Forest River
Reviews and Complaints

I have a 2015 27RLWS Forest River Flagstaff Emerald travel trailer. This year upon taking it out of storage, I noticed delamination taking place on the upper half of the front of the trailer. The lower have seems unaffected. By upper half I am speaking of the seem which you can see under the fiberglass just about wear the front window is. It is only affected above the seam. I check my roof seals annually and have never seen any degradation. This is not from water damage, it is from sun heat and a poor quality job of lamination of the upper piece! Funny, how when you call or ask they always blame the owner in someway! I told them I check the seals annual, they told me all seals should checked every 6 months. That is total crap! It would take a long time to inspect the entire RV and to do it every six months. Imagine being told before you by you have to inspect or have the seals inspected every six months to prevent leaks and delamination! Would you buy the product? Hell no! Especially on a upper class RV! I going to attempt to get resolution. If Forest River reads this please contact me!

Bought a 2018 Forest river cruise lite 180 Rt toy hauler less then a year ago. All I can say is where is their quality control where is their quality at all. We have had it out a total of 3 times and will now be bringing it in for service again! After a 2 week trip we came home with a list of problems, that our dealer poo-poo off. I think maybe forest river has them do that. Some off our orginal issues are still there. Flickering lights (said it was because a low battery, which is funny we were not connected to the battery), bent bar on the stabilizer jack (think they looked at the wrong one), the pre factory setting on our fridge was freezing things(did get that corrected). We had to add a extra piece of wood to the door jamb so that the pantry door would stop opening and hitting the side of our bike. The indicator lights on the outside of the trailer blew off, had to replace them at our cost (dealer did reinburse us), the table warped(they did replace), Because it is a toy hauler it has 2 fire extinguishers, one of them fell off the wall and rolled into our bike (the didn't put a backer behind, just screwed it into the cheap cardboard wall board).
So this Wednesday we get to bring it back in after a trip over the 4th. The water heater quit working. We have several other trips planned and I am nervous what else will go wrong with it. I believe that the warranty ends in a few weeks and after that we are stuck with the costs.

This company needs to up it's quality. I kick myself daily for buying this camper and wish I would have gone with a different brand. We have friends with a brand new forest river 5th wheel and it is in for service because of axel problems! I will be having the dealer check ours although I am sure they will say why?
I would say to anyone thinking about buying any forest river Rv, Steer clear. Go with another brand. don't make the same mistake I did.

We purchased this C-Class from Bob Ledford RV's over a year ago, previously owned. The motor home only had 14K miles on it and looked pretty clean. We've kept the RV garages except while on the road. We noticed last year that the upholstery on the Jack Knife couch was cracking. I thought perhaps the heat was getting to it. Then on this trip out last week, I noticed the seat is also cracking and peeling. After going on a Google Search, I've learned that thousands of complaints trusting the upholstery are listed. Some were able to get new upholstery and replaced furniture. I've read that some have spoken of a class action lawsuit. Has Forest River sought remediation from the fabric company to address it's customers' complaints? I'm looking for answers as I'm looking at a bigger, newer motor home and I'm concerned that I won't get a fair trade because of the defects.

Poor quality in the trailer build. There are trim pieces falling off the ceiling and walls. The countertop in the bathroom is chipped like something was dropped on it. The inside radius of the trim on the counter top was too short and put on anyway so it isn't even touching the counter top. The under carriage is rusty already and it has only been 1/2 a year. The grey and black water tanks were clogged due to the fact they didn't clean out the 2" hole saw piece left from drilling. The front left scissor jack bent during a windy storm. I have pics that I have sent to the dealership and also a Heather Horton. Not all the pictures won't load on here. If there is a point of contact, I will send them to them

Bought new ceder creek champagne 38el in September 17 and have had nothing but trouble with this American made product, water heater broke, both air conditioners broke, gas all leaked out with just 2hrs of life, the workmanship of this company is appalling, if that happened in the UK they would be of of bissness, but I guess that why we are a great country and the USA is finished, what do they make that's any good.

