My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

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My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

August 24, 2016, 07:00:15 pm

I've seen a great deal of this country over the handlebars of my motorcycle but my wife and dogs have had to stay home. That's one of the reasons why the RV lifestyle has intrigued me for many years. A motorhome would allow us to take our fur kids, so we eventually bought a motorhome for our dogs. Thanks to this forum a Foretravel was at the top of our short list. We started out with a U-240 but I realized that it would never have the amenities we wanted regardless of how much money I threw at it.

We bought our present coach, a 40' 1997 U-320 in February of 2015 from MOT. The previous owners used the coach a lot, and did lots of updates. Nobody can believe that our coach is old enough to legally buy beer in many states. We've taken a couple of long trips, and many short trips to nearby COE campgrounds. I love the Foretravel, but I finally realize that it's time to sell out and simplify.

I'll be taking it to MOT for consignment next Tuesday, August 30. I considered trying to sell it myself so I might net a little more money, but I don't really have the time so I'll just get MOT to sell it and save me the hassle.

I want to thank you forum members for all the help and advice you've given over the years. I plan to lurk here for I appreciate the wisdom and the humor of all the forum members.

Thanks,
Glen Kenney

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #1 – August 24, 2016, 07:59:55 pm

Well dang Glen....so very sorry to hear this. Your Foretravel was great for me for because of it we have met you. Have enjoyed every moment we have talked and met up.

If any potntial customer wants to know, the 1997 is a great year for Foretravel manufacturing, it has some advantages over prior years, so think on this one if you are looking.

Hope Glen when you are up thru Nac, you call...another trip to Butcher Boys!

Mike, And Jackie

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #2 – August 24, 2016, 08:54:29 pm

Mike, just because I won't have a Foretravel doesn't mean I will forget my friends. You have been so great to me and have helped me with advice a lot. You were instrumental in helping with my decision to buy this particular Foretravel. I will call when I come to town. Matter of fact, I'd like to buy your lunch next Tuesday if our schedules allow.

Glen

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #3 – August 24, 2016, 09:06:31 pm

Will plan on that. Hope Miz Dani can join us too.

Mike

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #4 – August 24, 2016, 09:11:00 pm

Yes! I'd love to meet her!

Glen

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #5 – August 24, 2016, 10:58:30 pm

Stick around, Glen. Glad to have bumped into you on this Forum. Say hi to our friend Dani--she is a treat. All the best.

Floor it. P

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #6 – August 25, 2016, 11:02:34 am

....darn, sad to hear another FT family member is leaving the fold....

Please don't be a stranger on the forum! ...and darnit Glen, we'll be missing you next week, we fly out early tomorrow for about 7-10 days in Prescott, AZ to visit Bill's family....would love to see Mike & Jackie (& anyone else who might be around) when we get back, either before GrandVention or after....coach is at Xtreme til 9/6 then goes over to MOT for a quick check up & a few small items then we're off to CO for the GV....hoping on being back in town after GV.

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #7 – August 25, 2016, 05:30:00 pm

Ah Dani, still had you arriving aug 24 and staying, so will adjust to Sept. Visit.

Mike

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #8 – August 26, 2016, 02:37:55 pm

Michael, I won't be there Tuesday after all. I'll still owe you a lunch. I called MOT this morning and cancelled my appointment.

For various reasons I decided to try selling my coach here on the forum and word of mouth. The 10% sellers commission would be roughly $6,000 and besides I like to be in control of my business versus just being along for the ride. I realize that having MOT sell it will probably result in a faster sale, and I may go that route later if need be.

We are removing our personal belongings right now, but when we finish I'll post an ad with pictures in Classifieds.

My wife has already told me that I'll probably change my mind about selling if it is sitting here under the barn. She knows me pretty well.

Glen

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #9 – August 26, 2016, 03:05:53 pm

Quote from: Glockjock – August 26, 2016, 02:37:55 pm

I like to be in control of my business versus just being along for the ride.

Which would-be buyers would appreciate! A bit of advice: (I learned the hard way), is to have ALL the fluids/filters changed, thus providing a pretty fresh coach. Any "no big deal" issues should be either taken care of, or be honest with the would-be. I have a sneaking hunch, you're not done with this nutcase lifestyle!

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #10 – August 26, 2016, 05:44:28 pm

I thought about selling then I took a great trip and decided that it was a keeper. DO what is right for you guys.

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #11 – August 27, 2016, 12:13:00 pm

Quote from: Glockjock – August 26, 2016, 02:37:55 pm

We are removing our personal belongings right now, but when we finish I'll post an ad with pictures in Classifieds.

My wife has already told me that I'll probably change my mind about selling if it is sitting here under the barn. She knows me pretty well.

Glen

....well Glen, after you all get done re-organizing the coach, (removing what all you really don't need, then possibly re-considering?) a change of heart/mind might just happen...we'll stay tuned....maybe the Mrs. does know you pretty well after all.....do give it a lot of thought, it's a big decision...

