Motorcade

Topic: Motorcade (Read 2798 times) previous topic - next topic

Motorcade

May 29, 2016, 06:20:29 am

Looking for pros,cons,stories,opinions,things to like and dislike about the motorcade expierence,thanks in advance.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #1 – May 29, 2016, 07:32:57 am

This will be a live one. There are lots of threads that address this issue.

We joined and are Premier Members - for the extra $25.00. We feel it's part of the cost of owning a FT and like the idea that we can get answers from Mt T if required.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #2 – May 29, 2016, 07:47:19 am

New owners, get the their first year's membership for free, plus the 10% discount on parts and labor at a number of different places. The company will also provide your numbers and install them on the coach.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #3 – May 29, 2016, 08:27:05 am

Already am a member but looking for first hand info on the actual trips and excursions themselves.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #4 – May 29, 2016, 08:35:32 am

We applied our first (freebie) year $100 discount coupon toward tuition for Ladies Driving School. Well worth the time and money.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #5 – May 29, 2016, 09:16:21 am

Joining the Motocade Club is optional. You can choose to join and pay the dues and get the benefits or not.

You get access to all of the Club and Local Chapter sponsered events.

Motorcade events are groups of owners driving their coaches on a preplanned route, stopping at campgrounds where all the arrangements have been made in advance. Along the way there are tours, visits to historic places, places of interest and things like that. On some Motorcades there are optional side trips bu airplane, hellicopter or boats. Sometimes there are fishing trips. Each Motorcade is different. Motorcades last anywhere from a week to 7-8 weeks. There is a WagonMaster who is the leader of the band and a support crew as well who bring a trailer full of parts and on some a factory mechanic.

Each fall there is the GrandVention held in a different loaction each year. This is the annual gathering of the Club for a 4-5 day event. 2015s Grandvention was in Columbus, IN home to the Cummins World Headquarters. We got to visit the Technical Center and tour an engine factory. There were seminars, meals and entertainment everyday. Lots of fun, many new friends.

Local Chapter events are usually a week or so long, smaller groups, shorter trips, more informal. Sometimes they are in a single location. They are a great way to meet other Foretravelers near you.

With a Motorcade membership you get 10% off parts and labor at Foretravel on most work. There are other businesses in Nacogdoche that will give you a discount as well, you have to ask.

There is the Plus program that for an extra $25 gets you priority acces to technical support. It works pretty well. Without it you will still get technical support but the response time will not be as quick.

The most important part of the Motorcade Club to those who choose to join are the other people you get to meet. I know many who have been on several Motorcade trips and while where they go and what they see are really great it is the lasting friendships they make along the way that are most important to them. Travelling in a group gives many a sense of security and support. At the GrandVention last year, our first, we were made to feel very welcome and very included. It was quite apparent that the most important part of that event was seeing old friends and making new ones as we did.

Maybe that kind of travel is not what you want to do or you just don't know yet. The first year is free and there are discounts on events that you can use in the first two years. So it is a good time to try it out, meet some folks and learn. If you travel to Nacogdoches for service you will save enough to pay for your membership.

There are some on the Forum who will speak negatively about the Motorcade Club. They are free to not take advantage of these benefits. Decide for yourself. We are glad to be MC Club members for all of the benefits we have received and especially the friends we have made.

Send a PM to corndog254 (BJ Holden) BJ has been on many MC trips, to Alaska, the Maritimes, the Appalachian Trail and more and can give you lots of first hand stories.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #6 – May 29, 2016, 10:11:06 am

Quote from: Carol & Scott – May 29, 2016, 07:32:57 am

This will be a live one. There are lots of threads that address this issue.

Yes, and that discussion has caused problems for the forum.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #7 – May 29, 2016, 10:48:23 am

Well said Roger and it was great to see you and Susan at the Granvention this year even if I did miss out on Susan's pie!

Re: Motorcade

Reply #8 – May 29, 2016, 11:06:35 am

And you too, Tim. Just like the Forum, the MC Club is a great place for people to get together, help each other out, provide support in many ways and to make new and life long friends. Before the internet and the Forum the MC Club and a phone was how people got together to help each other out. Both provide a gathering place for folks with common interests to share our adventures and help each other. Best when it stays that way.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #9 – May 29, 2016, 11:09:27 am

Quote from: Michelle – May 29, 2016, 10:11:06 am

Yes, and that discussion has caused problems for the forum.

