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Topic: Video overview of my new Realm (Read 2316 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #50 –
Quote from: bogeygolfer –
I was thinking that the Realm's closest competitor was the Entegra Cornerstone. I'd be curious to hear if Jeff or anyone else could offer a good comparison of the two coaches.

Chris

Since I just traded in my Cornerstone on a Realm, I can give you my thoughts. First, I'll say I think both are excellent coaches. They're not exactly head-to-head competitors, because the Realm is about $300k more expensive.

As it has already been mentioned, one big difference is the chassis. I think the Spartan K3GT is a significant improvement over the K3. Seeing the bare K3GT chassis at the factory, it was quite impressive. It has much more reinforcement, as well as the passive steer tag. It also has a built-in fire suppression system for safety (not sure if that comes with the chassis, or if FT adds it).

The other big difference is the steel frame construction that FT does, relative to aluminum construction in the Entegra. I also think the slide-out technology FT uses is far superior to Entegra. Overall fit and finish and build quality is more impressive on the FT. Don't get me wrong, Entegra also does a very  nice job, but I feel like my FT looks and feels more like a high-end custom coach.

There are two main areas where I feel the Cornerstone was better. One is storage room. The Realm has much bigger tanks, so as a result, there is less room for storage. The large tanks are nice, but it's a trade-off. The other big advantage Entegra has is driver visibility. They use a "cab forward" design that has a very large windshield which curves around on the corners. They mount the mirrors lower, so the driver's line-of-sight is virtually unhindered. The Realm has a narrower windshield, and it has large corner pillars. On top of that, the mirrors are mounted directly in the driver's line-of-sight, so I find myself leaning forward more often when making turns to make sure there's nothing in my blind spot.

Overall, both are great coaches, and I think owners of each will enjoy theirs. It's just a matter of price point and which features are most important. At least that's my two cents!!

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #51 –
Quote from: krush –
FT made almost 200 RVs a year not too long ago. Now how many do they make?

I bet if they made a 40foot and 36foot Realm and laid off some of the glitz and glam and got the price a bit lower, they'd sell like hotcakes through MHS.

And this loops right back around to a big problem. No dealer network across the USA.

When I was recently going through the buying process, I was told that FT is currently producing roughly 40 units per year. They told me they like that production level because each rig can really receive individualized attention (which was definitely the impression I got during my build). I asked if they had ambitions to ramp up production level, and they basically said no. In my opinion, they've found the sweet spot where they produce enough to be profitable (hopefully), but are small enough to be excellent.

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #52 –
Quote from: Jeff H –
When I was recently going through the buying process, I was told that FT is currently producing roughly 40 units per year. They told me they like that production level because each rig can really receive individualized attention (which was definitely the impression I got during my build). I asked if they had ambitions to ramp up production level, and they basically said no. In my opinion, they've found the sweet spot where they produce enough to be profitable (hopefully), but are small enough to be excellent.

That's roughly the same number of coaches Newell produces each year, and it appears to work well for Newell.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #53 –
Thanks for the comments, Jeff.  I had the opportunity to drive a friend's Cornerstone a few months ago, and was really impressed with it also.  I can only imagine how nice the Realm drives.

Thanks again for posting - keep it up!

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #54 –
Jeff
Great review and comparison of coaches. 

It is interesting how different amenities are important and significant to different people for different reasons.  You mentioned that your Realm has larger holding tanks- a feature that I personally like since we boondock without hookups.  The larger tanks mean moving less to dump and take on water.  If you are hooked up in a full service campground most of the time, larger tanks don't mean as much.  Maybe the extra storage for more toys would be more valuable then?

Sounds like you have a great coach- hope you enjoy it.

Maybe we will see you down the road Jeff.

Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #55 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
Jeff
Great review and comparison of coaches. 

It is interesting how different amenities are important and significant to different people for different reasons.  You mentioned that your Realm has larger holding tanks- a feature that I personally like since we boondock without hookups.  The larger tanks mean moving less to dump and take on water.  If you are hooked up in a full service campground most of the time, larger tanks don't mean as much.  Maybe the extra storage for more toys would be more valuable then?

Sounds like you have a great coach- hope you enjoy it.

Maybe we will see you down the road Jeff.


With regards to holding tanks, one thing I've noticed is that even though the Realm has a larger black tank (57 gal vs. 50 gal in the Cornerstone), the downside is both toilets in the Realm are macerator pump toilets which use roughly .85 gallons of water per flush. So when it comes to boondocking, even though the black tank is larger I think you get fewer flushes before filling. The Cornerstone had a macerator toilet in the rear, but the mid-bath was a straight dropdown toilet, so it used much less water.

We mostly boondock when we tailgate at football games, so I think my solution will just be to ask my guests to abide by the "if it's yellow, let it mellow" rule and not flush every time. LOL

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #56 –
Quote from: Jeff H –
When I was recently going through the buying process, I was told that FT is currently producing roughly 40 units per year. They told me they like that production level because each rig can really receive individualized attention (which was definitely the impression I got during my build). I asked if they had ambitions to ramp up production level, and they basically said no. In my opinion, they've found the sweet spot where they produce enough to be profitable (hopefully), but are small enough to be excellent.


This business model described here that Foretravel is following makes great sense in an economy that is still shaky. Since there is little to no improvement in our current economy in many aspects, many companies like Country Coach just could not survive. I am pleased to see that there are great business minds at work at Foretravel and the outlook for the company is favorable. We need as a forum to always support our proud company and highlight all advantages that come with owning a Foretravel product, new and old. Also, lets also support our wonderful Motorcade and club events like the Lady's Driving School and local chapters.
Bob
Bob & Kathy
2007 Nimbus
Full Timers
Retired Charter Bus Owner/Operator

Re: Video overview of my new Realm

Reply #57 –
.85 gallons?  I think a residential two mode flush toilet only uses 0.8 gallons on the "number 1" flush.