Quality difference between Forest River brands.

[frank4711]

Again I vote for Rockwood... I cannot speak for other divisions ... this is my 2nd in 6 months we bought the wrong one and sold it and got the right one our fault. The dealer and PDI is everything, you have to push the dealer and PDI tech when you pick up. We had minor stuff like most at PDI and it was fixed ... really not much difference than the long on going Ford-Chevy-Dodge never ask my Grandfather which tractor to buy there is only one John Deere

[firsthere]

We bought the Grey Wolf as our first TT and had several problems the first year. None cosmetic per say, but trip ending issues such as the Slide Out, Refrigerator, Water Heater, FW Leaks, and Brakes. The repairs made under warranty were hap hazard and required multiple appointments to resolve the same problem. We lost a lot of that first camping season with it in the shop. After our warranty mercifully expired any needed repairs were completed by me which included a few re- repairs of the warranted ones. 3yrs later it has not had any significant issue to speak of and we are happy with the unit.



Looking back I would say its luck of the draw how your experience will be with any RV purchase. When deciding on "Your particular" unit best you can do is look close at all details to get a feel of how the crews felt when it was constructed. Also run the appliances and mechanical before signing off, even hook up to your own TV if possible for a test drive.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

You have experience with one unit from one of many FR divisions and you say "Forest River is all crap"? Well... OK. I'd say one weak link in your chain is your dealership. I had some rough initial stuff with my Wildcat but I got them to fix stuff.
While I'm at it, have you checked discussion boards (and even here) for quality reports on other manufacturing companies? I've seen reports of Grand Design owners swearing to never buy another Grand Design and of their plans to buy Forest River next.

I'm also on the Keystone Owners Forum once in a while since I had been looking at a Cougar 5th wheel, and you hear the same things over there and about poor quality. (And I think the members here on FRF are much more knowledgeable than on the Keystone forum.)

[RStock]

We are first time RVers and bought a Grey Wolfe 20RDSE and used it all summer and we are delighted with it. The construction material is very light weight so I don't know how it will fair in the long run. I was impressed with the trailer I beam frame, which seems over built compared to the rest of the trailer. I think that's a good thing as it is the foundation. At the end of the day, we are really enjoying this trailer and we hope to have it for the next 5 to 10 years. Good luck with your search.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by itat

I'm also on the Keystone Owners Forum once in a while since I had been looking at a Cougar 5th wheel, and you hear the same things over there and about poor quality. (And I think the members here on FRF are much more knowledgeable than on the Keystone forum.)

You'll see the same thing on every RV brand owners forum. Even Jayco and Winnebago.
It's an INDUSTRY issue, NOT just a single brand issue. Every brand has its fans and haters.

[karlrmac]

We owned a Keystone Hideout and loved it as a first trailer. This July we picked up a new 2018 2909 Rockwood Lite and love it and love and love it. So for now we are all about the Rockwood. We've been more this year already than last b/c we love the trailer that much. We knew what we wanted this time around. I think the first time it was all about having a trailer and going camping. After 5 years we knew what we really wanted and found it with the Rockwood. The build quality is better for us than the old unit and I think the industry has changed over the last 5 years. Like I said, we knew what to look for and really liked the Rockwood. Three more camping trips coming up before end of year and we are looking forward to them. That makes 6 this year since July. I checked the truck the other day and we have over 750 miles with the trailer already. Did I say we love the trailer. Happy camping everyone, or happy looking forward to the spring if you had to close it up already.

[mayday16]

We purchased a new flagstaff E-Pro 19 this year. Solar panel for being off the grid. lightweight (2800lbs.) and murphy bed.. (other models available). Towed like a dream. Construction is great. {Put over 4000 miles on it in 6 weeks touring this summer. Only flaw was someone at the factory forgot to connect electrical properly for tv and it came loose. Called our selling dealer and right away we were told what to do so we could have power. Great trailer and comfy!
GMC Silverado 1500 4 x4 V8

[benchdog]

Originally Posted by firsthere

After our warranty mercifully expired any needed repairs were completed by me which included a few re- repairs of the warranted ones. 3yrs later it has not had any significant issue to speak of and we are happy with the unit.

