Forest River - Fined

[tsetsaf]

http://rvdailyreport.com/industry/forest-river-facing-600000-in-fines-for-safety-violations/

Following an investigation it opened Sept. 30, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that Forest River appeared to have violated its Early Warning Reporting obligations repeatedly, The Elkhart Truth reported.

The federal regulation requires vehicle manufacturers to provide the agency with information regarding claims related to any deaths and injuries involving its vehicles, or any information regarding property damage claims, warranty claims or consumer complaints,

[mlts22]

minnow wrote:
Pocket change for Warren Buffet. I'd like to see NHTSA take a good hard look at all of the RV manufacturers. Maybe that's would finally start to shine a bright light onto the shoddy manufacturing methods and shortcuts this industry is known for within our little RV'ing community.

I thought of that... but if the government stepped in, we wouldn't see quality improve. What we would see is a lot of mandated add-ons that would make the price of a "C" skyrocket... but everything else still remain the same. For example, when the EPA demanded all the emissions regulations in 1973, it took a decade before vehicles were usable again. Same with diesel vehicles. A diesel engine from the 1990s is far more reliable than one made in the past 2-3 years just because of too much forced upon car makers, too quickly.

It would be nice of quality would improve, but I just don't want the government getting involved on that front.

[wing_zealot]

No Comment - had seconds thoughts, decided any comments would be wasted anyway.

Mr. Wingnut

[dodge_guy]

wing_zealot wrote:

minnow wrote:
Pocket change for Warren Buffet. I'd like to see NHTSA take a good hard look at all of the RV manufacturers. Maybe that's would finally start to shine a bright light onto the shoddy manufacturing methods and shortcuts this industry is known for within our little RV'ing community.

The case has nothing at all to do with shoddy manufacturing methods. Not even remotely relevant.

Actually very relevant! Ever see how they built some of the 5th wheel pin boxes and frames! Not the best manuf method! How about some models with undersized axles and/or tires? Not to mention some that had poor brakes from the manuf., mine was one of those. Needed to replace the brake magnets because they were faulty from the beginning!

All these issues were brought to the manuf. attention, but for some reason nothing ever came from these potentially dangerous problems! I think though that we now found out why!

[minnow]

wing_zealot wrote:

minnow wrote:
Pocket change for Warren Buffet. I'd like to see NHTSA take a good hard look at all of the RV manufacturers. Maybe that's would finally start to shine a bright light onto the shoddy manufacturing methods and shortcuts this industry is known for within our little RV'ing community.

The case has nothing at all to do with shoddy manufacturing methods. Not even remotely relevant.

My comment was made in general as to this industry needing some oversight. But I do appreciate your concern Mr Wingnut.

[NC_Hauler]

.........the manufacturer "lost their paperwork", or back up records weren't available, whichever...but HEY, if it can happen to the IRS, don't see why it can't happen to an RV manufacturer...Federal bureaucracy=laughable at best

[wing_zealot]

minnow wrote:
Pocket change for Warren Buffet. I'd like to see NHTSA take a good hard look at all of the RV manufacturers. Maybe that's would finally start to shine a bright light onto the shoddy manufacturing methods and shortcuts this industry is known for within our little RV'ing community.

The case has nothing at all to do with shoddy manufacturing methods. Not even remotely relevant.

[minnow]

Pocket change for Warren Buffet. I'd like to see NHTSA take a good hard look at all of the RV manufacturers. Maybe that's would finally start to shine a bright light onto the shoddy manufacturing methods and shortcuts this industry is known for within our little RV'ing community.

[wa8yxm]

MrWizard wrote:
Accident reporting is up to the authorities and insurance companies
How is an RV MFG supposed to now about an accident involving one of their vehicles

Now forms and paperwork to be filled during mfg
That is administrative, not MFG defects

I mentioned this earlier, The Consumer Products Safety folks have rules that require manufacturers report to them any safety related issues with their products that come to their attention.

This not only includes vehicles you see on the road, but things like a child's swingset, Cribs, Medications, shampoo, hair spray. You name it, anything and everything you can buy.

Some companies are good about reporting... Some.. Not so good.

Some companies.. Well they will issue a product recall because quality control says something MIGHT have happened (not that it did, but a safety protocol was violated and thus something MIGHT have happened) others will never issue a recall till people get sick or injured and the inspectors show up and .. RUN LIKE BLAZES from the plant because of the conditions they find there (And yes, That one, is why I subscribe to the recall list,, Remember the Peanut recall back in what, around 2007 give or take a couple years).

The company responsible is one where the inspectors RAN from the plant, pausing only long enough to order it's closing and demolition.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

MrWizard wrote:
Accident reporting is up to the authorities and insurance companies
How is an RV MFG supposed to now about an accident involving one of their vehicles

Now forms and paperwork to be filled during mfg
That is administrative, not MFG defects

Precisely......

[Charlie_D_]

Doubt this will ever end end court. I suspect FR will plead no contest to some of the charges,pay a reduced fine and get their paperwork in order. I also suspect that many if not all of the other manufacturers are scrambling to make sure their paperwork and filings are in order.

Some of the paperwork that they failed to comply with included consumer complaint's and defects reported by owners. Are some of those defect not reported a danger to the public. We don't know and neither do the Feds.

"Forest River also apparently failed to submit quarterly reports on its progress completing safety recalls, failed to comply with other recall-related requirements and might have violated other parts of the Safety Act, the agency states on the website.

A vehicle manufacturer can either voluntarily recall a product for a safety reason or be ordered to do so by NHTSA. In either case, the manufacturer must file:

A public report describing the safety-related defect or noncompliance with a federal motor vehicle safety standard and the major events that resulted in the recall determination.
A description of the remedy.
A schedule for the recall.
NHTSA monitors each safety recall to ensure the manufacturers provide owners safe, free and effective remedies according to the Safety Act and Federal regulations, the agency states on the website."

How do we know there are not RV's made by them that are on the road and placing people in danger that have not been recalled because they don't have the documents or procedures to properly track them. This issue is, IMO, not just related to FR but all the manufacturers. We have all seen pictures on this and other forums of major failures to RV's and then read reports that the manufacturers deny responsibility because it is out of warranty. Frame failures, broken I-beams and collapsed pin boxes are just some of the problems.

I own a Forest River Crusader and say that with the exception of a bad rear stabilizer switch and wear on the bottom of one of the slides that have a Darco wrap on it that it is without issue with 100 nights and 7,000 miles, BUT, there is a topic on the FR forum asking for help and FR/PrimeTime has not responded in over 18 months and blew the issue off when the topic was first posted. They have since changed the material. Their solution for those under warranty was to put tape over the worn area but reports of those who have had the tape added say that the problem continues.

[wing_zealot]

pitch wrote:
Better than the alternative!

Interesting comment. Apparently our forefathers decided a Revolution was necessary when the last administration got out of control. So, it's pretty safe to say "better than the alternative" didn't apply then, maybe it doesn't apply now either.

[pitch]

Better than the alternative!

[westend]

This is about reports and forms not being delivered rather than any safety specific items that occurred. I can state, personally, that parts of the Federal Gov't are out of control and needlessly pursuing reporting violations. The bureaucracy becomes a monster that needs paperwork entanglements in order to generate power and revenue.
I think most folks that have interface with Gov't administration would testify similarly.

[wing_zealot]

Forest River is entitled to their day in court before all you people jump to conclusions. Just because a cop gives you a ticket for some infraction doesn't make you automatically guilty and obligated to pay it. You also are entitled to your day in court and to present your side of the story to the judge.