I have been reading so many of the posts on the Forum of unhappy experiences with Forest River products. We purchased our 2013 Sabre 34 RLQS in May of 2012 after 2 years of searching, comparing and lots of RV shows!
When we first got the new 5th wheel, we were thrilled. This soon ended as we found so many problems with it that we had to start a running list of items. Items that included hot and cold lines being backward, lights falling out of the ceiling, window screwed in wrong so that you couldn't open it, water leaks, etc.
We tried working with the dealer to get these resolved. Thought that they were helping us but then saw that many of these issues were being "fixed" worse that the original problems or just not being worked on at all. Frustrated us beyond belief as we would leave it with them for weeks only to find that nothing was accomplished. Of course much of the blame was put on Forest River.
So we decided to see for ourselves what this company was all about by attending the Rally in Goshen. That was one of the best decisions we had ever made! I can't speak to any of the other divisions of this company but the Sabre division rose to the occasion and restored our faith in US companies and customer service.
They started out by just fixing the one major problem we addressed; the kitchen slide throwing itself into the 5th wheel when closing it. As we were watching the tech work on this and talking about other things, the list we had came up. They stared looking at all the problems we had and then decided we should bring it in to the factory so they could work on them. They kept it for a day and not only fixed some of those problems, they found ones that we didn't even know existed.
The decision was for us to leave the camper when we were done at the Rally and they would work on all the left over problems and then return the camper to us in Wisconsin. We will be getting it back today and it will be like new! or like new should have been.
What I want to really state here is that, yes it should have never left the factory in the condition it was in - a condition that sounds like many of you have experienced. People build these and people can be sloppy and short-sighted in their appreciation of their jobs. BUT, Forest River seems to me to be a company that wants the best for their customers. They will take the time to listen to what your problem is and make it right.
Lets not get frustrated or negative, but be persistant when you have issues and go to them directly. Let SabreSam on this Forum try to help find a solution. If that doesn't work, find out who is in charge of your division and talk to that person. If that doesn't work, find out who their boss is and work with them! They have everything to gain from keeping customers and learning from the problems we have.
We were told by the people we worked with that it was a blessing that we came to the Rally. They learned so much about issues from our 5th wheel and how to find out what was happening in their shop by seeing the end product and the problems we had. I think too many times we complain or replace the item we purchase and the companies we buy them from never even know of the widespread dissatisfaction until they go out of business.
If you attended the Rally I'm sure you know how the President feels about their customers and what lengths they will go to ensure that you are getting a quality product. Don't go away upset - just go the extra step!
Hope that this helps others to work towards a satisfactory relationship with the company. I also suggest that you attend next years Rally. You can visit the factories and just get a good feeling for the the work they are doing and the company ideals.
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