Community Forums

Ustamiata · 08-24-2016, 09:01 PM

On June 14, a large truck failed to slow for stopped traffic and shoved a Chevy Tahoe into our Forester 2501 TS. We were not hurt, but there was severe damage to the right side fender and door. A second hit put a hole in the side of the “house”, just behind the bathroom sink. The vanity cabinet was destroyed and some of the wall studs broken and bent. The rig is a 2015 model with fewer than 11,000 miles on it.
This happened in Milwaukee, WI. We live in Sparks, NV, and were on our way home when this happened. Incredibly, the toad was not touched! We had to empty the motor home and rent a U-Haul trailer to return to Sparks.
The rig spent a month at a CW before they decided they could not repair it. It was then taken to a shop in Joliet, IL who does have the facility to do the repairs. It has been there now for over three weeks. Repairs have not been started because the shop is unable to get a “build sheet” from Forest River so they can identify what repair parts are need and order them. I have been in touch with Russ Stull in Parts, but he says he is unable to get the documents. We are now going on 10 weeks and nothing has been done!
I think someone at Forest River monitors this forum and I hope they can help with contact information of someone who can point us in the right direction

Snowman9000 · 08-25-2016, 07:59 AM

Since you are hoping to catch the eye of FR employees, I would join the Forest River forum and ask around there. They are on that site.
www.forestriverforums.com

TJFogelberg · 08-25-2016, 03:14 PM

Thank goodness you are both ok. Sorry to hear about this terrible accident. Does insurance come into play? (I'm surprised the insco doesn't total it out.)

Ustamiata · 08-25-2016, 06:26 PM

The unit is too new and valuable to total it. Wisconsin requires more than 70% of its value to total. My selling dealer, Mike Thompson in SOCAL has some contacts at the factory -- we'll see what he can come up with. Wish us luck!

taz6759 · 08-26-2016, 06:59 PM

I had a similar problem but not nearly as severe. Took a ridiculously long time to find out the part was not available. I ended up having to do a fiberglass repair on the broken part. Forest River no help at all. Good luck.

Snowman9000 · 08-28-2016, 03:07 PM

One thing to consider. Sitting in Joliet, it is only about 2.5 hours drive to the factory. An RV delivery company from Elkhart could probably back-haul it after dropping an RV off in Joliet. I'm assuming it is at Rick's RV (Jayco).

CaptainSkip · 09-10-2016, 06:52 PM

Try an email to Mike Jankowski at FR. mjankowski@forestriverinc.com

Technically he handles Forester division warranty issues but he may be able to help you get the info you're looking for. I've had good luck getting wiring diagrams and other info for mine when requested. If he can't help you he can probably tell you who you should contact.

EQSystems · 09-16-2016, 06:45 AM

I don't know what your current situation is on your RV, but I completely agree that if it's already in Joliet, you wold be best off sending it right back to Forest River and let them do the fix.
I was a factory service tech at Jayco for years before coming over to Equalizer Systems, and there we had access to so much more than any dealership shop ever could for large jobs like a sidewall replacement. Most dealer shops will try to re-skin the wall, when what it most likely needs is to be completely replaced.
Hopefully you are able to get your coach repaired and back on the road soon!