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Topic: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice (Read 2737 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #20 –
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 –
Quote from: Parker5 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
Yes for Brett, but he does not travel to Pennsylvania , that is unless it's a new service he is offering

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #25 –
Start the coach, air it up to the proper pressure, front & back. Fiddle around for an hour or so looking at other stuff. Check to see how much pressure has held in that time. There is an allowable leak down chart in this Forum, somewhere ... or hopefully, someone will pipe up.  Low mileage is a concern, rather than high mileage.  These things like to run! Definitely check the bulkheads for rust jacking. We moved from Elverson, PA to Thorndale, PA before we bought our first Foretravel. We used Cummins in Harrisburg for oil changes, etc.  They always did a fine job of looking the rig over!  Keith Risch is like Yoda for Foretravel's ... honestly.  The man is amazing.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Parker5 –
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?

Sadly, we are now in Tucson, AZ.  No more wet, dreary winters! The Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Foretravel group had quite a few members from the middle of the state, as I recall.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #27 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
Yes for Brett, but he does not travel to Pennsylvania , that is unless it's a new service he is offering

Nope.  Way to many airline miles in my career.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #28 –
Yes, our children are all under the age of five, so we are planning to create 2 or 3 (tiny) bunks in the cabinet space across from the bathroom.  So, with all the things to check for that you all mentioned above and the potential costs involved, would you still recommend a Foretravel over other brands?  (I feel like the answer to that question is probably yes or you wouldn't be on the forum).  I should also mention that our plan is to purchase this vehicle specifically for our adventure (6 months of travel and 15-20K miles) and then sell it when we are finished.  We will save the cabinetry that we modify to put back.  We are really looking for something that is reliable and will get the job done for the period of time we need.  At this point in our lives, we don't feel like the rv lifestyle is one we can sustain.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Parker5 –
Yes, our children are all under the age of five, so we are planning to create 2 or 3 (tiny) bunks in the cabinet space across from the bathroom. 

Assume you are planning to drive 2 vehicles so that the kiddos can be safely belted in?

The only forward-facing seats in a Foretravel (or really almost all motorhomes) are the driver and passenger seats.

While there are seat belts on the sofas, those are side facing, and lap belts only and are not suitable to prevent severe neck injury in an accident.  (ETA, some bench dinettes do have seat belts, but again these are only lap belts and not ideal)

This is why most families with children opt for crew cab truck and trailer. 

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #31 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
Yes for Brett, but he does not travel to Pennsylvania , that is unless it's a new service he is offering
You sure he's not interested in venison burgers and Dutch apple pie?

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Parker5 –
I should also mention that our plan is to purchase this vehicle specifically for our adventure (6 months of travel and 15-20K miles) and then sell it when we are finished.  We will save the cabinetry that we modify to put back.  We are really looking for something that is reliable and will get the job done for the period of time we need.  At this point in our lives, we don't feel like the rv lifestyle is one we can sustain.
Be advised though. That when you are done and try to sell it. Anything that you missed or didn't know to fix or just didn't feel like fixing. Will make it hard to sell, And will add to the cost of your adventure.

Our first RV is a 1998 U320 36' The repairs and maint. were coming at us fast and hard. We were nearly overwhelmed.  It was a hard edged learning experience. Yet it looks to be much less a risk than even renting a class C camper. I looked that up in your area and for 180 days it was nearly $39K

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #34 –
Quote from: bigdog –
Be advised though. That when you are done and try to sell it. Anything that you missed or didn't know to fix or just didn't feel like fixing. Will make it hard to sell, And will add to the cost of your adventure.

That is ONLY true if the next buyer knows what they are doing/get a good mechanical inspection!

I do a lot of inspections for those who have already bought, so have reluctantly been the barer of bad news many times.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #35 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
That is ONLY true if the next buyer knows what they are doing/get a good mechanical inspection!

I do a lot of inspections for those who have already bought, so have reluctantly been the barer of bad news many times.

True Brett. Although I would think that what the OP is thinking of doing could result in a twilight zone scenario if things aren't done perfectly and nothing bad happens along the way.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #36 –
Please don't misunderstand my statement.

I am certainly not suggesting that part of the equation for a fiscally reasonable decision on buying a coach depends on finding an unknowledgeable buyer when it comes time to sell.

I was just trying to make the point that there are a number of "less than knowledgeable" buyers out there.

Suspect that they number well more than knowledgeable buyers.

BTW, there are a lot of "less than knowledgeable" sellers out there as well-- ones who have no idea of the thousands of dollars worth of maintenance their coach needs to truly get them road-ready  just from many components reaching the end of their useful life.

Am I still in time out?

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #37 –
Nothing wrong with your statement Brett. I agree.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #38 –
My thought is that trying to do this sort of a trip on anything but a cash basis is a recipe for disaster.  Such a trip is safer staying at nice hotels and maybe a few roadside motels.

RV travel is expensive if your RV is not also your primary residence.

Re: Interested in buying a Foretravel- need some advice

Reply #39 –
I have to agree totally with Brett. While sellers post "wishing" prices, 99% of buyers have "wishing" knowledge of RVs. Even Foretravel owners switching to a different year or model would be smart to enlist the help of an owner of that particular model. So many pitfalls and unless you have a big budget, get an owner along side of you when you inspect the coach.

Got to hand it to women. If you ask them directions and they don't know, they will tell you that. Guys just can't stand not knowing so even if they have no idea, they will fake it.

Pierce