Any Happy Forest River Owners Out there?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Craigban157

I bought a new salem 261BHXL in May of this year, I have had several issues with it. The most important thing I have learned (from this forum) is doing a GOOD PDI. Most, if not all of the problem I have would not have been problems if I had known about a proper PDI. This is something I learned here. Make sure you take the time to make the dealer show you that everything works and how it works.

It surprises me how many new buyers allow the dealer to rush through the PDI or allow a salesman, instead of a RV tech, do the PDI.

I would refuse to take ownership until they provided a knowledgeable person to do the PDI and all systems were shown to work correctly.
And enough time was provided for everything important to be gone over.

My PDI was 3 hours long and the tech was was super knowledgeable and answered all my questions.

[camping baba]

I have had a TT and traded it for a 5r both Forest River . Very happy with both units .

[iowasparrow]

Originally Posted by schrederman

One thing about this quality issue with RVs is... and this is just conjecture on my part... The handier a person you are, the less little imperfections bother you. Those that scream about the poor quality of their units probably take them back to the dealer for everything. Mine's never been back to the dealer for anything. I had a recall for a defective skylight. I replaced it myself after reading some horror stories of others' experiences with dealers' minimum wage techs over-tightening and cracking the replacements... caulk everywhere it shouldn't be... etc. I cracked the sink in my unit by leaving a bottle of dawn in it while traveling... I replaced it with a stainless unit for about 1/2 what a dealer wanted for the poor-quality plastic unit.

So, I think you get out of RVing what you put into it. I'm off to clean the bathroom in mine for a trip coming up, soon... Enjoy...

This. No way I could work in the warranty department of an RV dealership. I cannot imagine the easy stuff they have to fix.

I work in the heavy equipment industry, if something comes in for warranty work, its major. Like catastrophic engine failure major. Heavy equipment has factory issues too but the customers have different mindsets.

Little stuff gets fixed in the field, no time for warranty work when you can fix it yourself and back in business in hours not weeks.

[toslow]

Originally Posted by iowasparrow

This. No way I could work in the warranty department of an RV dealership. I cannot imagine the easy stuff they have to fix.

I work in the heavy equipment industry, if something comes in for warranty work, its major. Like catastrophic engine failure major. Heavy equipment has factory issues too but the customers have different mindsets.

Little stuff gets fixed in the field, no time for warranty work when you can fix it yourself and back in business in hours not weeks.

i'm also a heavy equipment tech, and your right about hrs to fix it .or even less in the field.

but more than this the customer don't care how much to fix it, just get it running again

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by bikendan

It surprises me how many new buyers allow the dealer to rush through the PDI or allow a salesman, instead of a RV tech, do the PDI.

I would refuse to take ownership until they provided a knowledgeable person to do the PDI and all systems were shown to work correctly.
And enough time was provided for everything important to be gone over.

My PDI was 3 hours long and the tech was was super knowledgeable and answered all my questions.

We were one of those. Our PDI only took about and hour and nothing was tested during it, just shown how it worked.

But it's sites like these that taught me what a PDI is supposed to be like. I just wish I had found this site earlier than the night before we took delivery.




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[mbCik]

We have had our Apex Nano about 2 months now. Everything has worked well, no issues thus far. I crawled up on the roof and there are a few areas I think can use a little more sealant, but it's minor.

So overall we are very happy with our Forest River/Coachmen/Apex quality.

[mbCik]

Our PDI was about 1.5 hours. The tech was knowledable and friendly. He made sure the trailer was connected to power and had fresh water. We then ran all systems to make sure they were working properly. Any minor issues he fixed on the spot.

[gl1800red]

Not even a little happy about being an owner. Special ordered a 2016 Cherokee 274RK, had it two days, and the dealer has had it going on 6 weeks. See my post in $$ and cents, Cherokee 274RK Nightmare.

