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Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Yahoo Message Number: 7077
Steve:

Here's a couple of tips you may want to consider, (worth about two-cents)
Here is a bonus for Foretravel: They have a 36 month warranty. If you find a Foretravel you like, and it is within the three year category, take the time to contact the factory and see whether the coach is eligible for any remaining warranty. CCI makes great coaches, but their warranty program doesn't reflect it. Even Newmar offers 36 month. I don't get it, do you?
With most automobiles, the factory warranty follows the vehicle, not the owner. This may be the case with Foretravel also. To me, it would be a big bonus to know that a used unit could be taken to a factory facility for any repairs/updates etc, after you have taken a good "shake-down" trip
Also, in the car business you get a big break in premium for after-market warranties if the vehicle is still under factory warranty.
If possible, talk to the previous owner of any coach, CCI or Foretravel. A reputable dealer shouldn't have any reservation about such a contact. If they do, there may be something to hide, huh?
Many folks trade because they just want the latest whistles and bells, etc. After all, that's what those big Rallies are for.
Others trade because they have lost confidence in the coach due to excessive repairs. In either case you are laying out enough dough that you should get a warm fuzzy feeling from the prior owner, don't you think?

Larry

Intrigue 10762

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7078
We're also looking at used CC and Foretravels. FWIW, Foretravel's warranty is not only transferable, but if you buy an older, out-of- warranty coach they still provide either a 1-year (for coaches up to 6 yrs old IIRC) or a 6-month warranty (for coaches up to 10 yrs old). Sure has my attention - the 1-yr warranty is as much as most manufacturers offer with their NEW coaches! Only exclusion on these warranties compared to a new coach warranty is cosmetic items.

On the other hand, I sure do like the high ceilings on the new Inspire :) (I'm 6'4")
Gary

Quote from: Larry Hanson
> Steve:
> Here's a couple of tips you may want to consider, (worth about two-

cents)

Quote
>

Here is a bonus for Foretravel: They have a 36 month warranty. If
you find a Foretravel you like, and it is within the three year category, take the time to contact the factory and see whether the coach is eligible for any remaining warranty. CCI makes great coaches, but their warranty program doesn't reflect it. Even Newmar offers 36 month. I don't get it, do you?

Quote
>

With most automobiles, the factory warranty follows the vehicle,
not the owner. This may be the case with Foretravel also. To me, it would be a big bonus to know that a used unit could be taken to a factory facility for any repairs/updates etc, after you have taken a good "shake-down" trip

Quote
>

Also, in the car business you get a big break in premium for after-
market warranties if the vehicle is still under factory warranty.

Quote
>

If possible, talk to the previous owner of any coach, CCI or
Foretravel. A reputable dealer shouldn't have any reservation about such a contact. If they do, there may be something to hide, huh?

Quote
>

Many folks trade because they just want the latest whistles and
bells, etc. After all, that's what those big Rallies are for.

Quote
>

Others trade because they have lost confidence in the coach due to
excessive repairs. In either case you are laying out enough dough that you should get a warm fuzzy feeling from the prior owner, don't you think?

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7088
From: "garycase2001" garycase2001@...>
Quote
We're also looking at used CC and Foretravels. FWIW, Foretravel's
warranty is not only transferable, but if you buy an older, out-of- warranty coach they still provide either a 1-year (for coaches up to 6 yrs old IIRC) or a 6-month warranty (for coaches up to 10 yrs old). Sure has my attention - the 1-yr warranty is as much as most manufacturers offer with their NEW coaches! Only exclusion on these warranties compared to a new coach warranty is cosmetic items. (snip) When I was looking at used CC and Foretravel motorhomes, I noticed the same thing in regards to the Foretravel warranty. But I also noticed that the warranteed coaches that Foretravel sells cost more than the ones I could've bought privately. Therefore ... you're *paying* for that warranty.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7089
From: "Larry Hanson" larry.hanson@...> (snip) > CCI makes great coaches, but their warranty program doesn't reflect it. Even Newmar offers 36 month. I don't get it, do you? (snip) I don't think you can judge the quality (if quality is defined as "reliability") of a product by the length of its warranty. Take a look at the automobile warranty situation, for example, where some of the most reliable cars have short warranties ... and some of the cheapest cars have the longest warranties. But what good is a long warranty if your vehicle is always in the shop, as discovered by many buyers?
Regardless, you can bet that the cost of the 36-month Newmar warranty is built in to the cost of each motorhome. Shouldn't the question be: What's the difference if you buy a Newmar product with a 36-month warranty vs another product with a one-year warranty AND an aftermarket service agreement (so-called "extended warranty")? After all, many coach buyers don't intend to keep their coaches for 36 months.

Dick (& Geri) Campagna
'98 36' Intrigue #10571
Mfd: 11/97

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7093
Good point, Dick. Warranties in cheap cars like Hyundai are very restrictive, first owner, etc. They also only cover drivetrain.
One other point. CCI and Foretravel are not really in the same price range, model for model. I looked at Foretravel in 1998 when I bought my Intrigue new. The same 40' with a slide was almost 100k more MSRP.

Larry

Intrigue 10762

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7094
The big difference is Newmar does not bring a semi-tractor and techs to numerous shows all over the country every year to perform repairs on Country Coachs no matter what year it is. Just think how much that costs Country Coach to do, overtime, hotel rooms, transportation, etc.

Damon

Quote from: Dick Campagna
> From: "Larry Hanson"

(snip) > CCI makes great coaches, but their warranty program
doesn't reflect

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7101
But Foretravel won't repair your coach forever labor free at one of those ralleys. That means between FMCA and country coach ralleys you can have free labor repairs over sixty times in 20 years, let's see Foretravel do that. TWI

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7103
For what it is worth, I asked one of the guys at Creative Coach in Lakeland, FL what he considered to be the best fiberglass coach on the market and he said Foretravel.
I like the fact that Foretravel uses Cummins engines and on most of their coaches has easy access to the engine.
I have been told that it cost $500-700 to adjust the valves on a CAT, but the Cummins values do not have to be adjusted until 100K or more miles.

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7105
Have you noticed you have to buy a U320 to get two slides, not one and a half. Have you checked out the quality of the planing of the wood work. A Foretravel sells for 25% more than a Country Coach with fewer features and far fewer choice of floor plans. The paint jobs are rather crude also. The older coaches use decals on the exterior. I like the disc brakes and tranny brake. They slill use PTS generators. If you are a FMCA member and attend ralleys you get free labor repairs from Country Coach, forever. It cost me $85.00 in repairs on my 98 Allure in Five years. TWI #30255, new #11731 Intrigue Ovation. Also, try trading in a Foretravel at another dealership, tilt....

Re: Country coach -vs- Foretravel

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 7107
I just had the valves adjusted at Peterson Cat in Eugene. Cat manuals call for valve adjustment between 2nd and 5th oil change. When I left their garage, they told me I am all set for 300K miles, I wouldn't buy a motorhome without a Cat...just keeps on ticking...and getting better. However I would consider a Detroit Series 60 engine....as that is all some premium m/hs and buses come equipped with. But, this is my second Cat and I have been trouble free for thousands of miles.
Max

98 Affinity