We did enjoy the FT a lot. It was used when we got it, so most issues were not a big surprise. Exhaust brake was an add-on, and was not done properly. The tiny starting battery issue was weird, maybe the holder was originally meant for trailer brakes or something else, and the starting and house batteries had been rewired.
Water pump seized literally in the storage stall. Not a quick fix, but I handled it myself. The hydraulic pump was a poor item from the start - FT had a new style with an install kit. That repair kept us in Palm Springs for almost two weeks. The Allison computer literally had a hole burned through one of the boards - the tech said it was a random event without an external cause. We bought a rebuilt and I installed it in the emergency lane north of Minneapolis.
The generator had a bad propane regulator. The Onan part was discontinued, and over $250 if you could find one. I researched and found it to be the same as a $20 forklift part!
I would own a FT again, but it would have the air suspension. It would NOT have maroon curtains and pink carpet, for sure. Our suspension was at the edge of needing reconditioning, with one shim in one location. (Removing shims raises the coach.) If I remember right, the re-do was around $8K, the springs were in short supply, and was far from a DIY job.
I do like our Monaco. We bought it about 1.5 years ago. Just under 90K miles, well cared for, body paint, diesel generator, air suspension, etc for under $20K. No slides, but a great layout. No plans to trade any time soon. Had our budget been $40K, it would likely have been a flat-snoot Foretravel.
Matt B
