Forest River Craftsmanship

[DRM796]

Will some one explain how a company like Forest River can put better craftsmanship and reliabilty in each of its different lines such as Cedar Creek vs Silverback vs Cardinal vs Wildcat vs Sandpiper........? Do the excellent workers build the more expensive lines and the trainees build the least expensive lines?

[Us_out_West]

0rion wrote:
my first new camper was a rockwood pop up from forest river. The materials used were pretty decent but there wasn't a straight screw in the thing. There were several little things that I saw that were just worker laziness or ineptness. I will never buy another camper from them again. My KZ on the other hand is a completely different story. Everything in it looks like it was done by people that care about what they do.

Question???

What year was your Rockwood pop-up and what year is your KZ pop-up?

[0rion]

my first new camper was a rockwood pop up from forest river. The materials used were pretty decent but there wasn't a straight screw in the thing. There were several little things that I saw that were just worker laziness or ineptness. I will never buy another camper from them again. My KZ on the other hand is a completely different story. Everything in it looks like it was done by people that care about what they do.

[YakFishMo]

This is our second year with our Cedar Creek and the few issues we had were promptly corrected. I'm a do it your-selfer and tend to do a lot of mods and I find our rig to be very well built.

[texasclarks]

I have a Forest River product and have had very few problems and those issues I have faced where addressed quickly and fairly by Rockwood (Forest River). I would buy another FR product again.

[mwebber78]

Never had any major issues with my Forest River Class C and the service from the factory was far superior to the lackadaisical responses I get on my current Jayco.

[DRM796]

relaxin wrote:

Buckeye Chuck wrote:

Trail-Mate wrote:
I thought this is why you see the differences but could be wrong. Each of their Brands were independent manufactures that were bought out by Forrest River but are still run as independent units using the buying power of one Big Corporation for materials and appliances to save costs. That is why the factories are all spread out.

Exactly. I do think that Forest River should take action at plants with quality problems to correct them. Even if it means getting rid of some management people at those plants.

-BC-

what??? management is never the problem, after all its not their responsibility to ensure their product is being built right, they are to busy playing golf and trying to find ways to embezel more money, and to eliminate more jobs to save a hundred grand each year so they can get their 200 grand bonus.




LOL

What you described there is the current day American business model except you forgot the government bailout the the 6 digit bonus when the company goes under.


by the way diggin' the signature.

[relaxin]

Buckeye Chuck wrote:

Trail-Mate wrote:
I thought this is why you see the differences but could be wrong. Each of their Brands were independent manufactures that were bought out by Forrest River but are still run as independent units using the buying power of one Big Corporation for materials and appliances to save costs. That is why the factories are all spread out.

Exactly. I do think that Forest River should take action at plants with quality problems to correct them. Even if it means getting rid of some management people at those plants.

-BC-

what??? management is never the problem, after all its not their responsibility to ensure their product is being built right, they are to busy playing golf and trying to find ways to embezel more money, and to eliminate more jobs to save a hundred grand each year so they can get their 200 grand bonus.


LOL

[Splashers3]

Roster2 - you should have bought a CC or Silverback (CC) - you would have gotten excellent service. The few initial minor issues we had were promptly taken care by the good folks at CC. Example: a 2" piece of external trim was sent to me immediately when I discovered it missing...with instructions on how they would install it.

[Me_Again]

Most of the members of the Cardinal club love their Red Birds. The club has a direct line to the right people at Cardinal. They attend the rallies and take care of problems at the rallies. It is a very good relationship. If you have a Cardinal then join the club.

http://www.cardinalrvclub.org/

Chris

[sidney]

Forest River Forum Poll

Would you buy forest river again if you had it to do over again?

We do tend to hear more from folks with problems than happy satisfied customers on forums.

[roster2]

My 09 Cardinal was a piece of c---! It spent more time in the shop then on the road. Water leaks inside and outside, trim falling off, slides misaligned, on and on. Forest River fought the dealer all the time, warranty work was a hassle, and getting parts even worse. Took six weeks to get a piece of interior trim for the slide out. Will never own another FR product.

[DRM796]

Charlie D. wrote:

469whj469 wrote:
Forrest River is owned by Warren Buffitt and he has stated just what is stated above, he only buys good, well run companies, and if they are well run to start with, why would he change managment. Forest River makes money and with 10,000 people truning 65 years old every day, Mr. Buffitt stated that it was a good business to be in because the old fokls will by RVs and travel.

Berkshire-Hathaway owns Forest River which is run by Buffett. Buffett is motivated by profit as all business people are. He normally does not get involved in running companies and some of the companies they own are not necessarily well run but for the most part profitable. Buffett keeps an eye on the bottom line. Once it falls out of favor with Berkshire-Hathaway, they will split it off or dump it.

I own a Forest River product and so far has been a good unit. Problems are cropping up on Forest River forums and it appears to be increasingly difficult to get answers or help with warranty issues.

I have only had to contact Forest River a couple of times and they were very helpful and responsive . Is it that it is getting harder or you only hear from the ones that are having a hard time. Seems to me that few people that have had a good experience take the time to share that until asked

We are only in our second season with our Willdcat bit we have been very pleased with it.

[Charlie_D_]

469whj469 wrote:
Forrest River is owned by Warren Buffitt and he has stated just what is stated above, he only buys good, well run companies, and if they are well run to start with, why would he change managment. Forest River makes money and with 10,000 people truning 65 years old every day, Mr. Buffitt stated that it was a good business to be in because the old fokls will by RVs and travel.

Berkshire-Hathaway owns Forest River which is run by Buffett. Buffett is motivated by profit as all business people are. He normally does not get involved in running companies and some of the companies they own are not necessarily well run but for the most part profitable. Buffett keeps an eye on the bottom line. Once it falls out of favor with Berkshire-Hathaway, they will split it off or dump it.

I own a Forest River product and so far has been a good unit. Problems are cropping up on Forest River forums and it appears to be increasingly difficult to get answers or help with warranty issues.

[Charlie_D_]

469whj469 wrote:
Forrest River is owned by Warren Buffitt and he has stated just what is stated above, he only buys good, well run companies, and if they are well run to start with, why would he change managment. Forest River makes money and with 10,000 people truning 65 years old every day, Mr. Buffitt stated that it was a good business to be in because the old fokls will by RVs and travel.

Buffett is motivated by profit as all business people are. He normally does not get involved in running companies but keeps an eye on the bottom line. Once it falls out of favor with Berkshire-Hathaway, they will split it off or dump it.