New owner - very disappointed

[Morning Star]

I am really disappointed in our 2504S so far. We've taken theee trips. A two day weekend, a three day weekend, and a vacation.

On our first trip (on the second day of use), our stove fan stopped working and one of our lower drawers in the dinette stopped locking. On our longer trip (the sixth day we used it), every electrical outlet stopped working. The reset button did nothing, and we took it out to look at the back for loose wires (there weren't any). The dealer service department thinks it may be a bad circuit breaker, but we don't know yet because it will be a few weeks before we can get it in for service. Fortunately, we had an extension cord that was long enough to reach under the camper to feed through the screen door when we needed power.

I thought FR made quality products, and that's why we spent the extra money. I pretty much love everything about the trailer, but I never expected so many problems. Is this normal?

[MOD Guy]

Not exactly normal, but possible with any brand. It sounds like the failures you have experienced are with components not made by FR, but widely used in the industry.
Let us know how the repairs go.

[bikendan]

Your list is minor compared to most new RVS, no matter what brand.
I suggest you visit some non-brand specific RV forums and you'll see that your issues are common on all RV brands.

It's the whole RV Industry that's the problem, not just FR.

[great white]

FR essentially just makes the box that sits on the frame. They don't even make the frame. The rest of the stuff is all made by suppliers and FR just installs them.

This doesn't excuse them from a poor product or problems when they arise.

There's lots of lack of "quality" in the installation. Everytime I look at plumbing or electrical on my 2011 831rlbss I end up shaking my head. Luckily, I've never had problems with my trailer, except for a few easily fixed niggles.

It is an industry wide problem. Even the mega bucks units seem to have problems.

[CampingGator]

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

Not exactly normal, but possible with any brand. It sounds like the failures you have experienced are with components not made by FR, but widely used in the industry.
Let us know how the repairs go.

Most of the problems we've had have been due to other manufacturers products. We've had our Hemisphere for two years and have replaced the air conditioner twice, television once, radio once, and two stabilizer switches (company sent indoor switches for outdoor use). The slide seal adjustment was a factory issue and the edge of the carpet on the slide was ripped because they or the transporter put the recliner on it and when they pulled out the slide, the binding tore. We had a two year warranty, which was worth it because it covered everything. So, out of all the issues we've had, only a few were due to construction.

[270S]

Originally Posted by Morning Star

I am really disappointed in our 2504S so far....

I thought FR made quality products, and that's why we spent the extra money. I pretty much love everything about the trailer, but I never expected so many problems. Is this normal?

I thought so also. I purchased my GT RV based on the decent, not great quality of my FR TT, but my experiences in the TT and now especially the RV environment has been a disaster.

FR tends to install a slightly higher quality of components, but their installation QC on my RV was worse than Jayco or Thor! I can no longer recommend any of my friends purchase a TT or RV - Especially a new one. One friend says he routinely purchases a 1 year old model to let the original owner act as the Factory QC that does NOT exist.

MY RV left the factory with so many problems and oversights , it is DISGUSTING. They never installed the Kitchen Table! How basic is that to miss? Did not do headlights, main door, tire pressure, correctly; attach couch to floor, cracked hood, missing electrical relays, vacuum sawdust, broken AC, .... For full details, view here RV and Travel Trailer Upgrades plus Off-Grid Capability Modifications and PDI

[tande]

RV'ing is pretty much a deal/with/it, or.......take up knitting!

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by tande

RV'ing is pretty much a deal/with/it, or.......take up knitting!

Good advice for the manufacturer.

[The_Rhino]

When we were looking at TTs in 2014, all brands, I noticed a BIG difference in fit & finish & overall Q&C between RVs made during/just after the recession (2008-2012) and those made during the current RV boom...

In 2014 I purposefully looked at TTs during/just after heavy rains and found new units that leaked water badly. Before making an offer I spent about 2 hours looking behind every access panel & cubby with a flashlight/flash camera & noticed a lot of Q&C issues with newer TTs, all brands. Therefore, in 2014, we ended-up buying a USED 2011 & couldn't be happier. We've been camping for over 3 seasons & have not had any serious issues.

In comparison, several close friends bought newer RVs, including pricey MH's & they have had 2 years of non-stop issues. In praise of the dealers/FR, eventually all of the problems were handled under warranty but our friends lost a lot of camping opportunities while their RV was in the shop...

We plan to upgrade to a MH when the kids are grown... IMO there will be another recession in 1-3 years & we will buy a used MH produced in that era...

[twdenman]

I guess there's no perfect RV.

[B47]

Originally Posted by twdenman

I guess there's no perfect RV.

Probably not - but shouldn't RV manufacturers at least try to make a perfect RV? I'm hearing a lot of replies on this thread saying it's not FRs problem that components don't work - it's the component manufacturers fault.

To that I say BS. It is FRs responsibility to make sure their suppliers provide a quality product. When you buy an automobile and the transmission doesn't work properly, you don't blame the transmission manufacturer,you blame the car manufacturer. It's the auto manufacturer name on the car,not the transmission manufacturer.

I'm certain a lot of you wouldn't mind if I never posted about this again,but it just doesn't make a bit of sense to give FR (and yes,they aren't the only one) a free pass on this poor poor attitude that it's not their fault. I'm willing to say that most RV buyers,including myself, don't know anything about the RV appliances and components their RV contains. They are buying the name and they deserve much much better than what a lot of them are getting.

Let the flaming begin - I don't care.