Maybe not this time. I hope.

First a disclaimer, I might be biased. I've been a Motorcade member for as long as I've owned a Foretravel. I keep renewing. I like the people I meet at Motorcade events. I'm the president of the California Chapter.

About the only negatives I see are that the club is not free, you need to own or have owned a Foretravel to join, and it's not for everyone.

The positives far outweigh any negatives.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #10 – May 29, 2016, 12:46:45 pm

We are members, but haven't had the opportunity to participate in any rallies. We do however support Foretravel and will continue to try and get to a function.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #11 – May 29, 2016, 02:04:11 pm

Quote from: John44 – May 29, 2016, 06:20:29 am

Looking for pros,cons,stories,opinions,things to like and dislike about the motorcade experience,thanks in advance.

John 44,

We participate in the Motorcade Club at all levels. I'll answer question in relation to the Motorcade trips and events. The directors of these trips 'scout' the trips a year in advance. We personally have appreciated that someone has gone before us and found campgrounds that are safe for our coach as well as found points of interest that if on our own would not have found. A detailed trip notebook is provided to each coach participant that has the route to the next stop well documented (often scenic), but again it has been traveled by a Foretravel coach. The daily events planned are designated and if you are not interested in those activities then you are not required to go...so choice is still in the equation. Free days along the way are also planned, so as to give the participant a day off to do as they please. The notebook contains other places of interest in and around the stops that are not scheduled, but to give the participant ideas for exploration on their own,

The first Motorcade we participated in was considered an event...i.e., we met at a campground outside of
Washington DC and had ten days to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms and venues and events in the area. That exposure to the club sold us...that was 10 years ago. Many of our close friends now are people that we met at that event. As many have said before, Foretravel people are great.

John 44, I encourage you all to join in during this first year of your membership and try out a chapter rally, an event, or motorcade and get a taste of club membership. We of course have friends here at home, but now have friends from coast to coast because we have participated and enjoyed the camaraderie of the Foretravel Motorcade Club.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #12 – May 29, 2016, 03:39:10 pm

I know I have only done the Buddy rally and GrandVention as well has chapter Rallies. The local chapters are great sources for information on your coach. We weighed all out coaches at one rally on all four corners and weighed out tow cars as well. We have a tech talk and cover the common things you need to know about your coach.

The trips are not a possibility for me as I still work and they are too long but they look to be great fun.

The ten percent discount and the premium membership are worth the cost alone and if you get to meet people and become friends, then all the better.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #13 – May 29, 2016, 04:11:11 pm

The first years' membership is actually just the remainder of that year, as all memberships renew on the first of the year. I suppose that someone who buys a Foretravel late in the year might choose to join in January, and thus get a full year's membership. We bought in March and joined right away. Close enough for us.

When we bought our coach, Nac was a long way away, and in the wrong direction, so it wasn't until this year that we got there for work. Our bill was over five coach bucks, after the MC discount, so our membership has been paid for for several years with just that one visit.

We've not been able to attend any of the trips or meetings, but some day schedules will match.

Bottom line: membership is well worth it.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #14 – May 29, 2016, 07:35:20 pm

I plan on renewing to support Foretravel. Tennessee RV offers the Motorcade discount for parts and service so financially it is good for us. They are less than 3 hours from home.

When we travel in the coach we prefer a less structured approach. I totally understand the need to plan an itinerary and schedule everything in advance with a large group, but that just isn't us.

We LOVE the Un-Rallys and have made some amazing friends. Foretravel folks are the best.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #15 – May 29, 2016, 07:40:48 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – May 29, 2016, 07:35:20 pm

We LOVE the Un-Rallys and have made some amazing friends.

Having read the reports, I can understand why you love them! To me, the informal, come-as-you-are, potluck-style gatherings are the best kind. Love that Foreforums has helped so many make such great friendships

Re: Motorcade

Reply #16 – May 29, 2016, 07:54:17 pm

...well I like it all....local chapter rallies, Grandvention, + our amazing unscheduled unstructured 'un-rallies'....also looking forward to doing some Motorcades, signed up for one but had to "be a mom" to my 92 year old kiddo....

