The Legacy: A Journey Through Foretravel Motor Coach's Rich History and Future Innovations

Ford Travel Motor Coach has been known as one of the best-kept secrets in the luxury RV industry and today I want to introduce you to some of the key people and tell the story of the history of travel right now we're with Tyle Four Vice President of for travel and your father and grandfather founded the company they did they actually founded the

Company in 1967 built the first 50 in their backyard before purchasing the property where we're currently located today travels come a long way since 1967 but going back before travel started what was the reasoning for your father and grandfather to start travel sure it was a family concept to build one for the family to use as they like to travel and Campouts across the country and so they built one this is actually a photograph of number one that they called the

Blue Goose from the metal color obviously but it was built on a little chassis with a gasoline motor I think it was a 318 a lot of residential products obviously had to be used because the RV industry really wasn't around and then above here is a copy of my grandfather's 2013 induction into the Hall of Fame in Elkhart that was uh quite the honor to go up and accept for him, yeah your grandfather's really left the Legacy he would be really

proud today everywhere they stopped after they completed the first one and were using it they just got bombarded by people because nobody had seen anything like it before and they said there might be something to this so they actually came back with several orders if they would build them built them sold them and my grandfather retired from where he was currently working at nipco as an engineer and uh

Started for travel how old was your father at that point he was 17 18 he was a senior in high school it was actually part of his senior project you shared with us you started working for travel when you were 17 years old so going back to those first 50 coaches did those start out as Gap motor homes or yes then they were gas and when did you start to transition into diesel motor homes so that would have been in the mid-80s with the introduction of us building our own chassis so we started that process in 1986 as a monot

Early Days at For Travel: From Riding Bikes in the Parking Lot to Working Across Departments

Construction where the roof and the sidewalls and the fiberglass all tied in as a supporting structure with the chassis and that was long before slide rooms the industry has evolved quite a bit since then but what are your first memories of for travel oh goodness riding my bike in the parking lot picking up screws thinking I was rich and you mentioned you started when you were 17 years old what was your first position here at for travel like anybody should be you start at the bottom I uh started mowing the grass and

Cleaning the bathrooms from there and just worked in all the different departments at different points in time between summer classes or you know summer breaks continued to learn to to build cabinets welding electrical and work with the sales team and the marketing team which gave me a very good base for when we were you know Factory selling talking about your grandfather a little bit I know he's in the RV Hall of Fame an extremely respected figure in the RV industry how was that relationship between your grandfather and father

Working together and when did the transition start to change into the Next Generation how what was the timeline of all that sure it uh it was always you know family businesses can be a challenge from time to time so I remember some of those struggles as an child growing up and uh but not really understanding what was going on so I'm sure it was a challenge from time to time my father sold the company in 2005 to Mr. Reed and his Partners thanks to them we're still here today we're hanging out with

Preserving Tradition in a Changing Industry: For Travel's Journey Under Lyle Reed's Leadership

Lyle Reed principal partner of travel motor coach how long have you been involved with travel motor coach I got involved with travel in 2005 so it's going on my 20th anniversary what is your current position and current role here at travel I'm the president of for travel was my introduction to the motor home industry I'd been in the railroad business for over 30 years and uh I retired in 1996 and as a result of that I stayed on the sideline for about 10 years than my wife and I we purchased a custom built for travel and we used it to tour the country we had a driver that did that for us and that's how I became acquainted with for travel and the family was wanting to exit the business and so that's how I got involved and what made you choose back at that time for travel over other RVs in the industry well for travel we live in

Texas and for Travel is a Texas company and basically, they had a customization program that let you design your own motor coach and that's what we needed since we were going to have a driver and an attendant uh taking his places we wanted it set up for that purpose and then normally we would get off at the destination and they would stay with the coach when you acquired for travel back in 2005 did you have a vision did you see it becoming what it's become today I didn't know that much about it in 2005 but I just sensed with its

History and what was happening in the RV industry that there was an opportunity here for maybe some fresh eyes in the management realm to uh do different things and uh you can see from what happened back in the early models to what we now have as the current for travels and a lot has changed what's the current ownership makeup of for travel or do you have any Partners well yes I became involved in for travel with a principal partner Dane Miller who was the founder of Biomet medical company in war saw Indiana and uh he unfortunately passed away in 2015 and his interests have been placed in a trust that his wife Mary Louise takes care of and then we had a couple of other investors at the time

