FR Cedar Creek review and quality

[GAmes]

The company I lease to tows a lot of FRs, in fact the plant is in the town where I went to school (can't say I grew up there since I've never grown up:-laf) I'm still kinda sorta employed, so let it suffice to say I bought a Northwood 5er. My last 5er, a Monaco (good brand name, right?) had a Lippert frame. It cracked, as many do, so Northwood, who builds their own frames, was my choice.

 

[RVTRKN]

My last 5er, a Monaco (good brand name, right?) had a Lippert frame. It cracked, as many do, so Northwood, who builds their own frames, was my choice.

That fact alone was what sold me on Arctic Fox. (Northwoods) I bought used, so it was a taillight warranty, and I paid cash, and it was 1500 miles from home. So I looked it over pretty good, and compared to my last 5ver, cheap unit, it was spotless. Then I looked underneath it and saw the massive frame. I was so impressed with the that frame, I told the salesman it was sold, before I climbed from underneath it. If you think about it, all the appliances and related stuff are made by just a few manufactures that sell to the RV manufacture, so the frame is important. I’ve been very happy with my Arctic Fox, except that fact it’s almost 15 years old already.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Even after I supplied photos of jacks that were installed on either bent or improper mounting frame supports Lippert and Camping World declined warranty repairs.

 

[CUMMINZ]

On our 90 day 14,000 mile trip this summer.

 

[CumminsBu]

That fact alone was what sold me on Arctic Fox. (Northwoods) I bought used, so it was a taillight warranty, and I paid cash, and it was 1500 miles from home. So I looked it over pretty good, and compared to my last 5ver, cheap unit, it was spotless. Then I looked underneath it and saw the massive frame. I was so impressed with the that frame, I told the salesman it was sold, before I climbed from underneath it. If you think about it, all the appliances and related stuff are made by just a few manufactures that sell to the RV manufacture, so the frame is important. I’ve been very happy with my Arctic Fox, except that fact it’s almost 15 years old already.

I'm currently looking at the Outdoors RV 27BHS or the 23BDS by Outdoors RV. Out of all the trailers the wife and I have looked at we keep going back to it.

 

[RVTRKN]

I tried looking those up on the north woods site and didn’t see them?

 

[Wayne M.]

Cumminz and RV, I'm glad I was able to crank up the way back machine.

 

[CumminsBu]

Outdoors RV is a sister company or branch of Northwood MFG built in La Grande, Oregon


http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/

 

[CumminsBu]

I tried looking those up on the north woods site and didn’t see them?

Sorry they both Outdoors RV. I edited the above post.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Do you want to read a little more about Forest River Forums and Forest River and their Kool Aid drinkers. View and read this site.

http://www.dantana.com/forestriverforums

 

[Wiredawg]

Cuminz,
Sorry to hear about your problems. In 2015, I purchased a DRV Mobile Suites, which was in the shop 4 times the first year for a total of 8 months. Most of the problem was the Lippert leveling system problems. While on our recent 5 week trip, the 60 inch LED TV fell off the back wall. The mounting bracket had been screwed into the plywood with 6 #4 one inch sheet metal screws. TV was destroyed, but at least it didn't damage the cabinetry. My wife and I purchased a new 65" TV, I screwed 6 ea #14 inch and a half screws plus used commercial glue on the back of the mounting plate. I also mounted heavy L-brackets to the back wall and used the screws for the TV feet to secure the bottom of the TV. I called Mobile Suites and they said they would let their QC know. I think, after two years, the bugs are worked out, knock on wood. Hope yours is too. Take care and Happy Trails, Ron

 

[Cliffman]

There's got to be more to this story... What was there reason for denying the claim?

 

[CUMMINZ]

There's got to be more to this story... What was there reason for denying the claim?

FR and Lippert said I abused the jacking system and I proved to them I did not. By the way which claim are you referring? I had dozens of issues. After I made a 1200 mile trip to the factory in Topeka and met with Craig Clair and George Oliver of CC and the management of Lippert they changed their mind. I took many photos. CLIFF did you look at jack photos and read carefully my explanations?

 

[CUMMINZ]

Cuminz,
Sorry to hear about your problems. In 2015, I purchased a DRV Mobile Suites, which was in the shop 4 times the first year for a total of 8 months. Most of the problem was the Lippert leveling system problems. While on our recent 5 week trip, the 60 inch LED TV fell off the back wall. The mounting bracket had been screwed into the plywood with 6 #4 one inch sheet metal screws. TV was destroyed, but at least it didn't damage the cabinetry. My wife and I purchased a new 65" TV, I screwed 6 ea #14 inch and a half screws plus used commercial glue on the back of the mounting plate. I also mounted heavy L-brackets to the back wall and used the screws for the TV feet to secure the bottom of the TV. I called Mobile Suites and they said they would let their QC know. I think, after two years, the bugs are worked out, knock on wood. Hope yours is too. Take care and Happy Trails, Ron

How do you like your 4500? What kinda RPMs do you run at 70mph? What Smarty settings do you run?

 

[Cliffman]

How do you like your 4500? What kinda RPMs do you run at 70mph? What Smarty settings do you run?

The jacks is what I'm looking at and yes, I looked at the photos and read your notes. What caused them to bend? I've never seen anything like this. It just dosen't make sense. Can you give a detailed discription of the event's that lead up to the damage?

