Forest River

Forest River Rpod Problems I have been holding off submitting this to the forum until I heard back from the dealer (PoulsboRV) and Forest River. On October 22, 2017 we purchased a brand new 2017 Rpod 180RB for our trip to Palm Springs.

 I immediately found some things wrong and took it back to PoulsboRV to get fixed before our trip.   After taking the unit back to PoulsboRV with problems two times, over several weeks. We were unable to get the work scheduled or have parts in prior to our departure date of 12-14-17. Despite extending our departure date we left with repairs undone and many questions.

At this point in time it was either go the way it was or cancel the trip we had been planning for a year AND all reservations were already made and paid for. We went on the trip which, because of the Rpod problems and weather, will forever be remembered as the vacation from ***.  We finally cut the vacation short, took our loses, and came home. As soon as we got home I delivered the Rpod back to PoulsboRV for the repair work on 1-12-17.

Got word today, 2-2-17, from PoulsboRV (and indirectly from Forest River) that they were finished and we could pick up our Rpod. We picked it up on 2-7-17 with most of the repairs being denied by Forest River and so PoulsboRV refused to fix. Here are the problems that we had and the results & comments. 1:  When we got the unit home after purchasing on Oct 22.

it sat in the driveway for 2 days before we had time to start loading it.  When I turned the lights on they were dim so I checked the battery voltage and it was 10.4 volts.  What the heck! I plugged the shore power in and the built in charger picked up the load.

  While connected to power I was trying to listen to the AM radio and the noise was so loud the radio was useless.  Finally figured out that the "converter" in the unit has so much RF noise that it totally blanks the radio. (This is common in the cheap solid state switching type chargers with poor filtering - OK for battery chargers but not OK for radio because of the noise it generates)  With the AC power disconnected the radio was fine. Result:  I was told the "converter" was within specs, per FR, so PoulsboRV would not do anything about it.

 At this point the battery is probably shot and they will not replace it either. I was also told by the service department that the "converter" was known to be faulty by Forest River and had been replaced with a different one. If I wanted the new one I would have to pay for it myself..... On a unit I had used once.

I had previously asked PoulsboRV if they could do a load check on the battery as I suspect that with the deep discharge it might be ruined.  I was told that I would have to pay for the load test if Forest River would not pay for it. PoulsboRV did not do a battery load test. SOLUTION: On 3/10/17 I replaced the “converter” with a MJF power supply at a cost of $109.

The radio now works perfectly and I have a voltmeter and ampmeter on the MFJ. Moving right along. 2:  With the power off for the night, having charging all day, the next day the battery was dead again.  I traced it to a ½ amp load on the battery ALL THE TIME.

 There are some house loads that DO NOT GO THROUGH THE DC FUSE BLOCK.  The ONLY way to keep the battery from going dead is to disconnect the battery. In a car this would be like not being able to turn your parking lights off…..unless you disconnect the battery. Result: PoulsboRV did not even look at this after telling them about the problem.

SOLUTION: I installed a disconnect on the battery. 3:  When we got to Palm Springs after a couple of showers my wife questioned where all the water in the bathroom floor was coming from.  I removed the inspection plate on the shower stall and the floor was flooded.  The next shower my wife took, I was watching the plumbing under the shower and water was running all over the place from the drain piping.

 Found out that the shower stall was only supported on the edges and while taking a shower it felt like you were on a trampoline.  The plumbing is all rigid ABS plumbing which does not tolerate flexing so it was broken. (I GUESS I COULD HAVE JUST CUT *** IN THE FLOOR UNDER THE P-TRAP TO THE OUTSIDE AND THE PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED) 4 pieces of 1”x2” in the corner is the total shower support and with the hole for the drain cut in the middle of the plywood it is very unstable. A RV repairman was found in Palm Springs and he replaced all the piping with new AND then added three additional pieces of 2X4 putting them under the shower floor in the center to give it some additional support.

