How old is to old to purchase a DP

Topic: How old is to old to purchase a DP (Read 2763 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #25 – November 14, 2014, 07:47:40 pm

Welcome, Imatiger77. We're full-timing in a 1993 coach. Yes, there have been a few issues we've had to deal with, but FAR fewer than what most people would expect. One member of the church here has a 2009 SOB DP. He has had more expensive problems that we've had with our coach.

CoachNet is a good thing to get instead of an extended warranty. Use the cost of the warranty to fund an emergency fund to take care of problems, and then get current on any delayed maintenance issues.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #26 – November 14, 2014, 07:59:26 pm

The 2002 slide was a one of that year. I have the previous model but they used the traine system one year, 2002. There is a thread on here about a member fixing his and tearing it apart and getting to the bottom of it. It is s simple system and the manuals are on HWHs site. I would not be afraid of a slide. That being said, I looked hard at a none slide coach a bit ago but decided to stay with what I have. I travel more then sit still and that makes a difference. I will say when I was in the coach for 3 months the slide was very nice to have.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #27 – December 04, 2014, 11:37:45 pm

If it makes you feel any better, now that I've owned my 1999 my next coach will probably be an OLDER grand villa. And the slides had delamination problems that are relatively cheap to fix (I've heard prices like $1500 quoted).

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #28 – December 05, 2014, 08:29:32 am

Did the 2002 models have front cap problems? Does this year have slide bladders? Very expensive fix for a leaky bladder? Aqua hot? From posts I have read here there are only a few technicians capable of properly maintaining and repairing an Aqua Hot system. Apparently Rudy Leggett is one of them but he's in Texas, if you happen to be somewhere else you may be out of luck or lots of cash.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #29 – December 05, 2014, 08:49:28 am

I have a 2002 295 40 ft. The slide works fine(knock on some wood) 2002 also has the year of the awning arms. My front and rear end caps were repaired by Foretravel by prior owner. I have about 63,000 miles and find that I like this coach a lot over the 36 non-slide. The 270 has less systems so less maintenance. 02 295 has some up grades which I enjoy having (1) Safe (2) switches and clock over bed (3) slide (4) auto awning (5) storage (6) side cooled generator (7) private potty (

work space for computor (9) bus style bay doors (10) larger refridgerator and walnut wood// etc. I think the 02 coaches were a good year. DAN

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #30 – December 05, 2014, 08:59:59 am

Quote from: Rick – December 05, 2014, 08:29:32 am

Aqua hot? From posts I have read here there are only a few technicians capable of properly maintaining and repairing an Aqua Hot system. Apparently Rudy Leggett is one of them but he's in Texas, if you happen to be somewhere else you may be out of luck or lots of cash.

Do you do any of your own maintenance? Are you relatively skilled? If so, then I don't think the Aqua-Hot would be a problem for you. The Aqua-Hot system may seem quite complex at first, but it's an oil-fired boiler system, and if you mentally break it down to the individual elements of the system it begins to seem relatively simple. Personally I would rather maintain one Aqua-Hot system than the two propane furnaces and one propane water heater my U320 would require. Aqua-Hot has plenty of documentation online and Rudy is quite friendly on the telephone.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #31 – December 05, 2014, 09:32:02 am

Quote from: Rick – December 05, 2014, 08:29:32 am

Did the 2002 models have front cap problems? Does this year have slide bladders? Very expensive fix for a leaky bladder? Aqua hot? From posts I have read here there are only a few technicians capable of properly maintaining and repairing an Aqua Hot system. Apparently Rudy Leggett is one of them but he's in Texas, if you happen to be somewhere else you may be out of luck or lots of cash.

Much has been written about the 02 cap problems, many were repaired, and those coaches are rolling along.

All years with slides have slide bladders. They can be replaced, several places in the country do the work. I think I have read maybe $3000 per slide, if and when the bladder needs to be replaced.

There are many brands of coaches with Aqua Hot systems, and a computer map of service providers is listed on the net. But of course our own Rudy is a the expert everyone differs to when their have a question or problem. We all have his phone number. Some time back, he wrote a really great help guide on the forum, that anyone with an Aqua Hot system should print off, or bookmark.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #32 – December 05, 2014, 09:34:49 am

Regarding the Aqua Hot: Check out Roger Berke's great website: RV Hydronic Heater Repair - Home
Roger also owns a Foretravel.
Good Luck in your search, Dave A

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #33 – December 05, 2014, 09:36:59 am

My 40 ft has no aqua hot but two furnaces and strip heat. In Texas thats all you need and I do not travel in cold snowy weather. When it gets cold the coach temp is just right.

but I have never had aqua hot so do not know if I am missing anything , those that have it seem to really like it. For me it would be another maintenance item. DAN

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #34 – December 05, 2014, 10:14:48 am

It is probably better for someone with the year you are thinking about to be specific about the coach in question. I do feel qualified to comment on a few systems in particular and FT in general.

