Yahoo Message Number: 8348 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8348)
Well, I bit the bullet and traded my '00 Magna for an '03 Foretravel.
Therfore, I have two used Toyo 12R22.5's for sale. They have run about 6K miles and I'm asking four hundred for the pair OBO. They are located in the Las Cruces, NM area in my cousins' shop. I forgot to measure the tread depth but will get it if necessary. I have them because CC sent me two new ones after I had already bought two Michelins. I used them for a while and went back to the Michelins.
They seemed to work better as steer tires. jerry in NM, '00 Magna.
Yahoo Message Number: 8349 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8349)
Hi Jerry,
I will be heading your way in a few days. If you would provide some details (M111z?, date delivered to you, tread depth) and a way to reach you, send to fredkovol@... (fredkovol@...) Fred Kovol
Yahoo Message Number: 8350 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8350)
So, tell us about your foretavel. 295 or 320? Did you know Foretavel shut down their plant for 90 days. Look at their dealer list and you'll see American RV & Marine in Las Cruces and Albuquerque are now dealers. They are back at producing coaches and are going to close most if not all their company owned dealerships. TOM/CAROL 2004 Intrigue Ovation 11731, El Paso, Tx. PS. Do you miss the IFS, I would..
Yahoo Message Number: 8354 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8354)
I've owned three CCs and I thought long and hard before I traded for a U320, 40 foot Foretravel. The price range is near the Infinity but the Infinity has a nicer interior. My cousin has been looking at them for years and has been telling me about their excellent quality control and superior service. He bought an '02 the same time I bought mime. The mistake I made was to drive it. The chassis is much better than CC. It has a transmission retarder, eight air bags mounted on outriggers and disk brakes all around. It doesn't sway on corners and stops on a dime. My Magna has never braked very well. It has better fit and finish than CC. Fortravel used IFS for a time but went back to the solid axle. Another reason I bought it is that Foretravel is having a fire sale on their retail stock. They want to get rid of their inventory by the end of March. I lost some things and gained some. I hated to part with the Magna's interior. It was perfect for me. I hope I won't regret this. I take delivery in late Feb. jerry in NM.
Yahoo Message Number: 8359 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8359)
Hi Gerald,
Foretravel does build a great unit, and I hope they can stick around and keep building them. They have some great deals out there and it sounds like you made one.
Comparing your (non-tag) 2000 Magna to a (tag axle) 2003 U320 is not an accurate one. With the addition of the tag axles on the Magnas and Affinity's it made a very positive experience in the drive, especially combinded with IFS. The tag axle add's two more ABS braking wheels and made every model much more stable. They drive like they are on rails.
Good Luck with the new FT.
Damon
Yahoo Message Number: 8368 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8368)
I am not happy with the handling characteristics of my 03 Allure so was interested in your comments. Would you be willing to elaborate on the problems you have with your CC, and how the Foretravel is better. Did you attempt any improvements to the CC? I am about to change the tires, add shocks, and upgrade the sway bars but haven't found anyone else who can give much advice.
Doug 36' Allure 30929
Yahoo Message Number: 8370 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8370)
Hi Doug,
Your Allure will have Toyo 12R tires and Koni adjustable shocks, I think you are in good shape there. I did have a customer with a 36' Allure that had IPD install a rear sway bar, he felt it made all the difference in the world. What are you running for tire pressure? Have you had the ride height checked. Is wandering your main issue? If not what is?
Damon
Yahoo Message Number: 8376 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8376)
Damon,
Wandering is the main problem. Anticipation of wind buffeting is required to stay in the lane. There isn't much time for scanning gauges. CC did the ride height check. The only solution they had was to lower tire pressure to about 75. That is the opposite of how we treat trucks, but I tried it without any noticeable difference. Who is IPD? My plan is to have someone is southern Oregon replace the sway bar on our next trip--after replacing the tires and doubling the shocks. We never run Toyos on the front of trucks due to poor handling.
I know part of the problem is that I expect precise handling like the trucks. I also know that I can drive a class 10 truck for 12 hours and still have energy left. 6 hours in the coach and I am exhausted.
Doug 36' Allure 30929
Yahoo Message Number: 8380 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8380)
Hi Doug,
Something is wrong. IPD manufacturers the front sway bar on your coach, I believe they are based in Portland so if your in the area you might give them a call. They are a very respected company. Tire pressure sounds low at 75, I would guess you should be around 85 in the rear and 90 in the front (cold). Weighing your coach will tell you exactly what pressure to run. I have heard of people running Bridgestones or Michellens up front with positive results. Another thing to try is to run your front ride height 1" lower than CC specs, I have had good luck doing this on 32' models. I would also have your alignment checked, if you have done it already try a different shop.
Damon
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Yahoo Message Number: 8382 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8382)
I am very curious about your situation. My 36' Allure had the same problem.
