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Foretravel

Yahoo Message Number: 32562
I understand your frustration over not being able to get general service at Country Coach. But nothing , nothing compares to this product. For the safest, best constructed coach in the industry, that is all tubular steel constructed and completely tested before you buy it nothing compares to a Country Coach. Most manufacturers construct a steel cockpit cage and the rest of the coach is aluminum....I would like my family safe thru out the entire coach, wouldn't you. Country Coach vacubonds their entire coach from the Tribute on up, not starting at a $400,000 coach and not hung wall construction.I could go on and on about the differences. But to purchase a coach that is not near as well constructed because they can not service after warranty where it was purchased I guess just does not make sense to me. I would rather go for quality and safety over anything else. More people are rving than ever before that means everyone needs more service techs and more bays. Yes they are overwhelmed, but don't walk away from the best luxury coach on the market. You can find quality service centers ! But there is nothing out there that is built to the quality of a Country.

Marti

2005 Intrique
M

Re: Foretravel

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32570
I am not the person that bought the Foretravel and while I love my CC the Foretravel is a wonderful coach. Don and I toured the factory last year and they are amazing. So while we all love(or hate) our different brands there are many good brands out there.
Good luck with your Foretravel. Maybe your next coach will be a CC again. I love the transmission retarder in the Foretravel so I'm jealous :-)

Linda

Intrigue 10678

Quote from: Marti Worner
I understand your frustration over not being able to get general
service at Country Coach. But nothing , nothing compares to this product. For the safest, best constructed coach in the industry, that is all tubular steel constructed and completely tested before you buy it nothing compares to a Country Coach. Most manufacturers construct a steel cockpit cage and the rest of the coach is aluminum....I would like my family safe thru out the entire coach, wouldn't you. Country Coach vacubonds their entire coach from the Tribute on up, not starting at a $400,000 coach and not hung wall construction.I could go on and on about the differences. But to purchase a coach that is not near as well constructed because they can not service after warranty where it was purchased I guess just does not make sense to me. I would rather go for quality and safety over anything else. More people are rving than ever before that means everyone needs more service techs and more bays. Yes they are overwhelmed, but don't walk away from the best luxury coach on the market. You can find quality service centers ! But there is nothing out there that is built to the quality of a Country.

Re: Foretravel

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32577
Quote from: Linda Robey
I am not the person that bought the Foretravel and while I love my CC the Foretravel is a wonderful coach. Don and I toured the factory last year and they are amazing. So while we all love(or hate)  or different brands there are many good brands out there.

Good luck with your Foretravel. Maybe your next coach will be a CC again. I love the transmission retarder in the Foretravel so I'm jealous :-)

Linda

Intrigue 10678

I have the Same feeling `s about Foretravel as Linda.

One important consideration, the COUNTRY COACH OWNERS.
With that said, I looked at Foretravel coach's for quite a few years.
I always liked the construction, however something always lacked in the layout or workable dimension of living areas. This is of course my opinion.

It is because of these feelings that I own a Country Coach Magna 630.
The enhancement of twin box beams running front to back and the extra large living areas surpasses everything available. This includes most, but not all conversions.

I do not feel the Country-Coach factory team would ever leave me or anyone else stranded when in need of serious factory work. If and when needed.

Leaving an owner out in the cold would not happen.

Wasting time changing oil and fluids along with normal PM parts and adjustments is not a factory requirement. Changing bulbs or interior component parts like switches or faucets, appliance switch outs unless critical all fall under simple out sourced work.

These items are all better done at a authorized service center or engine and drive train specialist (CAT) (Cummins) or your (friendly) CC dealer.

Jimmy,

06 M-630, #6558

Foretravel

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32602
I visited the Foretravel factory twice and the CC factory twice and there are a few things I gathered from those visits. One is that Country Coach quality control, in my opinion, is not near as good as Foretravel. I know this is not going to be popular, but they may just build the "Worlds Finest Motorcoach". Two things that Country Coach wins hands down on though is the beauty of their coaches. They are simply the prettiest on the road. The other is the genius of Bob Lee with his slogan of we build the "Worlds Finest Motorcoaches". Now that is pure genius that can't be proved or disproved and has sold a bunch of high dollar coaches to people who really believe it. I sat in the board room with the new owner and chairman of Foretravel along with his chief operation officer and was very impressed, but ultimately bought a CC. With all the problems I have had with my CC, I still wonder if I made the right decision, but if I had it to do all over again I would go back to my SOB in a heartbeat. They say it takes two years to get all the bugs out. Mine will be two years old in three weeks. It came out of the shop last Wednesday, I was checking it out for a trip in three weeks and found another problem. I getting very unimpressed with Country Coach. Now I'm venting. I apologize for that. This is not the place for that. Maybe we need to have an online counselor for fed up RVer's.

