Quality difference between Forest River brands.

[Tigger1]

When we attended the recent Hershey RV Show a few weeks back we spoke for an hour or so with Anthony Yoder, Product Specialist, Rockwood/Flagstaff.

He said Forest River compares all of their Travel Trailer subdivisions and rewards the one with the fewest problems.

He said they do this by randomly pulling a trailer off of the line then going over it looking for defects. Each defect is assigned a cost that the dealer would need to fix in time & labor if it made it that far. These are then tallied and the lowest cost per FR division is rewarded. Anthony said his division has won this reward for several years in a row now.

[Palinduff]

I’d buy stick and tin all day over smooth sided.

[jshaw1]

We bought a 2017 PT new and have many problems with it. Kitchen faucet has been replaced, both front landing jacks, rear jack, etc. Cheap electrical plugs that break, etc. The list goes on and on.

As to quality control, it is evident that it is bang the trailers out and do not care about finishes, etc. 2 year later and we are still finding sawdust from manufacturing, etc. Many out side problems with flaring's and things coming looses going down the highway.

Ended up stranded in Boston in fall 2018 waiting for repairs to be done on front landing gear.

Thank god for extended warranty.

[Campah]

We have a Rockwood 2109S that we bought new in the spring of 2016 (it is a 2017 model). This is our 4th summer and I haven’t had to take it into a dealer yet. That said, I am pretty fastidious about maintenance (wheel bearings etc) and have made some upgrades (Goodyear Endurance tires)
We’d buy another.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jd4010

Well I guess my 2019 Cedar Creek was the bad one. It's been at the dealership now for almost 6 weeks with a boat load of warranty items. Dealer called me Monday and said all the items were approved by FR and now they can start ordering parts. And, just my luck, this was one of the most complex and long warranty lists they've ever had to deal with.

Example: our Furrion Oven was/is terrible. Flame always going out. Temp out of whack. It was crooked in the cabinet. The dealer pulled it and found that the oven was installed at the factory without a base. Seriously FR? So many things that should have been caught by QA.

And...now I'm w/o a camper for 12 weeks while all these items get fixed. UGH.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade or drift this thread farther than it is.

I suspect your dealer is as much to blame for the long wait (6 weeks to get authorization??) and complex repair list?? (replacing an oven, even without a base is a 1 hour job at most)

My point... if it has taken the dealer 6 weeks to get approval (it doesn't) and 6 more weeks to get it repaired (it shouldn't) you should have bought from a better dealer.

Many times finding the right dealer (for those who must depend on dealers) is as big a decision as what R/V to buy.

I often wonder how many of these folks spend any time in the service/parts department when looking at a new R/V. Even just a half hour there can tell you a lot about what might take place in the future. Listen to phone conversations, talk with service customers, have conversations with the service personnel. It will tell you a lot!

The R/V industry is not going to do better so we must educate ourselves to ward off the sting of what is coming after the purchase.

[GlowPlug]

Have 2019 Flagstaff Classic 831CLBSS currently in shop for repairs. Biggest issue being an egg size bubble under outside coating. Not sure if it's a Delam issue, awaiting FR to approve repair or take unit back.
But I have a question for anyone that's had issues with the plumbing fixtures stopping up from plastic particles. I'm being told that FW Will Not Pay to clear the plastic from the lines. Toilet stopped receiving water first then Kitchen faucet stopped to almost a trickle, Suspect Shower and Bathroom faucet were running slow as well. I'm being charged $160 to clear plastic from the lines. Has anyone had FW pay for this repair in 2019 or is the dealer shooting me straight that FW doesn't pay to clear lines. Like to hear some input before I place that call to FW.
Thanks
Gary

[oldsmasma]

Originally Posted by GlowPlug

But I have a question for anyone that's had issues with the plumbing fixtures stopping up from plastic particles. I'm being told that FW Will Not Pay to clear the plastic from the lines. Toilet stopped receiving water first then Kitchen faucet stopped to almost a trickle, Suspect Shower and Bathroom faucet were running slow as well. I'm being charged $160 to clear plastic from the lines. Has anyone had FW pay for this repair in 2019 or is the dealer shooting me straight that FW doesn't pay to clear lines. Like to hear some input before I place that call to FW.
Thanks
Gary

Our motor home has never been back to the selling dealer. In this instance either DH or I would just deal with the clean out ourselves.

