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Old 05-06-2023, 02:21 PM   #21
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I didn't mention a warranty claim... didn't file one for myself but it's my understanding that a division's warranty department tracks build process failures.
If there is anything even close to a warranty department anymore, they’re only in business to deny any wrong doing on their part. They base this quality assurance on COVID. It’s the new scapegoat for any and everything.
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Old 05-06-2023, 02:55 PM   #22
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I didn't mention a warranty claim... didn't file one for myself but it's my understanding that a division's warranty department tracks build process failures.
Mr. Dan, if any of Forest Rivers divisions tracked complaints on fresh water tank failures, weather it was the result of shoddy workmanship or cheap tanks, then they would have cut down on the failures years ago.

Their customer relations might put out some crap like that but it is just to (1) keep you thinking they care and hook you in to buying another of their products, and (2) to keep you from reporting any dangerous repeated failures to the NTSB. Safety recalls cost them hundreds of thousands and they certainly don’t want that.

Sorry, IMHO Forest River, Heartland, any Thor product, and 90% of the others are producing junk, or whatever the market will tolerate. Tiffin and Newmar have been the exception over the years.
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Old 05-06-2023, 02:59 PM   #23
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Mr. Dan, if any of Forest Rivers divisions tracked complaints on fresh water tank failures, weather it was the result of shoddy workmanship or cheap tanks, then they would have cut down on the failures years ago.

Their customer relations might put out some crap like that but it is just to (1) keep you thinking they care and hook you in to buying another of their products, and (2) to keep you from reporting any dangerous repeated failures to the NTSB. Safety recalls cost them hundreds of thousands and they certainly don’t want that.

Sorry, IMHO Forest River, Heartland, any Thor product, and 90% of the others are producing junk, or whatever the market will tolerate. Tiffin and Newmar have been the exception over the years.
OK, I give.
Let’s go back to your solution: “Hoping everyone who has had a Forest River tank failure posts here.” Peace.
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:11 PM   #24
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OK, I give.
Let’s go back to your solution: “Hoping everyone who has had a Forest River tank failure posts here.” Peace.
I know you are trying to be helpful. Obviously you like the brand. I have a different perspective as we wind down over 10 years of full time traveling in three different brands. It has been an education to say the least.
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:36 PM   #25
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I know you are trying to be helpful. Obviously you like the brand. I have a different perspective as we wind down over 10 years of full time traveling in three different brands. It has been an education to say the least.
This is not about whether I like the brand. My own Wildcat fresh water tank tried to bulge out the bottom the first time I filled it to sanitize it - sitting still in my trailer shed. My new Wildcat had a preliminary punch list of 20 items!
Go back and read my first post. I was trying to communicate that having other FW tank failures posted here won’t help the overall problem which certainly does exist - because no one from the company reads this forum. The forum is independent / independently owned.
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:39 PM   #26
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A lot of anchors

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I guess Forest River has never improved their tank quality or changed their install methods.

Oh well, I knew this first 2,000 to 3,000 miles would bring out most of the early issues. Speaker fell out of the ceiling yesterday. Again, no biggie. I can keep up with these types of repairs. About what I expected.
Keep a lot of those plastic anchors on hand--you know, the ones that take a 3/16" hole. Good for the inside stuff and trim stuff that comes loose. If you're really into it, keep a Rivnut kit handy, too.
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:48 PM   #27
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As we speak my freshwater tank is being repaired. Mechanic said two fittings blew out. My fault, but frankly, the overfill drain was much smaller than the water line coming into it. They are adding support. I like towing with it fairly full.

I realize how flimsy these thing's are made. Ours is (CC Hathaway)5 years old, lots of miles, In for service the inspecting tech, a Specialist in the brand found thousands of dollars of stuff that needed work. Half wear and Tear. Half correcting design issues.

Replacing most of the calk. The issue with floors rotting out often.

I was surprised a new rear sheet metal replacement after a tire blowout was not real expensive. 2’x14’7”
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:49 PM   #28
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Keep a lot of those plastic anchors on hand--you know, the ones that take a 3/16" hole. Good for the inside stuff and trim stuff that comes loose. If you're really into it, keep a Rivnut kit handy, too.
Thanks Larry, I normally would have all that with me on the road but this Salem in the smallest RV we have traveled in so my tool box is about as big as a shoe box! I’ll be camped close to some family next week and can do a few repairs. The other repairs are going on my “to do” list for when we return home in July.
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Old 05-06-2023, 03:54 PM   #29
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As we speak my freshwater tank is being repaired. Mechanic said two fittings blew out. My fault, but frankly, the overfill drain was much smaller than the water line coming into it. They are adding support. I like towing with it fairly full.

I realize how flimsy these thing's are made. Ours is (CC Hathaway)5 years old, lots of miles, In for service the inspecting tech, a Specialist in the brand found thousands of dollars of stuff that needed work. Half wear and Tear. Half correcting design issues.