I just decided to do the repairs myself. Not that the dealer was not competent, rather it saved me the downtime and I knew it was right when I completed the repair. I was lucky I did not have any appliances fail.

[wipup]

I lost track of our total miles, but I think it was something around 12k for the whole summer in our Wolfpup. Basically, we fulled-timed it for 3+ months. Starting in Missouri, went down to Arkansas to see family on maiden voyage, then straight up north and across to the west. Wandered around out there for a while before turning back after California.

Our little rig had no major issues through all that. Nothing electrical or mechanical.
We learned early on not to use too much toilet paper. Woops.
Other than that, the cabinet doors below the sink started working loose. One came off completely so I just drilled small holes all the way through where there were already bracket holes and ran machine screws through those just long enough to reach to the backside. Along with washers and nuts, hopefully I've prevented that from ever happening again. Eventually, I might do that to all the cabinet doors.
Towards the very end, the queen bed frame started to come apart in the middle. Just one of the 2x's came loose so I put it back in place and secured it with L-brackets as well as most of the other boards hopefully preventing any further problems there.
Then there are those flimsy panels that hide the water heater, pump, and the one under the sink/stove. I've got some straight brackets with screws to hopefully fasten those down more substantially.
I'm a handyman so I don't take stuff into the shop unless it's major. Not interested in potentially long waits for something I can fix in 10 minutes and a couple bucks.
There are a surprising amount of staples holding the whole thing together, but it's yet to do a Griswold-esque crumble to the ground so I guess we're okay there.
I wouldn't full-time year-round in the thing (would definitely go for something more substantial build quality), especially not with children or pets, but the Wolfpup seems to do what the market expects of it.

[Ultraclassic]

Originally Posted by llindiesue

We are looking at Rockwood and Grey Wolf trailers for our first trailer purchase. Would like to hear comments on quality differences.

Not an expert here, but I noticed that our 2019 Rockwood 2612WS has nicer fitting trim, aluminum framing under bed, and in storage garage, even the wood doors "feel and look" better. Added features like slam lock storage doors, outdoor shower, motion Led lights in storage bags, crank out windows that are tinted black included BBQ, quick connect and side table. Torsion axles, ladder, ..... Comes with options.

When I looked at twinned models the fit and finish didn't look as good? But like I say to my wife is I think they are made in the same factory so it's the pace they build at, or the materials or are they same except "quality" of materials?

The appliances are all equal from trailer to trailer (A/C unit, fridge, stove, furnace, toilet, HW heater,. Slight upgrades in fridge, AC and roof vents.

You do notice with the lower price twin where they cut $$ corners, like the amount of windows, roof vents, wifi boosters, amount of lights, and switches, counter tops, floor materials, sinks, faucets, it all adds up.


So far the only things we had an issue with is the W pump on our first trip had a crack and started to leak, I am handy and it was easier to swap out the pump and take to my dealer while I was camping than to take the rig (we were 1.0 hour away) so 3.0 hours total and back up and running, Instead of packing up and finding a closer dealer, waiting for them to assess and then warranty inquiry, then change out the pump, .......

[blue ridge runner]

We just bought a 2020 surveyor 251 RKS. We love it. We are on our second trip now. We have found a couple of issues. The awning is torn and there is a water leak under the vanity. Tomorrow I will take it back to our dealer and get these things addressed. If that's all the problems we have, I think this is going to be a good camper.

[JayArras]

Originally Posted by Ultraclassic

So far the only things we had an issue with is the W pump on our first trip had a crack and started to leak, I am handy and it was easier to swap out the pump and take to my dealer while I was camping than to take the rig (we were 1.0 hour away) so 3.0 hours total and back up and running, Instead of packing up and finding a closer dealer, waiting for them to assess and then warranty inquiry, then change out the pump, .......

Maybe Forest River will reimburse you for the cost of the replacement if it's still under warranty?

[Freetyme]

2nd Rockwood, zero problems with the 2015 - 2109s. Stayed with Rockwood on the 2019- 2511s hoping for the same results. A few minor things this time around. Resolved in one dealer visit. Sold on the aluminum frame and hard side.