards a particular engine then you will be locked into a model.
However, if you do not have an engine preference then there are lower end models (270s/295s) out there with upgrades that are standard on the 320 models. Point being, these coaches can be very different so you will need to look closely at each one that interests you. Happy hunting.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #9 – July 27, 2014, 01:40:00 pm

If I didn't already have a great FT I'd jump on the one listed here today well worth the money.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #10 – July 27, 2014, 02:03:36 pm

What Mark says is true. Many of these coaches were custom built for the customer.

For example, Aqua hot was standard on the 320 and optional on the 295. Generally not found on the 270.

The original buyer of my coach ordered a 295 with so many options it is just short of being a 320 in most respects. She didn't want Aqua hot, nor the second slide offered in that year. She also didn't want the larger engine and tag axle of a 320. She also ordered a very rare length. I am as pleased as can be with her choices.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #11 – July 27, 2014, 03:48:08 pm

Welcome! As you can see, we're quite eager to help you spend your money wisely. The more thought you put into how you will use your coach and what are needs vs wants the more likely it is that you will buy your third coach first. Many people buy something that they think will work only to find out that it isn't all that close, so they trade for something else. That coach is closer, but still not quite right. By the time they get their third or fourth coach they have it figured out. People who really think it through generally don't buy as many coaches because they get it closer to right the first time.

As you can see, there are trade-offs from one coach to another, and only you can determine which things are more important and which are less important to you. Be sure to ask lots of questions here. All of us have been in your position before - some of us not all that long ago.

Take a look at the members map at the top of the page. You may find someone who is close to you. Go look at as many Foretravels as you can. If possible take a look at other coaches of the same age just to see the quality difference.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #12 – July 27, 2014, 04:17:41 pm

IF IMO you are sensitive to interior noise level and/or temperature swings as the furnaces cycle and/or you intend to be using the coach at the end or beginning of summertime much the aqua hot would be the top item to me.

$50k in less valuable dollars currently may slightly low for any 97 and up aquahot coach.

No cooler weather and/or not minding the inherently noisier propane heating systems or the hot water limitation of the propane water heaters 10 gallon volume widens the model years available.

Retarder.
Dual pane windows
Aquahot
Floor plan
Price.

Sorry spent twenty years using and selling every top of the line motor coach made and I will trade most other features to get my list.

Equipment, Condition, condition, condition, floorplan, model year, options determine the value to me.

I prefer the dinette on the curb side as that's our campsite. Like the non slide coaches have.

We are grateful to brad Nerhous of trans west /roger Tischendorf my old buddy to have contacted us when Richard and Betty bark decided to update their coach to their beautiful 03 38' as we had not been rving since 1996.

The 97 u320 was way beyond our dreams that we would own a Foretravel ourselves some day.

Someday happened for us. As it will for you.

Buy the last coach first. More satisfaction. Less expensive long run. Trust me on this.

Stretch as far as possible IF the right coach shows up.

We bought ours as-is p, where is, as it was a unseen trade to brad and it has been a fun challenge to update the mechanical stuff.

Great dice roll. Incredible driving/living machine. Esoecially if you dry camp in remote and/or weather areas.

Plus 120 -30f easily. No mods. 350 hours gen time capable. 1300 mile range. Four days dry camp easily with normal consumable usage.

REALLY like the walk through bath floorplan. Some prefer a private toilet which I understand but did not like the floorplan required to have such a thing as much IMO.

Really cosmic coincidence for us that the coach we were called on out of the blue was a mid entry.

Shook our heads at that. Meant to be we guess.

Brad was a Foretravel of California factory store salesman for many years and owns a unicoach himself. Lots of old customers contact him or roger and I surely would contact him at trans west in Colorado Springs, co. to see what he might know about?

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #13 – July 27, 2014, 04:34:34 pm

I realize life is all about compromise. Aqua heat may be one of those compromises. Never having had it,how can I miss it? I think I'll be zeroing in on a 295 circa 95-96 at my price point. I've seen a couple currently being offered,one with a cummings 300.Has everything mentioned except for aqua heat.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #14 – July 27, 2014, 04:47:39 pm

Quote from: goldbehen – July 27, 2014, 04:34:34 pm

I realize life is all about compromise. Aqua heat may be one of those compromises. Never having had it,how can I miss it? I think I'll be zeroing in on a 295 circa 95-96 at my price point. I've seen a couple currently being offered,one with a cummings 300.Has everything mentioned except for aqua heat.

The mechanical cummins 300 can be safely and easily modded for extra power which you might enjoy.

Used to turn up the fuel system with a screwdriver for customers long ago.

Free...

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #15 – July 27, 2014, 05:04:13 pm

Exactly. It's like power windows and cruise in a car, don't miss till you have has it.

All you are giving up is diesel powered quiet 3+ zone heat, endless hot water, and the ability to pre heat your engine w/o shore power or running genset.

