Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Topic: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270) (Read 931 times) previous topic - next topic

Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

October 28, 2014, 10:06:57 pm

Hi All,
Our U270, "Princess", SOLD on Saturday.
More than a few tears were shed as "Princess" disappeared up the ramp from Camp Foretravel on Saturday.
I will let the new owners announce as they see fit. They are Foreforum members and we believe that she has gone to a very good home.
We are in transit back to New England in our "New-to-us" 2002, DGFE, 42' non-slide coach that has been the subject of considerable speculation on the forum.
No. Brett didn't inspect this coach, although I tried to enlist him to do just that on his way back to TX from the Oregon FMCA convention (timing wasn't quite right).
But, Phil Bostrum, bless his heart, suffered through our poor preparation to make all of this happen. From a distance, I had admired this coach for some considerable length of time but we certainly hadn't planned to deviate from our long term plan of someday full timing on our 1998 U270, "first and last" coach.
Long story short, Phil hung in there for us, at our original, "gentleman's handshake" price, the FOT PDI items have been cleared and my own PDI items as well. Lighter by far in the wallet, we are slowly adjusting to a considerable shift away from our KISS philosophy.
Unlike some previous characterizations, this coach is highly upgraded and personalized. Maybe not in the ways that some like or fully appreciate, but certainly in ways that grabbed our attention (and in ways that have created a long term buzz of admiration for Phil and now, for a week, for us!). The details will "out" as we go along, but for right now, we are just basking in a shower of interest and admiration from FOT/Motorcade/Grandvention Travellers/old and new friends from our past eight days at FOT.
Very full house, BTW, as the pedestals and service bays at FOT filled up Sat & Sun with the Grandvention departures and the Ladies Driving School early arrivals.
Having put in several 500 (+) driving days since Oct. 14th, there are some interesting driving characteristics comparisons between the 36' U270 and the 42' U320 . I will try to capture some of them before time blunts their freshness.
For now, "Warm and Fuzzy"

Neal

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #1 – October 28, 2014, 10:15:33 pm

Congrats on the sale, and especially on the purchase!

I look forward to hearing your driving impressions and details about the upgrades and personalizations. I am sure the purchaser of your coach is also feeling the "warm glow" about now...

Don

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #2 – October 28, 2014, 11:18:10 pm

Congratulations Neal. A very nice upgrade.

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #3 – October 29, 2014, 12:40:21 am

Hi Neal,
All I can say is NICE. Enjoy.
Raymond

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #4 – October 29, 2014, 07:12:35 am

Neal, I looked at that coach the day he dropped it off at FT. I always liked it and was thinking I would one day like a none slide coach again. I thought about the 50K I would have to put in it to bring it up to where I have mine and decided to be happy with mine a few more years then look at the options.

I think you got a great coach.

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #5 – October 29, 2014, 07:59:32 am

Congrats and very nice Neal. Glad things worked out for you. As I posted earlier we sold ours this weekend as well. Now looking for our next toy. Beautiful coach and should make a very nice full-time abode for you.

Dean

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #6 – October 29, 2014, 11:12:39 am

Beautiful coach guys - best wishes for many more new miles of adventure!

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #7 – October 29, 2014, 05:18:06 pm

and now! the long hard ($'s) up hill pull/push to make it a new member of the family !!!!

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #8 – October 29, 2014, 05:24:47 pm

Congratulations! That is one beautiful coach!

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #9 – October 29, 2014, 05:30:46 pm

Hey Bill, what happened to your avatar picture? We miss seeing you there at the table with an umbrella in your drink!
Don & Tys

Quote from: Bill Chaplin – October 29, 2014, 05:18:06 pm

and now! the long hard ($'s) up hill pull/push to make it a new member of the family !!!!

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #10 – October 29, 2014, 05:48:12 pm

Wow! Neal and Brenda that is a great looking coach. I love the elegant color scheme especially the cream.

Please post more pictures when you get home.

The fall colors in New England should make a beautiful background.

Jerry aka Murph

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #11 – October 29, 2014, 06:16:44 pm

We were fortunate enough to meet Neal and Brenda's and see their new coach at FOT. It's even more lovely in "person." Beautiful and classy.

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #12 – October 29, 2014, 06:55:55 pm

Neal great looking FT. Wishing you both the very best experience. John

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #13 – October 29, 2014, 07:49:10 pm

Congrats Neil. I don't think we are able to make it South this year. However we do have an offer on the table for a lot purchase. Welcome to the 320/M11 club. I'm confident you will notice the stability the tag provides. David

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #14 – October 29, 2014, 10:14:17 pm

Oh! It is a beauty. When I first saw this coach I was drawn to the very nice paint. I really like the impression of wings and trailing feathers along the sides. Your impressions of driving and handling will be interesting. Congrats on an impressive change.

Roger

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #15 – October 29, 2014, 10:32:24 pm

VERY nice!! Can't wait to see the interior!

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #16 – October 29, 2014, 10:56:41 pm

Thanks, All,

@Don I'll eventually make time to write more, but, the largest delta is no more "tucking-in" behind a truck on the uphill grades. Just leave it on speed control, cruise on by the line of hill-bound trucks, pull in at the head of the line and blink thanks to the CB talker – pretty giddy!

@Peter and Bill Chaplin Thanks. Now to start with all the upgrades that we grew spoiled on with "Princess". DW says Motion Windows and MCD shades are first – non negotiable. I hope that the DW will eventually like the coach as much as I already do.

