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Topic: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show (Read 3183 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #75 –


If only there was an updated Grand Villa made.  I remember seeing a blue one that was custom made in 2002 (?) on here.  Looked great.

Keith, the blue GV you refer to was the last GV built, it was built for Pat Martinez as a 2003 GV 295 no slide 36ft., it was sold by MOT after Pat's passing.
I think I have this correct, but I could be wrong, I only saw the coach once at Pats home in Inverness,Fl in the garage.



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The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #76 –
I have an upgraded Grand Villa, and it's for sale! :-)
I have the scrapped knuckles to prove it's upgraded!  1990 U280, 36', 3208T Cat, 4 speed Allison.  The ice maker even works.  Fully renovated interior etc.  I love that coach, but now have a 1996 U320 40', and nobody needs two!  The U280 is reasonably priced, always under cover and has maintenance records.  Maintained by Foretravel for the last two years.  Located in Houston, Tx.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #77 –
Since the topic has been stretched from it OP, I figured I would chime in... As a newer FT owner and a future FT buyer hopefully for many years to come ( I am 43 ).  I have no issues with the factory on support.  They were great with making body panels after an incident last year on my 25 year old coach.  The factory rep (I forgot his name) told my body shop they wanted to make sure it was done correctly.  What other company does that for a 25 year old coach?! NONE.  So as one of those "older coach owners"  I have never once bashed or wished Foretravel any ill will and hope the Realm sells well for them.  This site has been great for ALL views pro and con! I say keep the pro and con coming!! It is always nice to hear another side we don't have to agree... just listen.

As for the Realm....I look at it this way.  Foretravel is a great name but IF the Realm does not live up to the Foretravel name then all other Foretravels will become viewed in the same light, right or wrong it will happen.  If the company wants to stretch its market share IMHO they should put the same in-house Foretravel build quality into a smaller 36-40 foot coach.  I am basis and would love to see a Grand Villa but whatever the market demands will will out.  The smaller coaches should have the option of slide or no-slide coaches too in order to expand that market share.  I just get very weary when companies that are KNOWN for certain things and for lack of a better term sub-contract out some of the work that has made a company what it is.

Happy Trails!!!


 
Jeff & Carrie
2023 Geneva 31VA
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED "The Button Pusher" - GONE 🥺

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #78 –
Like you, I have found the service and parts availabity from Foretravel for my 1990 U280 to be astounding.  To date I have not been told "we don't have that" when I needed parts for that coach, and they know the systems and can repair quickly when you need it.  This is probably due to having built large quantities of the Grand Villa ORED and Unihome coaches.  I have had more trouble getting parts for my 96' U320 than the older coach.
Like you, I think there would be a market for an updated Grand Villa--- there is a near cult following for these old coaches and I think a new "retro" unit would sell like hot cakes.
I find the factory to be responsive and anxious to please no matter how old your coach is when you pull in the bay for service.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #79 –
Bill, The name Martinez brings back memories.  The 85 ORED that I owned was once owned by him.  I found papers in it with his name on it.  I bought it from another owner and I have no idea who had it after he traded it in.  This ORED was the one I totaled. This was years ago but its funny how things go around over time.
Gary B

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #80 –
The Foretravel name is virtually unknown up here in Wisconsin. Almost every single CG we have been at here in the state people have come up to us and asked what it was, how old it was, where it came from, etc, etc. One couple told us they were so enamored with the looks & style that they went back to their camper and looked up Foretravel on the internet. My buddy was parked next to us with his much newer SOB coach and the couple walked right by him & his coach.
The DW and I feel we are Foretravel ambassadors here in Wisconsin and make every effort to "sell" Foretravel up here.

