Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Topic: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!! (Read 7892 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #100 – April 26, 2016, 12:27:58 pm

Mike, FT IS aware of this thread for sure as a few there look at it frequently, it is just that they do not know how to respond to any of the concerns shown on issues brought up here on Forum!!!
Instead, think of sending a message thru' someone at FT to the Forum that " We are endeavoring to to answer this problem (and others that have been mentioned) and our intention is to come to a mutually agreeable conclusion for owners of affected coach's. Our decision will not only be sent to these people but also posted on this Forum. "Foretravel" would also like to take this opportunity to owners of all models and years, that every one of them is important to this company, and is testimony to the quality of our name"
Will we see anything close to this, hmmm, your guess is as good as mine?
JohnH

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #101 – April 26, 2016, 12:39:21 pm

When I talked to James T yesterday he stated they are well aware of the issue and are monitoring the forum.

I agree with your assessment John!

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #102 – April 26, 2016, 12:56:52 pm

Some resolution is needed here between Foretravel, the owners of these coaches and the PTO supplier to Foretravel/Allison.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #103 – April 26, 2016, 01:27:02 pm

Quote from: Lucky1 – April 26, 2016, 11:13:09 am

Who is the best to do repair? This is beyond my pay grade. Cummins, Allison, or a shop in Nac? Would be great if I could do this locally.

Contact Chelsea and they will tell you if there is a PTO service center closest to you.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #104 – April 26, 2016, 02:29:52 pm

I spoke with James. My coach was fixed in February of 2014. Super nice, very helpful.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #105 – April 26, 2016, 02:45:54 pm

Quote from: Lucky1 – April 26, 2016, 02:29:52 pm

I spoke with James. My coach was fixed in February of 2014. Super nice, very helpful.

Just make sure you grease going forward and use the proper grease.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #106 – April 26, 2016, 04:29:39 pm

Here's another update, folks.

I spoke with James yesterday about this and provided him with my build number. They are definitely aware of the discussions on the forum.

James referenced the build number, but he also wanted to see some pictures of the engine. He wanted to make absolutely sure, without having the coach in front of him, that mine was either affected or not affected by the PTO issue. This was his response:

"Your coach does not have a PTO. It has an engine gear driven pump. Which is controlled by a Sauer Danfoss controller. The last two pics show the controller at the hitch area lower right hand area."

The "last two pics" that James refers to are pictures I sent him of the engine area. I have attached those two pictures to this message, for reference. I have no idea what the controller looks like, but James could could clearly see it.

I really appreciated how quickly James got back to me and how thorough he was in verifying the status of the PTO issue for my coach.

On a broader note, this seems to me to be an issue that could very likely become a win/win depending on what steps might be taken. Unfortunately, it right now appears to be a lose/lose. It's a loss in the sense that Brad and others are having to deal with these issues and I think it's a loss in the sense that the Foretravel folks I have talked with hate seeing the brand and customers suffer from these issues. I have great hopes this can be worked out. Not the first time I have been called naive, but I see good folks on both sides of this problem.

Safe travels, everyone.

Don

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #107 – April 26, 2016, 04:44:57 pm

Yes, this whole PTO discussion is for and only for hydraulic pumps DRIVEN OFF THE TRANSMISSION, NOT THE ENGINE.

Very easy to identify if you have a good-sized hydraulic pump hanging off the side of your transmission.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #108 – April 26, 2016, 05:09:26 pm

A word of caution to owners who have greaseble PTO's on 2011 models to present. Make sure you grease it with Chelsea recommended grease, 379831 (spline grease). The techs at Chelsea say do it when you change your oil. Do not use any other type of grease like the grease you would use to grease the chassis i.e. u-joints. Plus each time you only put in about an 1 oz. Not like when you grease u-joints. The part no. is for a tube you put in a grease gun. So best to have a dedicated grease gun just for the PTO.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #109 – April 26, 2016, 06:05:59 pm

I thought it would be good to show the PTO and pump assembly on my Phenix

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #110 – April 26, 2016, 06:07:33 pm

sorry the picture didn't post

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #111 – April 26, 2016, 06:52:10 pm

I just learned MOT checks the PTO's as a matter of routine. I am now starting to get mad. I was at FOT in '11 and '13 and they did not check or even mention I could break down somewhere because of a PTO failure.