Ordered the palomino columbus compass 377 mbc (loved the floor plan) to be built (9/16). Since taking ownership (1/17) we've had a myriad of issues. After our 1st outing (4/17), we had 2 pages of defects that needed to be addressed & it went in for service. Had to get palomino customer service (j. Shenefield [protected]) involved & she extended the 2yr warranty by 6 months (yet provided no proof of that). Now, the front slide leaks at the bottom right corner (inside) when it rains-carpet gets soaked. Front bedroom lights short out (this was supposedly fixed last year) during storms-leaving us w/out overhead lights (& worries of fire) for 2 days of our current vacation. The ac vent in the side bedroom blows cool air for awhile, then stops, leading us to believe something is in the vent that eventually blocks air flow. We have a whole list of other repairs due to lack of quality. I already called, from vacation, to make an appointment for repairs; 1st available opening 7/24/18 (over a month out). And now, as we drive home, w/an air ride hitch, the section of the camper with the for-mentioned leak has a huge crack that has torn through the outside (gel coat) of the camper. Just called the palomino customer service number (above) and spoke to ms. Shenefield, who didn't express any concern & simply advised us to "caulk the area & continue to use the unit as normal until it can get in for repairs." when I advised that the torn section of the camper would need to be replaced, her reply was, "well, we don't know that yet." uh-well, I do! She referred a service called ‘mobile tech' if we wanted to have it looked at sooner, but advised that they were not a contracted company so we'd have to pay out of pocket for them-wth?! "customer service" made no effort to see if they could get us into a shop in our area any sooner than over a month away. Their attitude was extremely blasé. I even said, while on the phone, that I was "concerned w/their lack of concern." now, here it is, vacation season, & I can guarantee we'll need to cancel at least 2 trips b/c this piece of garbage will be in the repair shop. And, in reading other complaints, god only knows how long these "repairs" will take! There is no quality in this product or the "customer service!" very angry! Do not buy forest river products!

Bought my Forest river Sierra 379flok in Sept on 2017. Did put approximately 8 to 10 miles on the new tires that came with the coach. All tires a size 235 /80R 16 load rating e. First week of June I experienced two tires separations on the rear axle, one on each side. The date code for these tires were in the year 2015. The tires in front of them are made in 2016. The coach was built in 2017.

First complaint... Why are "e" rated tires placed on a coach with a gvwr of 15, 5000 lbs. when the tires are rated for only 14, 080 lbs.
Concern ...being new to rving and no one at the dealership explained the danger of underrated tires we placed cargo in our coach that increased the total weight to14, 780 (all we would need for camping. Feeling safe with the idea we were way under the gvwr we put on some miles driving speed average was 60 to 65 miles an hour.
Losing the two tires in as many days was very unnerving, why the tires aren't rated for at least the max gvwr of the coach is beyond my comprehension. Neither Forest River or the tire (Lionshead) can give an answer. They just play the blame game and point the finger at each other leaving me no where to turn for a solution.
The second tire failure caused some damage to the underbelly of the coach along with ripping out the wiring for my stop lights, turns signal and tail lights. Both tires damaged the fenders and clearance lights.
After doing some research I found out the tires should be "F" rated...this rating would match the wheels ( rims) and exceed the gvwr b 300lbs. Allowing the tires forum cooler. And allowing the owner to put cargo in the coach.
As a final note...
The car and truck industry both rate their tires based on the gross vehicle weight the vehicle can carry not short changing the customers.

We purchased this 2017 trailer in April2017. The day we took delivery their was a running light lens missing. The dealer replaced it but when we got home it was missing again. Subsequently we have had 4 or 5 lenses crack or fall off and we have replaced them with better quality running lights. Since then we have had to have the water pump replaced under warranty. At that same time we requested repair of the wall siding that was pulling away from the wall. It was "repaired" but has come away from the wall again. We have also had to replace the shower head which broke and the toilet that would not hold water. We have friends with older models of these same trailers and they have not had problems like we have had. We think Forest Ricer has cheapened their construction and I would not recommend their products!

We purchased this in April at a show. This was the demo model in the show. We were promised a few things would be fixed (a drawer in the Master Bedroom, a side panel coming off in the bedroom, tape on the outside, a side panel in the bathroom and cleaning of the unit) and these issues were not taken care of.
We were also promised a cover for the front of the 5th wheel. It was given to us and put together at our park at 11:30pm! I applaud the gentleman for working so late, but the wooden cover he gave us will not be accepted into most parks and it looks like something a drug addict built really fast. It looks awful!
The Scotchguarding and the Protective Coating we paid a couple thousand extra for was not even applied! I am a former Claims Inspector for Monsanto and Dupont and I know my applications.
We also had a hose leak . The back flush for the waste tank blew out a line in the undercarriage the moment I turned it on so obviously it was never tested.
I would like a refund for the protective coatings since they were not applied. I would also like a proper vinyl cover for the front end. I would also like some kind of monetary compensation for the hassle I have been through, the cleaning I have had to do that the manufacturer should have done before sending this unit out, and for the work I have done to correct things.

