Life changing events ,what should I do?

Topic: Life changing events ,what should I do? (Read 2116 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #25 – July 05, 2024, 02:43:16 am

Quote from: Keith Metcalf – July 05, 2024, 02:23:03 am

Dakota Slim
That's great, you give me even more of reason to do this. Thank you.

Keith, if you and you wife go for it, I wish you the best, Keep us posted here and if you have any questions about any aspect of your coach, be it mechanical, what to have along with you or travel tips, I'm sure you can find the answers her on this forum.
The answer to just about any question you will ever want to ask is probably already here on this forum. Use that search box up there in the RH corner of this page.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #26 – July 05, 2024, 08:08:20 pm

Does anyone know this 1999 u320 40'.

It's for sale in the Classifieds. I think he my have it at MOT. Journey, Roam, Explore is the name on the fourm.

Has a lot of updates.

Took propane out , run on electric from solar panels. 180,000 miles ISM450

Any options?

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #27 – July 05, 2024, 08:51:21 pm

Quote from: Keith Metcalf – July 05, 2024, 08:08:20 pm

Does anyone know this 1999 u320 40'.
Journey, Roam, Explore is the name on the fourm.

Long time actively participating Forum member (since 2011). You can use the "Show Posts" link on their profile page to read back through their history with the coach and the Forum.

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1909

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #28 – July 06, 2024, 09:25:05 am

If it is Journey, Roam, Explores coach you are looking at, the coach was well taken care of. It has many upgrades as the previous owner was full timer. He has since moved, or is in the process of moving out of country. He was a regular at the "Quartzite gathering" every year. Not sure what the asking price is, but I believe the coach was well maintained maintenance wise, and repairs were made when required. The above suggestion to review the previous history on the forum is a good one, as I believe he was a regular poster when active....

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #29 – July 06, 2024, 12:15:46 pm

Here is the owner prior to JRE that did a lot of work on that coach.
https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=profile;u=819
You can look back through his post also for some of the upgrades.

Mike

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #30 – July 07, 2024, 07:00:34 am

Keith,

It took a couple of us to come up with the owner of this coach that was after Paul Smith and before JRE. Here is a link to a thread of some more work that was done to this coach. '99 U320 Various Renovations Verry good documentation.

Mike

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #31 – July 07, 2024, 09:15:32 am

This is the coach we rebuilt the rear calipers on plus 1 new rotor,it also has had the basement area redone and a high dollar solar
system.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #32 – July 07, 2024, 12:15:22 pm

Thank you Pamela and Mike, bigoil76, Chuck and Jennie and all who help find information on the coach. Si helpful

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #33 – July 14, 2024, 10:33:58 pm

My wife and I have been full time since 2020 in a 36' Foretravel. We have had some great times, but maintenance and repairs can be very expensive. I am wondering if you have considered a less expensive rig, perhaps a class C. We have met a number of people on the road who full time in class C RVs and are quite happy. Obviously you would give up some of the space you would have in a Foretravel, but you could potentially pay less up front and have lower maintenance/operation/repair costs. I'm not knocking Foretravels, but just giving you something different to think about given your situation. If you do go with a Foretravel and want to travel to National Parks and other out of the way places, I recommend not going over 36'. There are a lot of places where a bigger rig either can't get in or it is really difficult.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #34 – July 15, 2024, 12:34:31 am

Hi Dave and Kathy thank you.
I have found a 2002 U270 36'. The PO. have
Done exceptional maintenance and up keep.
Been inspectied, the only thing is the ac units on top are the original units, but are operating just fine no problem but age. The owner said they blow colder than his new coach. He is even offering me a warranty if I want it. In looking I have found class c that are somewhat cheaper not by much. But less space, many with gas engines. The quality was lacking. I've pulled a fith wheel, with my 2007 doge 5.7 gas engine. It would have to be replaced with a newer truck big$$$ right now. And you're going to still have problems that will need to be addressed. If I can find something, or anyone have suggestions to look at I will do it. That is why I'm here before I do this. I really only have one chance at this monetarily speaking and given my situation.
I could never afford a Foretravel or a high dollar rig. Without selling everything and just going for it. But with my life line being cut short, and losing my ability to make a sufficient living. I have to sell my home because I can't afford it any longer. So if I don't do this now ,which is not the best timing... I will never be able to do it. IDK???
THANK YOU.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #35 – July 15, 2024, 01:08:29 am

Don't sweat the AC units, my 87 has the original units and they work fine. Mine are so old the shrouds are metal not plastic or fiberglass.
As far as a class C goes
Gas engine
No airbags
Reduced capacities
Been there done that

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #36 – July 15, 2024, 07:01:31 am

My wife and I bought a well maintained 2005 U270 36 ft with 2 slides last May (2023) at MOT. It seemed like we would avoid a lot of deferred maintenance as MOT had service records going back to when the coach was almost new. We had it inspected. I believed we had done everything we could to have a good experience. These things are a rolling house with lots of complex interconnected systems. The first year our maintenance costs have exceeded $6000 (we used Keith) That doesn't include the things I've fixed myself. I am now a semi-expert on the HWH slide pump, hydraulic solenoids, complex circuit board system - not a bad thing that I'm able to learn these tasks, but not what I was hoping for or expecting. The people on this forum and those that we met at the rally in Scottsboro AL have been nothing short of amazing. Just realize when things break they are expensive to fix.

