looking for a Foretravel

Topic: looking for a Foretravel (Read 1344 times) previous topic - next topic

looking for a Foretravel

January 29, 2020, 04:12:31 am

We have just retired and after 44 Alaska winters we want to spend a few months a year traveling where it is warm. We are not new to motorhomes and have had both class A's & C's over the years. We will keep a class A motorhome (gas) here in Alaska to fish and camp over the summer but want to get another motorhome which we will use to travel from November thru March - we may just do this for a couple of years or we may do it long term - will just have to see how it goes. We have been researching diesel pushers for a couple of years and we think we like the Foretravel even though we have never been in one. We also have thoroughly researched the new Super Cs and recently made a trip to North Trail in Ft. Meyers to look at new Renegades. We were impressed except for the lack of storage and the lack of space unless slides were extended. Accordingly, we are now concentrating on a good used Foretravel. We are boondockers and think 38' in length would be as long as we need - 34 - 36 would probably be better. it is just the 2 of us and an old cat. We actually think we would get along just fine without a slide but a single living room slide would be acceptable. We would be towing something, probably a Jeep Wrangler as we have pulled them for years here in Alaska with great success. We have been watching MOT on a regular basis and they seem to have quite a bit of turnover but generally with high mileage. Folks seem to hold MOT of Texas in high regard. I also watch RV Trader on a regular basis but currently do not see anything I can't live without. A broker in Phoenix (Arizona Luxury Coach) currently has one Foretravel, a 38' U320 with very low mileage - we are actually thinking of a quick trip to Phoenix to look at it. Any words of wisdom from seasoned travelers for us that have yet to start would be greatly appreciated.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #1 – January 29, 2020, 08:07:33 am

Burt,

Welcome to the forum and hopefully welcome to the Foretravel family in the not too distant future. I do not have any specific words of wisdom other than to say, spend time reading through this forum to get a feel for what to look for when looking at these coaches.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #2 – January 29, 2020, 08:42:09 am

Mileage is the last thing I'd worry about when buying a FT. Lots of good threads here on what to look for and getting a knowledgeable inspector.

Rich

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #3 – January 29, 2020, 08:53:02 am

Best wishes with your search Burt. If you are interested in Foretravel you've already achieved the most important step...finding this forum. I bought my coach due to this amazing forum. Without it I wouldn't have considered a FT. Any FT question you can come up with can be answered here. Member are very generous with their time and experience. There is no such thing as a dumb question on this forum.

We met some of our best friends on the forum.

Don't be overly concerned about high mileage. If a coach has been properly maintained and updated over the years the mileage isn't that important. I've got 210K on mine and it's just getting broken in. 😄

Be willing to travel to find a coach. Get a pre-purchase inspection from an experienced FT inspector. I bought mine at MOT and had a great experience. Forum member Brett Wolfe did my inspection. I contracted Brett before we bought a coach. I was looking for a Foretravel after researching for a year and kept an eye on Nacogdoches as it is the epicenter for all things Foretravel. Be ready to pounce when you find a well sorted coach. My coach popped up and I pounced. I called and gave them a deposit via credit card pending inspection, flew down the next week and drive it home.

MOT has a lot more coaches on the lot compared to what they show on their website. It would be a good idea to contact them and work with someone ( I used Mel Cordray) to let them know what you are looking for and they will keep an eye out for you.

Enjoy the ride and good luck!

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #4 – January 29, 2020, 08:58:03 am

Quote from: Burt – January 29, 2020, 04:12:31 am

...recently made a trip to North Trail in Ft. Meyers to look at new Renegades. We were impressed except for the lack of storage and the lack of space unless slides were extended.

A broker in Phoenix (Arizona Luxury Coach) currently has one Foretravel, a 38' U320 with very low mileage

Welcome to the Forum. You are in the right place to learn pros/cons about various Foretravel models.

I don't know how the 38' 2-slide U-320 would be, as far as interior space, with the slides retracted. Never been in one. The "For Sale" ads hardly ever show photos of the interior with the slides in - usually because they are not very "flattering".

I DO know a 38' tag axle coach with AquaHot will come up fairly short on cargo bay storage space. Foretravel felt it was necessary to add the tag axle to support the extra weight of the 2 slides. If cargo space is important, you would be better off looking at non-tag axel 36' or 38' models.

