If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Topic: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k) (Read 2187 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #25 – April 27, 2021, 08:45:01 am

If I wanted a 45' coach I'd look for a 90-96 Newell, these will be non-slides. In 97 they started with 1 slide and 1998 started with 2 slides. Occasionally you can find a nicely maintained one in your price range. But they are rare.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #26 – April 27, 2021, 10:16:26 am

Quote from: SWFL – April 26, 2021, 07:33:25 pm

I don't know that I actually need a slide, I've just been under the impression that non-slide coaches have gone the way of the dodo and that nobody wants them, and the more the merrier. Almost every newer coach out there over 35' seems to have at least 3 now.

I'll search here for pros and cons of a slide model, maybe I can find a few threads on the topic that will help educate me a little more.

I didn't want a slide, adds too much complexity for the gain
No slide, no hole in the side of the buss!

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #27 – April 27, 2021, 11:59:18 am

Quote from: Ldillow – April 27, 2021, 10:16:26 am

I didn't want a slide, adds too much complexity for the gain
No slide, no hole in the side of the buss!

I like pulling in anywhere, and not needing to put the slide out which says "Hey we are camping here". Same with satellite dish that doesn't have to be deployed.

Have stayed in some places in big cities like San Diego overnight, that really don't want you parking there.

We like to fly under the radar!

As a tech, 4 X slides, 4 times possible issues. Every time I have to deploy one, I hold my breath it will come back in.

Chris

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #28 – April 27, 2021, 12:35:10 pm

Quote from: gracerace – April 27, 2021, 11:59:18 am

I like pulling in anywhere, and not needing to put the slide out which says "Hey we are camping here". Same with satellite dish that doesn't have to be deployed.
Have stayed in some places in big cities like San Diego overnight, that really don't want you parking there.
We like to fly under the radar!
As a tech, 4 X slides, 4 times possible issues. Every time I have to deploy one, I hold my breath it will come back in.
Chris

California allows 72 hours in one spot but more and more cities like San Diego forbid it or try and restrict it as much as possible. We have had notices put on the windshield about what can happen, and how the vehicle could be impounded.

We live in the Sierras and if we had a slide, every minute or two, we would have to pull it up a hill or use more brakes/Jake to slow the extra weight down. We flex enough that we don't need any more body twisting that comes with slides.

And yes, what do you do when you push that button and the slide won't move?

If we were flatlanders and went RV park to park, we might consider it if full timing but our non-slide 36 is perfect for what we use it for.

Pierce

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #29 – April 27, 2021, 01:34:15 pm

"I also have a service team (marine) with lots of bright minds and specialized tools at my disposal. " Humm

Can you help me with my Pontoon deck, j/k

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #30 – April 27, 2021, 02:03:20 pm

Quote from: propman – April 27, 2021, 01:34:15 pm

"I also have a service team (marine) with lots of bright minds and specialized tools at my disposal. " Humm Can you help me with my Pontoon deck, j/k

PM sent. (we are a large pontoon dealer so I may just be able to help in some capacity)

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #31 – April 27, 2021, 03:21:46 pm

Quote from: SWFL – April 26, 2021, 07:44:45 pm

Are older Foretravel coaches more likely to need such a large reserve for repairs due to all of the sophisticated systems they come equipped with?

Older Foretravels are "less" sophisticated than most new $100K RV's. They were more expensive because they were built to a high standard.

After you research a while. One can see that there is one big area of concern for so many RV's. Build quality.

Next is water leaks and this also applies to new ones. As shoddy workmanship goes hand in hand with water leaks.

Lastly is the inane useless gadgetry installed just for the sake of bragging. I do not need a bluetooth controlled toilet that detects disease as it flushes.

This goes for low and high end coaches. Soft touch switches and Bluetooth, WiFi gadgetry are buggy and nearly impossible to rebuild on the road. I know because it was a soft touch switch on my shift pad that left us stranded on I-5 waiting on a tow that cost $1,700.
Positive rocker switches are reliable, Can be rebuilt or cleaned (to a point) and are generally way cheaper to replace.

