Forest River RVs – Are They Worth It?

If you have made resolutions to become a camper in 2022, you certainly need a good vehicle to fulfill your desires. It doesn’t matter how you want to camp or the size of your family; having a vehicle with innovative and unique features is imperative. But with the sheer number of these vehicles saturating the market, is the Forest River RV genuinely worth it?

We think so due to the build quality of the vehicles, the wide variety of models available, the unlimited roadside assistance, among other factors. Check out the full review for all the details. 

Forest River RV, History and Manufacturing Profile

Before committing to buying a new Forest RV, you might want to know some information about the company behind it. See below a little about its history, who owns it, and where is located.  

How Was Forest River RV Started?

As an RV manufacturer that delivers high-quality, world-class trailers and RVs, Forest River was incepted back in 1996. Within over 25 years of competitiveness, this brand sells highly effective and user-friendly vehicles and was founded by Peter Liegl in Elkhart, Indiana. The company has grown in leaps from this capital of building RVs, currently employing over 8,000 workers.

Forest River RV started manufacturing tent campers, travel trailers, park models, and fifth wheels after purchasing assets from Cobra Industries. The company has experienced growth and acquisition since then, including companies like

• Firan motorhomes
• Starcraft bus and Glava bus
• Vanguard industries
• Palomino

Who Owns Forest River RV?

Forest River is currently owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway investment group. The company leaves nothing behind when manufacturing new RVs. It intends to remain a lifetime brand that an enthusiast RVer relies on while catering for the first-timer.

CEO Peter Liegl served at cobra industries between 1985 and 1993 before founding Forest River RV. After its name had solidified in the industry, Berkshire Hathaway acquired it in 2005. With each new acquisition, Forest River RV expanded its production lines to strategically meet the growing consumer base’s demands.

Where Is Forest River RV Headquarters?

After 2002, Forest River RV faced rapid growth after launching the Rockport commercial trucks and trailers. The company moved out of its original offices in Goshen to its current headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana. It’s one of the largest manufacturers of towable recreational vehicles, with over 15 manufacturing facilities around the country.

Is Forest River a Good RV Brand?

Forest River RV has a towable or park model that fits every lifestyle, offering a wide range of vehicles at different prices. The company produces an ever-changing array of RVs, from small pop-ups to extended fifth wheel motorhomes for full-time travel or snowboarding. You can buy a starter model without leaving the brand and work your way up to its flagship luxury coaches.

The RV maker has multiple subsidiaries under its significant umbrella, a popular choice for many RVers simply due to its overwhelming market saturation. As such, buyers consider this brand as their prices are below their nearest competitors. Forest River is represented by multiple dealers and manufacturing facilities throughout the country and in Canada.

What Brands of RV Does Forest River Make?

Forest River is one of the most comprehensive RV makers in the country, with an extensive RV line, recreational camping equipment, and towable campers. It’s been a producer of class A and C motorhomes since 1996, extending to travel trailers, fifth wheels, and other haulers.

Depending on your family situation or camping scenario, homes away from home by this RV maker include;

1.   Forest River R-Pod

The Forest River R-Pod is the lowest tow weight in its class, featuring an expandable layout that comfortably accommodates two people. It has a total of 11-floor plans, including a model with expandable slides to fit a queen-size bed. Models include the RP-171 and 172, plus some with twin or bunk beds for children like the RP 176 and 191.

Forest River RVs R-Pods feature an interior kitchen with a refrigerator, residential-style cabins, and hardwood drawers. Some models are designed with the Thule-powered awning with built-in LED strips, while others boast two-burner cooktops and an outside kitchen with a dry sink.

2.   Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite

The Forest River Rockwood ultra-lite can accommodate your entire family with room and space for everyone. These RVs come with a generous layout that allows users enough sleeping and meal preparation areas. Some models feature an entertainment center with a Bluetooth multi-zone stereo and MP3/AM/FM/CD player hook-up, plus a Wi-Fi Ranger Sky 4.

Amenities within the Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite include a 13,500 BTU air conditioner, a gas, and a microwave oven. There’s a refrigerator, LCD TV, a recessed cooktop, and a two-way refrigerator. You’ll also find a U-shaped dinette with free-standing chairs that’s convertible to an extra sleeping space.

3.   Forest River Wildwood

The Forest River Wildwood RV is best suited to large families, accommodating up to ten people for the largest model. There’s a wide range of floor plans for this series, with units boasting ample storage, kitchen amenities, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and a full bath. Some models feature extended bunk areas such as the 25RLS, 26DBUD, or 27DBK, while others like the 27REIoffer spacious living areas.

