RV Stolen From Forest River - Help Please

[janeway9]

Hi folks,
Our RV was stolen from Forest River last Wednesday night - August 27, 2008. It is a Sandpiper 35-foot 5th wheel bunkhouse with 3 slides. It is only 10 months old so in mint condition inside and out.

It had my children's Winnie the Pooh curtains in the back, their Mickey stickers in the windows, though I suspect they are gone by now.

We had left it with Forest River on August 18 as it had a large crack in the side wall and they requested it be returned to the factory for repair. They were to have it for 3 to 4 weeks as they had to replace the whole side wall.

We did not even get to see the repair job as the night they called us to say it was ready for pickup, it was stolen from their repair lot - someone cut the chain on the gate and helped themselves to our RV.

It was unlocked and did not have the king pin lock as Forest River would not take them when we tried to hand them over. They said they had lost keys in the past so now they did not take keys or locks.

Sure did make it easy for the thief as all the units were unlocked. Sadly for us, Pat the manager said ours was the nicest one on the lot that night, so they think that is why it was chosen to be taken.

We thought Forest River would jump in and sort things out as it was taken while in their care, and we had after all driven it all the way back from BC in Canada to bring it to the factory as they had instructed. BTW that is 2163 very long miles away.

Not so. We called Pat the manager from Forest River back in the afternoon to find out what was happening, thinking we will get a new RV to replace our 10 month-old unit within a week and be on our way again.

The answer left us stunned and shocked. Pat had spoken to the corporate office and they had advised him that we had to sort it out with our insurance company.

We repeated our request for Forest River to help out as they had the vehicle in their care. We were told they would put us in touch with a local dealer when we had our insurance check.

Naturally we contacted our insurance company and they will BEGIN processing the claim in 4 weeks - then dependent on Forest River's willingness to pay, settle 5-10 days later.

Not quite the results we had expected either. Luckily we had taken the $1,500 emergency accommodation in our policy, but it is costing us $500 per week in a short-term rental property so we with the cost of fuel which Forest River now say they will not pay, we are thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Our story was featured on the local TV station on Friday and the reporter made quite a few calls to Forest River to try to prompt some action. It worked and Forest River VP Jeff Babcock gave us a call on Sunday saying he would give us a loaner RV so we could get under way.

Holiday on Monday so Tuesday morning, he called to get things sorted out, assuring us we would be in a loaner unit by the end of the day or Wednesday at the latest.

We were cautiously optimistic and excited at the thought of getting on with our holiday again.

I don't think I mentioned earlier, we are from Australia and traveling around America on the "trip of a lifetime." So far we have had 2 major disruptions to our trip to get our Forest River RV repaired, but that is another story....

I won't bore you with the details of all the phone calls we had with Jeff Babcock last Tuesday except to say that by early afternoon, he had changed his tune and was pushing us to buy our own one right now.

He even had a friend of his, Jim from a dealership in Grand Rapids Terry Town I think it was called, try to sell us a secondhand one he had. He would even help help us get into a rental at our cost until we were ready to buy his.

We were devastated. We had a brand new unit we cherished. Our children, Madison 3, and Denver 1, loved their little room and keep asking to go home.

If you see our Sandpiper or have any ideas of what we should do now, please email on leAToutthecarwindow.com (family blog).

Appreciate any ideas. All the best with your travels. le

[jfran304]

Have you contacted a lawyer yet? Maybe if you did, it would get Forest River's attention. I would also contact the local news stations and give them an update about them backing out of their deal to furnish you a loaner.

Good luck,
Jon
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Jon & Sue Francis

[Cornbread Red]

Yeah, I'd get an attorney like right away. And don't be shy about contacting the news people again. Also the local newspaper, as most have a feature "Consumer Helper" like the TV stations.

I'd also look on Craigslist in cities and towns around the area where your rig was stolen. Might see it for sale by the lowlifes.

Best of luck and best wishes for the rest of your holiday.

Chip

[Motor31]

First off you need to make sure a police report has been filed and the theft conditions (ie in their lot, in their control) documented. Then you need to seek an attorney and start the lawsuit. This is not a case for your insurance company to sort out. it's one for their insurance company to replace your unit and then sort it out with the factory.
_________________
Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

[porscheracer]

Sadly, insurance companies do not pay promptly on "stolens." The bean counters are willing to sit on your $$ hoping for a recovery (and collecting interest), and the rule of thumb on stolen vehicle compensation is 6-8 weeks!

Is it fair? Heck no - but it's legal and they will milk it for all its worth.
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

[rockportbound]

I personally cannot stand a thief! It's too bad that low lifes that are too lazy to work do make other decent, hard working peoples' lives miserable by stealing from them! Sorry you had to visit our country and be treated that way. Unfortunately, the dealerships are pretty much scum too. Once the sale is made, they could care less what happens to your RV. Been there, done that, burned that T-shirt. Anyway, yes I absolutely agree: call your attorney, the TV stations, and anyone else who will listen to you and help you get the word out! Good luck, and peace be with you and your family!

[babe1002]

Here is an opportunity for Americans to show our care and hospitality to this couple from Australia. There must be some "RVing" lawyers out there. Perhaps one of you would be willing to at least contact this family, and advise them of their rights and give them some direction. I'm sure hiring an attorney was not in the trip budget, but it sounds like that is the help they need. Thanks.

I agree that this family needs to continue to apply pressure on Forest River. They were negligent, particularly since they weren't willing to accept keys for the lock.

[janeway9]

Thank you all for your suggestions.

We have tried to do pretty much all that you have suggested now.

