2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Topic: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla (Read 2131 times) previous topic - next topic

2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

August 31, 2017, 12:28:44 am

I see the new Foretravel on the Foretravel chassis is now on the Foretravel website.

Foretravel Motorcoach - 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #1 – August 31, 2017, 12:45:56 am

Airstream and all the others must be quaking in their boots. Not.

Nothing new here except the name.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #2 – August 31, 2017, 12:50:24 am

$180,000 ?
That buys a lot of airline tickets, rental cars and a nice hotel room.
Can't imagine living in that coach, maybe 40 years ago but NOT now!

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #3 – August 31, 2017, 12:56:46 am

Just me but all of these class B or C touring sedans or whatever you want to call them at north of 150K is way out there. My dinner won't fit in a 3.1 cf fridge! 😎 I guess they have a place. I would think a nice class A in the 30-34 foot 200-250k or less range on a gas or front diesel chassis might be a deal for folks that want to down size! There are some out there but not much quality to them from what I've seen.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #4 – August 31, 2017, 01:04:17 am

I liked it.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #5 – August 31, 2017, 07:34:12 am

15 gallon black tank? Not gonna do much dry camping in that thing. No, thank you, not for us...

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #6 – August 31, 2017, 08:09:10 am

Expensive coaches on this chassis and MB AWD chassis seem to be very popular. Can't speak to the price point vs. competition but saw 3 of these at AM Solar at one time getting Solar, one with LI-ON batteries.
Hopefully FT did their market research on this so they can sell some units profitably.
This forum really does not (with a few notable exceptions) represent the target market as consumers of new coaches.
I think FT is in a box, without an easy way out. High material costs since they buy in small quantity. High labor cost per unit since they are a low volume producer with zero automation. No dealer network, so 98% of new RV buyers do not even know that FT exists.
So they need to find their niche were there is enough volume to yield a profitable business model, sold through the factory direct model, at a relatively high price point relative to similar competition.
I applaud their willingness to try new products in search of a sustainable business model.
I believe they are also working on a Prevost conversion (and have been for quite some time).
A strong, financially secure FT is in the best interest of everyone here on the forum, I hope that they find the way to that outcome.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #7 – August 31, 2017, 08:10:30 am

I'm actually happy to see new products. Although we'll most likely never see what "we" want them to build (and probably couldn't afford in 2017), their continued survival gives at least a chance to have access to parts and people compared to shuttering the place.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #8 – August 31, 2017, 08:54:30 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – August 31, 2017, 12:45:56 am

Airstream and all the others must be quaking in their boots. Not.

$50K more than a PleasureWay Plateau (VERY nice B van) which has a 5 year warranty.

They're entering a crowded market with a very expensive product.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #9 – August 31, 2017, 09:05:56 am

I don't like it. Doesn't look much like a motorhome. Too expensive for what you get. The bed can't be comfortable at all.
John M.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #10 – August 31, 2017, 09:09:09 am

As feared, they are reaching price wise to try to make profit on a low volume hand built class B.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #11 – August 31, 2017, 09:57:57 am

After all of them we've see; many different builders, it sure looks like Mercedes is the "platform winner."

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #12 – August 31, 2017, 10:00:04 am

Here's a company with the same Sprinter class B market niche foretravel looks to be aiming at. Advanced RV.

Advanced-RV Experience - Advanced RV

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #13 – August 31, 2017, 10:05:27 am

Quote from: mike leary – August 31, 2017, 09:57:57 am

After all of them we've see; many different builders, it sure looks like Mercedes is the "platform winner."

Dodge Promaster (Fiat) is coming on strong. A number of companies are also building wide-body B, B-plus, and C units on both these chassis. Look at both Dynamax and Winnnebago, this market is exploding.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #14 – August 31, 2017, 10:17:14 am

This company (advanced RV) is definitely going for the upscale market! I looked at one that was available (random choice by clicking on a picture under gallery, available) and the listed price is $293,471! 1200AH of lithium batteries, 400+ watts of solar, 2 alternators... looks to be boondock capable for the short run anyway.
CRUZMOBILE - Ocean One Luxury RV For Sale - Advanced RV
So maybe FOT's prices aren't that far out of line. Hard to judge unless you can do some detailed comparisons. The lithium batteries in the link above might add as much as $10k to price but it is about $120K above FOT's asking price.
Don

Quote from: Tom Lang – August 31, 2017, 10:00:04 am

Here's a company with the same Sprinter class B market niche foretravel looks to be aiming at. Advanced RV.

Advanced-RV Experience - Advanced RV

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #15 – August 31, 2017, 10:59:55 am

I think that it is way overpriced and not relevant to the market. This is a very crowded space and they Have zero name recognition in the space. I just finished looking at all the small options and number one was my Born Free and number two was the Unity. I would get either of these before a van and this is a touring sedan not a mini motorhome. I do not think you could keep enough drinks in that fridge for all the seats they have if they were all occupied with people. I would have thought a bigger closet and storage spaces and a bigger bathroom instead of those two passenger seats or at least the one on the drivers side as the passengers side is by the door. That is why many of the manufacturers put the kitchen on that side so they can have the other side for the bathroom and storage. I will watch and see how this sell but I think this is a very crowded space and there is nothing compelling on this to make me want to buy it. They should go after Born Free's niche and build a high quality class C that people can downsize into.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #16 – August 31, 2017, 11:08:45 am

Looks like a fantastic way to tour the country going from resort to resort.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #17 – August 31, 2017, 11:32:43 am

I did not see a generator

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #18 – August 31, 2017, 11:50:36 am

Quote from: John S – August 31, 2017, 11:32:43 am

I did not see a generator

That bites!

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #19 – August 31, 2017, 11:52:13 am

It has to have a generator to run that roof a/c.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #20 – August 31, 2017, 11:52:41 am

They got the name right "micro". Seats 4, sleeps 4?? maybe. One burner stove and heat the pizza in the microwave. I do like the Sprinter chassis, but in a larger version. Many companies converting them.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #21 – August 31, 2017, 12:27:48 pm

Many high $ Sprinters have a LARGE 2ond alternator that substitutes for a generator. It also auto starts the engine which just idles. They also have Lithium battery banks with inverters more than capable of running the A/C for a few hours.

Edit
After having 2 Sprinter B's, and loving them. Got out due to lack of service facilities, I'd sure look at the Promaster before a Sprinter, yah, I know it's smaller. The Advanced RV units are top notch, one thing making them such is their use of components from Europe.

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #22 – August 31, 2017, 01:25:20 pm

I'm not interested in anything that has the bed against the wall!

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #23 – August 31, 2017, 01:50:47 pm

Hmmmmm......You know...Ummmm...... This would make for one hell of a toad.......... for short excursions or an overnighter or two. then return to your Foretavel "Mothership"......

Re: 2018 Foretravel MicroVilla

Reply #24 – August 31, 2017, 02:20:36 pm

It has a powertech generator hanging underneath way too low. That thing will be the first thing to be crunched. Also the exposed tank underneath at the rear looks terrible. I think it is designed as a traveling van for people who can afford it. Maybe a dingy vehicle for a Prevost. I do wish them all the best though.

Mark

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