R. D. Vanderslice
06 Allure - 31294

Re: Foretravel

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32604
The HWH slide locks on my partners 2002 Foretravel 40' failed three times from sept to march, the first attempt to fix was liberty lake wa, no longer a ft dealer but had all the old employees got part in 3 days replaced OK. Two weeks later the other lock failed same slide out 2nd lock, a week for parts and no dealer in las vegas so we did it our selves. We watched closely first time.
The air operated awnings failed in Az, Beaudry can not fix foretravels. The cab a/c line vibrated and broke but Beaudry can fix that. We replaced the first hwh lock for the 2nd time when we got to Texas and put in a new arm on the slide with cord inside to make the awnings work.
What I am saying is that the more gadgets we put on a coach the more things that break or wear out. Live with it or buy a condo with full maint. Enjoy life, you only get one!
Foretravel and CC make nice places to live on the road, my 400 c9 cat is faster off the line and up hill than a 450 Cummins Foretravel, the cummins is set up for a higher cruise speed, 65 for cat against 75 Cummins at about same rpms. Oranges are oranges and not apples.
Enjoy what you got or trade for another set of problems........

"R. D. Vanderslice" wrote:

Re: Foretravel

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32611
Quote from: Carol Tiberi

We owned two Foretravels over a 10 year period prior to purchasing our Country Coach. Foretravel was very uncooperative, unresponsive and could not fix the numerous problems that we struggled to deal with. It was only when invoking the lemon law and treatening a lawsuit that Foretravel took notice. The first year we owned the second coach, they had it longer than we did; my husband almost got ulcers dealing with them. We bought our CC new in 98 and have been virtually trouble free. When we did have problems, CC stepped up to the plate immediately. We have been motorhoming since 1979 and simply find that the more gadgets you request, the more problems you will have getting the bugs out.

Whoa, hold on here a second. I have owened Foretravels for twenty years, been to the factory for service and updates a dozen or more times and have never experienced or witnessed anything but first class treatment from everyone at Foretravel toward their customers.
From your post I assume your Foretravels were in the mid to late 90's. During that time, Robert McGrath was the Salesmanager at the factory and he would often get involved when a customer had a problem and I have never heard anything like what you state in your post. I have in fact seen Mr. McGrath and his staff go far beyond what would be considered fair for a customer. I live less than 100 miles from the factory and in years past would stop and visit several times a year. I have over the years visited with several hundred Foretravel owners and they are a bunch of happy campers.
When we bought our Country Coach, we kept the last Foretravel to use for a hunting/Fishing coach. She has over 250,000 miles on her and has never put us on the side of the road.
We like the Country Coach Intrigue that we have, but, folks, a Country Coach is not the quality of a Foretravel. Its just not and really not fair to compare the two.
Oh, and Foretravel will be in business for a long time to come as well as Country Coach. That is a non issue at this point in time.
I usually stay out of Pissin matches, but sometimes you just gotta set things stright.

Re: Foretravel

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32614
I disagree with you Marti. Country Coach is not the best coach made. It is probably the best coach you can buy for your money when you compare it with the Foretravel because the Foretravel costs more. I took a tour of the Foretravel factory back in 2003 and was more impressed with the Foretravel that I was with the Country Coach. I bought the Country Coach because I got more bang for the buck.
Also, Foretravel is the only class A coach to receive a 5-star rating from the RV Consumer Group, a organization which rates RV and is not associated with the RV industry.
Both Foretravel and Country Coach make a fine coach and it is a matter of preference which one you like better.

Rick,

Fulltiming in a 2004 CC Allure, 31018

Re: Foretravel

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32619
QUOTE Also, Foretravel is the only class A coach to receive a 5-star rating from the RV Consumer Group, a organization which rates RV and is not associated with the RV industry. END QUOTE

Yes, but I think they also gave CC 5 stars too. I used Consumer Group's CD assessment of many class As and chose my coach from their 2004 CD. As I recall, many CC coaches recieved five star ratings.

Larry 03 Allure 30856

Quote from: surfsidebarney@\.\.\.\[br\
] >

I disagree with you Marti. Country Coach is not the best coach

made. It is

Quote
probably the best coach you can buy for your money when you
compare it with

Quote
the Foretravel because the Foretravel costs more. I took a tour

of the

Quote
Foretravel factory back in 2003 and was more impressed with the
Foretravel that I

Quote
was with the Country Coach. I bought the Country Coach because I

got more

Quote
bang for the buck.

Also, Foretravel is the only class A coach to receive a 5-star

rating from

Quote
the RV Consumer Group, a organization which rates RV and is not

associated

Quote
with the RV industry.

