If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Topic: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel (Read 1943 times) previous topic - next topic

If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

July 26, 2015, 02:18:57 pm

Well, I was thinking this past weekend about those who downsize. I have two coaches and used the Born Free this past weekend. I will say that I have had exactly 2 repairs on my Born Free since 2007 and it just is a very livable and simple coach. I use it for shorter trips. I was thinking today after spending too many coach bucks two weeks ago, should I just be happy with the smaller coach or even a new smaller coach. I am a 42 foot two slide and get about 7.6 MPG. It is not just the money that is getting my thinking going but how easy it is to get in and go and not tow a vehicle and while I will give up some comforts, will it do. I have covered over 360K miles and owned three Foretravels over 14 years. I could see it if I was being forced to do it due to age, vision or health but how about a voluntary change. I know many of you have come up from a smaller coach to a Foretravel and I also know of only a couple members who have two coaches like me. I was just talking to one the other day who took his 24 footer to Alaska instead of his FT. So, I would be interested in the comments you may have on this. I looked at new Foretravels, but they just don't hit the right buttons for me so that is not an option either. They are much too expensive and too glitzy and too many slides and no storage in them. I did get an email with an 2011 no slide but no room for a recliner in that coach. I am thinking out loud here but I think I will be making a change in the next couple years. The question is what the change will be. So, what say you all.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #1 – July 26, 2015, 02:37:17 pm

Well, John, since I've owned 2 LazyDaze Class C's and 2 Foretravels, I hear what you're saying.

We're selling our Foretravel right now, but I would not bet against a 3rd LD in our future.

The biggest problem with a 40ft FT is not being able to stop for a interesting historical site, etc.

Other than that, a 40ft no slide FT is a very comfortable place to live. We'll be moving to a very nice 1 bedroom apartment this Fall but we'll miss all the storage areas a FT offers.

BTW, you can see our FT at Bernd's shop on Main St in NAC. 40ft 1999 U320

Its quite a coach for $60K.

best, paul

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #2 – July 26, 2015, 02:47:19 pm

We have a 36' Foretravel (although it's a smaller 36 footer) and a 21-foot Streamline travel trailer (out of the early 70s) and a couple of boats with bunks in them (including a 15' West Wight Potter that two adults can sleep in comfortably) and some tents. We use all of them now and then. We still like to tent (and expect a new car-camping tent to arrive tomorrow). The travel trailer tows effortlessly from either our SUV or pickup and is dead easy to hookup. The Potter gives kids and grandkids a taste of cruising but it's not so small that the DW and I can't take it into the San Juan Islands on occasion.

So I think we're already downsized. But nothing, so far, is better than 3 or 4 weeks in the FT in new places and poking around in the Jeep. Solar panels working and the satellite TV set up.

Craig

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #3 – July 26, 2015, 03:56:56 pm

John,

This is a very interesting subject and have been wondering what others thought on this. When we got our first Foretravel we kept our GMC Royale and used it as our weekend rig. As time moved forward the Foretravel became the coach of choice. We live in Texas and travel mostly in the South and desert Southwest and have no problem getting to where we want to go but we always have our tow with us. With the thought of having to downsize at some point we have kept the GMC in storage up at the warehouse when that time comes. Now we have been having thoughts of when we downsize we may just need an all expense credit card for Holiday Inn Express.

Pamela & Mike

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #4 – July 26, 2015, 04:01:36 pm

Yeah, these days when we talk about "roughing it" we mean Holiday Innn Express ;o)

best, paul

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #5 – July 26, 2015, 04:39:24 pm

I guess I am thinking about this as my next MRI looms. I know it should be a good report but that nagging feeling is always in the back of your mind. I will try to use the Born Free more and see how it works. I might even take it on a long trip as well. It is also troubling me as many of my FT friends have hung up their keys for various reasons, and I wonder if there is an alternative for them to continue to travel.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #6 – July 26, 2015, 04:49:32 pm

Well, my recent bladder report was a good one, John.

I wish you a good report, too, John.

My uroligist recently pointed out that its been 9 years since my last radiation treatment. My guess is my prostate has been toast for a long time...