The biggest reason for nearly any make of car to go back into a dealership for warranty work has to do with electronic issues.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #32 – April 27, 2021, 03:53:09 pm

When we say to keep 20 k in reserve for repairs that doesn't mean that they will be needed but they may be needed. It really just goes along with how well the coach has been maintained by previous owners. When I was looking for my coach I was told that I should look between a 96 and a 2001 and that's what I did. I knew I wanted a lithium battery setup. I found a fairly well maintained no slide coach that had the airbags new tires new windows , a professionally installed victron lithium battery and inverter system lots of solar on the roof and a high end mppt controller. There were problems though the previous owner had cats and the cats clawed their way completely over pilot and co-pilot chairs. The tile floor was cracked, the Corian countertops were dated and yellowed, the bed mattress was original, and a host of other things that I could have lived with but chose not to. I don't know how much I put into the coach since I purchased it and I really don't want to know. I'll never get that money back. But I had Villa International build two new captains chairs, I replace the flooring I replace the lighting I replace the countertops in the sink I redid the plumbing and added a good filtration system and the direct cell, I did maintenance on the engine and generator, I replaced all the fuel lines, I replaced the microwave I put in a new surround sound system and 55 inch TV as well as a new head unit an amplifier and subwoofer. I did some other things that I can't remember. I went to Mexico and had to coach painted as well as the car to match it, I replace the Start batteries. All this added up.oh and a rebuilt steering box.
I'm pretty sure you can find a decent coats 50 to 60,000 but it will need some work. It might need a lot of work at might need just refurbishing the interior it might not need anything at all for a while. The truth is so you came to the Foretravel forums so most of us are biased towards them. I was recently in a multi slide country coach. It was not for me. It might be for you. I'm sure it's a good coach it just didn't appeal to me. Who wouldn't want a Prevost? But then who would want to maintain it? And you're not going to find one in decent shape on that price range. I like the amount of storage that I have in it you're not going to find that in a bluebird or wanderlodge I don't think. The only thing I think I would rather have other than my coach would be a sprinter van and that's the only because I think I would like it but I'm pretty sure I would find it too small going to have to get rid of most of my tools. I think that you could be happy with almost any kind of coach and unhappy with almost any kind of coach. Just roll the dice. You may have a coach inspected by someone knowledgeable who says that's a great coach and still have problems down the road. But since you have the knowledge and skill to do some of the work yourself that will go a long way and making your coach what you want it to be. Foretravels come up for sale frequently. Take your time. But good ones sell quick. Buy from a owner if possible.
Good luck.
Bob

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #33 – April 27, 2021, 03:59:04 pm

Hyatt Regency,Hill Country.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #34 – April 27, 2021, 05:04:08 pm

Quote from: bigdog – April 27, 2021, 03:21:46 pm

Lastly is the inane useless gadgetry installed just for the sake of bragging. I do not need a bluetooth controlled toilet that detects disease as it flushes.

I can't stop laughing, almost wet myself (can I say that? )

Chris

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #35 – April 27, 2021, 05:51:12 pm

We got the low end model,bluetooth but no desease detection.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #36 – April 27, 2021, 06:03:08 pm

I'd go without.

Edited to explain. I researched for 2 years finding nothing that had the quality I wanted. Then I found this forum and spent a year reading and learning.

This forum is the great resource for classic FT coaches. I was able to by a well sorted, updated, full body paint coach, on this forum. The fully documented coach was on its way to MOT. I called and reserved it with a $1,000 deposit pending an inspection by our own Brett Wolf.

We put 40K miles on the coach in 4 years without one mechanical problem....yet. The money we've spent is just upkeep and changes we chose to make.

I can't imagine traveling like this with another 28 year old coach.

Even if you have no DIY skills all you have to do is walk into one of these coaches to see the inherent quality. Be sure to look under the cabin fit and finish. As amazing as the interior is, what is behind the curtain is the difference when considering a more modern coach.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #37 – April 27, 2021, 06:27:43 pm

Quote from: John44 – April 27, 2021, 05:51:12 pm

We got the low end model,bluetooth but no desease detection.

Is there such a thing as a bluetooth bog? I was mostly being absurd to illustrate the absurdity of nonsensical electronic gadgetry just for the sake of being gadgetryish. A Rube Goldbergian device comes to mind. Solving a non problem.

No turbo turd 2000 for bigdog.

Didn't mean to get off track.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #38 – April 27, 2021, 07:17:01 pm

Quote from: SWFL – April 26, 2021, 05:25:40 pm

As a 40 something working full time +++, my usage (hopefully) will be mostly a bunch of 2-3 day weekends relatively close to home along with a couple of longer trips each year.

