Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Topic: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice (Read 2137 times) previous topic - next topic

Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

November 09, 2019, 09:00:49 pm

My wife and I are looking at a 1998 U270 coach for sale in our area. We are new to Rving and also to Foretravel. We are planning a 6 month road trip across the country with our three small children in June. What are some of the things we should be aware of or considering when we look at this coach? The coach has 55k miles on it and seems to have been well cared for, serviced regularly, used regularly. The roof-top A/C units have been recently replaced. Everything seems to be in good working order. What are some big-ticket items that we may need to replace or fix during our ownership? We know the coach will need new tires and have factored that into our budget. We would certainly appreciate any input/advice you have to offer. Thank you!

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #1 – November 09, 2019, 09:09:02 pm

Since you already know the tires need replacing...

Batteries, air bags (if original), check bulkheads and basement structure for corrosion issues, fuel lines (to both engine and generator).

55K miles on a 21 year old coach is around 2600 miles per year. The average RVer travels closer to 7000 miles per year (according to surveys). Don't fall into a "low mileage creampuff" fallacy with this one.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #2 – November 09, 2019, 09:11:58 pm

I would suggest getting a third party inspection from an expert if you can. Brett Wolfe or Keith Risch are probably the best but if you can't get them, get someone with experience to inspect for you. Look for issues like bulkhead separation, check the air system- braking and leveling, etc. Regular service is good and may have taken care of many things, but check if you can.

That being said, my wife and I have lived in our 2001 U270 for 12 years full time, no end in sight. Good bones.............

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #3 – November 09, 2019, 09:12:57 pm

Welcome! When we bought our foretravel 2 years ago it was our first ever Rv. It is a great machine. Some other things to factor in are fuel lines, air bags and shocks. Also have a knowledgeable to foretravels person inspect it prior to purchase. I didn't and wish I would of. (As mentioned above Keith relish or Brett Wolfe are great choices) Other than that enjoy it.

See ya down the road

Keith

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #4 – November 09, 2019, 10:54:45 pm

Arrange an inspection from a Foretravel owner before you go any further. A lot of people didn't and wish they had.

The slow selling season has started so don't be in a hurry.

Pierce

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #5 – November 09, 2019, 10:58:38 pm

Carry an extra 20K in your wallet, seriously. They are awesome machines, with good bones.
Look at it another way. Pay $200-$300K for a similar looking coach with all the razoo blue tooth junk, but less quality, have it sit at the RV store you bought it from, while they sort it out for 6 months to a year.
So say you pay $40-50$K (the market) on this coach, and spend another $20K, look what you will have. A quality coach you can add blue tooth to for $100.00. Just sayin'
That 98 coach was probably $275K new, 21 years ago

Chris

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #6 – November 09, 2019, 11:39:02 pm

Parkers, are you mechanical inclined that includes some knowledge of 12 volt and 120/240 volt systems?

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #7 – November 10, 2019, 12:01:45 am

Good luck in your adventure.

Lot's of systems. Pick a topic mentioned above and use the Search function. Read, read and read some more,

7 years and two FTs later - still reading.

I didn't know how to start our first coach and learned along the way - with the help of a bunch of the FoFum members here. Couldn't have lasted this long without them.

Have you seen this: 1998 Foretravel U270 Specifications

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #8 – November 10, 2019, 01:28:14 am

+5 on all of the above, and I'm sure the same for comments to come.
The combined knowledge, friendly nature and desire to help found on this board is unmatched. Ask a question and be prepared for many answers.
Ask me how I know.

Welcome and good hunting.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #9 – November 10, 2019, 01:52:07 am

To me. these coaches lend themselves well to 2 people with an occasional guest. Not sure I would want to use them with small kids. Just not set up well for that. Although some have done it, but I wouldn't. There are other types of RV's that have a better setup for that kind of travel.
As Michelle says, the low mileage might be a concern.
Have a chunk of cash set back to help through the rough stuff. These coaches are maintenance intensive.
But they are built well, and will take you a long way in comfort.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #10 – November 10, 2019, 02:44:55 am

Where are you,always a forum member nearby.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #11 – November 10, 2019, 05:28:27 am

Quote from: John44 – November 10, 2019, 02:44:55 am

Where are you,always a forum member nearby.