All Forest River Wildwood models feature exceptional amenities, including;

• Exterior speakers with a blue LED light
• 30-Amp service
• A 13,500 BTU air conditioner
• Three-burner cooktop
• Microwave
• Solar power prep kit
• Tablet-compatible USB ports in bunks and bedrooms

4.    Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf

The Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf is a family-friendly series that accommodates every camping enthusiast’s needs. Units are available for couples and extended families, with the largest model offering sleeping areas for up to ten people. Most RVs include a power booster and full kitchens, while bedding ensembles come with a premium comforter.

Forest River’s Cherokee Grey Wolf RVs have a fish house model designed to camp on the ice. It features more oversized windows, an extra-large dinette, and heavy-duty rubber flooring. There’s an outside shower offering cold and hot water, a power yawning, and an external TV bracket for most models. Besides that, there’s an oven, entertainment system, roof-mounted air conditioner, and RV grill quick connection.

5.   Forest River Salem Cruise Lite

Some of the Forest River Salem Cruise Lite models accommodate up to three people, while others have five people. A large kitchen characterizes the model with burners, a spacious rear bathroom, solid surface countertops, and glass-fronted cabinets. Nearly all of the models in this series feature the EZ bed lift system that folds up into a sofa and a queen bed.

Forest River’s Salem Cruise Lite RV comes with a gas stove and furnace, a refrigerator, microwave, air conditioner, and a powered awning. Some units feature a retractable power slide out, plenty of storage space, and standard vent systems for the bathroom.

You’ll also find smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and a propane alarm.

Who Makes Forest River RVs?

Forest River produces more than a few brands of RVs, and many of these have an excellent reputation all over the country. Its many years of expansion and acquisitions are best known for modular trailers, motorhomes, tent campers, and travel trailers. Their manufacturing plans are located among other places in

• Elkhart Indiana
• Middlebury Indiana
• White pigeon, Michigan
• Centerville, Michigan
• Colon, Michigan
• Wakarusa, Indiana
• DeKalb and LaGrange, Indiana

Does Forest River Have Roadside Assistance?

Forest River RV understands how the quality and dependability of their vehicles are important, backing them up with a limited warranty and unlimited roadside assistance. Once you’ve purchased one of their units, you can travel safely and unhindered for one year with a complimentary membership. Services you can expect include

• Towing to the nearest repair facility
• Jump starting dead batteries
• Tire assistance like changing or delivering compatible tires
• Fuel and emergency fluid delivery
• Lockout or locksmith services
• Winch out for rear accessible RVs

Besides that, you’ll also benefit from 24/7 technical support by certified assistants, plus emergency road assistance from a vast network of providers. An RV mobile mechanic service seeks to repair disabled vehicles on-site, and you can rely on Forest River’s dealer locator services in unfamiliar territory.

How Do Forest River RVs Handle Their Warranty Claims?

Whether you bought your Forest River RV or your location, you’re covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. That means you can take your vehicle in for warranty work at any of their dealerships for issues that impair its use, market value, and safety. Your cover is suitable for any defects in workmanship or materials used by the manufacturer.

From 2017, any repeat repairs on warranty for the same problem are referred back to the Forest River factory. Reports to the factory are mandated for issues when your RV has been repaired for more than seven days. These policies have led to positive customer service changes, and warranty representatives are available on phone numbers given on their website.

What Is the Best Forest River RV?

The Salem Cruise Lite by Forest River RVs is one fuel-efficient trailer and features quality amenities. It’s in its category, roomy, lightweight, and easily towed by a standard sports utility vehicle. With its simplistic design, developmental materials used in this RV cut the load off, and it’s listed among the best options for an RVer to choose from.

The Salem Cruise Lite beds up to eight people and provides plenty of space inside to move about. It’s a rugged model, and its accompanying provisions make the Forest River trailer a pleasant hangout for campers.

Forest River Customer Reviews

Numerous customer reviews can tell a lot about the Forest River RV brand, some positive while others are negative. Essentially, some objections are based on customers whose issues weren’t correctly handled by respective dealers. Others point out workmanship, inability to respect guarantees, and slow customer support.

A large section of reviewers calls attention to minor blemishes or hosiery inconsistencies. One such includes the slide section of a trailer breaking or an entire floor falling in. Away from inferior builds and customer care issues are anecdotes from long-time satisfied customers.

So, Are Forest River RVs Any Good?

Forest River isn’t a fly-by-night RV manufacturing company, having been in business for the better part of 25 years. It’s a producer of quality-built RVs and is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, which means no shortage of resources and ideas. There are recreational vehicles in all categories and classes, while the maker aims to meet every price point for the enthusiast RVer.

Where to Buy Forest River RVs?

Forest River prides itself on efficient, timely service for a positive RV ownership experience. There’s a multitude of dealerships for this manufacturer, and the company encourages purchase from your local dealer. Alternatively, access the www.forestriverinc.com website and use their dealer-locator service.