I agree with the others - Foretravel is significantly better build quality.
I've owned two Foretravel dpmhs, two Monaco dpmhs and one Newmar fifth wheel. All models were at the top of the mfr's line. I've also toured all three factories.
I rank them: by far the best of the three - Foretravel, very good (excellent slide outs) - Newmar and lastly (just acceptable) Monaco.
JMHO
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK (20K GVWR, tandem duals)
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
Everyone will say Nimbus -- but for me I wold pick the floorplan that works for you - with all the pluses that Fortravel has I have never been in one that I could travel in. they just fall short when it comes to floor plans -- would look real hard at the Newmar and would not have a big problem with the Monaco.
Think about it for a little -- the only one that has really survived the economic down turn is Newmar -- Monaco went bust and Foretravel is just a shadow of it's former self. Having been in all of the above I can honestly say that for the most part the owners of all three are happy with their units, so no matter which you chose you will likely be happy.
As tough as the decision is, it's not a bad place to be in.
BOL,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
Having a Monaco product and knowing how well they are built I am biased, but the Foretravel would be my 1st choice, if the floor plan worked. After the Foretravel then it would be a tossup, with Monaco edging Newmar, just based on the strength of the parent company and their new attitude of quality control and customer service.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 & FT Class of 2002 '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins -With-'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC, Z-71, the pusher & our '07 Arctic Cat 500A & '08 Suzuki KQ 400A, riding in the pusher. Where the wheels are stopped
King Aire is the only one with 365 tires and a high load capacity front end.(Spartan at 20,000) Also a legal drive at 20,000 lb.
Foretravel is light capacity front end- phoenix 18,000 but tires may be 315's. Nimbus front axle 16,000?. Get four corner weights before your buy. Do not go by a company's weights.. Have full full and know the water weight would be. Four passengers weight goes almost completely on the front axle so front axle can go over limit (or tire limit) quickly
My choice would be 3 year old PREVOST. same money-real structural walls and repairs anywhere!
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