2003 Foretravel U-320 2-slide 38' :: Arizona Luxury Coach

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #5 – January 29, 2020, 09:11:04 am

Please IM me, I have a lead on a 2004 U295 that I personally did a walk through on.

Pat

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #6 – January 29, 2020, 09:21:33 am

Burt,

Don't forget to keep a close eye on our own Forum Classifieds section. Some very nice coaches currently listed there for sale.

Classifieds

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #7 – January 29, 2020, 09:59:12 am

Very low mileage is more of a concern than a coach regularly exercised. Sitting long periods of time is not great for the systems.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #8 – January 29, 2020, 01:40:44 pm

We have noticed that our 40' U320 is very stable both in driving and when parked.

Some do not notice a coach moving when someone is walking around inside it or it does not bother them.

The no tag axle coach runs a higher air pressure in the 8 air bags that hold up the coach.

The higher pressure makes it firmer. Not hard. Just less "soft"

Walk around inside whatever you are looking at while your other half sits down.

Do you notice them walking around? Is that something you do not mind? Or would it's absence be a thing to consider in your selection.

Winds can cause the coach to move.

Our coach hardly moves. Big heavy box on widespread air suspension.

Less like a small rv more like a sticks and bricks home in a way.

Slide coaches generally have a reversed floor plan. Galley on the curb side.

Non slides mostly have the dinette there instead where your view is out and over your campsite.

Important to some. Not important to others. Judge for yourselves.

Foretravel has the best "bones" in the biz and we're made to last fortunately.

We doubled our original investment in total mechanical and electrical upgrades. 35k miles and 6 years later we really enjoy our coach.

Only way out of the money invested is to drive it out.

Seems like 6 months use per year would allow you to recover any investment needed.

97 and up have ducted air allowing the bedroom air to be moved forward to place it over the bath area.

The alternate airs can feed the coaches other end. Less noise.

Late 90's coaches have heat strips in the airs. Work in cold weather.

The later years went to heat pumps. No backup heat in cold weather if the furnaces die.

Aqua hot heating evens out the temp swings quite a bit plus heats the bays and can preheat the engine.

Plus the engines heat exchanger loop in the aqua hots system heats the coach.

Great backup if the aquahots electric and/or diesel systems have issues.

Upgraded inverters that have their charging controlled by the battery temp are important for longer battery life are nice

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #9 – January 29, 2020, 02:02:37 pm

Burt, I don't think you'd be disappointed in a Foretravel. We were just like you, looking at other Pushers as well as the Super C. After much looking and following this site, got a 36' and couldn't be happier. Contact MOT ( we worked with Mike Phillips and he was great), let them know what your looking for and be ready to get it if they find it. The 36' seem to be harder to find. With a 36, you'll have one huge storage bay and a couple of smaller ones. Inside works great for a couple. We tow a Wrangler and don't even know it's back there. With a Roadmaster tow bar and InstiBrake, hooking and unhooking is less than 5 minutes.

Ride is smooth and solid.

Hope you find what your looking for. Safe Travels.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #10 – January 29, 2020, 02:14:00 pm

These folks give the best advice and the forum is a treasure trove like no other forum I've seen! I'm almost three years in on a 1996 fairly high mileage coach and I couldn't be happier. Yes little things happen and they can be expensive, but in my humble opinion there is no happy like a Foretravel owner happy!

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #11 – January 29, 2020, 03:41:36 pm

Never be afraid of mileage on a diesel. They are made to run, not sit! We have had both a non slide and now own a single slide. Love them both! Even with the slide in, walking through the coach is not an issue and can be lived in with the slide in as well.
Good luck on your search and welcome to the forum. Lot's of great advise on here as well as some nice coach's for sale on the classifieds as well.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #12 – January 29, 2020, 05:11:41 pm

Elsewhere on the list is a "Damaged 1995 U300 $5,500

Salvage Title 1995 Foretravel U300 For Sale in Orlando FL - 26855061 - SCA™

That being said, The Foretravel Unihome and Unicoaches can be repaired, and they are built with truck components so mileage should not be a concern for you, All you need be concerned about is condition.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #13 – January 29, 2020, 07:53:50 pm

We just bought ours from MOT. Call and ask for Ben. Done.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #14 – January 29, 2020, 09:06:09 pm

Burt? Was wondering what High mileage means? Where does High begin in a diesel? A lot of big rigs hit a million plus so wondering what you think is high?

