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Topic: 34 footers...? (Read 1850 times) previous topic - next topic

34 footers...?

Kim & I are thinking about yet another Foretravel, something a bit larger than the 24' Lazy Daze we have now.  It's been great fun taking us places in the mountains 'round these parts and has been a pleasure to drive.  However...  we're thinking a bit more room, solar real estate, battery and tank capacities would be nice.

Anybody with a 34' out there who can share some insights on reliability, ride, convenience, etc?  We camp almost exclusively on BLM, forest service and state/federal parks and have solar & lithium to power all except AC which, higher elevations usually take care of that when we're not plugged in.  We've had 36' w/two slides and enjoyed it a lot but at this time, we'd like to get some insights on the 34', no slide, '99-'02.

We were interested in one in Kansas and asked Keith Risch if could an inspection for us.  Unfortunately, there were numerous issues with the inspection of the coach so we passed...  bummer (but thank you, Keith!).  Seems those coaches are few and far in between...
TIA!

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #1 –
Bill can I suggest you look into some OREDs as well? I use my coach exactly how you describe and have found the narrower, bomb proof chassis of the oreds much much easier to get around in on public lands than my U320 and little of that has to do with length.  And there's nowhere I can go that won't have parts readily available for it

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #2 –
Something like this?
Used 2002 Foretravel U270 3410 Wtfs in Lake Ozark, MO - 5033912152 - RV Trader

No reason to believe that there would be much of a difference in build quality or reliability based just on length. This one being a 34-footer with 400 horses would get my attention. For these coaches though pay attention to the equipment such as heat or generator being propane. I didn't really look at this one. I see there are few on RV Trader.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Bill can I suggest you look into some OREDs as well? I use my coach exactly how you describe and have found the narrower, bomb proof chassis of the oreds much much easier to get around in on public lands than my U320 and little of that has to do with length.  And there's nowhere I can go that won't have parts readily available for it

I will, Elliott - am not really familiar at all with the ORED's.  Do like the retro body style and the basic nature of 'em and apparent ground clearance vs. a load of electronic gizmos.  What about their basement storage?  Sometimes I need to carry a small set of drums with me depending on the purpose of the trip but most of the time, we're just boondocking fools.

Have read your progress with your coaches and must say, quite impressive!

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dennis H –
Something like this?
Used 2002 Foretravel U270 3410 Wtfs in Lake Ozark, MO - 5033912152 - RV Trader

No reason to believe that there would be much of a difference in build quality or reliability based just on length. This one being a 34-footer with 400 horses would get my attention. For these coaches though pay attention to the equipment such as heat or generator being propane. I didn't really look at this one. I see there are few on RV Trader.

Saw that one, Dennis, thanks.  Seemed $80K for an '02 U270 34'was a bit high, tho'.  Our heat in the LD is a propane furnace and if we got a 34' FT, we'd add a catalytic as a supplement/instead of.    Didn't notice that the generator was propane-fueled, hummm...  The 400hp IS impressive, especially in the mountains.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #5 –
That is an error it has a diesel generator. Look at radiator fan pic.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #6 –
Interesting that the '02 is advertised at being in Missouri.  Those exterior photos are 100% MOT's from one of their listings.

And price seems way high.  MOT's got an '02 36 U270 that looks about the same in terms of condition for $10K less

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Bill & Kim –
I will, Elliott - am not really familiar at all with the ORED's.  Do like the retro body style and the basic nature of 'em and apparent ground clearance vs. a load of electronic gizmos.  What about their basement storage?  Sometimes I need to carry a small set of drums with me depending on the purpose of the trip but most of the time, we're just boondocking fools.

Have read your progress with your coaches and must say, quite impressive!
I love the body style now. I didn't at first to be honest, but it grew on me and I get far more compliments with it than I did with the U320.

The basic nature and chassis that is basically just built on steel I beams has lived up to every expectation I had for it. Working on it IS SO SO SO easy compared to a U320. I actually enjoy coach projects again. It's also far more difficult to bust it up. No fragile bulkheads or twisting of the windshields to worry about.

Basement storage sucks. You will lose a lot in that regard and have to rethink some of the items you're used to bringing with in a coach with pass-through basements.

Where it lacks is going down the highway, you will be a mere mortal again and 70mph is the top end of what's comfortable. Wind beats you up more as well, due to the airbags being in the center of the axle.

It is also not as warm. Fine for 3-season camping for sure but I wouldn't want to have it for extended stays in below freezing weather. Better than any fifth wheel I think you could buy but definitely not on the same playing field as a U320 with an AH

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill & Kim –
Rut roe...  jeez, you don't suppose...?

 :D

I'm thinking more buyer's remorse (RVing isn't for everyone - there have been many who have gotten into it in recent years who quickly discover it's not their cup of tea) OR MOTs photos were better than anything they could take themselves.  It shows the new service facility in the background, so I'm thinking those photos are fairly recent, at least within the last year or two.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #11 –
Bill & Kim, suggest you also 36' U295 or U270 coaches. Not much difference in owning, driving, parking, and much more available, which usually also means less expensive to buy.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #12 –
When people ask me about our 1989 ORED I tell them that the chassis was designed by John Deere, built by Oshkosh Truck (here in Wisconsin) and finished by Foretravel.
So being a John Deere design my coach can sit for months, fire right up and take off, just like the way John Deere tractors are so reliable.
The build is done by Oshkosh Truck who started out building garbage trucks and progressed to be one of the major suppliers of U.S.Government heavy duty vehicles.
So sturdiness and reliability are noted features you can enjoy in an ORED motorhome.
Our coach, after almost 36 years, still has closet doors that close beautifully, has no cracked fiberglass or wood panels anywhere, and yet I have been stupid enough to take our coach into places I shouldn't, after reflection, have gone into.