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #12 – August 27, 2016, 12:40:59 pm

Chapter 10 on my yet to be started novel about the R.V. life will have Glen (I'll call him Bob in the book) sitting in his chair, feeling smug and sassy after selling the coach. He, just for old time sake, looks on the Forum and sees a coach in the classifieds. The neighbors will tell the story of hearing him the next block over screaming, "aghh, I want that coach!"

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #13 – August 27, 2016, 01:40:39 pm

Nice coach. Almost non replaceable. A 97 40' u320 WTBI has the largest inside and underneath strorage made. Probably more than a 45' with quad slides.

No tag.= more storage.

You absolutely sure you are done?

My old factory salesman who owned encore in Nac was looking for a 97-99 u320 36-40' for his personal use coach a few years ago.

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #14 – August 27, 2016, 06:37:01 pm

Some of you guys are reading my mind almost as well as does my wife. I am selling because my brain knows that it would be wiser to sell. However, my heart says to spend less time riding, shooting, and making sawdust so I'll have more time to devote to my Foretravel. I do love the coach, I enjoy traveling, and I've really enjoyed the forum members I've met. I almost hope somebody steps in to buy my coach soon and relieve me of the decision to sell or don't sell. Given enough time my heart will overpower my brain.

Thanks for the kind words.

Glen

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #15 – August 27, 2016, 06:47:36 pm

Glen I like you traveled all over by motorcycle, Tent camped for years then got tired of sleeping on the ground,Betsey and I bought a old Bunkhouse motorcycle pop up camper,towed it everywhere,then sold it and bought a KwikKamp M/C trailer,loved the size but it didn't tow well used it about 5 years or so and got tired of always pulling the house so to speak,So I sold it and bought a cargo trailer,New tent etc wanted to downsize,First trip with new Tent system was Bike Week Daytona ,wind blew rained tent leaked ,I said to myself What the hell was I thinking,Got home and started looking for another Pop up Bought another Bunkhouse,about Rode to Sturgis in 06 on the bikes babysitted the camper 2 days because of high winds. I told myself next time I come out here will be in a RV or some kind of travel trailer. We kept using the bunkhouse but I was getting tired again of being the one puling i all the time,I got to not liking what I loved which is Motorcycle riding. I told Betsey I wanted t get a camper and another kick start motorcycle,go back to the old school stuff I loved. I looked on and off on Craigslist for a few years and in 2014 found this Foretravel,I didn't know squat about Foretravel ,but I had trucked by their plant in Texas and drooled over the beautiful coaches there as i passed by, thinking what do people do for a living to earn the income to own one of these, Wow must be nice,I missed that bus in life way back somewhere. Then up pops this one I found this forum and all you great people and the comradery here. That is what swayed me into buying this coach. Betsey thought I had lost my mind she was very skeptical about me buying a bus. once she saw it for the first time she understood.I can attest that our trip to sturgis this year was our best yet! the coach ran great I got to ride my old 54 panhead around the black hills, I slept in total comfort saved a ton of money because we carried our own food that we had bought on sale at home and kept in the deep freeze on the coach, I wouldnt go back to where I was with camping I don't think. I'm hooked the RV bug has bitten thee.

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #16 – August 27, 2016, 07:04:59 pm

Quote from: Glockjock – August 27, 2016, 06:37:01 pm

Some of you guys are reading my mind almost as well as does my wife. I am selling because my brain knows that it would be wiser to sell. However, my heart says to spend less time riding, shooting, and making sawdust so I'll have more time to devote to my Foretravel. I do love the coach, I enjoy traveling, and I've really enjoyed the forum members I've met.

I would say combine your other 3 interests with your Foretravel

1) Riding. Horses? You can pull a trailer with the FT. Motorcycles? Use the FT to pull a MC trailer to new places to ride.

2) Shooting. The folks who bought our previous coach were into shooting competitions and used the coach to attend them all over the country.

3) Making sawdust. Depending on how big the finished product, we have met many RVers who do woodturning on the road (and sell pieces at art festivals to pay for their travel). There are also schools across the country if you want have a "creative" vacation - kind of like going to camp. Steve did some woodturning classes here in Maine a few years back (sadly, the school is now closed). There are others out there.

Yeah, I'm a bad influence

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #17 – August 27, 2016, 07:33:24 pm

Yes it's a depreciating luxury asset.

"You pay for everyone of your pleasures and if you paid less it was probably not as much fun, was it?" My std comment to Foretravel customers as a sales manager.

A hundred years from now no one will know if you owned this or not. So please yourself was my comment

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #18 – August 27, 2016, 07:44:37 pm

I found this in my files, that I thought lost, from the critic, Kenneth Tynan in 2000. :

"Yet I love the slumbering giant, I love the the velvety smoothness of it's motion, I love creeping through traffic jams with the radio blasting the overture to "Cosi Fan Tutte" from all four speakers. Above all, I love bowling along the motorways in the sun. The sense of cushioned escape is complete; I feel utterly protected, totally truant, and getting that glowing, illusory sensation of being in control of my life, of knowing where I'm going."