 

[CUMMINZ]

The jacks is what I'm looking at and yes, I looked at the photos and read your notes. What caused them to bend? I've never seen anything like this. It just dosen't make sense. Can you give a detailed discription of the event's that lead up to the damage?

The front left and rear right jacks were welded (bracket) on the frame incorrectly. No fitting or grinding of the bracket. Made the jacks tilt outward much more than they should. That placed undue pressure on all the other jacks to be able to go down and hit ground correctly. The jacking system actually has a great flaw in the design and I showed that to both FR and Lippert. For example: If you are sitting on unlevel ground when you start the raising process and one or more jacks bottom out the system tries to move other jacks to compensate. There is actually no programming or brain to tell the rest of the system what to do when one or more bottom out. Originally when I jacked up my rig at CW, Charlotte I was sitting in their parking lot going into one of their bays. The front jacks bottomed out and the middle jacks kept on jacking and raised the middle of the coach about 3"s higher than front. Caused the entire coach to tork to the right in the front and way left in the rear. This bent the right rear jack housing. I have paperwork from CW, Charlotte giving me prices for me to pay for jack and shipping to Charlotte when my coach was weeks old. When I took the coach to Amish Family RV Repair in Topeka for repairs in November, Lippert welder came out and re-welded 2 new jack brackets to my frame.

 

[Wiredawg]

Cuminz, I like the heck out the 4500. I've run on level 5 since Dec 2009. never dynode it, but est around 380 hp and 800 ftlbs tq. I did the EGR and DPF delete for almost 8 years, but just put it back on. have 67K miles on it and get around 11MPG solo and avg 9 towing, but it weighs over 12K lbs. I really like the versatility of the tow body: I have an 60 gal aux fuel tank/tool box combo and extra slide out toolboxes. I've done a lot of custom wiring on it: RV and backup cameras, central switches for back up lights, fogs a DTR lights, fuel transfer, tool box lights. And, I put stacks on it for no better reason than it looks good. I got it stuck today and had to pull it out of the mud after trying to back the car hauler in the back.

 

[CUMMINZ]

Cuminz, I like the heck out the 4500. I've run on level 5 since Dec 2009. never dynode it, but est around 380 hp and 800 ftlbs tq. I did the EGR and DPF delete for almost 8 years, but just put it back on. have 67K miles on it and get around 11MPG solo and avg 9 towing, but it weighs over 12K lbs. I really like the versatility of the tow body: I have an 60 gal aux fuel tank/tool box combo and extra slide out toolboxes. I've done a lot of custom wiring on it: RV and backup cameras, central switches for back up lights, fogs a DTR lights, fuel transfer, tool box lights. And, I put stacks on it for no better reason than it looks good. I got it stuck today and had to pull it out of the mud after trying to back the car hauler in the back. View attachment 101035

How is the ride compared to a 3500? Why put deleted back on?

 

[Wiredawg]

The ride is a little firmer I believe as I recently drove a friends 2017 3500 4x4. In 2009, the reasons to purchase a 4500 were huge: the Aisin transmission the biggest, the longer wheel base, and a C&C turns tighter than the HDs due to narrower frames on the C&Cs, 52 gallon fuel tank, DANA 135 (heavy duty components) and the other big advantage to me is having the tow body. I carry two 12 ton jack stands, wheel chocks, a gallon Amsoil, AT4, power steering fluid, and tow straps. I have full tools, and carry an extra 60 gallons fuel. My friends who travel with us are always planning fuel and DEF.
In 2017, 3500 HDs have Aisins, 385 hp 900 ft lbs tq and get better fuel mileage. The C&Cs advantage now would be tow body, but you would need to buy a Smarty.

I put the emissions back on due to traveling in states that enforce them. EGTs not a problem except when it's regenning. Ron

 

[CUMMINZ]

The ride is a little firmer I believe as I recently drove a friends 2017 3500 4x4. In 2009, the reasons to purchase a 4500 were huge: the Aisin transmission the biggest, the longer wheel base, and a C&C turns tighter than the HDs due to narrower frames on the C&Cs, 52 gallon fuel tank, DANA 135 (heavy duty components) and the other big advantage to me is having the tow body. I carry two 12 ton jack stands, wheel chocks, a gallon Amsoil, AT4, power steering fluid, and tow straps. I have full tools, and carry an extra 60 gallons fuel. My friends who travel with us are always planning fuel and DEF.
In 2017, 3500 HDs have Aisins, 385 hp 900 ft lbs tq and get better fuel mileage. The C&Cs advantage now would be tow body, but you would need to buy a Smarty.

I put the emissions back on due to traveling in states that enforce them. EGTs not a problem except when it's regenning. Ron

I have test drove several mty 4500/5500s since they came out. I really like the idea of the aisin and the 19.5" tires and bigger brakes. My wife and I look them over often and always said if we purchase one the first thing we would do is to take it to a spring shop and remove 2 or 3 springs out of the rear. Our 3500 is 10 years old and just 135k miles. You can look at my signature and see what all we have done. Had a Towing Suncoast transmission installed and 4.30 gears couple months ago. Folks with these new 3500s don't know what they are missing not having 19.5s. I feel pretty sure RAM/Cummins will come out with an 8 speed transmission in the next couple years. I run my Smarty on 60-90HP while towing and only several months ago started using the "timing switch" on #3 which has helped my EGTs greatly.