Have been on local TV and 2 newspapers and in the RV industry news twice.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/27671699.html wsbt tv
http://www.goshennews.com/local/local_story_242235136.html
http://www.rvindustrynews.com/News/tabid/16941/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1740/Default.aspx

though I am not sure if the last RV industry blog is good or not - you can be the judge of that. http://www.rvinews.com/Default.aspx?tabid=16942&EntryID=143

We have contacted probably 20+ law firms; however, none are willing to talk to us or take our case: not their focus or just don't return calls. If anyone knows a good lawyer in Indiana, I would be happy to contact them.

Even went to Legal Aid and while we got a good hearing and she blasted Forest River on the phone, she said there was nothing much else she good do for us as Legal Aid has a different focus.

That is not good news re the insurance company 6-8 weeks - ouch. We will know soon enough, I guess.

We have also contacted (left messages) at Berkshire Hathaway - Mr Warren Buffet's company as they apparently own Forest River Inc. (and another insurance company). No response to calls.

Will keep you posted. Meanwhile just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to share your thoughts. We certainly appreciate it.

I am not sure if I mentioned our family (personal) blog but we are trying to update that to keep the family up to speed with what is happening. You are welcome to skip by all the personal stuff and see what is happening on the RV side of things if you want. Jordan posts as time permits. www.outthecarwindow.com

Anyway - taking the kids to a real neat playground we spotted.

Happy travels.
Best wishes. le

[ttetz6701]

Have you tried to contact the Good Sam Club? I doubt if you are a member but they probably will try to help you out. They seem to have a way of getting through the red tape and getting something done. Try contacting them at GoodSamClub.com Hope they can do a courtesy good deed for you. Here in America, most of the RV industry doesn't know what "Good Customer Service" is. Many companies don't build and equip their units to be safe. They don't demand from the auto manufacturers to put the right equipment on the chassis and build their engines right that they send to the RV manufacturers. We always have to rebuild the suspension systems, change tires, and make changes to the engine for better perfomance. They overload the chassis in some areas. And we end up with a garage full of parts that we paid a lot of money for that are useless. I feel sad for this experience you are having in our country. The RV industry should be above this type of thing. If it is any consolation, the RV industry treats most of us Americans the same way.
I wish I still lived in South Bend instead of Washington state. You would be more than welcome to stay with us. Terry T.
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Have you tried to contact the Good Sam Club?? you are proboaaly not a member of the club but I think they might help you out. They seem to have a way of getting something done. just type in goodsamclub.com
Hope they can help you.

[haroldhansen]

Maybe readers in the states surrounding you can help keep an eye out in the Craigslists in the various cities within a couple of days' drive. The scumbags will post this on CL for a low price and try and find a sucker while giving a song and dance about the title "coming soon."

I was looking at a Forest River RV the last few weeks as one of my finalists, but seeing the "help" the jerks from Forest River corporate have offered, I am not going to purchase their product.
_________________
Harold Hansen

[loriscribe]

I'm so sorry for all the misfortunes you've had on your "trip of a lifetime." I'm going to recommend that you see a lawyer. I've worked in the legal system for many years (though NOT as a lawyer), and it seems to me that since your rig was on the dealer's lot in the dealer's care, it's THEIR insurance that should be paying up, not yours. I may be totally wrong as a layman, but it just seems to make common sense. At the very least, I would think abrogation is in order. Only a lawyer can tell you if that's accurate. If you go to the Yellow Pages, there's a lawyer referral service in almost every phone book. Call that number and ask for an initial consultation. It's not free, but it's not exorbitant, either. It's very disappointing that you're being flim-flammed and doesn't speak well for the entire industry. I know you would rather have your own unit back and I surely hope that happens for you -- maybe even by this time!
Lori
_________________
'05 Itasca Cambria
Solo Newbie

[jrf]

Lori wrote: "I'm going to recommend that you see a lawyer."

I wish this weren't the case, but if you've reported the facts of the case accurately, I agree with the need to seek legal advice. It seems to me that the dealership is trying to take advantage of you possibly because they feel that they can get away with it. I very much doubt that the dealer's attitude is going to change on this unless they're pressured to do the right thing. If your own insurance company/coverage won't do what you paid them to do, get legal counsel; don't allow these jerks to get away with scamming you.

[porscheracer]

I, too, am terribly distraught that something like this happened to visitors from another continent - on their "vacation of a lifetime." The downward spiral of morality and honesty in our country (and worldwide) distresses me as well.

I can well remember when I was young. We never even locked our house and the keys stayed in the car. No more . . . now thieves will steal road signs to hock them for the aluminum scrap value!

I'd volunteer to call Mr. Buffett as well - but I don't own enough stock in any of his companies to award me the privilege of getting through to him.

For what it's worth, I will contact a good friend of mine (it will be Monday) who is a Forest River dealer, and see if I can apply some leverage from there - or possibly work out something else. You're welcome to PM or email me. I have a soft spot for Aussies - I have a cousin in Perth, and we plan to visit next year!
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

[porscheracer]

I just noticed on the RV Blog Jeff at Seattle RV has offered a free loaner until the end of October. That is back in the area where you were when your trip was interrupted. Have you pursued that offer?
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

[ladysibley]

I am so sorry to hear about your problems. This whole thing, including the original problems with the trailer, should never have happened. If you have not already contacted the Australian embassy, you probably should. They may be able to exert some political pressure that will get you some relief.

I hope this will soon be settled and your family can continue on your "trip of a lifetime." You will certainly have some stories to tell in years to come!

Very best wishes to you.