Good luck,
Don

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #37 – July 15, 2024, 10:59:03 am

Thank you Don. That's good advice, and something always to consider. I saw that old red is coming up for sale. 34' no slides no aquahot to worry about. This really appeals to me and my situation if the price is right. Floridarandy has it. I know a lot on here know Randy . And this coach, what do you think?

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #38 – July 15, 2024, 11:15:27 am

A no-slide U-270 is as basic as a FT can get. I wouldn't be worried about the miles on the engine and transmission. These machines take a bit of maintenance - but once done, they are quite reliable, especially if used regularly as you plan to do.

Good luck, but if you find the right coach within your budget, I encourage you to pursue it. You more than most realize the gift of each day.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #39 – July 15, 2024, 11:28:11 am

Memories or Heartaches

I hear your hopes and dreams for you and your wife in your posts here. I feel the uncertainty of how to best manage your finances while trying to find ways to create memories. My fear is that a motorhome, in my opinion, is not a good solution for housing and has the chance of complicating your dreams for memories and, at the same time potentially worsening your financial situation.

We've enjoyed every memory we've made in the 7+ years we've owned our FT. We entered prepared and fully expecting that what we paid for our coach was only a fraction of the cost to maintain the coach over the time we owned it. I've cautioned anyone who asked that the buyer of an older high-end motor coach needs to have sufficient resources to spend a similar amount over and above what they paid for their coach simply to deal with the surprises that occur during ownership. And, you'll never recover what you spend when you sell your coach. These costs don't include the cost of fuel, campgrounds, restaurants and other fun things to do while you're on the road.

So far the best advice I've seen is post #7 by Jeff and Sandy. Simplify your life financially and downsize your living costs to free up as much money and income as possible so you can find other simpler ways to create memories. Talk to a travel agent about group tours that can include hotels, meals, tours. See this for example:

10 Best Western USA Tours & Trips 2024/2025 - TourRadar

Even the ultimate luxury tour of the west like this can be done for what it cost us for one engine repair during one of our trips out west.

Grand Canyon Tours & Escorted Tours | Tauck

Would I trade our experiences if we had to do over again? Absolutely not, but then we knew what we were getting into, had the financial resources to deal with any contingencies and knew that we still had ample financial resources to continue living our lives into our old age even after we gave up the motorcoach.

My intention is not to turn this post into a downer. It's simply to recognize that dreams and memories are only worth creating if you can be reasonably certain they won't turn into heartache.

Floridarandy

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #40 – July 15, 2024, 11:40:00 am

Floridarandy has provided the most thorough answer. These coaches are like owning a private plane. The purchase price is just the price of admission.

Great post

Don

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #41 – July 15, 2024, 11:51:00 am

Thank you Randy , and well taken. Cancer has taken so much from us, I think of my wife even more. I hate to let it take this . It all comes down to money... that's a shame!
But that's how the system works. I hate it...

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #42 – July 15, 2024, 01:47:08 pm

Well, after talking with, searching, and praying. We have come to the conclusion this is probably not for the best. Too much risk for the reward. I hate it!!! Thanks to everyone for your help . I'm glad I was able to get your opinions and life stories to help with my own. I hope the best for you all. Especially those who have there own battles with cancer. But if not cancer there are plenty of other battles others are too. Stay strong. Never give up. Never surrender. I fight the fine fight to the end. For the power that is in me is not mine. All glory goes to my heavenly father Jehovah!

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #43 – July 15, 2024, 08:49:02 pm

Next year when the beast is put into complete remission we all will look forward to you getting back in the market and finding the perfect Foretravel for you and your family. All the best Keith.

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #44 – July 15, 2024, 10:13:06 pm

Keith, although it saddens my hope for your happiness I think you have given this a lot of thought and I agree with your decision. I hope you find solace in your decisions. I don't recall who said this but I find it to be very true. A motor home is a house that lives in a continuous earthquake. Hope you reach out in the future, we will keep you in our prayers for you and your family. I look forward to your coach purchase in the future once you have the issues resolved
Scott and Kim

Re: Life changing events ,what should I do?

Reply #45 – July 15, 2024, 11:30:41 pm

Keith, you and your wife made a wise move by posting on this forum and considering the replies before making a decision.
I'm sure we all wish you the best.

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