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Topic: Some Newbie Questions (Read 1298 times) previous topic - next topic

Some Newbie Questions

Have been following this forum for some time and have not seen a Foretravel up close and personal, so off to MOT I go for a first hand look.  Many here seem to use MOT for repairs, renovations and service.  What about the other side of the business - sales?  Would you buy from them? Many inspection companies out there, any recommendations on inspectors familiar with Foretravels near MOT or FOT?  Always had gassers SOB and unfamiliar with most diesels, would you recommend having a diesel mech check out first if I located one?  Thanks for any advice you may share.
Jim & Shirley

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #1
bought two from MOT, would not have bought the second one from them if I didn't love the first transaction. They also took my U-270 and sold it for me on consignment- three transactions - all good
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #2
No issues buying from  MOT and sold one coach on consignment too.

You could take the coach over to Bernd shop for an engine inspection if you get that far. 
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: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #3
I HIGHLY recommend buying from MOT.  I bought my present Foretravel from them earlier this year.  It was a coach they owned, not a consignment coach.  They had already gone through the coach to make sure all the systems were working.  They found that all the batteries were questionable so replaced all the house and chassis batteries and serviced all the fluids and filters.  The coach was mechanically in drive-away condition, and came with a full tank of diesel.  That shocked me.  194 gallons of diesel at almost $3 per gallon was a real good perk.  Now, as I said, mine was an MOT-owned coach.  I can't guarantee that they'd go over a consignment coach as well as an MOT-owned coach.

I traded in my old U-240 rather than go through the hassle of selling it myself, even knowing that this decision would cost me money.  However, it was easier that way, and I'm a one-stop-shopping kind of guy.  I dealt with Stuart Canty and Jason Haskins on the sales side, and have nothing but praise for the professionalism they displayed.  After more dealings with MOT and from feedback here, I find that level of professionalism is a requirement to work at MOT.

Yes, I heartily recommend MOT. 

Glen
Glen Kenney
Colmesneil, Tx
Former owner of
1997 40' U320
Build # 5099

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #4
We could not be happier with our buying experience at MOT. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #5
I HIGHLY recommend buying from MOT.  I bought my present Foretravel from them earlier this year.  It was a coach they owned, not a consignment coach.  They had already gone through the coach to make sure all the systems were working.  They found that all the batteries were questionable so replaced all the house and chassis batteries and serviced all the fluids and filters.  The coach was mechanically in drive-away condition, and came with a full tank of diesel.  That shocked me.  194 gallons of diesel at almost $3 per gallon was a real good perk.  Now, as I said, mine was an MOT-owned coach.  I can't guarantee that they'd go over a consignment coach as well as an MOT-owned coach.

I traded in my old U-240 rather than go through the hassle of selling it myself, even knowing that this decision would cost me money.  However, it was easier that way, and I'm a one-stop-shopping kind of guy.  I dealt with Stuart Canty and Jason Haskins on the sales side, and have nothing but praise for the professionalism they displayed.  After more dealings with MOT and from feedback here, I find that level of professionalism is a requirement to work at MOT.

Yes, I heartily recommend MOT. 

Glen

My coach was a consignment coach. It also came with a full tank of fuel.  :D
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #6
Thanks all for the feedback, feel much better about dealing with them.  Does Bernd also do the total coach inspection as well?  Wheels up shortly heading that way, probably get to Nac mid-afternoon Sunday.  Thanks again.
Jim & Shirley

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #7
Does Bernd also do the total coach inspection as well? 

Bernd's shop's business is engine, some chassis.

For total coach 100%, hands' down, no question (especially in southeast Texas) - Brett Wolfe (member and moderator wolfe10). 
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: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #8
I'm a one-stop-shopping kind of guy.  I dealt with Stuart Canty and Jason Haskins on the sales side, and have nothing but praise for the professionalism they displayed.  After more dealings with MOT and from feedback here, I find that level of professionalism is a requirement to work at MOT.
Yes, I heartily recommend MOT. 
Glen
My coach was a consignment coach. It also came with a full tank of fuel.  :D
+1 on using MOT, Stewart and Jason.  I too, traded in a SOB and  I feel I got treated very well.  Mike, Keith and all the crew back in the shop are very professional.
Good Luck in your search, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #9
Brett Wolfe is your best resource (he is a member here on the forum) if he is available and has time. In some ways Bern competes with MOT and is more of a chassis specialist than a total coach specialist.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #10
Thanks for all the good information.  Just off the road and will head to Nac tomorrow.  Plan to start my looking Monday.  Again thanks for all the help.  If I get that far, I will try to contact  Brett Wolfe to see if he is available.  Just taking that first step now.

