Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

New to Forum

April 15, 2015, 08:04:33 pm

Hello all....My Name is Rick Barna and I have probably met some of you in the past as I worked for Foretravel in 2003-2004. I was the guy that that Ray Fore brought on to set up a new dealer network to replace the factory stores. ( another story for another time) While I was with Foretravel I had the opportunity to have a 40' U 320 as a full time demo. My wife Tammy and I traveled quite extensively in that coach and always felt like coming home to that coach felt like we were actually coming home... to our home if that makes any sense. I always new that if we were to ever buy a motorhome it would be a Foretravel (late90s-early2000 model) I am partial to the lower ceilings and lower center of gravity. I have also been a factory rep for Beaver, Alpine and Monaco Coaches along with several  gas brands over the course of my career, and always felt that Foretravel was a superior built coach and handeling was superb.
        In August of 2013 I called David Robertson at MOT (a good friend and a great man) and told him what I was looking for and it just so happened that he had one there on the lot on consignment...a 1998 36' U270. It had just been to FOT for a serious front and rear bulkhead repair and it also had Aqua hot...I'm all in at this point, so we made the deal contingent upon my inspection and a week later I drove to Nacgdoches, looked the coach over and closed the deal.....happy, happy, happy. That was a year and a half ago, since then I have done this to the motorhome.

    Removed old decals, Buffed and waxed then replaced new decals (looks brand new)
    Replaced tv's with flatscreens (cabinets by Parlaiment coach)
    Replaced all fuel lines
    Repaired front and rear brakes (nightmare)
    Replaced generator controller circuit board
    Replaced 1 Aqua hot pump
    Replaced all 8 airbags
    Relpaced all air manifold valves
    Repaired dash A/C
    Replaced 12v water pump
    Rebuilt the driver seat
    Replaced both roof A/C's
    Replaced tv antenna
    Replaced back up monitor
    Replaced a couple ride height valves
    Replaced battery isolater
    Removed and flushed fuel tank
    Repaired toilet
    New 50' Power cord
    Repaired both side mirrors (remotes inoperable)
    Replaced rear Ladder
    Removed snaps for front Bra and repainted front cap
    Replaced front wheel bearings
    Replaced fuel lift pump
    And of course replaced all old fluids with new
I look forward to visiting with you all through this very help full forum
   

   

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Re: New to Forum

Reply #1 – April 15, 2015, 08:20:35 pm

Doesn't feel like welcome aboard is appropriate as you've been around Foretravels for some time now.  But welcome anyway.  Look forward to your postings.

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Re: New to Forum

Reply #2 – April 15, 2015, 09:33:11 pm

Welcome and it looks like you have been busy

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Reply #3 – April 15, 2015, 10:02:50 pm

Welcome, and WOW, that is quite a list of repairs and upgrades!  Your couch sounds like it must be a beauty.  We would really like to see some photos (if you ever stop working on it long enough to take them).

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Reply #4 – April 16, 2015, 01:24:56 pm

I would like to say that I did all the work myself but then I would not be telling the truth. All of the work has been done by Parliament Coach in Clearwater FL. These guy know there business and several of the techs that work there have worked on and been schooled by Foretravel over the years. I will post pictures soon although our coach will be similar to all of yours. I plan on redecorating the interior some time this fall after a trip to Tennessee and perhaps out west.

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Reply #5 – April 16, 2015, 02:25:14 pm

Good to see ya Rick.

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Reply #6 – April 16, 2015, 04:49:37 pm

Welcome Rick, St. Pete's the old home town, I'm in South Pasadena....coach lives in Polk City...if you ever need someone other than Parliament to work on the coach there's a fantastic FT guy in Leesburg....well worth the extra mileage!  (you may already know Paul)

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

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Reply #7 – April 16, 2015, 05:50:15 pm

Miz Dani I would indeed be interested Will you please send me contact info.....much appreciated

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Reply #8 – April 16, 2015, 06:09:08 pm

Rick, PM sent....Paul is top notch....former (factory trained) FT tech, only works on FT's, you won't find a more knowledgable guy anywhere in Florida.

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Reply #9 – April 16, 2015, 08:09:23 pm

Welcome Rick! When we picked up our coach several summers ago in Naples (eBay coach), we stopped at Parliament Coach on our way to Minneapolis. Very satisfied, they went through everything, and also replaced all 8 air bags. My son is considering converting a bus, and we will be talking to Parliament Coach about that when the time comes.

