Yesterday we took a long day trip to Tucson to check out a used Foretravel, probably the only class A diesel pusher we would want. Foretravel is to class As as Lazy Daze is to class Cs, one of the highest rated in the RV industry. New Foretravels are well out of our price range, from several hundred thousand dollars to well over $1 million! This is why we went to look at a 2002 U270 in Tucson even though it has 158,000 miles on it. Also it is “only” 36’, just 5’ longer than our Lazy Daze but with one slide, which made it feel so much more spacious.
We both drove it, our first time driving anything other than the Lazy Daze, and I must say it was not as intimidating as I thought it might be, something we could adjust to with more experience.
Jim getting a driving lesson from the owner.
Most of the interior has been upgraded, including all of the floors, furniture, TVs, refrigerator, and window treatments. It is all very simple and tasteful, just to our liking. None of the fancy lights, bells and whistles like you see in some of the so called luxury RVs.
Could we see ourselves living in it? Oh, yeah! But will we? Probably not. The owner took out a binder with all the work he’s had done and we were astonished by the cost of repairs and maintenance. He recently replaced tires, radiator, muffler and tailpipe, among other things. Some of the receipts he showed us were for things like new awnings on all the windows, but others for problems he’s had gave us pause. And not so much just for how much it costs to maintain, but also the inconvenience of having to take it in for service. Our Lazy Daze is a gas engine Ford E450, basically just a truck, and quite simple compared to a Cummins ISL 400 diesel engine with 6 speed Allison transmission and brake retarder, along with many other systems we aren’t familiar with but I’m sure we would learn about along the way.
So since we are most likely keeping the Lazy Daze, now I want to finish the upgrades to our current home, like replacing the carpet with vinyl or something easier to clean, installing a new kitchen faucet, and a few other odds and ends that need to be done. If anyone has a recommendation for a place to have our flooring replaced in the southwest, please let us know. Although it would save quite a bit of money, it’s just not a job we want to tackle ourselves.
Looks like a beautiful RV. You can't go wrong with a Foreteavel. Sounds like you'll have a new coach before long with all those updates.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a gorgeous motorhome! I too was swooning over a Foretravel last year, but decided to stick with my View to see how I could do in the smaller space first. Answer? Just fine so far, although I am starting to think about some major renovations of the dinette area and spiffing up the exterior. We'll see... But after reading your post, I remembered that Laurie & Odel had a glowing review of the RV renovation place they used in Phoenix a couple years ago. Search their blog for "RV Renovators" to read the various posts of the process. Not sure if you want to go whole hog like that, but they might be worth a call or a visit at least if you're still in the area: http://laurieandodel.blogspot.com/2011/02/yes-we-can-recommend-rv-renovators.html
ReplyDeleteThe living area, slider, and kitchen have the identical layout to our toyhauler we got last November. We really love the space.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having lots of fun looking at stuff, one day one of them will knock your socks off and you will buy it.............like we did.
Regardless of whether or not you buy it, it is always fun and informative to look at different rigs. You typically learn something and narrow your search each time you step into one.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that is one sweet-looking rig. But I also have to admit that repairs and maintenance on these "beasts" is not a small thing. Specialty shops needed, higher priced parts etc.
ReplyDeleteNina
Yikes, that's a lot of miles. That, along with the cost of repairs, would have me sitting on the pause button :((. Maybe you should get a new one :)).
ReplyDeleteMark I kind of had my eye on this one. Could you chip in.
Deletehttp://www.mhsrv.com/2015-foretravel-ih-45-luxury-motor-coach-mhs-custom-floor-plan-new-bus-conversion-tx-i1319305
Ok, but we get the Master Bedroom…and the cats have to go :)
DeleteAs much as we've talked and contemplated a class A diesel, we like the simplicity of our 5er. Thus, we've changed things up a bit more to our taste and won't be shopping for RV's anytime soon. Good luck with the remodel. She'll feel like new!
ReplyDeleteNice looking coach, love the kitchen counters and the easy chair but I can sympathize with not wanting to get into repairs on a diesel. That's why we bought a gas class A. Not as temperamental or as expensive to repair. The ride isn't as smooth but that's OK with me, it keeps David from driving too fast. I do love our slides though. So much roomier.
ReplyDeleteKeep looking, you will find one that suits you perfectly.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome to head over to our casa and we can have a flooring party!!! Nothing like doing two floors at once;)
ReplyDeleteLydia and Robin
You are welcome to head to our casa. We can do two floors at once over quite a few beers. Seriously!!!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is a gorgeous RV. Ron and I were perfectly comfortable full-timing in our 30-foot and would like to downsize now that we are only part-time, but we'd lose too much money. We have found it to seem much smaller when we don't put the slide out. Maybe you just need a slide. ;-D
ReplyDeleteWe traded our low-maintenance costs 1985 Lazy Daze for a high-end Newmar diesel pusher and, like you, were astounded by the costs of just the routine maintenance required by the Mountain Aire. It was with mixed emotions that we traded it eight years later for a 2005 Lazy Daze, but life has sure been easier (and cheaper!) since then.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed how much time and money seems to go into maintaining those diesel class As and every time Wayne mentions switching to one I swat the idea down quickly. Since he doesn't read the blogs like I do I don't think he knows it's not just the initial cost that is so much higher. He'll find out when we get on the road more and get to chatting with folks who are living in them I'm sure! Less is usually more in my experience.
ReplyDeleteHey, it's always fun to look. Sometimes just the needed motivation to update what we already have. But that sure is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteNice looking rig but we too have stuck with the simpler easier & less costly to maintain gasoline engines. We've had 2 Chevy V-8's & 2 Ford V010's & I do prefer the Chevy Vortec engine. They just seem to be a more powerful engine. Not being very mechanically minded a lot of that extra stuff on diesel coaches would be a constant worry for me knowing how costly everything is to repair. Sometimes simpler is just simply better for some of us...........
ReplyDeleteAwww come on, I want to park next to it so that it blows all the dust in the lot onto our rig when you start it. That way YOU can wash my rig ;)
ReplyDelete