New Member, Here to get advice

Topic: New Member, Here to get advice (Read 1277 times) previous topic - next topic

New Member, Here to get advice

February 08, 2020, 09:42:11 am

Hello to all the members, I have joined this forum because my wife and I are planning on downsizing and going full time in a year or two. I would like to hear from anyone who wants to comment about when they purchased their rig. What size did you buy, how come you chose the size you did. Do you have slides? Just a little information about us, I am retired and on SSDI, my wife currently works for UPS and will be retiring in about 22 months. We owned and operated a RV park from 1994-2001. We saw just about every brand, size, and type of rig you can imagine. Over the last several years we have finally settled on a Foretravel and at this time I am thinking about a 2001-2005 U320 38'. So many questions before spending that much money need to be answered. Would it be better to go the Nimbus, go shorter, longer, more slides, add solar, the list goes on and on. I guess what I'm looking for is to hear your stories of when you bought your rigs.

I forgot to mention that our budget for the rig and toad is going to be somewhere between (100k-150k RV and 15k Toad). I am also planning on going with Lithium (when they need replacing) and installing as much solar as possible. Both of us want to ability to boondock as much as possible. I figure those additions will end up costing upwards of 10k. Ive also found several places that seem to have decent selections of coaches. One is of course Motorhomes of Texas and the other is Luxury Coaches in Arizona. If any of you know of others let me know. Should I try to stay with a dealer or go private. Im sure each has its advantage.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #1 – February 08, 2020, 11:00:00 am

Needless to say, your going to get comments and recommendations from one end of the spectrum to the other. All will be good advice I'm sure, from this great group, but it will be up to you to filter thru what useful and necessary for your particular needs.

For us, I looked at 36', 40' and a 42'. Being our first MH, I hoped to simplify my learning curve, therefore I wasn't particularly looking for slides or tag axles. Nice items for their own reasons, but was lower on my must have list. I wanted Aqua Hot, dual pane windows, the biggest diesel I could afford and the retarder for the tranny. For my budget, I ended up with a 96 U320 36' which we have had for almost 5 years now. We love it. We full timed for 15 months in it with 2 small dogs. We had plenty of storage space, never got cold (-4 was our coldest days), and had the shorter learning curve for me to learn about many of the various systems (still learning).

That being said, the wife said the next time, she would like to have LR slide for more open area. We chose FT for the good bones that are built into them. All makes and models will have things break or go wrong, but for base foundations, they are hard to beat at the price point. The big thing for us was finding the right floorplan. We have an enclosed bathroom area. We wanted at least the enclosed toilet for privacy. To many, not a big deal.

Hopefully you will find what works best for you. All will have some compromises, it's what can you do without adversely affecting your love for the coach.

Just my .02 worth, you get what you paid for.

Larry

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #2 – February 08, 2020, 11:11:18 am

Welcome to the forum! You will get some great advice here from some very knowledgeable people who graciously give of their time to help others on here!
We started off in 2000 purchasing a '98 U320 40 foot no slide coach. We traveled in it for 6 years and then came off the road. We loved that coach and really had no issues with it and we survived without a slide and really never missed one.
Moving forward, we purchased another Foretravel last year, a 2000, and it is another U320 40 foot with a living room slide. We do like the extra room and glad we went in that direction this time. Both coaches had the Aqua Hot system, transmission retarder, etc. To make it easy, the U320 in the Unicoach series were Foretravel's top models. In saying that, there is nothing wrong with the 270 or 295 models, just that they have different features, add on's, etc. All are built on the same chassis and have Foretravels touch of elegance and quality about them. Hope this helps, as I am sure others will chime in and pick up where I left off.
Good luck in your search!

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #3 – February 08, 2020, 11:46:55 am

I think there are only 5 38 foot caches made in those years.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #4 – February 08, 2020, 12:09:52 pm

There's a nice clean 38 footer for sale in our Classified section:

2003 Foretravel U320 for sale

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #5 – February 08, 2020, 12:11:26 pm

I think all 5 are on this site too!

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #6 – February 08, 2020, 12:14:14 pm

David Damer's is still for sale also.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #7 – February 08, 2020, 12:14:55 pm

I think all 5 are on this site too!

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #8 – February 08, 2020, 12:26:12 pm

Mine is a 2003 38'. It is a U295, and I wouldn't trade for a U320. Don't need AH and like our bedroom and bay storage better, not to mention easy battery access.

