FOREST RIVER Complaints

The contact owns a 2018 Forest River R-Pod Towable. The contact stated while stepping on the RV floor, the contact noticed that the side of the floor located behind the axle was sagging. Additionally, the contact stated that the driver's side outriggers were significantly corroded, fractured, and bent. Additionally, the contact stated that there was less than an inch clearance between the driver's side wheel well and tire, and there was 2-inch clearance between the passenger's side wheel well and the tire. The contact also stated that the passenger's side wheel was protruding 3-5 inches outside of the wheel well. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The unit is equipped with a Murphy Bed. On two occasions the muphy bed mattress slid from its position into the well of the trailer. On the 2nd occasion the supports failed during transit and could not be retrieved without a complete disassembly of the unit. During the process it was revealed that if the supports of the bed had failed while a small person, child or animal were on it, they would be both injured and trapped. The only access panel to the space where the mattress fell into is from an outside bay. If an individual were trapped underneath the mattress, there would not be a safe path to exit on their own. This is taking into account the said access panel is behind a storage bay that would normally be filled and locked from the outside.

When forced to drive over a canvas tent bag, Due to traffic and road conditions. The tent bag wrapped around the drive shaft, ripped out the brake lines and the emergency brake lines damaged the master cylinder and damage the emergency brake mechanism in the cab of the RV. There should be protection under the vehicle so that does not happen! The loss of both types of brake systems could be catastrophic.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel locked and failed to turn. The vehicle was restarted and the steering warning message was displayed with the steering wheel continued to be locked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,200.

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River FR3 built on a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact stated while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the dashboard was bouncing. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the bottom of the dashboard fractured and separated along with the parts attached to the dashboard. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure, but the manufacturer informed the dealer that the repair could not be covered because the RV was not covered under warranty. The RV was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Driver's side rear: Blew out while at Shaw RV while they were moving it between lots. When I went to pick up the trailer on August 28th, I saw the blown out tire on the spare rack and the spare mounted in its place. Picture below shows the tire blown out. This tire was replaced at Discount Tire in Wake Forest, NC. Passenger side front: We were traveling and arrived at the RV park on Sunday, [XXX]. While placing the chock, I spotted steel belt material visible (picture below). I changed the tire. Monday,[XXX] I drove to get a replacement. Passenger side rear: After mounting the new tire, I decided to check the other two tires. I noticed a bubble forming on the passenger side rear tire. I removed that and the driver's side rear tire and took them to be replaced, also on [XXX]. (no pictures of those two). The three tires were replaced at Discount Tire in Alcoa, TN. While there was no blowout, it would not have been too many more miles before there would have been one, which would have been at highway speeds. All tires were properly inflated and I do have a TPMS system installed. No alerts were displayed. I was not there for the first tire failure. My practice is to drive at no more than 60 mph with occasional speeds of no more than 65 mph on downhill stretches so speed should not have been an issue. There was no road hazard damage. I purchased Goodyear Endurance tires to replace the Castle Rock tires except for the spare. It will be replaced soon, before our next trip. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2019 Forrest River R-Pod equipped with Castle Rock tires, Tire Line: Radial ST226, Tire Size: ST225/75/R15, DOT Number: JULT1MT. The contact stated that after replacing the driver’s side tire with the spare tire and driving less than 100 miles on the spare tire, the spare tire was placed back on the trailer hitch. The contact then became aware that the spare tire had experienced a blowout. The contact had not taken the spare tire to a tire shop. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage for the trailer was unknown. The failure mileage on the spare tire was approximately 60.

2018 Georgetown RV Motorhome equipped with G670 RV UTL tires/245/70R19.5. The tires on the front (D&P side) have the DOT data omitted (see photo) and the two outer rear tires have the DOT data, and the inter two rear tires are unknown at this time. Since I had tires with the DOT data missing, I contacted Goodyear Customer Relations at Akron, OH on Sept 17, 2024 with my concern. Goodyear replied with "Currently, we do not have any tires on recall. If you have a problem or are concerned about your tires we would recommend visiting your nearest authorized Goodyear retailer for an inspection for your peace of mind." As a consumer, I know that date data (made/expired) is required. Therefore, kindly request the NHTSA clarify this DOT matter to whether tires require a DOT stamp? Those without a DOT stamp, safe or not safe?

At 60mph, the "Service Advancetrac" warning message comes on, along with the ABS and Traction Control warning lights. Cruise control is then inoperable as is Hill Start Assist. The problem persists even after extended periods of the vehicle being shut off, and immediately returns when 60mph is achieved. Multiple attempts to repair at the Ford dealership have failed, and the Ford Commercial Truck Center said this problem may take a few months to remedy if at all should they take it in for more service. Ford Motorhome service says this is a unique issue, yet the Motorhome message boards are full of threads on this and similar issues.

CASTL ROCK RADIAL ST226 235/80R16. WHILE TRAVEL AT 65 MPH THE TIRE TREAD ON THE FRONT AXLE OF MY CAMPER CAME APART AND WHIPPED AROUND. THIS WHIPPING CAUSED MULTIPLE PUNCTURE HOLES IN THE REAR TIRE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS CAUSED DAMGAGE TO THE SKIRT OF THE CAMPER AND A DRAIN VALVE. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED WITH THE CAMPER WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN MAY OF 2021 AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE CHECKED MONTHY AND ARE ALWAYS INFLATED TO 80 PSI COLD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND FORTUNATELY THE TIRE THAT LOST THE TREAD STAYED INFLATED SO I COULD SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE. I THEN IDLED TO THE NEXT EXIT TO UNHOOK THE TRAILER SO I COULD CHANGE THE FLAT TIRE AND THEN SLOWLY PROCEED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY YOU. THE ONE THAT FAILED, THE ONE THAT WAS PUNCUTED AND THE TWO ON THE PASSENGER WHCIH ARE INTACT. AS A PRECAUSTION I AM REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES. I HAVE READ ON MULTIPLE FORUMS OF MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH THESE TIRES FOR SIMILIAR ISSUES AND THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED. FOR SAFETY REASONS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FOREST RIVER AND THEY STATE IN A MEIAL THERE HAVE NOT BEEN AN ISSUES AND I WILL CONTACT THE TIRE MANUFACTURE IN REGRADS TO THIS. I URGE YOU TO TAKE ALL FOUR TIRES AND DO A COMPLETE EVALUATION TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THIS FAILURE AS THERE HAVE NEEN SIMILIAR INCIDENTS.