Praise for forest River!

[Jim W]

I would like to give a shout out to Forest River to what they have provided to the users of their products.

I and my wife are at the Forest River Owners Group rally being held at Goshen IN. at the Elkhart County fair grounds this week. At this rally there are over 700+ campers at this rally and over 90% of them are having their trailers being service by Forest River for free. The trailers are having everything from axles, suspension to the interior components being replaced such as microwaves, toilets and TV's. I saw one unit about six years old that had their entry door replaced another older unit had the awing replaced.

My unit a 2016 had the tire and wheel replaced along with a couple of black splash tiles re-glued plus tighten a couple of loose screws in the fireplace.

What has amazed me is that I could not even get Keystone to sell me replacement decals for my 2010 Cougar that were peeling and Forest River is doing all of this for free.

Jim

 

[Killgore]

Jim, you sure make it obvious that I bought the wrong camper. - Ed

 

[AH64ID]

It's good to hear something nice about them as I hear the opposite more often... mainly with undersized axles.

 

[Jim W]

Jim, you sure make it obvious that I bought the wrong camper. - Ed

I too had a 2010, 318SAB Cougar that I really liked but it was getting old and needed suspension update to wet bolts and heavier shackles,plus the decal issue. So we bought a new 2016 CEDAR CREEK model. I know a lot of people complain about the RV industry and they have that right, but I thought praise is also do when it is earned.

Jim.

 

[SnoKing]

I belong to the Cardinal Club and they go as a group. It is unbelievable to hear the stories of all the things that are done for free. I would save money driving all the way from Washington State to attend one of these rallies.

SNOKING

 

[Jim W]

It's good to hear something nice about them as I hear the opposite more often... mainly with undersized axles.

John, some of the models being built do have under size components. I do not know why? For example we checked out the Cardinal 5er which is supposed to be a high end unit. Some of these have 6K axles under them were they should have 7K and the standard tires are E rated with the G rated as an option. These units are as heavy as the Cedar Creek models which all come standard with 7K axles and G rated tires.

I think it is up to the brand manager plus their marketing department who decided what is offered as standard or attachment not a corporate decision.

Jim

 

[crispyboy]

Thats good to hear there are good RV companies out there.

In September we are supposed to camp at the same fair grounds in Goshen for an Airstream rally. Did they have any utility hook ups?

 

[wyosteve]

Not trying to pick an argument, but I see the post differently, i.e. if 90% of the attendees are having/needing things done to their campers and if this represents a comparable percentage of owners that need things done, it seems like Forest River is a brand to stay away from. I'm shocked that owners are needing things like axles, suspension, toilets, etc. replaced.

 

[Killgore]

wyosteve, you make a good point. However, owning a competitive brand makes me envious of their attention to the 'after the sale - out of warranty' customer. This is truly commendable in a manufacturer, especially when most throw their problems on the dealers. Yes, it's a fantastic marketing tool because everyone of those folks at the rally will probably buy from Forest River in the future if they decide to trade, not to mention the testimonials that they will deliver when talking about campers in general. And of course, there are dummies like me who will stand up and take notice. Last night after reading Jim's post, I was looking at the Forest River website and talking it up to my wife.

- Ed

 

[Jim W]

Not trying to pick an argument, but I see the post differently, i.e. if 90% of the attendees are having/needing things done to their campers and if this represents a comparable percentage of owners that need things done, it seems like Forest River is a brand to stay away from. I'm shocked that owners are needing things like axles, suspension, toilets, etc. replaced.

Wyosteve,

What you need to understand is that the same suppliers are furnishing these same components to Thor manufacturing, Jayco, and Airstream to name a few. Forest River is replacing these items on the older models because the trailer owners are having issues with their units. I have seen Lippert, Dexter, and MORryde working on the trailers for Forest River, I have seen Whirlpool microwaves, Dometic toilets, and awning being replaced, how is this Forest Rivers problem? These are suppliers who supply the RV industry as a whole and Forest River is standing behind the entire product, which to me is commendable. I know of only one other company that would do that and this is in the heavy duty earthmoving equipment company.

Jim

 

[Jim W]

Thats good to hear there are good RV companies out there.

In September we are supposed to camp at the same fair grounds in Goshen for an Airstream rally. Did they have any utility hook ups?

Yes; they have full hoop-ups from 50 amps to 30 amps plus dumping stations.

Jim
Jim

 

[Jim W]

Thats good to hear there are good RV companies out there.

In September we are supposed to camp at the same fair grounds in Goshen for an Airstream rally. Did they have any utility hook ups?

Yes, they have full hook-ups and dump stations.

Jim

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I must say that Forest River was not on my list to investigate further for a future purchase, but now it is.

 

[Killgore]

I'm thinking the same as you, Russell. I think I'll go to the next RV Show that is held around here and do some crawling around looking at running gear, etc. With the campers being covered up now underneath, it's certainly more difficult to check out the frames, but I suspect that Forest River and possibly other manufacturers will start beating the drum about their improvements and advanced technology as compared to Brand X. Maybe we're on the verge of seeing some responsibility on the part of manufacturers indicated by Forest River's care and concern. I am impressed!

- Ed

 

[Scottyg1]

Have to agree with Jim. I have owned 7 rvs, 1 Pop up, 3tts and 3 5ers. All different brand. Now on my first Forest River unit ( 2015 Salem Hemisphere Lite 272RLIS) and couldn't be happier. Asisde from some of the few remaining High Line builders believe FR to be the best of the rest.