Looked at my first forestriver today.

[ronixrider82]

I am needing some input. I looked at a 2007 Forest River Flagstaff 831RLSS. Real clean and nice unit. Loved the floorpan how ever when you got into the inside there were issues. Around the floor register ducts there seemed like there was a perfect square that was soft. All three floor registers were like that. That didn't bother me much. How ever the wall above the slide has leaked which made it soft. It seemed like they added a awning to the slide. Im not sure if that fixed the problem or should I pass on the unit? I know its not good but I'm unsure how much it would cost to actually fix the unit. Any suggestions is appreciated.



Thanks!

[JohnF]

I personally would walk away from any unit that had water issues. Without tearing into the floors and walls, it's just too hard to determine what the extent of the damage is.

[Mr Havercamp]

I would run away.......fast.

Fixing laminated floors and walls is not easy, and sometimes impossible unless you want some type of Mickey Mouse shoemaker repair.

[phillyg]

Leaks are notoriously difficult to track down and repair. Agree with the others; pass it up.

[juice5]

Run....don't Walk !

[rlocicero]

The floor issue is probably not due to water. FR did have an issue with things delaminating. Floors were a problem. After 2010, FR went as far as to build their own facility to make floors and walls better. Still, not something you want to deal with. Wall issues are usually water and you do want to avoid that if possible.

[Jonol]

Everything can be fix.
It is just a bit of saving the planet and learn something.
The new RV will have the same probrem as your`s in a few years.

[Auntielo1]

Stay away! Water issues ( like I'm having with a brand new rig) are the worst issues whether repaired or not they devalue the coach and mold eventually grows on anything.

[ronixrider82]

I know I should run and to stay away. I am just curious what would cause the problem? It has a awning over the slide... So how would water leak inside and soften the wall above the slide?

[Auntielo1]

It's difficult to pin down the exact location of the leak because water always takes the path of least resistance. Softened walls, to me, means there's been either long term and or repeated leaks. Since the walls are still soft (not sure of their composition ) tells me the leaks were recent.

[RSchleder]

RUN, Forest, RUN!!!!!!
It's not so important to know where the leaks are located. It leaks---so the most important thing to know is STAY AWAY from it!!!!!!

[Flybob]

The important issue here is not the leaks, as owner says they are fixed. Even if they are fixed, the damage is done. Once the wood gets soaked and de-lamination sets in, it stays. Even if you never have another drop of leak, you will have issues forever, Unless you are willing to replace major sections of the unit you will continue to have problems. Unless they are virtually giving the unit away and you are buying it as a full year project, look elsewhere.

[Jonol]

Here`s a positive story!
In 2005 I bought a 1985 Prowler 18 feet trailer and I had to replace 1/2 the ceiling and a few ribs and I fixed the roof leakage and I still had it untill 2 months ago where I sold it and replaced it with a Hybrid Stampede 21 2000.
That old 85 is still going HA!HA! Save the planet!

[ronixrider82]

Maybe I should have been more specific.. There is no delamination.. The wall on the inside of the camper is a little soft above the slide. If the seal was bad shouldn't the awning on the slide keep the water away when it was closed?

[Flybob]

In an RV "wall is a little soft" generally means delamination or rotted.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by ronixrider82

I know I should run and to stay away. I am just curious what would cause the problem? It has a awning over the slide... So how would water leak inside and soften the wall above the slide?

There is a rubber that goes all around the slide,,, if the rubber is bad,,, or not sealing right on the top,,, the awning will not stop all the rain !!! You would have to have slide out,,, and probably a step ladder to check top rubber !!! Has other have said,,, not a TT you want !!!

[TomnGerri]

Like others have said run Forrest run if this is the first Forest River you have looked at you need to look at a second one. The awning you're referring to is called a slide topper and they do leak sometimes. Good luck in your adventure for finding a new camper.

[ronixrider82]

Everybody said run... but I bought it anyways.. I found the problem with wall there was a stress crack in the fiberglass so I got that sealed. And the floor is no biggy it wasn't rotten it just where the manufacture had a defect. But I must say it was too good of a deal to pass.. Got it for $5,000... Book on it is still over $11,000

[Jonol]

Good move and good job!
Bravo!
Saved the planet.

[Rooftop]

I would have bought it to. In fact I have a 2012 flagstaff coming in on Tuesday that I bought with a known leak. Then again I find and fix leaks on houses for a living so I am not afraid to jump in head first.