FT- trading up....

Topic: FT- trading up.... (Read 1063 times) previous topic - next topic

FT- trading up....

April 12, 2015, 10:35:32 am

I have noticed that many of you have owned more than one FT coach. I was curious what were the main reasons for "trading up"? Is it a function of the cost to upgrade an older coach vs the cost of a newer coach that already has the upgrades? or something more? like road dependability...
Did any of you trade in your coaches for a newer one? or did you have to sell and then buy?
Not trying to get into personal business here but rather the thought process around trading up.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #1 – April 12, 2015, 11:38:36 am

Moved up from our original GV225 ORED because I wanted all the new "gadgets etc" that came with this one and a bigger engine and air suspension etc etc. Plus it was a good buy financially. 5 yrs later I bet I can get every cent (plus a bit more) than we paid back then.
The others were for something to do. I do not worry about selling while owning more than 1 coach as I have faith that they do sell when I am finished.
JohnH

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #2 – April 12, 2015, 11:51:24 am

Had a 99, U320, 36 ft. DW said she wanted a private potty and a LR slide. So we saw this one at camp Foretravel and the owner said he was getting ready to trade up to a new Nimbus, so here we are, I'm happy, not sure that she is. I do love the bells and whistles.
Why we traded up from a 93, U240 to the 99 U320 is a whole different story, best reserved for another day. (oh yes, there was the 94 U240, also)

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #3 – April 12, 2015, 12:02:24 pm

We were always looking, or at least I was. We loved the 93 U225, and it had all we needed, and some upgrades that made it better than when new.

We saw our next Foretravel, and then it was offered suddenly for sale, and we jump on the deal the next day! It had the headlight upgrade, new MCD shades, fuel lines, one TV upgrade, new tires, new recliner, and recent service and parts.

The 98 U295 was 5 years newer, had things I wanted on our next Foretravel. Our trade, got us more power, retarder, side radiator, air bag suspension, disc brakes, diesel generator, and happen to be a very rare special ordered mid door. We were able to buy the U295, but then had almost a month to wait for the deal to happen. Then we were very lucky to sell the U225, in the first week, at our asking price, and above what we paid, and 3 weeks before we picked up the U295. Two years later, it still is the best thing to happen to us, as the timing was perhaps priceless.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #4 – April 12, 2015, 12:27:32 pm

3-

1988 OREG- hated chassis, loved coach 1999 u-270 36' - Wanted slide and Aquahot 2000 U-320 4010 - current coach

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #5 – April 12, 2015, 01:17:15 pm

Had a 34 ft U270. Thought I wanted the 36 ft 320 and it was a great coach but not a huge difference but for the AH. Then decided I would be sitting more then moving so moved up to 2 slide 42 foot. Next will probably be a no slide 40-45 footer depending.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #6 – April 12, 2015, 01:42:15 pm

Quote from: John S – April 12, 2015, 01:17:15 pm

Had a 34 ft U270. Thought I wanted the 36 ft 320 and it was a great coach but not a huge difference but for the AH. Then decided I would be sitting more then moving so moved up to 2 slide 42 foot. Next will probably be a no slide 40-45 footer depending.

Why the non slide ?

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #7 – April 12, 2015, 01:55:59 pm

I have had coaches with and without. If I can get the right floorplan it is fine with no slide. You get 18 inches increase in inside storage per slide. I like the two slide version too but if I built one I doubt I would put a slide in. Then I would also have one of the few newer none slide coaches. They are nice but I like being at home all the time and not only when they are out.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #8 – April 12, 2015, 03:56:39 pm

When we were researching, we were told many times to "buy your third coach first." The intent of that statement is that too many people buy what catches their eye first, and then need a couple of trades to get it right. We've only had this, our first Foretravel, for two years, but we think we beat the odds. Our situation has changed somewhat from what we thought it would be when we bought, and we've done a bit of looking at towables, but haven't seen anything we like any better than what we have. That said, there are some advantages to the newer coaches, along with some disadvantages. I suppose that if we could find a somewhat newer 40' U320 with a mid-entry and no slides for not much more than what we could get for this coach we might be tempted to trade. Maybe.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #9 – April 12, 2015, 07:30:05 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – April 12, 2015, 01:42:15 pm

Why the non slide ?

