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Foretravel Technical Q&A
Section: General
Q: What are the capacities of the tanks, h2o ect.96/270?
A: Fuel: 149 gallon LP: 270# Water: 102 gallon Gray: 110 gallon Black: 54 gallon
Q: Can I get specs e-mailed to me on a 1991 Grand Villa?
A: You may go to the following site. http://beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/foretravel-past-brochures-specifications-and-manuals.htm
Q: What's the proper procedure for towing a FT. Regards, John
A: Section 15 - Towing Foretravel Owners Manual - Phenix Page 15-1 Rev. 05-08 TOWING INTRODUCTION To tow a disabled vehicle, certain precautions and procedures must be taken to prevent damage to the vehicle and/or its components. Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting or towing a disabled vehicle may cause an unsafe operating condition. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, the pump is located ahead of the transmission gearing and clutches and cannot be motored by towing the vehicle. Therefore, anytime that the vehicle must be towed, disconnect the driveline or severe damage to the transmission could result from lack of lubrication. CAUTION Only in an extreme emergency may the vehicle be towed up to 1/2 mile (.80 km), at no more than 5 mph (8.04 kph), without first disconnecting propeller shaft from transmission. In all situations use these special precautionary procedures, safety equipment, and proper emergency warning lighting. Most larger tow vehicles are equipped with a hydraulic lift that attaches directly to the front axle. This is the preferred towing method and should be used whenever possible. GENERAL PREPARATION FOR TOWING 1. Block the wheels and engage the parking brake. 2. Place the transmission selector lever in neutral. 3. Attach the towing lift to the front axle. WARNING Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting and towing another vehicle could result in an unsafe operating condition. 4. Lift the vehicle and secure the safety towing chains. 5. Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and signal lights. Also, connect any special towing lights required by local towing regulations. 6. Connect the towing vehicle's air brake system to the vehicle being towed, then release the spring parking brakes or, if the air supply is lost, release the brakes manually. Remove the wheel blocks. WARNING Before releasing the spring parking/emergency brakes, make the connection to the towing vehicle, or block the disabled vehicle's wheels with chock blocks. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll uncontrollably. CAUTION After the general preparation for towing and the drive train components are disconnected, do not tow at speeds over 15 mph (24 kph). SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND SITUATIONS Before towing, it is important to examine the situation to determine the location of the problem. Prevent further damage to the vehicle by using proper towing precautions. If the problem is located in the driveline components, follow these precautions: 1. If the transmission is inoperative, remove the output driveshaft from the transmission. 2. If the rear axle is inoperative, raise the rear wheels off of the ground or remove the rear axle shafts and seal the ends of the wheel hubs to prevent entry of dirt. CAUTION Failure to keep contaminants out of the wheel bearings and/or axle lubricant, could result in the failure of the wheel bearings and/or the differential carrier. 3. If the front axle is inoperative, raise the front wheels off the ground. Also, disconnect the rear propeller shaft to avoid severe damage to the transmission. CAUTION Block the front wheels before disconnecting the driveshaft to prevent the vehicle from moving. IMPORTANT: The improper towing of the vehicle may cause transmission damage. Always follow the outlined towing procedures. The only recommended method of towing is with the drive wheels on the ground and the rear driveshaft disconnected and removed. To move the vehicle with an inoperative rear axle, raise the rear wheels. The front wheels must be secured in a straight ahead position when towing from the rear. Do not use the vehicle's steering column lock to secure the wheels in a straight ahead position. CAUTION On any Motor Coach with an HWH Air-Leveling System, the vehicle's air bags will remain deflated as long as the ignition key is in the OFF position. Consequently, if the vehicle should require emergency towing, then the ignition key must be left in the ON position to build and store air in the suspension. TOWING WITH HWH ACTIVE AIR SYSTEM (OPTIONAL) The following is an excerpt from the HWH Active Air Manual. WARNING: THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR THE HWH ACTIVE AIR EQUIPMENT AND MANUAL INFLATION OF THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION AIR BAGS. CONSULT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR COMPLETE TOWING INSTRUCTIONS. There is a Schrader valve supplied for each air bag or sets of air bags on the vehicle suspension. Note: A Schrader valve is the same type of valve used to inflate or deflate a tire. Consult the vehicle manufacturer for the specific location of the air bag Schrader valves and proper ride height for towing. The HWH Active Air Control Panel must be OFF when using the manual air bag Schrader valves and during towing. Push the “STOP” button to turn the Active Air Control Panel OFF. The ignition key should also be “OFF” while towing. Note: With the HWH Active Air System OFF during towing, the air bags may be controlled only from the Schrader valves. Monitor and maintain proper travel height during towing using the Schrader valves. MP34.0213 09JUL08 EMERGENCY RECOVERY POINTS (2004 and newer) There are three emergency recovery points provided to help recover a vehicle. Two of these points are located behind the generator door on either side of the generator. To use these recovery points, the generator door must be removed. The trailer hitch receiver may be used as a rear recovery point. A vehicle recovery insert kit is available from your Foretravel dealer. Like any of the products used for vehicle recovery, the vehicle operator or persons responsible for vehicle recovery should inspect slings, cables and chains for wear, cuts, abrasions or punctures. For metal hardware, inspect for metal distortion, fatigue or damage before any recovery operations. CAUTION To protect against injury, be certain that no persons are in the line of force of any load. CAUTION Be certain that the anchor point on the other vehicle is capable of withstanding stress beyond the pull force. Weak anchor points can break, possibly causing property damage or physical injury due to the recoil of the attaching system. CAUTION The tow chain attachments must be made to these recovery points. The recovery vehicle should be in line with the recovered vehicle. Do not let the tow chain come into contact with any of the fiberglass parts on the coach. Do not exceed the weight rating of your recovery insert. The working load limits do not apply to shock loads. Avoid impacting, jerking or swinging a load.