Time flies like the devil is chasing at this stage of the game ;o)

best, paul

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #7 – July 26, 2015, 05:32:14 pm

John,
You are so fortunate to be able to have both coaches to make that comparison in real time and not just supposing and making assumptions. We've owned a Class C (Fleetwood Janboree 31'), a Class B (Winebago Rialta VW Chassis) and the Foretravel. As I get older and not quite as strong and quick as I used to be, the downsizing issue surfaces more and more. I would not hesitate to change to a class C again as these have very much the same features that a class A has. Maybe even a class B or B+ can do the job for us. Then again, Beth is partial to a small towable too as we really enjoy the rustic camping it affords.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #8 – July 26, 2015, 06:01:37 pm

Peter, it is something we all will have to do sometime or other. I saw a number of FT owners who have downsized and still enjoy traveling a different way. I usually stay on state routes or interstates but to be able to get off the road on side roads is raising its head. I am thinking maybe on a ford F 450 four wheel drive but I want to stay smaller.

Paul, I am happy you had a good report. I know what a good one feels like and a bad one as well.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #9 – July 26, 2015, 08:46:50 pm

John,
We have spent enough time now in our Born Free on a diesel F550 4X4 chassis to know that it was the right choice for us when we downsized from the 36' U320. There are only 2 features that have taken some getting used to. I still miss the retarder but the tow/haul feature of the 6 speed transmission works well on most grades. The water situation makes true boondocking a bit more of a challenge. In this model, the fresh water tank only holds 35 gallons and we truly miss that 100 gallon tank but we knew when we ordered it that this would be an issue and can live with it. I have two 5 gallon water cans that I carry in the towed when we think water will not be available at our destination.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #10 – July 27, 2015, 11:20:44 am

We still have the Lazy Daze....just in case. But the FT is fantastic to go and stay in, with the huge tanks & etc, but it does take more planning and care as to where you go.
Met Monti in South Dakota, that 4wd is sure an appealing rig for downsizing to !

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #11 – July 27, 2015, 12:03:09 pm

Just to add to what I said before. The truth is more likely to be that I would miss the Foretravel most when taking a shower...among many other features already stated above. Oh, and the sleeping quarters.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #12 – July 27, 2015, 11:29:34 pm

40foot is way to big for anything...as I type from a campground on the blue ridge parkway. I met a nice couple today that has a roadtrek sprinter. They full time in it, and love it. They use it in small national park campgrounds. There's some places I can't get the 34', I can't ever imagine owning a 40footer, let alone a 45!

The truth is, the new sprinter chassis or a truck conversion are probably the way to go for the future. A diesel pusher doesn't have as much to offer these days. They are too big, bloated, heavy, and full of glitzy crap. Slides are nice if you want a house. Not so much if you want to drive 20,000+ a year and boondock in remote places.

102" wide is great when I'm sitting inside. It's not so fun when I'm driving single lane twisty roads. I can't imagine doing it if I were over 60.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #13 – July 28, 2015, 12:24:16 am

John,
You can downsize to my 36 FT, I'll take your 42 FT, deal

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #14 – July 28, 2015, 06:00:59 am

krush,
Good point, my experience was a Winny View on the Sprinter chassis, looked good etc. My issue was after the MCI Bus coach, there is no room to simply kick back and relax. Found sitting on dinette bench or couch simply did not provide a relaxing position, wound up with the 36', have the comfy easy chair that provides hours of no idea where the time went.
Still think how easy the driving, parking, zipping into a fast food or convenience store can be. Do miss that part.
Took the View on a 10 day round about, when returned home, it took 4 days to recover from the lack of sleep.
The Idea sounded great, I just could not live with the lack of the easy chair to relax/snooze/recover.
Best idea for the View, shopping trips, not spending a week or more in them, or plan on a motel every so often.
Seems I am not willing to live that miserable anymore.
Just my sperience, the Foretravel fits my need real good.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #15 – July 28, 2015, 07:23:28 am

Quote from: John S – July 26, 2015, 02:18:57 pm

So, I would be interested in the comments you may have on this. So, what say you all.

