Testing the water on U320

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Testing the water on U320

May 03, 2020, 06:19:14 pm

A little background, we bought a 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire last Oct to eventually live in full time. We love our coach, but before we bought this I was really wanting a Foretravel in the 2000-2005 years. Fast forward to now. We're full time now in Florida outside of Tampa. I'm having the Foretravel itch now. I've put 6 new tires, full service front to back plus four new house batteries. We bought a 3yr warranty "don't need the warranty discussion". I've been checking out MOT and have seen a few U320s that would work for us. My concern is the slide bladder problem. So after this long post, is this a problem on every Foretravel slide bladder or like everything thing else, only on occasion.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #1 – May 03, 2020, 07:13:48 pm

It's just a rubber replacement item. Like tires, but lasts longer and costs less. No big deal.

Mine started leaking after 15 years, I'm probably good for another 15-20. The new bladders are thicker.

Foretravel has the best slide rooms in the industry. Mine is a 2003 and basically bulletproof.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #2 – May 03, 2020, 07:37:41 pm

That's good to know, thank you.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #3 – May 03, 2020, 08:51:50 pm

New bladders are thinner. Old ones had a thicker top. New ones will expand more to fill bigger gaps.

At least that's what I was shown at my buddies shop.

Maybe Foretravels seals are different. Quite possible. Foretravels dimensional room dimensions are very good. Other brands not so much.

My buddy was showing me bluebird seals btw. He said the other brands were similar. Two versions. Is there 3 or more?

Possible

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #4 – May 03, 2020, 09:03:24 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – May 03, 2020, 08:51:50 pm

New bladders are thinner. Old ones had a thicker top. New ones will expand more to fill bigger gaps.

Possible

Which Build/brand we talking here?

My new Bladders are thicker according to everyone I talked to when I replaced mine

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #5 – May 03, 2020, 09:04:10 pm

I have to disagree with Bob as to the thickness of the bladders. The new ones are thicker than the original ones.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #6 – May 03, 2020, 09:06:02 pm

Did you physically see them? I was skeptical so my buddy walked me into their shop and showed me the removed ones and the new replacement. Most coaches have bigger gaps to cover than Foretravels it seems.

Great that you new ones for Foretravels are thicker, truly great.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #7 – May 03, 2020, 09:47:17 pm

Save the hassle and go slide less. Or that at least is one opinion. What really do you get with a slide anyway? A few extra square feet of space? I guess if you were going to do a dancing party in the coach that might help out but is it really worth the hassle to have a few extra square feet of space? four slides might get you a lot of extra space but then there is that problem of less storage, more maintenance, etc. But I do get it a lot of women just don't like the thinner coaches and they want that extra space. I think a lot of guys still look at that and say I don't want the extra hassle. Or is that just me?

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #8 – May 03, 2020, 10:32:31 pm

Quote from: Bob and Julie – May 03, 2020, 09:47:17 pm

What really do you get with a slide anyway?

The feeling I'm not living in a hallway.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #9 – May 03, 2020, 10:41:32 pm

And the dog gets stepped on less now that we have a slide.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #10 – May 03, 2020, 10:50:04 pm

Slides rule!

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #11 – May 03, 2020, 11:04:52 pm

Bob, yes I measured my old ones against the new ones. Obviously I didn't cut into my new ones but just the feel of both of them tellers me the new ones are thicker.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #12 – May 03, 2020, 11:05:54 pm

Lose storage inside and out versus more space inside.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #13 – May 03, 2020, 11:06:43 pm

Thanks Richard. The birds ones were definitely not

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #14 – May 03, 2020, 11:08:43 pm

Oh boy not again!!!

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #15 – May 03, 2020, 11:20:10 pm

The new bladders are not only made of thicker material but they have a spine on the outer edge, and that rubber spine is what contacts the slide wall allowing for a better seal and a greater reveal span if needed.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #16 – May 03, 2020, 11:40:33 pm

Maybe the bird guy got leftover old stuff. Interesting

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #17 – May 04, 2020, 04:56:38 am

Tom when I replaced my bladder last year it was the same price as good set of tires.
I wouldn't have one without a slide

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #18 – May 04, 2020, 10:25:36 am

Quote from: Travelin' Man – May 03, 2020, 10:32:31 pm

The feeling I'm not living in a hallway.

Well seems to me you still are just a slightly wider one. 😁
But I get it. Just not for everyone.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #19 – May 04, 2020, 10:55:14 am

We had a narrow body no slide Bluebird, then a wide body no slide Bluebird.

Now we have a 2 slide wide body Foretravel. Even though we have replaced the bladder on both slides, we would not go back to a no slide coach.

In travel mode, with both slides in, there is still room to easily walk front to back, and nearly every cabinet is still accessible. In the newer (many brands) four slides coaches it is very tight walking front to back, many areas and cabinets blocked entirely, and little passenger side patio space.

One to two slide coaches is the optimal configuration in our experience.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #20 – May 04, 2020, 10:59:23 am

I personally think a bigger issue with slides is campsites. My brother and I go to .gov campgrounds in the Sierra's and with his 3 slide Monaco finding a site where the trees and bushes don't interfere with the slides cuts his options down considerably.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #21 – May 04, 2020, 11:09:19 am

Back to the original question regarding bladders. We have a 2001 U320 single slide with original bladder still working fine after 19 years. So don't be too worried about the bladder issue. There are more important things in life to worry about.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #22 – May 04, 2020, 12:34:59 pm

You didn't ask but someone should tell you since your shopping for a FT unicoach.. If the bulkheads and basement structure has excess rust then nothing else matters. Now I will bow back out and let you have your slide no slide discussion..

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #23 – May 04, 2020, 01:02:28 pm

We've had both, 2 slides and no slides. Just be certain that everything is easily accessible when the slides are in. They will be times when because of campsite or weather when you'll not be able or want to extend the slides. When we were just stopping for the night we never opened the slides. That's the sign of a well designed coach.

Re: Testing the water on U320

Reply #24 – May 04, 2020, 03:27:43 pm

Most slide coaches are painted. Duh. More tender. Harder to hurt white gel coat in tighter campgrounds..

The more tender a coach is the less it's an rv and more of a park model.

Much more crowded camgrounds now. Hard to get in anywhere around here.

Most travel from pedestal to pedestal so it's a lesser point.

If you are skinnier the hallway is less of an issue.

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