Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing --- Sold

Topic: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing --- Sold (Read 4772 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #25 – December 21, 2016, 03:29:37 am

Maybe you just buy the coach that FOT plans on the sprinter chassis with the Mercedes engine?

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #26 – December 21, 2016, 08:01:38 am

I think the sprinter is only an 11k while the 550 is 19k. Foretravel should have done a smaller coach a long time ago on a chassis.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #27 – December 21, 2016, 11:11:23 am

Quote from: Michael & Jackie – December 21, 2016, 03:29:37 am

Maybe you just buy the coach that FOT plans on the sprinter chassis with the Mercedes engine?

Care to elaborate? I have not followed FOT's plans lately... Thanks in advance Mike.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #28 – December 21, 2016, 12:19:01 pm

I have heard good reports on the performance of the BF on the Dodge 550 Chassis with the Cummins engine. And yes, I am partial to BF's as a first choice for something smaller than the FT.

John, I wish you well in your choices to come.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #29 – December 21, 2016, 02:39:30 pm

We recently downsized to a 2016 Roadtrek 210 Popular Class B. Have been on about 6 trips so far, really like it.

One important feature for us was trailer tow capacity. We pull a dual axle 7000 lb horse trailer with approx 1000 lb tongue weight with the tack room loaded. This ruled out every other Class B chassis except the Chevy Express 3500 1 ton, which the 210 is built on, which is rated at 7650 lbs tow weight and 1000 lbs tongue weight. We of course use a weight distributing hitch and electric trailer brakes.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #30 – December 21, 2016, 07:49:00 pm

That is one reason I am happy that there is an option on the 5500.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #31 – December 21, 2016, 08:14:17 pm

Quote from: prfleming – December 21, 2016, 02:39:30 pm

We recently downsized to a 2016 Roadtrek 210 Popular Class B. Have been on about 6 trips so far, really like it.

One important feature for us was trailer tow capacity. We pull a dual axle 7000 lb horse trailer with approx 1000 lb tongue weight with the tack room loaded. This ruled out every other Class B chassis except the Chevy Express 3500 1 ton, which the 210 is built on, which is rated at 7650 lbs tow weight and 1000 lbs tongue weight. We of course use a weight distributing hitch and electric trailer brakes.

Peter..We did the opposite and upsized from a Roadtrek 210 to our U300 years ago...Enjoy.!!

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #32 – December 22, 2016, 12:41:29 am

Mark, was with some FT owners at camp FOT and they had been to factory tour, last week. Management told them they were selling about 20 coaches a year and want some other projects.

Their plan is to use a spartan chassis and Mercedes diesel to build a small coach. They did not say when this would happen but seemed eminent to begin.

The question in our little gathering was...will these sell? Lot of talk about downsizing for sure, but to them, when you hear the price you may want to go with a used FT? That seemed the greater concern...not sure they would switch. I heard from these couples about $180k for this type of coach....was the estimate. You know that MOT is now a dealer for Born Free, with the idea to bring in some of the downsizing customers. I do not know how that is working.

I can tell you that the Born Frees at MOT offer a range of size and features. The smaller that they have would be unlikely for us. The larger reminds me of our first coach, a Class C, but much nicer than we had....that experience in driving would make it hard for us to switch back. I do not doubt the newer more trim C and B+ are better than our 5500 C, but enough?

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #33 – December 22, 2016, 07:25:04 am

John, You and Linda aren't allowed to desert us.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #34 – December 22, 2016, 10:43:53 am

We were recently in NAC for two weeks. I also was told about the Sprinter Chassis considerations. Several of the Born Free Sprinters are over $150,000. The ones we looked at seemed more designed for luxury travel than for live in for weeks. Also when considering the projected Foretravel price point, we have seen a number of Unity brand Sprinters on the road and they too are over the $150K mark. We see more Unitys than Winnebagos priced at about $130K.

If FOT builds the right floor plans and can improve the handling of the Sprinter similar to the bigger Foretravels, I think they can be successful at $180,000. A lot of us are considering downsizing and after owning a Foretravel it will be very hard to go to a lower quality brand. IMHO

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #35 – December 22, 2016, 12:39:35 pm

Thanks Mike and Kent for the FOT/Sprinter update. Interesting that FOT is exploring the opposite size/price point of their current offerings. Wonder if they are looking at splitting the difference...

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #36 – December 22, 2016, 02:00:18 pm

Ha! I just had a vision of one of us pack rats deciding what to transfer from a 36/40 footer into a Super B.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #37 – December 22, 2016, 03:14:13 pm

Quote from: mike leary – December 22, 2016, 02:00:18 pm

Ha! I just had a vision of one of us pack rats deciding what to transfer from a 36/40 footer into a Super B.

We have close friends who full-time in a RoadTrek Sprinter it has the rear duals (3500 ?) and all the bells and at $150k it better. That being said it's way too small for us, our friends previous outfit was a RoadTrek on the GMC van base so the new one is almost 50% larger........still too small.
Just to clarify an earlier comment about the proposed FOT coach, is that a MB sprinter conversion or MB motor in a Spartan chassis ?

