classic Foretravel MH.

Topic: classic Foretravel MH. (Read 2051 times) previous topic - next topic

classic Foretravel MH.

July 19, 2018, 10:46:45 pm

To my fellow travelers; does anyone know about the fire that Foretravel had in the 80's? I have a 1981 foretravel. No model type, just "foretravel" I have seen pictures similar to it but none in real life. There are a couple models for sale on the net but few.
It is such a beautiful unit but I am having trouble finding information about it. Its a 1981model OFEG. 440 dodge motor with a chrysler 727 trans. It has a tag axle with airbags for the tag. It is either an experimental MH or limited edition or maybe they are all at the MH Heaven in the sky!! Most of the information I have gotten is through BEAMALARM. If it wasnt for them I would not have ANY information. I love this MH!!! It is 90% original and in great shape. I have so many questions. thank you all and safe travel!!!

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #1 – July 20, 2018, 05:44:33 am

How about posting a lot of pictures in and outside so we can drool over it with you!

I'm sure we can help you with the subsystems.
I think most of how you are going to have to look at it is on one hand Dodge drivetrain. 440 engine and Probably a 727 torque flite trans and whatever rear ends were used and on the other hand RV body and associated appliances .I doubt you will find anykind of book about it,Bur I might be wrong,stranger things have surfaced!

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #2 – July 20, 2018, 08:38:39 am

Is it like this dear?

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #3 – July 20, 2018, 08:58:53 am

Foretravel bought a large quantity of dodge/Fargo motorhome chassis's from Chrysler in 1979 to build primarily 35' coaches on.

Same chassis were used up to 1982 model year and Foretravel sold some to other builders.

Bigger frame (8" rail) and a 6k capacity straight front axle added much more capacity than the Chevy.

My political sources back then from GM and the UAW told me that GM would help Chrysler with the government bailout then going on if they got out of the chassis biz.

Dodge 440-3 marine engine was excellent in the chassis.

Drove many of these personally.

Soft hallway floor normally neeeded bracing across the area from underneath.

Goldenrod colored porcelain bathtub and sink was because mrs Fore((Marie) liked tubs.

Texas Aggie brown on outside.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #4 – July 20, 2018, 09:15:58 pm

I worked on quite a few of these. That is probably not an ofeg but it has a dodge m600 chassis. There were a few of the late dodge chassis that had the international v8 and then roadmaster made the chassis with a 454 chev engine.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #5 – July 21, 2018, 08:34:41 am

I drove one with an roadmaster rail and a 446 internation engine, was a good engine for gasoline

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #6 – July 21, 2018, 12:37:46 pm

There were 5 or 6 overall this configuration that I knew of .traveled with one other one

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #7 – July 22, 2018, 06:53:10 pm

Quote from: George – July 21, 2018, 12:37:46 pm

There were 5 or 6 overall this configuration that I knew of .traveled with one other one

Indeed, I have seen various past models in pictures but none in real life.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #8 – July 22, 2018, 06:57:17 pm

Quote from: stump – July 20, 2018, 05:44:33 am

How about posting a lot of pictures in and outside so we can drool over it with you! I'm sure we can help you with the subsystems.
I think most of how you are going to have to look at it is on one hand Dodge drivetrain. 440 engine and Probably a 727 torque flite trans and whatever rear ends were used and on the other hand RV body and associated appliances .I doubt you will find anykind of book about it,Bur I might be wrong,stranger things have surfaced!

Thank you. I am finding that out. And a lot of the companies of that time are no longer in business. I just love this MH and want to know everything about it.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #9 – July 22, 2018, 10:33:25 pm

How about posting the model number from the tag on the wall beside the drivers seat.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #10 – July 23, 2018, 02:45:58 pm

vin #m60da9t523405 FTX35sb (Foretravel 10 series or 10th generation?) 35' side bath. gvw 16,000 TON (truck order number) Sl070307

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #11 – July 23, 2018, 04:45:47 pm

Dodge/Fargo m600 chassis.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #12 – July 23, 2018, 07:36:20 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 23, 2018, 04:45:47 pm

Dodge/Fargo m600 chassis.

what does that mean. Fargo

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #13 – July 23, 2018, 07:41:10 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 20, 2018, 08:58:53 am

Foretravel bought a large quantity of dodge/Fargo motorhome chassis's from Chrysler in 1979 to build primarily 35' coaches on.

