How many Foretravel’s still exist?

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How many Foretravel’s still exist?

April 10, 2019, 08:19:05 am

There is probably no way of knowing, but how many of each series were built and still exist? It is remarkable and a credit to the build quality that there are still so many in daily use. They were built to last unlike so many of the RV products that were turned out annually to feed the American desire to travel.
When we have told our friends we have bought a Foretravel, their faces scrunch up in thought, they desperately try to recall in their mind a picture of a "Fleetwood Bounder", relieved they now have an idea of what our new 1999 motorhome looks like. They then ask about Foretravel and we tell them as much as we know which brought us to asking the question of "how many"?
Any ideas?

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #1 – April 10, 2019, 08:42:37 am

A clue (perhaps): The Forum Board Stats show 5671 total members, but, many current Foretravel owners don't even know about the Forum.

Checking the build number on a brand new Foretravel would give you an idea of how many (total) were built, but no way to know how many are still rolling.

By the way, this question comes up around here every so often, and never gets answered. The thread soon spins off the rails...as this one will.

Number of Foretravels - Road Worthy - or still in Existence?

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #2 – April 10, 2019, 09:00:33 am

In looking at FOT web site on new ones I see build # 7105 as one in production now. I have a 2014, that was started in March of 2013, build # is 6583 so in the last 6 years they have built 522.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #3 – April 10, 2019, 10:10:16 am

As far as I can figure, there was around 1700+ flat nose bus style coaches built. But how many still exist is a good question.
I realize this doesn't answer your question, or identify how many total FT's were built, and still around. I don't think anyone know's that one.
I would take a wild guess and say 2500-3000 total still around (up to 2003 models).
Chris

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #4 – April 10, 2019, 10:32:24 am

That is still a lot of coaches for a small production factory, and amazing to think so many still run as well or better than some newer coaches, We began looking at the 34/36 ft Tiffin pushers but they hah so many complaints about wandering on the road and being pushed over by the wind when a semi passed them, not to mention the amount of repairs needed.
I like that our 99 had very little computer wizardry, it's a simpler being than those being produced today.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #5 – April 10, 2019, 11:27:00 am

Quote from: Irish – April 10, 2019, 10:32:24 am

That is still a lot of coaches for a small production factory, and amazing to think so many still run as well or better than some newer coaches, We began looking at the 34/36 ft Tiffin pushers but they hah so many complaints about wandering on the road and being pushed over by the wind when a semi passed them, not to mention the amount of repairs needed.
I like that our 99 had very little computer wizardry, it's a simpler being than those being produced today.

Yes, agree with all you say.
From a techs point of view, they are the easiest to work on wiring wise etc. I have worked on most all RV's during my 50+ years at all levels in the RV industry.
They are all mostly "Sticks and Staples" as the owner of HWH told me once.
One of the main reason's we own one.
CW

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #6 – April 10, 2019, 01:04:46 pm

For whatever it's worth our 1995 U320 was built in February 1995 and is unit number 4726. It's not the first "bus style" built but is one of the earlier ones.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #7 – April 10, 2019, 01:17:24 pm

Yup '95 was the last year of the 'U' series. Wonder if FT used separate Build #s for different models, or were just numbered sequentially as they came off the assembly line?

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #8 – April 10, 2019, 01:54:23 pm

Quote from: mike leary – April 10, 2019, 01:17:24 pm

Yup '95 was the last year of the 'U' series. Wonder if FT used separate Build #s for different models, or were just numbered sequentially as they came off the assembly line?

I don't know what you mean by the "'U' series." U320 models were still being built well into the 2000s. I believe the build numbers are just sequential from the very beginning.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #9 – April 10, 2019, 02:25:48 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – April 10, 2019, 01:54:23 pm

I don't know what you mean by the "'U' series." U320 models were still being built well into the 2000s. I believe the build numbers are just sequential from the very beginning.

I believed the 'U' series 'Unihome' were only built in the 36' from '93 to '95. Those were the years that had the torsilastic suspension, no air bags.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #10 – April 10, 2019, 02:30:40 pm

Quote from: mike leary – April 10, 2019, 02:25:48 pm

I believed the 'U' series 'Unihome' were only built in the 36' from '93 to '95. Those were the years that had the torsilastic suspension, no air bags.

We have a 95 U300 40ft Unihome with air bags

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #11 – April 10, 2019, 02:39:05 pm

Quote from: mike leary – April 10, 2019, 02:25:48 pm

I believed the 'U' series 'Unihome' were only built in the 36' from '93 to '95. Those were the years that had the torsilastic suspension, no air bags.

I'm not sure in which year the Unihomes were introduced. The smaller U225 & U240 models had the Torsilastic suspensions while the larger U280 & U300 models had air suspensions.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #12 – April 10, 2019, 04:14:29 pm

Quote from: mike leary – April 10, 2019, 02:25:48 pm

I believed the 'U' series 'Unihome' were only built in the 36' from '93 to '95. Those were the years that had the torsilastic suspension, no air bags.

93 U300 here, with airbags.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #13 – April 10, 2019, 04:26:42 pm

Lol 92 here with air bags😁 Mike I think you mean 225 or 240?

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #14 – April 10, 2019, 04:38:59 pm

Quote from: Andy 2 – April 10, 2019, 04:26:42 pm

Lol 92 here with air bags😁 Mike I think you mean 225 or 240?

Yup, the '93 through '95 36 footers (narrow) were either the 225 or the 240, both with torsilastic. Brett had our torsilastic modified to handle the weight of the CAT 3116, which was the U-240.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #15 – April 11, 2019, 12:45:05 am

Have a 92, 225, 36 footer with torsilastic suspension

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #16 – April 11, 2019, 06:28:22 am

We have a 95 U240 36' wide body.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #17 – April 11, 2019, 08:23:06 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – April 10, 2019, 08:42:37 am

The thread soon spins off the rails...as this one will.

It has transpired as I foretold. (See Reply #1)

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #18 – April 11, 2019, 10:33:50 am

Quote from: hjrein – April 11, 2019, 12:45:05 am

Have a 92, 225, 36 footer with torsilastic suspension

Yup, I stand corrected: The 3116 six cylinder CAT was introduced in '93 and, I believe, ran until '95.

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #19 – April 11, 2019, 02:51:15 pm

Quote from: "Irish" – April 10, 2019, 08:19:05 am

There is probably no way of knowing, but how many of each series were built and still exist? It is remarkable and a credit to the build quality that there are still so many in daily use. They were built to last unlike so many of the RV products that were turned out annually to feed the American desire to travel.
When we have told our friends we have bought a Foretravel, their faces scrunch up in thought, they desperately try to recall in their mind a picture of a "Fleetwood Bounder", relieved they now have an idea of what our new 1999 motorhome looks like. They then ask about Foretravel and we tell them as much as we know which brought us to asking the question of "how many"?
Any ideas?

Well I wouldn't have a clue how many exist, but I can tell you there is at least one 1990 foretravel grandvilla , in UK , I've had it for nearly eight years , I'm doing alot of extensive repairs at the moment, I'm hoping to get it back on the road before I reach 60 , that gives me about 2 and half years , ha ha

Re: How many Foretravel’s still exist?

Reply #20 – April 12, 2019, 09:48:25 am

There are a couple of Foretravels here at Sunset Point rv resort in Marble Falls. I'm in #59

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