John,
Do you own the coach or does the coach own you? My downsize plans are in place and as when I sold our sticks and bricks house that I built and lived and raised my family in for 30+ years, I won't miss any part of the FT. Recently in a weak moment I did briefly consider Paul Smith's rig but my perceived complexity of the solar, unique refer set up, aquahot systems etc. and the associated maintenance problems costs have made me put that out of my thoughts.
Good luck with your decision,

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #16 – July 28, 2015, 08:31:34 am

We had a very nice Class B for many years, more than 700 nights in it. Our longest trip (when we were younger and with our Malamute) was almost 11 months. It worked well for us, we used the outside space a lot but the short days in the winters made the space we had seem smaller. Upsizing to our FT gave us a real bathroom and a bedroom that stays a bedroom. These same functionalities can be found in many smaller Class Cs. Our PO bought a 30' Class C. It cost more than what they sold us the FT for. It is likely easier to drive and maybe gets about 10% better fuel economy. We have looked at many Class Bs recently as some friends are interested. None are as well equipped as our old one and are very pricey.

So for us, today, the idea of downsizing seems more likely staying closer to home, shorter drive days. Maybe only one or two days. Up here in MN there are many great places to go in that time range. Someday we will just not want drive 2000 miles to get somewhere. We can do it now so we will. But we still rarely drive much over 300 miles in a day.

John, I hope your upcoming MRI results are good and your FT days are many more.

Roger

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #17 – July 28, 2015, 08:44:29 am

To each his own.////

Some like it hot and some like it cold. Personally, I like it just right for me. Which may not be right for you.
Your choice, so far the FOT seems to be the right choice but Country Coach is putting out a 2016 model which will be competition for Foretravel's "Realm". When are you really satisfied? Its all in what you get use to.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #18 – July 28, 2015, 09:16:18 am

We live full time in our 36 ft Foretravel and tow a Subaru Outback. Our coach is our home with a full bedroom, bathroom, new Splendide washer/dryer, etc. We use it as a base, then do our travels, sightseeing, visiting, etc in our Subaru. The Subaru goes a lot of places even a downsized coach will not and it does it @30 mpg. I love having the large tanks and comfort in the Foretravel and there is enough room so if Karen and I want to be in different rooms, we can.

Do what makes you happy and for the next 10-20 years ( hopefully) our Foretravel will be our moving home pulling our toad behind us.

Cya down the road

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #19 – July 28, 2015, 09:28:04 am

"I met a nice couple today that has a roadtrek sprinter. They full time in it, and love it. They use it in small national park campgrounds." People full-time in all sorts of rigs. Some even use a pop-up camper. The majority of full-timers, though, have larger coaches. Some of us have no home base in which to keep items that may not be needed for a few months. Those who have home bases can often use smaller coaches.

Eventually, though, all of us will get to the point where we want or need to slow down. As our needs change it makes sense to change coaches. Those of us with older coaches have to also face the fact that a mechanical issue may "kill" our coaches in that repairs may simply not make financial sense, so we are constantly evaluating our situation: "If we had to replace this coach today, what would best suit us now?" Compared to 10-15 years ago, anyone who needs to make a change has lots of choices available, so finding the right coach is simply a matter of wading through all of the offerings to find the right one.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #20 – July 28, 2015, 09:51:27 am

We started out years ago with a 24' Class B on a Ford chassis. Very reliable and easy to maintain etc. Up-sized to a 27' B a few years later for a bit more room. Both were Coach Houses built in Nokomis Florida. Constructed like a boat. Never thought we would own anything else. Then on a whim we visited the Foretravel factory. 3 days later we left the Coach House on consignment and drove away in the Foretravel that David Wilson (Toyman) owns now. Wonderful coach.
We found we missed getting into back country camping and stopping at interesting places the FT couldn't go. Also Maine is a very expensive place to register any vehicle with the excise tax etc. and it's a long, long way to Nac for any FT specific issues.

So having just bought a new very comfortable pick-up truck that is set up for towing we sold the Foretravel and the CRV it towed and purchased a slightly used Arctic Fox 24' long 102" wide travel trailer thereby eliminating two vehicles. It is so easy to tow and maneuver around and is a true 4 season camper.

