Living the full-time RV dream—that’s what Wanda Johnson and her husband thought they were getting into. They sold their house and bought a 42’ Cedar Creek fifth wheel. The Johnsons were ready to start a new adventure until their new RV broke. Calling their dealer didn’t help much. Calling Forest River got no more than sympathetic clucking. But when the Johnsons called a TV station, things got fixed—in a hurry.
Toe in the water—and then it got deep
The North Carolina couple decided to do the “toe in the water” trick first. Rather than heading out for points unknown immediately, they dropped into an RV park in Greensboro to get used to things for a few days. Pushing the button to roll out the bedroom slide should have been gratifying. Not! The slideout refused to slide. So the Johnsons called the dealership that sold them the Cedar Creek. A technician showed up, and manually pulled the slide out. But, hey, oopsie, the slideout refused to slide back in.
Here’s an interesting proposition. How do you start out on your great new road adventure with a stuck-out slideout? Or, with your new RV broke, how do you take it back to the dealership for repairs with the slideout protruding? The Johnsons’ suggestion that the dealership take the rig back and give them one that worked was met with a big thumbs-down. They called Forest River, Cedar Creek’s parent company. Wanda Johnson relates, “There was no offer or anything from corporate. They didn’t say sorry, (I know) you’re having problems, (they) said you know things happen,” she said. Basically, the Johnsons were “up the creek with their Cedar Creek.”
New RV broke—Those that should help just don’t
In what sounds like a line from Gordon Lightfoot, “Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?” The Johnsons’ first-day-on-the-road nightmare just kept growing. With their new RV broke, repeated calls to both the dealership and manufacturer led nowhere. After—get this—four months stuck in a Greensboro RV park with a stuck slideout, the Johnsons had another idea. They called WFMY News 2, the Greensboro CBS affiliate.
A report from the station says, “We immediately reached out to the dealership and the manufacturer to get some answers and see what was being done to assist the Johnsons. A representative from both companies called us back and worked to expedite the matter.” A good thing, eh? By this time a new problem had likewise manifested itself. The rig’s stabilizer jacks were leaking fluid, and the Johnsons had had to rig an alternative to keep the $100,000 RV level.
We’re not clear on what was done to get things fixed, but it happened, and rather rapidly. Within two weeks of the TV station’s intervention, the problems were repaired. The dealership, for some reason, decided to refund some of the Johnsons’ purchase price. Wanda Johnson wouldn’t disclose just how much they’d received for their trouble, but she says, “It was sufficient.”
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Without all the facts this isnt a news story… Some BS included. They sat for 4 months with a stuck slideout? REALLY LOL Did anyone call the dealership and get their side of the story? Or are we just repeating what this couple was telling you? That is not NEWS REPORTING. All of us have some problems with our RV, new or used. Been fulltime for over 4 years and have had issues.. but got them fixed one way or another in a timely manner. Come on… give us some news worth reading about!!!
Probably should share both sides of the story on this one..if its available
This is news that lets fellow RVers know about shady RV dealers and companies. Which we should avoid buying from. I had a RV dealership owner deny his employe hooked up the water pump winterizing valve wrong. No one would answer the phone or emails at the dealership. After months I gave them a bad google review which got the owners attention. After a few emails with the owner he finally accepted responsibility.
Bob, you hit the nail on the head.
I have read of so many situations like this with Forest River that I won’t touch a FR product, period. Decades ago they were a great company. Now they appear to be managed by villains and scumbags! Shame on Forest River! The severe lack of customer care is appalling.
I agree about FR products. I bought a 2016 22RR and had numerous problems. The dealer fixed (?) a few of the smaller issues, but told me that FR would have to approve the major repairs. After waiting weeks for word about the repairs, the dealer said FR would not approve the repairs. I contacted FR and was told it was a dealer issue. The final straw was when the rear ramp cracked while loading my motorcycle. Both the dealer and FR said I overloaded the ramp. A 700lb bike and a 1500lb rated ramp. I called the manufacturer of the ramp and they agreed to send a new ramp. However neither the dealer or FR would pay the labor.
Two weeks after I had the ramp installed, I traded the TT.
It sounds to me like this couple were newbies and really didn’t know what to do. However, they did get the rig fixed so I give ’em that.
Sounds like they didn’t get a pre-purchase inspection. It boggles my mind how folks will spend 6 digits on a new rig and not get it inspected first.
Great comment.
RVTravel – have you written any prior articles or pointers on RV inspectors and if they are (have to be or should be) licensed?
Hi, J. Here’s a link to an article we published awhile ago which includes where to find certified RV inspectors: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-buyers-inspection-heres-find/ And here’s another article published about the same time about the necessity of having a certified RV inspector along when buying an RV: https://www.rvtravel.com/certified-expert-purchase-rv-1020/ Thanks for asking. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
No, I’m not a writer. However, I do know about the value and importance of getting inspections and, in fact, plan to.become an NRVTA Inspector next year.
Overall, regardless of the time involved, it is a sad state of affairs when one has to result to contacting the media to get something a good business or corporation should take care of quickly. What has happened to fair treatment of customers……and to businesses.
Key word Good business.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! Funny how the “bright lights” of a television crew drawing attention to something, even without actually broadcasting a story (?), can motivate people to act. 🤔 I would like to know the reasons/justifications for the initial lack of action, if there are any. I do find it odd that the tech could get the slide extended but be completely unable to retract it. Our Newmar New Air has a handle in the basement storage that we or a mobile tech can use to manually retract a stubborn (or worse) slide.
Just have to share my experience. As a single mother with 2 children, I really HAD to have a working used vehicle. The dealership was no help at all. After I contacted the higher ups, they finally offered to fix it. Crying with frustration and relief, I stumbled out to the waiting room where several people were waiting. When questioned why I was crying. I said, Oh it’s all right. They promised they’d fix it THIS time!
No mention of how they approached the dealership or factory. Yelling, screaming,or threatening a lawyer or calm and matter of fact?
On face value of this article I would avoid all Forest River products…
On the news of this same nature from people I talk to had made that decision many years ago.
My late brother (an RV Tech for a major dealership in Texas) said to avoid Forest River products at all cost. All RVs have their problems, but he said Forest River products had the most.