Highly recommend Luxury Motorcoach. We bought from them in 2008, when they were in California.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #9 – February 08, 2020, 01:59:33 pm

You will spend less money for more coach without the sales rhetoric buying from an individual.. Right now "our"classified page has several to choose from. That comes and goes in spells.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #10 – February 08, 2020, 02:42:34 pm

How about a roll call from all the 38 footers in that era 2001-2005/

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #11 – February 08, 2020, 02:46:23 pm

First, welcome to the forum. If you have not found it already here is the best source of info about our coaches:

Barry and Darlene Brideau's Personal Website

We have a 40' non slide. If you go larger you will need a tag axle therefore more expense. Non slides are obviously tighter inside but give you more storage in the bays and are less complicated.

Why did we buy a 40'? Well we are also boaters and did not want to suffer from 2 footitis, that is longing for one just a little bigger every few years. So think about length carefully.

Have an inspection before you buy. Brett Wolfe on here lives in Texas and is your best person for this.

Make sure your choice can tow your toad.

Get a full service history if you can. Don't be dazzled by a low mileage coach that has sat. Better one in use that is exercised regularly. The power train on these will outlast you.

My opinion is that the U320 is Foretravel's best coach, others think the older Grand Villa . Both are very good.

Questions? Ask away, like we did. Everyone on here is very helpful.

Keith

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #12 – February 08, 2020, 03:00:28 pm

Two footitis, I like that. I think I suffer from that also. It's also good advice.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #13 – February 08, 2020, 09:11:21 pm

As stated in earlier posts, you will get many different opinions because everyone has their own needs and wants, none are wrong, just different.
We were in your position just last year, ready to retire and looking for our "last coach". Previously, we had gas rigs ranging from 27 to 34 feet. After much research and looking, we chose a 2001 FT 3601. We stayed with the 36 footer because we like to visit National and State Parks. There are several National Parks that have a 35 foot limit in the campgrounds, but we have squeezed in without any problems.
For us, we seem to have all the room we need, and enough storage for our needs. We are not full time, but feel we do have enough space if we wanted too.
We tow a Jeep Wrangler with a Roadmaster Sterling Tow Bar and InvsiBrake set up. We can hook or unhook in just a couple of minutes. If it wasn't for the rear view camera, you wouldn't even know it was back there.
Whatever size Foretravel you chose, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. The ride, feel, and strength of the FT is unmatched in my opinion.
Good luck with your search and safe travels.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #14 – February 08, 2020, 09:28:04 pm

Always wanting to retire on a sailboat, I've nonetheless kept my options open and joined this forum many years before I purchased one. Looking back on it now I probably purchased a year earlier than I should have, but it is what it is. it has given me a lot of time to get to know the coach quite well as I do a refit.
I went with a 40-ft u320. I wanted the aqua hot. Actually not sure why some people don't want it although I get the complexity part of it. However I don't think I'd want it a coach without it. The main reason I bought this particular coach was several fold. One it was propaneless. I don't like the idea of gas in the coach that could possibly cause a fire or an explosion. Two it has lots of solar panels on the roof as well as a professionally installed victron lithium ion battery system. Three I like the layout. some people want the toilet in a little room, but not me I'm six one and 245 lb and I don't want to squeeze into a little room. Also I did not want a slide. I get that it gives you a little bit more room and such a small space a little bit seems like a lot. But I don't really want the possibility of being stranded due to the slide not functioning properly. I think for boondocking a slides not necessary, but that is only my opinion.
When first researching RVs I knew I wanted something that was a bit more higher end. A Prevost, a Newell, or Foretravel. I went with the foretravel mainly because of these forums. the amount of information here as well as the amount of help that's available was the deciding factor for me.
I bought from a private owner also a foreforum member. In my opinion that's the best way to buy it. Just have someone that has owned a fortravel before, inspect it before you purchase it. Experienced set of eyes will see things that you don't, both good and bad. Just be aware though that that inspection is limited. You can't see things underneath stuff that you can't remove. Buy a coach that has been owned by someone that is taking good care of it, and that good care is well documented. That coach will be worth more money in the long run. If I had to do it over again and I hope not to have to, I probably would buy a different coach. Just because mine was owned by so many people before and I found some issues that indicate to me that probably some people just didn't take care of it as well as they should have. But I am slowly fixing all those things, and I have no plans to buy anything else, ever. Other than maybe a sailboat, and I think that's ship is probably sailed. Too old for that stuff now.
Good luck on your search and welcome to the forums.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #15 – February 09, 2020, 11:36:23 am

Welcome to our community.

The 38ft U320s didn't start until 2003. We have looked at several and they are pretty nice. In some late 2003 models they used the EW bedroom floor plan from 2004. These use interior space well and were very appealing to us. They all have a booth dinette which for us (tall people) just doesn't work well. Storage space in the basement is adequate but with a tag and other change in basement configuration it has about 25% less than a 36ft 2001. The only way to know for sure would be to take everything out of one and try to get it in to the other and see what is left, space or stuff in the driveway. If a 38ft tag is what you start with then that is what you have for basement space and it will be enough for everything that fits. A nice one with good records, well maintained by an owner with pride would be a great choice. We were very tempted.