What we miss about the FT like John says is the comfort of the recliner and roominess of the bath/ bedroom. What we don't miss is the complexities of some of the systems and very heavy maintenance & registration costs. I will say however that if we ever do go back to a Class A motorhome another 36' Foretravel would be our first choice. It's all in what one wants and what works best for you, which for us seems to change frequently. $:-\$

DW

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #21 – July 28, 2015, 10:56:29 am

Quote from: krush – July 27, 2015, 11:29:34 pm

40foot is way to big for anything...as I type from a campground on the blue ridge parkway. I met a nice couple today that has a roadtrek sprinter. They full time in it, and love it. They use it in small national park campgrounds. There's some places I can't get the 34', I can't ever imagine owning a 40footer, let alone a 45!

The truth is, the new sprinter chassis or a truck conversion are probably the way to go for the future. A diesel pusher doesn't have as much to offer these days. They are too big, bloated, heavy, and full of glitzy crap. Slides are nice if you want a house. Not so much if you want to drive 20,000+ a year and boondock in remote places.

102" wide is great when I'm sitting inside. It's not so fun when I'm driving single lane twisty roads. I can't imagine doing it if I were over 60.

I'm "over 60" and I don't have any problem with our 102-inch width on one-lane-each-direction twisty roads. I don't have any problem with our 40-foot length in most cases, either. Sure, there are some places where our U320 is too big, but I've been in some places where anything larger than a standard-size van would also be too big.

The beautiful thing is that one size doesn't need to fit all, and the floor plan and storage space of our 40-foot U320 fits us perfectly. At some point we may need to downsize, or perhaps quit RVing altogether, but right now what we have is perfect for us.

There is absolutely no reason to claim that 40-foot is way too big for anything. That's simply not the case!

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #22 – July 28, 2015, 11:32:45 am

I must say that this topic have been so helpful and relevant to us. (I have seldom found a forum that promotes such interesting topics.) I am grateful to be able to visit this corner of the RV world. Thank you.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #23 – July 28, 2015, 11:43:06 am

Rv salesman once told me that a rv is just a fancy way to get from one motel to the next. So,,, that did make sense if you just want a mobil place to cook or use bathroom or take a nap, maybe overnite occasionally. But then it's a new bed and food concerns every day. Don't want to go there just yet.
Suppose that would be a sprinter van kind of thing.

Re: If You Have Downsized Do You Miss Your Foretravel

Reply #24 – July 28, 2015, 01:32:55 pm

One of the major reasons for buying our 36' Grand Villa was for longer trips in which the coach is home. It was a nice RV or a cabin in the woods and the nice RV won out mostly because cabins around here tend to burn up in the summer....

I wanted a nice chair to sit in and read or nap or relax where the cat could snuggle up next to me. I suspect this is not the reason most RV owners give for buying their motor home. But I was tired of cramming pillows into the dinette or sitting on what is actually a long single bed with no armrests. Or tiny "arm chairs". This was my major reason. The DW wanted a bed that she did not have to crawl up onto to make. (Or have me crawl over her in the middle of the night.) The Foretravel fits that bill exactly.

Plus it's got a great view for driving or just watching the scenery and will tow a car, a boat or a glider (in a trailer).

I kept the 21' travel trailer because it's perfect for a day trip kayaking or fishing or mountain biking with enough room to make lunch, use the potty, or take a nap. We've spent up to a week living in it and it was ok... but not great. It has a shower but I don't fit into it very well. I hate to sell it because it would cost as much as the Foretravel did (or more) just to replace it (and get some flimsy replica of a 1970s travel trailer).

So the FT is what i want now because I have the chargers for my Kindle, my tablet, and my smartphone in there and unless the DW has decided (again) that she needs them more in her SUV I know where they are. It is my cabin in the woods... and I get to change woods.

I know that if I didn't have the FT I'd miss it. But what I'd miss more is the ability to just get out and go somewhere. And if I could only do that in a 21' travel trailer it probably wouldn't kill me.

Craig

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