Replacing most of the calk. The issue with floors rotting out often.

I was surprised a new rear sheet metal replacement after a tire blowout was not real expensive. 2’x14’7”
That is one problem I have always avoided so far is the blowouts. This Salem came with Castle Rock tires which I immediately replaced with a higher ply Goodyear Endurance. I also have always run a TPMS. Forest River should be ashamed of themselves for putting a cheap 8 ply tire on a 32’ toy hauler.
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Old 05-08-2023, 06:21 PM   #30
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I'm currently in the process of replacing the FW tank on my Microlite 21ds. I didn't like the bulging tank either. I ended up buying a Repro tank with 1/4" thick walls (as opposed to the paper thin walls of the OEM tank). I'm using plywood with unistrut support.

I primarily boondock, usually several miles away from other people. Didn't like the thought of losing my tank in the middle of nowhere.Attachment 286645Attachment 286646Attachment 286647
That is a quality mod, nice job. I went with a couple struts across, about 4” either side of the drain.
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Old 05-08-2023, 06:35 PM   #31
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Our Fix

We replaced the inadequate 2x2 angle iron holding up one side of our fresh water tank with 2x4angle iron so that the tank gets supported by 4 inches. Also added a couple of supports from front to back, just in case.



I wish the RV manufacturers would not cut corners, so to speak. Build it right the first time!!
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Old 05-08-2023, 06:48 PM   #32
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Great fixes guys. I’m guessing dealers wouldn’t fix these failing tanks that good.
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Old 05-08-2023, 08:57 PM   #33
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I do not haul my fr minilite with water further than from the fill station to the camp site. This whole thing scare me and I did not receive documentation that indicated I could not travel with a full load of fresh water. I wonder about "Liability" on forest river. I could see a class action law suite concerning this issue. I also wonder what would happen all the automobile manufacturers would build automobiles to a standard similar to the r.v. industry.
Anybody want to buy a camper? I will sell mine.
I have mire issue like the poor support that my stabilizers provide, they are not mounted very well and it like camping in a boat.
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Old 05-08-2023, 10:27 PM   #34
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I do not haul my fr minilite with water further than from the fill station to the camp site. ——— cut ————
I have mire issue like the poor support that my stabilizers provide, they are not mounted very well and it like camping in a boat.
I agree. I have started experimenting with putting blocks under my 4 manual stabilizer jacks so they don’t have to extend down so far. Doing that plus choking all four tires seems to keep it more solid while walking around inside.
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Old 05-08-2023, 11:40 PM   #35
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I enjoy reading all the good work fixing factory design issues. I have fixed so many things on my 2015 Dynamax REV 24RB that I would hate to sell it and start over. I hope the Dodge minivan engine keeps running.
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Old 05-09-2023, 05:02 PM   #36
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Keep a lot of those plastic anchors on hand--you know, the ones that take a 3/16" hole. Good for the inside stuff and trim stuff that comes loose. If you're really into it, keep a Rivnut kit handy, too.
Would you elaborate please, Larry? I understand what Rivnuts are but what are these plastic anchors?
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Old 05-09-2023, 05:13 PM   #37
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I'm not too concerned about losing the FWT but I was trying to reduce the bulging so it would more fully empty. Still this type of modification will also prevent it falling out.
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Old 05-10-2023, 03:17 PM   #38
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I agree. I have started experimenting with putting blocks under my 4 manual stabilizer jacks so they don’t have to extend down so far. Doing that plus choking all four tires seems to keep it more solid while walking around inside.
I tried every which way to reduce the wiggle including blocks to eliminate as much extension as possible but in my case the support system for the scissors stabilizers are mounted on a very thin webbed c-channel and the bolts are all in a line versus opposing 4 bolt pattern 3 years old and the supports are rusting. I never too it on the road during the snow season.
It is very disappointing to know I will need to invest more money into something that should have been done when the camper was built.
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Old 05-10-2023, 03:29 PM   #39
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I tried every which way to reduce the wiggle including blocks to eliminate as much extension as possible but in my case the support system for the scissors stabilizers are mounted on a very thin webbed c-channel and the bolts are all in a line versus opposing 4 bolt pattern 3 years old and the supports are rusting. I never too it on the road during the snow season.
It is very disappointing to know I will need to invest more money into something that should have been done when the camper was built.
I think you have to consider the price point. When we were traveling in our 43’ tag axle diesel pusher my hydraulic jacks stabilized the rig so much you would have thought you were in a house! However, what I have now cost less than 1/10 of that so I accept I’m not in the highest quality product.
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Old 09-02-2023, 12:00 AM   #40
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My fresh water tank fell off onto the ground today. I haven't even had the camper out yet this was in my backyard. Now I'm beginning to wonder if I should - this is not something I would have thought to worry about. Now I wouldn't be traveling with water in the tank but the thought that it could have fallen off and hit someone behind me scares the bejesus out of me. I'm going to tell the company about what happened. They need to hear this from us so they can do something.
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