Here is my list (not as impressive as yours ):

Replaced all fluids
Replaced all 8 air bags
New isolator
New alternator
New color backup camera and screen
New dash vacuum pump
New 12V compressor
Repaired boost relay
Generator belt
Fixed retracting steps (PO installed new air relay, wired backwards)
Visited Zip Dee and replaced main awning fabric.

Future plans:
New tires
New brake pads
Strip decals, new paint
New Splendide 2100XC washer

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Re: New to Forum

Reply #10 – April 20, 2015, 01:30:38 pm

Just a question to answer my curiosity. Do you all think that having as much money in service, repairs and preventive maintenance as you have in the purchase of a coach is unusual? I have seen posted many times on this forum that if you are thinking of buying an older Foretravel that you should be prepared to spend 10-15 thousand dollars after the purchase. I wish that would have been true for me. I don't believe that my coach is any different than any other 17 year old motorhome whether it is a Foretravel or any other high end coach, when it comes to replacing 17 year old fuel lines and air valves, and air bags, and, and, and, the list goes on. What are your thoughts?

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Reply #11 – April 20, 2015, 04:28:45 pm

Rick

I guess it depends on how long it takes to equal the purchase amount. My Grandvilla is 6 years older than yours. It was 11 years old when we bought it 12 years ago. The first year we put in $10k into it.  Last year we put more than $11k into it (new head gasket and all others, injectors, waste gate in turbo, resonator, etc).  In between we have probably averaged $5K per year for 10 years. That just about equals the purchase price ($70K).

Your list of repairs is very similar to mine, but yours has been compressed into less than 2 years, whereas mine has been spread over 12 years. You didn't mention refrigerators. We are on our 3 rd in 12 years.  Several other items and upgrades,

You of all people should realize that these quality homes on wheels require frequent (if not constant) maintenance (aka $$).  It never stops.  But we still travel in comfort in that old classic and feel the cost is worth it.


(removed accidental quote code - Michelle)

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Re: New to Forum

Reply #12 – April 20, 2015, 05:50:44 pm

As a friend told me that these coaches have a long lifespan and will go for many years. That said the components will have to be repaired or replaced and that is why the price is less when you buy it.  It is for the replacement of the parts and the wear on the coach in terms of miles and time.

The big issue is if you think it is worth remodeling.  I decided to remodel rather then go with a new one.  I am happy with that decision but it does mean we put more money into it and will never get it out other then thru use.

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Reply #13 – April 20, 2015, 07:33:54 pm

John I think that my  coach is well worth remodeling after repairing and replacing all of the aged and worn out parts. One of the many things I like about the coach is that it has all of the creature comforts that you could possibly find in a larger coach with several slides but is small enough to heat and cool easily in just about any temperature, and as I mentioned in my first post I am really pleased to have a lower profile than todays coaches have so I am OK with having that kind of money tied up in my coach. As you said Don the Foretravels are a fine quality, well built motorhome

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Reply #14 – April 20, 2015, 09:32:09 pm

You've replaced a bit more than I have on my 98 but I'm sure that I'll be forced to replace those things sooner or later.  I've done pretty much all of my own work on mine and I'd hate to think of the cost (for me) to paying someone to do all of it. 

I know there were a few people mocking the $10k figure as being ridiculously high in a thread awhile back but I think its about right if you're paying someone to do the work or unless you bought a FT where someone had already done all the work (in which case, why would they be selling it?).  This was my first motorhome and it has been far more expensive to keep maintained and updated than I expected.  It'd be pretty easy to sink as much money into it as I paid for it.

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Reply #15 – April 20, 2015, 09:55:32 pm

Yes, an older coach will require maintenance. We have probably spent the predicted $10,000 since we bought it. The thing is, once you do that, you know what you've got, and the condition of everything.

The key, as was mentioned, is spreading it out over time. If you keep a coach for awhile, the maintenance isn't so bad. I enjoy working on the old girl, so I look at it as a hobby, and my wife says it keeps me home and out of the bars at night...

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Reply #16 – April 21, 2015, 10:19:24 am

The alternative to buying an older FT and rehabbing it is to buy SOB's and spend money replacing them.  How many 20 year old  Winnebago's are still on the road and look and perform as good as a FT ?
Gary B

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