Same chassis were used up to 1982 model year and Foretravel sold some to other builders.

Bigger frame (8" rail) and a 6k capacity straight front axle added much more capacity than the Chevy.

My political sources back then from GM and the UAW told me that GM would help Chrysler with the government bailout then going on if they got out of the chassis biz.

Dodge 440-3 marine engine was excellent in the chassis.

Drove many of these personally.

Soft hallway floor normally neeeded bracing across the area from underneath.

Goldenrod colored porcelain bathtub and sink was because mrs Fore((Marie) liked tubs.

Texas Aggie brown on outside.

I got some color swatches to match the color. I want to remove the decals and hand paint the stripping. Ill bet Im close!! But thats what I saying. This information is scarce. as soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will send pictures.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #14 – July 23, 2018, 07:44:53 pm

Quote from: peterk – July 23, 2018, 07:41:10 pm

I got some color swatches to match the color. I want to remove the decals and hand paint the stripping. Ill bet Im close!! But thats what I saying. This information is scarce. as soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will send pictures.

also, would you know why on the side of the block it says 440-2 not 3

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #15 – July 23, 2018, 09:45:01 pm

440 engines cast three different engines from the same molds. 440-1 was physically lighter as the iron was thinner.

Dash 2 was the second casting. Heavier. Stronger. Dash 3 was the strongest and heaviest. Fuel drag race cars used the dash threes

Dash threes were mostly marine motors as any failures could be more dangerous.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #16 – July 24, 2018, 08:51:36 am

"Marine" engines typically have more main bearings because in use boats either are at idle or full throttle and last longer with less crank shaft flex.

wantabe

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #17 – July 24, 2018, 09:32:39 am

The consensus with the Dodge/Chrysler freaks that I know is that the engine blocks in marine and RV service had a higher nickel content, again with the consensus, this gives a more flexible and resilient "cast iron".
If memory serves me the old Weenerbago we had, had a 413 max wedge. Once again the local cognoscenti declared after looking at the block numbers or something that it was a high nickel casting.
Mick

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #18 – July 25, 2018, 01:56:29 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – July 23, 2018, 09:45:01 pm

440 engines cast three different engines from the same molds. 440-1 was physically lighter as the iron was thinner.

Dash 2 was the second casting. Heavier. Stronger. Dash 3 was the strongest and heaviest. Fuel drag race cars used the dash threes

Dash threes were mostly marine motors as any failures could be more dangerous.

I have already learned so much about this unit than I can say. I contacted the factory and they said they had a fire (83,84,85?) which destroyed all the records at that time (their files didnt have back-up files.) now I know the color of the stripe on side. The other stripe is of a different shade so I still have to color match that one. The others are black. Im in the process of resealing and painting those stripes. I have only seen two colors. a brown model and a blue model.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #19 – July 25, 2018, 02:05:52 pm

The factory had a fire previously that destroyed the tax records.....in the 70's. Hmmm

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #20 – July 25, 2018, 02:44:15 pm

I was told by Clayton and Jeremy at NAC today that there are NO records, manuals, spec sheets for any FT from 84 to 89...

A complete blank on any library information.... seems like there are some adequate appliance and mechanical manuals available on good Google searches... i told them my build number 2658 and all they could confirm was a build date of November 1985, 3300 SBI with a Chevy 454 front engine motor but could not tell me anything about the transmission.. BEAM specifications show Heavy Duty Transmission 3 speed....

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #21 – July 25, 2018, 05:01:59 pm

Most likely it has a 400 turbo with parking brake drum on the output shaft.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #22 – July 25, 2018, 05:11:16 pm

If they claim 'heavy duty transmission' it would be the 470 turbo, which we had on the Airstream. Same parking brake (that has a habit of leaking like a sieve from the output shaft and making the E-brake worthless.

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #23 – July 25, 2018, 08:35:19 pm

3300 SBT twin

Re: classic Foretravel MH.

Reply #24 – July 25, 2018, 11:42:14 pm

Offer them a personal incintive to look maybe, something might just magically show up. We have drawings from the 70's but the digging is pretty hot and dusty. Just saying.

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