Quote from: SWFL – April 26, 2021, 05:25:40 pm

I'm looking for my first coach and am hoping to end up finding the right deal on a Foretravel but there aren't a lot of them to choose from in my price range ($75k max, hopefully a fair bit less). As a 40 something working full time +++, my usage (hopefully) will be mostly a bunch of 2-3 day weekends relatively close to home along with a couple of longer trips each year.

In addition to Foretravel I've been strongly considering Alpine and have started looking at American and Country Coach a little more closely as well. (Haven't ruled out Beaver, Newmar, Tiffin and a couple others either)

So, if you could't be in a Foretravel, what Mfg would you most likely be driving?

Quote from: SWFL – April 26, 2021, 05:25:40 pm

I'm looking for my first coach and am hoping to end up finding the right deal on a Foretravel but there aren't a lot of them to choose from in my price range ($75k max, hopefully a fair bit less). As a 40 something working full time +++, my usage (hopefully) will be mostly a bunch of 2-3 day weekends relatively close to home along with a couple of longer trips each year.

In addition to Foretravel I've been strongly considering Alpine and have started looking at American and Country Coach a little more closely as well. (Haven't ruled out Beaver, Newmar, Tiffin and a couple others either)

So, if you could't be in a Foretravel, what Mfg would you most likely be driving?

Given your situation, as a part timer using RV only several times per year, I would either get a small pre-owned bumper pull/fifth wheel if I already had a truck/SUV capable of pulling it, or a relatively small Class C like Lazy Daze.

If you won't be traveling and RVing 4 to 12 months per year, start small.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #39 – April 27, 2021, 09:18:04 pm

Quote from: AC7880 – April 27, 2021, 07:17:01 pm

Given your situation, as a part timer using RV only several times per year, I would either get a small pre-owned bumper pull/fifth wheel if I already had a truck/SUV capable of pulling it, or a relatively small Class C like Lazy Daze.

If you won't be traveling and RVing 4 to 12 months per year, start small.

I would definitely agree with Dan. If it's mostly for weekends with an occasional longer trip, start small - either truck and trailer or class C you don't necessarily need to pull a toad with. That's what we started with (a Lazy Daze). I will warn you though, used LD's are scarcer than hens' teeth right now. The factory has never build more than 50 per year, and they aren't currently taking new orders. They do, however, have an outstanding forum just like this one

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #40 – April 27, 2021, 10:29:35 pm

Quote from: AC7880 – April 27, 2021, 07:17:01 pm

Given your situation, as a part timer using RV only several times per year, I would either get a small pre-owned bumper pull/fifth wheel if I already had a truck/SUV capable of pulling it, or a relatively small Class C like Lazy Daze.

If you won't be traveling and RVing 4 to 12 months per year, start small.

Thanks for the advice. I do have a 3/4 ton truck capable of pulling whatever I need. The draw of a class A DP is a combination of the ability to take the dog, walk to the back while on the road and relax, and the bonus of having a getaway home in the event of another landfalling hurricane in my region. And also maybe the convenience of having a guest house parked in the driveway...You're probably right, a diesel pusher might only be logical for full timers or retired folks...

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #41 – April 28, 2021, 12:13:47 am

"a diesel pusher might only be logical for full timers or retired folks..." You forgot Rock Stars, people on this forum are Rock Stars :-)

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #42 – April 28, 2021, 10:57:26 am

Quote from: propman – April 28, 2021, 12:13:47 am

"a diesel pusher might only be logical for full timers or retired folks..

I'm not so sure. I have heard that saying quite often when I was looking to buy.

Yet, in reality. All the issues with the bigdog coach have had to do with ancillary systems that are common to both petrol & diesel powered rigs.

Aqua-Hot needed rebuilding. Brake pins were stuck requiring new brake rotors. Tires aged out and bought new ones. Same for the Batteries. Alternator stop alternating. Allison shift pad went dark requiring a tow. None of those are DP related

For the DP portion. I have ran an overhead (valve adjustment) during an oil change early in my ownership. But that's only needed every 100K-120K miles. There is more oil to change. But that is rather a minor thing.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #43 – April 28, 2021, 11:59:41 am

If you don't use a vehicle very much the cost per mile is expensive. If you use it a lot the cost per mile is much less. The actual cost doesn't vary, though. You will still replace tires every 5-7 years. Tires on a towable will be a LOT less than a MH.

