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Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!


Purchasing my first Foretravel this week at FOT!  A 2017 IH-45 with 20k miles. It still has a warranty but we plan on going through a full inspection over the next 3 days.

Question for the group:
- Are there specific trouble areas we should spend extra time?
- Anything we should ask of Foretravel?
- Are there items they typically include in the sale?
- This forum seems fairly quiet on the newer IH-45's. Are there other sites with more activity?

Thanks in advance!

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #1
The reason it is quiet on that model is that they have probably only sold as many ih coaches as they sold u320s in 1999.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #2
Check the the pto retrofit was done.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #3
Might plan on staying in the coach at FOT for a couple of days and use every system on the coach. Check everything for proper operation. Make sure all manuals are included.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #4
Ask them to do an inside pressure leak test. They connect a low pressure line thru the roof vent and close coach up so any seams, windows, doors etc etc sprayed with bubble liquid will show potential leaks. You do not want a leak allowing water in to ruin interior.
I personally saw 2 that were in shop for that reason about 3 yrs ago.
Good luck on purchase.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #5
All I have to add is ... Congrats!!! This is my hope in the near future .. Please take photos and maybe a video of the walk.. If you can..

Maybe next year or so we will take the tour and start looking at which one is going to be next.. Let us know how the purchase goes .. the good or not so good.

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #6
Stephen,
Does the 2017 IH 45 use the Spartan chassis?

If the IH 45 is using the Foretravel chassis get the front shocks inspected. The front end is heavy. This coach needs Road King shocks, not Konis or the other brand that Foretravel uses.

We purchased a 2012 IH 45 in February 2015 and sold it in June 2016. We were very disappointed in the ride and handling in the coach. The customer service and getting repairs made was poor.

For the money you are going to spend you would be better served looking at Newells and Prevosts in that price range. These may not have all the bells and whistles that the 2017 IH 45 has, but they will be a better coach and you will get better service from their respective facilities. 

Reese Cantrell
Former IH 45 Owner

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #7
I like a company that stands behind their product.
I would ask for an extended warranty on their part.
3, 6, 9 or 12 months.
Like a "certified" preowned vehicle.
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #8
Stephen,
Does the 2017 IH 45 use the Spartan chassis? If the IH 45 is using the Foretravel chassis get the front shocks inspected. The front end is heavy. This coach needs Road King shocks, not Konis or the other brand that Foretravel uses.
We purchased a 2012 IH 45 in February 2015 and sold it in June 2016. We were very disappointed in the ride and handling in the coach. The customer service and getting repairs made was poor.
For the money you are going to spend you would be better served looking at Newells and Prevosts in that price range. These may not have all the bells and whistles that the 2017 IH 45 has, but they will be a better coach and you will get better service from their respective facilities. 

Reese Cantrell
Former IH 45 Owner

Everyone has an opinion.  Mine is the opposite of this one.  It is interesting that Reese still comes to this forum even though he now owns a Newell.

I have had great over the top service from FOT. They got me taken care of quickly when I had a slide problem, when I did not expect the quick, excellent service. My IH45 is my 4th Foretravel.

I have looked at Newells and Prevosts and I did not care for the interiors of them.  To each his own.

As was stated above there is not much forum activity on the IH45 anywhere.  There are a few of us on this board that I have talked to and are very happy with their coach.  There was one person that I talked to that had lost his IH45 to a flood and then purchased another one to replace the one he lost.

I agree also with above that if  you can stay a few days at the campground you will find any problems.  Might also go on a day trip to get to know all of the systems.

If you private message me I will give you my phone number and we can go over things.  Between my 14 & the 17 there were some changes but not that many.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #9
Check the the pto retrofit was done.

I believe this is not an issue with the newer IH45's as was the 2010's
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #10
Congratulations!

Keep us all informed as to how you enjoy your coach.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #11
I second DavidS. Video the walk around. Probably more for you than us. Although we'd love to see it. :) They throw so much information at you no way you can take it all in.

Also second staying in the coach for extended period at FOT. Torture test everything!

Congrats!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #12
I second DavidS. Video the walk around. Probably more for you than us. Although we'd love to see it. :) They throw so much information at you no way you can take it all in.

Also second staying in the coach for extended period at FOT. Torture test everything! 
X2 (or 3) When we did the walk through on ours , short term memory failed almost at once: Video and audio, YES!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #13
First off, congratulations on a very nice coach!  You will be happy with the service and expertise from FOT!  Now, get those photos up on the site so we all can drool a little!  lol
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #14
In looking at the pictures of your soon to be coach I thought of somethings you should ask for.  They make a big U that goes in the refrigerator doors to keep them closed going down the road. 

I was going to make one since the Velcro straps would come undone when I would make sharp corners. My wife found some cabinet latch to keep little kids out and so far they seam to work.  I have not given them the full test yet!

Make sure you get the manual crank adapter for the front drop down TV & the awnings
I think you should have 5 different TV remotes.  One for Living TVs, 1 patio, 1, master, & 1 for each bunk bed.
Verify the aqua hot works on burner and is burning clean.
Make sure they go thru how the AC's work. Have them show you where the 4 temp sensors are located. 
In my coach the 2nd from the front AC will work on the inverter.  It is great if going down the road and do not want to run the generator, but it can run your batteries down pretty fast if you stop for a while with the roof AC running on inverter.
Have them set up your Ipad so it will work with the systems in the coach.
Once you have it you will need to get a cutting board that will fit over your cooktop.  It will give you more work space, plus it will protect the cooktop when you open a cabinet and something that was in it come crashing down on it.  We learned this one from a friend that destroyed her cooktop shortly after they got their coach.
You will have two remotes for the master bed.  Make sure you carry spare batteries.  If the remote go dead you might have a rough night sleeping with the bed in storage position. I have not figured out if there is a manual override to get the bed to lay flat.
Make sure you understand the air doors to the master bathroom and bedroom. Mine has a button if you are in the bathroom you can lock the door so no one can open the door. Can get a little excited if in bathroom and you hit that button thinking you are pushing the door open button and nothing happens.

For others interested in the coach, I think it is this one.
2017 IH45 Bunk House
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #15
That is the bunk beds I need for the Grand kids.. only one right now but I have been talking to my daughter about another.. I will get 2 beds so she needs to get to work on her end :))

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #16
 Congratulations, enjoy.
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #17
Don't think you will be disappointed. It is a rolling home and will take attention and some maintenance!
1995 U320
Build #4677
2011 Honda CRV

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #18
She's a looker. I am amazed at how the paint shop lays the paint on the 45. The ones I've looked closely at the paint and graphics look 3 dementional. Very nice looking coach .
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #19
What a cool layout with the bunks!  I am excited for you, and a little jealous.  Wishing you all the best!

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #20
Congrats!! ;D
I'm looking at the IH-45 too.

Newell's are way to pricey now.

I think it's a great move.

Enjoy your new coach.

Guy and Helen
16 Entegra Cornerstone 45B
Guy & Helen
16 Entegra Cornerstone 45B

Re: Purchasing 2017 IH-45 this week!

Reply #21
Beautiful and great for family.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.