Before we decided to build our retirement home next year, we decided to purchase a second RV for living purposes on the family farm. We have enjoyed our first RV purchase in 2021, a new Heartland Bighorn Traveler 5th wheel with minimal issues. So we went into this second purchase with great...read more
Before we decided to build our retirement home next year, we decided to purchase a second RV for living purposes on the family farm. We have enjoyed our first RV purchase in 2021, a new Heartland Bighorn Traveler 5th wheel with minimal issues. So we went into this second purchase with great expectations. But reality, like a large hat-pin, punctured that hope with acuity that has been both a physical and mental anguish.
We now wish we had waited on this second purchase. The Vibe 3400XL floor plan is a good one, rear kitchen and easy pulling 2 plusses. But the little things that happened every day drove us to the edge of buyer's remorse.
On the first day we found out that extending the awning all the way prevented the entry door from opening all the way with pushing it into and past the awning. The awning also went over the slide-out and rested on it, worrying us that the contact on the sharp corner would wear a hole in that part of the awning. The only way to avoid the door issue was to pull the bracket down on the slide side for water drainage, but it still rested on the slide. The service specialist at the dealer we bought it from later told us we had the awning out too far. Huh? Isn't that what an awning is for, to extend and cover/protect as much area as possible?
Next, when inside going to sit in the theater chairs, we felt as though the slides were tilted down slightly; a level proved us correct. The service specialist claimed this not true when his mechanic checked it.
Having new stuff stacked everywhere and hungry, we sat on the bar chairs at the nicely elevated island to eat, and nearly fell over. Both bar chairs where horribly unbalanced and wobbling so badly that we thought we were sitting in rocking chairs.
Then, we opened the newly installed washer to do a load of clothes and discovered 4 items of wet clothing already in there! So, in the dryer they went. The dryer started, then stopped after a few minutes, then started up again, then stopped...you get the idea. This happened on every cycle we tried, with nothing else on in the RV, while plugged in to 50-amp shore power. Nor breakers popped either. Service mechanic response? Can't duplicate.
The washer has a coin slot on the bottom to open and remove any debris, but only after pulling the rubber tube out to drain any excess water. Did that, tube dry, opened the coin slot plug and woosh! A tidal wave of water came out! Both times we washed a load. And the dryer continued to start and stop...
Next, my wife is cleaning the floor in front of the beverage cooler. And what did she see? Two deep grooves cut into the flooring. Service specialist said later that two screws, too long on the cooler had cut into the floor as it was pushed into the hole under the counter.
Next - I'm back at work and my wife is staying in this new RV by herself, and after she retires to the bed, it starts raining out, a nice steady rain. After a couple of hours, much to her horror, she sees a trickle of water coming into the track on the floor, then pooling onto the floor by the washer/dryer closet. The service specialist "could not duplicate" again, so I suggested they check the water lines. They found that the hot water shut off for the washer was broken, and letting water leak into the track and floor.
Well, the last slap in the face was when my son hooked up to the RV to take it back to the dealership for all this service, and he found one of the tires was flat. He aired it up, took it 65 miles to the dealership without further issue, and they, repeat after me, "could not duplicate."
These mechanical defects happened all in the first 13 days of use. We asked for a buyback; the dealership refused. We asked for the entire floor to be replaced since the factory worker tore it up; Forest River refused.
I would not buy another travel trailer from Forest River. The floor plan was good with tons of counter space, a coffee bar, and windows everywhere. But based on our experience in less than two weeks, no. Will this happen with other Forest River brands? Don't know and we aren't going to find out since we will not purchase from them again.
Livability
Overall quality
Floorplan
Driving/towing
Factory warranty/support
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