...was too long to stay away from her....now I have good help so staying away longer is an option but the coach is also getting all prettied up right now ($$$) so the Motorcades will have to wait just a little bit longer....sigh....

Yes, Roger, BJ Holden gave a wonderful off-the-cuff talk at Grandvention on the Motorcade experience & how much fun they are, + the camaraderie is second to none.....she's a real sharp cookie & a natural speaker, if you ever get the chance to meet her. I love having Bobbie & Jack Bradshaw along, they are just great people + if you have any issues at all, it's very comforting they are there in time of need, as they were for me at Grandvention!

Remember, even as it's these beautiful coaches that bring us together, once we're all rounded up, the people you meet really are "first class" & it's always a first class experience to travel & share adventures with your FT friends. Ain't nuthin' better....

Re: Motorcade

Reply #17 – May 29, 2016, 08:04:07 pm

Quote from: Michelle – May 29, 2016, 07:40:48 pm

Having read the reports, I can understand why you love them! To me, the informal, come-as-you-are, potluck-style gatherings are the best kind. Love that Foreforums has helped so many make such great friendships

Yes Michelle, the first un-rally was impromptu, in honor of Jeff & Sandy, a welcome celebration to the FT world...every one of us a forum member, started a great tradition...this year's 2nd un-rally was also casual, named "The Big Chill" as we'd all been fighting the world's battles & needed to chill out...next year's is already in the works for Charleston, hosts are Hans & Marjet....it really is a nice cozy way to get to know some great people better in relaxing settings....not sure but we may have to call this one Doggie Heaven....

Re: Motorcade

Reply #18 – May 29, 2016, 08:39:17 pm

Wait a minute, Ms. Dani! Can't you swing one of these gatherings into Nacogdoches for the 50th FT Parade and FoFum First Reunion? You promised. Cmon. Floor it!

Re: Motorcade

Reply #19 – May 29, 2016, 09:47:38 pm

We have had several Forum Folk stop by our place in the woods near Hastings, MN. Every time is special and always fun. Let us know if your in the neighborhood. Water, 50 amps and nearby dump station. Our own little un-rally. Dani, BJ stopped by a couple years ago on her way home from the Alaska Motorcade. She wanted to try out a canoe up in the BWCAW.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #20 – May 29, 2016, 10:17:34 pm

As ex Foretravel club manager, I have a great respect for what the club does. Many fond memories, and friends made. It is not for everyone, but great for some!

Re: Motorcade

Reply #21 – May 30, 2016, 11:30:31 am

Quote from: Miz Dani – May 29, 2016, 08:04:07 pm

we may have to call this one Doggie Heaven....

Gadget will be there!

Trent

Re: Motorcade

Reply #22 – May 30, 2016, 11:18:10 pm

Actually we bought our coach in Nov, got the remainder of the year plus the next on our membership! Haven't made a motorcade....yet. Still in the future.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #23 – May 31, 2016, 08:49:29 am

Quote from: toyman – May 30, 2016, 11:18:10 pm

Actually we bought our coach in Nov, got the remainder of the year plus the next on our membership! Haven't made a motorcade....yet. Still in the future.

That was our experience as well but we bought at the end of September. Seemed like a very fair deal to us.

Re: Motorcade

Reply #24 – May 31, 2016, 10:02:24 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – May 29, 2016, 09:16:21 am

Motorcade events are groups of owners driving their coaches on a preplanned route, stopping at campgrounds where all the arrangements have been made in advance. Along the way there are tours, visits to historic places, places of interest and things like that. There is a WagonMaster who is the leader of the band and a support crew as well who bring a trailer full of parts and on some a factory mechanic.

The Motorcade sounds like a wonderful method of traveling safely in a group with others who share common interests. My only question has to do with the numbers that are affixed to the top/front of the coach. My questions is: Is this a requirement or is it optional?

The reason I ask is that if I purchase a new or pre-owned Foretravel, I'm going to be a bit apprehensive to affix decals to the exterior of a new (or new to me) coach. I'll ask if it's possible to place a placard that displays the membership number on the dash when participating in Motorcade events?

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