Gatch Ready here we go!
We’ve owned ours since Nov 2018 and here is our take so far.
First: Youtube is your friend if you want to learn about RV Mods, this forum is also fantastic. You can DM me if you want to know more an I can send you pictures or more details.
We love our FR3, so far 1st year has been frustrating, but rewarding. I wish it was better build in terms of workmanship & pride that is appears, but noting so far has not been fixed, replaced or repaired.
Purchased in California get to know your Forest River Warranty Representative for your area of the country for the 1st year. We’ve have the following issues that while they covered 100% free of charge it has been a bit frustrating that these issues even have come up. Our West Coast Rep has been fantastic. The dealer we purchased from has while been friendly and willing to fix everything. They are in my opinion incompetent, hopefully your dealer or authorized RV Dealership does not follow what we experiences.
Issues (note this is with mine, so hope you have different experience.
NHTSA RECALL: 19V481 Slide
NHTSA RECALL : 18V768 about the Driver’s Side Window Shade May Lower Without Warning
Warranty:
Speedometer Computer was not coded for Goodyear tires, had to take to FORD for reprogram (Spedo was 10 MPH off)
Dining room table did not fit when down to a bed. Had to have Forrest River Custom make a table to the exact width between benches. When I mean exact I mean exact, Dining benches are out of square an in a trapezoid shape
Stove was not level when we went through checklist. Causing it to rattle when driving and burner grate to not fit.
Passenger side window leaks air when driving causing a whistle. (they would not fix that, but I stuffed weather-strip in channel)
Top Kitchen drawer does not lock when driving, had to replace latches
Slides looses its ability to slide out (twice) the control board required to be reprogrammed. There is a crazy sequence to make the slide learn.
Norcold refrigerator control board needed to be reprogrammed at authorized Norcold Dealer they gave 2 explanations. Board “could” have gotten wet when power washing the RV. I did not do that, or it was faulty.
NEW to me yesterday AC in living quarters starter to leak water. Going to call about that there are a few discussions on the forum)
Wishes/issues/Adds
Absolutely IMO install Sumo Springs on all 4 corners. Ride is smooth an amazing!
If you have money & time: Add Steering Stabilizer, Solar, Add Mattress Pad to bed, some form of water filtration system, inverter
RV Needs a dead pedal, you will find when driving your left foot needs something to rest on. (there are a few solutions in the forum)
Every so often add some lubricant to the rubber seal on the door. The rubber rubs against the RV when door is closed driving and it squeaks like crazy. WD40 to the rubber weather strip solved that.
The gas shock that holds the main door open has broken on my FV, go online and find a spare an keep it. Yours will break some day.
RV needs valve extensions on all 6 tires if you have TPMS. My TPMS are external, so I needed to add extensions to all my tires. Even if you don’t have TPMS, putting air in tire is almost impossible without them.
Fireplace face rattles when driving, solution remove the glass face of the fireplace when driving. noise will subside.
Screen door rattles like crazy when driving. Get some clear caulk. Place caulk around the rectangle face near the bottom (kick area) the caulk seals that metal to the frame. If I am unclear I will take a photo if you ask
Shower needs caulk, where the sides of the shower meet the shower pan area there was no caulk water would find its way in/up crack. I places clear caulk to seal this crack/area.
Get a pump to add oil, the oil filler cap is in a stupid crazy location, impossible to add oil without a pump
Get a small 12VDC water pump an place it near your water inlet if you are boondocking or not on hook ups an you need to add water, YOU CAN”T without a pump. We used the power from the under storage lights in the storage area. Let me know if you want more detail, I will take pictures.
Get a step stool to assist with climbing the ladder.
Change your water heater (or check it) anode rod. Ours at 3 months after we took ownership was gone (the material)
Placement of the video camera for the back up & signal cameras is useless. Pick up a 7” monitor online and hook up the video feed to that monitor.
We added a strip to the A Pillar where we can mount our GPS, Back Up Camera and gadgets.
Seems like a lot and it is, but the first year you will find things and or want to change things.
Linear Mode