 This was to get us through the trip.    Note: Forest River did pay for this because we were extremely insistent it was their failure and we were 200 miles from the nearest dealer. They initially expected us to take it to a dealer which would mean leaving our paid for RV park, driving 400 miles round trip, and just hoping that the dealer could get us in and could fix the problem. This would of course force us into a motel.

Result:  After looking at the repair done in Palm Springs, PoulsboRV (not us) wanted to take the shower stall out and reinforce the support.  They were told by Forest River that the shower was installed per spec and would not pay for it so PoulsboRV would not do it. SOLUTION: PoulsoboRV did re-replace the fittings ("customer gratis" as they said) as they said it was still leaking (which it wasn’t). I then added 4 more braces under the shower to further steady it up to prevent further damage. I hope this is sufficient. 4:  The cord that plugs into the tow vehicle had about 3/4" of the wiring exposed at the plug.  Result:  PoulsboRV replaced the cord. But why was it sent out this way?

5:  All of the pull down night shades were installed crooked. Result:  Dealer said they adjusted the shades. But why was it sent out this way? COMMENT: The shades look just as crooked after the adjustment as they did before so they are still crooked and this is unresolved. 6:  The brake/tail lights had LED segments that were not working.

I noticed this when we took delivery and it was noted by PoulsboRV at that time. They did not have any in stock so I had to leave it till we got home. Result:  Lamps were replaced  COMMENT: Seems to be OK 7:  Just before leaving on our trip, the propane detector started going off and it COULD NOT be silenced nor reset.  I had to remove it from the wall and cut the power wire to the unit to silence it.

 This is one of the loads that do not go through the fuse block and is part of the "phantom load" in the unit. Result:  PoulsboRV replaced the unit just before we left. They said FR had gotten some bad units from the manufacturer.  They did not comment on the constant load it presents.  COMMENT: Battery switch I added solved the problem.

8:   The brackets that hold the kitchen Venetian blinds were incorrectly installed as the brackets were installed wider than the blinds.  Therefore the blinds could not be secured at the bottom and flopped around. Result:  They remounted the bottom brackets. But why was it sent out this way? 9:  The factory installed wires that connect to the battery were not crimped properly and were totally corroded and covered with a green corrosion and this was before a battery was even installed in the unit.

 The battery was installed AFTER we bought the unit from PoulsboRV. COMMENT: Before leaving on the trip I cleaned off the corrosion, re-crimped the wires and soldered the connection.  But why was it sent out this way? 10:  It was almost impossible to get the propane tank cover off and on.

 Prior to my taking delivery of the 180 it had deep gouges in the plastic cover which was cutting the plastic deeply when you tried to remove or install the cover, which will be required every time you fill the tank. Result:  It was being gouged by the over length bolts that were used to bolt on the plate that holds the pressure regulator.  I simply reversed the bolts.  Poor Installation. But why was it sent out this way?

COMMENT: PoulsboRV decided to replace the torn up cover “gratis” 11:  The door stop for the bathroom door was the door *** hitting the mirror mounted on the closet door.  VERY POOR design. COMMENTS:  To prevent the mirror being broken by the door *** I mounted a bumper on the bottom of the bath room door so that now it hits the on the floor mounted fire extinguisher instead of the mirror. But why was it sent out this way? 12:  I am installing a second battery in the space behind the power panel and converter AND installing a battery switch so I can disconnect the batteries.

 As far as factory wiring is concerned this involved installing the battery switch in 1 existing wire. Result:  I was told by the service rep at PoulsboRV that this modification has now voided the factory warranty on the electrical system. Be aware folks… make any electrical change and you have voided your warranty. 13:  Except for the exposed floor the 180 was filthy.  Sawdust and construction debris in all the storage areas, in the storage lockers, in the hot water tank area, in the water pump area, in the drawers, in the over counter storage areas.....

Looks like the only thing done by Forest River and PoulsboRV was to vacuum the floor that you could see. COMMENT:  My wife spent a day cleaning the unit.  Imagine delivering a unit in this condition to a customer... VERY POOR consideration for the customer by Forest River and/or PoulsboRV, which ever was supposed to clean the unit. But why was it sent out this way?  14:  The hot water is so hot it will scald you.

