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2.6

In January of 2016 we sold our house and purchased a 5th wheel RV from Buddy Gregg. The sales experience was a good one with lots of promises such as the best service in the area and free lifetime membership to their small RV park in front of the store.

We were very excited about our purchase. We had already sold our house a few months prior so we hit the road to see the country and work from the RV. In June of 2016 we were in an RV park in Flagstaff AZ and a tree branch caught the roof and made a small perforation down the side. I tried to get Flagstaff to cover the repair as all of their branches are supposed to be trimmed above 13-6, but I didnt notice it until weeks later so they wouldnt cover it.

Luckily my insurance company Geico covered the repair of over $18,000. Buddy Gregg performed the repair in Knoxville. This required replacing all of the decking on the roof and replacing the rubber membrane. When the repairs were complete, we picked up the RV in August and left for DC, then Florida, then back to Knoxville.

In June of 2017 we were traveling across Texas and stopped at a gas station. I looked up and noticed that the roof looked torn on the top. I climbed up and found that the roof was completely ripped off as shown in the attached picture. I immediately called Forest River, the manufacturer of our RV, to report the failure.

Even though I was under warranty, they informed that the repair was done by Buddy Gregg and they were the liable party. Buddy Gregg is an authorized warranty repair center for Forest River. I called Buddy Gregg and they informed me that they only offer 90 days on warranty repairs. I called the service manager Eric Bivens to plead my case and he was very rude telling me that it was done properly and that its impossible for that to happen.

I took the RV to Jack Sisemore Travel Land in Amarillo TX to have the repairs done because I couldnt transport it in this condition without potential water damage. They and Geico inspected the previous job and came to the conclusion that it was very poorly done. The rubber membrane was not glued down properly and the surface was not prepared properly either. The end caps were not properly holding downn the rubber and it released and caught air in the front.

The membrane is supposed to be so strong that it nearly rips up the wood when removed, but this peeled off like a post-it note as evidenced in the picture. Geico then refused the claim due to poor workmanship and suggested that I contact Buddy Gregg. So now Im stuck with a $10,500 repair and Buddy Gregg wont give me any relief. We also had a repair done on our rear A/C previously and water leaked on our bed while we were traveling.

Also the free campground for life they offered is now fenced off with a key code and is very difficult to use, if at all. They are reserving it for service visits only.

Reason of review: Warranty issue.

Monetary Loss: $10500.

Preferred solution: Full refund.

Forest River Pros: Quality of the interior.

Forest River Cons: Warranty resolution, Quality of cable runs under the 5th wheel, No insulation under the coach for winter months.

Location: 1800 W Hively Ave, Elkhart, IN 46517, USA

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Guest

My brand new trailer did the same in first trip one month old. Also, the side walls bow out when going down the road. Now I found significant water damage as a result!

Guest

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IS A GOOD PLACE TO START. DOESNT COST ANYTHING AND THEY WILL ARBITRATE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!

Guest

Iโ€™m facing a similar RV roof problem. My 37 month old Forest River travel trailer is displaying signs of failure that have us in a real conundrum.

Sell the rig and let someone else deal with the problem or face up to the cold hard fact that EVERY RV manufacturer uses the same low standards that put the end user in harms way. To be fair; itโ€™s not Forest Rivers fault that a supplier sends a bad batch of product that results in a catastrophic failure like yours. Pick any brochure; they all brag about their brand! Truth is, the bottom line will never be compromised to appease the few disgruntled customers who suffer this fate.

Bean counter in purchasing drive these decisions and the manufacturers factor in a small percentage of failure. They all do! Unfortunately the 12 year roof warranty isnโ€™t worth the paper itโ€™s written on. If Dicor admits to a bad batch of their product and is willing to provide a new membrane at no charge, thatโ€™s only a small portion of the cost.

The dealer should (but wonโ€™t) do the right thing here and provide the labor to make the end product right. Getting a supplier, manufacturer and dealer to agree on an ethical solution is only going to happen in court. Whoโ€™s got time for that? Weโ€™re supposed to be traveling the country in our RV,right?

Iโ€™m โ€œsucking it upโ€ and having my roof replaced. My focus is a roof that wonโ€™t fail while weโ€™re on the road. Courts and lawyers; not so much. Am I happy about shelling out $6K+ for my 37 month old RV; *** no.

But Iโ€™m a realist. I can tie myself up in a knot over this or stay focused on the big picture.

Guest

I wont ever buy another forest river product again they don't last I bought a 2017 heritage Glen 356qb from forest river I've had nothing but issues and my warranty is up and I'm still having issues leaks in slide out windows leak floor in kitchen is soft and it caves in when you walk on it master bedroom A/C went out and that's just a few problems and the company won't repair any of it because I live in the rv full time in a park in Florida so I voided out any warranty issues I'm going to fix the issues myself and sell this rv I will never buy a forest river product again they suck.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1681957

Wow, will definitely stay away from Forest River.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1681957

Having the same issues. I should have done more research before I purchased this Sierra.

Nothing but trouble. Roof is rotten and needs to be replaced. Unit is only 4 years old.

Please take our advice and never ever look at any Forest River product. Save yourself the heartache.

Guest

This is really a very sad situation of a company that would make a roof out of that material. Sheet aluminum should of been used this is by far a better roof material.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1667952

Yes... aluminum!

Guest

You need to take Buddy Gregg to court, this isn't Forest Rivers fault

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1662986

I disagree. If you saw my roof you would understand.

Install was a joke. They just do not care.

Guest

The more I read owner reviews of RVs and Travel Trailers the more convinced I become that I want nothing to do with either a new unit or the mega dealers that sell them.

Yomar Jxs

I would be curious as to who gave you your refund? Forest River or the RV dealer.Thank you.

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