Q: I have a 1999 U295 with four headlights and two road lamps. I can get the two outer headlights to work but how are the inner headlights and the road lamps activated?
A: The inner headlights (high beam) are activated only when ignition key is on. The rocker switch on the switch panel will turn on auxiliary lights. These Hella lights are basically fog lights, but also work well as driving lights. The lighted rocker switch allows them to be turned on or off while the headlights are on low or high beam.
Q: I have an 07 Nimbus purchased from California Coach Co.I live in Edmonton Ab Canada and had the coach parked for the winter. I am unable to operate the Slides in this case the coach will not start. The rear bed slide is slightly out and am wondering if this is the cause of not being able to start the coach? The coach was winterized in the fall, is the functionality of the air bladder for the slides affected by what may have been done for any winterization ?
A: The HWH system will not operate if the engine batteries are dead. The computer has to have engine battery voltage to operate. The slide would not cause the engine to not start. Winterization will not affect the slides.
Q: Can you please tell me what diesel engine was standard in the 1981 Foretravel diesel pusher? Can you also tell me what was the maximum length of that year's diesel model? Thank you, Pat McHugh
A: Most coaches were equipped with Caterpillar Diesel engines. Forty foot was the longest coach built that year. If you have a VIN we can identify.
Q: I Own a vintage 1980 Foretravel. Is there a place to connect city water to the coach or just a filling spout to the fresh water tank?
A: The water system of your motorhome depends on one of two sources of supply: City Water- City water through a hose connected to the 3/4” inlet fitting supplied with your motorhome. This system receives its operative pressure from that contained in the city lines. On Board Supply Tank- In this case the system is pressurized via an on board 12 volt water pump. This tank is pressure filled by control valves near the tank and only one water hose connection fitting. Pump power must be off and pressure line valve opened near tank for filling.
Q: I have a 2000 U295. My fuel gauge when full shows 5/8 full and when the gauge shows a 1/8th of a tank it will only take 108+- gallons. Can the gauge be adjusted
A: The sender is adjustable. Calibration The EMPTY adjustment is set at the factory. A minor adjustment of the FULL screw (SEE "SETTING THE FULL") is all that should be required to complete the calibration. Complete calibration procedure will be necessary if you have to shorten the probe or recalibrate. Turn on the ignition switch. Turn the FULL and EMPTY adjustment screws located on top of unit to the full CW (clockwise) position. Setting The Empty . . . Must be done with probe out of tank or when tank is empty. Mark sender probe 2 inches from bottom. Adjust empty mark to this point. Slowly turn the EMPTY screw CCW (counter clockwise) until the needle on the meter just stops moving downward. The needle should be on or just below the empty mark. Now turn the screw CW (clockwise) to make sure the needle starts moving upscale immediately, then turn CCW until the needle just stops moving downward again. This is the EMPTY reference mark. Repeat this step until you are sure the EMPTY reference is obtained. Setting The Full Put the probe into your tank. Turn the FULL screw CCW until the needle indicates the liquid level in your tank. For best results, the probe should be fully immersed in a full tank. If you accidently adjust below your tank level, turn the FULL screw full cw and repeat this setting. Remove the unit from the tank. Shake the unit a few times to remove the residual liquid. The needle should now rest on or below the empty mark. This completes the calibration. Do not make any more adjustments.
Q: Does Foretravel make a 30 foot coach?
A: Thanks for the question; Foretravel builds custom coaches to customer specs. The shortest production coach is a 34 foot coach. All requests for custom coaches are reviewed and considered. Our marketing department will be glad to look at your request. You may contact the marketing department at 1-800-955-6226 Ext.153.
Q: I have a 93 unihome 40 foot, with a Detroit 350 hp 92 series engine. There are 2 switches at the end of the bed, one says block heater, the other says water heater, is this to use engine heat to heat the house water, there is also a switch on the dash for aux. pump.Do both of these need to be on ?
A: The block heater switch is for engine pre-heat in the winter for easier cold starts. The water heater switch is the 120VAC heating element for domestic hot water. The auxiliary pump switch on the dash is to flow more engine anti-freeze to the dash heater core during winter operation.
Q: Are service manuals available for my coach?
A: Foretravel does not produce service manuals for the Motorcoach. There are manuals available from the suppliers of the major components throughout the coach. You can contact the component manufacturer for availability of these manuals.
Q: What is the proper way to tow my coach in the event of a breakdown?
A: Most large tow vehicles are now equipped with a hydraulic lift that attaches directly to the front axle. If the tow vehicle is so equipped, the driver of the tow vehicle will probably insist on using this device. This is the preferred method and should be used whenever possible. For further instructions and precautions please see the towing section of your Owner’s Manual.
Q: I am going to register my used coach in Canada. How do I find out if there is any outstanding recalls on my coach?
A: Call 1-800-955-6226 extensions 237 or 240.
