Forest River is one of the popular RV manufacturers globally. The company was incepted in 1996 and has been competitive for more than 25 years. It delivers high-quality and world-class RVs and trailers.
Forest River has several RV models in almost all types and classes. Amazingly, the RVs have a wide price range. The cheap models cost as low as $10,000, while the luxury models cost more than $500,000.
RV lovers wonder if the company only offers quantity over quality with such wide offerings. Therefore before purchasing a Forest River RV, you might want to know more about its products. We’ll start by answering the question,
Is Forest River a Good RV?
Yes, Forest River is one of the best RV manufacturers. The company has various RV models that perfectly fit almost all lifestyles. It offers wide vehicle ranges at varying prices.
Forest River produces ever-changing types of RVs. That’s from small to luxury RVs ideal for full-time snowboarding and travel. Therefore you can purchase starter models without leaving the popular brand and later invest in its flagship luxury models.
Additional Information
Forest River has been in business for more than 20 years. Before being owned by popular Berkshire Hathaway, the company still made some nice RVs. The RVs were for all categories and classes.
The company strives hard to meet all its customers’ needs. That’s why it has so many models in all categories. Amazingly their RVs meet all price points too.
Their RVs models range from small solo and couple only to Class As and 5th wheels. Before purchasing Forest River RVs, you should do a test. The test involves a full inspection of the water tanks, slide-outs, and other systems.
That will ensure you’re satisfied with the product before driving it off. At times a bad experience isn’t only the manufacturer’s fault.
Who Is Forest River?
Peter Liegl did found Forest River in 1996. Peter had a great vision; he foresaw a company to help people have better outdoor experiences. The company focused on building better and high-quality recreational vehicles.
Today the company is one of the most popular and largest RV manufacturers globally. It specializes in producing camping trailers, fifth wheels, travel trailers, A and C motorhomes, etc. Luckily the company offers something for every family when it comes to RVs.
Forest River RV is under Forest River, Inc., a subsidiary of Hathaway Company. Forest River, Inc. produces cargo trailers, buses, park models, recreational vehicles, etc.
Forest River, Inc. is so diverse, allowing them to approach the RV industry with a unique perspective.
They incorporate various lessons from their different divisions. In addition, the company operates with openness in all its products.
It’s one of the qualities that make them unique from their competitors. Plus, the company produces RVs with amazing quality and dependability.
It’s Mission
The company’s mission is to ensure that all its clients get an amazing RV experience. The company has a passion for outstanding outdoor. Therefore it enables their clients to experience all the beauty nature offers.
That’s why Forest River manufactures RVs with high build quality and is so dependable. Forest River has manufacturing facilities on the west and Midwest coast. Hence, it can fulfill all their orders without rushing through the procedures.
It ensures that their products are conscientiously built and go through a thorough inspection.
High Standard Manufacturing
Forest River understands that dependability and quality of products will win them more clients. That’s why they subject each model’s unit to rigorous testing. It happens in their pre-delivery inspection building (PDI).
Units pass through PDI to check issues in standards, rain bay, cosmetics, function, and others. The main plants then get feedback that helps ensure they build units that meet high-quality standards.
What Is A Recreational Vehicle?
A recreational vehicle is popularly known as RV. It can be a trailer or motor vehicle that includes staying in quarters made for accommodation. Several types of RVs include:
- Truck campers
- Popup campers
- Caravans
- Motorhomes
- Campervans
- 5th-wheel trailer
The RV industry has had a huge growth in the last eight years. The growth rate is approximately 200%, and by 2025 it’ll eclipse $75 billion.
The Popular Forest River RV models
The section highlights some popular RV models and some of their issues according to customers.
Forest River Sunseeker
It is the most bought and thus the most reviewed Forest River model on the RV Insider. The model has more than ninety reviews. Forest River Sunseeker is a Class C motorhome brand.
It has a 4- star rating. However, some owners claim that the model has the following issues.
