Forest River is one of the most popular RV manufacturers on the market, but does that mean it is one of the best RV brands? In this in-depth Forest River RV review, we will study the manufacturer's product line and manufacturing quality. We will also analyze Forest River RV reviews from customers who weigh the manufacturer and Forest River RV products.

If you have already considered how to buy an RV but are not sure what to do next, then an inspection of Forest River RV would be a good starting point.

After we thoroughly researched and compared several top RV companies, we rated Forest River RV with 4.0 stars out of 5.0 stars. The company provides affordable RVs for people who want to adopt the RV lifestyle, but owners of Forest River RV will encounter manufacturing quality issues in some cases.

Forest River RV was established in 1996 and has now developed into one of the largest RV manufacturers in the world. Billionaire Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett noticed the growth of Forest River RV and acquired the company in 2005, just a week later. Forest River is now a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

According to RVBusiness data, by 2020, Forest River, Inc. will occupy 40.2% of the tractor market share and 24.3% of the A-class and C-class RV market shares. Forest River ranks second in both categories, second only to Thor Motor Coach.

Over the years, Forest River has purchased other RV brands, including:

More than 2,400 Forest River RV reviews on RVInsider.com gave the brand 3.6 stars (out of 5.0 stars). In the past three years, Forest River has received approximately 150 complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ​​website, but this accounts for only a small percentage of the company's customers. Forest River has resolved all complaints on the BBB website, which is rated A.

Forest River offers a large selection of motorhomes. Although it does not produce Class B campervans, Forest River produces all other major types of recreational vehicles, including:

Forest River offers 45 RV brands, including well-known brands such as Cherokee, Wildwood, and Rockwood. Each brand offers multiple RV types, and each type usually has a small number of models and many floor plans for each model. In other words, Forest River RV has hundreds of options.

Here are some models that have recently won awards:

These awards do not necessarily predict the performance of the RV in a few years. They apply when new models are introduced to the market.

Forest River RV prices range from less than $10,000 for an entry-level pop-up camper to more than $500,000 for 2022 Berkshire XLT Class A diesel. Although Forest River does produce some high-end products, most customers choose the brand because it chooses entry-level and relatively affordable RVs with a suggested retail price of between US$20,000 and US$50,000.

One of the most common questions from Forest River potential customers is about the quality of the construction. You may have read the negative Forest River RV review, which mentioned that build quality is a disadvantage.

According to our research, Forest River RV is not known for excellent quality (unless you pay for the top product line), but they are also good. For the price you pay for an entry-level or mid-level RV, the quality is enough.

Forest River sells thousands of RVs every year, so some problems inevitably arise. In the first few years, you can expect some maintenance and repair work as a motorhome owner.

We recommend establishing a relationship with the dealer and investigating how the staff inspects and sells the new RV. Establishing contact with a good dealer can give you peace of mind, when you can't fix something by yourself, you can get repairs in time.

Forest River manufactures RVs in and around Elkhart, Indiana, and has dozens of factories in the area, many of which specialize in the production of a single RV brand. Forest River also has plants scattered in other states, including California, Georgia, Michigan, and Oregon.

The Forest River RV review on RVInsider gave the manufacturer 3.6 points out of 5.0 stars. Grand Design has 3.8 stars, Thor has 3.5 stars, and Keystone has 3.6 stars. No manufacturer has 5.0 stars, and certain models and model years perform better than other manufacturers.

We will delve into some Forest River RV complaints and issues below.

If you want to buy your first RV, please note that the dealer is not obliged to provide services for the RV that they have not sold in the contract. This is in contrast to car dealers, who will provide the same service anyway.

Forest River (and many other manufacturers) will tell customers that they can go to any distributor that sells the brand for service. Nevertheless, the service department may not accept repairs and may give priority to local customers over non-local customers.

Most of the comments and complaints on Forest River's BBB page are focused on the after-sales experience. Here are some sources of customer frustration:

Remember, there are less than 40 Forest River RV reviews and less than 150 complaints on the BBB website. Although these do not represent all customers, problems will certainly arise occasionally.

