Friend has 2009 Forest River Sierra 5er. Supposed to have Laminated Vacuum Bonded Aluminum Sidewalls and it does in some areas but not in the back or in the rear side wall. Major water damage and side wall has no supports/framing for over 4' and it's just soft 2x2 wood (no alum in the sidewall) and styrofoam sandwiched between the outer skin and the lauan thin inside plywood. Hardly any calking in the 1" overlaps at corners and roof. On the left side of the picture you can see the wall that runs from the back of the trailer forward 4' to the white area without any supports.

Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.

1320Fastback wrote:Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.I agree the seal is important however at some point lesser materials may flex more and break the seal

Lantley wrote:1320Fastback wrote:Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.I agree the seal is important however at some point lesser materials may flex more and break the sealThis is exactly right. We had a 1997 Terry fifth wheel with the first of the fibreglass walls that I could not keep sealed up for this very reason. I would have split seams after towing it 10 miles to a local campground. I was never so happy as the day I traded in that POS. :M

You get what you pay for I guess!

FrankShore wrote:You get what you pay for I guess!I agree but when you think you are getting an alum structure that will withstand some leaking and you discover not all of the sidewalls have alum studs as advertised...you did not get what you paid for.

Unbelievable how cheap they can make them. | Good Sam Community

1320Fastback
Explorer
May 25, 2017
Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.

In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.
Lantley
Nomad
May 25, 2017
1320Fastback wrote:
Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.

In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.

I agree the seal is important however at some point lesser materials may flex more and break the seal
blofgren
Explorer
May 26, 2017
Lantley wrote:
1320Fastback wrote:
Somebody mentioned a video about where the manufacturer bragged about building a trailer in 7 hours like that was a good thing to say.

In my experiences structure is rarely ever the issue. It's always water intrusion, gaskets and interior trim.

I agree the seal is important however at some point lesser materials may flex more and break the seal

This is exactly right. We had a 1997 Terry fifth wheel with the first of the fibreglass walls that I could not keep sealed up for this very reason. I would have split seams after towing it 10 miles to a local campground. I was never so happy as the day I traded in that POS. :M
FrankShore
Explorer
May 26, 2017
You get what you pay for I guess!
Ivylog
Explorer III
May 26, 2017
FrankShore wrote:
You get what you pay for I guess!

I agree but when you think you are getting an alum structure that will withstand some leaking and you discover not all of the sidewalls have alum studs as advertised...you did not get what you paid for.
bucky
Explorer II
May 26, 2017
When it comes to RVs you rarely get what you pay for. If you manage to get one unit that is then we beat the poop out of it on the roads until it isn't. There is nothing like an interstate bridge joint or a surprise RR crossing.
In this case the manufacturer just flat lied it appears.
CarolynandBob
Explorer
May 26, 2017
This is one reason we would not even look at anything that advertised "lite". They will need to scrimp on stuff to get it light.

We also took a factory tour and saw how they build them with the aluminum supports and studs.
laknox
Nomad
May 26, 2017
Better title would have been: "Unbelievable how cheap they DO make them." The mfrs can =always= make them cheaper.

Lyle
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
May 26, 2017
Did you contact Forest River about this????
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 26, 2017
I thought Forrest River was one of the brands touted as better than most.