Lousy Forest River support for buyers
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Topic: Lousy Forest River support for buyers
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Subject: Lousy Forest River support for buyers
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2014 at 10:21am
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Hello. I'm new to travel trailers. In southern WV there is not a good selection of dealers, I finally went to Couch's in Ohio for my R-Pod. The local dealer wanted to charge mucho $$ for a R-Pod with a 3rd rate brake controller and it's installation and no local dealer service if I didn't buy it from the robbers. (Couch's gave me a local name, so that's been handled) Forest River is INDIFFERENT to my complaint. Obviously, they support dealers, absolutely, over users. I understand that JAYCO is superior, any dealer will service any trailer no matter where purchased. Nobody, as far as I am concerned, can beat an R-Pod for my needs, but if everything is equal Jayco, and similar companies that care about customers, might be a better choice. I'm beginning to think that an honest travel trailer dealer is even rarer than honest car dealers. |
Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 10:16am
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What does Forest River have to do with bad dealers? And what complaint exactly did you make to Forest River about this that they were indifferent to? Very sorry to hear that you've had an unpleasant experience thus far, but certainly hope it doesn't dampen your spirits when it comes to enjoying your new Pod! Safe and happy travels with it! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 11:54am
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Forest River has ZERO control over what or how individual dealers handle their business. Like it or not, it's how the RV industry works.It's not always a best bet to purchase from a wholesaler, but people do it. Here is a link to http://www.couchsrvnation.com/about/rv-warranty-myth-busters - Couch's instructions on how to handle any warranty issues that might arise after your purchase. ------------- |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 1:10pm
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If there is a Camping World near your home you can take your r-pod there for warranty work. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 1:38pm
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Good luck on any Forest River warranty work- my countertop was damaged by a leaking, improperly installed, rear window. Warranty will cover it. I was told directly by Forest River personnel it would be 2 weeks to get a counter top. When I told the dealer this they laughed- yeah right they said! It has now been 8 weeks. So yeah they have a "bumper to bumper" one year warranty...but if they can't send out a part in a timely manner, what good is it? ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 2:35pm
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True that FR is allowing warranty claim work at CWs. The bad news is, if a large part is required, FR waits until another camper is scheduled for delivery in the area so they can combine shipments. The replacement counter top awaits a free ride in some other trailer. I had a similar situation awaiting replacement of improper waste water tanks. It stretched out to 4+ months, including when the trailer to be delivered went missing for more than a week. The driver ran out of allowable driving hours and just walked away. Go figure.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 3:33pm
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That may be true if the parts are coming from Forest River but we just had our axle replaced twice and it was about a two week wait for the new axle to arrive. But the axles I believed were covered under the manufactures warranty and were sent directly from Lippert. And I believe too that insulation for the refrigerator was covered under the Dometic warranty and it arrived from the manufacture. And now that I remember there was a vibration and sound upgrade package for the AC that too was sent directly from Dometic. So I guess it depends on the parts, counter tops I understand that is manufactured most likely by Forest River. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 4:06pm
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Tell me about your axle issues- I have noticed the axle is bending on my new 179. It is a Dexter. I think FR cut the capacity too close for a 3500 lb axle. The factory camber in the axle is gone, ie center of axle is now flat so the wheels are leaning in at the top. I confirmed with Dexter the axle was built with camber. We've never had anywhere near maximum load and maybe only have 1000 miles on it, if that. Reading on the net FR is well known for using too light of axles it seems....but they aren't the only one. I actually had planned to order an axle from Dexter with a different angle on the arms to raise the camper a little bit, before I noticed the bending. I have an email in to Dexter right now asking how strong of an axle they can build and still use the 5x4.5 bolt circle wheels. Re:the countertop- no FR subs them out. That is why they said it would take 2 weeks....one week to get it from the supplier and one week to get it to the dealer. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 4:50pm
Dave, I too am interested in the axle saga. I recall early on you were concerned about the cargo capacity on the Vibe. As I recall you were told FR would be using a higher capacity axle and they would upgrade yours. I see FR is now advertising the Vibe 65XX at GVWR=4700#+. Did you have trouble with the upgraded axle too? I've always thought the larger Pods should have been dual axle and the same for the Vibes. Livinlite (Camplite) uses dual Dexter 3500# axles starting with their 2400# empty weight models. I also recall Gulfstream RV had a lot of trouble with their single axle 19' Visa/Vista trailers, although I think they used Lippert. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 5:50pm
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Yeah I find it curious that my 179 uses the same rating axle as my Aliner, which weighed over 1200 lbs less..
------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 5:57pm
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Well.. a 3500 pound axle.. is a 3500 pound axle. So unless you overload the trailer, the rating FR puts on it should be valid, yes? I suspect your aliner had the same axle because they only come in certain sizes, and that got them the cargo capacity + dry weight they wanted to use..
