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Topic: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach (Read 1023 times) previous topic - next topic

Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Well, a long time ago now, I was looking to buy a coach.  I knew nothing about them and it was around the year 2000.  I started shopping for a pickup camper and ended up in a Foretravel.  That is a story. We went from pickup camper shopping to tag along.  We decided that it was too long and that we should go to a fifth wheel as it is easier to pull. Then we were looking for one with a generator.  Then a guy sat us down and told us we needed a motorhome. Well that meant a whole new round of looking. I almost bought a raised rail coach but saw a picture of a FT that had been hit in Mexico and rolled down a ravine. I had also picked up the remains of MHs in accidents before in another life.  So that meant my search was down to a couple brands. I chose a FT. One of the early coaches I looked at was the Allegro line.  I am glad after looking at this thread on PC that I did not.

The people ended up in ICU and their dog died.






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

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel

Reply #1 –
Oh my word.  That is horrible.  Not sure I want to know what happenned.

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel

Reply #2 –
It was a front tire blow out that put them into a ditch
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

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #3 –
Wow. 

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Lucky1 –
Oh my word.  That is horrible.  Not sure I want to know what happenned.



Original thread and photos were posted by user JumboJet on RV.net http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28476987.cfm

Some additional discussion, including updates from JumboJet on iRV2 RV Crash - iRV2 Forums
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #5 –
Might be a dumb question, but issue was brought up on another forum about steering stabilizers.  Would these be wise for the Fore Travel?  Or is the handling much better on these units.  Thanks.
Jim & Shirley

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Parkman Jim –
Might be a dumb question, but issue was brought up on another forum about steering stabilizers.  Would these be wise for the Fore Travel?  Or is the handling much better on these units.  Thanks.
Our first coach was a 1997 DP on a Freightliner chassis. I put a Safe-T-Plus stabilizer on it to improve handling. It helped. We drove it about 9,000 miles.

Eight months later, we bought a 1997 Foretravel U295. It handles better without a stabilizer than did the SOB with the stabilizer. The difference between the "entry level" 1997 SOB and 1997 Foretravel is remarkable. We've have the FT for over five years and traveled over 70K miles in it.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Parkman Jim –
...steering stabilizers.  Would these be wise for the Fore Travel?
Steering stabilizers - the opinions on this subject will range from "waste of money" to "wouldn't be without it".  Some will strongly maintain that adding one is an insult to the inherently good Foretravel design.  Others believe any design can be improved upon.

The 2nd owner of our coach added a Safe-T-Plus at 95,000 miles.  The 4th owners (from whom we purchased) replaced the unit with a new one at about 145,000, and also replaced the steering box.  We now have 170,000 miles on the coach.  All I can say is it steers just like a brand new automobile.  Our coach tracks down the road perfectly straight, does not wander or pull the wheel on rough or rutted road surfaces, and will very easily maintain heading with 2 fingers on the wheel (although I try to use at least 1 full hand at all times).

Having never driven a coach (of any kind or model) without a stabilizer, I cannot say how much "goodness" it adds.  I guess the only way to know for sure is to drive a coach in "stock" condition for a while to get a good baseline, then add a stabilizer.  If you like the result, keep it.  If you don't, remove it and either get your money back, or sell it on Craigslist.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #8 –
I put a safe t plus on my coach for peace of mind (blowout control) and found an addl benefit in handling.  Wouldn't consider removing it.  Installed a blu ox tru center on a different coach, doesn't work as well as safe t.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #9 –
Chuck,
So far, you may be the only one I have heard of who actually put one on their coach and didn't inherit it from a previous owner... Care to share your before and after impressions? Did it make a more noticeable difference than a good alignment (such as one from the good ol' boys down the road from Nac at Big Truck Alignment?)
Thanks, Don
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
I put a safe t plus on my coach for peace of mind (blowout control) and found an addl benefit in handling.  Wouldn't consider removing it.  Installed a blu ox tru center on a different coach, doesn't work as well as safe t.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
I put a safe t plus on my coach for peace of mind (blowout control) and found an addl benefit in handling.  Wouldn't consider removing it.  Installed a blu ox tru center on a different coach, doesn't work as well as safe t.
Thanks all.  After seeing the above pics, I have the same concerns as Chuck, since DW drives as well.  Appears by itself, the Foretravel is much better handling than SOB, but for blowout control, it may be worth adding this feature.
Jim & Shirley

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #11 –
Jim,

As you know all blowouts are different with all the variables involved. Here is a link to a recent members blowout if you haven't read it Left Front Blow out at 60 MPH on a two lane road.  Not saying that all blowouts will be like this but it does have some info you are looking for.  I'm not for sure if Tim has any kind of steering assist.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #12 –
Thanks Mike, I had not seen that thread.  I am in the 5-7 year replacement cycle but a lot of good info, thanks again.  Appears that the Foretravel has much better handling then most without assist.
Jim & Shirley

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) –
Chuck,
So far, you may be the only one I have heard of who actually put one on their coach and didn't inherit it from a previous owner... Care to share your before and after impressions? Did it make a more noticeable difference than a good alignment (such as one from the good ol' boys down the road from Nac at Big Truck Alignment?)
Thanks, Don

Don, some history.  Early in ownership, I dropped a front tire off a high, shoulderless road.  It was a real wrestling match getting her sorted out straight.  After repairing front cap detachment and having windshields reset following this incident I resolved to improve the handling of the coach.
I had a laser alignment done at a highly regarded otr truck specialty shop.  Replaced tie rods and track bar.  Still not happy I took to Wayne at fot. No difference.  Took it home, checked toe with a couple tick sticks, and cranked in 1/8".  Big difference, way mo bettah.  Then I added the safe t plus, and gone is the twitch steer, while I haven't tested it with an off pavement excursion of a steer tire at speed, its apparent this device prevents excessive road feedback from taking control of the vehicle. 
So, yes, I find it to benefit handling. I elected to add one to my big sis's 320.  Chose a blu ox tru center which allows you to add some bias to overcome road crown, crosswinds. Big mistake, very wimpy in comparison w stp, not much benefit in straight line perf.  The on the fly adjustment is nice occasionally but can be added to the safe t also.
My story, and I'm sticking with it.  All coaches and drivers are different and blanket statements like "Foretravel don't need these things" are Ill informed at best as no one but yourself truly knows. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #14 –
Wheel bearing adjustment seems to be critical to the driving experience as far as I have personally noticed
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
Wheel bearing adjustment seems to be critical to the driving experience as far as I have personally noticed

Makes sense.  When I have time will do exactly that.  Won't make any difference in situations like blowout etc tho.  That's the primary function.  Lots of outcomes are the luck of the draw, right or left tire, wide or no shoulder, oncoming traffic, physical ability and skill of driver.

Knowing you're a bike guy, ever experienced a full lock to lock tankslapper?  Most tendencies in that direction are cured after hours of tweaking, alignment, redistribution of weight by the addition of a simple hydraulic stabilizer.  No, it doesn't fix the root cause but it does prevent faceplant.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Why I bought a Foretravel vs a Raised Rail Coach

Reply #16 –
True on the adjustable dampener off road as the rocks push the tire side to side.

Weak forks springs from wear  or as you mentioned too much front end weight on otherwise good springs can cause too steep of a steering head angle on a bike causing it to "twitch" sort of.

Hard to say that the use of a safety device is wrong so I won't. 

Now that I said that I probably jinked myself. 

New zxa's next week.  Hopefully will not have need of the extra safety equipement.

Lots of reasons to use them although.  DW driving might well  be a good reason

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4