Losing patience with Forest River

Taranwanderer · 07-06-2014, 08:47 PM

So, it has now been 16 weeks since I ordered our XLR Hyper Lite from my dealer. 16 weeks since I was told it would be "6-8 weeks to come in," and then told "the end of May," and then told "the end of June," and then told "2 more weeks, tops." Is this normal for ordering a new camper? I've never ordered anything from the factory before, and after this experience, I probably never will again. Several things about this are frustrating. First off, I emptied out my current camper of all the gear in anticipation of getting the new one when I was told--so I'm not going to re-load all the gear in the old one now, that was a lot of work. Next, the dealer really isn't at fault here--he ordered it (along with 2 other XLR units,) and he's just as anxious to get them in as I am. So no one on this side of Indiana really has any sway in the game--we just have to sit here and wait until FR decides to get it's poop in a group and ship my unit out. I can't cancel the order--it does no one any good--but at this point, the season is more than half over and I'm going to be getting a 2014 camper that's going to practically be a leftover by the time I pull it into my driveway. I've about had the [moderator edit] of the whole experience.

If it wasn't for my Harley keeping me busy (and sane,) I might be up on a bell tower by now...

laurajean · 07-06-2014, 09:21 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I bought mine in Ohio and asked for a factory tour , so I was at the xlr plant two weeks ago, they had a full plant going and all work stations were full. They also had a full lot and a lot of units being picked up. Problem seemed like there was more units than drivers. Hope you get it soon......

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Evereddie · 07-06-2014, 09:46 PM

I think there is a driver shortage. I saw ads in 2 different RV publicatins looking for drivers.

MarcovSalem · 07-06-2014, 09:51 PM

They are definitely having issues with drivers... Not enough of them...

lbrjet · 07-07-2014, 06:48 AM

As long as customers put up with the wait they will continue to pay drivers a piddling amount.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

elind · 07-07-2014, 07:18 AM

I heard the drivers were looking for better pay for there runs. That was part of the reason for driver shortages.
Could you ask, if it was done, to go and pick it up and bring it back to the dealer for PDI? When I bought my new truck in March I went to another dealer 150 miles away to bring it back to my dealer.

BigJohnD · 07-07-2014, 07:25 AM

More than likely, you'll end up with a 2015. We've had that happen. Ordered a 2010 once, showed up as a 2011 model with some nice upgrades. Delays aren't always that bad. All depends on when it comes off the line. 7-8 weeks USED to be the norm. Not so now with the demand for new units, and shortage of drivers as mentioned. Just me, but if we were in the market for another one now, I'd be very hesitant in a purchase due to the sheer speed they're building them. No doubt, please expect problems with yours. You won't be alone. Expect the worst, hope for he best, and be pleasantly surprised if it shows up with minimal issues. RVs had issues before the recession, now they're pushing them down the assembly lines at record paces. I hate seeing some people getting into the lifestyle, not having been forewarned about possible issues, then the rant starts. I hope you've researched for a while. I couldn't be a salesman. You have to lie too much.

I wish you luck on your new one. Best ordering time? Not right before peak season. Always order post season when it slows down, yet before the hard winter sets in and the salt hits the road. We've been successful with this having had our special orders delivered around October / November time frame. Then you have the winter to sort issues out, if you're a seasonal camper.

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Taranwanderer · 07-07-2014, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elind

Could you ask, if it was done, to go and pick it up and bring it back to the dealer for PDI? When I bought my new truck in March I went to another dealer 150 miles away to bring it back to my dealer.

I offered that about a month ago, and the dealer wasn't into it, but I think its time to insist on it--either they send a truck out to get it, or they let me go get it and bring it back to the dealership for PDI.

BigJohnD · 07-07-2014, 07:36 AM

Gray area. Some manf will, most won't. Dealer technically owns it till you sign papers. I threw that same question out there several years ago. I can't remember all the details, but I changed my mind for some reason. One of those "well, you can, but ........."

They can find out the status. They know when it comes off the line. Unless of course, dealer is being told by the manf what you stated. Unlikely.

