New FW, Problems adding Up

[thirtydaZe]

I'm generally not one to complain much but let me lay this out for you.

Our first camper, about 8 years ago, we bought used, no problems.
Our 2nd camper, a Cherokee, bought new that next year, no problems.
Our 3rd camper, the Pilot pictured in my sig, bedroom windows leaked, needed replaced, fridge face kept sliding off, and really that was about it.

Our 4th camper, our 1st FW, about 6 weeks old, we used it 12 days on vacation.

*the night we brought it home, discovered shower floor was cracked when cleaning it.
*slam latch pulls open when locked.
*nick out of laminate floor from slide our first night out.
*closed wall separated from closet across the length of the camper.
*basement floor was nailed into sheet metal, lifting up, separating from frame.
*piece of aluminum skirt has come unglued from fiberglass in 2 areas.
*the ceiling has 3 nail pops in the living room.

the camper goes in next week for ceiling fan replacement, not sure the issue, but was discovered prior to our walk through. also the dealer has been made aware of said issues.

i realize most of this is cosmetic, but i can't see how they are replacing the shower without disassembling the entire camper.

i know it's said that new campers have their issues, but this is really starting to add up now, are we approaching the lemon stage?

[realter]

You don't have to go far to find the owner of FR. He lives on Farnham, lol.

[thirtydaZe]

Just as an update here, yesterday i finally took it in for an appointment. before delivery they had ordered us a new piece for our ceiling fan (broken glass), a vinyl strip for the rear of the camper had been cut to short, and also something for our wall (which i'm not really sure what they are talking about).

I had previously emailed pics of all issues, they pulled my email, recalled the problems, and said that it had been forwarded to the manufacturer. They walked out took a look at a couple other things i wanted to point out, and said they'd just keep it until all issues were complete.

Told them, if they would rather, they could take it in the off season if it was better for them, they asked if i was going to use it again, told them potentially oct 16th and 17th, and they said they'd have it ready.

Finally feel pretty good about all this now, hopefully it comes back as desired.

Thanks all.

[B_O__Plenty]

In most States there are no lemon laws covering non-motorized units. Even if there was they usually have 3 attempts to fix the same problem before it can be invoked. It is a not an easy process. It's unfortunate that you didn't spot these issues before you paid for it. Give them a chance to fix it and see how it turns out. Nothing sounds that major.

B.O.

[alexleblanc]

my experience with Forest River has not been a pleasant one. I know mine is an entry level unit but the sheer amount of issues we've had is astounding - most relating to poor assembly, adjustment and less actual component related.

first two weeks of ownership:

-Slides improperly adjusted, drove through a rainstorm and had 1/4" of water though the floor of the whole unit. every piece of wood 12" and below was ruined

-Faulty wiring to the A/C + Heat caused 3 separate trips to have fixed and several parts were damaged due to this wiring.

-Toilet was not properly bolted down, leaking and smelly issues

-Shower was installed crooked and the door has never shut properly

-faulty wiring on the drivers side rear brake drum (wires not hooked up) found by dealer while fixing an intermittent taillight issue

After 2 months:

-Converter let go

-Fridge fan replaced

-Fresh water holding tank fill neck cracked

- Various trim work, caulking, doors etc that needed adjusting and fixing.

[Johnny_H]

allen8106 wrote:

thirtydaZe wrote:
i know it's said that new campers have their issues, but this is really starting to add up now, are we approaching the lemon stage?

Problem is that there are NO lemon laws when it comes to RV's like there are for automobiles.

Sorry, but that is not entirely true. It depends on the state. Tx does for ones registered there.

[allen8106]

thirtydaZe wrote:
i know it's said that new campers have their issues, but this is really starting to add up now, are we approaching the lemon stage?

Problem is that there are NO lemon laws when it comes to RV's like there are for automobiles.

[SanMarMor]

thirtydaZe wrote:


Off the top of anyone's head, where is Forrest River located, in case i have to pull it down myself? I'm in Omaha NE, i have to think it's pretty much no where close.

Forest River is all the place, depending on what brand you have. Look at your brand's web site, it will say where they are.

[laknox]

ljr wrote:
After 2 TTs with virtually no problems I went high end FW for retirement. The 1st year was H*ll. Everything that was supposed to keep water in let it out. Everything that was supposed to keep water out let it in. Numerous things were loose, broken or not connected at all. I was on the brink of telling them I wanted a refund and getting an attorney.

The only thing that stopped me was their 1st rate service facility that consistently went above and beyond any effort I could reasonably expect even under those circumstances. My FW is now 5 years old. Nothing worse than trivial routine maintenance for the last 4. I still stop by the service department once a year for upgrades and PM.

The moral of my story is that even a lemon can be fixed with enough effort by the right people.

As we say in the old tractor crowd, "Can it be restored? Sure; how much money ya got?" 🙂 Just look at those boys in the UK that "restored" a steam locomotive by building a brand new one, from the rails up. Only took 18 years and about $6 million! 🙂

Lyle

[thirtydaZe]

This is the 3rd camper i've bought from the dealer, and they've been good warranty wise in the past.

I was considering going straight to Forrest River, but am going to let the dealer have a shot to get it right first.

Off the top of anyone's head, where is Forrest River located, in case i have to pull it down myself? I'm in Omaha NE, i have to think it's pretty much no where close.

[ljr]

After 2 TTs with virtually no problems I went high end FW for retirement. The 1st year was H*ll. Everything that was supposed to keep water in let it out. Everything that was supposed to keep water out let it in. Numerous things were loose, broken or not connected at all. I was on the brink of telling them I wanted a refund and getting an attorney.

The only thing that stopped me was their 1st rate service facility that consistently went above and beyond any effort I could reasonably expect even under those circumstances. My FW is now 5 years old. Nothing worse than trivial routine maintenance for the last 4. I still stop by the service department once a year for upgrades and PM.

The moral of my story is that even a lemon can be fixed with enough effort by the right people.

[MPI_Mallard]

Sorry to hear about this as your rig is part of Forest River! We had neighbours that bought a new Columbus fiver which is also built by the palomino division which was plagued by half-azzed workmanship that seems to be a common problem in that division and I can only hope that this isn't a plan by warren buffet to cheap up the company and run forest River into the dirt just to maximise profits! I would suggest you bypass the dealer, document everything in detail with pictures and head to forest River directly so they can answer to their lousy quality!

Red Green:
As you get older, you realize you can't always get what you want,
but if you try sometimes, you can get yet another financial setback.

[kyle86]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Very scary!

[Oasisbob]

These quality, or lack thereof, posts are far too common. You get a closer idea of why if you look online at video from RV asembly lines. Quality, pride and craftsmanship have been replaced by speed of asembly. How can tis be profitable with so much warranty work? Maybed the industry should slow down and focus on quality. Just a crqazey thought from an old school RV guy. On the other hand if we keep buying this stuff why should they? Sorry for your problems. Let us know how they are resolved please.