You're on your own.

I don't understand how the RV manufacturers get away with basically ignoring warranty issues
and such poor customer service. It's a wonder that they can ever sell one at all. We purchased a new Forrest river Stealth in 2010 and had a problem with a leak but were basically told well we have no record of you ever having a dealer check your seals so we not going to cover it. So after spending alot of time arguing with them and getting nowhere we fixed it ourselves. fast forward a couple years . There were many small issues with the TH but nothing that I really havent dealt with on any other RV that I've owned but thinking since this one was brand new I shouldnt be spending so much time constantly repairing little things but not the case and as always no support whatsoever from Forrest river. When we decided to upgrade to a fithwheel we totally ruled out ALL Forrest river products. We purchased the Keystone FUZION 310 in April 2013. We were on our third outing with apx 3000 miles on the TH and you guessed it BOOM blew out a tire and ripped half the flare and alum skirting. We were 500 miles into a 1200 mile trip from Houston TX to Colorado. We were scaled at 13,760 pounds. Well under our capacity. Running a top speed of 65mph and avg of 60 on the open road as not much interstate on this trip. I checked the air pressure on every fuel stop because I was determined to get some use out of the cheap tires before spending the $$$$$ to replace brand new tires. When we went to discount tire to replace the blown tire we discovered another tire had a huge knot on the inside . I replaced them all with Michelin xps . I called Keystone when we returned home and was told we don't warranty the tires you have to go to the MFG. so we called Towmax and after talking to 5 or 6 different places they took down the information. About a week later I get a call from a lady with the tire company in Ontario Canada who quicky informed me that without the old tires they cant do anything to help even though we measured tread depth,took many pictures and logged the tire serial numbers. I sure wasnt going to haul 4 junk ass pieces of******around the country. So once again I'm left footing the bill for my own repairs. If you do a search about RV trailer tires you will find hundreds of people who have had the same expierence with the cheap tires they put on and after suffering damage they get the same response from the company's. Whenever one of these tires blow out and the result is someone killing a busload of school kids I guess someone will listen then. I really expected better from Keystone. I guess they are all the same. They are all cheap built,substandard craftsmanship, thrown together overpriced junk that they know most people will fix what they can themselves instead of taking to their(NON)service centers to let sit for a mont or two until they get around to looking at it. Can't believe the "Lword" haven't jumped on these companies . If there was ever a large pool of people waiting to join (together) this would be it. As long as we put up with it I guess they'll just keep on as they are. I spent 50K on a new trailer and now 2K fixing it. Buyers beware . If you buy a new trailer from ANY company and leave the lot with the cheap tires on it you are not only risking you and your families life but everyone else on the road . Expect to spend thousands repairing the damage and absolutely 0 help . I didn't head the warnings and now I have to pay. Luckily noone was hurt other than my pocketbook. Someday ,someone will start an RV company that knows something about craftsmanship and customer service and doing the right thing. American car mfg's got away with selling******for many years until the japanese companies forced them to change their whole attitude. Maybe the japanese should start making RV's? I guess I'm just disappointed that I was offered absolutely no help from Keystone not even a replacement part ,free shipping on the parts NOTHING. So guess like the title says , when you buy a new RV expect to be on your own.

Toy Haulers

trail-explorer
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
rayford118 wrote:
what tire size are yall going with on the Michelin Ribs? And where are yall buyuing them from? Looks like im about to order my 6 tires before i have a similar experience but chancing it.

Costco had the best price when I bought back in 2007.
savageflip
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
I have a cargo mate w/ living quarters, which is a forest river product. The manufacturing plant was in Dallas, OR at the time. The folks at that plant stood by their product. I was able to show up any time and they worked on my stuff on the spot. I think I may have showed up a couple times out of warranty. And, they still hooked it up. Good people over there. All the bugs are worked out now.
Doughboy12
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
TacoMan13 wrote:
New guy here, and still have yet to purchase my first RV but this thread puts my hunt into a broader perspective. As for top notch quality, I'd wager Prevost ( Class A MH's ) would be in the top 4, but as a bus conversion their surely more structurally sound before the interiors are even built. Wondering if there's better quality/integrity within a custom cargo trailer than the standard TH?

Um...YES!
TacoMan13
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
New guy here, and still have yet to purchase my first RV but this thread puts my hunt into a broader perspective. As for top notch quality, I'd wager Prevost ( Class A MH's ) would be in the top 4, but as a bus conversion their surely more structurally sound before the interiors are even built. Wondering if there's better quality/integrity within a custom cargo trailer than the standard TH?
1L243
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2013
My forest river work and play 30WR had a shower leak the first few months after I bought it which damaged the bathroom vanity. Forest River arragned for a local dealer to do the repair with no problems. No problems since and it's been 3 years. I use my righ about 3 months a year.
Mr__Sandman
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
A little over thirty years ago I worked on a travel trailer (Prowler and Terry) assenbly line at a Fleetwood plant for two summers while I was still in HS. The RVs back built back then were nothing but cheap luan plywood and pine framing, with staples and hot glue holding them together. I couldn't believe how crappily they were slapped together with very unskilled labor. When I bought my first toy hauler ten years ago I quickly realized that nothing much has changed. Once you get past all the pretty stuff, the same staples and hot glue are still holding everything together and they were put there by the same unskilled labor. Nothing has changed except the slick bells and whistles that are considered to be must have options; the build quality has stayed the same. Considering the amount of money today's RVs are going for and the junk they are selling as "new", I am amazed that the manufacturers are able to sell new units.
tinner12002
Explorer
Sep 14, 2013
Arch Stanton wrote:
Hi, new guy here.
But not new to RV's. Over the past 30 years I've owned everything from a camper shell to a Class A (2) and currently preparing to go from a slide-in to a Toy Hauler reading has been part of my research.
This thread prompted me to join.