[GlowPlug]

Oldsmasma:
I dealt with the toilet as that was a must have item fixed. Thankfully the kitchen faucet lasted until or last full day so that wasn't much of an inconvenience.
I would have dealt with the issue had I known FR wasn't going to cover the cost for clean out.
It's not Known but Iv'e been medicaly retired since 1999 due to RA Arthritis at the young age of 38, I'm now 57. I never backup from any repair regardless of the outcome of the project or my body.
The tight positions and the award ways of getting too some items makes it extremely difficult on my body.
That's why I asked the question should I be charged for something I would and do consider a warranty item from FR to cover this repair.
Like you I do take care of all my maintenance but the hardest part for me was messing with the 6 gauge wires when I installed the 50 amp Progressive Industries EMS Hardwired unit in a few months back. That was supper tough for the hands to cut that wire and then the challenge of getting those wires routed they way I needed them.
Life is tough but I'll never give up piddling with maintenance items on RV, truck and cars as I Love every minute of it.
Gary

[Sevans]

We have a 2015 Sabre travel trailer, we've pulled from Nebraska to Southeast Texas 3 years in a row. Well built unit that has handled Oklahoma roads very well.

[WoodLark-SC]

Originally Posted by Feel Swift

Whats hilarious about that statement is I have a 2017 Kia Soul I bought new for less than $18K just as a drive to the office and back beater. It's never been back for anything and never had an issue other than a flat tire, 65000 miles on in two years. First Kia I ever bought or even drove and would buy another. I looked at the similar size / level / price offerings from just about everyone else at the time and did a ton of research, Kia wins.



My coworker has an 18 Lincoln MKZ that's a POS and cost at least 2.5 + times what the Soul cost. It has been back for an ECM, constant issues with Sync and the audio system, you name it. It seems like he always driving a rental or courtesy car. He actually was talking lemon law at the bar a few weeks ago. 13000 miles on the ticker.


It does have a better ride than the Kia, and comes with better bragging rights if that gets you off, at least when it's not in the shop lol.

You beat me to it. I think Kias are great cars. We had an '07 Rondo, and now drive a 2015 Soul. If he had used Yugo for the comparison, I would have agreed!


Our rockwood meets our needs, but its no Airstream.

[cboss]

We have a little over 18,000 miles on our Rockwood. One small problem that was promptly taken care of after our first winter trip by the dealer. I've had to replace the tires. Other than that just normal maintenance.
Fingers crossed!

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by GlowPlug

Have 2019 Flagstaff Classic 831CLBSS currently in shop for repairs. Biggest issue being an egg size bubble under outside coating. Not sure if it's a Delam issue, awaiting FR to approve repair or take unit back.
But I have a question for anyone that's had issues with the plumbing fixtures stopping up from plastic particles. I'm being told that FW Will Not Pay to clear the plastic from the lines. Toilet stopped receiving water first then Kitchen faucet stopped to almost a trickle, Suspect Shower and Bathroom faucet were running slow as well. I'm being charged $160 to clear plastic from the lines. Has anyone had FW pay for this repair in 2019 or is the dealer shooting me straight that FW doesn't pay to clear lines. Like to hear some input before I place that call to FW.
Thanks
Gary

Gary

My sense of fairness says the dealer should be covering this regardless of any reimbursement from Forest River. To me, it is a dealer prep item, just like vacuuming the sawdust from any accessible space. The dealer knew beforehand that there would be sawdust inside the cabinets, and crud in the plumbing as the unit arrives from Forest River. If the dealer doesn't like the FR product, he should find another line to sell.

Removal of the plastic from the plumbing is a simple matter of removing the filters/screens/aerators at all outlets and pumping some water through.

That said, it would be very nice if FR gave their assemblers time and money to make things right on the assembly line. But the assemblers prefer "piece work" so that they can go home early, and FR makes out by not paying hourly wages to people who can't/won't be productive.

Finally, comes personal responsibility. In the never-ending quest for a rock-bottom price, many buyers don't bother finding a dealer who will actually do a quality unit prep, and will stand behind the unit regardless of FR warranty reimbursement. As was stated earlier, you can learn a lot about a dealer just hanging out around the service desk or the parts counter.