We got involved I got involved with for travel and one of them he was the president here for several years Greg Amos and he's still a shareholder the other one uh is no longer a shareholder so uh it's basically the three of us and then some people had been given shares I cm4 and uh so they're still shareholders but we have the predominant the three of us have the predominant shareholder interest so for travel is not owned by any corporations it's a small privately owned business well we're one of the last remaining

Private uh companies in this industry there been a lot of consolidations with dealerships and suppliers and uh manufacturers well I can tell you the RV industry appreciates what you're doing so please uh when those corporations are banging on your door the big check checkbook we appreciate you holding out as long as you can one of the last ones standing you know being a family-owned business probably would have been rather difficult to make it through the ' 0809 2010 time frame yes sir a lot of

Staying Strong Through Industry Challenges: For Travel's Resilience and Innovation

RV companies did not survive through that area you know Country Coach was probably the most similar to this level of RV they, unfortunately, didn't uh make it but was your grandfather still involved in the company in 2005 when it sold no his health didn't allow him to he uh had some health issues that he struggled with later in life so towards the end he was not involved as much as he had been in previous years when the company sold I'm sure that was a big change for you from working to your father to now working for someone else and here you are almost 20 years

Later still with for travel what made you stay with the company even though your father was no longer the owner sure you know growing up in the company and the industry you know it gets in your blood you you live it you love it and you know it's not something I wanted to walk away from you know it is part of my Heritage if you will and you know I left for approximately a year and a half but then for travel asked me to come back so I came back full-time in8 I was still involved in the RV industry just not directly related with for travel got over 20 seven years of

experience in the RV industry at age 46 yeah it's very impressive very few people can say that and you've been at you know the shows you you've had your boots on the ground for a long time in the RV industry if any of you have had the opportunity to see them for travel display at the Tampa Super Show they've got one of the best displays in the entire show and you're there Bell to Bell almost every day uh me meeting customers and really keeping your ear to the ground so I have a lot of respect for you for that now going into that you know 2009 2010 era what was your position here at for travel when you came back so I was in uh

Sals we brought Factory sales back as we had been out through some different dealers then prior so for travel wanted to bring it back and do more of the custom route I was in sales and I worked with the customers on the custom orders routinely which with my history had a very good understanding of what was Poss what wasn't possible during that time with Mr Reed and you know his Partners we actually came out with a brand new chassis new molds a brand new model so 2011 we came out with a brand new model as everybody else was you know still struggling a little bit so we kind of hit the ground running when the market did come back yeah so that was probably the most difficult time in the

Transition to Blue Compass: Enhancing For Travel's Motor Coach Offerings

RV industry that I'm aware of so I have a lot of respect for Four Travel surviving that and then pushing the industry through that recently for travel has gone from their proprietary chassis to the Spartan K4 chassis with the realm and the presidential which have really made a splash in the industry one of the most sought-after motor coaches out there what caused for travel to partner with Spartan and go in that direction you know we built our chassis from beginning in 1986 all the way to 2017 2018 we did partner with Spartan to build our chassis as the laws for manufacturers were changing a lot of test were coming into play to be able to

Produce your own chassis so with our limited production we worked with Spartan to develop a chassis for us which we ended up doing but when we partnered with our partner Blue Compass they wanted it to be on the K4 chassis as they wanted air as well as leveling jacks as an option where our chassis was only air suspension air leveling and so for that reason we went to the K4 and worked with Spartan and made some changes specific for us you know to give us that flat floor throughout the whole coach certain suspension components with the Riko and the performance choice that we've talked about yes sir and we uh talked a little bit about the difference between the

Spartan K3 and K4 chassis in another video but what are some of the main differences in the Spartan K4 chassis that take it to another level right now I would say you know the Spartan K4 compared to any other production chassis is a tubular construction versus a c channel which gives it a lot more integrity and then we also double wall you know we double up on that tubular Construction in critical areas it also has a bridge work underneath you know it's not just two sea channels floating at the top so when that

The chassis is delivered to us it is tabletop flat ready to build on so we don't have to do any shimming or you know strapping down before bolting the floor on and we spent the day going through your factory I'm extremely impressed with how everything you know from the sidewalls to the roof to how everything is uh put together very impressive that video is definitely worth checking out we'll leave that in the description below you mentioned blue Compass uh getting involved recently I know for travel had Direct sales at one point what was that Transit what caused that transition to start working with blue

