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Topic: Ready to Buy (Read 1074 times) previous topic - next topic

Ready to Buy

Hi. We are a couple with a nice 24 foot Airstream Interstate, with two dogs nice ride but we are ready to go bigger, and we know Foretravel is what we want. Thanks for this forum. The question is......start off older, like a 2006, or go 2012 for some (double) more, or (not possible for us) go for the gusto of a 2016? Not a bad choice to have to make, but would appreciate thoughts?

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #1 –
The benefit of new is that you start with a clean sheet of paper but if you have never owned a big unit you may not know exactly what you want.  It is cheaper to buy your last coach first. Tough choices but I would talk to sales and see what they offer. The bu
K of the new sales are to new owners with very little experience in Motorhomes I was told by a couple people at FT.
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: Ready to Buy

Reply #2 –
Depends on what you want and what your budget is. 

Shop all the options, see what you like, see what fits your budget.

Have fun

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

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #3 –
Lot of combined wisdom here ^.^d


Newbie Question: How To Make The First Coach The Last Coach
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #4 –
I agree to buy your last coach first. I wish we started that way. We built our 07 Phenix and it is our last coach. After owning other brands before FT we knew what we wanted in a coach. We have no interest in trading for a newer one. We have everything the way we like.

Good luck with your decisions!
'07 Phenix Double slide, Bunk beds, 42'
'14 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #5 –
 You're obviously comfortable with RV'ing pulling a tag along. A Foretravel motorhome is about 100 times more complicated than an Airstream tagalong.  If money is not an issue, then you can proceed with whatever choices you make and it won't hurt the rest of your endeavors.

It's a decision involving choices you both need to make certain are well thought out. Even if money is not an issue, getting the wrong layout, length, etc. is not easy to correct. Yes you can always sell the Motorhome and then buy another one with more certainty as to what you really need.

I always strongly urge new motorized home buyers to proceed cautiously on cost on the first one.  I can guarantee you you will not know what owning a motorized home is like until you own one.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #6 –
I believe an Airstream Interstate is a motorhome, not a "tagalong", right?  Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #7 –
For a very large segment of this community 2006 is way newer than what we have.  If you want something in the post 2005 era you might want to look at something in the 2010 range that had the last of the pre-DEF diesels.  NImbus and Phenix models.  IH45s were introduced in 2011 as I recall.

Look, look, look.  You have to look at them closely to start to understand the differences.  What materials, what look, what floor plan.  How is the kitchen going to work?  The bathroom (s)? Think about daily life in each coach. Do you want a dinette or a table to eat at?  How are you going to watch TV?  If you need to do some work, how is that going to work?

You will start understanding the differences, know what appeals to you, know what colors and textures you like. When you see the right one it will jump out at you.

So best luck with your search, keep us informed, let us know what you find.  Welcome to our community.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #8 –
sitting here in my '96 I started reading BEEGEE's post and thought older...'88 or '89. I suppose all is relative. Like the post of the stuff from England, The Britts think 100 miles is a long way and the Yanks think 100 years is a long time.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #9 –
Welcome, GeeBee. Since you sound like you have the financial resources to buy whatever fits your needs, you really can buy your last coach first - if you do your research and ask yourselves the tough questions.

Each year offers different features, and sometimes Foretravel removed a desirable one. For example, our 1993 coach has the tambour doors on the overhead cabinets. Many people like them (we do), but they were removed a few years after our coach was built. The solid walnut wood of the older coaches also went away at some point. On the other hand, Aqua Hot arrived after our coach was built, too, and many people love that feature.

Go down to Nacogdoches and spend a few days there. Visit both the Foretravel factory and Motorhomes of Texas. See what's there and what you get for your money. Talk to the sales people at both places.

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #10 –
Quote from: bogeygolfer –
I believe an Airstream Interstate is a motorhome, not a "tagalong", right?  Built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
Oops...my mistake.  Didn't know Airstream branded a class B, C don't know what it is...It is not a Class A.  My comments still hold a Class A diesel pusher Motorhome is not the same as a small van chassis motorhome.  Sorry I jumped to conclusions...
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #11 –
Quote from: GeeBee –
Hi. We are a couple with a nice 24 foot Airstream Interstate,

Welcome! We are ex-Airstreamers, having had two trailers and two diesel motor homes. We've always loved the "classic" shape and interiors of them, but when our last coach was wrecked, FT was our only choice. Since we're spoiled by "retro" stuff, the Grand Villa / Unihome was our only choice. We looked and looked until we found this dear. The cool body style and wood interior w/ tambour doors makes us feel right at home!  Good luck, keep in touch, especially pics if you find your "pride and joy."
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #12 –
Thanks everyone you are great........We love the 2012, like the 2008 and of course the brand new is perfect, but likely out of our range (and maybe too flashy?).  We actually LIVE in Nacogdoches so there are always new/preowned ones coming in...
We started by looking at the Nimbus 08, nice but had a few "scratches", then before you know it we are double the price with a 2012, very clean and still "intimate".  It has almost everything, I guess we want, but then you start talking about "let's change this sofa out for a kitchen table" at some point......things like that.
The interstate is 24 feet and we could always keep it a few years and build our "first and last coach".
Lots to think about, we are blessed to have you all helping!

Re: Ready to Buy

Reply #13 –
Beth & I traded-in a Winnebago Rialta for Forrest back in 2003 and have not looked back.  Of course back then the Rialta was built on a VW chassis which was both underpowered and overweight with passengers and a change of clothes.  Good luck in your search.  You have a great traveling RV now. So, take your time, be patient, the right Foretravel will surely come along for you both to be satisfied.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH