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03-08-2013, 11:53 PM
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#141
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chisholm, MN
Posts: 66
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Hello all,
So about, what, 2 months ago, Forest River sent a transporter to Duluth to pick up my rig. I tried to call and find out what the status of my rig was, but was told that nobody knew.
FOREST RIVER, where is my 5th wheel???
"Christopher Columbus" where is my RV?
Where is my f-ing RV and when will I get it back from your factory????
I assume at this point Forest River will be making the payments? I will be in Goshen, IN in 5 days. CALL ME.
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03-09-2013, 12:00 AM
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#142
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chisholm, MN
Posts: 66
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In re-reading this I think it's CRAZY that the only communication I have with Forest River is through this site...
The dealer told me I'm on my own, and the phone number I have for Columbus is answered by someone who "doesn't know anything about my 'situation'".
So WTF? Where is my $75,000 rig? I can't tell you all how amateurish this is.
WHERE IS MY RV??????
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03-09-2013, 08:15 AM
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#143
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 627
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I hope it all works out Sam!
__________________
Felicia & Jeff - Missouri
2013 Columbus - 320 RS 2012 F350 CC DRW - 6.7L PSD
2012 Camping 59 DAYS; 2013 50 DAYS; 2014 WAITING
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03-09-2013, 08:38 AM
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#144
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cedar,Minnesota
Posts: 207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GypsyFamily
In re-reading this I think it's CRAZY that the only communication I have with Forest River is through this site...
The dealer told me I'm on my own, and the phone number I have for Columbus is answered by someone who "doesn't know anything about my 'situation'".
So WTF? Where is my $75,000 rig? I can't tell you all how amateurish this is.
WHERE IS MY RV??????
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Keep us posted< we are all wondering what the outcome is all about.
__________________
Rod & Linda Johnson
Cedar, Minnesota
2006 F-250 SD 4x4 6.0
2012 Columbus 320RS
K-9's Lucy & Lizzie
Enjoying Life 1 Campground at a time
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03-09-2013, 08:52 AM
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#145
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Trailer Trash
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 608
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There are soooooooo many instances of bad situations due to various dealer issues on this website it is F'ing crazy.
Factory, Palomino, Forest River, etc. are NOT supposed to be the contact point for RV customers. Unfortuantly, website forums and social media has made the end user of RVs seem like we have a direct connection back to the head honchos in charge. That's not really the case! The inside guys at factory, parent company, etc. will get back to customers on a case by case basis only. AND they get back to the customer on their time, not your time.
For those of you reading this...........Ask yourself why did you buy your RV from the particular dealer you did? Pricepoint, location, or something else? How much research did you do on the dealer you bought from? The whole concept of buying a dream home from somebody you don't even know just boggles my mind. You would not do it with your own private family home would you?
Choose your dealer carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your dealer isn't getting good reviews on this forum, you may want to think twice about your purchase.
Dealer Reviews - Forest River Forums
For Sam and the Gypsy Family..........What a long strage trip it's been! I got a feeling that Duluth dealer told you everything you wanted to hear in order to close the sale. Now less than 1 year later, they are saying sorry bud, you are on your own. We all wish you the best Sam!
The stories I read on forums of dealers just closing the sale and then running away remind me of this song...... Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run. Dealers being Billy Joe and Bobby Sue.
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03-09-2013, 09:51 AM
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#146
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Yes, that was quite the saga!
But I think it is a great lesson to anyone who is considering wintering in any of the campers they produce these days. Just don't do it. They simply are not built for the extreme cold.
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03-09-2013, 11:40 AM
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#147
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Factory Rep
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 123
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The unit is ready. I'm not sure why the dealer or customer doesn't know this. I'm also not sure about why its still at the factory. I believe it's that dang communication problem that already made my hairs fall out long ago.
I will get real answers Monday. No one has contacted me about this. I just happened to read this recent post.
Chris
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03-09-2013, 01:21 PM
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#148
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cedar,Minnesota
Posts: 207
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Hats off to you Christopher Columbus, you have risen again above and beyond your needs, and to Forest River for coming to the rescue of this 385BH. Thanks Again, This is why a lot of us LOVE Forest River.
__________________
Rod & Linda Johnson
Cedar, Minnesota
2006 F-250 SD 4x4 6.0
2012 Columbus 320RS
K-9's Lucy & Lizzie
Enjoying Life 1 Campground at a time
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09-21-2013, 11:21 AM
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#149
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 14
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So what is latest status
So at this point where do you stand Gypsy. Did the unit come back as expected? Did Dometic ever reply to you? How did the unit do in the Summer Heat. To me it looks like the rig did very well during the Winter. Only the applances failed (exception being roof leaks).
Hope all is well.
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09-26-2013, 10:26 PM
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#150
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chisholm, MN
Posts: 66
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A new start
So, it's been a minute.
We've moved to California. No more Northern MN winters.
As for how things turned out: We managed to get the rig unstuck from 3 feet of snow and ice and had a transporter pick the unit up and bring it back to Goshen so Forest River could try again.
And they failed, well i guess they didn't fail because that would assume they even tried. they just didn't give a s**t, and didn't bother to try to actually fix anything. The LCI leveling system still doesnt work. The Microwave still doesn't work. the roof still leaks (your little "condensation theory" doesn't work in northern california...that and we did have 2 de-humidifiers running 24/7, but when you don't care to ask, you'll never find out the truth). The insulation under the rig had to be removed and re mounted as the factory didn't even reinstall all the screws holding the panels in place, because why bother? just a warranty repair. I could go on, but you get the point.
What we got back was worse than what we had when we left it with the transporter. If you read this forum you'll see I'm not alone.
Overall my experience with forest river is hovering around DONT BUY ONE OF THESE. Well if you intend to use it anyway. If you camp one or two days a year the rig is fine, but if you intend to actually use the rig? forget it.
Dometic never did get back to us, they make a s****y product, plain and simple. They dont care about you, they've sold their s**t to forest river who also makes a s**t product, and they sell that to you. full of flash but lacking substance. Like my father in law says, "looks good from afar, but is far from good."
Dont buy these. don't keep the ones you have. Granted you'll have to burn it to get rid of it as they're worthless once you unlock the door, but when you can rid yourself of them do so. If you considering buying one, dont. you're better off saving your money and staying in hotels on vacation.
You may see me as a bitter owner of a lemon rig, but the truth is I'm not. I live in this thing, and wish every day we'd kept our Itasca Sunova 35J. MUCH BETTER, but then again it's made by Winnebago. They care about quality, they care about their customers, they just simply care.
Forest river? They don't care. But guess what forest river? guess what's coming BACK to the factory for another try, for round what three? four?
Your paying for these repairs forest river, warranty is a b**ch when you dont care, ain't it...
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09-26-2013, 10:30 PM
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#151
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chisholm, MN
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotrodj125
Hats off to you Christopher Columbus, you have risen again above and beyond your needs, and to Forest River for coming to the rescue of this 385BH. Thanks Again, This is why a lot of us LOVE Forest River.
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Oh yeah, "thanks".
Christopher, why don't you tell us what all you did to help me get the rig out when the jacks wouldn't work...
waiting...
waiting...
you did nothing.
So yeah, thanks for saving the day. You and your marketing staff are great! at what I don't know, but I'm sure you're great at something.
Keep up the good work!
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09-26-2013, 10:57 PM
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#152
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Trailer Trash
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 608
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Hey Sam, welcome back to the nuthouse called FRF.
I have nicknamed the model 385BH (bunk house) the red headed stepchild of the Columbus line. Lots of them are plagued with quality problems! Major problems at that and those units also had to go back to factory for repairs as the mess is too big for dealers to handle.
The Columbus line ended up being waaaaay more popular and sells like hot cakes. 3 times more than the estimate Palomino first imagined. So they did what any greedy company in America does. Pump units out the door, collect the sales money, lower quality standards, let somebody fix it in the field. Pretty standard gig in the RV industry
Sure there are some good 385BH units out there. But it is the model that gets the complaints the most. It's gotten too big for it's britches is my own opinion. Too many slides, too long, and too much plumbing featuring two bathrooms. Just lots of stuff to go wrong.
Now to defend Palomino and Forest River, eventually the Columbus RV's get fixed. But it could take many months. The collateral damage of pissed off owners, ruined vacations, stressed families, etc. is also the norm for the RV industry I have learned over the last two years of being an RV owner.
Winter is just around the corner and your name came up recently on another website Sam. I know the group says hello and wishes the Gypsy Family well.
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09-27-2013, 05:44 AM
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#153
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 627
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yes... what he said... we have wondered how you and the family were Sam!!!
