Our Lemon Forest River just squeezed some more juice

[NanciL]

I have been replying to various posts here with people asking about Forest River's quality and warning them how bad our brand new Wildwood is and once again last evening I heard water gushing out from under the trailer and I have another broken or disconnected water pipe.
For what it is worth, we have only towed this trailer three miles from the dealer to our RV site. We bought it brand new in October.

Is there such a thing as a Lemon Law for travel trailers ?

Jack L

[chesterb]

It's like anything else... We built our house. I was there everyday watching the progress, speaking to the guys. I think they did a great job but things need to break-in. They settle, loosen, break with use, especially when moving down the highway at 65 mph.

I personally like my Forest River trailer. One thing that helped me was I had an inspection checklist before purchasing it and the dealer and I went through everything on the list. I was honestly impressed with the trailer at delivery. There were a few things that needed fixed and addressed after the first couple trips but nothing I thought was unreasonable. That's my experience anyway.

[dian2travel]

sorry for your troubles, do you have water pressure fitting from source? To much pressure can damage fittings.....good luck

[Community Alumni]

tnrv'er wrote:

Does anyone know how RIVA operates? Are there inspectors in manufacturing plants daily, weekly, monthly?? Do they actually inspect workmanship?

They don't inspect units or plants according to what I've read. They just create the standard and manufacturers that agree to build to the standard. Manufacturers then get to certify the rigs as RVIA certified. It's like getting to use the UL certification without the UL actually testing the product to verify that it complies.

[westend]

tnrv'er wrote:

proxim2020 wrote:

tnrv'er wrote:
IMO the RV industries needs some "building code" regs and needs to be held accountable for crappy workmanship!

The RIVA should already be doing this really. They already set all of the standard for designs and building, but as far as I know, have no standards specific to quality. It's kind of sad. You buy that trailer that proudly displays the RVIA certification, but it ends up being a turd of a trailer.

Does anyone know how RIVA operates? Are there inspectors in manufacturing plants daily, weekly, monthly?? Do they actually inspect workmanship?

RVIA is a trade industry group that approves/adopts certain fire code and building standards and sells placards to trailer Mfgs.

[RwaSmith]

tnrv'er wrote:

proxim2020 wrote:

tnrv'er wrote:
IMO the RV industries needs some "building code" regs and needs to be held accountable for crappy workmanship!

The RIVA should already be doing this really. They already set all of the standard for designs and building, but as far as I know, have no standards specific to quality. It's kind of sad. You buy that trailer that proudly displays the RVIA certification, but it ends up being a turd of a trailer.

Does anyone know how RIVA operates? Are there inspectors in manufacturing plants daily, weekly, monthly?? Do they actually inspect workmanship?

I would be stunned if they were inspected daily. The factory I visited the employees were moving so fast trying to get trailers out. I am not sure how anyone could thoroughly inspect them all.

[tnrv_er]

proxim2020 wrote:

tnrv'er wrote:
IMO the RV industries needs some "building code" regs and needs to be held accountable for crappy workmanship!

The RIVA should already be doing this really. They already set all of the standard for designs and building, but as far as I know, have no standards specific to quality. It's kind of sad. You buy that trailer that proudly displays the RVIA certification, but it ends up being a turd of a trailer.

Does anyone know how RIVA operates? Are there inspectors in manufacturing plants daily, weekly, monthly?? Do they actually inspect workmanship?

[lbrjet]

lbrjet wrote:
So what exactly was the problem? Certainly you have ot fixed by now.

So?

[goducks10]

hvac wrote:
We read these stories constantly. Yesterday while fueling in Willits CA a gent came over to look at our coach. Back at home he had 3 year old toy hauler with soft floors. One corner wall seperation. Asked about ours and told him no wood. Anywhere. Advised pushing 3 yrs old and about 30k miles of trouble free use. I say peel the onion back folks. Ask questions. The RV industry should be ashamed of themselves.

x2

[Vulcanmars]

NanciL wrote:
I have been replying to various posts here with people asking about Forest River's quality and warning them how bad our brand new Wildwood is and once again last evening I heard water gushing out from under the trailer and I have another broken or disconnected water pipe.
For what it is worth, we have only towed this trailer three miles from the dealer to our RV site. We bought it brand new in October.

Is there such a thing as a Lemon Law for travel trailers ?

Jack L

I would say most of the sub $100K are built like ****. It's just the way it is. We keep buying them so who is to blame?
Some times you get a fairly well finished unit and sometimes not. A intense PDI and a good dealer will get you past the initial issues quickly. Go straight to FR as needed.
We enjoy our camper and accept the fact that it will be a worthless POS in a few years.

[hvac]

We read these stories constantly. Yesterday while fueling in Willits CA a gent came over to look at our coach. Back at home he had 3 year old toy hauler with soft floors. One corner wall seperation. Asked about ours and told him no wood. Anywhere. Advised pushing 3 yrs old and about 30k miles of trouble free use. I say peel the onion back folks. Ask questions. The RV industry should be ashamed of themselves.

[mtofell1]

NanciL wrote:

If I towed it back and forth to the dealers every time something breaks or doesn't work, or a shelf falls down, I would be living on the street.

If you are living in it full time you have voided the warranty anyway. The fine print that many people don't read is that these RVs are NOT intended for full time use.

[Community Alumni]

tnrv'er wrote:
IMO the RV industries needs some "building code" regs and needs to be held accountable for crappy workmanship!

The RIVA should already be doing this really. They already set all of the standard for designs and building, but as far as I know, have no standards specific to quality. It's kind of sad. You buy that trailer that proudly displays the RVIA certification, but it ends up being a turd of a trailer.

[dodge_guy]

I`ve had 2 Forest River trailers and only one issue, the radio had to be replaced.

All trailers are going to have problems. you have to learn how to fix some things yourself.

[NanciL]

ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:

Old Uncle Dave wrote:
So have you towed it the 3 miles back to the dealer?

🙂 Hi, most likely not. Three miles is much farther than a keyboard to complain on. :S

I guess you can't read very well!

If you looked at my answer you would have noted that I was warning new buyers to beware.

It seems a shame when someone is trying to warn fellow RVr's and then one like you has to post a snide remark.

jack L

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Old Uncle Dave wrote:
So have you towed it the 3 miles back to the dealer?

🙂 Hi, most likely not. Three miles is much farther than a keyboard to complain on. :S