We went on our first camping trip with our 2018 Forest River 5th wheel 36BHQ and while camping my wife noticed the sunlight was coming through the floor by the wall in the hallway going up to the bedroom. All along the outside wall you can see light coming through all along the floor.
Also when we got home and opened the camper up the light strip come down again.
I am a 100% disabled Vet and I'm really disappointed in the way the company is handling this complaint. This is my third complaint and I haven't even heard from then yet. I tried calling and they just push it off as a warranty issue. So many issues make this a major for us. We bought this camper thinking it was a quality camper and were really excited to go camping. We had to cancel 2 camping trips so far. This is a lemon and there workmanship was so poor I would never recommend a River Forest camper.
My next step is a lawyer.
Upset in Michigan.

My husband and I purchased this RV trailer 1 month ago.
Unfortunately, this has been the worse mistake we made.
We have only used the trailer once and this long weekend we
went to use it and the slide didn't open, we noticed a major water leak,
the bed is broken the wood feel off, and the outside led light doesn't turn off.
Once again we have only used this trailer one time...
I have no idea how these trailers are even sold.
I never ever have had a trailer and definitely don't want another one
after seeing the garbage made from forest river.
Don't buy anything from them because you will forever regret it.
I will post a video on you tube as well showing you all the proof.
We are requesting for Camping World of Fort Myers to give us our money back and I hope they do the right thing or I will have to get my attorney involved.

After getting our 5th wheel repaired of most of the dozen problems we experienced with our new 2018 Forest River bunkhouse and having to cancel 2 camping trips already this is what we experienced after the repairs were made and we finally got to go camping for memorial weekend. I am a 100 percent disabled vet and we feel we've been taken by this company.

Thermostat is very cheap and still doesn't work after the dealer said it was fixed. Its definitely not a dealer problem. Just a very cheap quality thermostat by Domestic. Its s manufacturing problem.

After hauling the camper and opening it up we noticed the Led light strip about 2 foot was hanging out of the ceiling by the molding in the corner of the kitchen. They probably didn't clean the dust or dirt off when they stuck it up there.

Bedroom we found a wood molding strip laying on the floor by the bed. Dont know where it came off yet.

Toilet in bathroom noticed a orange rubber seal about 10 inches long hanging over the side of the back of toilet. Hopefully it won't leak someday.

Under trailer we noticed a clip came off the gas line and is hanging lower then it should.

I will keep updating these complaints until Forest River addresses these issues directly and not try to pass them on to the dealer saying it's a warranty issue.

Very dissatisfied customers. Still upset when I contacted the manufacturer and she said I could only get trade in value if I wanted to return it. Very unprofessional. I dont think you should pass something onto the consumer to do your inspection.
Obviously you dont really care. I think I have a right to be upset.

The floor on trailor started going spongy in 2017 spring of 2018 we took travel trailer for spring service and to see what was wrong with floor. they said it was not water damage, floor just went spongy. when one checks out the tracer trailer through the primetime, it is stated very clearly with there design a spongy floor wiil not happen. it did. I have tryed to contact them through email and have recieved no response. we love the trailer but this is very shocking.

2018 River Forest 36BHQ 5th Wheel
Very poor quality and workmanship for a brand new 5th wheel. The following are the problems we experienced before we loaded or used it.

We called the manufacturer and they said these were just minor and the dealer we bought the 5th wheel would take care of them. We feel the manufacturer should have replaced the 5th wheel with another one since they didn't inspect it before they sent it to the dealer. There warranty dept. said we could trade it in but wouldn't get but trade in value for it. These may be minor but when you have a brand new 5th wheel and all these minor things go wrong before you even use it, that's major.

Bed wire broke.
Bubble in floor by door.
Pantry side panel popped out.
Pantry door glass scratched.
Kitchen thermostat doesn't work right, comes on by itself when its shut off.
Piece of trim came in while putting slideout out. Track along slide out broke in half.
Carpet coming up under table.
Curtain holder broke by table.
Found screw by headboard of bed and tiny magnet piece by bedroom closet.
Haven't winterized it yet as couldn't find the bypass valve. No access.
2 Steps moulding on wrong. Screws should be on side not the top where someone could trip and cut there foot.
Access door to valves to dewinterize.

And we haven't even used it to see what else doesn't work or will fall apart. We've had to cancel 2 camping trips so far because it's at the dealers being repaired. Very upsetting.

First of all, I would never have bought this 5th wheel if I had know it was by Forest River! They put on the 2017 Columbus 386FK "BY PALOMINO" to throw people off and guess what folks... it worked on this fool! This company ought to be sued and put out of business!

April 2018, My husband and I traded in a Big Country (2010) for this amazing FRONT KITCHEN. When we arrived home, the trim on the walls were hanging off. VERY POORLY BUILT.
We left April 20th, for Mississippi. 1 week into our trip, it rains. Bedroom floor was soaked, from where? Who the heck knows, there is no way water can get in. We called our dealer, and was told to bring it in. That's funny "GINA" cause we are camping in it!
Week 2, leak on the bathroom floor, outside walls sweat and you can see the wood on the inside, from the sweat marks on the out side. Remote to the DVD player already broke (Quit working).
Week 3, the bedroom AC went out. A Cool only zone control kit was $200.00. Still not working and was told, these RV's have these things go wrong all the time. Funny that my husband and I had 2 Big Country's and NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES! We have not made the first payment and we want something else. GOOD LUCK I was told, we own this one!
R U N F O R Y O U R L I F E! DO N O T BUY THIS JUNK!

