Forum Discussion

elhajj33's avatar
elhajj33
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015

Sandpiper thoughts/opinions/rants?

hi all,

I'm looking at picking up a sandpiper 2016 365SAQB and I'd love to get some feedback.

Model has auto leveling, outdoor kitchen, 2nd ac, central vac, residential fridge and king bed. I'm not really looking for feedback on the options other than on reliability/issues/history.

Would love to hear some thoughts from sandpiper owners before picking one up.

The family and I will most likely be fulltiming it (and we have 5 kids; it would be nice if it didn't fall apart next month -i'm sure the children will do what they can though!)

Thanks!

18 Replies

  • Hopefully alot better than my 2010.
    Alot and alot of issues.
    Just glad I bought the extended warranty.
    You can go on forest rivers web forum aswell
  • Make sure axles are 8 lug, and that will let you know they are at least 7K.
  • On the Sierra 365SAQ, make sure that it has the 7,000 lb. axles. I doubt any are coming with 6,000 lb. axles any longer- but it was a big to do a couple of years ago on that model. People literally had sub-1,000 lbs. carrying capacity when optioned out with the 6k axles.

    Otherwise, lots of owners of FR products at www.forestriverforums.com.
  • Had a Sandpiper 366Fl and now a Sierra 360PDEK, sister of Sandpiper, and have been satisfied with both. Only major issue with my 360 is the fresh water tank fell out and is now in the shop being repaired along with other nit picky warranty items.

    I would definitely buy another Sandpiper/Sierra in the future.
  • From someone who owns a 2015 Sandpiper and close to 9000 miles on it, 100 nights camped, thing is holding up well and quality I feel better then what I paid for.

    If you have an extra $280,000 dollars kicking around the advice on going with a higher quality unit may be of value, New Horizons make custome units that will meet your every demand!

    If that is not an option I think you have a solid camper there. They use a larger aluminum frame in the Sandpiper then other rigs even compared to the FR lines. They use young and groove plywood on their roofs and floor instead of OSB which I personally like better. It is a little heavier but not as subeptible to water compared to OSB.

    The fixtures and plumbing all appear to be solid quality, I may have routed things a little different but overall good fit and finish and I have not had anything fall off the walls while driving. I do tend to keep the speed limit and follow the manufactures suggestions though I will not lie and say I never hit 70ish while passing.

    Tires, frame and components have all held up well. It can be common for a great deal of rust to form in the frame in my area but must say the sandpiper is holding up well.

    Issues I have had, the step going up to the bedroom in the front was loose, I fixed this my self by placing some 3" screws into the bracing. The water filter was replaced, it kept backing itself off under pressure, was a defeat that occurred after about a month. The landing gear motor is being replaced, makes a clunking noise, also found the wrong crank for manual landing gear operation was supplied with my unit, dealer is looking after both. Final issues, the kitchen slide popped out once while driving about 1". Was no way dangerous, has not happened again, dealer is replacing the hydronic pump just in case.

    Before my sandpiper I owned a Thor product sprinter and before that a monoco rvision. All where about the same quality for price point. The Rvision had the most quality related issues, water connections leaking, AC failed and rusted real bad on the frame. Thor product had the famous back wash valve blow apart, a staple through a waterline and a bow in the floor from the OSB.

    Hope that helps, love the floor plan! I have a 30IOK
  • Several of my friends have Sandpiper's and have had good success with them. The only knock I found is that the ceiling height in the bathroom and front bedroom was tight for me. However, I am 6' 5. The interior ceiling is flat vs the curved ceiling in mine, so that's the difference.

    Quality on theirs, all three are 2013 and up, has been good.

    Good Luck in your purchase.
  • Run

    Never own Forest River product again.

    Look for something better quialty.