Seeing Life Through Rose Colored Glasses
Yep, there are actually owners of campers made by Forest River and Thor who think these campers are an example of a quality build!
They even acknowledge the numerous issues they’ve had with their campers and accept them as a “normal part of RVing and RV life.” We’re not talking about minor issues either! Windows self-destructing, shower leaks, slide leaks, awning failures, cabinets falling off the walls and more (much more!)
You need to know that together, these two giant corporate entities (Thor and Forest River) own dozens of RV manufacturing companies. I view them as “bean counters”, concerned only with the bottom line and NOT quality of construction and materials in the RV’s they build.
Buyers Tip: IF you want to know whether a particular company is owned by either Thor or Forest River, you can use Google and ask “is XYZ RV owned by Forest River (or Thor)”
Owners of these campers often say “all campers have issues.” I think this is a mantra is along the lines of “misery loves company.”
My Perspective on buying an RV Camper as an “RV Industry Insider”
I first REALLY learned about RV’s and the RV industry over a decade ago while working for an RV dealer in Casper, Wyoming. As a lifelong educator, I was a sponge, absorbing all aspects of the industry from leaders within the dealership I worked at.
Our Service Manager and Service Writer opened my eyes about these two giant corporations. While working at the RV dealership, I saw what Forest River put my service writer through to get even routine warranty claims approved. Thor was not much better. And both had lots of issues due to quality control and use of cheap and sloppy construction tactics.
Observations from RV Service Experts
Further, Dan, our Service Manager, on several occasions over the years pulled me into the service area to see just how POORLY some campers are constructed. I still recall seeing a Surveyor 5th wheel with 4 thin strips of “pink panther” insulation in the entire front cap of a fifth wheel acting as protection against winter, in what they CLAIMED was a “4 season camper!” It had been opened up due to frame failure.
Additionally, I’ve seen more than my share of dropped fresh water tanks that fell out due to insufficient support. I could go on and on. But, to most of the members of these Forest River (and Thor) groups (on Facebook), facts and reality have little to do with their rose colored glasses view of these two giant corporate entities and the dozens of (crap) RV manufacturers they own and control.
Since leaving the RV dealer in 2017, I have kept my thumb on the pulse of the RV industry. I started my own Concierge RV Buying (and Selling) Service and now have literally hundreds of highly satisfied clients.
Naturally, I spend my fair share of time with every client to advise them of RV manufacturers who build a quality product – and those who do not!
Somehow I got invited into these Thor and Forest River Owners groups on Facebook
Needless to say, my comments, honest and from the heart, have not been well received by some!
And, before you ask, YES the group moderators asked questions before admitting me. Their questions included “why do you want to join this group?” My response?
To WARN buyers about all Forest River (and Thor) RV Campers!
And… next thing I know, I’m in! So… what have I learned from these poor misguided souls?
Well, its evident that most buyers of these poorly built campers had no idea what they were getting into when they made their initial purchase. Many encounter issues with their camper. Gee I’m shocked!
I’ve read about nearly every issue you can encounter – and many of these in lightly used campers less than 3 years old. Water damage, broken plumbing, cracks in tanks, failed slides, faulty wiring, etc. Most of this is NOT “user error” or the owners fault in any way.
Some owners write their issues off as “minor stuff.” I guess some of these folks, if they owned an early 1970’s Ford Pinto (the exploding model!) would have considered the fireball a minor inconvenience!
Others are outraged and have (hopefully) learned from the experience, but it still does not guarantee that they know who the better manufacturers are in the RV industry.
Have you seen my recent article about a Medicare program for RV Travelers that works? Check it out HERE.
My Expectations of my RV Camper as a Full Time RV’er
My Outdoors RV 5th Wheel trailer is nearing 9 years of full time living. Perhaps I’m the exception and just plain unreasonable, but I expect my fifth wheel to “simply work” on a daily basis. When it started getting warm this morning, I expected the air conditioning to come on and cool the camper. When I ran the microwave, I expected it to do its job. As I turned on the hot water tap, I expected hot water to come out, and the water pump to pump that water – without creating a flood anywhere in the camper!
Do I have unreasonable expectations of my RV camper? NOPE!
Does this happen with Forest River or Thor campers? Sure, perhaps even MOST of the time, but far too often something goes awry and it’s off to the races to fix things. AND the folks in these groups, seem to buy the nonsense fed them by the RV dealers service center hook-line-and-sinker!
