Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 08, 2025 ...

Roof Mounted Storage Bins

November 19, 2017, 10:15:48 pm

After looking at various Foretravels for sale on the net, I have noticed some have rooftop storage bins, (mainly OREDs and OREGs).  How are these mounted to the roof?  Is it possible to add one to a Grand Villa that doesn't have one?  For those using them, how well do they work?  Watertight?  Are they strong enough to mount solar panels on top of?  Where would you get one to add to a Foretravel that doesn't have one?

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #1 – November 19, 2017, 10:45:11 pm

My '81 came from Foretravel with 3 storage pods. they are water tight and bolted to the roof. Not knowing about a Grand Villa's construction, I wouldn't know how long the lag bolts would be.

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #2 – November 20, 2017, 02:00:54 am

Basement storage on a 36-foot ored is somewhat Limited. But Nighthawk had a post we're he had everything but the kitchen sink stored there. The storage doesn't go all the way from one side to the other like a unihome. Best practice is not the store a bunch heavy stuff up high. After reading Nighthawks post I don't think I have inadequate storage. Just can't put a bicycle in there.

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #3 – November 20, 2017, 07:56:58 am

The storage pod(s) were a factory option. The floor of our pod has four bolt heads visible that are located in the "feet" of the bottom fiberglass and must be anchored in the roof rafters that are not visible when inside the coach.
Our pod top has cracked in a couple places and I have reinforced it to prevent the cracking from getting any longer.
Green algae does form under the pod and I have to go up there every year and clean under the pod.

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #4 – November 20, 2017, 05:50:51 pm

There is an old Holiday Rambler across the street from my shop for parts.  It is very similar to my ORED equipment wise and looks wise. ( I measured the windshield ,  as they looked to be the same - 1in shorter.  ) 
  I will see what the roof boxes look like Tues.  Tampa FL.

 Roof boxes gone

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #5 – November 20, 2017, 09:14:00 pm

There's new ones on Ebay.

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Reply #6 – November 20, 2017, 09:25:20 pm

And there is a free one here in Palmyra, WI so I let James Holder know about it.

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Reply #7 – November 21, 2017, 12:14:33 am

Sold a lot of roof pods for ftx's.  Some had white top some orange

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Reply #8 – November 22, 2017, 05:26:31 pm

Same on mine as nigehawk described.... never have I had any leaks.

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Reply #9 – November 22, 2017, 05:32:44 pm

Never thought about it, but ours is mounted across the back, not parallel to the coach axis like yours, Jeff

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Reply #10 – November 22, 2017, 06:04:43 pm

I like the idea.  How are they fastened to the roof?
John M.

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Reply #11 – November 22, 2017, 07:29:53 pm

Our big roof pod is screwed to a plywood board, which is fastened down to metal roof supports.  We used small diameter PVC pipes under the outer edges so the weight is distributed and not all on the high-center part of the roof.

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Re: Roof Mounted Storage Bins

Reply #12 – November 22, 2017, 09:15:13 pm

Cranemans are oem.  The others are not

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