I have no desire for a slide, ever. Weighs more, more stuff to break, and less storage space underneath. I spend time outside my couch, not inside...on the road, not parked a lot. Slides don't add any value to a user like me....but it's going to be hard to find something newer than 2000 without one, sigh.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #10 – April 12, 2015, 09:39:18 pm

Had a 87? Foretravel on a Dodge chassis. upgraded to 92? U225. Then in 2000 toybox burned up with U225 inside. Got 97 U295, if I used it more I would upgrade to a newer coach but do not use it enough a newer one at this time. Wife and I talk about one with a slide out but we do not really see a need for the extra inside room. Got the 92 U225 before sold the old one.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #11 – April 12, 2015, 09:58:23 pm

We found our 2001 U270 without a slide 7 years ago- been living in it full time since then. If the floor plan is designed right- plenty of room without a slide. I always tell people we never have any problems with our slides- they are jealous and start telling me about slide issues.

As our friend Dave M. says- do what makes you happy.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #12 – April 13, 2015, 12:38:56 pm

We purchased our coach 14 years ago, because it was the correct length, power train, heating, toilet and floor plan for us. Slides offer us only more floor space that we don't need, and we would rather have the cabinets, less weight and simplicity.
Since our purchase, we have traded our coach several times for the same VIN#, by adding new headlights, paint, engine access door, LED exterior lights, windows, mirrors, interior fabrics, faucets, window shades, microwave, refrigerator, chairs, TV, toilet, lighting, lamp shades, internet access and satellite DVRs.
We liked our first Foretravel and enjoy our current coach.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #13 – April 13, 2015, 10:03:23 pm

We are very happy with our 2001 U320 36' single slide. Over the past few years we have seen several no-slide coaches. The floor plans are a different from coaches with slides and they all seem to have enough room and a comfortable working arrangement. If we were full timers a 40' coach with a bit bigger bathroom would be OK with or without a slide.

We like the extra room the single slide offers, the U320 amenities and the size of our 36' and would be very hard pressed to let it go for anything newer that we have seen.

Roger

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #14 – April 14, 2015, 02:06:55 am

My personal observation is that the early slides required the galley to be on the passenger side. And the dinette on the drivers side. Not our favorite. We like the dinette under the awning looking out at our campsite.

If done the way we prefer then the galley needs flex plumbing connections that my guru buddy repairs regularly on country coaches as they did it not as strongly as he does when he repairs them.

Obviously no propane gaggenau possible. And I like a gas flame.

Yes I know it's not as safe. Just another original Foretravel backup. With no 110 volt you can still cook things.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #15 – April 14, 2015, 02:22:55 am

Bob,

Some slides have flexible propane lines, so they can have a Gaggenau. They just don't use copper gas lines under the slide.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #16 – April 14, 2015, 02:29:32 am

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – April 14, 2015, 02:22:55 am

Bob,

Some slides have flexible propane lines, so they can have a Gaggenau. They just don't use copper gas lines under the slide.

Yea I suppose braided stainless would work well

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #17 – April 14, 2015, 11:13:34 am

Mine has a drivers side galley slide with a Gaggenau. Never looked at the propane lines as there have never been any issues.

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #18 – April 14, 2015, 11:31:57 am

Our 2006 CC Magna has gas on passenger side slide! I say ours because I seem to spend a lot of time on it fixing things for the friends in San Carlos.
JohnH

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #19 – April 14, 2015, 12:31:28 pm

I would like a side radiator and a walk thru bath.. If I used the coach more I would trade to aquire these things.. I don't use it enough to warrant the cost so I will continue to use the 280.. Really all the bus I need currently and she is a solid one that has been very dependable..

Re: FT- trading up....

Reply #20 – April 14, 2015, 12:51:36 pm

1998 U320 4210 - Don't plan on trading up anytime soon - and we haven't seen a coach yet that we'd prefer to the one we've got. With all we've put into this one, we wouldn't consider it until the kids are off on their own (5 years), but even then...will be hard to let go of something we've put so much ($$$) into.

Susan

Affiliate Notice