2018 changes

Originally posted by Wayword1 We just completed our first camping trip with our 2018 182G and here is what I found. 1. The Furrion Bluetooth doesn't seem to do anything, but play radio.     We downloaded the app and connected nothing happens. Tried plugging in our iphones to play music - no results, tried to connect the tv to play external speakers, no results. Which model do you have? I have found when playing music over BT I often have to turn it up a bit, BT seems to transmit at a low "volume" BT ONLY does music/sound. You may need to select the input source manually on the head unit. I admit, we don't have this brand, but plenty of youtube videos show it's setup and use procedures. Also, because Bob may have been.... distracted... when assembling your unit, make sure the speaker and tv wires are actually hooked up on the back. We have seen them not be a few times. I like to think they somehow fell of in transport.. but.. 2. The double steps are nice and installing the Camco carpet quiets them down a lot. We found this too, though I didn't think the steps were noisy, we added carpet for our elderly Golden to be able to get in easier.. the pup jumps them most times.. LOL. In the future, he will use them I am sure. 3. The thermostat for the A/C is right below the unit. It would not maintain temperature on a hot day. If the side vent is open the A/C will shut down because it blows on the thermostat. We closed the vent and put some aluminum tape about 2" above the stat which reduced the cycling and the unit had no problem keeping up with the sunny 90 degree days. Has ALWAYS been a problem of some sort.. there is only so much room to put stuff and avoid other stuff, in a small camper. Many buy or build a small cover to "shade" the thermostat from the direct blast of the a/c when in that mode.    4. I strongly recommend anyone buying one of these to open all of the cavities - Forest River apparently does not clean up after themselves. We found loose pipe fittings, screws, pieces of wood and sawdust everywhere. Pods are built to price point. It is what it is. Did I find construction debris in our Lance or Airstream? Nope. Do they cost hella more? Yep. Most owners never open those closed spaces. You would choke if you opened the walls of your home. Trust me on that.

As far as cleanliness verses price point, can't say I agree. It takes so little time to blow or vacuum out during construction, it would be an insignificant cost. The sawdust is just a indicator of quality in my book, but the loose screws that lodge under wiring and tubing becomes a hazard over time.
Yes I know what a home looks like in the walls and outlet boxes. My little shopvac is by my side during my projects.

I have noticed older models of the 182G people have placed drawers under the bunks. Thought that was a great idea, until I found our 2018 has a false wall and is used to run wiring and water lines. They stack up about 6 inches. I will have to lay them down flat on the floor and cover them for a built in drawer in that space. I wonder if older models had the wiring run under the floor?
Thanks for your post.

I wish those who have opinions about the things FR should do or add would spend some time on the line at one of the plants.  To hit the price points following the work with a vacuum is not possible.  Neither is a more expensive axle, a quieter air conditioner, a different refrigerator or any of the other suggestions normally found at a site of this type.  To have this come in at the cost we appreciate the specifications have to be different from more expensive product.  As consumers we need to decide what we want.

FWIW on the mess/clean-up, talking with my aunt and uncle who own a 5th wheel and who's friends all own nice 5th wheels. All started with travel trailers.

I was talking about all the issues I'd heard and they said, "it's a RV". Basically unless you're buying top 1-3 brands you're getting a fair bit of that. Probably moreso these days as many of the RV brands suffered downturns during the economy and now are trying to turn out units FAST to make money while times are good. They made it sounds 100% normal.

Regarding the radio, is this an "upgrade", a downgrade? just a change?

I think the manufacturer back east is tacky. I had a 2018 176 t that was full of screws and sawdust. I traded in the 176 t for a 176 and ordered a new one here on the west coast. It was 100% cleaner and fit and finish was much improved.