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #15 – January 30, 2020, 12:29:54 am

My preference for low mileage does not mean I am concerned about the diesel engine or even the transmission. With miles generally you have more wear and tear to the rest of the coach - the paint and upholstery almost always show more wear on a coach with a lot of miles and you increase the chance of issues with the brakes, wheel bearings, differential, drive line etc. I would prefer something with less than 75k and don't think I want one with over 100k. I have been running motorhomes for over 40 years, including several new ones and my experience with problems has either been within the first 5k or after 100k. I have run several diesel pickups over 300k without even any injector work and still running fine but the rest of the vehicle was shot. I grew up around agriculture so I know diesels need to be run and not just set around. I just don't want to buy a used motorhome with 100k+ miles that looks like it has that many miles. As noted above I just returned from a trip to Florida where we looked at a lot of motorhomes, both new and used. We also went to Alvarado, Texas (Motorhome Specialist) and the higher mileage used rigs consistently showed wear consistent with their mileage. We were dead set on buying a new rig and seriously looking at a Super C when someone mentioned I should look at a Foretravel. Once I started researching the Foretravel I was intrigued and here I am. I am patient and I will continue to look. MOT just got a single slide, 36', U270 with 94k but there have not yet been interior pictures posted. Thru this forum I have already been given a couple of sales contacts there and as I write this my wife is researching the difference between the 270, 295 and 320. Thanks to everyone who has provided me with information. If anyone knows anything about the 2003 U320, 38' tag axle for sale at Arizona Luxury Coach please let me know. I will heed the warning herein about issues from just setting around - it appears this one has spent most of it life stored inside. I am envious of those of you who are camped somewhere warm - we have had over a month of below zero weather - much of it in the minus 20 range. At this time next year I want to be by a warm campfire with a cold beer!

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #16 – January 30, 2020, 06:04:42 am

A coach Lived in time will have more ware unless remodeled. He driveline over 100k is not really an issue. Would be more concerned on a low mileage coach than one used more. A 270 is a basic coach in oak with an ISC engine propane heat and water heater. A 295 has all the upgrades of a 320 but keeps the 8.3 engine. It can but does not always have Aquahot but usually has either walnut or cherry interiors. The 320 has the ISM bigger fuel tank Aquahot and either cherry o walnut though later models had other options.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #17 – January 30, 2020, 09:05:48 am

"my wife is researching the difference between the 270, 295 and 320"

Lurking for awhile and have some questions

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #18 – January 30, 2020, 09:39:03 am

Quote from: Burt – January 30, 2020, 12:29:54 am

With miles generally you have more wear and tear to the rest of the coach - the paint and upholstery almost always show more wear on a coach with a lot of miles

Our, new to us 70,000 mile 1992 U225 had pristine factory upholstery. With use that aged fabric has literally exploded.

Regarding the mechanicals, seals and gaskets deteriorate from age and the effort to replace them pretty much equals the effort to replace the bearings they protect. Truck components, which Foretravel uses, are built to be easily repaired.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #19 – January 30, 2020, 10:05:34 am

I bought a 99 320 a couple of months ago and it had 135 miles on it, the mileage wasn't a consideration. The engine isn't the
only thing good for a million miles. You want to look for the upgrades. When I got serious about buying there was one I liked that
had a lot less miles and it went before I could get my finances together but this one had a lot of upgrades. A lot depends on how
it's been looked after. I have experience with a low mileage coach and it wasn't pretty.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #20 – January 30, 2020, 11:29:35 am

Burt, here's a picture of my 2003 with 113385 miles on it .if you're in the San Diego area stop by to see what it looks like

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #21 – January 30, 2020, 11:55:00 pm

Maybe I dont understand your theory or maybe you dont understand Fortravels in general.. What happens after 100k when you own it? You trade it in?

Once you actually see the inside of a few fortravels you will understand that these are not your typical Rv or Trailer construction..

