Phillerup
USA
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Joined: 10/15/2002
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If you were talking a higher end Foretravel - I would opt for the Foretravel. But the King Aire is in a class by itself of the three listed and - nothing against Nimbus - but the King Aire is a different class of coach. Of the three you listed, I would take the King Aire.
2003 Newmar DSDP 4005 dual slide king bed Spartan 350 Cummins 2004 Jeep Liberty 4X4 tow, SeaEagle boat in basement
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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Foretravel Nimbus is totally custom. You can create your own floorplan anyway you want as long as it will fit. It is not much different than the top of the line Phenix except for engine options and some electronic upgrades. I will say that I have had 3 foretravels and they are very well built. If you are buying one I would not go anywhere but the factory for both buying and delivery. They do a great pdi and will send you with the engineer to a local campground about 90 miles down the road. You can camp in it and run everything and then go back to the factory for any minor fixes that you want or further explainations. This is on every delivery they do. THe Nimbus and is the same for the most part as the Phenix but for the ISX and some electric binds. You can get it all electric or with propane.
I am not far from you and you are welcome to see my 42 foot U320. It is an 01 and has 2 slides. If I was building a new one I would have two slides again. I will say that most of the newer ones are either 2 or 3 slides. Also you can get your Nimbus aas a mid entry. That is a great option. You are always close to the ground on the step and a short trip to the kitchen.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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Feature for feature the King Aire certainly offers more than the ForeTravel; larger fuel tank, larger tires, much larger engine, IFS for the KingAire vs a (standard) straight beam front end on the ForeTravel (IFS optional), Comfort Drive on the King Aire, Hydraulic as well as air leveling (air only on the ForeTravel), to name a few.
Having said that, either is an excellent choice.
Monaco would be out for me. I realize it's a new company, but the old company did bad things to both their customers and dealers alike; but who is still in charge and how long will Navistar stay in the RV business?
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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Bruce Brown wrote:Feature for feature the King Aire certainly offers more than the ForeTravel; larger fuel tank, larger tires, much larger engine, IFS for the KingAire vs a (standard) straight beam front end on the ForeTravel (IFS optional), Comfort Drive on the King Aire, Hydraulic as well as air leveling (air only on the ForeTravel), to name a few.
Having said that, either is an excellent choice.
Monaco would be out for me. I realize it's a new company, but the old company did bad things to both their customers and dealers alike; but who is still in charge and how long will Navistar stay in the RV business?
I have a 200 gallon fuel tank and the reason the IFS is an option is that many FT owner prefer it and the outbard airbags rather then the big inside one. As to engines you are right the 500 ISM is the biggest you can get in the nimbus but I have it and it runs strong. I love air leveling and it is so easy to use and never gets stuck in the mud or frozen in the snow.
The tires are true but are rated for the weight. If I was looking at another FT I would just up option the Nimbus and pass on the ISX. then again 650 hp is nice but I get 8 mpg and the isx gets about 5-6 mpg. If you drive 6000 miles a year it is moot but I put on 40K usually a year. That is a difference as well. The Nimbus is totally custom and you caan up option anything but the drivetrain and I think the next model year the phenix will be taller than the nimbus and that is the other difference. Many FT owners are used to 12 max and have doors to storage buildings that bigger units might not fit in.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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You may have a 200 gallon fuel tank but the Nimbus does not; it's up to 150 depending on length.
I'm also glad you like your air leveling system; the King Aire has both air leveling and jacks.
I'm not knocking ForeTravel at all - not even a little. All I was saying is feature for feature the King Aire has more "stuff", and some of that stuff is pretty desireable.
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joppa
Northeast
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Wow! Hey I love my Foretravel Nimbus - Build quality is fantastic, issues have been minimal, service beyond good. If I was ever going to buy another coach it would be another FT or the big dollar step up to a Prevost.
But a 45' 2010 King Aire for the same money as a 42' 2009 Nimbus. I'll take the Newmar.
We bought new in 2007 and paid below 400K... amazing how much engines have gone up. Nonetheless our Nimbus was only about 30K more than the Newmar Mountain Aire that we had set out to buy.
I had to give up on radiant heat, a stacked w/d, 45' length, a nicer looking ceiling and some other stuff plus we paid more for the Nimbus. No comparison the Nimbus blows away the MADP.
A Nimbus vs. Essex would be model dependent deal, but think some Essex units and clearly the King Aire are in the Foretravel Phenix category.
Now tell me I can have the Nimbus for 50-100K less than the King Aire (which I think I could) and I'll drive away in the FT
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
2007 Foretravel Nimbus
Cummins ISM 500HP
Allison MH4000w/Retarder
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gdoily
Texas
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Joined: 02/06/2007
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Good Sam RV Club
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If you are looking at spending $500k, don't forget to look at pre-owned Prevost or Newells. You may buy a lot of coach for that kind of money.
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caymann
NH
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Joined: 09/15/2002
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Why bother with these "prevost wannabes", just get the real thing - a few years old Prevost
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Greatriver
Eastern Virginia
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Joined: 11/11/2008
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The King Aire is a fine coach with a beautiful tasteful interior. However for 500k you can probably get an '06 Newell with steerable tag and 625/650hp Cat. Combine that with a 2year/24,000mi factory warranty (if you buy it from Newell) from probably the finest MH service folks on the planet and you've got a pretty solid package.
Larry
Decision made...the perfect (for us) DP to full time.
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jrh_atl
Atlanta, Ga.
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Joined: 10/09/2003
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I'd take the Foretravel hands down.
John
Atlanta
(Currently Coachless)
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