When I in flated the tires to 110 front and 105 rear and replaced the shocks with Koni set in the extra firm position the poblem was reduced. When I replaced the Toyo's with Continental's to get the larger size the situation was further improved. If you are running 12Rs would bringing up the pressure and increasing the shocks to full help as it helped me? Now that I have a 2004 Ovation, I have had the shocks cranked up one slot and I still run 100 lbs in the rear and tag even though the weight indicates 85 would be enough.
But, if you read the fine print, your not suppsoed to drive over 65. Now Michelin says to add 10 lbs if you do. I don't drive enough to wear the tires in the center in a five year period. If they put Michelins on the front of Magna's and Affinitys? It's a thought. TOM 36' Allure 30255, 04 Intrigue 11731
Yahoo Message Number: 8389 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8389)
Hi Tom,
I am going to get mine "upgraded" in the next few weeks. The Koni shocks are already at the firmest setting. CC declined to check the alignment so that and new front tires will be first. I am also going to double the shocks and see how it drives before dealing with sway bars. I'll also put the pressures up to your recommendations. I was running them at 100 and 105 until CC reduced them to 75. If our trucks were this particular we would never have them on the road!
I'll let you know how the alterations work. By the way, why did you buy the new Ovation?
Doug
Yahoo Message Number: 8398 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8398)
Also the gel coat was failing and it would have cost $10,000.00 plus to take the old finish off, put on a new one put on the clear coat and buff it like a new one. The paint was fine. TOM/Carol 11731
Yahoo Message Number: 8402 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8402)
Hi, Tom
Now you've done it!
I have some follow-up questions regarding your new Ovation Regarding the partition, are they building it without the partition? .
Regarding the computer desk, where is it located? .
Regarding the Cat vs ISL, are your mileage and mph comparisons vs your old coach?
.
Regarding the custom interior and custom paint job, what did you get inside that was custom, and what is custom about the paint job, color or graphics?
We think the Ovation is one great floor plan. Congrats
Bill Harris
03 Allure 1st Ave 30912
Datastorm
"C. Marshall" wrote:
........
We took out the water closet partition, as on our Allure to give us more room, and we love the fact the lavatory slides with the bed.......
ordered the computer desk and the sewing machine fits right in. .......
I didn't get the Cat, but I have only lost 10 to 15% mileage with the ISL and have gained 3 to 5 mph on the same grades.
Carol got here custom interior and custom paint job as part of the deal.
....... That's enough for now see you in Tucson. tom/carol 98 Allure Deschutes 30255, 2004 Intrigue Ovation 11731
Yahoo Message Number: 8408 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8408)
As to the partition, just ask they will leave it out. We took a Metal essence exterior, which didn't even come close to matching the beige interior and moved the colors around, took off the red stripe and added a color of blue from the Blue Grass scheme. It looks like the Pomegranate coach with a brown for the top and a Dark Brown for Vertical accent wave and the blue green for the horizontal wave. On the inside we took out the gray corian, put in the Pomegranate beige, swapped fabrics around and selected walnut for the wood. Another reason I bought a new coach was for the heated floors. Carol was glad to get rid of the awful white tile, my back was, too.
At the foot of the bed you have a choice of drawers, a computer desk, or make up table. We left out the washer dryer. Had to rehang the clothes rod and move the safe to make the rear closet work. We left out the lower cabinet over the toilet to keep from banging our heads. King size bed won't be available until 2005 models. You need to get hold of Carolyn Gzell if you are taking factory delivery and yell help! Ours was her first coach, what a great person at the factory. If we go the same places and the same speed we are within the 10 to 15%. The coach will go faster and loves 70 mph just like the Allure, but she weighs dry what the Allure weighed loaded and therefore, I don't cruise at 70 any more. I have more time to smell the roses. If I hurry 6.8 mpg is about it. The brakes work better and I am learning how to deal with the tag axle. Wish the had a manual button also..
TOM/CAROL 11731
Yahoo Message Number: 8413 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8413)
Sounds like a great coach, I would love to see it.
When you say the "manual button" are you refering to the tag axle raise button?
Bill Harris
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mph just
and
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I am
button also..
Yahoo Message Number: 8417 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8417)
If I am driving on two lane roads I some times can feel the rear tag axle tires protesting when I go around corners in second gear and it would be nice to be able o lift the axle. Make the switch momentary so the axle returns to normal when you lift off. But that would mean you would have to install a "neckers" knob for the steering wheel. How many out there know what I am referring to? TOM/CAROL
Yahoo Message Number: 8419 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8419)
Tom & Carol,
Yes we know what knob you are referring to. Trouble is now I can't remember how to use it!!!
Doug
Yahoo Message Number: 8420 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/8420)
I know exactly what you are talking about, we referred to it by at least two other names, one of which was "suicide knob". (because you could catch your shirt cuff on it.
Bill Harris
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