I hope it is not true but based on Brad's comments it appears that Lyle is more concerned about profit and a return on his investment than doing the right thing. I hope that he is so wrong. I did speak with Foretravel yesterday, and they seem to be evaluating their best solutions. I will let all of you know of the outcome, and remain optimistic that although mistakes were made, they will step up and help make this right. My wife and I have been avid Foretravel advocates, and when meeting others in our travels, we have sent new customers their way. I hope that we will feel confident doing that in the future, and that we can share the story of a company that stands behind its product. We have raved about their customer service - this incident has made us question their commitment to their customer but they can still do the right thing.

Pls Lyle, stand behind your product and your customers - correct this with all 07-10 models/owners affected.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #112 – April 26, 2016, 07:27:16 pm

Quote from: Darrell LeBeau – April 26, 2016, 06:52:10 pm

I just learned MOT checks the PTO's as a matter of routine. I am now starting to get mad. I was at FOT in '11 and '13 and they did not check or even mention I could break down somewhere because of a PTO failure.

I read your post and I must agree that FOT really does not step forward. With their 2007 Nimbus, they knew they had issues with the fiberglass used on the coaches. This problem caused crazing. At first, when pressed to repair it, if the coach was under warranty they would. They would not notify you of the problem, only if you mentioned something. Those coaches not under warranty, well it started with splitting the cost. Now, today, you are totally on your own. I own a coach the has crazing on every spot possible. I have seen this with other 2007 Nimbus. So, what do I have, a lemon? You bet, my resale value is much lower due to this problem that was the responsibility of FOT from the beginning. Be grateful your problem is mechanical and can be fixed. Imagine a total paint job on a coach looking like a paint job on a cheap pull behind trailer. Never again will I purchase another Foretravel nor use the services at the FOT. Maybe I should paint this rig in bright yellow with Lemon graphics on all the sides.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #113 – April 26, 2016, 07:42:52 pm

Now you see what happens when investors buy and control any company, they are in it for the bucks.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #114 – April 26, 2016, 07:48:24 pm

Quote from: NancyS – April 26, 2016, 07:42:52 pm

Now you see what happens when investors buy and control any company, they are in it for the bucks.

Or possibly to save it. Along with make money hopefully

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #115 – April 26, 2016, 07:50:07 pm

Bob,

Do you have any photos to show what has happened to your paint? May help to get others together with a similar problem that could help force the issue.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #116 – April 26, 2016, 07:57:45 pm

--- SAFETY ISSUE-----When things come your way that are going to require money to fix , you got to just plain do it . If it hurts , well you pay anyway as it has got to be fixed right . You don't take your coach on the road and something not be fixed before you go . So , you saddle up and off you go , it's a good feeling to start out on a good trip headed for that great destination . You have addressed every thing that you knew about , inspected it your self looking for anything that might not be right . Now here we are , getting close to the big Q event on I-10 about 35 or so miles to go and the engine temperature started rising rapidly . What to do , --you pull over as soon as you possibly can . A small narrow shoulder , ---tuff , pull over now , don't hurt your engine . That is exactly how it came down . So I get off as far as I can , but like I said , (narrow ) shoulder and a very steep slope down . Open the door , heck it is nearly 4 feet to the ground from the bottom step . No problem you say , well I was 78 years old . Phoned James T. , he ask questions , and said it is the PTO . I never heard of the coach having a PTO , so he filled me in on that . James told me to check for a wiring plug on the transmission . So I get out , crawl under the coach , belly slide thing to the tranny and can not find that wire plug . Now all this is not good , I am under the coach , feet sticking out where ever trying ti find that wire plug to unhook .the speed limit here is 70 MPH . and all the heavy traffic on I-10 , headed to California was hauling butt , lots of big trucks and everything was head to tail 70 plus MPH and only about 3 feet from me . That scared the stuff out of me , no escape , just sit there an wait . Now after all this is said and done I can tell you loud and clear , it is a ( very large safety issue ). That is the main thing that is overlooked in this whole mess . Texas , has a strict safety code for motor vehicles . ----------? Brad Metzger

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #117 – April 26, 2016, 08:10:02 pm

Would a electric fan or series of fans do the job?