There is truth in these forums, folks. As long as the buying public puts the money and name on the line and signs up for these machines, the manufacturers will continue to ride the edge between producing a tolerable product and one that has you pulling your hair out.
Sales.
That is all that matters.
Didja ever notice that we go round and round, talking about brand x being junk and someone else pops in and says brand x has been okay, it is brand z that is junk, but the guy who just got out from under brand x looked at brand z and that is what he is gonna buy?
It never changes.
Read all the forums out there where any part of the theme area involves RVs and you will eventually read a truism..
"There are two kinds of RV's, expensive junk and cheap junk"
I don't believe that is the case.
I think there are perhaps 4 brands who build a decent line, they are very expensive and most of us will never own one.
Then there are the "lipstick on a pig" brands, the ones most of us can afford and will be stuck with.
I pity the first time guy who thinks buying an RV is going to be like any other experience with a major purchase. I learned with my 1988 Southwind Class A that leaving the yard without a large supply of woodscrews, silicone sealer, and a full tool box was a mistake.
I learned how much the windshields could flex when one fell out on I-80.

The deal is this. We are fighting to try to enjoy a lifestyle, to make memories with our kids, or to enjoy a weekend away with our spouse, or a long dreamed of road trip across the land. All of the above apply to me, and I shudder to think of the money I have spent and the frustration I have experienced.
We put up with a lot of stuff we shouldn't, fellow RV'ers.
And we make the best of it.
And we learn to fix stuff.
And as long as we continue to buy this stuff, they will continue to build and sell it. As long as we tolerate crummy service and laughable warranty denials, they will continue to feed us the same. People need to push back, and push hard.
Buying a new RV should not resemble buying a 10 year old used car in any way whatsoever, but think about it, it is much more akin to that experience than what we associate with a new purchase.
Why do we put up with that? Would we tolerate it in any other area of our lives?
As I sit here and ponder another leap off the cliff, I wonder. I am about convinced I am going to buy used, not only to avoid the depreciation that is like a brick falling out of the sky, but with the ridiculous warranty stories we hear, where is the benefit of buying new?

Well said! I would like to know your opinion of what 4 haulers are the best made...even though I might not be able to afford one.
Mmaxed
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2013
Good post Arch!

We have been lucky. The first new rig we bought was a 2009 Fuzion 302 that we still have. Have had some minor things, but nothing major.

A friend just traded off a 2010 Road Warrior that was nothing but problems from the start. His list of 30 some problems were mostly small but included the roof trusses collapsing, sides delaminating and a slide that needed major repair. This year he thought all the problems were behind him, when he found that the rubber roof was coming loose in several spots. That was it and there is a new rig in his drive.
campinghut
Explorer
Sep 13, 2013
I am starting to see the the wistom in what you said. I have bought my last 5 trailers new and only one that I would say I had problems with, beyond little things.The one that I had all the problems with I sold in less then a year and took a big hit,funny thing is I probably fixed everything for the next guy. I also think toy haulers are the worst for problems.
Arch_Stanton
Explorer
Sep 13, 2013
Hi, new guy here.
But not new to RV's. Over the past 30 years I've owned everything from a camper shell to a Class A (2) and currently preparing to go from a slide-in to a Toy Hauler reading has been part of my research.
This thread prompted me to join.

There is truth in these forums, folks. As long as the buying public puts the money and name on the line and signs up for these machines, the manufacturers will continue to ride the edge between producing a tolerable product and one that has you pulling your hair out.
Sales.
That is all that matters.
Didja ever notice that we go round and round, talking about brand x being junk and someone else pops in and says brand x has been okay, it is brand z that is junk, but the guy who just got out from under brand x looked at brand z and that is what he is gonna buy?
It never changes.
Read all the forums out there where any part of the theme area involves RVs and you will eventually read a truism..
"There are two kinds of RV's, expensive junk and cheap junk"
I don't believe that is the case.
I think there are perhaps 4 brands who build a decent line, they are very expensive and most of us will never own one.
Then there are the "lipstick on a pig" brands, the ones most of us can afford and will be stuck with.
I pity the first time guy who thinks buying an RV is going to be like any other experience with a major purchase. I learned with my 1988 Southwind Class A that leaving the yard without a large supply of woodscrews, silicone sealer, and a full tool box was a mistake.
I learned how much the windshields could flex when one fell out on I-80.

The deal is this. We are fighting to try to enjoy a lifestyle, to make memories with our kids, or to enjoy a weekend away with our spouse, or a long dreamed of road trip across the land. All of the above apply to me, and I shudder to think of the money I have spent and the frustration I have experienced.
We put up with a lot of stuff we shouldn't, fellow RV'ers.
And we make the best of it.
And we learn to fix stuff.
And as long as we continue to buy this stuff, they will continue to build and sell it. As long as we tolerate crummy service and laughable warranty denials, they will continue to feed us the same. People need to push back, and push hard.
Buying a new RV should not resemble buying a 10 year old used car in any way whatsoever, but think about it, it is much more akin to that experience than what we associate with a new purchase.
Why do we put up with that? Would we tolerate it in any other area of our lives?
As I sit here and ponder another leap off the cliff, I wonder. I am about convinced I am going to buy used, not only to avoid the depreciation that is like a brick falling out of the sky, but with the ridiculous warranty stories we hear, where is the benefit of buying new?