Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Look for sidewall bubbles. Soft floor down the hallway.  Walk the roof.  Make every button and switch work.

I sold and sales managed a Foretravel store when this was new.

Everything but the fuel gauge not working is fixable

Wow, that's hilarious. The fuel gauge is the one thing!? Hahaha.

It's speedo/rpm gauge issues that I know of, so far. I'll have to hunt for parts immediately.

Thanks again for all your support.

I wasn't going to post but, I keep on seeing all these signs about this coach, then you make comments how you like the one in Texas, it is cool, just my opinion and I've looked at many Foretravel's and I hate to say it everyone else has been positive. Me personally I would not buy it, it's not the year you wanted, has many issues. I just have seen way to many nicer coaches for the money being spent. You are already having regrets when you haven't bought it yet, making comments about the 4 cabinets. I think you need to walk away, it's a learning experience. I don't think your satisfied. I see it all the time people get excited and buy and it wasn't the right decision. In the end it's your decision. It is OK to walk away. I've said my peace, now it's off my chest, Lol.

Ohhh no the Texas one is definitely not cool that crazy color! I do like the layouts that have space in front of the kitchen. Perfect is the enemy of done though.

I'm super happy with my experience here it has been amazing. The owner is awesome, I've inspected it for so long due to the prime problem, driven around to peterbilt, cat, rv shop inspection hearing all their feedback. I've been in it like 50 hours already. Sure they could all know the owner and could be some long con, but hey I gotta draw the line on the suspicion. This forum has been great and is a huge part of the reason as well.

Oddly the *experience* of buying this RV has already been a great adventure. How fun to not know your next day!

I appreciate the feedback because an echo chamber is not good, and a healthy "are you friggin sure" is very healthy. I can easily see myself feeling too committed when in reality all bets are off until you sign.

I'll never be sure... I think it will always be a dice roll, but the cards are lining up really well with my gut, my life situation/timing, my risk tolerance (what if A breaks, what can I sell it for, what if engine is a dud, what does that cost, etc.)

The main reason I'm wavering is basically, I've never had a class A. It has limited places it can go. This thing has a huge wheelbase and barely turns. I'm worried about parking it, a lot. I did drive it and park it well, in a truck stop. But I have to back it into my destination lot in Portland. Whooo.

I think another member said it amazingly: "you'll wonder what the heck you've just done", and I think I'll feel exactly that, and I don't see a way around it. Now, it's the roll of the dice!

If you have spent 50 hours in the coach ... you have spent about 45 more hours than we did when we bought our 86 Grand Villa.  We found it on line.  Spoke to the dealer to confirm the Paul Newman Racing Team ownership and we made flight reservations to San Diego.  Never owning an RV ever.  We took Uber to the dealership.  Met the selling owner and spent some time with the dealership service staff to learn about the coach.  We left after lunch .. filled up at first gas station and drove 1300 miles back to Boulder CO without any mechanical issues.... we have owned now for 2 1/2 years and would not trade our coach for another one yet.  We lost an alternator on one holiday trip.  Had two blowouts on another trip but its part of the road trip experiences.... now we have had all coach and engine mechanicals checked ad maintained and we LOVE our vintage Foretravel Grand Villa....

The main reason I'm wavering is basically, I've never had a class A. It has limited places it can go. This thing has a huge wheelbase and barely turns. I'm worried about parking it, a lot. I did drive it and park it well, in a truck stop. But I have to back it into my destination lot in Portland. Whooo.

The size can be intimidating at first - there's no question about that.  But as John says, it doesn't tale long to acclimate.

Early in the learning curve, it is best if you are not feeling pressured or pushed for time, especially when driving in heavy traffic or backing into tight spots.  You need to take your time...try to plan ahead as much as possible.  Try to avoid getting yourself into embarrassing situations where you feel a sense of panic.  If you do - stay calm - think about the easiest way out.  If necessary, stop, get out of the coach, and look at the situation from ground level.  I've been halfway through tight turns where I was SURE I wasn't gonna make it.  Once I got out and looked, it became obvious I had more than enough room to complete the turn.

I have found the satellite view on Google Earth to be a great help in navigating strange locations.  If I am planning on pulling into a truck stop, or a RV park, or any place where it might get "tight" I will find a quiet spot to pull off the road before I get there.  Then I take a "bird's eye" look at the destination, trying to decide how best to get in and out.  I look for places where I might have a problem, like really tight turns or dead-end roads with no outlet.  If you have a metal picture in your head of how you are going to proceed, then you'll have a lot more confidence when you arrive.

I would make getting a back-up camera system installed a high priority.  The rear view camera is VERY helpful when backing up.

The PO mentioned something like: don't even look at the other cars if you're in that situation and focus on what you need to do.

I received very similar advice.

The gentleman I bought our coach from took me for a test drive.  I asked him what if I did something stupid and looked like a idiot in front of all the other (car) drivers.  He said "Who cares!  You'll never ever meet any of those people again so don't worry about what they think of you".