Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Topic: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show (Read 3065 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #25 – February 09, 2017, 07:47:56 pm

1979 Class B by Recreational Engineering. Try again.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #26 – February 13, 2017, 03:26:03 am

Does this mean future models will no longer have steel frame walls, but an aluminum superstructure bolted to the steel chassis (isn't the Realm (and countless other coaches over the years) made like that? I sure hope that isn't the case.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #27 – February 13, 2017, 08:34:50 am

I wonderedthee same thing. The answer is in how they built the realm. I think the old Foretravel is no more and now they have to compete head to head with the likes of Newmar and Entegra. I fear they will not be able to make the price point does as there is nothing that will differentiate them from the competition.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #28 – February 13, 2017, 09:59:56 am

They both may be the same strength.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #29 – February 13, 2017, 11:17:40 am

I can't understand FT only building 45 foot coaches now. Not everyone wants a 45' coach.

Is there even a option for 36', 38', 40' anymore? I'm thinking not, with the chassis' that are available.

I guess market analysis and profit margins say this is the best future for them.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #30 – February 13, 2017, 12:03:12 pm

A 40 foot can't go many places I go with my RV. A 45 most definitely can't go.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #31 – February 13, 2017, 02:49:27 pm

I wouldn't care to go even an inch longer than my current 38'.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #32 – February 13, 2017, 06:23:27 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – February 13, 2017, 02:49:27 pm

I wouldn't care to go even an inch longer than my current 38'.

So, FT, is going for "mega-end" coaches, which will fit in very few campgrounds. That is a monster stupid corporate move! Who the hell advises these folks? I don't recall anyone consulting this forum.

Look how many folks are downsizing, for a great reason,so FT is "old and in the way", and that's sad for all of us!

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #33 – February 13, 2017, 07:56:57 pm

The current mantra is "Data Drives Decisions." Unfortunately, another rule is also out there that many don't want to pay attention to. That one goes way back to the early days of computers: "Garbage in, garbage out." All of this plays out in many areas of life, not just in what recreational vehicles are available to us. Unfortunately, I suspect that more than a few companies will have to go under before some company decides to listen to what people are actually buying instead of what the marketing people say we want.

If we had gone strictly by the data, once we found out that our engine was shot we would have called an rv salvage yard and let them buy the coach for a few coach bucks. We could have traded the Jeep for an F350, bought a trailer, and been on our way before the first wrench was ever turned on our coach. Instead we spent the time and money to keep it going. Why? We LIKE it. Yes, at some point we'll sell it, and we may not get all of our money out of it - in cash. How much is the enjoyment worth?

Some time ago, on another thread, someone wondered if a company might make a go of a business that buys older Foretravels and updates them for a profit. Maybe that's the way to go. If I were a rich man I'd love to trade in our 1993 U300 for another one that has been updated with maybe a modern engine, transmission and retarder, solar, Aquahot, etc.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #34 – February 13, 2017, 08:02:38 pm

Mike all our coaches were originally bought by folks in the 40's and 50's. Now that we are all getting up there in age (60's-70's etc) we see a different world through older eyes. The fact is most other RV companies are increasing length of coaches they build. Entegra in fact I believe only makes 45' coaches. They have sold over a thousand in three years. The hot market for our age group and entry level is the new B class and the Sprinter class C. So I believe Foretravel feels that their 45' units are competitive in the market they look too. Their new entry will be in the next market that we all are looking at. I don't think that they are naive or stupid, I think they know what they want and based on their economics of scale are limited to what they can do.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #35 – February 13, 2017, 08:12:08 pm

Quote from: esaulten – February 13, 2017, 08:02:38 pm

The fact is most other RV companies are increasing length of coaches they build. Entegra in fact I believe only makes 45' coaches. They have sold over a thousand in three years.

Entegra builds 38, 40, 42, and 44/45 foot diesel pusher floorplans (and builds mostly the shorter floorplans and particularly the Aspire and Anthem models). They also just introduced a new entry-level, the Insignia, this past year.