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #118 – April 26, 2016, 08:11:10 pm

Brad with your recent issue as a reference, you should post it for investigation on the NHTSA site. This may be a recall candidate.

File a Vehicle Safety Complaint | Safercar.gov | NHTSA

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #119 – April 26, 2016, 08:29:16 pm

Look at what I just found; Electric Fan Engineering : Cooling Fans : Truck Electric Fans

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #120 – April 26, 2016, 08:29:40 pm

Quote from: Brad Metzger – April 26, 2016, 07:57:45 pm

--- SAFETY ISSUE-----

BRAD, I find it interesting when you called FOT about your problem, they knew right away what the issue was. Telling would you not say?

Bob

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #121 – April 26, 2016, 08:45:04 pm

So, why would anyone buy any company, endure the headaches, make the investment, if not for profit? There are far better ways to seek self fulfillment than business ownership. Most people with high minded ideas of how things "should be done" have never owned a durable, ongoing concern. Expecting forever warranties on products, or a never ending stream of communications about possible errors or omissions, while appealing to owners, is just not feasible in the competitive market. No automaker does it, nor any other manufacturer I am aware of. How many people owned cars that shed their paint as the failures of the new electrostatic paint application process became apparent? I owned several, as did many others I know, and none of these deep pocket companies mentioned so much as a peep to me about it, much less offered to repaint their failed jobs.

So, a plug here for Foretravel. They do many things right, and some wrong. The original poster on this thread stated his issues, his dissatisfaction with how they were handled, and that he was lost as a valued customer, the most stinging rebuke possible, when it involves the lost sale of an IH45.

I am saying that I have had exceptional support from Foretravel, and that they go above and beyond in their efforts to support my now 19 year old coach. No, it's not perfect. Yes, it has one of those infernal balancers on the output shaft of the Allison tranny that may some day fail and be a big repair. No, I don't think it's Ft's fault and don't expect them to pay all, part, or any of the repair costs when it happens. Same thing goes for bulkheads and numerous other items. But there are so very many things that they got so right that in balance, its a long term win for me.

I hope some good will come from this painful thread, in the form of policy adjustments from one side, and a consideration of reasonable expectations from the other.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #122 – April 26, 2016, 09:06:23 pm

Quote from: NancyS – April 26, 2016, 08:29:16 pm

Look at what I just found; Electric Fan Engineering : Cooling Fans : Truck Electric Fans

In a word, NO. With the CAC and radiator in front where 70 MPH wind is aiding air flow, YES.

In the back where close to 25 HP is required to cool a large diesel-- NO. No alternator could put out close to that amount of work.

Looks good at first glance, but there is a reason that either mechanical or hydraulic drives are used for DP's.

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #123 – April 26, 2016, 09:11:10 pm

Chuck, with all due respect I for one am not saying a product should be warranted forever. I think that is an stretch with regards to this issue. Who said or implied that?

I clearly stated that they should not pay for a replacement but assist with a portion of the cost. It is documented they knew of a serious issue and did NOTHING to warn owners. They chose to install dry PTO's knowing Country Coach in 05 had legal issues with there use of the same PTO. To my knowledge they also did not tell original owners like me to make sure these are lubricated yearly.

They switched to the greaseable in 2011. I for one wonder why? If, as you believe manufacturers have no responsibility after the warranty period, why not stay with the non greaseable unit because they last past the warranty period?

Re: Am driving my last Foretravel !!!!!

Reply #124 – April 26, 2016, 09:22:38 pm

There is no time limit on Product Liability, we are still getting recalls on our 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The same should apply to safety issues of any RV.

Affiliate Notice