ANY RV can be used as a guest room or escape vehicle. The catch is how much work it takes to get it ready for either job. If you are able to keep it plugged in and have the ability to dump, you are pretty much ready to use it at any time. Part of the reasoning for the MH for us was that it is completely self-contained, with plenty of water and a generator. Some fifth wheels have propane-powered generators, but few will have the tank capacity of a Foretravel. DRV is one, but your 3/4 ton truck won't handle one.

We've actually packed up and left within an hour when a flood was coming. You aren't going to be able to outrun a tornado, but hurricanes generally give plenty of warning to pack up and leave in plenty of time.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #44 – April 28, 2021, 01:57:51 pm

Since someone mentioned a Class C: I also think you should consider this. We recently bought a 2004 Chinook Glacier 24' with slide and really like it. It's not a Foretravel (ride quality, overall comfort, etc.) - but we believe it is of similar quality. One-piece fiberglass shell for the house, great quality cabinetry and furnishings. Ford E450 chassis, which is supposed to be very reliable.

Amanda will drive this one, but not comfortable driving the bus. And this one allows us to go to some places that the U295 would be a little tougher or impossible (Chisos Basin in Big Bend, for example).

Tough as heck to find one, however. We happened across this one through a friend - it never hit the market.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #45 – April 28, 2021, 02:32:56 pm

Born Free RVs are a good compromise when you are looking for something smaller. They have been out of business for a bit but an excellent quality Class C and especially for a cold climate. I sold a new one to friends and they were very happy. Lots of room with the slide and on something that small, you do need a slide.

I would stay away from the Ford diesels. Everyone I know has had head gasket issues. My neighbor had his overheat across the street from the Ford dealer. They fixed it for over $7000 and when an injector went out the next week, they wanted over $2500 to replace injectors. He had a friend do it for a little over $250. ford diesel head gasket problems - Google Search

The old 7.3 Fords with the upgraded head bolts were pretty bulletproof. But that's history.

Pierce

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #46 – April 28, 2021, 02:55:17 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – April 28, 2021, 02:32:56 pm

I would stay away from the Ford diesels. Everyone I know has had head gasket issues.
...
The old 7.3 Fords with the upgraded head bolts were pretty bulletproof. But that's history.

This holds true for the old 6.0 and 6.4 diesel engines but the new 6.7 is incredibly stout and long-lived if properly maintained, particularly so after 2013 (the first couple years had turbo issues)

The 7.3 is quickly becoming a collectors item for it's reliability. You can count on it to run forever and you can count on it to leak a ton of oil every step of the way.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #47 – April 28, 2021, 05:11:52 pm

They seem much better in the later years of the 6.7. 6.7L Ford Power Stroke Engine Common Problems

I've still got at Dealer's Diesel Turbo 7.3 with Getrag 5 speed (OD 5th) sitting and waiting for a new home. I put it in our old SOB and it was great. Since it's mechanical, only a very few wires to connect. Even the glow plug timer is mounted on the engine. I pulled the big fuel filter/fuel heater/etc off the block and got rid of it. A simple NAPA secondary mounted on the firewall did the trick.

Pierce

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #48 – April 28, 2021, 05:27:55 pm

I second a Born Free, I downsized into one a couple years ago. We love it and it is simple and we use it for only one long trip a year now and shorter trips. I have over370K in my FTs over the 17 years of ownership and have ben in the coach for more than 6 months of a year many years. I will say that the Born Free is way cheaper to run and operate too.

Re: If You Couldn't Have a Foretravel, What Would You Buy? (Budget Under $75k)

Reply #49 – April 28, 2021, 05:39:42 pm

SWFL, first and foremost pick a floorplan that you can live with, whether a trailer, 5th wheel or Class A or C. Next, decide what MUST haves you want. If your not happy with whatever you buy, it probably wont get any better in a year or two.

For us, we found the floorplan, the MUST HAVES (for me quality), nonslide and 36'. One thing not mentioned in this line but what I was told when looking, buy your last coach first. Glad I did. If I were to get another coach, it would definitely be a FT if for no other reason I know the company behind it is still in business, along with some other great ones, and this forum and the people on it. There hasn't been much that I haven't been able to fix with their knowledge and help.

Just my 2 cents worth. You get what you paid for in my comments.

Larry

Affiliate Notice