Getting Scared Away Entirely

[youroo]

Originally Posted by JenSham

I've spent so much time trying to decide on a bunkhouse TT for our family of 8, but the more I research, the more horror stories I hear about QC issues. Is owning one of these things really worth it? We've been tent campers for 16 years with the occasional use of an 18 year old POP. I'm getting really nervous at the thought of spending 20-30K on something that will be nothing but more $$. Is it really that bad?

Anything that has "Wheels" will be "Suspect" and Never buy a "BOAT"! Youroo!!

[BGKirkham]

According to my wife, if it has tires it's gonna give you problems.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by Dano1955

Actually for 20-500K there will be problems 😎

^^ This

For me, absolutely worth it though.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by youroo

Anything that has "Wheels" will be "Suspect" and Never buy a "BOAT"! Youroo!!

BOAT == Bust Out Another Thousand

[Seasonal]

Education can be a scary thing. You certainly don't have to belong here long before you find a thread about an RV horror story. Back to the factory for repairs is too common, in my opinion. At least you know before you put down your cash.

[SailorSam20500]

As noted by others, lots of members on these forums. People only create rant posts when: 1. they have major problems and don't feel they are treated reasonably or 2. they expect stuff to be perfect and not break. I do believe there is a shortage of qualified service people though so if you do have a big issue, it takes too long to get it fixed.

If you look at the automotive forums, you will see similar stuff.

Most people have few issues and most are minor. They can't all be horror stories or nobody would buy these things!

So, my thought is - nothing is perfect, stuff breaks, doo-doo happens. Life goes on so deal with it. Helps if you are reasonably handy and can handle the day to day issues.

Keep the issues you have read about in mind and check your rig on a regular basis for them. Fix issues when they are small. And go out and

[alsdas88]

My wife and I spent over 3 years researching, talking and visiting forums like this FR owners group before getting comfortable enough to pull the trigger on our purchase. Only during a healthy investigation on the Vin of a new 5'r we had signed a contract on, did we discover the dealer did not know about a roof truss recall on a 5'r Toy hauler (yah right) and the new unit we were scheduled to take delivery on, would be unavailable for 2 months while waiting for parts and instructions for repairs. We bailed on that unit quickly and went looking once again, first, Class A units, then back to 5'rs. We found a gently used Palomino Columbus model that we had actually really enjoyed seeing at a RV show back in Maryland a few years earlier. We bought it and other than a heater failure in December, we have been 3/4 timing in it for 10 months now. I didn't want to have tire issues, so I got rid of the china bombs first thing and put quality Goodyear G614 G rated tires on it. Buying this RV was the Best thing we ever did.

[muddyrode]

we are on our fourth unit three of them forest river fifth wheels and we have yet to have anything major go wrong
may we are the lucky ones but if your a little handy
you can fix the small stuff

[Mike ONeill]

You only here the bad here, we have two FR products and enjoy both

[Ken Y]

Originally Posted by JenSham

I've spent so much time trying to decide on a bunkhouse TT for our family of 8, but the more I research, the more horror stories I hear about QC issues. Is owning one of these things really worth it? We've been tent campers for 16 years with the occasional use of an 18 year old POP. I'm getting really nervous at the thought of spending 20-30K on something that will be nothing but more $$. Is it really that bad?

We purchased our 2012 Surveyor new and it was in the $20,000 range and have had very few issues, nothing major. Any problems we taken care of our dealer in a timely manor. Sounds like I was one of the lucky ones. Still enjoying our camping getaways. ken

[Karter]

I would consider buying a gently used model. In my experience most of the problems present themselves on the first few trips. Let the previous owner take care of these issues for you! Take the money you saved and put it away for when you do have problems.

[bikendan]

There's a current thread about Who likes their FR rig.
Lots of positive posts there.

[JenSham]

Thank you, all! The whole idea in doing this is to get out and do things more. We routinely travel cross country to visit family and already had to do a frame repair on the decades old POP while 3,000 miles from home 3 years ago. DH is a mechanical engineer with a carpentry and engine work background, so the issues almost seem to be making him more excited to have new projects! We have a trip from Iowa to California planned for next month, so I hope we can get our fecal matter coagulated before then. [emoji12]It's nice to know there's such a great support system here.

[RitaB]

I have never had any major problem with my campers, I'm on my third. I credit having a good dealer. I didn't know much about RV's the first time and by luck picked a great dealer. He gave me good advise on our purchase and a very through PDI.
So I would advise that you check out the dealer. A good dealer who stands behind his sale is gold.

[velorandy]

Originally Posted by JenSham

I've spent so much time trying to decide on a bunkhouse TT for our family of 8, but the more I research, the more horror stories I hear about QC issues. Is owning one of these things really worth it? We've been tent campers for 16 years with the occasional use of an 18 year old POP. I'm getting really nervous at the thought of spending 20-30K on something that will be nothing but more $$. Is it really that bad?

My brand new 2 week old Surveyor is at the dealer having items fixed after only 1 night out. Luckily this time, fairly minor. Hopefully this will be it for awhile....

[Jeff_and_Abby]

Comments in blue ...

Originally Posted by JenSham

... is a mechanical engineer with a carpentry and engine work background ...

You got that part dialed. The perfect holiday gift is a shiny new #2 Square screwdriver

... coagulated ...

With RV's the whole point is to prevent that ... but that topic is probably about 20 percent of the posts on the forum

[sfsgm]

Originally Posted by lugoismad

If the price scares you, why are you not considering used?

I bought my 2007 for $5000 and it's a perfectly functional travel trailer.

That's exactly how I buy. Most trailers, I think, are used less that 8 or 9 times a season, if even that. I get mine about three years old. The last one I bought off of Craigslist. I drove from Seattle to Palmdale. It was a three year old Cardinal that I got it for $25k on a short sale. Whatever problems it had new had already been addressed.

Besides checking the appliances and other usual items, make SURE you perform a good inspection of the roof and for soft spots in the floor.

[NMWildcat]

I always tell folks that owning an RV is like having a pleasure horse. They both require lots of maintenance, constant attention, and you WILL continue to throw money at them. But, even though they are money pits, the enjoyment you receive from them is worth it. When it is no longer worth it, it's time for a new hobby

[Fiddler Dan]

Hey, lighten up. Don't miss out on new adventures. Most problems are small. Be informed, do maintenance and put safety first. Ask questions on here and ask other rvers like we all do. I have had rvs for most of 50 years and my wife and I love it. Anything you do will have a glitch now and then. Go for it. If you get a Forest River product you can purchase a one year extension on the warranty for about $200.

[RB19RR]

are within 5k of the new price and at least that many years old.

5000 years old...Now THAT'S an OLD CAMPER... :-)

I buy just about everything I can "used"...let someone else deal with HUGE depreciation and the first 90 days of problems. Bought my 19RR in absolutely like new condition for $9000.....No issues other than terrible workmanship which hasn't affected the use of the trailer.
430,691 RVs were sold in 2016........How many actual complaints do we hear about on these forums....I bet ALL of them, and in reality it isn't a high percentage.
Look around, buy it, have fun!