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #13 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
When people ask me about our 1989 ORED I tell them that the chassis was designed by John Deere, built by Oshkosh Truck (here in Wisconsin) and finished by Foretravel.
So being a John Deere design my coach can sit for months, fire right up and take off, just like the way John Deere tractors are so reliable.
The build is done by Oshkosh Truck who started out building garbage trucks and progressed to be one of the major suppliers of U.S.Government heavy duty vehicles.
So sturdiness and reliability are noted features you can enjoy in an ORED motorhome.
Our coach, after almost 36 years, still has closet doors that close beautifully, has no cracked fiberglass or wood panels anywhere, and yet I have been stupid enough to take our coach into places I shouldn't, after reflection, have gone into.
My 1981 Foretravel was on an Oshkosh chassis and I took that one into places I probably shouldn't have but it made it in and out. By the time I got this 1993 U225, I had learned that "close" is good enough, especially if you have a Suzuki Samurai or other 4x4 vehicle.
I think we all wish we had more room in the basement. 

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #14 –
When we decided on a Foretravel, we only considered the 34' U270 1 slide for many of the reason you outlined.  We figured it would be easier to maneuver for boondocking, would provide more opportunities for smaller campsites, and didn't seem as daunting when transitioning from a Class C to Class A.  We love our 2002 U270 coach and its provided plenty of adventure and we are very comfortable living it it full-time.

That said, if I had to do it again, I'd be looking a non slide 36'.  Compared to SOBs, the slide in our coach is narrower, so it doesn't provide as much space as you might find in other makes.  Of the maintenance we've done on the coach, the slide has been the most costly.  We've been to MOT and HWH a couple of times each for some work, and are with Keith's this week for a bladder replacement.  At 22 years, parts wear out.

What really surprised me was how much more basement storage the 36 footers have over the 34.  The HWH equipment takes quite a but of space in the middle bay, and from what I've seen, you get back all of that and then some in the 36.  Having actually spent time in and out of the 36 foot no slide, the layout is almost equal to ours in spaciousness, once you eliminate the wrapped kitchen counter, not much difference in livable space.  The two additional feet in overall length is hardly noticeable and, as noted by others you have much wider availability than the comparatively rare 34s.

I would drive both and compare before limiting yourself.   

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #15 –
Mine is a '98 34ft and I'm quite happy with it. I have LiFePo batteries and 600W Solar on the roof. I only go to RV parks when there's no other option. The coach has no slide, but still tons of room inside for two people. The Cummins mechanical engine is pretty trouble free. I'd say the biggest issue I had were water leaks, Foretravel did make a few bad design choices in some places...

Advantage of the 34ft is that you can still get to most state parks with 35ft restrictions.

I actually might be interested in selling the coach as I can't use it that often anymore due to work... So PM me if you want to talk more ;)

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
Here's  one on CL that showed up a few weeks ago. Only a few miles from me, I could put eyes on it pretty easy if interested.
Thanks, Doug but we're actually looking for one closer to a '99-'02...  maybe an '03.  I'm game for a 36' (no slides), as we had one before and it was indeed, easy to drive & park.  Don't want the hassle of slides again and corresponding issues, weight...  been there, done that and paid for it...  Since we're not full timing anymore, this coach would be for longer, extended boondocking trips, music events, then back home. 

I'm still working on whether or not to go with an Aquahot.  Sure did like it in cold weather but again, going more for simplicity (as much as I can with a Moho), and less maintenance headaches.  But then again...  🤔

Re: 34 footers...? Aquahot

Reply #17 –
How much cold weather do you plan to be in? For hot water only I like the tank type heaters, propane with the added electric heat element. Use the electric when plugged in. The propane heaters do work nice, but no engine preheat and for winter use you need to keep getting propane. There are also compact Diesel air heaters that can be installed.

Re: 34 footers...? Aquahot

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Dennis H –
How much cold weather do you plan to be in? For hot water only I like the tank type heaters, propane with the added electric heat element. Use the electric when plugged in. The propane heaters do work nice, but no engine preheat and for winter use you need to keep getting propane. There are also compact Diesel air heaters that can be installed.

We'll probably be doing more cold weather (meaning elevation, not snow!), camping in a FT than we've been doing in the Lazy Daze mainly because we didn't have the propane capacity that the FT has and the FT is better insulated.  Would also probably get a Camco catalytic heater as they use less propane for longer term camping. 

Right now here in Silver City, we have 60 degree days and 30 degree nights...  perfect!

Re: 34 footers...?

Reply #19 –
For a lot of winter camping the Hydronic heating becomes worthwhile. When connected to park power it can also use electricity to reduce Diesel fuel use. The Diesel fuel is a primary advantage. It will also do a much better job keeping the water tanks warm. My Nimbus also has roof top ACs with heat pumps. They are fantastic for quickly heating the coach in mildly cold weather. But they don't heat the tanks. As I care a bit about my health the days of catalytic heaters and the like inside are long past. Not taking that health or fire risk to save a 1/2 gallon of propane of fuel. The hydronic usually also has the ability to pre heat the engine.