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #38 – December 22, 2016, 07:41:30 pm

We had a Class B for many years. We spent almost a year traveling after our first retirement, the two of us and our 70 lb Malamute in about 60 net sq ft. We utilized the outdoors much more. Sort of like living in a micro efficiency apartment. About 900 nights in it over time. Now we have a Foretravel. It would be hard to go back.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #39 – December 22, 2016, 07:43:35 pm

John,

Take a look at the Airstream Interstate. Foley RV Center just up the the road from me is an Airstream dealer and sells these new and used. http://www.airstreamofmississippi.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&p=1&vc=class+b+diesel&id=2743552&s=Year&d=D&fr=xAllInventory

I've seen them up close and they are awesome. Mercedes Benz on a Sprinter Chassis built by Airstream! 18+ Highway MPG . If I was going to downsize and had the coach bucks I would love to have one. Take a look at the video full screen.

Interstate Grand Tour EXT Touring Coach | Airstream

Jerry

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #40 – January 08, 2017, 10:31:41 am

I have decided not to go with the Sprinter chassis. They have had problems with their def system. In fact my HVAC guy has his in the shop again for a whole new unit. It is a 6K replacement. It is also an 11K GVW and the 550 is 19K so I can get bigger tanks and it is more like living in it. It is not going to be the same as the 42 foot Foretravel but it will go places that my FT can not. I have always had two coach and sold the BF in March last year. Climbing up and down to the cab over was an issue. Health issues crop up and it is time to down size and this 29 foot on the Dodge 550 is the best compromise. It is funny that I was talking on the Born Free Forum to Ed Goring a former Motorcade Director and he was driving to pick up his Born Free when I was talking with him. If you go back far enough the Kodak store used to have one inside and sold them as well as Foretravels. I think Foretravel should figure out the code and start making these smaller units. If you go with the two fuel tanks and four wheel drive and all the bells and whistles it should be pretty comfortable for a couple week stay. The best part is I will now longer have to hook up and unhook the jeep or deal with the steps that are causing this switch. Three medical issues in 5 years and my body is just tired so I will down size so everything is smaller and easier and it opens up lots more places to stay at under 30 foot and it is easier to get into and out of with less steps. I had hoped that FT would design one but that is not the case so I will get a Born Free. I have been talking to a Forum member who wants to buy my coach and as such I have not listed it here for sale. I will still hang around and even see you guys. I have been a FT owner for 17 years now but did not get my 400K pin goal. Oh well......

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #41 – January 08, 2017, 11:48:24 am

Quote from: John S – January 08, 2017, 10:31:41 am

I have been a FT owner for 17 years now but did not get my 400K pin goal.

My vote would be to award you the 400k pin, anyway, John. You have done so much for the Forum (including kicking my butt around the block a few times, until I learned). Stick with us, post pics when you get the new cutie!

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #42 – January 08, 2017, 12:04:45 pm

John , I looked at the Born Free coaches at Ancira RV in Boerne Tx a few months ago, They have a Ford 550 4x4 on order from BF. I have definitely given it a lot of thought myself. Being able to get off road and hit some of those Trout Streams and Dawson City doing some Gold mining, Good Luck,

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #43 – January 08, 2017, 01:13:57 pm

These new RV prices are insane. Fewer people are "retiring" these days (for many reasons), and when interest rates eventually return to normal rates (aka not ZIRP), I have a feeling it's going to decimate the entire RV industry. I hope I am completely 100% WRONG, though.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #44 – January 08, 2017, 02:12:45 pm

It will slow things down in the lower end especially

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #45 – January 08, 2017, 03:31:16 pm

Younger "must have it now" generation don't give a rip about interest rates. They are used to buying on credit/time.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #46 – January 08, 2017, 03:37:10 pm

John,
Here's another 29' Class B+ with a great layout and no cabover. Looks like a great rig with 3 slides for the money, roomy, and with easy access to the cab from the inside. These guys have done their homework and this rig looks solid. Not in the same class as Born Free but worth looking at. I owned a 29' Minnie Winnie with a Ford Super Duty chassis and a V-10. It ran great and I never had any mechanical problems with the engine. The front cabover had the Entertainment center with storage cabinets and was not used for sleeping. It had a forward facing couch which also gave the feeling of more space in the living area.

The opposing slides in the front of this rig really give a nice open living area. I like the dark cabinetry also.

Jerry

Here's an excellent presentation video.

2017 Viper 29V Class B Motorhome - NeXus RV

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #47 – January 08, 2017, 05:58:17 pm

Wheel base on that puppy looks a bit short. Not sure how that would handle going down the road. Had a class A with a long overhang..... White knuckle driving.

Roland

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #48 – January 08, 2017, 08:03:57 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – January 08, 2017, 05:58:17 pm

Wheel base on that puppy looks a bit short. Not sure how that would handle going down the road. Had a class A with a long overhang..... White knuckle driving.

We looked at this style as well, no capability to tow a heavy trailer. OK if you only plan to tow a light toad with no tongue weight, or nothing.

Re: Thinking of selling my coach and downsizing

Reply #49 – January 08, 2017, 08:53:59 pm

Quote from: Roland Begin – January 08, 2017, 05:58:17 pm

Wheel base on that puppy looks a bit short. Not sure how that would handle going down the road. Had a class A with a long overhang..... White knuckle driving.

Roland

Roland,

I'm not sure either. The Wheelbase on my 29 footer wasn't too bad but I would get pushed from the big trucks passing and would get buffeted from crosswinds from the long overhang. This one looks a little more aerodynamic, but with 16" wheels and a big van type chassis in no way compares to the handling of our Foretravels!

Jerry

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