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Wiscampsin · 07-07-2014, 07:59 AM

I know the wait is frustrating. But I agree with BigJohnD, at this time of year you'll probably be getting a 2015. We factory ordered our Sabre in Feb 2012 and we got a 2013 delivered to our dealer 7 weeks later. From what I've read this has been the worst year for delivery shortages. In the meantime enjoy your Harley!

elind · 07-07-2014, 08:04 AM

I think part of the problem is being a "contractor to haul in their name" requires a CDL driver's license.

BigJohnD · 07-07-2014, 08:07 AM

I think it would be a little better if they were like Tiffin. They have their own employed drivers, so they control all of it. I think maybe Jayco does this too, or they were going to. Nothing against the contract drivers here, but I would imagine its nicer working directly for the manufacturer.

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Semperfi24 · 07-07-2014, 08:11 AM

We ordered our Rockwood in Feb, and the dealer told us 10 weeks because they were behind due to the harsh winter. It is the first RV we have ever owned, and we definitely were forewarned about possible issues with the RV when it arrives. I dont remember a whole lot of delay in the process, seemed we got it when they said we would. Our dealer sent a driver out to pick it up and bring it back to the lot. So we didnt experience any issues with driver shortage or anything like that. And knock on wood, we have not had any issues with our trailer and we have used it 14 nights in the 5 weeks we have had it.

I can understand your annoyance with the situation, but once you start using the new unit, you wont be thinking about the delay to the start of your season.

Taranwanderer · 07-15-2014, 09:07 AM

Well, today is supposed to be the day for delivery to the dealer. They're going to do their own PDI/prep, shooting for pickup on Saturday if all goes well. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for the replies and well wishes, it's helped my sanity during this wait...

clutchd · 07-15-2014, 05:01 PM

I've been waiting on mine for 10 weeks. Also told the 6 to 8 week wait. Mines a Cherokee grey wolf. I have a vin, it's been built for a few weeks now. Just waiting on delivery. Dealer is also waiting on 6 of their stock units

FloridaPhil · 07-15-2014, 06:06 PM

It probably has more to do with your dealer than Forest River.

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Taranwanderer · 07-15-2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FloridaPhil

It probably has more to do with your dealer than Forest River.

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What makes you say that? The dealer isn't the one who's building the unit as spec'd from the ground up...OK, maybe the dealer could have sent their own driver to the XLR plant to grab it sooner, but that's not really their job, is it? I think the dealer was as frustrated as I was, they want to make the sale. As it turned out, FR actually sold the unit to another dealer (who carried the XLR line,) and then my dealer had to go get it from that other dealer. Which is not how it was supposed to go down, but the XLR rep quit right in the middle of the whole process, so that didn't help smooth things along. But...

The good news is: it's here! I actually went to my dealer today to look at it with my own eyes and confirm it was there. So the good news is that yes, it is a 2015 model. The only hiccup so far is that we ordered it with a gray exterior, and FR discontinued the gray exterior for the '15 model year, so its white. Not great, but I can live with it if that's the only screw-up from '14 to '15. We shall see. Picking up Saturday.

FloridaPhil · 07-16-2014, 06:03 AM

I say that because your dealer should have never said 6-128 weeks. That is unrealistic. Some do come in within 6 weeks, however it is not the norm 8-12 weeks is then norm. I had mine in 8. Furthermore, when an order is placed the dealer gets a serial number which they should provide to you and before it is even completed the serial number is assigned to the dealer. The dealer should provide you with that within a few weeks so you can monitor the project. I am not saying it is the dealers fault. I am just saying the story your dealer is giving you doesnt add up when you order a camper to be built.

Taranwanderer · 07-19-2014, 09:35 PM

Well, today was the day! Finally got the Salem down to the dealer, did the paperwork on the XLR, and hauled it home. First time pulling a 5-er, I can't believe how much better it towed than the Salem (and its 1400# heavier.) I know, it didn't happen without pics...

madmaxmutt · 07-19-2014, 10:13 PM

Congratulations on the new rig it looks great, well all except for that Fiat in front of it

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