Community Forums

99phantoms · 11-09-2018, 01:50 PM

I own a 2018 Newmar Ventana. I want to upgrade soon to either a Dutch Star or the new Foretravel IC-37.

For those experienced w/ Foretravel - what are some good reasons to spend an extra $250k on the IC-37?

valentob · 11-09-2018, 05:15 PM

If you happen to be going to the 2019 Tampa RV Super Show in January you will get a chance to see both an ic-37 and Dutch Star so you can compare the build quality and accessories. The final spec sheet on the ic-37 is not yet available. Some people have posted the preliminary specs which are probably close.

99phantoms · 11-09-2018, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valentob

If you happen to be going to the 2019 Tampa RV Super Show in January...

Oh yeah, planning to be there.

lady puffin · 11-11-2018, 04:30 PM

You will quickly see the difference between the two. We looked at a brand new Dutch Star in 2015. We were very dissatisfied with the construction. We traded up to a used 2012 FT and never regretted doing so.

winniman · 11-11-2018, 06:30 PM

I guess that 2018 must be wore out by now. lol

spuds · 11-11-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99phantoms

what are some good reasons to spend an extra $250k on the IC-37?

Until the actual product is out, I would recommend a "wait and see" policy. The specs aren't finalized and there is definitely a history of needing to work the bugs out of a first-year new model.... (sometimes several years' worth of working the bugs out) A quarter of a million dollars is a substantial difference that needs to be proven out.

99phantoms · 11-11-2018, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spuds

Until the actual product is out, I would recommend a "wait and see" policy.

Good advice.

Ahall · 11-12-2018, 05:46 AM

I don’t think you should be to concerned with a first year model rv,having been in the automotive industry for my entire life I have seen many fist year cars and trucks. Most of the issues have all been technology based issues, the all new foretravel will not have any of that,there is no new technology. The chassis is built by one of the highest regaured chassis builders,the power train by names we all know. Air conditioning and all the other components are supplied and consumed by the industry in most the brands.how is the box built,that should be the question.i expect it won’t disappoint in ride,drive and the durability the reputation foretravel has always been associated with.

spuds · 11-12-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahall

I don’t think you should be to concerned with a first year model rv,having been in the automotive industry for my entire life I have seen many fist year cars and trucks. Most of the issues have all been technology based issues,

With respect, whenever a completely different Foretravel model has been introduced there have been issues that aren't technology related and have been house-related. These coaches aren't items like computers, cars, trucks that have prototypes built that go through extensive testing, redesign, retesting. End cap separation, short sidewalls and incomplete fiberglass, water leaks due to a change in plumbing methods - none were technology issues and all occurred with a brand new model. They all were eventually resolved, but not before many coaches spent months at the factory being repaired.

Building on a completely different chassis, unknown CCC, incomplete specs at this time - one would be wise to actually wait and see what the new coach is, especially given the reported price premium over the competition. Let them get a few dozen on the road and shake out the unexpected and unforeseen bugs.

Turbojack · 11-12-2018, 02:43 PM

Spuds, Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think I will side with Ahall.

have a friend that has a new 2019 Entregra Cornerstone. I think this is his 3rd or 4th Entregra in the last 5 or 6 years. I can not keep up. Since his first unit he has had problems. They all get solved but he still has problems. Just read the forms for the different brands and they all have problems. Two years ago I took the Entregra tour. On the tour the guide when over the different year coaches and the problem they had and what they did to solve those problems but when they fixed one problem another one poped up.

spuds · 11-12-2018, 07:31 PM

Absolutely. And it's not just a FT concern. First model year of any coach is often hit with unexpected issues. I was just pointing out that this is a first model year AND as with any mfr FT has had issues pretty much every time they introduced a new model coach. After a year or so shake-out, one is good to go on a model, but I wouldn't want them learning about the problems on my dime.

We had a FT for nearly 13 years and it was 1 y/o when we bought it. We went through the end cap issue of it being a new model (actually, the original owner went through it once; we went through it a second time and had to pay for repair on our dime). We had a warranty issue with the fiberglass on a slide and had to get the original owner on the phone when the factory falsely accused him of having had work done elsewhere (he was NOT pleased).

FT is no better nor worse than any other brand when it comes to a new model coach, but I would not advise paying their uplift over a different mfr thinking you'd avoid the usual new model issues, because you won't.

pumper9x9 · 11-19-2018, 08:25 AM

"If you own a RV you are just between breakdowns" . Corrollary: If you buy a new to you coach (used or new) you will be going to the shop for a year or more to get everything working right.

Turbojack · 11-19-2018, 03:01 PM

As a good friend of mine told me that his coach stays up at night trying to figure out what will be broken in the morning. He said he could go to bed at night and everything would be working, when he awoke he was always wondering what would not work.