More problems

tnbendr · 07-09-2015, 07:29 PM

I have usually considered myself a pretty patient man, but my patience is wearing thin. I am getting very dissapointed with my coach, to the point where I am not sure I want it anymore. I have spent more time either broke down or trying to fix or figure out why something is not working...not to mention all the sloppy workmanship that has gone into this product. Then I get my welcome letter from Forest River, boasting about their reliable product! I called them and all they did was explain away that this is the industry or its Freightliner and not the body. Well, I'm here to say that maybe everyone has low expectations of this industry, because it's dispicble.

Any thoughts?

Campin Cajun · 07-09-2015, 07:38 PM

Yes I believe the QC could be better in the entire RV industry. I believe we all had our share of problems when our coaches were new. Hang in there, it'll get better. Once you get the bugs worked out your whole attitude will change.

Mmnsc · 07-09-2015, 07:38 PM

If we knew what your problems are, forum members might be able to shed so light and possilbe solutions to your issues
Most of us love our FR Products and find the company great to work with.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Phil57 · 07-09-2015, 08:40 PM

I know you have had some issues but I thought they had them all sorted out. What's going on now?

lefaivre · 07-09-2015, 08:45 PM

There seem to be a handful of recurring problems with the Berks. I am amazed that after a couple of years of user complaints, FR would not have made an effort to correct.

Examples

The front door locks that do not line up

The steps with motor issues

The creeping slides

Molding that pulls off when slide locks are used

Cabinets that are too narrow to put a plate in

Bedroom door glides that pull out because they are screwed into 1/8 inch sheeting with no backing.

Don't get me wrong. I love my 2012 390BH60 and would buy one again without a second thought .... at the price. But it is certainly not the same quality of our old Triple E or our Fleetwood Discovery

CAT-RN · 07-09-2015, 08:53 PM

Now I don't know your issues and won't speak for them. I've had a couple but nothing to really to worry about.

Now what I will say is if you want some real issues go buy a Thor!!! I had a new Palazzo for 22 month. I'd need 5 paragraphs to list all those issues. Finally just gave up!! So be careful with changing brands.

Russell

15berkxl · 07-10-2015, 08:00 AM

Finally someone not sugar coating the fact that the RV has low quality. The main reason is all manufactures in the RV have a high turn over of labor. In 2008 when the industry went into the black tank companies cut hourly rates to keep companies competitive as such workers change jobs/companies leaving unskilled people building our units. Plus supplier companies are gobbling up other suppliers resulting in inferior components we rely on.
Since I live in the Elkhart area I am close to this industry and these issues are discussed locally repeatedly.

tnbendr · 07-10-2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil57

I know you have had some issues but I thought they had them all sorted out. What's going on now?

My kitchen slide will not go out and I cannot find a breaker or fuse connected to it. I am calling FR right now to see if they can help.

Mmnsc · 07-10-2015, 08:20 AM

In all fairness to Forest River these motorhomes are a conglomeration of out-sourced parts ( eg Freightliner, Domectic, Thetford, Lippert, Equalizer, Carefree of Colorado etc) are all used by most nanufacturers of motorhome. I can tell you that every issue I had with my Berkshire has been a result of a component failure. I have a friend that has a 2014 Dutch Star and it has been back the factory twice for major repairs. Maybe the finish quality is not as good in a Berkshire but you cannot beat the price point and the extent the company goes to help you out. What other company offers the benefits received at the International Rally???

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

aceinspp · 07-10-2015, 08:46 AM

Although I do not own a motor home the same issues apply to about all there product line. I agree most failures are the suppliers but there also are the issues of QC of the components that FR does. No getting around that. Nothing will change until QC improves. Later RJD