------------- |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 7:05pm
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I assure my r-pod has never been overloaded. I once hauled a 4,000 lb car 1500 miles on a 1500 lb car trailer with two 3500 lb axles. They both bent and lost their camber on that trip. I-20 from TX to SC really pounds a trailer. Point is- maybe axles need to be overrated more than they frequently are. I see a LOT of RV trailers on the road with negative camber, indicating the axles are bent. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 8:13pm
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I will try to explain as best as possible. The wheels were slanting in at the top and the cargo capacity numbers on the label from the factory were greater than the rating of the axle 3,500 lbs. The dealer made some phone calls and it was agreed that Forest River would replace the axle with the newer 4,400 axle with 15" wheels. When I arrived home from Alabama where I purchased the camper I found out Dometic had a kit to quite the AC under warranty. When I had it at Camping World it was brought up that one wheel was slanted inward on top and the other wheel was straight. It was looked at by a technician pictures were taken and manufacturer confirmed it was a bent axle so another axle was ordered with new tires. So we are now with a third axle one the original 3,500 lb. and two the replaced bent axle and the present axle. There were a lot of complaints with the Vibe having only a 3,500 lb. axle with little room for cargo weight and my guess it hurt in the number of Vibes sold. Now all the new Vibes have the 4,400 lb. axle. And I believe they are all Lippert axles. We only have about four miles on our new axle and tires so can not say if this axle will work well in the future but I am hoping it will and the first axle was a defective axle from the factory. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2014 at 8:22pm
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Thanks, David. What a horror story. I'm sorry for your troubles. I hope it works out for you. My advice to you: Fix that 4 mile problem. Go camping!
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2014 at 6:02am
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It's very hot to go camping locally but hoping in a month or two to be up in Tennessee for a couple weeks. I sometimes refer to our camper as the Tennessee Express we are often traveling back and forth.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Newsguy12
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 12:00pm
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David: I have a 2015 179 and since we bought it in February have put about 3500 miles on it and no sign of axle issues. How do I determine what the weight rating is on my axle? There is a "Lippert" decal on the tongue which I assume means I have a Lippert axle. Thanks. ------------- Ram 1500 5.7L V-8 Hemi 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 3:36pm
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I believe you have a 3,500 lb. axle, if you look on the outside of your trailer I believe the left front side there will be a label with the GVWR subtract your factory tongue weight and that would be your axle weight limit. So if your GVWR is 3,900 lbs. and your factory tongue weight is 400 lbs. your axle limit would be 3,500 lbs.
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Newsguy12
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 5:16pm
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David: You were right. According to the sticker, total weight at 3700 pounds...minus tongue weight is about 3500. They're sure playing it tight. Dry weight at about 2700 lbs, and that doesn't include the A/C, spare tire and other options. Add about 240 lbs of fresh water...and god forbid you have anything in your gray and black tanks...and you're just about there. Wow. ------------- Ram 1500 5.7L V-8 Hemi 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 5:52pm
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My 2014 179 showed 3320 on the axle on a certified truck scale. That is with full water, empty black and gray tanks and no clothes or food as would be packed for a trip. Yes, pulling out of a campground with full black and gray and even if you emptied the fresh water during the stay- you'd be over. Some of the places I camp I have to go a long way to get to a dump station. Also consider if you use a WD hitch you "force" more weight onto the axle....  ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2014 at 9:33pm
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Well, all of the above would explain the canter on my pod's wheels. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Doll House Two
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2014 at 1:44pm
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I purchased an RP179 on June 17th this year. Once home I noticed that there were two ripples in the flooring. Notified the Dealer immediately. Made an apt for the camper to be taken in on 30th June after first camping trip in case something else needed to be tweaked; there were in fact a couple of other small issues. The R Pod sat for 10 days before the flooring problem was even addressed. It is now 31st July and I still do not have the camper. Forest River's fix is to replace the main area of flooring up to the cabinets etc. I have mandated that this new flooring must be sealed so that if there are any spills/ leaks that no liquid can seep under the cabinets and then underneath the original flooring. Quite frankly, I agree that the response time from Forest River for warranty repair on a brand new unit is less than acceptable. I wrote to them (and to the dealer ) expressing my concerns about the original unit's integrity being compromised. I received no response from either parties. This was a real letter, not an e-mail. As of today having spoken again to the General Mgr of the dealership, the flooring has finally been shipped. I am hoping to have my R Pod back by mid week. Fingers Crossed. |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 7:09am
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Just an update on my replacement counter top- it finally showed up after 13 weeks instead of the FR promised 2 weeks. The sticker on the countertop shows it wasn't even built by the vendor until 8 weeks after the order. Caveat Emptor PS- I have the countertop in my possession and prior to installation I am sealing all the exposed particle board edges with polyurethane to hopefully waterproof them so any future leaks or spills will not swell it up and delaminate the laminate surface. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Doll House Two
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 4:40pm
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My R Pod came home 6 weeks later ! That being said, I think that the work on the flooring is acceptable. Hoping that there are not any other issues !! Well done , You are smart to be pro active. |
Posted By: pepmac
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2014 at 6:15pm
| We did not buy our R Pod from the dealer who services it.. You are free to take your R Pod to any authorized dealer no matter where you purchased it. We have been very happy with Forest River attention to taking care of any issue we have had.. It is not Forest River it is the dealers whom you need to be watchful of.. Service is not the same everywhere.. we found that out. If you are unhappy with the service contact Forest River let them know, they have dealt with any issue regarding there warranty or problem with their product that we have had. |
Posted By: Doll House Two
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 10:09am
| Ultimately, I was happy with the work performed under warranty. Thanks for your comments. |
Posted By: Bonjour
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2014 at 6:37pm
| We purchased a minimally used 179 and noticed that it was missing a small cushion that was necessary to make up the auxiliary bed. The dealer checked with the first owner but there was no cushion. The dealer agreed to replace it, they contacted FR, and it was delivered to my door in about 2 weeks. Honest people and good service - Kroubetz Lakeside Campers, Lake Crystal, MN. |