And so the hunt begins ...

[windtrader]

Following onto the Series 60 thread, an exercise that did get my wife and I on the same page that my bus has served us well, we love the RV life part time, and want a newer, solid coach for less fixing and fiddling.


That was the draw to the 2019 Renegade Verona LE as it was fairly new and all the mechanics and house systems are still very good condition, especially if the coach was stored under cover or indoors. With SuperC out, back to class A.


Country Coach, Monaco, Newell are on the list. Prevost and custom builders standalone on true commercial bus chassis and shell. I assume these will not be mocked "sticks and staples".


All these are produced in tiny fractions compared to the entire Class A models out there. And even thinner when filtering on 2006-2010 models. This making the hunt prolonged, requires more diligent, concerted and continuous effort to ensure you turn over every rock for what is out there and finding the gem in the rough. But nobody is holding you back for paying more and getting less either.


I'm checking RV TRADER, RV UNIVERSE, FB marketplace, and numerous FB groups for fans of particular makes/models.


Also starting deep research and learning, getting comfortable with each manufacturer's business model, design philosophy, engineering, component selection, build quality, parts and experienced service options, etc.


Our primary objectives include minimum unplanned running gear incidents and house systems in very solid condition and minimum DIY fixing and fiddling. Still working out if a 45' can work as we are nearly always boondocking and off the pole. I like 40' as the max as it can get into tighter areas and maneuver around in town fairly well. It's hard to imagine how a 45' can get around on surface streets, find parking places, get into the 7-11 station for fuel rather than truck stops, etc.


The top of the line 45' are over the top for our taste so finding one more subtle and nuanced will be harder. They have slides except for the Prevost in our budget. But we are open to extending it to include the pre 2010 units that generally have 3 slides. Not hot on the layout though, seems like they all have two in the rear and one in the front. Much rather have one in the bedroom and two in the lounge. You can change curtains but not move slides.

[windtrader]

OK, shortlisting


Currently top choices

First Country Coach Intrigue, Magna
Foretravel U320
Monaco Dynasty, Executive


Second
Foretravel Nimbus
Newmar Essex


Engines
Cummins ISL 400 * Sweet spot
Cummins ISM high performance
Cummins ISX - beast, rare, class 8, big rig, higher service cost



Engines
Cummins ISL 400 * Sweet spot
Cummins ISM high performance
Cummins ISX - beast, overkill, class 8, big rig, higher service cost


Prevost and Newell off the list. The prices are so much higher, no way to justify the added cost given these other options. So much more for so much less.


Clifford - right on about Motorhomes of Texas, they have good stock of Foretravel. I find the quality very good, at least from the images. This is Phenix model but looks great.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2009-Foretravel-PHENIX+445-5027984487#sid=270837


I had a chuckle as I remembered when I hammered this forum for months. At one point you basically called me a scammer and was never going to buy a coach. Time and effort landed me an incredible deal and super condition bus. I joined in Jan 2017, really hard to believe its been that many years.

[luvrbus]

Motorhomes of Texas is a good outfit to deal with, they post prices but you can make offers I did and got a good deal, lot of the RV's they sell are on consignment the Foretravels are from the loyal following of owners trade in's,MHofT service dept is geared for Foretravels one can walk to the Foretravel factory  .FWIW the Magna is nice coach but loaded with electronics, I didn't care for that with a remote controlling everything on the coach, my sons Intrigue the same year model was a lot less stressful without all the electronics. I still think you get more bang for your dollar with the super C's though, draw back to me is the entrance on the super C's         

[windtrader]

First
Country Coach Intrigue
Foretravel U320
Monaco Dynasty, Executive

Second
Country Coach Magna
Foretravel Nimbus
Newmar Essex

Agree-Renegade SuperC offers great quality like these class A models at far lower prices.

Do you have any recommendations on Foretravel models? I'm talking to them today. With the factory so close no wonder why they have good inventory. If they can make a real deal, that's the place to get in bed with. Future research into FB groups to determine what shows up private sale vs dealer.

FYI - Some have mid-entry, some  enter up front. At first, this was a concern until it was pointed out that duh unlike bus and Class A there are drive and passenger doors for the cab.

[luvrbus]

Don I don't know anything about the models any more since the kids sold off Foretravel ,but the new owner seems like he is into quality like Mr. Fore was.When I was there Foretravel was rolling off their new  Prevost conversion, Fore did some 35 ft Prevost conversions in the past. Clearence Fore was one the best men I ever met I would stop and eat lunch with him at least 2 times a year up till I retired from my job. The super C does have 2 doors but it is still hard to enter it is a truck, that is the complaint I hear from older owners   

[windtrader]

Big decision point is 45' vs '40. Most all lux coaches are >40', staying at 40' means SuperC or maybe a rarer 40' Prevost.


If we agree on going 45' then Newell seems to be first choice. Reputation is outstanding, coach built entirely in house, service and support remains very strong. Just about all components and systems are commercial products making sourcing parts less onerous.


Went down the Monaco and Country Coach options but the units in our price range have a design aesthetic that is not pleasing. Lightening up the coach, particularly all the wood would be a major project. Newells generally use lighter colored materials. What I found interesting is lack of dovetail drawer construction, would have assumed this level of cabinetry. Seems to work as not read much about drawer fronts falling off or drawers falling apart.


Series 60, Allison drive seems standard and getting comfortable that 200,000 miles on a RV Series 60 is not worn or even close.


I think one more time reviewing the Renegade SuperC as the 40' option.

[windtrader]

lots of research and reassessing most essential specs have put us on new course.


PREVOST SERIES 60 40' XLII pre-DPF


40' feet is the max, 45' is excessive length and more coach than we need. At 40' I find getting into parking lots and spanning two spots is best at 40'. Plenty of storage space, more campgrounds access, getting further off the tarmac with 40 as we are boondocker first RVers.


Series 60, pre DPF is the sweet spot, good power and before complexity and emissions crap ramped up. Very good parts and service.


Prefer a slide or two but unlikely due to rarity, adding to already lack of 40, most are 45'. Going to be a tough search and solid, good condition coaches that match are in demand and $$

[windtrader]

update after lots of digging in the dirt. Back on the Newell path. These are like thoroughbred horses, very rare and very special. A rarified world indeed. It feels much like this club of old OTR bus conversions and takes a particular personality and skill set to sign on. 

[luvrbus]

update after lots of digging in the dirt. Back on the Newell path. These are like thoroughbred horses, very rare and very special. A rarified world indeed. It feels much like this club of old OTR bus conversions and takes a particular personality and skill set to sign on.

I found a 40 ft Vogue V with slides and a Cat C-12 engine with low miles I can get a deal on that was built in house from the ground up. I would like something later it is built in 1998 before Vogue sold to Featherlite.It is still a nice unit but it is 28 years old with less than 80,000 miles and that worries me ,but I have always liked the Vogue V models

[Boomer]

My friend John Ostmo owns a beautiful Vogue 5. It is really a beautiful rig to me. Like the style and engine. Not many of them produced. When Mitchell owned the company and it was in OK they made a pretty nice rig. I owned a Vogue IV for a few months, didn't like the cramped driver cockpit, too cramped for me.