Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

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Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

January 03, 2018, 12:11:48 am

I found this on the Foretravel Owners Group on Facebook, thought someone might be interested.
He has a 1993 U280

Erik van Pomeren Leusden, Netherlands
Newly made-up exchange program!
Hi fellow Foretravel owners. I thought of shipping my RV back to the US some day to explore North America. But, wouldn't one of you guys want to explore Europe in a Foretravel? So the idea is not shipping but starting an exchange. Who would want to swap RV's for let's say a few weeks or a month? You would have to be an excellent driver though...the roads are a lot smaller over here but it fits. Your RV would be in a excellent hands since I maintain and repair everything myself.
Anyone interested?

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #1 – January 03, 2018, 10:15:11 am

Jimmy,
Could you ask him to post on the forum, I and maybe others don't do facebook. Wonder how it would work out regards insurance and a toad. Toad maybe not needed as public transportation much better than US. Driving on highways no problem, but roads to campgrounds will be narrow, but fun for someone wanting an adventure.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #2 – January 03, 2018, 11:37:01 am

Jerry,
I just sent Erik a pm on FB regarding posting his swapping idea on the Forum. Hopefully he will take it into consideration. Attached is a picture of the coach he has for swap. I did a search to see if he is a Forum member and didn't find him.
John M.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #3 – January 03, 2018, 11:54:34 am

As Jerry says, public transportation is excellent and even taxis are not expensive. Fuel is though so you have to balance that with the price of a room (less expensive than here with breakfast included in many places). The Netherlands would be excellent for a Foretravel as it's always packed with visitors in summer. Insurance is mandatory and not difficult to purchase for your own vehicle. Definitely an adventure.

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #4 – January 03, 2018, 11:59:39 am

Quote from: John Morales – January 03, 2018, 11:37:01 am

Attached is a picture of the coach he is has for swap.

That's a great photo. Definitely looks like a place we would like to dry camp.

Sweet looking U280. Somebody put some money into that one. Left hand drive (?) could be interesting on European roads. Fridge on the curb side - probably a SBI floor plan? The clearance lights (above the windshield) appear to be either clears lens, or else painted over with silver paint. Added-on side running lights are mounted at the belt line. The headlights are different - individual high and low beam units, rather than the Ford one-piece assemblies. Wonder if they would fit our coach? HMMmmm.......

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #5 – January 03, 2018, 02:06:43 pm

?? Is this the 'Villa' that's registered in Germany but the owner lives in Holland, or the other way around ? looks like a German plate on the front.
I think i remember seeing this coach on the forum or some other site, rather than paint it has a body 'wrap'. Then again I could be a touch cornfused seems I have more days like that lol

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #6 – January 03, 2018, 02:37:47 pm

It's a German plate with a "CLP" city code, CLP - Cloppenburg, Lower Saxony. Has a letter "D" for Deutschland on the euro plate. Lived in Europe for twenty years and Germany for eight.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #7 – January 03, 2018, 03:12:38 pm

Here are all the German license plate codes. If you want a custom German license plate, you can just order one with the city, letters, numbers of your choice. Nice to put on the front of your coach in states with no front plate requirement (or other states that don't care much). German License Plate Format & City/Region Codes

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #8 – January 03, 2018, 09:32:02 pm

wow what an idea. We are going to europe in september for a month, starting in Frankfurt. I have booked a car and place in France already for the first 9 days but this sounds like a good idea. I have driven many times over there so no problem.
I do not do Facebook so hope he posts here on forum or gives email out. I may be interested.
Alsatian Hart 5 star vacation rental 2 BR 4 persons in Riquewihr Alsace
This is the first 8 days in this 16th century town.
JohnH

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #9 – January 03, 2018, 10:14:41 pm

We've visited family in Denmark and have traveled by car in Denmark and Sweden. The largest RV we saw was a small Class C. Fuel prices aside, how is access to fuel pumps? Can you find a campground with the maneuver and a pad that size? I think it would be akin to someone with a 50' RV trying to find a parking spot in the US, except we are used to fifth wheels. It would also have been impossible to park at any residence that I've seen. Lastly, how much exploring time would be taken up by people stopping you and asking about and wanting to explore the coach? The owner may have answers to these questions, if someone is seriously considering this. For me the way to travel Europe is to rent a diesel car and stay at B&Bs.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #10 – January 04, 2018, 11:17:15 am

John,

Thanks so much for the link to the B&B. The quality and price for accommodations in Europe make it a win-win vacation. No wonder France is the number one tourist destination in the whole world. Not a lot of stick/drywall construction there.