Some systems are relatively rare, so there are less folks that are trained and qualified then on a lower end high volume low price product. Aquahot, some of the HWH slides and air suspension, and maybe the air brakes.

Year in and year out, I average $3,500 for maintenance, Plus any upgrades. I pay to have everything done on my coach. 9 years in this coach, no bladder replacement, no slide problems, no air ride or HWH problems beyond replacing the 12V pump. You can get all these systems fixed much nearer your home, But, you may have to drive quite a bit farther than your local Rv sales lot/repair facility.

Most folks with SOB spend as much or more than I do, and I think a lot of that is related to the quality of the initial components and build, plus the fact the suspension does such a nice job of shaking the coach to death. These coached need

Most folks here are pretty smart and have made a considered decision that FT is the way to go. Look at how many folks here have owned multiple FT's and it should give you confidence the ownership experience is satisfactory.

In the end there is no perfect coach, but a used FT is probably the lowest total cost of ownership and enjoyment that you can have with a 36 - 44' DP.

You may get burned by a $10,000 maintenance item on one of these coaches, and you might find service sometimes a bit more difficult to find, but if the ownership experience wasn't a good one, you would not see the high residual values these coaches carry, and you would see a whole different owner attitude here on the forum. Jump in, the water is fine, or as Dave M says, do what makes you happy!

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #35 – December 05, 2014, 10:36:48 am

You're as old as you feel. Which begs the question; how well did you take care of yourself. The same goes for anything in life including motorhomes.

You can buy a 22 year old Winnie that was well taken care of and exercised all its life and it will be a good purchase. You can buy a 5 year old Foretravel and it may take you to the cleaners with deferred maintenance repairs.

The moral of the story is, make sure you know what you are buying. Have it inspected if you cannot. And make sure you know how it served its life before you own it.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #36 – December 05, 2014, 06:47:07 pm

Welcome to the forum.

Technical Help - Slides

Check out the above link from a wonderful website built and maintained by one of our esteemed fofum members.

It will tell you just about any thing you want to know about slides.

Many here prefer their coaches without and many with. If you were to use the "search" function on this web site and perform a search on "slides" you will also get a lot of reading.

We have a 2002 with 2 slides. We like ours.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #37 – December 05, 2014, 08:04:37 pm

I prefer my 21 year old Foretravel to anything else.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #38 – December 05, 2014, 08:11:29 pm

I bought our 14 year old coach knowing it probably needed several years of tinkering and lots of money. Best decision in Rv's.

And I spent many years in the high line Rv biz as a manager/salesman for Foretravel.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #39 – December 05, 2014, 08:22:59 pm

My coach will be 18 in February, people who own other brands sometimes actually ask if she's new! That's the classic look of the late 90's coaches, timeless, beautiful & still causing goose bumps when I drive up! (yeh the moon's full, but it's true!)

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #40 – December 05, 2014, 08:29:33 pm

Quote from: Miz Dani – December 05, 2014, 08:22:59 pm

My coach will be 18 in February, people who own other brands sometimes actually ask if she's new! That's the classic look of the late 90's coaches, timeless, beautiful & still causing goose bumps when I drive up! (yeh the moon's full, but it's true!)

Walked into our dark cold in storage coach today to turn on the refer and I said out load how much I liked this coach. By myself.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #41 – December 05, 2014, 08:30:55 pm

See Bob, told ya the moon was full....

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #42 – December 05, 2014, 08:33:37 pm

Quote from: Miz Dani – December 05, 2014, 08:30:55 pm

See Bob, told ya the moon was full....

Yeah baby.....

You did yours correctly. Good initial price ,then fix it. Then drive the good out of it.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #43 – December 05, 2014, 10:01:01 pm

Quote from: Dave M – December 05, 2014, 07:22:20 pm

Seems that the most of us would rather have a 10 yr old Foretravel than a brand new anything else.

Isn't it frustrating when you realize there is no modern replacement. I find this occuring to me more and more with stuff from the 80's, 90's and early 2000's. It's not that I can't afford to replace something, it's just that there is no modern equivalent.

What 2015 coach is equivalent to a 36' 1996 to early 2000's FT? Everything of quality today is huge and just too much in price and gizmos or built like crap (but still expensive).

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #44 – December 06, 2014, 10:10:10 am

Quote from: bogeygolfer – November 14, 2014, 12:19:54 pm

It's not too often that you hear someone say they "upgraded" from a 2012 to a 1993. I think Cobb's answer says a lot!

This .....