__________________
Felicia & Jeff - Missouri
2013 Columbus - 320 RS 2012 F350 CC DRW - 6.7L PSD
2012 Camping 59 DAYS; 2013 50 DAYS; 2014 WAITING
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09-27-2013, 07:04 AM
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#154
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Burton, MI.
Posts: 4,522
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Thanks for the update Sam, I was wondering what happened to you since March!!!
__________________
Scott & Vicki
2018 Silverado 3500HD Dually 6.6L Duramax/Allison
2018 Columbus 366RL 1492 Edition
Camped 2012 19, 2013 110, 2014 129, 2015 97
2016 93, 2017 79, 2018 84, 2019 59, 2020 0,
2021 4 reserved
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09-30-2013, 09:31 AM
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#155
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 285
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I feel your pain, but again, asking a pinto to act like a Ferrari is a bit much. Yes your old A class did well, but asking a NON 4 season trailer to do what you asked it to do and then not be happy is total bulls**t too.
FR and component manufacturer aside with the underlying quality or response issues, many on here have had great to excellent response on issues too. With some having full unit rebuilds required to walls etc.
A full 4 season type trailer at minimum was required, think arctic Fox etc. Putting a R-9 walled trialer in that environment, well....
Yes they are made cheaper than 15 yrs ago, because no one could afford it if they maintained standards and most of us know this.
If the salesman or rep told you it could handle the environment, research it, you know they are lying when they open their mouths!
Good luck with it, but don't lump all owners etc in same group. I challenge you to find another brand that does not have same or larger issues.
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09-30-2013, 09:53 AM
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#156
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 258
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I must respectfully agree with 5 hole. I grew up in MN, and understand harsh weather. When I started reading this thread (and admittedly only read maybe the first 10 pages), I was astonished that you'd try to overwinter on the Iron Range in an RV.
I do not think you should expect 4-season-in-MN performance from what you bought.
__________________
Eric, Tara, and most of China
2013 Camping Nights: 2
2014 Camping nights: 31
TT 2014 Rockwood Roo 183
TV 2012 Nissan Armada
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09-30-2013, 10:29 AM
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#157
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Denver, CO
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 2,102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5 hole
I feel your pain, but again, asking a pinto to act like a Ferrari is a bit much. Yes your old A class did well, but asking a NON 4 season trailer to do what you asked it to do and then not be happy is total bullshit too.
FR and component manufacturer aside with the underlying quality or response issues, many on here have had great to excellent response on issues too. With some having full unit rebuilds required to walls etc.
A full 4 season type trailer at minimum was required, think arctic Fox etc. Putting a R-9 walled trialer in that environment, well....
Yes they are made cheaper than 15 yrs ago, because no one could afford it if they maintained standards and most of us know this.
If the salesman or rep told you it could handle the environment, research it, you know they are lying when they open their mouths!
Good luck with it, but don't lump all owners etc in same group. I challenge you to find another brand that does not have same or larger issues.
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X2. There are better units out there but probably none that will quite hold up to those conditions. Artic Fox, from what I have heard, may be have a better chance, but I think would still come up short. There are 4 seasons and then there is Minnesota and the other northern plains states which has a 5th season called holy s*&t it's frickin cold.
__________________
2017 Fuse 23T
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10-13-2013, 01:49 PM
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#158
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 2
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Any updates Gypsy Family? This is a very interesting story and would love to hear how things are turning out!
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10-13-2013, 01:58 PM
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#159
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Stromsburg, Nebraska
Posts: 1,682
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Here is their last reply...not very happy campers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GypsyFamily
Oh yeah, "thanks".
Christopher, why don't you tell us what all you did to help me get the rig out when the jacks wouldn't work...
waiting...
waiting...
you did nothing.
So yeah, thanks for saving the day. You and your marketing staff are great! at what I don't know, but I'm sure you're great at something.
Keep up the good work!
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__________________
Joel and Teresa
2016 Sabre 34TBOK
2006 GMC 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4
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11-25-2013, 07:46 AM
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#160
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 107
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4 season is relative and it's whatever the sales person at the dealership tells you. Columbus was a brand new model for Palomino when the gypsy family bought his RV. Nobody knew at that time how well a Columbus was going to do in sub zero weather. The Sabre line is very close to a Columbus model. Just not as nice on the inside. Would I try to use a Sabre during winter months in Wisconsin? NOPE!
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