Newmar builds quite a few floorplans (and coaches), and starts at 34 foot for diesel pushers.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #36 – February 13, 2017, 08:24:28 pm

Quote from: Michelle – February 13, 2017, 08:12:08 pm

We don't consider ourselves at 54 and 55 to be "up there in age"

Just like a kid ... bragging.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #37 – February 13, 2017, 08:25:38 pm

Quote from: Traxless – February 13, 2017, 08:24:28 pm

Just like a kid ... bragging.

yeah - I took that out. But we do have AARP cards

(for the discounts)

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #38 – February 13, 2017, 08:59:49 pm

Not to get in a argument here but Entegra had 43ft and 45 ft models until this year with the Aspire model that starts at 40'. That means that for over three years and over 1000 coaches purchased they were all extensively 45' Look at dealers lots like I just did not a single model in some dealerships under 45' long. What we probably agree on is that when you offer a 600 hp beautifully designed motorhome an the Spartan Chassis for half of what a IH45 actually sells for out the door, people will buy them because they are a value for the dollar. Will they last as long as a Foretravel no. One of our forum members just bought a IH45 and got rid of his Entegra Cornerstone. Perhaps he could comment on the basis of their success selling mostly 45' units.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #39 – February 14, 2017, 06:45:52 am

It will be interesting to see. I know I downsized into a 27 foot and jeff and carol into a 24 foot and the Gorings who were motorcade directors just took delivery of the same coach I just ordered. I wonder if the class B van is the downsize step or a camel class c that you can actually be comfortable camping in is the down size. They use to display a 24 foot Born Free inside the showroom in Kodak when he hat store was open. For the one Cornerstone to IH mentioned there are a number who went FT to Cornerstone but now that they are on the same chassis it will be interesting to see what happens. FT just saved a bunch of money by probably reducing the chassis costs with this switch too rather then building it themselves. The sad thing is after 16 years of ownership they are not building a coach that we needed or wanted. They have an installed base just sitting Teresa that they should be marketing too and designing a coach for but missed the mark so far.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #40 – February 14, 2017, 09:20:10 am

Reading this thread has been interesting. Seems the underlying tone is

that we )most of us anyway) are no longer FT customers. We have been

left in the dust in favor of the people that purchase a new million plus

dollar coach. So far they support us with info and various blue prints we need

and parts until they run out and are "no longer available". So far, they tolerate us but

they know we are not the cash flush buyers walking in the door. One thing we all need to be

thankful for are the cross over numbers that are being saved where we can still

get many of those "no longer available" parts elsewhere.

Carter-

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #41 – February 14, 2017, 09:25:06 am

Not arguing at all, Elliot

I was pointing out that there are a couple of decent quality manufacturers who are listening to what the customers are asking for, which might be options for those who don't want a 45 footer. It's some of the research we've been doing for years now since FT isn't building anything that would work for us and we likely have at least 2 more coaches in our RVing timeline. We just need to figure out what those will be.

Not for the immediate future, but we are also watching the "beefy C's" (the F550/5500 chassis models, not the Freightliner Super C) as a downsize vehicle. Nice to have John and folks like him testing those waters for us

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #42 – February 14, 2017, 09:41:49 am

We downsized to a 2005 Chinook Glacier 2500. It was the closet we could find to the luxury and build quality of a Foretravel. One piece fiberglass body, leather interior, cherry wood cabinets, tile floor, 2000 watt inverter, three battery bank coach batteries, etc. This model was discontinued in 2006. Just an example of what Foretravel could be building.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #43 – February 14, 2017, 10:11:58 am