As I noted earlier, service and repair issues are not always the dealers fault. Forest River (and Thor as a close second) run the dealer in circles for warranty approvals. They often follow this circus by shipping the wrong parts (weeks later.) By the time the right parts arrive, the campers owner has been waiting MONTHS. Of course, all during this time, the lender expects payment on their note every 30 days or so.
RV Life Tip: When your camper needs repair – whom should you contact?
ALL RV’s (even mine!) need some “TLC” once in a while. Many (most) RV owners bring the camper to a RV Dealer’s service center. And this is often where the true fun begins! I’ve read stories (MANY stories) where the camper has spent MORE TIME in the dealers service center than in use by the owner. You CAN avoid this fate however…
The alternative to RV dealer service centers is…
A mobile RV repair guy. In my view, these folks are the “cream that rose to the top.” That is, they probably started as an RV tech working for an RV dealer. The dealer collects $200 per hour from you and pays 10-15% of that to the tech.
Anyone who is any good at fixing RV’s leaves the RV dealer and opens their own “mobile RV repair” business. They collect their entire fee and live (or die) by their Google reviews. They’re easy to find and often manufacturers will reimburse you for repairs if your camper is under warranty.
Wait times are FAR less with mobile RV guys. They are also far more responsive to you than any service writer in most RV dealerships. This is just some of the advice and insights I bring to my Concierge RV Buying Clients where I get to work for them to get them the RIGHT camper at the BEST POSSIBLE price.
Another MASSIVE mistake made by members in these groups: Most buy a brand NEW RV camper
It amazes me how many of these completely uninformed buyers are purchasing brand new campers. Buying a new camper (and as many do, financing it) is LITERALLY a ticket to financial ruin. You WILL be “upside down” for years, likely long after you want to get rid of the camper. You also bear the full brunt of the MASSIVE depreciation of a new camper – especially a poorly made one like the ones these folks are looking for.
In the current economy, with many left over 2026 (and even 2025 and 2024 models), there’s almost no “right price” to buy these new campers at. As I write this, there are over 85000 2026 model campers STILL on dealers lots – and the 2027’s are arriving right along side of them! There are over 5800 2025 models (new) still on dealers lots and even 600+ 2024’s!
In a healthy economy, the 2026’s would largely be GONE by now. This is testimony to how anemic rv sales have been – for quite a while now.
Buying an RV Camper? A better approach
Buy a well built used camper. Many RV’ers own campers that are NOT heavily used. I am the notable exception as I’m going on 9 yrs full time in the same camper. And… for the record, I’m approaching my 15th year “on the road.”
In my experience, it is not unusual to find an RV Camper that is a few years old and still in “like new” condition (at least on the inside.) When I am working with a client, after we determine what campers and floor plans may work well for them, I start searching, identifying “candidate campers” (known to be good quality campers) and then call sellers to “interview” them to learn how its been used, maintained and what issues it has experienced.
This is the FIRST step in the purchase process. Ultimately, it may include ordering an inspection on a camper, but just like when you’re buying a home, we don’t do this for every camper we consider!
Used campers, especially those over 2 model years old, have undergone a steep depreciation cycle and the “second buyer” is getting it at the right price. It is almost always a FAR better decision than buying a brand new P.O.S.!
Have a “guide by your side, who also has your back”…
A shameless plug… You can learn more about my Concierge RV Buying (and Selling) Service HERE.
Key Takeaways: Buy used, buy quality, have a guide by your side
I often describe myself as a “guide by your side, who also has your back.” If you have $26,000. to spend, I’d FAR rather see that spent on a quality built RV camper than on a new unit – especially one built by one of the “two great evils” in the RV industry.
Contrary to popular belief, when it comes to RV manufacturers, there ARE “good guys” in this industry and they likely have the floor plan that works for you.
have several posts coming up that may be of interest.
- Revisiting Canyonlands and Central Utah with my Spring 2025 Trips with Isaac
- Exploring Nevada during Spring 2025 – first with Isaac then on my own as I headed north
- Reflecting upon the Medicare choices I made nearly 3 years ago (as I approach my 68th birthday)
- Having the right mindset to NOT get ripped off when Buying an RV Camper – likely the second largest purchase in your life
- Some pretty cool stories and footage from the Silver Valley – Wallace and Burke Idaho
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