Mmnsc · 07-10-2015, 09:19 AM

As I previously stated the vast majority of priblems are component related. The real problem is with the component suppliers not testing and doing design validation in real life usage situations. They probably do not have the means to test under the shake rattle and roll with the major temperature/humidty conditions a motorhome or any other RV is subjected to. Having been in critical device manufacturing all my life in-coming inspection will not replace long term use testing to qualify a component. The responsiblity must be with the component manufacturer.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

tnbendr · 07-10-2015, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmnsc

As I previously stated the vast majority of priblems are component related. The real problem is with the component suppliers not testing and doing design validation in real life usage situations. They probably do not have the means to test under the shake rattle and roll with the major temperature/humidty conditions a motorhome or any other RV is subjected to. Having been in critical device manufacturing all my life in-coming inspection will not replace long term use testing to qualify a component. The responsiblity must be with the component manufacturer.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Your points are well taken, however, how long have they been making slides now...more than 20 years? No excuse for some of the issues I have and others have shared. I'm not just referring to slides either. I believe it is a reactionary industry rather than proactive as with lots of other industries.

hammer55 · 07-10-2015, 11:41 AM

why give them a pass on poor workmanship, if I would have done this poor of a job at my profession I would have never made a dime,

tnbendr · 07-10-2015, 11:57 AM

So I talked with Mike at FR and he told me where the controller was, since there is no documentation on its location. The manual override function and no manual tells you where it is? I locate it cause its not really where they think it is and I go in on my back to read the instructions on the cover and the crazy thing is mounted backwards so you can't read it, so I removed it and turned it around. I pushed the reset button 6 times and on the 7th hold it till the LEDS blink as it says to do. Went back inside and the slide opened. Now that it is open, I sure hope it closes before we leave.

Phil57 · 07-10-2015, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnbendr

So I talked with Mike at FR and he told me where the controller was, since there is no documentation on its location. The manual override function and no manual tells you where it is? I locate it cause its not really where they think it is and I go in on my back to read the instructions on the cover and the crazy thing is mounted backwards so you can't read it, so I removed it and turned it around. I pushed the reset button 6 times and on the 7th hold it till the LEDS blink as it says to do. Went back inside and the slide opened. Now that it is open, I sure hope it closes before we leave.

Hope it was just a hiccup and you won't have further issue with it. Where is the control box?

uralman · 07-10-2015, 12:33 PM

Now that it's open. Are there any errors flashing on the controller.

15berkxl · 07-10-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil57

Hope it was just a hiccup and you won't have further issue with it. Where is the control box?

X2

I-RV · 07-10-2015, 04:24 PM

X2 on component issues, workmanship and QC. However, although most components are from outside manufacturers, Forest River is responsible for their choice, and also design of the motorhome; which hasn't been mentioned. I could come up with a list of wrongful designs.

Yes maybe most other RV manufacturers are just as culpable, but it would be nice if there was a steady improvement. Still love my Berk but some of its flaws really hurt!

Neanderthal · 07-10-2015, 05:31 PM

I have had 2 Winnebago's, 1 Gulfstream, and 2 Fleetwood's. all class A's before we bought our Berk this year. I will say this of all our units FR has stood behind their product better than the other manufactures I have dealt with. Our worst experience was with our last Fleetwood product and 6 trips to the factory in 1 year for major repairs that coach is now gone and has been replaced with our Berk.

Is it right that these high priced items are not to the standards we would expect? No.
But the reality is that the QC is not good from ANY manufacturer. Set your expectations accordingly.

We are seasoned owners and know with every unit you will have issues that need to be resolved. The reason this is so important to me is I am battling cancer and limited physically my wife drives 95% of the time, and I need my coach in A1 shape. It is how the dealer and manufacturer address your issue's.

Since picking up our Berk in March of this year, Our dealer along with FR have addressed every issue we encountered in our 4,000 miles of travel.

Paulie Boy · 07-10-2015, 06:31 PM

If in the area you need to do the Berkshire, Charleston and Legacy plant tour. Bunci and I had the pleasure of being escorted by Dave Carpenter who is the plant manager. Never having worked in a manufacturing facility of any kind I was impressed with the camaraderie and the pride in workmanship displayed by everybody. We walked aboard a couple of Berkshire XL just came back from paint. The red ribbons signifying punch list issues were amazing. In my industry when reviewing blue prints for conforming to the specifications we called it bleeding on the drawings. They had bled everywhere.
Our 2014 390 BH-60 is our first coach and we are very pleased with everything about it. We are even in contact with the previous owner that has nothing but glowing remarks about the coach.

You may also like: