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First Foretravel

We are proud owners of our first Foretravel (2nd DP)  I am wondering about what to do as far preventive maintenance? Brakes, air bags, shocks, fluids, filters, steering system, tech upgrades. List can go for days. Coach is 1996 U270 36' great shape. Only problems so far are pretty superficial (bad ball valve for fresh water tank fill leaking causing pump cycling, cooktop ignitor [thinking induction upgrade]) I am excited about this new "toy" and want to take care of it. Budget is a factor don't want to be cheap but also no need to spend if not necessary. Any advice on where to start. Have tentative appointment with MOT and want general once over but don't need them spending countless hours if I can do myself. Have spent many hours roaming this forum and look forward to learning and sharing here.

Thanks Joey
1996 U270

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #1 –
Joey,

  Welcome to the clan. We are a family here and will help you
with any questions you might have, just ask. You might want
to use the search feature in the upper right corner. You can find
an answer to about anything you might want to know.
  You are going to a great place to start your coach off on the
right foot with.

Carter
Nac-

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #2 –
Joey

 Welcome, welcome to the best coach forum available.

 If you've been lurking 😋here very long, your prolly aware of the beamalarm site. Very good stuff there.    My guess on "fist thing" might be checking or topping off or even replacing coach fluids. At least the ones you know haven't been done lately. And then belts or hoses that may have a bunch of hours on them.

 Have fun
      Robert
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #3 –
"List can go for days."

You're very right in that comment.

A lot of what you do depends on your preventive maintenance philosophy and criteria, as well as how you view your "toy" (i.e. some look at it primarily as a house that moves others as a bus with living accommodations and focus their efforts accordingly).

My focus is on the "bus" part because that is the most costly in my mind.  Consequently, when I bought my two used coaches the first things that I did, after having safety items checked, was change fluids and filters in engine and transmission (whose replacement can easily cost nearly as much as the coach is worth), as well as surrounding components like belts, hoses and other rubber-like components that deteriorate with age.  Then work my way around the rest of the "foundation" and on up.
Regards

1997 U295 40 with CAT 3126

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #4 –
Welcome to Foretravel ownership. I consider myself still a newbie as I have only owned my FT coach for 18 months. When I got the coach I inherited receipts for all maintenance work ever done. I used the original service booklet that came with the coach and assembled a spreadsheet listing all of the service items specified in the book with columns for each interval and then entered whether that service had been performed. I took this spreadsheet to a very trusted bus fleet service facility and discussed with the service writer that I have used for years what needed to be done. I had all fluids changed, new house batteries and a few other minor things. Lots of dollars for all of the fluids and filters but this gave me a staring point to know that Orchid was ready for my 7,000 8 month maiden voyage, which was completed with 0 mechanical issues and currently at 119K miles. In a couple of months heading out for an even longer trip.

Best wishes for your adventure! I hope it is as rewarding as mine has been.
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #5 –
Ken,

  Would you share your spreadsheet with us? Sounds like something
great to work from.

Thanks,

Carter-

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #6 –
Ken,

I too would be interested in the spreadsheet. Would like to maintain myself. Have some things to learn. Lots of systems.

Thanks Joey
1996 U270

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #7 –
Welcome, and congratulations! Great decision! We too are new to the "FAMILY", having recently purchased our first FT, a 2002 U320. The forum and especially the members have been excellant when we were researching our purchase. Lots of great material and people here! Hopefully some day soon, I'll actually contribute something specifically worthwhile and help others!!!

My shift now has been scanning and jotting down everything I can gleen from the forum on Service tasks.  So, I'm on the same page with you, and have made an appointment with MOT in early March to have them further look the coach over in detail, perform any periodic maintenance required, etc. 

I'm real fortunate as we were given a very thick binder of the coaches history. Which based upon the previous owners great care of this coach, we think Service at MOT will likely be minimal. Cheap insurance,  and good piece of mind... But I need to organize it all, and keep similar good records.

So Ken, I would GREATLY appreciate a copy of that spreadsheet too! It would help me immensely get / keep things organized.

Best to all, Jeff

Jeff & Kristen
2002 U320 build #6039
Living the Dream!

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #8 –
I got four three ring binders with ours. One PO had sorted every manual & invoice, the next had not. I found a 50 pack of vinyl sheet protectors (top loading) heavy duty made by "Oxford" on line. Got a couple of cold ones ready and went through the binders to make sense of the layout. It's still a work-in-progress, but I'm getting close to making a index at the front of each binder.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Texas Guy –
Ken,

  Would you share your spreadsheet with us? Sounds like something
great to work from.

Thanks,

Carter-
Carter, I will clean it up and turn it into a template and post it. It may be a week before I can find the time.
Ken
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: First Foretravel

Reply #10 –
FT Service will copy the recommended service schedule for your year coach.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R