13 replies to this topic

[Ivan Snickleweed]

Hi, guys and gals. I'm the new kid on the block. Looking for a DP and wannabee a fultimer. Anybody got any input on Entegra motorhomes? I like their winter package some floorplans,but I also like Foretravel coaches. If the price was equal which would you rather have: a new Entegra or a used Foretravel? Thanks.

[Bruce T]

Gee a hard question. I'm a sucker for good used units. I think I would lean towards a use Foretravel that has all the bugs taken out of it.
Travel Supreme, now Jayco, built an excellent unit. Not sure that Jayco is in the same league as Travel Supreme though.

[Paul Weaver]

The used Foretravel without question. If I had to do the purchase thing all over again, I think that is the route I would go! You may have to make do with fewer slides but that is easily overcome by a good floor plan.

Paul

[AFChap]

Absolutely without question, I would go for a Foretravel ...two Paul's for Foretravel

[GzrGldGeo]

I know nothing of an Entegra. I do know that Foretravel is a good coach. We went with a used Bluebird because it was the one we found first. Foretravel was on our list. I would look at older Bluebirds too, if you plan to look at used. I found the Bluebird much cheaper for a similar unit, due to the fact they are no longer in business. Bluebird is but Wanderlodge isn't that made the Motor Coaches.

We fulltime in a 1994 Bluebird and I haven't regretted that decision yet.

You really want to do your research and get a large CCC. Carrying weight is how much you can carry. You will be surprised to find that some Motorhomes are maxed out before you add a pound of you stuff. We shot for at least a 5,000 CCC. On the Bluebird it isn't an issue at all. We have it loaded down and still have about 1500 more lbs to spare. You won't find that often.

[mockturtle]

We bought a four-year-old Foretravel and it was a beauty. Nothing bad to say about it, fit and finish were perfect and the people at Foretravel Nacogdoches were wonderful.

[Ann N Gene]

Very hard comparison indeed. We looked at both. Foretravel is a great coach, well over $1 million new so you will have to get several years old, older technology, fewer slides, fewer amenities etc to get down to the price of a new Entegra. In the end we decided on the new Entegra and like it very much, of course we had a Travel Supreme before that so we knew the quality and fit and finish etc of that coach. Entegra has taken a great coach (Travel Supreme) and made it even better. It is a completely separate division of Jayco and much higher quality standards are observed. For over 4 years they did not build more than 3 coaches per week to make sure everything was perfected and they could go over each coach to ensure quality. They are great to work with, put out a high quality product and start at about one third or less the price of a new Foretravel. All that being said, used Foretravels are great coaches with a lot of great features. You will have to make some decisions about tradeoffs, how long do you intend to use it, what amenities do you want and need etc. How many miles will you put on it per year and how many years do you plan to use it. You can upgrade a used Foretravel and make it almost like new, the basic frame and body are built like a tank and should last a very long time provided they get a little care and maintenance. Get your pencil snap, decide what you want and need and compare prices only after you figure in all the upgrades you will want to make it your own vs ordering a new Entegra fitted to your desires. Only then can you make an intelligent decision about what is best for you. Entegra does have a full 2 year bumper to bumper warranty as I think Foretravel does on new units so they are both confident that they are building great coaches. If you are careful you will have a great coach no matter what your final decision is. Both of these coaches are very high quality and make great full timing rigs that will last a long time. All just our experience and opinion. Good luck with your evaluation and ultimate decision, but with these two I do not think you can make a bad decision.

[Two Hams in a Can]

Hi, guys and gals. I'm the new kid on the block. Looking for a DP and wannabee a fultimer. Anybody got any input on Entegra motorhomes? I like their winter package some floorplans,but I also like Foretravel coaches. If the price was equal which would you rather have: a new Entegra or a used Foretravel? Thanks.

We just put our 1996 40 ft Foretravel U320 on consignment with Motorhomes of Texas in Nacogodoches http://motorhomesoft...u320--40--C1551 We have spent the past 2 1/2 years fulltiming in it; and would still be in a Foretravel but for health issues. You can't go wrong with Foretravel. . .especially this one. Also, take a look at Foreforums.com

Edited by Two Hams in a Can, 24 March 2012 - 07:26 PM.

[AffinityBob]

Ivan - I don't think Entegra and Foretravel are in the same price bracket. It is not really appropriate to compare Mercedes Benz $$$$ with Chevy $$. Some of our close RV friends have a 2005 Foretravel Nimbus they bought new. It is a beautiful coach. About the same level of appointments as our coach. We saw a new Entegra three weeks ago at a Rally at Lazy Days in Tucson and it was a very nice coach. Much lower cost than a Foretravel. At the same rally they had two American coaches. Those are beauties too, you should look at them.

[mockturtle]

You can upgrade a used Foretravel and make it almost like new

Yes, that is exactly what we did. The people at Nacogdoches redid the interior with all new fabrics, etc. and it looked better than new.

[Kirk]

Ivan,

Welcome to the Escapee's forums! We are happy that you have chosen us. We will do our best to be helpful.

One question that I have is, are you comparing new RVs or used ones? That could make a major difference.

[Bruce T]

Kirk raises a good point. Even though there is a 'perceived' difference between the two manufacturers, is that perception reflected in the size of the check you have to write for either one? The loose change from buying a 'lesser' coach will pay for a lot of extras such as fuel, campgrounds, repairs etc etc etc. I'd rather drive around with more money in the bank than in the motorhome!

I would put floor plan and budget well ahead of any 'status' issues with either coach.

But then it's all just a matter of opinion isn't it? Either way you have to be happy with what you have and you don't have to justify your choice to anyone other than yourself.

Heck if we all agreed on 'What RV' we would all be driving good ol 2001 Country Coaches. Wouldn't we?

[mockturtle]

The OP clearly stated the choice was between 'a new Entegra or a used Foretravel'.

[Smitty]

I don't think you can make a bad decision either, as both of these directions are solid...

Our Short List, included the then Travel Supreme's, Foretravel, Country Coach. While some models of Foretravels and Country Coaches are in a different league then the Travel Supreme (Entegra) - it is a fine coach.

I like the idea of buying a bit older Foretravel with the bigger block engines, and then having Foretravel update it to what you want. Suspect you will come out with a lower costing unit, and the bigger block Foretravels and Retarders, were given weighted bonus points on my Must Have's section. (Though we ended up with an Allure and ISL with Two Levels of Jake Compression - that was because the Allure's interior features and layouts nudged it up over a U295 we were looking at. The galley for my queen, trumped my Big Block and Retarder desire:)! No regrets...)

I also recommend you look at older Wanderlodge's, as they too fit into the upper end of the coaches. Same redo logic on the interior, with many good places to make the mod's.

Best of luck, and take your time and study until you determine what is important to you...
Smitty