Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Topic: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind? (Read 1922 times) previous topic - next topic

Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

August 10, 2020, 03:55:21 pm

Seen the Febreeze ad about being nose blind? I wonder if us Foretravel owners are also nose blind. Foretravel does make a decent product, but some of their engineering is deplorable.

Where is this leading? A friend of mine - who lives in a distant state - asked me to go look at a 98 Bounder at this particular RV dealer in our area. He is the largest dealer in region, and sells a number of brands - but not Fleetwood.

The particular unit my friend was looking for was not in stock (my friend apparently got his information wrong). The business owner searched stock of other nearby dealers - to no avail. He then made a shocking statement! Keep in mind that he doesn't sell Fleetwood. He stated that I would have a hard time finding a late 90s vintage Bounder as they are VERY popular. He said that if I found a 98, I would not likely get it for under $40K.

Then he dropped the bombshell! In his opinion, the Bounder was a TOP OF THE LINE motorhome that exceeded the quality and value of most other brands... such as Newmar (for which he is a dealer).

I'm still flaberghasted! Maybe I'm nose blind since we had never seriously considered anything but a Foretravel.

Larry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #1 – August 10, 2020, 04:03:45 pm

My brother and I have a saying "just about everybody buys a Bounder, once" Like the old Pace Arrows from the 70's

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #2 – August 10, 2020, 04:12:36 pm

Maybe that dealer was a fan of Walt and Jessie's product in the series Breaking Bad!

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #3 – August 10, 2020, 04:13:50 pm

I'll bite,I know it's close to election time but which engineering is deplorable?

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #4 – August 10, 2020, 04:56:56 pm

John, we can start with fastener edge-margin. FOT has/had no concept of leaving a bit of distance between fasteners and the edge of the material. The bulkhead separation issue is a textbook example of how not at apply fasteners. Bay door hinges is another classic example of how NOT to build.

Using a discharge pipe that won't fit any sewer hose on the market is another aws&^t moment.

Putting the ballcock valve - to fill the fresh water tank or divert for household use so that older folks have to lay down on the floor to use it is about as dumb as it gets.

When we bought our first Foretravel, we nearly bought a Country Coach because all the filters were neatly arranged in bay - so easy to service.

I could (and have thought of) writing a book of all the STUPID design details FOT incorporated.

Larry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #5 – August 10, 2020, 05:07:42 pm

Quote from: U295 Owner – August 10, 2020, 04:56:56 pm

John, we can start with fastener edge-margin. FOT has/had no concept of leaving a bit of distance between fasteners and the edge of the material. The bulkhead separation issue is a textbook example of how not at apply fasteners. Bay door hinges is another classic example of how NOT to build.

Using a discharge pipe that won't fit any sewer hose on the market is another aws&^t moment.

Putting the ballcock valve - to fill the fresh water tank or divert for household use so that older folks have to lay down on the floor to use it is about as dumb as it gets.

When we bought our first Foretravel, we nearly bought a Country Coach because all the filters were neatly arranged in bay - so easy to service.

I could (and have thought of) writing a book of all the STUPID design details FOT incorporated.

Larry

So why not just sell your Foretravel and trade up to a Bounder? Do whatever makes you happy.

I'm very happy with my 2003 U295. No bulkhead issues. No fastener issues, Thetford sewer fittings used to be on high end rvs only, including my Revcon. Used to be you'd buy the ends and hose separately and assemble yourself. You still can. Or buy an adapter. If you want to use readymade hoses.

I find the water fill valve very easy to reach while sitting on the commode. It's right there under the sink.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #6 – August 10, 2020, 05:18:30 pm

Craneman, I know nothing about Bounders...never even been close to one. But it was stunning (to me) that a successful multi-brand dealer would praise a brand that he doesn't even sell...let alone a Fleetwood product. I had always considered Fleetwood to be a bottom of the barrel product.

Larry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #7 – August 10, 2020, 05:20:52 pm

Like I said, Tom...nose blind.

Larry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #8 – August 10, 2020, 05:24:53 pm

Larry,

Owning a Foretravel is like owning a Jaguar. So many things to love but the FT team was not all on the same page in engineering and implementation. Our old $500 Southwind got us to so many places here, Canada and Mexico and it slept 6 but it was so poorly constructed, it would have been fatal to be involved in any accident.

For anyone who has owned a bus conversion, they are just light years ahead in choice of materials, construction, ease of maintenance and parts/shop manual publication. The bus compartment doors are enough to sell it alone. But the conversion companies don't have the same engineers the manufacture did so they often come up short.

Grade wise, our U300 gets a C+ with the later GV models with the big rear engine door and 6 speed get a B-. And that's being generous because we really love so much about the coach.

Bounders get an F with Alfa coaches not much better.