I am not talking design issues, but workmanship issues. FR and the dealer know they exist, and need to have a joint plan instead of pointing fingers at each other. Design issues are things like the electric roof lifts on the popups and A-frames. Workmanship is the installation of fridges, plumbing, cabinets, etc. Design belongs to the factory.

Not that any of this resolves your issues....I am truly sorry.
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[rlocicero]

We toured the Rockwood/flagstaff plant twice and were very impressed. Our flagstaff super lite(signature ultra light) has been great for the 10 years. We have had it. One major problem and they backed it 100%.

[benchdog]

We purchased a 2019 Grey Wolf. I did a ton of research found what I thought was the best product at our budget with a floor that worked well for us. Went to a RV show my wife walk into one and hated it. Next tt was the Grey Wolf we look at. She walk in and fell in love with it. Perfect. So much for all the research.

My only advise is buy something you love and everything will be good. When I got our Grey Wolf home, I went through it thoroughly pulled all the cover panels, checked every connection and came up with a list of repairs and improvements that I did myself.

The RV industry is what is, jump in and take care of the little things.

Just got home from our first trip. No issues.

[Mike60]

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.

We had a 2017 Rockwood rear kitchen model and loved it. Zero issues good quality.

[Funengineer]

You can’t go wrong with either Rockwood or Flagstaff. We are on our third Forest River product. Zero warranty issues with either of the first two. When it comes to warranty work you need to understand that your dealers service department may not be staffed by the most knowledgeable or experienced technicians. Take that into account when you fall in love with that perfect floor plan and model.

My experience has taught me to size up the service department before you purchase so you know what to expect down the road. I knew that I felt uncomfortable with the service department but we loved our floor plan choice and couldn’t find it anywhere else within 500 miles.

After talking to my service manager about a major structural issue, I felt early on that it was too much of a repair for them and that it should go back to the factory for said repair. I constantly got “we haven’t heard back”, “ it was a holiday weekend”, “ they want more pictures “. It takes persistence like calling every other day to keep them honest and motivated. My problem started with a delay by the dealership calling the warranty office and then the assigned warranty representative being in and out of the office due to a medical issue. The dealership finally got authorization and a recommendation on the repairs which I felt would not correct the problem. Unfortunately I was right so after finding out that my slide wall was still bowed I immediately called Forest River and asked for my warranty rep who was out ill again so I asked for a supervisor. In less than 24 hours I had my trailer scheduled for all the needed repairs at the factory. Unfortunately they are 6 weeks out in their schedule. Fortunately I’m able to continue using the trailer and to be honest the dealership didn’t want my to leave it there. They wanted me to be able to continue using it.

I guess my point is don’t trust you dealership to care that your missing out on weeks of camping or that you’re inconvenienced. Call constantly and if you’re not satisfied contact Forest River directly to get action.

[JayArras]

Originally Posted by Funengineer

My experience has taught me to size up the service department before you purchase so you know what to expect down the road.

That applies if you're buying new. How do you size up an RV's service department if you bought used and need to bring it in for repair?

[waybeck2018]

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.

Agree to quality of Rockwood. We personally have a Prime Time Tracer with about 5200 miles under the tires. Have had no issues and few uh-oh's. Once we found the hide out receptacle all was well! LOL! Our dealer told me at the recent BAMAGANZA that he had very few warranty issues with Prime Time products. We are happy with all aspects of our Prime Time Tracer.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by waybeck2018

Agree to quality of Rockwood. We personally have a Prime Time Tracer with about 5200 miles under the tires. Have had no issues and few uh-oh's. Once we found the hide out receptacle all was well! LOL! Our dealer told me at the recent BAMAGANZA that he had very few warranty issues with Prime Time products. We are happy with all aspects of our Prime Time Tracer.

I've owned a Rockwood and now own a PT TracerAir. In my opinion, both are close in quality and fit/finish. The TracerAir had some upgrade features that the Rockwood didn't and vice versa.
Both had initial warranty issues but they were resolved in the first 2 years.
We owned our Rockwood for 10 years and sold it for 60% of what we paid for it.
We'll probably hold on to our TracerAir for the same amount of time.

[roachhill]

I only have experience with the V-Cross but it was such a piece a garbage I would never consider buying anything by Forest River. It completely fell apart before it was even paid for. Started having problems from day one and the dealer fixed practically nothing. I seriously would have been better off borrowing 30 grand then setting the pile of cash on fire.