Forest River Class C quality

[ourflat]

My previous Class C was a Fleetwood Tioga Arrow 29V. I have had more problems with my 2013 3051S than I did for 10 years of ownership with the Fleetwood. Most of my problems stem from the components used in building it. My last trip found my coach water pump, LP regulator and GPS all broken. I have a ESP but the things that are breaking are little things and just as easy for me to repair. I am very concerned about what the future may bring with this coach!

[funfinder5]

Originally Posted by Yorkranchgalnguy

We just bought a sun seeker 3170 ds 2014 and one of the major reasons is the superior tow capacity. I tow a three horse trailer horse camping. I also love the 3170 floor plan, and have room for grandkids if I want! So far no problems, but had a good service person do the walk through. I think dealer service is the key, so check out your dealer's service. Have fun!

Watch out for hitch weight that will overload your rear axle.

Yes, it has the Ford rated 7,500 tow rating. But I can tell you it will not handle 750 lbs on the hitch that far past the axle without overloading it.

I weighted our 2011 3170DS this spring on a truck scale as I want to trailer a small car in the future. I had NOTHING in the hitch ( no bikes)... Just my family of five, two labs, and a week's worth of travel needs (water tank only 1/3 full) in the RV. I was already OVER Ford's rear axle rating of 9,600lbs. I weighed in at something like 9,860lbs for the rear and 4,620lbs for the front.

Needless to say, I have no future plans to trailer tow our small car. The tow rating is more there for those that flat or dolly tow as that adds very little hitch weight on the rear.

[Lockwood1976]

The 2014 and 2015 models are able to tow more. And is the best one for a class C. The fiberglass roof makes this a better deal of ALL class C's. No rubber roof maintenance.

[funfinder5]

My 2011 has the same E450 chass as is currently available with the same max GVWR and even GCWR. Nothing has changed regarding the chassis ratings sence 2008. Forest River just added a hitch with beefed up safety chain connections. Nothing else is different. You still can't load more than 9,600 lbs on the rear axle, or shouldn't. I'm sure if most are like me and my family (which is why most people buy the 3170DS) they are too running slightly overloaded.

[chrismbrock2009]

This is our 2nd year with our new 2014 3170ds ...

Love it. No problems at all. Runs like a champ and love all the features.

[trdutch]

Originally Posted by Yorkranchgalnguy

We just bought a sun seeker 3170 ds 2014 and one of the major reasons is the superior tow capacity. I tow a three horse trailer horse camping. I also love the 3170 floor plan, and have room for grandkids if I want! So far no problems, but had a good service person do the walk through. I think dealer service is the key, so check out your dealer's service. Have fun!

Towing a Two Horse or MC trailer behind a 2860 DS
Little nit noid problems worked out
Last 3 trips..... Perfect.Florida in 2weeks

[seamoorebeemoore]

We just put down payment on a 3170 (2014). Wondering, what, if any modifications has anyone done. We are def new to RvLife any recommendations would be appreciated .

[RamblerGuy]

I replaced the kitchen and bath faucets with single handle residential units. Kitchen one has a pull out sprayer, which is great for rinsing large stuff.

I also added an EXTEND-A-STAY kit to supply propane from a grill gas tank. It's easier to refill it than to drive to refill the coach tank. Only a factor if you will use the propane furnace a lot. The refrigerator, water heater and stove don't use much propane.

[Frankie Z]

We have a 2014 2650S, this was my first RV. So far I had a small water leak, factory forgot a small gasket. Was a 15 minute repair by dealer. Also the cable TV connection is pretty poor, antennae is fine. Have been running cable directly from site hookup to avoid behind the wall wiring. Cable reception fine so I know it is somewhere behind the walls. Perhaps it is antennae/ cable switch.

Slide, jacks, generator, water heater, fridge, awning all fine no problems. GPS subpar. Radio reception
average. Heating/cooling fine.

Handles easily (my first RV of any kind).

Only change I would do over is I probably would have went a little longer with the dinette AND sofa, north / south bed is nice but it is a pain accessing the cabinets over the bed.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[gmatti1947]

We just returned from a 2,000 mile trip from western PA to MA, ME, NH, VT and NY without one problem with our 2015 3010DSF. Plenty of room for two on a three week trip. The only thing I would change is the couch. The position of the TV is perfect for a recliner but with the couch you end up with neck pain. I am told there is a double recliner options available and that would make this unit PERFECT!

[Gilm2113]

Thanks everyone for your feedback on the Forest River quality. It is obvious that some have problems while others do not. It seems to boil down to how well the dealer solves the issues. My wife and I have settled on and ordered a 2015 Forester 2651S. I look forward to many miles ahead of us and hopefully running across some of you on the road.
Thanks again.

[Appleguy1991]

I have been driving/using my 3121 for more than 2 years to date. I am very happy with my rig, I have been in 5 states and no major problems whatsoever. I love my Forest River!

[Gilm2113]

Thank you Appleguy, we are looking forward to do the same. I appreciate you response.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

On my first trip to Id and Wy. Didn't need the furnace in central Ca, but mornings here are nippy! When I turn it on the air conditioner blows cold air out or ceiling vents and heater vent blow hot air. Is this the way it is supposed to be? Also, what is the difference between "furnace" and "heat pump"? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Mikegjax]

The heat pump acts like an AC in reverse. It puts heat in by taking cold out.
Your heat pump position runs the AC for heat and the furnace position uses propane for heat.

The heat pump is more efficient when the out side temp is not very cold. In the 30's it can't handle heating as well. When the heat pump does not give you what you need, then switch to furnace. They both should not be running at the same time.

If you have your fan set on "auto" you should not be getting cold air from the AC when the furnace is selected.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Thank you so much! Problem solved. The only other problem I've had is the shower latch broke so door opens when cornering. I'm sure easy dealer fix just have to find one in Boise! Thanks again,Mike.

[Mikegjax]

Are you sure the latch is broken? They can pop off easily and usually just snap back on.

[Yorkranchgalnguy]

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Yep- the part on the door is missing, and a funny looking thing is on the frame. Camping world said they have to order it, but the warranty guy hasn't called back yet. Any ideas on a temp fix? Don't want the shower door to get broken slamming on corners. Thanks. Yorkgng

[RvBill3]

I had two of these break in the first six months so I gave up. I had mounted a towel bar on the wall high above the toilet, so I took a small bungee cord and put it on the bar and the top of the door--holding the door open during travel. It works great. Others have put something like a dowel rod in the bottom track of the door in the open position to hold it open during travel.

You can call FR directly and they will send you a new latch under warranty--but like I said, my replacement one also broke on bumpy roads.


2012 Forest River Sunseeker 2300 Chevy

[trdutch]

Originally Posted by seamoorebeemoore

We just put down payment on a 3170 (2014). Wondering, what, if any modifications has anyone done. We are def new to RvLife any recommendations would be appreciated .

Start a new thread with this topic.im sure you will get many replies
I'm afraid you won't get many responses here cause people on this thread are talking about FR quality issues. ;-)