Former FT owners with SOBs?

Topic: Former FT owners with SOBs? (Read 2008 times) previous topic - next topic

Former FT owners with SOBs?

September 04, 2014, 11:27:19 am

I have been mulling this question for sometime. Because there aren't many FTs available, my wife continues to suggest that we look at other makes, but I am leery of other makes. I have to believe there not very many former FT owners with SOBs.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #1 – September 04, 2014, 11:36:46 am

LOL...You're probably right. We either retire from the road, go bricks & sticks, or pursue another recreational pursuit.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #2 – September 04, 2014, 11:43:57 am

Hmmm, one of the most knowlegable FT people now has a Safari, wonder what that say's

JohnH

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #3 – September 04, 2014, 11:54:27 am

I'm pretty sure that one is for sale---

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #4 – September 04, 2014, 11:56:29 am

I suppose there are other coaches out there, but I'll keep my Foretravel

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #5 – September 04, 2014, 12:38:48 pm

I suppose there some former Foretravel owners with SOBs. This could happen if serious downsizing was necessary.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #6 – September 04, 2014, 12:59:51 pm

We've owned 2 Foretravel and 2 SOBs (Lazy Daze Class C)

Both fine motor homes.

We toured several DPs at MOT. You could net get us to look in a Country Coach again.

Too much Vegas Brothel decor :-)

best, paul

Quote

I have been mulling this question for sometime. Because there aren't many FTs available, my wife continues to suggest that we look at other makes, but I am leery of other makes. I have to believe there not very many former FT owners with SOBs.

Royce & Denise

Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Dream coach: '01 - '04 U320

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #7 – September 04, 2014, 01:00:14 pm

Owned a Newmar London Aire for a couple years. Good coach

Under powered good finish quality inside and out. Micro switches too much flakey for a 10 yr rig, 3 out in 3 months. BUT

I am convinced that the Foretravel "thought-design" process is/was use based

Therefore, I would much rather use our coach knowing it was produced from anothers experience then modified to make it better for ours at least the tweeking was at least 800 hand built, then inspected.

Grant you, sob have the same process through an assembly line but I for one like the idea that my "Brand" has a limited number produced and that WoW we get most anytime were anywhere, is worth it

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #8 – September 04, 2014, 01:35:53 pm

Newell sometimes mentioned. And Prevost conversions . Prevost typically maint. intense.

I would hold out for FT .

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #9 – September 04, 2014, 04:21:50 pm

Paul, not having been in a Vegas Brothel I am glad you told me what they are like inside. Now I do not need to look!

JohnH

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #10 – September 04, 2014, 04:24:08 pm

After talking about a brothel would you even look at a beaver

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #11 – September 04, 2014, 04:29:24 pm

I like the older Beavers prior to and including 2000, nothing later

Unfortunately the same build processes as Newmar.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #12 – September 04, 2014, 04:36:31 pm

Quote from: BamaFan – September 04, 2014, 11:27:19 am

Because there aren't many FTs available, my wife continues to suggest that we look at other makes, but I am leery of other makes.

FOT has five 2001 to 2004 Foretravels for sale and MOT has two.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #13 – September 04, 2014, 04:47:52 pm

nice cabinets and joinery though!

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #14 – September 04, 2014, 05:16:36 pm

Well I haven't been in a Vegas brothel either.

But I have been in one in Port Angeles, WA. It was the last stop of our guided walking tour by the history folks there.

Http://www. LazyDazers.com/index.cfm?fa=Showitem&ID=3127

Let me know if the above URL does not work.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #15 – September 04, 2014, 05:18:52 pm

Royce and Denise,

Eileen and I are new to the Foretravel life style. However we are not new to the RV life style. So for what it's worth 7 years ago we were looking for a new coach and looked and looked for Foretravel we could afford and back then prices were a bit high for us. So rather than wait we bought a Bus conversion, A very well done Eagle with all the things that we wanted. and after 7 years of travel we had the opportunity to sell it and I started looking at Foretravels again. And during those 7 years i was always on the look out for a Foretravel. From the first time I stepped into a Foretravel i new this was the Coach i would one day own, It took a while but we sold the bus and we now have a foretravel and love it.
Bottom line, if a Foretravel is what you want then wait, look, wait and look somemore the one for you is out there your task is to fined it. Just my thought and good Hunting.
Regards Andy& Eileen

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #16 – September 04, 2014, 05:44:09 pm

I have owned two Born Free coaches at the same time I have a FT. I will say that BF is very nicely constructed all wood and screws and no squeaks or rattles. It is not as comfortable to drive as the FT but it is not a DP either. Would I trade my FT for one of the BFs only is the question. They do different things for us so I like having both but if I could only have one I would stay with the FT.
I looked strongly at a bus conversion a while ago and I know of a couple FT owners who have gone that way too. Only one of them is happy with their choice.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #17 – September 04, 2014, 05:45:57 pm

If you want to get started, don't be afraid to buy an older Foretravel--- they are better and more reliable than most other newer coaches. Just look for one that is well maintained, has newer tires an batteries, and dive in!