Pierce

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #9 – August 10, 2020, 05:26:32 pm

https://www.rvtrader.com/1998-Fleetwood-Bounder/rvs-for-sale?make=Fleetwood%7C305435&model=BOUNDER%7C764834392&year=1998%3A1998

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #10 – August 10, 2020, 05:32:55 pm

Quote from: U295 Owner – August 10, 2020, 05:18:30 pm

Craneman, I know nothing about Bounders...never even been close to one. But it was stunning (to me) that a successful multi-brand dealer would praise a brand that he doesn't even sell...let alone a Fleetwood product. I had always considered Fleetwood to be a bottom of the barrel product.

Larry

You are correct about them being bottom of the barrel, but price sucks some in, but only once.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #11 – August 10, 2020, 05:38:56 pm

Thanks for the link. Doesn't look like anything that I would be proud to own.

Larry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #12 – August 10, 2020, 05:51:29 pm

Larry you are correct may things can be improved. Over the years you can see the advancements. Bang for your buck though being nose blind it's hard to afford a better product. Understand these all are being built by minimum skilled employees trained to perform their task. I was just cleaning up the edges of the sliding step and was amazed that they were left raw as it was cut. But if they had built it to aerospace standards I personally would not have the pleasure of cleaning up what should of been done during built. Prior owners would of never purchased. Too much money. Yes proper hardware, installation, and my personal pet peeve corrosion control, primer and paint probably would've cost them out of production. Still very difficult to find something close for the same money in my opinion. All the junk lead me here.
Scott

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #13 – August 10, 2020, 05:57:27 pm

Good points, sir.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #14 – August 10, 2020, 05:59:48 pm

At least on my 2002 U320 (new to us), an off-the-shelf sewer hose fits the discharge pipe right out of the box.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #15 – August 10, 2020, 06:00:16 pm

Wonder if you could have taken a new 90's something coach and gotten it Z-barted or Minged.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #16 – August 10, 2020, 06:20:58 pm

Quote from: John44 – August 10, 2020, 06:00:16 pm

Wonder if you could have taken a new 90's something coach and gotten it Z-barted or Minged.

Yes, if we had known. But much is hidden and the tank overflow and wet bay design didn't help. This is the kind of thing that was not talked about when I joined, and I can remember a couple of members trying to keep it quiet as it might hurt the Foretravel name. Of course, the horse is out of the barn now but instead of keeping it under wraps, there are many with experience so it's not a death sentence but something to be aware of when you look at coaches for yourself or help someone inspect a potential purchase.

No, I had to modify the fitting to accept the off the shelf sewer hose. Think a lot of brands came with the old style.

Pierce

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #17 – August 10, 2020, 06:38:14 pm

I like the kangaroo. If I could find one, I'd paste it on the side of this thing.
jor

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #18 – August 10, 2020, 07:11:17 pm

" He stated that I would have a hard time finding a late 90s vintage Bounder as they are VERY popular. He said that if I found a 98, I would not likely get it for under $40K.

Then he dropped the bombshell! In his opinion, the Bounder was a TOP OF THE LINE motorhome that exceeded the quality and value of most other brands... such as Newmar (for which he is a dealer)."

Well............ everyone has their opinion, this guy is entitled to his and as shown in the link above it's not based on facts. We see more Bounders on the highways than most any other Class A. They are a Fleetwood product and cheaply made, thus the entry level price and popularity. I had a friend who owned one for a year and traded "up" to a Discovery model.

To each his own but I think I'll stay "nose blind" and keep my "pointy nose" FT Grand Villa!

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #19 – August 10, 2020, 07:14:52 pm

You can find an image of a Kangaroo Jor but it won't likely be on the side of a 90's era motorhome that is STILL going down the road.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #20 – August 10, 2020, 08:02:20 pm

Well don't think I'm nose blind. But not to many 20+ year old fleetwoods and Winnebagos that run back and fourth across the country full time. The older F/T's, Beavers, Country Coach, and Monaco's are good solid machines yet today.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #21 – August 10, 2020, 08:04:28 pm

The statement from the dealer is really off the wall, I can only believe he was sending someone up.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #22 – August 10, 2020, 08:53:01 pm

IF you build a coach "over carpeting" you are a mass market product. Cabinets on top of carpeting. Gimp molding at the cabinet ceiling junction.

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #23 – August 10, 2020, 09:02:17 pm

Don't consider myself nose blind. I have owned both, a 1996 bounder and a 1999 Foretravel.
The best way to experience it is to live it.
They all have their issues, but some have ALOT more issues than others. JMO
Jerry

Re: Are Foretravel Owners Nose Blind?

Reply #24 – August 10, 2020, 09:07:56 pm

Owned a 1999 gas Bounder and there is no comparison. Had some great times in the Bounder with the kids and put 36k miles on it. It was a rattle trap and could only drive it about 8 hrs and you were worn out. And that was 20 years ago.

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