2000 era, Beaver or Foretravel

[cross_country]

Would appreciate your views and opinions between the two motor homes.

Storage space, closet etc. counter space , drive, cummins vs cat. retarder vs 2 stage jake brake, general thoughtfulness concerning ease of maintenance. quality of interior materials etc.

We have enjoyed our 86 37 tag sportscoach which has been very dependable for us since 1994 with 135000 miles. We have liked it to the point where we would like to continue to full time as we have for the last few years. Do not miss the house at all. No slides for me so we will be having at least one, maybe 2. Will have to put an oven in too.

Thanks. Tom

[cross_country]

I'll check tomorrow on the inventory and report back. There are a lot of units that do not make the computer page for some reason or other, Also check Encore RV here on the same road. they have a lot of foretravels (older) and have purchased pre 2000 parts from Fortravel Inc which is also just down the road. Tom (i think there about 6 Newells at MOT. I did go in one, my goodness they are heavy, 55000 the one I looked at.)

[mike_brez]

cross country wrote:
Thank you all again for your replies. The information here has been priceless. (pun intended) For years I have been reading and learning how to make a good decision, for me.

I now have for better or worse, a Foretravel. 42 foot, living slide with air bladder, tag axle U320 with a transmission retarder. They call it a "joy" stick and it brings the coach to a halt.

The people at Motorhomes of Texas are outstanding, period. I drove over 3500 miles with my toad and was not disappointed or wished I had done something else.

In short I guess one may say "I'm a happy camper"

Is this the 2001 U320 listed for 69k? Did you happen to check out the 1999 Dbl slide Newell.

Never mind. The 01 I was thinking about wasn't a tag.

[John_S_]

Welcome to the family. The coach you got looks great. One day you will have to see the mods I did on mine. Your wife will live them.

[joraz]

I can speak to the retarder vs. Jake issue as I have had both (99 Foretravel with retarder and 95 with Jake). I really like my 2 speed Jake but it really can't compare to the Allison transmission retarder. The retarder gives you total control of braking and you just can't believe the stopping distance with the disk brakes and full retarder. Regarding the transmission heating issue, yes, the retarder heats the fluid but ours always stayed well below the Allison limit going down those long mountain grades. So the retarder, in my opinion wins hands down but the Jake is a good and safe second choice.
jor

[bogeygolfer]

We too have been happy with our old Foretravel. Quality and simplicity...that's what I'm all about.

[cross_country]

It is almost like I just went out and did exactly that. Thank you two jayhawks, I appreciate the vote of confidence. (read post above yours)

[Two_Jayhawks]

Since opinions is what you seek I'll throw in my 2 cents. Choose Foretravel over ANY class A motor home MFG either current or gone except Newell.

[cross_country]

Thank you all again for your replies. The information here has been priceless. (pun intended) For years I have been reading and learning how to make a good decision, for me.

I now have for better or worse, a Foretravel. 42 foot, living slide with air bladder, tag axle U320 with a transmission retarder. They call it a "joy" stick and it brings the coach to a halt.

The people at Motorhomes of Texas are outstanding, period. I drove over 3500 miles with my toad and was not disappointed or wished I had done something else.

In short I guess one may say "I'm a happy camper"

[Sabil]

We had narrowed down to Beaver, CC & Foretravel in the 36' range for Nat'l & state park access. CC has small shower & jacks. Foretravel has toilet right next to sink & tiny shower. We have large garden tub/shower, Aqua Hot, self-leveling air bag w jacks on axel (not sinking into the dirt), separate head, full queen w two slides & as Altern stated, high quality w solid wood throughout & NO rattling going down the road as we had in our previous FR Charleston.

[Altern]

Foretravels are plain Jane with excellent quality. (comparatively speaking)
Beavers have pizzaz and very good quality.

When standing in a Beaver Marquis, quality just oozes all over.. They are downright beautiful and people are envious.

When standing in a Foretravel you have to explain the hidden qualities just under the plain Jane surface.

That said, some Beavers I would not own (Contessa)... Some year models I would not own..

Good luck in your choices.

[cross_country]

Thank you for your comments. The battle of wits will continue for awhile. I'll take just about any foretravel and worry about the little stuff later. The wife on the other hand likes the interior of the Beaver Marquis; based on pictures, videos, on the internet. The next strategy will be to take a trip in the CR-V with tow brackets and bar in hand. We will test them out in 3D. If all works out as planned, I'll post the result. Tom

[2ndhom]

I like Beavers !!!!!!!!!!!

[tankcj]

I love my Beaver but Foretravel is truly in a league of it's own.

[John_S_]

Look on the foreforums and you will see lots of us running older coaches. In fact the busiest department at FT is the remod shop. I would not have any problem looking at 95 and up. Many are in great shape and the few that are not are pretty well known and discussed. We have a lot of neighbors to the North owning FTs. In fact one just picked a second one up to have fun renovating and bought a third for his son. Drove it from NJ to Vancouver without a hitch. There are a few that need some decals that need work in the early models so many are getting them painted on. The retarder is the key. You will find Foretravel owners drive more than most class a owners. In fact we had 20 % of the people at a national rally get their 100,000 mile pin and we had a bunch get 200 and 300 and even one couple got 600k pin. I have 350k now. Beavor patriot makes a good coach and good woodwork as is Foretravels. If you have an issue with a door, a friend backed into his not looking in the kitchen. Just call them with your unit number and they will build you a new one and put the hardware on it and ship it too you. I had two loovered doors mad up and they were about 125 bucks. Matched perfectly. There is a 7 day a week technical hotline you can call and a super active forum too.