Both Foretravel and Country Coach make a fine coach and it is a

matter of

Quote
preference which one you like better.

Rick,

Fulltiming in a 2004 CC Allure, 31018 >

************************************** See what's free at
http://www.aol.com

Re: Foretravel

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32620
Matt

If your 08 Mag proves to be problem free you will need to consider yourself extremely lucky and one of a very small number, if any, owners that have had that experience. In our circle of owners we often joke that we go from one repair facility to the next!

Good luck
Gene

Intrigue 10920

Don't pick lemons.

See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

Re: Foretravel

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32625
Foretravel has had their issues especially over that period of two years when they were in and out of business, Radiators need ing to be replaced 3,4, 5 times, Having to remove the fiberglass and rebracin the last two feet of the coaches chassis, bolts that fail that hold the two assemblies, to the center cage section. If Foretravel is so great why don't they have flat floor slides, do you realize their tranny brake means service on the tranny and you have to change the Transynd every year, how come they have changed to SE-gi windows, the entries are one of the most awkward in the industry with the shallow treads, their leather seats crack and are un usable in a very short period. And at least we have service of some kind throughout the country. They don't especially in the north and south west. I will give them credit for being more conservative and less willing to change. By the way my favorite all time interior is still a Foretrave 98 African Motif. TWI 2004 Intrigue.

Re: Foretravel

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32628
Good Morning. Everyone has their own opinion. The quality of a coach is based on so many things. The manufacturer and how they put their coaches together. From the ease of service, in house construction (are you dealing with one manufacturer for chassis and house), customer service, follow up after the sale, safety, quality control, how long have they been in business, how realible, attitute toward the customer. If the gentleman who bought the foretravel thinks he had problems getting service for his Country Coach wait until he breaks down in Las Cruces, New Mexico or Vermont or where ever. No one services them and no one really sells them. The company has been in transition for years and the company who last owned them worked with trains.. They ride beautifully and they look great. But again nothing compares to the all around quality and build of a Country Coach. Sorry but I would rather find someone who can change the oil do general service and repair and let Country Coach take care of their Warranty issues and keep on producing he best coachs in the industry.

Marti

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32630
As a Foretravel owner, I have stayed out of the conversation on Foretravels because I think both Foretravel and Country Coach are great motorhomes. But when there are sweeping remarks like those below, I would like to set the record straight. I have a 2004 U320 Foretravel which is my first motorhome.
The service interval on the transmission is 36 months not 12 months. You have to change the fluid and filters at that time. No other adjustments are required.
We have a leather dinette and sofa and are full timers. Not a sign of cracks anywhere. I have never heard of FT leather cracking. It is Villa leather so if there is a problem with that, it should be industry wide.
Entry steps are a personal choice. I find it easier to step up to my single step than the steps I see on CC.
I have had service performed all over the country. From Spokane to Tallahassee to Albuquerque to Nova Scotia. Never a problem unless we need factory service. If CC or FT needs factory service, then it is a trip to Texas or Oregon.
As far as flat floor slides, you are right. Foretravel and the Prevost world have not gone there yet. Foretravel will likely try to make the transition in the near future. In the meantime, I "may" enjoy taller bays because the slides are up out of the way.
I might as well comment on some of the earlier posts about FT going out of business. The original Fore Family just couldn't take the company to the next level. They started to go downhill pretty quickly. The new owners, who bought the company in 2005 and who both live in Foretravels, have silent partners who have very deep pockets. I believe the company is finally in the black. They had a huge ship to turn around, but I think they have done it. To me, it kind of sounds a little like Bob Lee coming back to enhance the great name of CC.
I really like CC and think that there are many advantages that CC owners have over FT owners. But, I can name a number of great advantages that FT has over CC. Since you brought up the African Motif, let me say that is the one nice thing about Foretravel. You can make changes to you floor plans or decor - anything you want to pay for. When we ordered our coach, we had the factory make us a new unique printer cabinet that no one else has. We moved the location of the washer/dryer and designed our own vanity. Foretravel still does that. You can get standard wood cabinets or laminates or even exotic South African Bubinga wood. You can even get mid entry doors that accommodate wheelchair lifts.I may be wrong but I don't think CC does that unless you move to the Affinity or Rhapsody or Prevost level.
One last thing about this forum. Thanks for letting me check in and be a member. It is interesting that many of the issues discussed on this forum are also covered on the FT Yahoo Group. For example, each have their disgruntled owners, each likes to help others with finding great RV resorts and each helps solve problems or find unusual parts. There are also owners on both sites who have change from CC to FT - or visa versa- and swear that their new coach is better than the old one. Interesting.