I started my business in Frankfurt. PM for some great places to stay on the Rhein on the first night. Just in case you might be a beer drinker, Oktoberfest starts on Sept 22 through the 7th of Oktober in Munich. Crazy but fun for a couple of days.

We did some of the ground work for our friend's trip last month. They were able to rent a diesel car for a month for $8/day. Fuel is more expensive but the cars get outstanding mileage plus you don't have to worry about pot holes.

Sven,

While I have seen a few large RVs, you hit it on the head with Class C motorhomes. Easy on the diesel with almost all having manual transmissions plus easy to drive through the small towns and easily fit into RV park sites. Yes, renting a diesel car with B&Bs, pensions/hotels providing a REAL continental breakfast is the way to go in my opinion.

For anyone exploring Eastern Europe or Italy from Naples south, you may need to book from an agency that will insure it in those locations. Just driving to Prague may require this. I think it added about $75 to our monthly rental.

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #11 – January 04, 2018, 11:54:53 am

Now I remember ! the coach is 40' and the owner is unable to register it in Holland so it's plated in Germany to get around the restriction.......could this be a potential problem ?
I look at that "Huge" for Europe coach and I think of Reforger and the major with the check book following behind paying for the damage.
A friend of ours had his Sprinter based coach over there for the summer and he had to stay with back roads to avoid the over 3500# toll premiums. Having driven in Europe all manner of vehicles, semi's and buses included, a big fish in a small pond comes to mind. IMHO

Mick

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #12 – January 04, 2018, 12:14:12 pm

The width limit in Europe is 2.55 meters or 100.4 inches excluding mirrors. An exemption for 102" RVs is normally not a problem to get in many countries. No toll roads or bridges in Germany but the weight restriction could be a factor in other countries. For countries like France that does have toll roads, the secondary road system is outstanding and for someone on vacation, a much more picturesque way to see the country.

Good point though about the weight add-on cost. Big rigs do drive through the small towns like it is the Autobahn but have years of practice doing it.

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #13 – January 04, 2018, 01:06:11 pm

I was able to get in touch with Erik and he should be chiming in soon.
John M.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #14 – January 04, 2018, 03:41:02 pm

Hi Guys! It is Erik from The Netherlands. I have read all your comments to John's post. My Foretravel has German plates because I could not get Dutch ones. This has to do with European legislations. Any vehicle can not be wider then 100" (255cm) and longer then 38' (12 Meyers) no exceptions. Someone in Germany was bribeable so German plates it is! It is full casco insured no problem. Once you have the plates they will never re-measure again.

My idea was to swap RV's for a Holiday. This way no one has to ship to another continent. We all love our babies so I would not swap with any other brand.

My Foretravel is in the best condition and self sustained with 1150 what solar and 1350 Amp batteries. Sonos audio and WIFI on board with Netflix while you drive etc...But like I wrote on Facebook, you have to be an excellent driver since roads are narrow here and people drive faster.

Your RV on the other hand would be in excellent hands. I do all repairs, maintenance and upgrades myself. No one here that understands a Foretravel that could help me. I can take it apart and put it back together with my eyes closed.

Anyone interested?

Maybe you don't want to travel to Europe? I could also help you with your RV repairs in exchange for a small trip? Anything is possible.

Id you have any questions, technical or otherwise don't hesitate!