I bought a new 2015 Crusader RV and paid a lot of money for it from Daves RV in Claremore Ok. Every time we go camping something breaks. What we have is a lemon! I would not recommend anyone buy your product because of all the misery we've dealt with since we bought it. We cannot ever get it in to the service dept. at Daves in a timely manner. Is there anything we can do?

we bought a new trailer and have had nothing but problems with this lemon of a trailer brakes faulty. microwave structural problems you took our trailer to the plant have had the trailer for 8 months with nothing but excuses about fixing it and getting it back to us we are very upset we cannot go camping with our family 20000 for your product and we have nothing

On august 18, 2016 we purchased a new Sabre by Palomino 36kstb platinum edition and had issues right from the start. We only got to use it for one month as our camping season is very short. When we went to open our unit on may 13, 2017 we noticed hundreds of cracks in the gel coat! We were told to use it for the season and return it to the dealer in the fall so it can be returned to the manufacturer on December 4, 2017. While vacationing that summer we returned it to the dealer for some other repairs which I remember correctly was about 27 in total. Our climate is not hot so our vacation was the first opportunity we had to use the a/c unit and we had problems with it. There's the option of a second a/c unit on this model like most but in our opinion should come standard because the a/c vents don't blow thru the entire unit! One set for the main area and one set for the bedrooms! We did not know this until we returned it to the dealer on our way home from vacation and they are the ones who discovered it was two separate sets of duct work. The workmanship of forest river products is obviously very poor.
For the past two months the dealer has been enquiring on our behalf as to when our unit will be returned to us and as of today the answer is still that it's in the line up waiting for an available bay to pull it in for the repairs! So here we are now 3 weeks from our camping season and 6 weeks from our annual vacation and our unit still sits in the factory in Indiana unrepaired!so the unit has to be repaired and returned to the dealer in canada and we have to drive 1300km to pick it up. it's pretty frustrating when you spend almost $70 000 on a unit and it looks like you're gonna loose a year of using it.
This is our first forest river product and it looks like it's probably gonna be the last! I would not recommend forest river.

I thought I was doing 5th right thing buying a brand new trailer. We went to pick it up and discovered they had put multiple holes in the bedroom wall for a tv wall mount. And then they acted like I was wrong when I questioned all the holes.
Next issue noticed was the front Jack's stopped working with the button and I must use the remote control. Upon looking behind the switch I can see several spots where the wire has been cobbled together poorly with black tape. It was a very poor workmanship.
I then noticed points of nails or screws sticking through the cloth like material up under the fifth wheel at the front of the trailer. That's gotta be wrong.
The skylight in the kitchen seemed to collect condensation so we looked at it and the clear plastic piece was only slightly connected on one side. So that's a problem.
One of the 3 led kitchen lights has been out since about a month into owning this lemon.
One of the burners, the back right, hasn't ever sparked.
The screws under the mattress in the bedroom rusted the first trip out.
A pipe up under the kitchen sink was loose, actually almost off when I bought it. I noticed my first trip and tightened it. But, come on people!
The back was never secured to the furnace causing an early breakdown as to the dust and dirt sucked right into the open wall of the furnace.
The window shades. The first summer one bedroom one broke. The string just came apart! No saving it! Now one on the living room is almost broken so at least I can stop using it so it won't break completely.
I've been treated so badly by anyone I've tried to get help from at my dealership or camping world or other dealerships across the country that I feel like I'm just screwed! We are a disabled veteran family and this was our one shot. I think I could have done better with someone's old used junk. This has been just awful for us!
Can't someone help?
I'd add more pictures but I'm having trouble uploading them

I bought a 2017 vib exstream lite 9 months ago from Bobby Wayne's Rv in Lancaster Ca. the battery went bad and I took it to a interstate dealer and they told me it was 4 years old. I contacted Bobby Wayne's Rv and they told me not them it had to come that way from the manufacturer. I live 80 miles away and they want me to bring it to them and they would look at it and I was on my Owen. I was told to buy a new one and forget about it or spend the gas money and not save anything to bad for me. I'm not in it for the money its the principal. You buy a new trailer and expect a new battery with it. I'm a 72 year old retired military disabled vet and have been around and would not deal with them again or Forest River if that's the way business is done and customers are treated. Thank you