[eljoho]

There is no longer a thing called 'pride in workmanship' amongst workers so we must just deal with shoddy products. We just purchased our second RV and though it has had less issues than the first (so far, knocking on wood, etc.) you can just tell its slap it together and get it out the door! There are not a lot of dealers in our area for us to comfortably drive around to look at used RV's but by using the internet I've seen so many on line I'm comfortable believing that the ones from years ago were made to last, made well and made with some quality and pride! Little things like covering the staple holes with stain, removing the silicone from around the sink, putting the labels in the correct places are just a few small improvements that could be made without costing the industry a lot of money. Do they not have a QC department any longer? And not just the manufacturers, the dealers need to step up their game a bit also - their sales teams need to be sure they have ALL the paperwork in order, the walk through people need to be sure the RVs are CLEAN and READY to go with all upgrades done...
We had to wait while the Black Tank Flush was installed because there was a label on the side but nothing to go with that label...hmmmmm...makes you wonder! Anyway - may the force of calmness be with you and may the Gods of good weather travel wherever you go!

[Gonefishing1]

B47
You are so right and I agree 100%. Until we the consumer starts showing the manufacturer we care and they need to step up and take control nothing is going to change. The attitude I can fix it, it's not there fault they didn't make the appliances or AC, or tires or windows has to stop. When you name is on a final product any problems with that product falls on you. I have had a few different businesses of my own and when something I installed failed the customer didn't hold the manufacturer of that part accountable they came to me. I sold the item the consumer expects me to take care of it.

From what I have read seems QC is the biggest problem with FR. Simple things that should of been caught during a good QC is what are the things most reported in these posts. I have not purchased my camper yet but have been looking at FR because I own a boat made by them and just love it. Don't think there is any better quality for the money I spent. But seems their campers are another thing.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Gonefishing1

B47
You are so right and I agree 100%. Until we the consumer starts showing the manufacturer we care and they need to step up and take control nothing is going to change. The attitude I can fix it, it's not there fault they didn't make the appliances or AC, or tires or windows has to stop. When you name is on a final product any problems with that product falls on you. I have had a few different businesses of my own and when something I installed failed the customer didn't hold the manufacturer of that part accountable they came to me. I sold the item the consumer expects me to take care of it.

From what I have read seems QC is the biggest problem with FR. Simple things that should of been caught during a good QC is what are the things most reported in these posts. I have not purchased my camper yet but have been looking at FR because I own a boat made by them and just love it. Don't think there is any better quality for the money I spent. But seems their campers are another thing.

Your first paragraph sums it up very well. Is it legal to mention Boycott here?

I doubt FR knows the true concept or purpose of QC or QA.

If I were the president of FR for one day,there would be many meetings in my office attended by both FR employees and FR vendors.

[danc]

Every problem I have had with our FR trailer has been due to their poor workmanship Not any of the components......I guess as long as we keep buying them as they are nothing will change. To bad there's not foreign competition or a lemon law regarding RV's.

[Gonefishing1]

Originally Posted by danc

Every problem I have had with our FR trailer has been due to their poor workmanship Not any of the components......I guess as long as we keep buying them as they are nothing will change. To bad there's not foreign competition or a lemon law regarding RV's.

So true

[Papa GLS]

Lots of complaints on this thread, & rightfully so. But I did want to report that it isn't all bad. I've owned four FR TTs, a Salem Light, an R-Pod, a Micro Lite & a Windjammer. No problems with the Salem, the R-Pod & the Micro Lite, & only 2 minor issues with the WJ which were taken care of by my dealer very quickly & completely & have had no other problems.
I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones. Would not hesitate to buy another FR product.

[bikendan]

So much is directed at FR, even though this is an issue with ALL manufacturers.
It's an industry-wide problem, not just FR.

Not defending FR but I belong to other RV forums that are not brand-specific.
I read complaints, all the time, from owners of every brand, even sacred cows like Airstream and Winnebago.

If you don't believe me, visit some of them or other brand-specific RV forums.
You'll find lots of company.

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by B47

Probably not - but shouldn't RV manufacturers at least try to make a perfect RV? I'm hearing a lot of replies on this thread saying it's not FRs problem that components don't work - it's the component manufacturers fault.

To that I say BS. It is FRs responsibility to make sure their suppliers provide a quality product. When you buy an automobile and the transmission doesn't work properly, you don't blame the transmission manufacturer,you blame the car manufacturer. It's the auto manufacturer name on the car,not the transmission manufacturer.

I'm certain a lot of you wouldn't mind if I never posted about this again,but it just doesn't make a bit of sense to give FR (and yes,they aren't the only one) a free pass on this poor poor attitude that it's not their fault. I'm willing to say that most RV buyers,including myself, don't know anything about the RV appliances and components their RV contains. They are buying the name and they deserve much much better than what a lot of them are getting.

Let the flaming begin - I don't care.

No flaming from this poster. I agree completely.

The "deal with it, fix it yourself, buy another brand" attitude wears a little thin. If you are happy with your purchase, that's great. I'm sure many folks are. Just don't denigrate those who expect more quality, reliability and customer service from the dealers and manufacturers who promise all of that and deliver much less.

[howie70]

I guess we're one of the lucky ones. 2nd season with our 23LB and only one very minor issue. The was the black tank flush vacuum breaker dripping. I replaced it myself and no more issues.
I had a brand new Jayco hybrid before this and it spent more time at the dealer than it did with me.