We looked for three years. We ended up with what is perfect for us. A 2001 36 ft U320. 2002 is the last year for the 36ft U320. The extra 2 ft of interior would be nice but for us the J shaped dinette in the 2001 and more basement space makes it perfect for us.

Solar and Lithium batteries are something you can do yourself if you want to. A battery change in a 2001 is probably easier than in later models. Servicing your AH maybe easier in later models was the tradeoff. If it is a DIY project there are lots of folks here that have actually done it to help with ideas and details.

Above all look at as many as you can to learn about what changes from one year to the next. Lots are small, some big and many are not obvious until you look closely or get some hints as to what to look for. Colors, fabrics and flooring are changeable but it is not cheap so get something you like as it is. Headlights, steps, tail lights are all something that can get changed. For safety reasons steps are a good first choice. Learn all you can, understand the differences, imagine your life in each coach. Zero in a your most preferred coach. Understand pricing and what influences it. Be ready to buy when you find the right one. Get a an inspection. Make an informed offer and tell the seller how you got to your price. Strike a happy deal for both of you.

The looking may take some time but getting the right coach for you the first time is worth it. Hope you find a great one.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #16 – February 09, 2020, 11:42:00 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – February 09, 2020, 11:36:23 am

2002 is the last year for the 36ft.

2003 36ft here Roger.

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #17 – February 09, 2020, 11:45:26 am

Bob,

Having explored part of the world in a sailboat, it's the most expensive way to travel third class. Plus, you have to deal with corruption with many officials, at least in the far east. Once you get to the tropics, the hull is quickly covered with one growth or another. Railways that have been idle for months are suddenly too busy to pull your boat to clean the bottom unless you fork over a big bribe. Plus, you are not going to be able to get insurance once you are offshore unless you pay a fortune and have a crew. Blue water cruising has been known to cause many divorces. I would love to do it again but would stay in warm waters in Mexico, Central America or part of South America. The older you get, the more you hate cold weather.

People don't want the Aqua-Hot because of the potential huge expense if it goes south. Good DIYers can fix it but imagine if you're not and having it go down in winter with the closest repair tech a thousand miles away. Plus, many of our campgrounds don't even have cell service.

We dry camp most of the time. I can't imagine having to rely on electricity alone. Make the fridge enclosure fire restive and you won't have the danger. It's easy and gets rid of the ammonia risk. Our house is heated with propane and a wood stove. And, like you, in my job I dealt with burn victims.

Pierce

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #18 – February 09, 2020, 11:56:05 am

Pierce, I agree. Have owned 2 sailboats, a 27 foot Nor'sea and a 40 foot Endeavour.
Il like my Foretravel just fine. Maybe I will get a canoe !
For me it was the romance of traveling to distant places and the self sufficiency of it. My wife did not agree...!!
Yes I understand about the expense of it. 8K to rebuild if it goes down. I think of myself as handy. Hope if that happens I can do it myself. Hope that never happens. Works great now.
Time will tell if the solar/lithium setup works long term. I have a marine refrig, and all LED. Should be good. And if in a pinch, there is always the genny.
Hope to sit by the fire one night and we'll talk more about it.
Bob

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #19 – February 09, 2020, 12:48:57 pm

If you plan on doing a lot of night driving, I recommend getting a FT that has the headlight conversion. My 1998 FT is totally useless driving at night. Never knew how really bad it was until I had to drive in the dark. Not fun!

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #20 – February 09, 2020, 12:49:15 pm

Quote from: Bob and Julie – February 09, 2020, 11:56:05 am

Pierce, I agree. Have owned 2 sailboats, a 27 foot Nor'sea and a 40 foot Endeavour.
For me it was the romance of traveling to distant places and the self sufficiency of it. My wife did not agree...!!
Hope to sit by the fire one night and we'll talk more about it.
Bob

Yes, good to visit by a campfire!
Well spoken; For me it was the romance of traveling to distant places and the self sufficiency of it. My wife did not agree...!!
If I get the Chinese diesel air heaters installed this year, the next project will be a Chinese Aqua-Hot. Less than $300 delivered.

Pierce

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #21 – February 09, 2020, 01:09:51 pm

Quote from: John/Pat – February 09, 2020, 12:48:57 pm

If you plan on doing a lot of night driving, I recommend getting a FT that has the headlight conversion. My 1998 FT is totally useless driving at night. Never knew how really bad it was until I had to drive in the dark. Not fun!