Solid as a rock.. I had an Allegro Bus that had less than 50k miles on it... I was a Happy Camper.. yes it made noises when I drove and it swayed back and forth like I was on the open sea when we entered or left a parking lot... I loved it until I replaced it with a Foretravel... Then I understood what turd I had... I had over half of the cabinets falling apart at the hinges in the Allegro... Just so many things to fix which I thought was normal for an RV and they are a name brand as far as I understood.... when I bought my 02 U320 I had to fix 1 screw on a hinge and 1 screw on a aquahot vent.. everything else worked and we took it out and camped with it over and over with no upkeep on the interior..

The Exterior of the Allegro had the trim faslling off when I arrived at a 10 yr or newer campsite in Havasu (which I sent pics and got approval) .. looked like the beverly hillbillies pulling in.. Again normal stuff for an Rv.. Did I mention it had under 50k miles? Floors had a couple soft spots and I didnt walk on the roof to much after my first trip up there..

Now I have spent the last 4 years upgrading and playing with my fortravel.. not stuff really needed but things I wanted to do.. Got rid of all the brass (almost).. powdered all the knobs and so on.. Yes I have had to fix a few things but nothing real major and I have never been stranded on the side of the road... Interior is built like a tank..you will understand when you actually get some visitations under your belt.. You cant go wrong in a Foretravel ( for the most part)..

Is the interior dated a little.. yes but working on changing it.. is it worn out? a little on the couch and dinette but not really noticeable.. You would be surprised on how well it has held up through the years.. Last owner (2nd owner) drove it all over the country for many years and lived in it most of the time...and still looked great...I was taken back by the quality of build and how it held together over the years.. Did I mention it was an 2002 model? pretty old for Rv standards...

Now I said All this to say this.... it has 230k on the odometer.. I would put side by side with any other 2002 model and I will guarantee it is in better shape than other brands hands down..

Point is.. age is but a number and So is Mileage ... Dont get stuck on it.. It all depends on a couple things and maintenance is the main thing!!

Ok and a side note.. trading your coach in after 100k was sarcasm in case you missed it..

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #22 – January 31, 2020, 08:34:54 am

Quote from: DavidS – January 30, 2020, 11:55:00 pm

Maybe I dont understand your theory or maybe you don't understand Foretravels in general.

Once you actually see the inside of a few Fortravels you will understand that these are not your typical RV or Trailer construction..

I have been all over my new to me 1992 U225 side bath, island bed, dinette Grand Villa 3600. Whereas most RVs are built with wood, staples and glue, the Foretravel Unihomes are all welded construction. Foretravel, for the Unihomes built their own chassis with truss beam construction on the outside and below that box construction with bulkheads that provide storage while keeping the upper frame from twisting. Above the steel Truss' are aluminum hoops to make the upper structure. Even the pass throughs for the air-conditioners and vents are of welded aluminum square tubing.

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #23 – January 31, 2020, 10:08:39 am

Foretravels are well built, last a long time and drive well. Just like all motorhomes, however they will have issues. Check out Beavers, Country Coaches and Newels, all great coaches. They all show up at Motorhomes of Texas along with lots of Foretravels.
jor

Re: looking for a Foretravel

Reply #24 – January 31, 2020, 10:39:39 am

I too was worried about high mileage, so I bought a rather low mileage coach that had been stored inside with little use from camping. It had 50,000 miles and was often used at trade shows as a hospitality suite, rather than a camping vehicle. After three years of ownership during which we updated the interior simply because the color scheme did not please my wife, catching up on basic maintenance, adding solar, and still needing to do the airbags and fuel lines because of age. Today I would make my first choice a well-maintained coach purchased from the classified section of this forum. I would be less worried about mileage, and more appreciative of a long history of upgrades and maintenance. I think the best valued coaches are found on this forum. If you camp in cold weather a lot, the aqua hot will improve livability considerably, especially when you are trying to sleep with a loud furnace kicking on and off. Our single propane furnace must heat the interior and the bays. It roars like a lion. We love the livability of our 98 U270 that is 36 feet long. We spend the bulk of our time in national forests , BLM land, county parks, state parks. We prefer not having a slide because of lower maintenance and increased storage for the length. We got rid of the recliner and replaced it with a smaller chair which really freed up floorspace in our opinion. I like the light oak of the U270, and after a lifetime of owning other brands there simply is no comparison of the strength and quality of the interior of a foretravel. My 2 cents.

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