 I asked if it could be turned down. Result: I was told by PoulsboRV that they would have to see if Forest River would pay for checking the water temperature... if they wouldn't I would have to pay for that. Today I was told that it was between 120 and 140 degrees that it was with in factory spec so they would not do anything.

COMMENT: Still unresolved but one added item. We used the unit for 1 month and the anode in the water heater is over 50% gone. I have purchased a new one which I will put in when we next use the unit. Over the years, and I am 80 so there have been many of them, I have owned; 1 truck/cab-over camper, 1 Scamp trailer, 3 Class B RVs, 2 Class C RVs, 1 Class A, and now this Rpod.

Most have had some initial problems but all the dealers made them good with no problems and no arguments. This is the ONLY one of the bunch that I am totally disgusted with. The design and layout is great but the factory craftsmanship is poor, Forest River does not support their customer, and PoulsoboRV will not do ANYTHING on their own. Really great customer service all around don't you think?  Before my problems were apparent a friend saw mine just after I brought it home and he purchased an identical unit from PoulsboRV a week later.

I just talked to him and he is experiencing some of the same problems I have had. At this point if we could return the unit and get our money back we would.  I cannot recommend to anyone the purchase an Rpod, or Forest River product without a warning that you are on your own. I am also very disappointed in the attitude of PoulsboRV.

All promises when you buy and abandoned when you need service. WE ARE NOT HAPPY RPOD OWNERS and with all the bent axles being reported I’ll have something else to watch for. Oh goody. I know that from now on I am on my own with any problems with this Rpod and have totally written off Forest River and PoulsboRV.

Bottom line: Today I took the 180 to a RV repair shop that has an EXCELLENT reputation who believe that the customer comes first. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Steve Hall is your first person you will deal with because he seems to have a habit of denying any and all warranty claims without spending any time investigating. He denied things that had been professionally documented as manufactured defects before the warranty was even up.
After fighting with him at the BBB web sight he agreed to do a few of the things on my actual short list.

Because of scheduling I was never able to use my camper to camp. Only to wait around for three years for appointments. Each Camping world appointment made the issues worse each time. They do not know how to work on most things but especially the computer systems in the newer rvs.

Finally this year Forest River realized this was going on too long and brought my rv to Indiana for a month for repairs. Again things were made worse and they now wanted me to bring it back to them for another go round.
Despite Steve Hall and Jeremy Mapes deciding what they would and wouldn't address behind closed doors there were many recorded lies I was told about the work they had done. How they needed to replace the stairs but no longer make the stairs from a 2020 model despite that they are on the Lippert site still?
They have a tag team of people there to pretend to help while pulling you aside and making everything confusing telling you out and out lies. Yes.

I idid record every words and will be MAKING IT ALL PUBLIC SOON.
Forest River and the games they play in the office. I heard comments about drug use in the factory with an accident that happened when I was there. It's just more drama than a professional business. They will prey on your weaknesses.

They will hunt all your social media down so they know who they are dealing with.
YES. that crazy.
The workmanship is no better if not worse than the ones who don't know what they are doing at Camping world unless they just don't care about certain people and the mediocre amount of money they might have spent with the huge company. I don't know but back in the park I have had many owners come by to see the work in disbelief. And apparently thousands of dollars in hotel and gas and work done are being held hostage if they intend on paying me back as I have them recorded saying.

I recorded everything. Every word. Every lie from them. Here are some specifics that happened at the factory.
1.

Instead of re programming the computer system they thought by wasting several hundred dollars I had spent with the help of LCI to upgrade my computer board the answer was to downgrade it again and simply replace it. Which changed and fixed NOTHING. Jeremy lied to me about the board I had not being for my coach but LCI stepped up again and told me that was not true.
2. The door has always been a major issue do to the way it was installed from the factory with possible holes not being cut right for the door.

3 doors later and 4 door frames the factory answer was just to put thick installation on the door which will easily come off in time because it sticks out so much but with all that "How am I still seeing just as much light through the door as before?" You have now told me the hinges you installed which were different from the original are junk and to lubricate them. Despite my medical position and me telling you this was too much and too tight for me. The top lock no longer works and the frame is being pulled apart by the thick hinges that were put on my door. Two trips to Indiana and two times and the problems are still there.
3.

