BEAMALARM.COM

FORETRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

Researched by Warren and Arlie MacKenzie

1967 - 1st Foretravel Motorhome built on family property & continued building there for 5 years at a loss.

1973 - 1st major change to the "Super Luxura" with fiberglassfront & rear cap and side panels.

Jan 1973 - Western Mexico Motorcade

1974 - Winter Convention - Frank & Fern Schleicher - New Directors

1974 - pioneered the 1st diesel engine in a conventional motorhome

1977 - introduced the "FTX" (Foretravel 10) offered features not common to the RV industry. TV's, VCR's, Dual Roof A/C, Icemakers, Central Vacuums & more.

1977 - Travco Winter Convention - Orlando FL. - 343 Motorhomes

April 1977 - Maritimes - 109 Motorhomes - $153 - 4515 Miles

July 1977 - Foretravel International becomes an FMCA Chapter

Oct 1978 -1st conventional rear engine diesel powered Motorhome.

Oct 10-13 1978 - Foretravel buys Travco Corp. including Motorcade

Jan 15-17 1979 - Yuma Convention - 272 Motorhomes

1979 - Summer Convention in Holland MI, under severe gas shortages , 263 Travcos showed up. Desert Magic Motorcade, South American Cruise (Jetcade) & the Appalacia Motorcade

1980 - Winter Convention in Harlington TX - 198 Travcos attended

1980 - Summer Convention in Missoula MT - 97 Travcos attended.

1981 - Winter Convention in Crystal Lake Resort ,Okeechobee FL.

1981 - Foretravel Travelers & Travco Motorcade Consolidate with Warren & Arlie MacKenzie #2335 as Corporate Club Managers & implementing a 10% discount on Parts & labor.

1981 - Acquires rights to "AVCO" GTC to be built by Foretravel

August 1981 - "Mail Forwarding" Benefit implemented & in Dec ,24 hour message service added & continued until 2002.

1982 - New Chassis on the 35' & 38' with DD, Air brakes & Allison

1982 - International Convention held at Heritage HS in Maryville TN  World Fair with 302 motorhomes in attendance.

July 1982 - Disastrous fire of Foretravel offices & in 1983 dedicates new Showroom, Service & Corporate Headquarters.

1985 - International Convention held at Ontario Canada with 130 Foretravels in attendence.

1985 - New model the "Grand Villa" is announced

1987 Travco out of Business - 2700 Club Members - Dues $10.

1987 - "Grand Villa Unihome" introduced with unitized body

Feb 1988 - Suggests waving to other motorhomes as you pass by.

1993 -Buddy Rally at Foretravel with 518 Motorhomes in attendance

1994 - The "Unicoach" was introduced.

1994 - Beverly Koonce is new Club Secretary.

1994 - 1996 - a few models were optioned with the hydraulic retarder.

1995 - was the 1st year of the front-door bus-front.

1995 - Foretravel began to convert to the Unicoaches

1996 - Foretravel creates Company Webpage

1997 - ducted air, Screen Door and dual pane windows were added.

Sept 1998 - Introduces slideout in Foretravel.

Oct 1999 - 32,890 square  foot Refurbishing ,parts & Service  building opens along with RV Park.

1999 - Grand Villa Unicoach with mid entry.

June 2000 - announces Paul Tinlkle to be Corporate Club Manager

June 2000 - announces 2 Maritime Motorcades 1 week apart

August 2000 - Tom & Elaine Nale join as Activity Tour Directors

2001 - introduces painted Foretravels as opposed to decals.

Feb 2001 - Merle & Jo Dean Neel join as Tour Directors

Oct 2001 - introduces tag axels to 40' U320 & GV 320

2003 - introduces the Motorcader Magazine will be quarterly

2003 - announces changing to independent dealers from Co. stores

2004 - introduces Quad Slide

Feb 2005 - Lyle Reed & group of investors purchase Foretravel

Oct 2005 - Merle & Jo Dean promoted to Club Manager & club dues raised to $75.

2006 - John & Dawanna Hughes join as Service Representatives

© Barry Brideau 2007-2009