Byron Knight

2004 40' U320 Foretravel

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32635
Quote
Fhanks for the Foretravel history. Now please remove yourself from this >forum and join the >Foretravel one.
John D. Drebick, 06 Affinity 6550
Suffering from a touch of megalomania, Johnny??

Tom Fisher

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32636
I agree this is a for CC owners not want to be CC owners.

Louis Gratton

2006 Inspire 51897

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32640
Whoa John ... what's with the hostility? I thought he wrote a very nice, well spoken piece on Foretravel. That remark was un-called for. I think you owe him an apology. You don't have to be an owner of a CC to be a member of this forum. This isn't "we" vs "them" thing. I think it is great that others share there insights especially when it is constructive.

Rick,

2004 CC Allure, 31018

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32641
Well said Rick. Johns remarks were uncalled for. I thought the Foretravel owners remarks were very tastefully done and well written and I too welcome him to the forum. What makes us think we are so special?

R. D. Vanderslice

Rockwall, Texas (175 miles from Foretravel factory, 2175 from CC factory) 06 Allure 31294

surfsidebarney@... wrote:

Re: Foretravel

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32642
Larry,

You're probably correct. I was quoting from the 2002 RV Consumer Group's Green book. At that time, it was the only Class A motorhome with a 5-star rating. I trying to find my copy of RV Consumer Group's CD which I received Feb. of this year. I don't recall if CC received any 5-star ratings.

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32645
Quote from: llouisg@\.\.\.
I agree this is a for CC owners not want to be CC owners.
I hope the attitude of this web site membership has not changed. I joined this group before I bought my CC 5+ years ago. It was very helpful then and since.

Dean

95 CC Magna

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32649
Wow, I think this is a bit hateful. I have not seen this sort of behavior often in this group. We have several folks that are not CC owners on our list, what a good way to find out about other coaches.
In fact Don and I are members of the Foretravel list and we just joined the American Coach list. Everyone on both lists are helpful when we ask a question. I would hope we on CC could be the same.

I feel his response was more an answer to some of the comments that were incorrectly made. I find facts helpful.

Linda

Intrigue 10678

Quote from: John Drebick \(Drebick\[br\
Investments\)"] > > Fhanks for the Foretravel history. Now please remove yourself from
this forum and join the Foretravel one.

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32651
I certainly agree that anyone posting here who has something constructive to say should be welcomed to say it.
I find it funny that people think coaches with 3, 4 or 5 radiators might be limited to Foretravel. Our 2004 Bob Lee Special Edition Magna is on its fifth (5th) radiator. Our 2001 Affinity had its turbo exhaust fall off, leading to a $6000 bill. CC covered most of all these repairs (and many more) but they could not replace the time lost awaiting parts. Recently our Magna needed a new compressed air cooler... a $3000+ part. Happily CC had one they were able to get from another engine, since the wait for a CAC that has to be ordered is 8 weeks! Thankfully, our extended warranty covered most the repairs.
We have no idea how much CC on warranty repairs on our Magna, but clearly it was far, far beyond any reserve they had set aside to cover such expenses. When our list of repair items went past 75, we gave up counting. As far as we can tell, CC has no better track record than other brands with respect to failures. It is my belief that there is a direct relationship between the pressure put on production to turn out coaches and the (lack of) quality of the coaches. For the most part, we have found CC's service people try very hard to fix our problems, but if production turns out crap, the service people simply cannot keep up. At the end of 2004, production was turning out crap if our coach is any indication. I do think CC has a good, safe designs, however.

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32672
Quote
You seem to frequent this forum almost daily but never identify > I think it is time you do that on all your future posts, even if > you have
 a Winnebago.
 Thank you.

David, 2006 Allure 31383
David, I am indeed an infidel in that I have a Newmar Dutch Star.
I do enjoy this group as it adds to my knowlege and experience.
I am a retired physician/electrical engineer/airline pilot/kitty cat lover(Kramer~6-8y/o American shorthair male and good buddy;-))) Tom Fisher MD EE ATP ??
Dallas, TX

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32678
Tom, I always wondered why you were giving me a hard time and we didn't know each other from a man in the moon. Now I understand, but you are forgiven.

R. D. Vanderslice
Rockwall, Texas
06 Allure 31294.

Re: Foretravel view from a Foretravel Owner.

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 32679
Quote
Tom, I always wondered why you were giving me a hard time and we didn't >know each other >from a man in the moon. Now I understand, but you are >forgiven.

R. D. Vanderslice
RD, I didn't know that I had committed a sin for simply taking the time to provide my honest opinions and observations

FWIW, you are forgiven also!!;-))

Tom Fisher
BigD