I did a HID headlight conversion on our U300 and RAV4. Huge difference and only about $40 delivered. I went with 5000K. The U300 was dangerous after dark before the conversion. Next will be to replace the headlight buckets on the U300 with clear lenses so I have a sharper cutoff rather than scattered like the factory lenses.

I just finished a 6K LED conversion our our MBZ ML320. Too blue and not bright enough plus the fan makes them too tall to fit in the bucket without modification. Fitting 100 watt H4 bulbs would be hard to beat. Have to do a little wiring work first.

Old post:

HID Headlight Installation Instructions for GV
6 years ago
I have received several emails on how to install the following HID headlight kit: HID Kit 55Watt Conversion 55W H4 H7 H11 H13 9003 9005 9006 6K 5K Hi Lo Bi Xenon

The instructions are terrible. They are written by some tech guy with zero ability to relate to the average customer. They are translated from Chinese plus the user instructions are macro sized so impossible to read without a magnifying glass.

OK, unpack everything but make sure to NEVER touch the glass part of the bulb.

With the grills out of the way, you will be able to do most of the work standing up and not on a creeper.

Remove the four small screws on each grill and set screws and grills aside. Electric screwdriver makes this a 30 second job. Nice touch to replace the existing screws with stainless.

Organize wiring so it looks something like the photos. I installed a circuit breaker where the +12V supply comes down from the ignition solenoid and meets the HID wire.

Discard the double backed tape and use GE Silicone II on the back of each power supply. Clean bulkhead and power supply with acetone. Fasten the HID relay in about the same spot as in the photo. Apply the silicone to the backside of the power supplies and use masking tape to hold in place overnight.

Put ground wire under pictured fastener.

The passenger's side headlight plug goes unused and may be tie wrapped as pictured.

Check instructions as two of the headlight pins may have to be interchanged depending on the stock bulb your Foretravel came with. See closeup.

The last thing is to run the wire from below to the hot side of the ignition solenoid. I forgot the shrink tubing but used split vinyl for the entire run. Good idea with larger split vinyl to go from one side to the other between power supplies.

If you touch the glass, wipe clean with alcohol.

OK, when you turn on the headlights, the relay supplies the 12V to the HID power supplies. The driver's side OEM headlight plug operates as normal with the stock high and low beam function. As said above, the OEM passenger's side plug is not used.

My lenses were crazed but I just used 2500 wet to clean and polish them. Took about a minute on each side with the jitterbug. I have not even hit them with a buffer yet but they look good. I ordered 5000K for temperature and the last photo shows the white color. These draw 55 watts.

With the grills out of the way, you can see how easy it would be to mount large radiators up front.

Last tip: Try and remove the rusty screws on the tow cover plates below on the nose. Replace with stainless screws with new holes drilled.

Image #1 is just above the vacuum pump.

I'm sure I forgot something so post or PM with questions.

Link to my installation photos: U300 Headlight Conversion - Google Photos

Pierce
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Pierce

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #22 – February 09, 2020, 02:00:04 pm

Chinese aqua hot?? Share please!

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #23 – February 09, 2020, 02:26:25 pm

Quote from: Texhub – February 09, 2020, 02:00:04 pm

Chinese aqua hot?? Share please!

I purchased a couple of the "parking diesel air heater" from China. Deliver was about 10 days and about $175 delivered. The quality is excellent. Just fitting all the fuel lines right now. I may run a mix of kerosene and diesel as most of the camping we do is around 8000 feet where winter temps may not give quick cold ignition of straight diesel. I comes with a tank so no be deal. Jet A is an easy alternative. Just go to an airport and fill at the Jet A pump.

Anyhow, I noticed that the Chinese also make quite a few "parking diesel liquid heater" models. Most like the air heater have parts that are interchangeable with Webasto, the German company. Here is the Alibaba address: Parking Diesel Liquid-Parking Diesel Liquid Manufacturers, Suppliers and... Delivery is always straight to the house, no custom entry forms, taxes or anything like that.

I've purchased hundreds of items direct from China without a problem including powder coating guns and 240 volt power supplies for the guns. The quality has been excellent on just about everything.

I would like to be able to circulate coolant for block heater and with an exchanger, for coach hot water.

Glad to provide photos of the diesel air heater also. Lots of these installed in all types of vehicles. See you tube videos.

Pierce

Re: New Member, Here to get advice

Reply #24 – February 09, 2020, 02:29:31 pm

Pierece, I understand that you changed the lights on the 300, do they make a change over for the 320's? I'd love to do the new front end from Extreme, but I don't see that in the foreseeable future. The old Ford Bronco headlights are less than desirable for these aging eyes.

Larry

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