Next are some popular Forest River RV product lines and some of the questions mentioned by reviewers on RVInsider.

Sunseeker is the most commented Forest River brand on RVInsider, with more than 90 comments. Overall, the C-class RV brand received a 4.0-star rating from Forest River RV critics. The issues mentioned in the negative comments include:

The Salem series is another popular brand, and the Forest River RV review on RVInsider gave it 3.6 stars. Many customers like the floor plan options and good electrical appliances, but some reviewers say that when the truck passes by, some models do not tow well and shake badly. Other Forest River Salem owners have also experienced slide problems.

Cherokee Gray Wolf Travel Trailer

The Cherokee Grey Wolf travel trailer has 3.3 stars on RVInsider. Many Forest River RV reviews mentioned leaks in the piping system of this RV line. Other owners have the problem that the warranty period is only one year (more on this later).

The Forest River RV review gave an overall rating of the popular Wildwood series with a 3.1 star rating. One commenter summarized their experience:

Problems encountered by customers include:

Of course, not everyone will encounter these problems, but it is a good thing to be prepared.

The Forest River R-Pod brand has an overall rating of 3.9 stars. Compared with RVs, small pod-type campers can accommodate more camping sites, which is appreciated by customers. However, one reviewer experienced a trailer fire caused by the installation of the electrical system, and another reviewer mentioned wear and leakage of roof sealant.

Palomino is an independent company wholly owned by Forest River. The Puma series scored 3.9 stars on RVInsider, indicating that most customers are satisfied with the product. Puma has many fans, but some people have encountered problems, such as:

Is Heritage Glen a good camper?

Forest River Heritage Glen is rated 3.4 stars on RVInsider. Many motorhome owners praise storage space and appliances. However, some critics encountered poor workmanship and factory installation.

One commenter mentioned the poor after-sales service and said the dealer

The new Forest River RV comes with a one-year warranty from the date of sale. This warranty only applies to the original owner, even if the first owner sold it within one year. In terms of guaranteeing himself, Linhe guarantees

This applies to all trailers and motorhomes. Forest River goes one step further, if you own a tent camper "under normal use conditions", you are guaranteed that the roof, tent and frame will not show "major defects" for five years. However, it only covers a three-year labor force.

In short, the warranty covers major defects caused by Forest River, not the dealer. The term "substantial defect" is where dealers, customers, and Forest River may disagree. Ultimately, Forest River decides what meets the standards of the warranty work.

Like all warranties, Forest River lists various exclusions. This is a partial list:

If you buy a new motorhome, you can also get Forest River roadside assistance for one year. This service covers an unlimited number of failures, and there is no limit to the value of each failure. Roadside assistance includes:

If you buy a trailer or RV in the market, Forest River is a good choice, but remember that if you don’t expect the perfect product right away, you will be more satisfied. Building a relationship with your home dealer will go a long way in helping you enjoy the life of an RV owner.

Is Forest River a premium motorhome?

Overall, the quality of the Forest River RV is medium. Many RVers are satisfied with their purchase, while some have problems with factory installation and craftsmanship.

What is the worst RV brand?

Some RV brands-including Jayco, Hurricane and Keystone-have a worse reputation for workmanship than others. However, you can get a good or bad experience on almost any RV brand.

What is the most reliable RV brand?

Grand Design is one of the most reliable RV brands on the market. It is known for its high-quality interiors and good customer service.

Is Forest River a bad brand?

The vast majority of Forest River customers have a positive experience overall, but some customers experience poor craftsmanship and service from the manufacturer. In terms of its price point, this is not a bad brand.

Forest River makes Wildwood campers. The company produces the Wildwood brand in Elkhart, Indiana.

Who makes the Forest River RV?

Forest River, Inc. produces Forest River RV. The company has been a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 2005, but it operates as an independent manufacturer of RVs.