Love and greetings from Holland!
Erik

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #15 – January 04, 2018, 05:32:40 pm

Erik start another thread and show us the details, inside outside of your coach. It is real nice looking. What headlights do you Have? Etc.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #16 – January 04, 2018, 08:54:35 pm

here are some from his facebook

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #17 – January 04, 2018, 08:56:29 pm

some more

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #18 – January 04, 2018, 08:58:23 pm

The last of Eric photos

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #19 – January 04, 2018, 09:56:34 pm

noticed the Victron controller and inverter of course along with the Bosch Dwasher and coffee machine.

Pierce your comments on hiring a car and having to pay extra daily fees if you are going to go thru other EU countries is correct as I have found out when renting the car in Frankfurt. May have to pay E 5 a day (E 50 a month) as stated on website of Nationwide Car rental. We will see once over there, but your $8 a day makes me shake my head. How do you get that one?? Have been to germany a few times and down Rhine along both sides of it in cars to Bertishgartden (sp) and Eagles Nest and salt mines. Our 1st night is in hotel at Frankfurt Airport then next day to the BB shown. About 280 km drive.
JohnH

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #20 – January 05, 2018, 11:17:38 am

John,

Frankfurt is a super popular destination as it's a huge financial capitol plus Pforzheim with all of it's gold, is about an hours taxi ride away. Rental cars are usually about $4-500/mo because of this.

OK, I got them a cheap flight to Copenhagen where rental cars are about half the price. Redirect - KAYAK . As you know, you have to decline the insurance and your Visa will cover the damage part. Nice to check with your CC company first before you go. Europe has been using chipped CC for years so make sure yours has a chip. I got stuck at a unattended toll both in France with a line of cars behind me and an angry toll machine with DECLINE in big blinking letters. No human for several minutes after I pushed the button.

For a hassle free car rental for mainstream car rental prices, Sixt Car Rentals is hard to beat. Based in Munich, they rent cars around the world and make it a pleasure to do business with. No high pressure insurance sales, almost instant car pickup and drop off plus they had email receipt with all the charges on our phone within five minutes after dropping off the car.

We arrived in Minneapolis in a howling snowstorm and minus 20 degree weather three years ago. The car was in front of the Sixt office with the engine and heater running. We were picking up a small aircraft at Flying Cloud Airport 15 miles away and when we returned the rental car, they gave us a free ride over to Flying Cloud. Excellent!

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #21 – January 05, 2018, 05:49:18 pm

Getting back to the idea of traveling with the RV: It would be very useful if the owner could provide travel logs and a list of places that can accommodate this rig and where cheaper fuel can be found. Many RVers in the US have posted on-line journals, loaded with details, of their experiences and even itineraries. In Europe, we would be completely "fish out of water", not having any experience or Walmart to bail us out. Just dealing with the round-a-bouts gives me the willies. What is the equivalent (dollars per gallon) cost of fuel there (average)? The fuel costs alone, may negate any savings on renting a room. It would be an adventure though.

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #22 – January 05, 2018, 06:03:29 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – January 05, 2018, 05:49:18 pm

Getting back to the idea of traveling with the RV: It would be very useful if the owner could provide travel logs and a list of places that can accommodate this rig and where cheaper fuel can be found. Many RVers in the US have posted on-line journals, loaded with details, of their experiences and even itineraries. In Europe, we would be completely "fish out of water", not having any experience or Walmart to bail us out. Just dealing with the round-a-bouts gives me the willies. What is the equivalent (dollars per gallon) cost of fuel there (average)? The fuel costs alone, may negate any savings on renting a room. It would be an adventure though.

Here is a worldwide fuel cost site. Multiply the liter price x 3.78 to get gallons. Gasoline: Gasoline prices around the world, 01-Jan-2018 | GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Diesel: Diesel prices around the world, 01-Jan-2018 | GlobalPetrolPrices.com

In some Scandinavian countries, you must ask first but farms have to allow you to camp on their property. Campers are then required to leave the site as they found it.

Pierce

Re: Traveling in Europe in a Foretravel

Reply #23 – January 05, 2018, 06:48:50 pm

Google "our travels with rover" . It's a bit dated from 2012 but good blog from a couple who shipped their born free to Amsterdam and would use it for vacations for around 4 yrs going all over Europe. May give some insight into rv life in Europe.

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