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #45 – December 06, 2014, 12:03:28 pm

Quote from: krush – December 05, 2014, 10:01:01 pm

Isn't it frustrating when you realize there is no modern replacement. I find this occuring to me more and more with stuff from the 80's, 90's and early 2000's. It's not that I can't afford to replace something, it's just that there is no modern equivalent.

What 2015 coach is equivalent to a 36' 1996 to early 2000's FT? Everything of quality today is huge and just too much in price and gizmos or built like crap (but still expensive).

The world moves on. Sometimes not for the best. Foretravel almost killed itself not building painted slide out coaches. Cm and ray fore were correct that they did know what rver's needed as it turns out. The heavier coach structure and parts needed for the slide(s) raised the price too high for most.

Versus cheapen the build quality which the rest of the biz did? They built motorhomes not home motors. No wonder we all appreciate our coaches....

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #46 – December 06, 2014, 12:35:29 pm

Quote from: Rick – December 05, 2014, 08:29:32 am

Did the 2002 models have front cap problems? Does this year have slide bladders? Very expensive fix for a leaky bladder? Aqua hot? From posts I have read here there are only a few technicians capable of properly maintaining and repairing an Aqua Hot system. Apparently Rudy Leggett is one of them but he's in Texas, if you happen to be somewhere else you may be out of luck or lots of cash.

Aquahot repairs were kind of expensive even just for the parts so I've done all mine myself. If you're mechanically minded it's not a big leap. So far I've replaced the exhaust, repaired a circulation pump, replaced the fuel pump and will probably replace the bearings at some point. If anyone is in a jam I can help but I'm in Florida where an aqua hot in diesel mode just isn't necessary

Free advice is probably best left to Roger Berke whose forum has been enlightening to me. I might only have access to that because I bought parts from him, not sure.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #47 – December 06, 2014, 03:00:22 pm

This last August we spent substantial time looking at new coaches at the FMCA Rally in Redmond, OR. From 36-42ft, in all price ranges. I concluded that my '97 is a better built coach than anything we saw. We've only had ours for seven years, and we love it.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #48 – December 07, 2014, 10:16:35 am

We recently met the Botts of Outside Our Bubble | Stepping out of our comfort zone at the grand canyon and they gave us a tour of their coach. I was genuinely impressed with it. This is an Allegro bus that cost $400K or so I would guess (we didn't talk price). 45' tag axle quad slide coach. From an interior perspective I liked the tile, heated floor, driver area and kitchen. Much of the interior of the coach appeared to be very high quality but I didn't really go grabbing at things or slamming cabinet doors. Things fell apart when we got down to the bins and when I saw the construction process. It's a standard motorhome chassis where the floor is built first, then the walls are added and then the roof. I can't imagine how such a structure can be strong unless there is a lot of steel in there. You're driving on a prayer in those motorhomes and I could never shake that while owning my winnebago which is why I was hunting prevost, wanderlodge, and foretravel. I doubt there is a lot of steel in those allegro bus walls. The bay doors were a little strange too. Almost flimsy. Foretravel really stands out when you look deeper. Seeing the K framing in the morning dew on the side walls, the structure and framing of the bins (even if the design isn't perfect).

They buy and sell coaches every 4 years and insist on brand new. They'll never have to worry about quality issues like roof leaks, rot or poor quality wood. Financially I think their strategy is sound based on their requirements but I do wonder how safe those other brands are in a crash. Is that safety worth an additional $400K?

I would enjoy a hybrid inverter like they had, autoformer, etc. I would settle for an inverter with a 50 amp transfer switch so there would be no switching delay and resetting of my DVR and TV.

When I drove a 2002ish Country Coach Allure with the independent front suspension, it genuinely drove better and felt more stable than my coach. But I know those are also a semi monocoque coach. I'm curious if that brand new allegro would feel like my winnebago did like the whole thing was flexing as you drive down the street.

One thing that struck me is how good looking the cabinet and upholstery colors (which are very similar to what foretravel is using) were compared to pictures. I always thought modern color choices are so foul based on pictures I've seen on the internet but once you're inside it actually looks good. Still I think I prefer my richer walnut cabinets that have more red in their color.

Re: How old is to old to purchase a DP

Reply #49 – December 07, 2014, 10:32:22 am

Piku

Get a small UPS (Uninterruptible power source) from Best buy - and plug into your outlet and plug your DVR into it - viola no reset (if you want you can add your TV, but I opt for the smallest one that will support my DVR - TV resets in seconds, not so my DVR) Â I only use mine when boon docking at NASCAR.

Yes, I know there is parasitic draw but worth it to me since I have GEN on auto start and don't want a 3 minute or so reboot when the device kicks over.

Actually thought that before I had to replace a transfer switch, the original kicked over with no delay and no reboot. Memory, first thing to go...

Affiliate Notice