@Raymond Years ago, when Motorcading close friends showed me pictures of Phil's coach I was smitten and never dreamed that I'd get to enjoy it one day!

@John S When Phil first posted his coach on the forum, I called him right away. Well, actually, after trying to explain the potential virtues to Brenda, then I called. Phil agreed to a "right of first refusal" and while enduring several hiccups in finding good parents for "Princess", we made a deposit, prior to Phil even delivering the coach to FOT. Then the hiccups with the PDI's and FOT started! Long story short, a beautiful coach is even more so, but Phil and I both have less disposable cash to contemplate. It is remarkable how many people appreciate the no slide layout and your $50K in upgrades, on top of Phil's already $50K (+), would indeed be something to behold.

@Dean Congratulations to you as well and we wish you all the best. Wouldn't you like to buy a Beautiful NH Seacoast Area home, so that we can get on the road?

@CT Bob and D.J. Thanks

@Jerry There are many beautiful paint schemes, but Phil and FOT really got my attention with a theme that goes from light to dark, top to bottom as well as from front to rear. FOT is particularly proud of the subtle blend from light to dark in the silvers, which extends over the length and depth of the coach and is barely seen in photography, but is remarkable in person. More pictures to follow, but the brilliant foliage is rapidly diminishing, even here in VA. It was spectacular in many places during the trip down to Nac (10/14 to 10/18).

@DebnMike Great meeting you two! I'm sorry that we were so busy and didn't have a chance to socialize more. BTW, I like the full sized Ekornes better than the small one. It sleeps MUCH better, even though the small one fits much better in the space.

@ John/Pat As always good friend, thanks again.

@David & Lou Ann Oh No! We were looking forward to seeing you both this winter. Let me know if I can be eyes and ears for you! This coach handles so differently in so many ways, not that the U270 handled badly in any way, just differently. I will try to describe as soon as I have more time. We are in Staunton, VA tonight, 630 or so miles to home in NH tomorrow. We need to beat this cold (and snow) front that gets to New England Saturday. The coach is still clean from FOT delivery, so far, and I don't want to get into any salt between now and FL!

@ Roger I haven't had Phil explain the inspiration for his graphics. I'm not sure that I should even ask. I do know that when I first saw pictures of this coach, I was smitten. It can be interpreted many ways, based on the comments thus far, so the unique nature causes people to engage in artistic thoughts and speculation. I like that.

@ Jeff & Carol As you know, we had hoped to see you in Nac. Next time? Interior = BIG couch, BIG desk, BIG bathroom, lots of room at foot of bed, lots of elbow room in passageways, closets smaller and, would you believe, each overhead cabinet and the basement tray(s) are all smaller -- dimension wise, Sooooo, a 1998 U270 36'WTFE has more storage room than a 2002 U320 42' DGFE. Time for a diet!

First OTR Hiccup: I spent some time dissecting the Dometic this AM. It wouldn't run on Propane. Found the burner area in need of attention – small pile of Utah dirt and burner stack tailings – working fine now -- still Warm and Fuzzy!

Neal

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #17 – October 30, 2014, 08:42:35 am

run hard to beat the weather. Freeze warning here in VA tonight. I will say that the 42 foot drove even better then my 36 foot. It is most obvious in cross winds but in the 34 and 36 footers I felt the bow wave fromthe trucks or busses passing. Now I do not feel anything at all.

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #18 – October 30, 2014, 10:14:09 am

GOOD LUCK NEAL AND BRENDA WITH THE NEW COACH, WE ARE LOOKING AT A 2003 4OFT WITH A TAG OURSELVES, AND THE OWNER STATES THAT IT DRIVES REALLY NICE WITH THE TAG.MANY HAPPY DAYS.BOB AND BRENDA

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #19 – October 30, 2014, 11:02:10 am

Bob, Please check your CAPLOCK key, Thanks
Gary B

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #20 – October 30, 2014, 08:42:45 pm

Congratulations Neal & Brenda on getting your dream coach and finally getting out of Nac.

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #21 – October 30, 2014, 08:54:32 pm

Royce & Denise,
It was great meeting you two. Sorry for being so tied up and not being able to get back over to MOT & see your new coach. Did M&G install and trip back go well?
See you down the road!
Neal

Re: Neal and Brenda's new coach (split from Re: FOR SALE: 1998 Foretravel Extreme U270)

Reply #22 – October 30, 2014, 09:15:20 pm

@ Jeff & Carol As you know, we had hoped to see you in Nac. Next time? Interior = BIG couch, BIG desk, BIG bathroom, lots of room at foot of bed, lots of elbow room in passageways, closets smaller and, would you believe, each overhead cabinet and the basement tray(s) are all smaller -- dimension wise, Sooooo, a 1998 U270 36'WTFE has more storage room than a 2002 U320 42' DGFE. Time for a diet!

Loss of storage requires a 45' to have as much as your 36' it seems.

Had many customers trade non slide coaches for slides and have lots of boxes left on the ground after the new coach was full.

"No such thing as a free lunch"

Realiy appreciate our non tag, non slide, no Joey beds 40' u320. Haphazardly loaded for part time use. I carry an 1/8 cord of spilt wood for fires eadily plus a bunch of stuff. Most storage of any coach I have ever sold or used.

Plus ,as stated, the mid door for us is the bomb.

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