The way I look at it, I find it very interesting that members etc that have sold or thinking of it are also getting older ( hey what's new) but the vehicles they are buying/talking about are generally smaller. So this brings to me a mixed bag of info.
We all get some form of mobility issues, so going smaller (harder to move around etc) makes me think they woul stay in the style of coach they have ie- have more space so not hit/bang intothings?
or
smaller as they tend to sit in one place all day therefore not need that extra space.
Small bedrooms make it not so comfortable when older (I think)
or
Sleep in a lot longer therefore not noticing the loss of room?
I also believe that driving one of the newer ones mentioned is no different than a 34' or 36'.
Hooking the car is the same, as is dumping, fuelling etc etc.
If we have the age problems making it tough (I am 73 this year so think I am around the same or close age as some making this change) It will be more flying to places or just the car. I agree having your own bed is nice.
Different strokes.
JohnH

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #44 – February 14, 2017, 11:59:38 am

If interest rates go up, it's going to be a huge disruption to the RV industry.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #45 – February 14, 2017, 01:25:14 pm

Quote from: krush – February 14, 2017, 11:59:38 am

If interest rates go up, it's going to be a huge disruption to the RV industry.

Million Dollar buyer's have resource's that average buyer does not have.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #46 – February 14, 2017, 02:58:19 pm

John if you go the right size you don't have to tow a car. I think I will only tow part time. I did own a 24 foot born free for 9 years and sold it late last year. I did not want the van front any longer. I started looking at the sprinters and conversions but they max out at 11k so it was a van or weaker compromise. The double slide royal Splendor set up right could sleep six comfortably. My setup has the entertainment center so only sleeps four like my foretravel. It lets us get Up and around and reduces the cost of ownership many fold. Insurance and my taxes will be less and tires will be two coach bucks not six. I will fit many more places and I have driven the FORETRAVEL's over 360k miles so it is time for a change. Like Michelle, we have two more coaches in us and I want to do different things and be mobile but not sit for a month in one location. Yes I have even started staying in hotels since I sold my coach. It is cheaper then taking the coach up every week. I think FT is not building coaches that owners want and this change in chassis is going to put them head to head with Newmar. If I was looking for a big coach today you would need to look at all the brands. I am very excited about what I ordered and it is a custom design and Born free and MOT worked hand in Glove to make it so. I talked to both the factory and MOT and they both told me what could be done.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #47 – February 14, 2017, 03:17:48 pm

Quote from: Bill Willett – February 14, 2017, 01:25:14 pm

Million Dollar buyer's have resource's that average buyer does not have.

The entire industry is more than just people buying million dollar RV's.....but even those high end buyers often need to finance.

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #48 – February 14, 2017, 11:24:31 pm

Except for our trips down here to friends in Mexico we move around all the time and would definitly NOT sit in a rv park for a month as that to us is the opposite of why we have one!! Ruth would jump the next flight home if I said we were going to do that.
We have done some good long trips the last 10 yrs and there was no sitting around for us. I try to get around 500 to 600 miles in a day if our plan is to go somewere then take a leasurely trip back home, or as we did a yr ago for 5 months do a circular of USA and visit as many places as possible and get a good feel of them then return for an extended stay another time to the ones we would like to explore more.
The main reason we added solar was just to be able to do this and the LAST thing I would do is sit outside my coach for a month or more in one place. Yes we do this down here but it actually is not boring as I am busy every day fixing things and also visiting places. Ruth has swimming exercises and other things to keep occupied so time does fly.
But sit doing nothing but talk and drink, I think not. That to us is a waste of life. I gather that is why we do not like Caravaning with others (some would be exceptions) as you are tied to the likes and dislikes of others and the slowest and most troubling issues of the worst.
DWMYH
JohnH

Re: Foretravel's New Chassis at the Florida RV Show

Reply #49 – February 15, 2017, 09:25:09 am

Quote from: krush – February 14, 2017, 03:17:48 pm

The entire industry is more than just people buying million dollar RV's.....but even those high end buyers often need to finance.

Yep, these itemizers are most likely writing off interest on their second home. Cash is for investment.

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