Just so happens I have one that is about to be up for sale!

1990 U280, 36', Cat 3208T excellent condition, just remodeled.

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #18 – September 04, 2014, 05:50:40 pm

Hi Royce, did not realize you still looking......I looked Sunday at a FOT 2001, seemed a pretty good buy for someone wanting that vintage coach. A U320, 40 ft, painted, one slide. I did not go in, but photos on line suggest it worth a good look. The 1999 - 2001 U320s are very similar coaches. Slide changed for 2002 and then again for 2003.

We, you may recall, started with a Super C, went to a FT 2005, then to this 2001 U320.

Call or send a pm if I can help from here in Nac

Mike

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #19 – September 04, 2014, 06:37:36 pm

Quote from: joeszeidel – September 04, 2014, 04:24:08 pm

After talking about a brothel would you even look at a beaver

Just spit my beer on my iPad...that was funny!

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #20 – September 04, 2014, 07:02:40 pm

The only folks I know who moved from their Foretravel to another coach went from an '02 U320 to a much newer Prevost. NOT a brand new Prevost ... but a fairly giant upgrade. I also know a couple who will be taking delivery of their brand new IH-45 in January!! We met them in Montana a few years ago when we were there with Peggy & Kent Speers. Jeff and I ran into them again at the same campground last summer, and he was still gung-ho about getting a Foretravel. The planets aligned for them and they made the trek to Nac and ordered from the ground up!! I wonder if that will get me an extra discount when I head in for remodel in December?

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #21 – September 04, 2014, 07:04:19 pm

Quote from: LJSteinmetz – September 04, 2014, 06:37:36 pm

Just spit my beer on my iPad...that was funny!

Mine was root beer.....

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #22 – September 04, 2014, 07:27:40 pm

Hi Folks;

The DW and I are about to complete a trek that began on April 23rd from our home in Maine. When complete we will have covered right at 12,000 miles. On the sob we had, every trip we made something has to be repaired or replaced.

Hence the FT. During this trek had the service done in Calif, will do it again when home. During this trip only one think can be related to old age, coach is '98 U270, the gaskets in the toilet had to be replaced. the other two things, broken windshield, rock in TX, and the front air bags system were not the fault of the coach.The front air system arm bushings were broken by a HUGE bump. Hit on I-80 east of Salt Lake City. Paving crew did not transition the new pavement in the right hand lane. It was about a five inch high bump and the front went down. Got to the road side and called Mike at MOT. He got us back on the road to a campground. Next morning he gave us a place to go in SLC, they didn't do "chassis" work, so went on to Nac to Mot and they repaired it. Try that in an SOB.

We have been up and down all the way to the west coast and heading home now. This coach has been the best thing that we have ever purchased. Just under 9mpg, no adding oil between changes, transmission no problems. All other systems in the coach trouble free.

Is there any reason NOT to buy a FT, I don't think so.

And that is IMHO.

Norm

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #23 – September 04, 2014, 08:54:45 pm

Quote from: sawdust316 – September 04, 2014, 07:27:40 pm

Hence the FT. During this trek had the service done in Calif, will do it again when home. During this trip only one think can be related to old age, coach is '98 U270, the gaskets in the toilet had to be replaced. the other two things, broken windshield, rock in TX, and the front air bags system were not the fault of the coach.The front air system arm bushings were broken by a HUGE bump. Hit on I-80 east of Salt Lake City. Paving crew did not transition the new pavement in the right hand lane. It was about a five inch high bump and the front went down. Got to the road side and called Mike at MOT. He got us back on the road to a campground. Next morning he gave us a place to go in SLC, they didn't do "chassis" work, so went on to Nac to Mot and they repaired it. Try that in an SOB.

The more I read the shorter my DP purchase list gets!

Re: Former FT owners with SOBs?

Reply #24 – September 04, 2014, 08:57:29 pm

My guess the big reason a Foretravel is gotten rid of in favor of a similar size SOB is a $$$$ crunch issue. In my case, I hope when the Foretravel is gone, my time for needing a RV is also gone.

Affiliate Notice