Don't listen to John44, or the next thing you'll be doing is driving a Foretravel!!

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #12 – November 10, 2019, 05:48:27 am

Please don't take any of the above comments as a negative. Just some advice on how to purchase a great Foretravel coach.
We bought ours 14 years ago, it was 11 years old and had only 30,000 miles on it. It had been meticulously maintained. The coach had been stored in an air conditioned garage. I replaced the belts, tires, and batteries and it was good to go. If the coach was not subjected to ice and snow covered roads or salt water air, corrosion shouldn't be a negative. Happy Trails.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #13 – November 10, 2019, 08:39:48 am

50 things to check before you buy your used foretravel

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #14 – November 10, 2019, 08:44:40 am

Thank you, all, for the quick and thorough responses. We live in Mechanicsburg, PA (outside of Harrisburg). The coach we are interested in is in Elverson, PA (outside of Morgantown). Any forum members close by?

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #15 – November 10, 2019, 08:55:21 am

In upper left of a page, hover over "Community".

Click on "Member Map".

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #16 – November 10, 2019, 09:07:07 am

Lots of great advice already posted. I like the 6-4-2 analogy.

6 for drinks
4 for dinner
2 for sleeping.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #17 – November 10, 2019, 09:09:01 am

This set up may work for you.

1999 36' U320 Bunkhouse

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #18 – November 10, 2019, 09:12:07 am

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – November 10, 2019, 09:07:07 am

Lots of great advice already posted. I like the 6-4-2 analogy.

6 for drinks
4 for dinner
2 for sleeping.

Yup, same as a boat:
Drink 6
Feed 4
Sleep 2

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #19 – November 10, 2019, 09:15:52 am

When the salesman says it will sleep six remind him there's only one bathroom.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #20 – November 10, 2019, 09:16:07 am

Not hijacking thread but a 95 for 20k on Facebook marketplace in magnolia Mississippi.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #21 – November 10, 2019, 09:36:45 am

Quote from: Parker5 – November 10, 2019, 08:44:40 am

The coach we are interested in is in Elverson, PA (outside of Morgantown).

Road salt! Definitely have someone who understands Foretravel structure inspect the bulkheads and basement.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #22 – November 10, 2019, 09:50:58 am

welcome to the group of Foretravel owners, we were in your position this spring and bought a 99 U270 no slide, 50,000 miles, in great condition, it had lived its life primarily in Louisiana and Texas, the PO had just put new tires belts and batteries in it and it was in great condition.
We have put about 10CB in necessary maintenance shocks, airbags, fuel lines, brakes (which looked perfect) transmission damper.
Brett Wolfe - on the forum does inspections if you find a coach in the Texas area, when we were at MOT recently we discovered that Keith Risch (936) 462-3764 who we knew does inspections will fly to where you have a coach that needs inspecting, well worth it.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #23 – November 10, 2019, 10:18:10 am

I have no problem recommending Brett Wolfe for a pre-purchase survey. And you will find it to be money well spent given the purchase price and the potential for finding what I politely call deferred maintenance. These Foretravel models use a sophisticated air bag suspension, and the industry standard air brakes are more involved than you first think. Foretravel also lead the industry by building their own chassis in their search for lightness and rigidity. They achieved both but there is a possibility for a rust problem. The rust problem can be repaired, a Forum member recently repaired his all by himself since the materials used are standard and readily available and there is still factory support, as was with Rolls Royce products of old, you can send your Foretravel back to the factory for refreshing.

This being said, Foretravel coaches of this vintage bring an understated elegance to RV design and construction. We purchased ours this February past, it being our third RV, and are very satisfied with our decision.

I suppose bunking the children in the through bays isn't an option?

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #24 – November 10, 2019, 12:10:00 pm

Yes for Brett, but he does not travel to Pennsylvania , that is unless it's a new service he is offering

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