- Broken slide-out mechanics
- Mechanical and cosmetic issues
- Subpar artistry
Cherokee Grey Wolf Travel Trailer
The model has a 3.3-star rating on the RV Insider. Most owners say the RV usually has plumbing system leaks. Plus, there are issues with the warranty –just one year.
Forest River R-Pod
The Forest River model has a 3.9-star rating. The model has a small pod-style that can fit in most campsites than a motorhome. That’s one of its qualities that most customers love.
However, some owners claim that it has issues with electrical system installation. Others claim the roof sealants quickly leak and wear out.
Forest River Warranty
All new Forest River RVs models have a one-year warranty. It’s applicable from the sale date. However, note that the warranty only applies to the original owner. If the owner sells the RV to another person, the warranty won’t work.
Additionally, Forest River warrants the frame, tent, and roof for five years. That’s when you’re using the RV under normal conditions. But it only covers labor for only three years.
Overall, the Forest River warranty covers “substantial defects.” The term “substantial defects” is where customers and dealers can disagree with Forest River.
Forest River Build Quality
Forest River is surely working to corner the RV market in the world. Over the years, this company has acquired some of its competitors. They include Palomino, Prime Time, Dynamax, Shasta RV, Coachman RV, etc.
The company is also diversified and owns many other companies that deal with recreational areas.
However, all the expansion and diversification affect the product’s build quality. That’s one of the popular complaints about the company from most customers.
Some feel like the company uses inferior products to manufacture their components. In addition, they believe the company doesn’t do a great job when it comes to RV assembling. The overall rating of their product’s build quality is 3.5- stars.
It means the build quality is above average.
Alternatives To Forest River
Here are some of the popular RV manufacturers dominating the industry for years. The companies are the major competitors of Forest River. The brands have been selected based on brand power, innovation, and revenue.
1. Oliver Travel Trailers
The company did start operations in 2007, and its headquarters is in Hohenwald, Tennessee, USA.
It’s among the best RV manufacturers globally and ranks immediately after Forest River. Oliver Travel Trailers makes and sell high-quality (fiberglass) travel trailer.
Typical, the company customizes its trailers to meet a new client’s specifications. The base price for its products is approximately $48,900.
2. Thor Industries
Thor is an American manufacturer specializing in making Recreational Vehicles (RVs). It then sells motorized and towable RVs using subsidiary brands. Some of the subsidiary brands they use include Heartland RV, Airstream, etc.
The industries bring in revenues of approximately $7.25 billion. These statistics rank it among the largest RV manufacturers globally in yearly revenue. The company did start operations in 1980 and later expanded its operation in 1991.
Later, it did acquire more companies that made it rank among the top RV manufacturers.
3. Coachmen RV
It has been in the game for more than 50 years and is one of the most recognizable RV manufacturers.
The company has sold over 600,000 units. Currently, Forest River Inc. is the company that owns Coachmen RV.
Additionally, this company manufactures diesel RV models such as Sports coach, plus gas models like Pursuit, Mirada, etc.
4. Entegra Coach
It has been under Jayco Family since 2008 and is among the world’s best RV manufacturers. The company makes some of the perfect luxury motorhomes. It also has some diesel Class A models.
The company headquarters is in Middlebury, Indiana. Today it offers several different RVs and motorhomes.
5. Newmar
The company did start its operations in 1968, and its founders were RV enthusiasts. Its headquarter is in Nappanee, Indiana, US.
Newmar company is popular for its luxury diesel and gas motorhomes. Plus, it’s been in the RV manufacturing game for more than 50 years.
Conclusion
Most RV enthusiasts wonder, “is forest river a good RV?” Well, the company is a popular RV manufacturer. It delivers high-quality and world-class RVs and trailers. The company did start its operations in 1996, and today it’s among the top manufacturers.
It has a huge variety of models, and you can find an amazing RV at any price point. However, there are other amazing brands too, which offer available deals.