Customizing RVs: For Travel's Journey from Specialization to Production

Compass Motor Home Specialist out of Alvarado Texas approached us in 2014 time frame to develop the realm project specifically for them in addition to doing the custom order coaches that we did with the IH 45 we built the realm specifically for a motor home specialist was acquired by RV retailers that now is blue Compass after motor home specialist was acquired RV retailers third acquisition was rv1 up and down the East Coast so then they approached us about building exclusive product for them so then we elected to go more production units for them and step back from the customization well that makes sense I can see working uh on a production level you can keep cost down much more than the

Customization so I can respect having to make that decision you and your team have been putting together an incredible product that is very sought after in the industry moving forward into the future what are the next steps for travel and what direction do you see the company going you know there's there's always Innovation coming into play and uh so we'll see what the future brings there always looking for better products quality you know it's not about how much stuff you can put in but how many things that will improve the quality of the coach and not cause problems for the customer is what I'm interested in I just don't want to throw bells and whistles on it to throw bells and whistles what is it about for travel that separates you from other

RV companies out there there are a lot of good companies in the industry for travel's legendary attention to detail is number one their service to their owners before and after the sale and our real commitment to rid and handling which makes travel a for travel are there core principles or what drives for travel well as I mentioned earlier the attention to detail basically wanting to build the best motor home that's possible to be built when you're dealing with thousands of other parts and suppliers and so forth but I think one of the

Things that our owners would say was that if something does develop we stick with them until it's taken care of and uh I think they appreciate that because we're a smaller company that we can pay attention to us all of our owners prob close to 1,000 units since you acquired for travel in ' 05 yes that would be pretty reasonable uh because we've built different models and uh some were smaller but now we just build the larger units and talking about smaller models I I heard a rumor that you own one of the smaller for travels today well we have what we call the company car the company for

An Inside Look at For Travel's Commitment to Quality and Customer Interaction

Trel it's a 37 ft model that I stay in when I'm here in Nikas is there anything about travel that you think the world should know well some say we're the best-kept secret which I do not consider that to be an asset cuz we want to be known it's hard to mass produce quality if you want to say what are you trying to do and that's things we're trying to do is build one of the best motor homes uh available and particularly at our price point to do that uh it just takes a lot of careful attention to details closely working with suppliers and U listening to our customers that's kind of what we have to stay in touch with that's why I stay in our

Campground when I come to decades basically I get to interact with customers on the campground when they're here for service or taking delivery of a Factory delivery of new motor home yes sir we've been here for the last couple of days and we've seen you out there mingling with the customers you're definitely in tune with your client base now what is the current vision of for travel what's next with for travel well there's always something next and sometimes the market determines what's next basically we've got some improvements we want to make it's continuous improvements basically is what the founder cm4 uh instilled in the culture here at for Trav and there's a lot of

Technology that's now coming into play and keeping up with that is uh quite a challenge also making it work the way it's intended to work essentially uh we're going to continue to build what we think is the finest ride and handling motor coach we're not of the mind and we're not of the size really to uh pursue the EV side of what's going on in in the economy is that will come later if it all anything else that you want to share with the viewers out on YouTube that you think is good information about for travel for folks to know I think that u a

Comment that I use periodically is that if you are looking for a park model that you don't drive much there a lot of them out there will serve that purpose very well but if you want to drive it and see the country uh I don't think there's anything better than a for travel for ride and handling and working with suppliers to make that possible is our really one of our commitments I'm really excited to see the future of for travel and can't thank you enough for sharing that history with us and the factory tour and we did do a full

Tour on this coach as well we'll leave that video in the description below but if someone wants to purchase a new one for travel what are the best steps for them to make sure the easiest thing that you can do is go to for travel.com and on there there's a tab that says dealer inventory and if you click on that it will then take you to for travel specific inventory that they have on the ground and it'll have their contact information and everything right there very cool and also if you have a chance to visit the

Tampa Super Show and meet Tyle and a person definitely worth checking out Tyle I know you're an extremely busy man so I appreciate your time sir well I certainly want to thank you and your team for coming in and spending the time enjoy it and looking forward to it and hearing everybody's response yes sir I'm looking forward to hearing the comments and feedback from the viewers L I really appreciate your time today thank you very much and the viewers on YouTube appreciate everything you're doing sir thanks Andrew hope you're all having a great day thanks again thank you for your time safe travels

