Forest River RP-189 Travel Trailer reviews

Purchased new in March 2022. Used two times. On 3rd trip slide would not open, it was bound up mechanically, not an electrical problem. The Schwintek was diagnosed at dealer as needing replaced. Dealer talked with Lippert rep and was told that this is a known problem due to shortcuts taken at a machine shop during the COVID scare. Lippert (supplies Schwintek slides to Forest River) rep talked with me several times and promised to overnight parts to dealer. Parts didn’t show so contacted rep. Would not return calls. He did text me and said “call the help line”. Still no parts and trailer has been at dealer for a month. Forest River help line not helpful in obtaining parts. Was told parts were ordered (from Lippert) but didn’t show. Frustrating brand new trailer is not usable and customer care is non existent. FR claim that customer satisfaction is top priority is false. Show less

I never write negative reviews, I find it distasteful. Do not buy a R Pod- buy Jayco! I have never had such a bad experience. In the first year I had 15 warrantee issues (first 15 issues listed below). I only took it on one significant trip right at the end of the warrantee period due to Covid travel restrictions). I bought a lemon and asked for a 12-month warrantee extension. On our next trip I had a near death experience when the axle broke at 60 MPH. My requests for warrantee extensions were ignored even though we have had 7 water leaks, we have been stranded roadside (out of state) 3 separate times in the first 16 months of ownership. In the past 2 years I have had 40 workmanship failures on my 2020 R Pod 189 (listed below). I am writing a review now only because I just noted the massive bubbling of the paper-thin laminate around the kitchen sink. This is a major blemish that I do not know how to economically fix. I previously owned a Jayco 24 ft trailer for about 10 years with but one problem, (one water pump leak). Buy Jayco, they are built better, their 2-year warrantee is proof they stand by their workmanship. R Pod and Forest River make junk and will not make right when there are problems. 1. Delivery from dealer delayed 2 weeks, Air Conditioner defective, required replacement. 2. Upon pick up- obstructed slide, interior molding needing trimming. Not repaired. 3. On our first outing the heater would not work. 4. Curtain cord undone- curtain inoperable. 5. Rear window curtain would not stay up. 6. P trap disconnected draining water to the cabinet floor on first outing 7. Bathroom door handle loose and almost detached. 8. Shower hot water knob was detached and on the shower floor. 9. Outside door was impossible to close and open. 10. Dump line hanging bracket failed dragged and ruined the valve and cover- left stranded. 11. Two bolts for the entry stairs hanging loose. One was stripped 12. Dump tank retaining strap completely failed (again)- seriously stranded. 13. Rear curtain had dangling valance 14. Adjacent valance screws loose, ready to fail. 15. The rubber bumper on the door was dry rotted upon delivery. 16. Multiple dealer warrantee repairs inadequate- continued failures- I made repairs 17. Two individual steps loose, screws loose, one fell out 18. Fridge control panel repeatably falls off 19. Upper kitchen cabinet support broke 20. Loose screws, misaligned kitchen cabinet door 21. Lower kitchen cabinet doors loose 22. Bath under sink cabinet screws loose on door 23. Screws on exterior storage door not screwed in tight 24. Tear in upholstery caused from opening to bed (opened only twice) 25. Molding not nailed or glued, fell off (side of kitchen countertop) 26. Ball bearings on external stove drawer slide broke 27. Bathroom faucet plastic handle broke 28. Bath fan will not run low speed 29. Axle broke, wheel fell off leaving only spindle- stranded 12 hours, 6 months to repair 30. Water leak on a different drain fitting in bathroom 31. Water leak on hot water tank inlet fitting 32. Outside stove spray fixture line leaking at clamp inside trailer 33. Heater interior grate fell off, one screw not holding anything 34. Multiple screws not holding anything, miss aligned throughout trailer 35. Second hot water tank leak on another outlet fitting 36. Water leak on kitchen sink drain 37. Water leak under bathroom sink from vent when using black water tank rinse 38. Molding fell off by bed where heater space- not glued, 2 misaligned nails. 39. Bathroom upper mirrored cabinet screws loose- door mis aligned 40. Laminate bubbling up around kitchen sink- paper thin laminate Show less