Jim
Jim & Shirley

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #11
The shops in NAC (MOT and FOT) are good.  MOT is going to have a better selection of older coaches.  They are a good place to see what floor plans look like and what features you will find.  Once you get closer to what you want start looking on RVTrader and Oodle and here.  i would guess that most coaches are sold find buyers this way. We studied and looked for almost four years and found our coach on Oodle in Californis.  Great find for us. Keep asking questions.  The more you know the smarter a buyer you will be.  Good shopping!
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #12
Another plug for MOT, have bought two and sold one through Stewart Canty, trust him!  Good luck.
Kevin

Current  1997 U295. Build #5160
Previous 1994 U300

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #13
Jim, we found the perfect coach for us at FOT.  They did not have it when we were there looking but by letting them (Tyle Fore was our salesman) know what we wanted, we learned shortly after that they had one coming in on trade.  It turned out to be our perfect coach.  Great buying experience!
Good Luck!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #14
Jim, we found the perfect coach for us at FOT.
Ditto for us.  We ended up choosing something a little different at FOT than what we thought we wanted.  But Tyle spent almost a year working with us, keeping us informed about incoming coaches that could have met our requirements.  We too had a great buying experience. 
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Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #15
We are on our 3rd Foretravel. Took us that long ( I is a slow learner) to know what we wanted and even then we bought our last coach not looking for one with a  slide.. Sure glad to have a slide now. 
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #16
It's better to get it from a reputable dealer than a place this: 1993 Foretravel U240. I went to take a look. The dash is thrashed, seats had to be covered due to cracks/wear/stains, the salesman couldn't get the HWH to work, and couldn't figure out how to get the roof AC's to come on. Not to mention cracked/faded exterior, really bad mold/rust in a couple bays, the broken off door next to the bed, and he kept saying it was a Turbo (CAT 3116)?

Also has it listed on RVT for WAY too much (IMHO). I feel sorry for the in discriminant buyer who gets this off EBay.
AKA Chuck
1993 U280 40' WTB, Build 4345, CUM 8.3 "Falcor", 2010 Honda CRV TOAD (Spock), 970W solar on roof
Full-Time traveler between Quartzsite AZ, Longview WA, Ellendale ND, and Lake City SD
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Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #17
...he kept saying it was a Turbo (CAT 3116)?

Also has it listed on RVT for WAY too much (IMHO). I feel sorry for the in discriminant buyer who gets this off EBay.

That is one of the few things he got correct-- it IS a Caterpillar 3116.  250 HP, 650 lf-ft torque at 1560 RPM.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #18
I have purchased from MOT and FOT.  Like em both!

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #19
Thanks everyone for all of the helpful information and suggestions.  We really enjoyed seeing the quality first hand.  Mot apparently had a run on many of the ones on their website that we wanted to see, but time will bring more in and now we have a better idea of what will work for us.  Not so enjoyable over at Fot, called ahead for an appointment and confirmed we were on our way with Joshua Love.  When we got there the receptionist called over to Joshua that we were there, his office was right across from her.  He did not even bother to acknowledge us.  The receptionist advised us that we were welcome to view all the units as they were unlocked.  Twenty minutes later and still not Joshua Love - we left with a bad taste in our mouth from that experience.  In all my years and many different sales experiences, we have never been treated so rudely.  My wife felt very insulted and we all know who drives our purchases.  Not meant as an indictment of whole organization, but will not give a dollar to Joshua.  I have made my thoughts know to Drew Pierce the Sales Manager.  I know many have said they had a good experience here with other sales people, guess I got the lazy apple.  Think we will wait on Mot or a good member unit comes up that meets our needs.  When the front end (sales) can not get it right, it makes me question the back end operations (parts and service).
Jim & Shirley

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #20
Thanks everyone for all of the helpful information and suggestions.  We really enjoyed seeing the quality first hand.  Mot apparently had a run on many of the ones on their website that we wanted to see, but time will bring more in and now we have a better idea of what will work for us.  Not so enjoyable over at Fot, called ahead for an appointment and confirmed we were on our way with Joshua Love. 

Jim, I am so sorry to hear of your bad experience. Joshua is brand new to sales. While this is no excuse, you and I know how problematic new or even old employees are to a new position. I would encourage you to contact Tyler Fore or Paul Tinkle who are the seasoned sales force.
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #21
We also had a great experience with Tyle when we traded our old Grand Villa for the current U320.  Also the shop crew who fixed everything I wanted, including a new satelite TV set up, and all at no charge.  Plus of course the 194gal of go juice all in the price.
However I had spoken with Paul a year earlier and maybe he did not understand what i wanted, but I did not get a fuzzy feeling with him.
Tyle is excellent.
Brian.
2001 U320 Build #5865
Daihatsu Rocky Toad
VW Touareg
'82 F100 Stepside
Beech' Debonair

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #22
Or Lyle Reed.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #23
Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever done business with Motor Home Specialist?  Goods stories, or bad?
Used to be 40' U300 1992 Build # 4087

Re: Some Newbie Questions

Reply #24
Don't give up on FoT. Maybe Joshua had a bad day. We've dealt all of the sales folks. All outstanding people. FoT does not have a high pressure sales team. Very laid back but will find what your want.
Warranty, parts and service support folks, after 3 1/2 years, have all performed far beyond our expectations on several counts. They stand behind their product far beyond any other company.
We've had several SOB's over 14 years before finally "wising up". Could have save tons of $ with far less aggrivation had we bought  from FoT way back.
Maybe we just got lucky? I don't think so.
Doug, Mary & Abby the Terrier, boss of us.
2012 Nimbus 40',  #6557
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Salem, SC