Air Bags or Springs

[GaryY]

Yes another nube. I am looking to buy my first motor coach and have been looking at Newell and Bluebird but lately have been looking more closely at the Foretravel Grand Villas. However, I am confused as there is a 1988 and 1989 with air bag suspension and then a 1993 with springs. Seems to me that is going backwards as I thought the air bag suspension is superior to springs. Also did foretravel put diesel gen sets in the early model coaches or are they all Lp? I live in San Antonio TX, good Foretravel country seeing how the factory is just up the road and PPL is in Houston a short drive as well. So what do you think, air bag or spring?

Thanks

GaryY

[JimM68]

Gary, particularly back then, Foretravel made a wide variety of coaches on a dazzling array of chassis. They did make gasser, front engine, and I think some rear engine gassers too. These would have leaf springs.

There were also some manufacturers who toyed with "rubber" springs during that period, foretravel may have been one.

Depending on your budget, I'd stick to a rear engine diesel with air bag suspension and air brakes.

[pvrick]

We have a 2001 Safari with the torsalastic springs (rubber) Still trying to get them tuned in right with the Koni's Redlands Truck in Redlands Ca is supposed to be the expert on these and we are going back in tomorrow to keep trying to adjust the Koni's to get the ride correct.

If I had it to do over again, I would look for something with airbags.

You are lucky to be so close to Foretravel. Nice coach.

[GaryY]

We are without a doubt going diesel pusher, I forgot to include that. Thanks for the info, it always pays to seek advise before jumping in too deep. I was looking at the 1993 because it has the bigger cummings engine but now because of the springs I will wait. There is a 1989 in Austin with air bags and air breaks but I can't get the guy to call me or email me back. Either he doesn't read his emails very often or maybe he really doesn't really want to sell. I would really like to have a newer U300 but most of what I have seen are out of my budget, but I'll keep looking. My dream machine is out there waiting for me somewhere.....
What about the generator, anybody know if Foretravel put a diesel generator in the early models. I have been thinking if I get the LP gen I will get an air cooled diesel as an option to run when parked and just run the LP when running down the road. Any suggestions.

[4travlin]

Gary,
The ones that you listed '88 & '89 should have a Oshkosh chassis. Yes they had air bag suspensions. If you look closley some had 4 air bags and I think a few (IIRC) had rear air with front springs. On the ID plate on the wall next to the driver's seat will have a manuf. code that should have (O22C) in it and this will confirm that it is an Oshkosh chassis.
The '93 you are talking about will be an in house chassis. If it is listed with springs they mean it has torsalastic axles. They are nothing to be afraid of. Properly adjusted they have a good ride. (our '92 had them) These came only in the U-225 & U-240 coaches and they were 36' long. They will have the short storage bays, with those they only had enough room to put in a Onan propane generator.
If you follow this over to Barry's site he has a lot of info. Barry and Darlene Brideau's Personal Website this is the same site that is the lead thread here on the F/T Manufacture fourm.

[Midniteoyl]

I have a 1989 John Deer/Oshkosh with no air bags.. all spring.

[FT4200DGFE]

Well, I have only had 2 so far. My first was a 90 FT GrandVilla "non Unihome", so it had the Oshkosh Chassis. It was an ORED model, Oshkosh, Rear Engine, Diesel. It did have one air bag per corner, they were inboard and took the place of a a spring, yet the other end still mounted to the frame.

My second coach is a 98 FT 4200 DGFE, Double Galley, Front Entry. It has 2 air bags per wheel in the front and the drive axle but only one per wheel on the tag. These are mounted outboard, closer to the tire. This makes for a very smooth ride.

I would recommend either a UniHome older model or a UniCoach. Use Barry's website for any info you may need. beamalarm.com
It has the most info available on Foretravels.

Jeff & Deanna Stewart
98/04 Foretravel 4200
03 GMC Yukon Toad