I didn't mention something stolen from the RV but that is water under the bridge now. A heater came back not working along with a set of Govee lights. How does all this happen at the manufacturer?
I was also charged around 500 dollars that was supposed to as written on paper be payed by Forest River that I got charged for. When I mentioned that I was ignored.
When I pulled up to pick up the fixed unit they were still working on the door because as someone tried to enter the unit they couldn't get in.
I will come back and post photos, media files and videos soon.

I will have to come back and add things as I have time because such a simple small amount of problems has become a complete nightmare just trying to fix things service techs should know how to fix or admit there is a problem with the units build. There is no way this door is acceptable to anyone who has seen it and I will forever be ignored by Forest River at this point because they made it clear they were done. I would also like to add I offered to pay for many things just to get my RV where it should have been.. I was absolutely treated with disrespect and my mental status was absolutely used against me.

They don't have much respect for disabled vets. That its my biggest problem.

We bought our camper on March 1, 2024, from Camping World in Spring, TX. This camper started off with two leaks.

The first was a broken pipe in the bathroom sink that flooded the living area, and the second was a leaking slide-out into the master bedroom. This happened in the first month, and it was in the shop for a few weeks. Then there were minor things like the bathroom door locking you inside and getting stuck, the kitchen faucet non-stop leaking, and the AC unit ceasing to work. Within seven months, the camper was in the shop a total of five months.

We finally decided to trade it in because they had to remove the entire right side of the camper, as it was falling apart by the Murphy bed. Forest River mentioned that they didn't make the parts anymore since they had changed their new design in 2025, indicating it would be in the shop a few more months. We have only managed to use it five times in seven months. Forest River always shifted the blame to Camping World, they never actually helped.

The lemon law applies here; they should have given us a new camper.

Instead, we had to spend an additional 8k to get a new one. Do NOT buy an Ozark!

The roof on two of the slide-outs started leaking within a few months. Although I couldn't turn it in due to my travel nursing job, they refused to honor the warranty because the one-year warranty had just expired.

The roof had been leaking for so long that the wood underneath was rotten. After examining it, I was stunned by the poor workmanship. The material that covers the slide-outs' roof is only held together with tape. I bought this piece of junk at Camping World - buyer beware.

Also, I can't sell this piece of junk - my conscience won't let me cheat someone like they cheated me. I got it from Forest River's Puma, and the extended warranty they sell you and that Camping World advertises covers nothing.

We purchased a new 2022 Forest River RV and everything is breaking and falling apart. There is no quality in materials used.

Only cheap stuff and the workmanship is horrible. The warranty only replaces with the same cheap crap that broke & it is only for one year. In 2 years we have only used it for 4 months the 1st year and only 2 months in the 2nd year and this is what had to be fixed: bath fan, hinges on doors, furnace, awning, bath sink faucets leaking, frig, bath shower & kitchen sink not sealed properly, fireplace, interior doors peeling, drawer bottoms falling out, recliner material deteriorating, & toilet seat broken. Also underneath of RV not sealed properly allowing small rodents access to interior of lower kitchen cabinets that are not properly enclosed from this access.

So disappointed and ashamed it is made in America. We should do better than this.

Stay away from Forest River Travel Trailers. Their customer service is awful.

My brand new 2024 Forest River Cherokee Timberwolf 16ML, which is permanently parked, was delivered with the gray water (and black water) pipe broken and they wont send someone out to fix it and they wont pay the full bill to fix it.

Here is my experience.

1. My brand new Forest River trailer was delivered with a broken dishwasher and broken gray water pipe which means the black water pipe is also broken because the gray water drains out the black water outlet; so, because the gray water pipe isnt connected, there is a huge hole in the black water pipe.

2. The dealership gave me 3 numbers to call to get help because the trailer is under warranty because it is brand new, and Im too far away from the dealership for them to fix it. I called each number several times but only 1 number answered and there were no voicemails to leave messages at the 2 that didnt answer.