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #19 – August 31, 2016, 01:26:26 am

Mr Kenney ,
I hope this reply (my first post) doesn't step on any toes...
I have been planning to buy a MH for some time, and have moved away from buying new to getting a high-quality, well cared for, used MH instead. Like a FT.

If you are still planning to part ways with yours, I would very much like to learn more about it, see pictures, and see where it leads us. How can I best contact you?

Thanks for your consideration.

Schake

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #20 – August 31, 2016, 07:38:41 am

Quote from: Glockjock – August 27, 2016, 06:37:01 pm

Some of you guys are reading my mind almost as well as does my wife. I am selling because my brain knows that it would be wiser to sell. However, my heart says to spend less time riding, shooting, and making sawdust so I'll have more time to devote to my Foretravel. I do love the coach, I enjoy traveling, and I've really enjoyed the forum members I've met. I almost hope somebody steps in to buy my coach soon and relieve me of the decision to sell or don't sell. Given enough time my heart will overpower my brain.

I can't claim to read your mind, but I've learned over nearly four decades of marriage to listen to my wife's wisdom!

I suspect you'll be sorry if ignore your wife's counsel and sell your coach.

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #21 – August 31, 2016, 07:58:12 am

Quote from: Schake – August 31, 2016, 01:26:26 am

How can I best contact you?

No need to be timid - you are interested in joining our Forum. We are always happy to welcome new members, whether or not they currently own a Foretravel. You are taking advantage of one of the valuable functions of this Forum: putting sellers and buyers together.

To contact any Forum member "in private", simply click on their bold green "Member Name" in the left column of any post. You will be taken to their profile page, where you will find their "Contact Information". You can then send them a PM (private message), or a note to their personal email address (if that info is provided).

Good luck with your search for the right coach!

Re: My grand experiment in motorhomes is over. Selling my '97 U-320

Reply #22 – August 31, 2016, 08:58:14 am

Quote from: Schake – August 31, 2016, 01:26:26 am

Mr Kenney ,
I hope this reply (my first post) doesn't step on any toes...
I have been planning to buy a MH for some time, and have moved away from buying new to getting a high-quality, well cared for, used MH instead. Like a FT.

If you are still planning to part ways with yours, I would very much like to learn more about it, see pictures, and see where it leads us. How can I best contact you?

Thanks for your consideration.

Schake

Hello Schake. I got your PM, and will send you a reply. Welcome to the forum. This forum is perhaps one of the best reasons to own a Foretravel over any other coach available. I have not seen (and I've looked) any other motorhome that has a support group like this one. This forum is not affiliated with Foretravel Inc., but the members and the moderators are the most knowledgeable and helpful people imaginable.

Did you see my post in the Classifieds? In this post I give a basic rundown of the motorhome and show some pictures. I'll be glad to answer any questions you have but I don't want to try to tell you more than you want to know. As much as I like to talk and write, sometimes I get carried away.

Where are you located? I'm in Southeast Texas between Woodville and Jasper, and only about 80 miles from Nacogdoches (aka as Meccadoches, and you'll see that word often on this forum). I will be calling MOT today to schedule a service appointment for I want to make sure that all service is up to date for a new buyer. I have records of all maintenance since I bought the coach.

I love this quote! "Yet I love the slumbering giant, I love the velvety smoothness of it's motion, I love creeping through traffic jams with the radio blasting the overture to "Cosi Fan Tutte" from all four speakers. Above all, I love bowling along the motorways in the sun. The sense of cushioned escape is complete; I feel utterly protected, totally truant, and getting that glowing, illusory sensation of being in control of my life, of knowing where I'm going."

This quote summarizes the feelings I get when driving this Foretravel except I'm listening to either Patsy Cline or ZZ Top on the radio. I am the King of the World when looking at the scenery through the big windshield. As I said earlier my head and my heart disagree when it comes to selling this motorhome. At my age I should probably sell the motorcycle instead!

As CAflashbob said, this motorhome is getting almost unreplaceable for those who value it's unique features. It has more storage space both inside and outside than practically any other coach. It has no slides to worry about, and people on both sides of the fence debate slide vs. no slide. (My wife and I are on opposite sides of this fence). We have a couple of good friends who recently bought a new SOB entry-level coach. It looks good with 4 slides and a lot of flash, and 2 large TV's in the living room alone. He wanted to buy new rather than mess with maintenance on an older coach. He said that since he doesn't tow a car he is satisfied with the little Cummins ISB pickup engine, but he admires the big M-11 in my coach. When we camped together recently he admitted privately that even a cursory inspection shows the Foretravel quality is much better than his coach's paper-thin stapled woodwork.

Anyway, I will reply to your PM. Welcome to the forum.

Glen Kenney

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