[schrederman]

I'm about to go through this again, next year probably. It pains me to think about it... all that fixing of everything... but I have to have more room and can't do the 5er thing. That means a new TT. I have been looking and of the dozens of new TTs I have walked through, I can count the ones I would have accepted without taking off a single shoe. Only a couple have been FR products. My worry isn't appliances or the like, it's the materials and construction techniques that go into the frame, axles, and the rolling house. I know that things have to be kept light, but there are alternative materials and techniques that would be better, stronger, and not at all heavier... but they would raise the price some. Instead the manufacturers give us solid surface counter tops, "upgraded" mattresses... etc... and charge an arm and a leg for them. Dang... I'm in the wrong business............ again!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by gl1800red

Not even a little happy about being an owner. Special ordered a 2016 Cherokee 274RK, had it two days, and the dealer has had it going on 6 weeks. See my post in $$ and cents, Cherokee 274RK Nightmare.

this is not what the OP asked for. they know that there are unhappy owners out there.

Quote from the OP's first post: "I would really appreciate hearing from some of you that have been relatively pleased with your units. I hope there are some of you out there."

[LaxRef93]

We purchased a 2014 Tracer Ultra Lite 2670BHS, and have gone out on 4 trips with it so far. Aside from the minor stuff, we've been extremely pleased with it, and so far (knock on wood) all the systems have worked well.

[Ninemmsig]

Very happy-4th trip out this year is in a week and a half. going out to the storage yard this weekend to install my Condor wheel chock for my Goldwing. Only minor issues, I've been able to fix anything that has come up...so far
Having a good time, if I wanted to have less fun I'd go to work!

[n-e-d]

Quote from the OP's first post: "I would really appreciate hearing from some of you that have been relatively pleased with your units. I hope there are some of you out there."[/QUOTE]

I am a happy Forest River Sunseeker owner. I love the 2650s my wife and I picked out. We have not had the problems others detail in the forum. The PDI that we went thru was 50% good old boy BS and 50% turn this, and push this switch.Would it be different now...sure.

[heavynlori]

We have had our Crusader for 15 months and ZERO issues 😃

Guess we are in the minority

[n-e-d]

Originally Posted by heavynlori

We have had our Crusader for 15 months and ZERO issues 😃

Guess we are in the minority

I think your wrong there. Its only in the forum you might be a minority. Larger picture there are more satisfied owners JMO

[Taranwanderer]

First off, this is my second FR product. Love it, been modifying and fixing things since I brought it home. There were a few warranty items, but it's all good now.

Second:

Originally Posted by Ninemmsig

...going out to the storage yard this weekend to install my Condor wheel chock for my Goldwing.

I know the Condor is a popular chock, a little more cash than some of the others, but do yourself a favor and check out the B&W Biker Bar. Wish I had found it before I installed my chocks...

[Herk7769]

LOVE my Flagstaff 5th wheel; it has been a dream to own.
Love Forest River and the dedicated folks who work there.
Delivered 6 June 2009, our camper is starting season 7 and still going strong...

My biggest fear is I will need to sell it one day and be forced to buy a brand new Berkshire motorhome.

DANG! A whole new set of modifications!

[Capt. Mike]

We are on our second Rockwood in 3 years. Kept the first one, a 2604, exactly one year, and traded up to the 3008 Windjammer that we have now. We've camped in 27 or 28 states with the two trailers, and love both of them. The Windjammer has a lot of room for the two of us, and feels very much like home. We love it. Have they been trouble-free? No, but the real mark of a good dealer and the manufacturer behind the dealer is how well do they step up when things DO go wrong...and they will. Put your house on wheels, pull it through 27 or 28 states, and I guarantee something will break/fall off/quit working in your house, too. Our dealer (Bill Thomas RV, Wentzville, MO) and Forest River have taken good care of us.

So, to answer the OP's question, yes, we are very satisfied Forest River owners.

[youroo]

Put us on the Plus side also! Youroo!!

[indybp57]

We're into our 4th year as Roo owners and we're happy with our purchase. It has been to the dealer once to have the bunk seals replaced under warranty but that's it. Admittedly the deeper you look into them the more you realize the workmanship is wanting, but that seems to be the norm.