DW hated the noise of propane the worst. Ok if in shore power and not too cold, can use small space heaters

Welcome to FoFums!

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #16 – July 27, 2014, 05:17:22 pm

I had a 270 and two 320s with Aquahot. Much better with the ah then the gas furnace. You will really like it if you will use the coach all year round.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #17 – July 27, 2014, 05:33:52 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 27, 2014, 05:04:13 pm

Exactly. It's like power windows and cruise in a car, don't miss till you have has it.

All you are giving up is diesel powered quiet 3+ zone heat, endless hot water, and the ability to pre heat your engine w/o shore power or running genset.

DW hated the noise of propane the worst. Ok if in shore power and not too cold, can use small space heaters

Welcome to FoFums!

Forgot about the separate thermostat in the bath for the bath. Actually the unit has a separate temp setting in the bay for the tanks that runs off the bath circuit.

Forget the paint and headlights stuff IMO. Rather find a not as pretty unit with the mechanical upgrades. Of course most decisions are heavily influenced by the prettier side of the partnership.

Second time around the other stuff becomes more important. But you have to start somewhere.

I used to tell the customers that I referred the step buying as the "law of incremental commitment"

They laughed. Somewhat. I reminded them off that when they came back later and started sniffing at the more equipped, optioned coaches.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #18 – July 27, 2014, 06:28:56 pm

Not having ever owned an Aquahot, maybe I don't kbow what I'm missing.

Unless it is colder outside than where I'd rather be, or I am dry camping, I use the heat pumps on the roof. Yhey are just as noisy as the propane furnaces. Whether heat pump, roof air, or propane furnace, i usually ron only theone in the unoccupied end of the coach. It is quiet enough this wayn and evwrytbhing is ducted...so the air goes where we are but not the noise.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #19 – July 27, 2014, 06:35:58 pm

Bob, half my hours behind the wheel are after dark ( or more) headlights a must for me .

Different strokes for different folks. :/$

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #20 – July 27, 2014, 06:48:01 pm

Also, no duel pained windows from '96 and earlier, or the wider front door with a screen door.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #21 – July 27, 2014, 07:53:09 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – July 27, 2014, 06:35:58 pm

Bob, half my hours behind the wheel are after dark ( or more) headlights a must for me .

Different strokes for different folks. :/$

I alway drove at night when I used coaches. Midnight was my normal limit.

Got pulled over in New Mexico at three am as the ored we were in had the hi and low beams and both side docking lights on and manual rear docking lights on and the roof spotlight at -25f. Trees were totally white. No green. Beautiful. New Mexico trooper told me they had received a UFO call.

Foretravel mechanic installed a hid light assembly in my 97 u320's ford bronco headlights. Crazy bright with only the 35 watt system. 55 is available. Minimum of nine volts in needed.

$35 for the complete plug in system for the bronco headlight housings.

Worked so well I purchased eagle eye new housings to replace the darkened opaque stock housing. $450 for all four. Pickup is the inners, bronco are the outers.

May go back and get the mechanical hi-low beam set for the outers and use the ones I have now for the inners. Four hid's while on hi beam.

I also purchased a Stryker hid white remote roof spotlight that I have not installed yet.

Total investment including the dual hid's and the Stryker is $1,100

Helpful to shine about two hundred yards ahead on the shoulder of the road. Stops the deer from jumping out and vehicles from darting out ahead of me and having to drop off of cruise control.

Price on the hid's went from $200 to $35 at DDC in Westminster, ca. Plug and play.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #22 – July 27, 2014, 07:54:40 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – July 27, 2014, 06:28:56 pm

Not having ever owned an Aquahot, maybe I don't kbow what I'm missing.

Unless it is colder outside than where I'd rather be, or I am dry camping, I use the heat pumps on the roof. Yhey are just as noisy as the propane furnaces. Whether heat pump, roof air, or propane furnace, i usually ron only theone in the unoccupied end of the coach. It is quiet enough this wayn and evwrytbhing is ducted...so the air goes where we are but not the noise.

Heat pumps do not work at cold temps at all. Heat strips yes.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #23 – July 27, 2014, 08:00:36 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 27, 2014, 07:54:40 pm

Heat pumps do not work at cold temps at all. Heat strips yes.

If it's that cold... I'm heading south tomorrow. As I said, under those conditions, I use the furnace on the other end of the coach. If it's so cold to need both furnaces, it must be someone else in my coach.

Re: Greetings Foretravel Owners

Reply #24 – July 27, 2014, 09:19:52 pm

I do like the idea of endless hot water. Maybe I can still imagine myself as "roughing it" if I go without the aqua heat. I have seen mention of catalytic heaters as an quiet alternative heat source if needed. I guess aqua heat is what separates the ultra luxury from the luxury. Maybe it'll have to wait until the next one.

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