The people that did answer the phone told me they couldnt help and gave me a new number & email. (So this is contact #4 at this point.)

3. I emailed and called the new contact. The person who emailed me back told me they couldnt help me (in all caps like a lunatic) and gave a different email (contact #5) which was supposed to be directly to the warranty people.

4.

I sent 2 emails to the warranty email address & waited. & no one ever responded.

5. I looked on the Forest River website for a contact and it said call the dealership.

6. I called the dealership again.

They gave me a 6th contacts phone number and email. I sent an email (with pictures of the broken pipe) to explain the situation. Note: I also called but I dialed incorrectly and left a voicemail on a complete strangers phone. Whoops!

But that nice stranger actual texted me the correct phone number 10 minutes later. I got better service from that stranger than anyone at Forest River. Sad.

7. Apparently, my email got forwarded around and after almost a week of waiting, a Forest River representative told me they cant send a tech out and gave me a list of mechanics who might help.

And the representative told me to review the warranty; so, I dont violate some condition and cant get reimbursed.

8. I reviewed the warranty & learned that the warranty wont cover the full cost of the repair for a problem that existed when the brand new trailer was delivered to me. (Have I mentioned the trailer is new and has never been used? )

9.

I looked at the list of mechanics. The closest one is 60 miles away but most are 100+ miles away. No mechanic is going to travel 120 miles round trip to fix a pipe on a trailer. Recall: The trailer is permanently parked and the Forest River rep was told this repeatedly.

9.

I reached back out to the Forest River rep and (and I was pretty irate at this point - so I wasnt super nice - cuz Im only human) explained I need a real solution that will actually fix the brand new Forest River trailer that was delivered to me broken. I explained no mechanic is going to travel 120 -200 miles (round trip) to fix the pipe on the brand new trailer. I also pointed out that it is ridiculous that Forest River will not pay for the entire repair cost. I asked for a real solution that will actually fix the brand new Forest River trailer that has never been used and cant be used because it was delivered broken.

Note: Im not off the grid. Im on the CA coast.

10. I got no response. None.

11.

So I now have had a brand new Forest River trailer for almost 2 months that I cannot use and that has never been used because it was delivered to me broken & I am, of course, still paying for it.

Do not buy from Forest River.

They do not stand by their products or provide any customer service that will actually fix problems & their warranty is useless. You are throwing money away if you buy from Forest River.

Recently, I bought a brand-new Aurora, made by Forest River. When we bought it and checked it out, they told us they were not able to hook it up to water, but they would verify everything is fine.

It was delivered as we have it set up at a permanent site. Literally, the first night, water was *** out of the shower door. After figuring that out, we could lay out towels to shower. However, I still saw water.

I removed the bottom access to the shower and, sure as the world, it was leaking at the very back. This was the very first night we even used it! I then noticed on the outdoor kitchen that there was prior water damage. I took out the drawers and was able to see behind the shower, and we were sold a brand-new camper with water damage.

I am not sure what we are going to do, as I am contacting a lawyer concerning selling something with prior damage, but what a joke. I would steer clear of anything they make and look at other brands.

I bought a Forest River travel trailer with the understanding that it had a 12-month bumper-to-bumper warranty. Forest River does not honor their warranty.

They claim to address repairs within 24 to 48 hours but request more information over and over again to delay the repair. They request pictures for parts that don't even exist just to delay and divert possible repairs. Not only that, but they look for any and every possible excuse to not repair something, going as far as blaming the weight of paper (not a case of copy paper, but a few pieces of mail) as the cause of the damage. They request more information from the repairing dealership again to delay and look for possible ways to not honor the warranty.

They even decline some repairs based on other repairs needing to be done that have nothing to do with each other. Furthermore, they use inadequate materials and products/systems. Once they get you to purchase from them, they couldn't care less for you to be able to use your purchase; they want to now sell you repair parts.

Stay away from Forest River; if you don't, you're just going to have to sue them! This will still cost you more and they don't care!