Two comments we always get are the quality of the coach and the GV prow up front. The comment comes just before (from class A owners) how it must "cut the wind" and get better mileage.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #81 –
Nitehawk, I was always impressed when folks in CG's and other places asked " what is it " about my GV, have been told that it looked like a LOCOMOTIVE, many times asked how old it was and then expressed surprise that it was 15-16 years old. Never met anyone that was not impressed with the solid walnut woodwork back as far as the eighties. Wish I could, but I can't have another FT, those were good days.
Gary B

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #82 –
Gary, I fully know what you mean by the reaction when told how old the coach is. Their eyes open wide and then they exclaim how the quality shows because the coach is so much older than they thought---and ours is going on 26 years old!! (1989)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #83 –
When you get right down to it, we, the owners of Foretravel coaches are the best sales people that Foretravel has---- once you own one you just don't want an SOB.
I have sold three other Foretravels when people came and looked at our old U280 because they didn't know what it was---- they went away so impressed that they looked at and bought only Foretravel after that.  Two of those folks bought 42' tag axle U320's and the other a 40' no slide U320.  Once they saw the quality of the 24 year old coach, they were sold.
Current coach 1996 U320 40'
Previous coach, 1990 36' U280

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #84 –
You are not the only one who has done that. I know I have sold a number of coaches after showing my coach and talking to the people.  Mine is a bit newer then yours but the same quality.  I think we FT owners are the best sales people they have. That is one of the things you see at a Motorcade Rally.  We all park in a line and then we watch the people come up and look. We had a steady stream one time when we had 22 coaches in a campground near the beach.  It was fun and people would come up and say I have always dreamed of getting a FT and now look. There are lots of them to look at.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Two New Realms at Alvarado, Tx Dealer

Reply #85 –
Another perspective on this topic...  Yesterday, another 97 Eagle owner / long-time friend and I rode up to Motorhome Specialists RV in Alvarado, Texas specifically to check out the Realm.  They had two Realms, one of each floor plan.  What immediately caught our attention upon walking up to the first unit was severe orange peel.  It was truly shocking and very hard to believe the unit had been allowed to leave Nacogdoches.  Please know this is not bashing or exaggeration, but very sadly, fact.  We both found the interior of both Realms to be the best of all other units we toured which included Thor, Entegra, Monaco, plus American Coach and Newmar (located next door at Ancira RV).  The second Realm had a better paint job, yet it was far from spectacular in quality although the design of both was excellent.  On a scale of one to ten, it would be a five.  In our opinion, the first unit was not even on the scale.  It would have to have been stamped "rejected".  Cannot imagine anyone buying it without a full paint re-do being in the sales contract.  Other than the IH models also there at MHSRV, no other interior compared to that of the Realm as both Realm interiors, in our humble opinions, were outstanding in material and craftsmanship.
Jeff & Sandy
1997 American Eagle 40' Slide-less
2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4 Toad
Interested in Foretravel Coaches

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #86 –
"In our opinion, the first unit was not even on the scale."
I simply cannot comprehend that.  We're not talking about a Kia or Hyundai (which have actually achieved remarkable quality) selling for $20K!  I have not seen serious orange peel of automotive finishes in the last several years.  If that is what the painters are putting out, from the factory paint and body shop, I'm glad I going to Xtreme instead for repairs.  Maybe there are youngins spraying now, who were not around when James Stallings set up the factory paint shop. 
Mogan David
1999 U295 36'

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #87 –
I was truly beyond our comprehension too...  It was one of those "am I seeing what I think I am seeing" moments.  It was hard to believe as it was FAR from insignificant and FAR from not noticeable.  I have read where at least a few folks here have had their coach re-painted at Foretravel with no such comments.  Something REALLY changed at least on that one.  I am surprised the dealer, who states they own every unit out-right on their lot, would have paid for it / accepted it in its current condition.
Jeff & Sandy
1997 American Eagle 40' Slide-less
2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4X4 Toad
Interested in Foretravel Coaches

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #88 –
When  I started this thread I saw this coach at the Tampa show, and the exterior paint showed up right away. The exterior finish was not what I expected from Foretravel. You can't park this coach by the competition and expect people not to compare. The interior cabinet finish did not impress me either. My 95 has better finish inside and out. If you are not familiar with the brand and you see the exterior of poor quality then you will assume the things you can't see will be the same. Hopefully Foretravel will get it right.
1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

Re: Foretravel Realm at Tampa rv show

Reply #89 –
"If you are not familiar with the brand and you see the exterior of poor quality then you will assume the things you can't see will be the same." Exactly.


The other way around isn't necessarily true, either, but there is a better chance that what you can't see will be of at least decent quality if what you can see is good.