Segment	Details
Introduction	Ford Travel Motor Coach has been known as one of the best-kept secrets in the luxury RV industry. Today, we introduce key people and tell the history of travel.
Key People	Tyle Ford: Vice President of travel. - Founder(s): Tyle's father and grandfather established the company in 1967, starting with 50 units in their backyard.
History of Travel	Founded in 1967. - Initially built in the backyard; first model: Blue Goose, based on a small chassis with a 318 gasoline engine. - Early success led to more orders and full-time production, prompting Tyle's grandfather to retire and focus on For Travel. - Transitioned to diesel motorhomes in the mid-1980s upon building their own chassis.
Family Legacy	Tyle's grandfather was inducted into the RV Hall of Fame in 2013. - Tyle's father joined the company at age 17, a senior project involved with For Travel.
Ownership Transition	Sold in 2005 to Mr. Reed and partners; Tyle continued post-acquisition. - Current ownership: Principal partner Lyle Reed, with shares from other investors including Dane Miller's trust and Greg Amos.
Product Development	Shifted to Spartan K4 chassis in recent years for Realm and Presidential models, enhancing market appeal and performance. - Focus on quality and customer service; known for attention to detail and ride/handling excellence.
Challenges and Innovations	Survived economic downturns in 2008-2010 when many rivals did not. - Continuous innovation and adaptation to new technologies and market demands.
Current Position and Future	Continues to focus on quality, ride/handling, and customer service. - Not currently pursuing EV models but keeps an eye on market trends.
Unique Selling Proposition	Legendary attention to detail. - Commitment to ride and handling excellence. - Customization options and customer service.
Sales and Distribution	- Direct sales previously, now partnered with Blue Compass for exclusive models (e.g., Realm). - Dealership network includes select outlets across the U.S.
Future Directions	Continued innovation in product development. - Adapting to technological advancements.
How to Purchase	Visit For Travel's website or meet them at industry events like the Tampa Super Show. - Dealer inventory available online for browsing.
Conclusion	Appreciation for maintaining independence in a consolidated industry. - Focus on enduring legacy and commitment to excellence.
Closing Remarks	Appreciation for the audience and the RV community's support. - Invitation to engage further and explore For Travel offerings.

FAQS about Foretravel Motor Coach

1. When was Foretravel Motor Coach founded?

Foretravel Motor Coach was founded in 1967 by the current Vice President Tyle Fore's father and grandfather. They initially built the first 50 coaches in their backyard before acquiring the current property.

2. What was the motivation behind starting Foretravel Motor Coach?

The company was founded out of a family's passion for traveling and camping across the United States. They built their first RV, named the Blue Goose, to meet their personal travel needs and received overwhelming interest from others, prompting them to start production.

3. Who are the key figures in Foretravel's history?

Foretravel was founded by Tyle Fore's father and grandfather. They were pioneers in the luxury RV industry, with Tyle Fore now serving as Vice President, continuing the family legacy.

4. How has Foretravel evolved since its founding?

From its humble beginnings in building gas motorhomes in the 1960s, Foretravel transitioned to producing diesel motorhomes in the mid-1980s. They continued to innovate, developing their own chassis and later partnering with Spartan Motors for advanced chassis designs.

5. What is Foretravel's current ownership structure?

Foretravel is privately owned, with principal partners including Lyle Reed, who acquired the company in 2005. The company remains independent, focusing on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction in the luxury RV market.

6. What sets Foretravel Motor Coach apart from other RV manufacturers?

Foretravel is known for its legendary attention to detail, commitment to quality, and customer service. Each motor coach is meticulously crafted, leveraging decades of expertise and customer feedback to ensure a superior driving and living experience.

7. What is the significance of Foretravel's collaboration with Spartan Motors?

Foretravel's partnership with Spartan Motors introduced the K4 chassis, setting a new standard in ride and handling for luxury motorhomes. The K4 chassis offers superior structural integrity and customization options, enhancing the overall performance and comfort of Foretravel coaches.

8. How can someone purchase a new Foretravel motorhome?

Potential buyers can visit Foretravel's website and explore dealer inventory to find available models. Foretravel offers customization options to tailor motorhomes to individual preferences, ensuring each customer receives a bespoke RV experience.

9. What is the vision for the future of Foretravel Motor Coach?

Foretravel remains committed to continuous improvement and innovation. While focusing on maintaining its reputation for quality and craftsmanship, the company is mindful of technological advancements and customer needs, ensuring it continues to be a leader in the luxury RV industry.

10. Where can I learn more about Foretravel Motor Coach?

For more information about Foretravel Motor Coach, including history, current models, and purchasing options, visit their official website at Foretravel.com.