As a retired Prevost pilot in the entertainment/private industry, I’ve commented several times on the bunk layouts, and how they need to move the head of the bed aft with the feet forward. This minimizes head & spinal injuries in a hard braking/frontal collision scenario. All entertainer coaches you see are in the “head to the rear” configuration.
Well, this is wild... I've watched many of your vids in the past and I'm familiar with your channel. But I didn't have a clue when you came out and told me our coach mysteriously extended an awning out to hit your coach! And of course, I saw you videoing in the factory tour and still didn't put it together. Anyway, glad to meet you guys, hope to see you again someday, and keep up the good work!
Interesting point - I need to go back and watch. I know the older coaches did have it as Foretravel was one of the first to do the semi monocoque chassis. I know when there is dew on my 2009 foretravel I can see the metal structure.
@@RVIntoRetirement So, how is this a semi-monocoque chassis ? This seems to be exactly the same 'kleenex box on wheels" (as someone else has dubbed it) as all the others.
@@RVIntoRetirement if I was younger I'd think of leaving Illinois and heading down there to work, my trade is cabinet maker. The guides explanation of using laminate over wood due to curves isn't accurate, I've worked with real wood veneers for years and you can do everything with it as you can with laminates, the big plus with laminates is they are a finished product once applied to the substrate, wood needs to be finished (stain/topcoat). There is less up keep with laminate but, if you are a real wood person like me, laminate doesn't do it. Hight end coaches such as Prevost conversions and Newell say real wood moves too much with the change in seasons well, if you leave enough tolerances you shouldn't have issues, no more than your home in the same climates and, if you spend a million dollars on a coach I can't imagine it's not heated and cooled when not in use, at least to some extent
While at the factory I saw a customer with one that had over 250,000 miles and still going strong. We bought our first Diesel Pusher with 104,000 miles on it - so I think they are solid and have lots of life - just depends how it was taken care of. I suggest you join www.foreforums.com and ask questions and also watch this video th-cam.com/video/FN-B42qHb3o/w-d-xo.html
@@RVIntoRetirement Alright he said it’s around 150k to 200k. Back in the 90s they were down at the factory taking a tour (at the time they owned a Grand Villa) and they saw this 1998 U320 on display. It was a prototype that had a wheelbase of 42’. They had liked it soo much that they bought it and has owned it ever since. I hope and pray that I can continue the tradition and own a Foretravel someday.
not impressed at all with how they construct the floor and stand the walls on top, not a semi-mono frame at all, lowend motorhomes are made the same way just, without all the extras
This Foretravel guy has an attitude that is off-putting. Doesn't make me want to buy a Foretravel. Their quality seems to have declined over the years. They used to build some of the best.
Completely agree all I kept hearing about was "we did this to cut vosts and save time" and not the structure i was expecting to see like in the older U models were known for . I'm sticking to older coaches were just so much better made....
@@RVIntoRetirement True, but that's the case with all builders. If one adds glitz and gadgets people think they are getting less if a new one doesn't have the same or more. Add def to choke down the engine and that is why I drive a Foretravel 20 years old.
Awesome vid. I love foretravels.
As a retired Prevost pilot in the entertainment/private industry, I’ve commented several times on the bunk layouts, and how they need to move the head of the bed aft with the feet forward. This minimizes head & spinal injuries in a hard braking/frontal collision scenario. All entertainer coaches you see are in the “head to the rear” configuration.
Makes perfect sense to me, I'll bring it up at our annual convention.
Wow, it’s cool to see someone tour something my family started, love it
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well, this is wild... I've watched many of your vids in the past and I'm familiar with your channel. But I didn't have a clue when you came out and told me our coach mysteriously extended an awning out to hit your coach! And of course, I saw you videoing in the factory tour and still didn't put it together. Anyway, glad to meet you guys, hope to see you again someday, and keep up the good work!
Ha! Small world isn’t it. Well it was good “bumping” into to you and hopefully we cross paths again.
Does Foretravel Even Insulate in-between the walls?
Not like house installation,but rather the material the wall is made of and the thickness provides insulation
only some kind of Styrofoam, nothing great for what they cost
Love the design of the paint .
Thank you! Cheers!
I was expecting more steel bracing for the wall frames, how rollover safe is it compared to country coach.
Interesting point - I need to go back and watch. I know the older coaches did have it as Foretravel was one of the first to do the semi monocoque chassis. I know when there is dew on my 2009 foretravel I can see the metal structure.
Country Coaches are TANKS! If you can find a well taken care of one...buy it!
@@RVIntoRetirement So, how is this a semi-monocoque chassis ? This seems to be exactly the same 'kleenex box on wheels" (as someone else has dubbed it) as all the others.
@@3sons66 After seeing this vid, I'm thinking that this is true.
Interesting tour and video. How many Foretravels are produced each year? The process appears to take a long time.
Current production is 45 a year they are trying to get to 60, but need more staff
@@RVIntoRetirement if I was younger I'd think of leaving Illinois and heading down there to work, my trade is cabinet maker. The guides explanation of using laminate over wood due to curves isn't accurate, I've worked with real wood veneers for years and you can do everything with it as you can with laminates, the big plus with laminates is they are a finished product once applied to the substrate, wood needs to be finished (stain/topcoat). There is less up keep with laminate but, if you are a real wood person like me, laminate doesn't do it. Hight end coaches such as Prevost conversions and Newell say real wood moves too much with the change in seasons well, if you leave enough tolerances you shouldn't have issues, no more than your home in the same climates and, if you spend a million dollars on a coach I can't imagine it's not heated and cooled when not in use, at least to some extent
Agreed 💯 we have solid wood in ours - African Mahogany
Very nice and informative
Thanks for liking
That's weird they didn't have any of the U series on the wall
Isn't it
Did they tell you how many coaches they build in a year?
Currently I believe it was 64
They should paint the walls or ceiling in that place.
There are a lot of updates needed
@@RVIntoRetirement I know them make good coaches but its like a dungeon in there.
How long do foretravels last
Is 119,000 miles to much
While at the factory I saw a customer with one that had over 250,000 miles and still going strong. We bought our first Diesel Pusher with 104,000 miles on it - so I think they are solid and have lots of life - just depends how it was taken care of. I suggest you join www.foreforums.com and ask questions and also watch this video th-cam.com/video/FN-B42qHb3o/w-d-xo.html
@@RVIntoRetirement I am going to ask my grandfather how many miles he has. He has the very first U320 that was a 42'
@@RVIntoRetirement Alright he said it’s around 150k to 200k. Back in the 90s they were down at the factory taking a tour (at the time they owned a Grand Villa) and they saw this 1998 U320 on display. It was a prototype that had a wheelbase of 42’. They had liked it soo much that they bought it and has owned it ever since. I hope and pray that I can continue the tradition and own a Foretravel someday.
not impressed at all with how they construct the floor and stand the walls on top, not a semi-mono frame at all, lowend motorhomes are made the same way just, without all the extras
Agree. The older Fortravels built on their custom frame are semi monoque
This Foretravel guy has an attitude that is off-putting. Doesn't make me want to buy a Foretravel. Their quality seems to have declined over the years. They used to build some of the best.
The biggest problem in more recent Foretravels seems to be all the technology.
Completely agree all I kept hearing about was "we did this to cut vosts and save time" and not the structure i was expecting to see like in the older U models were known for . I'm sticking to older coaches were just so much better made....
@@RVIntoRetirement True, but that's the case with all builders. If one adds glitz and gadgets people think they are getting less if a new one doesn't have the same or more. Add def to choke down the engine and that is why I drive a Foretravel 20 years old.