RV Type
Make and model
Floorplan
Year
Forest River Sandstorm Toy Haulers 5th Wheel reviews
Liveability
1.5
Overall quality
1.5
Floorplan
3.5
Driving/towing
2.5
Factory warranty
2.5
Reviews
Stars Refinement
9 ratings and reviews
Voted most helpful review
Rick DeWeese
Arizona, USA
Reviewed on January 30, 2024
RV reviewed
2023 Forest River Sandstorm FLS286GLSR

1.4
I purchased new about 3 months ago and the trailer pulled really bad. I tow almost 2-3x a week and by far this is the worst experience. Dropped it off at the dealer for major repairs structurally. I was told the following day that the trailer has buckled , the doors are bent , the cabinets and oven...read more
I purchased new about 3 months ago and the trailer pulled really bad. I tow almost 2-3x a week and by far this is the worst experience. Dropped it off at the dealer for major repairs structurally. I was told the following day that the trailer has buckled , the doors are bent , the cabinets and oven are pulling off the wall , the wrong leaf springs were installed and the axles are bad. It has less than 900 miles. Basically in short it was built wrong from the factory. I was asked permission from Forest River to sign a waiver so they could tow it back to the facility to rebuild a brand new trailer. I was given no other options and put on the spot. I declined now knowing I need to pay for an education and go through what will be a long process with the manufacturer. I was sold a bad unit that isn’t safe to be road worthy and have to now shoulder the burden of making a payment , keeping my insurance up to date , keeping my storage spot going and not have a trailer to use. I will keep everyone up to date and will most likely start a social media page to allow others in the same position as myself to have a place to communicate. As of now I’m not signing anything and I just bought the worlds worst trailer that is unusable and the rep was very short as was I. My recommendation would be to research this manufacturer and be mindful of the dealership you buy from. I was just told I’m so many words “ sorry but there is nothing we can do.” Trailers have issues I get that. But if this was a vehicle it would be a lemon and a lawsuit. I hope it doesn’t come to that but as of now I will be pursuing paying for that education and walking through this horrible process.
Livability
1.0
Overall quality
1.0
Floorplan
3.0
Driving/towing
1.0
Factory warranty/support
1.0
Voted most helpful review
Margie
Reviewed on July 7, 2023
RV reviewed
2022 Forest River Sandstorm FLS286GLSR

3.2
We have a tall side by side and this model was the only smaller unit we could find that our SxS fit into. It’s easy to load and pulls nicely full or empty. Disadvantages are the countertops are too high and overhead cupboards are too tall for my 6’2” husband to reach. But it has more...read more
We have a tall side by side and this model was the only smaller unit we could find that our SxS fit into. It’s easy to load and pulls nicely full or empty. Disadvantages are the countertops are too high and overhead cupboards are too tall for my 6’2” husband to reach. But it has more cupboards than other small models. There’s hardly any storage for clothing or underneath storage for chairs, bbq, tools, etc. The unit has 4 beds, the master being a king so it sleeps a lot of people but there’s absolutely no room for them to store their personal necessities. The back table is nice as we like to eat and play games together but there isn’t a single light over or near the table so we have to use a lantern set on the table. The ceiling fan is absolutely useless, that needs omitted. The slide out in the bedroom has 2 small closets and a shelf and drawer between them. You need to make it full closet across the entire slide. We’ve used this several times, added 2 large RV batteries and even with a full charge going into nightfall, if we run the furnace all night we are out of power by 4AM. There’s too much electrical draw somewhere. Even our previous 40’ motorhome had plenty of reserve power that lasted several days. The finish work is horrible. We had both recliners loose over half the bolts the first trip. Molding and trim has fallen off every single trip. Outlet covers, light switches, hooks, cup holder in the bathroom were all permanently installed crooked. There were deep scratches on the floor. I think when someone sells a small RV for almost 90K, the company should show more pride in their workmanship.
Livability
2.0
Overall quality
2.0
Floorplan
4.0
Driving/towing
4.0
Factory warranty/support
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Steven Lacey
California
Reviewed on December 1, 2021
RV reviewed
2018 Forest River Sandstorm 283SLR

3.2
I bought this trailer thinking it would be my last one. Apon retirement. I liked the look, roominess, and room for future ability to haul my motorcycle. The trailer has been a total nightmare. Was back at the dealer for repairs 3 times for a total of 4 months in the first year. AC kept shutting...read more
I bought this trailer thinking it would be my last one. Apon retirement. I liked the look, roominess, and room for future ability to haul my motorcycle. The trailer has been a total nightmare. Was back at the dealer for repairs 3 times for a total of 4 months in the first year. AC kept shutting down, running lights, issues with staples coming loose on valances and barrel chairs, stereo oveheating due to improper instalation, desalination of the vinyl floor, inadequate furnace ducting, DC receptacles not working and then the drawers in the kitchen collapsed due to poor building design, dealing with the dealership Baird Family Rv, ontario is the worst. The service manager, dealership owners son treats customers rudely and does not get work done when he says he will, then cops attitude with customers about it. Latest hailures , second long trip found that the supersede is not designed properly. 4 rollers rated at 200lbs each rolling directly on rough spray painted plywood for a 13 foot slide causing desalination of the plywood. A large part of the kitchen, and a couch are in the slide. Also my wife stepped through the floor in the garage area. This is due to not having support along the edges and weak materials. Also in for having the stove vent re repaired because family rv did it wrong, to fix the toilet that won't flush due to some kind of water issue. I definitely won't buy another forest river product ever. Not even if hell freezes over!
Livability
4.0
Overall quality
1.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
Factory warranty/support
1.0
Voted most helpful review
Cam Prenevost
British Columbia
Reviewed on June 4, 2021
RV reviewed
2013 Forest River Sandstorm SRS F3215

4.6
We have owned 6 RVs prior to owning this one For our needs this RV has been the best hands down So hard to find one with an angle shower under $50,000. And the layout of the bathroom is like being in a hotel versus camping Also love have ing the extra garage space has com in handy in many...read more
We have owned 6 RVs prior to owning this one For our needs this RV has been the best hands down So hard to find one with an angle shower under $50,000. And the layout of the bathroom is like being in a hotel versus camping Also love have ing the extra garage space has com in handy in many situations. Wish we had this when we first started RVing
Livability
5.0
Overall quality
4.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
Factory warranty/support
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Barbara Radle
California
Reviewed on November 21, 2020
RV reviewed
2021 Forest River Sandstorm 265GSLR

4.4
We looked a long time to find this particular floor plan with a long enough area to house our Polaris RZR. We knew we had to sacrifice space in the bathroom area, and that there would be some minor issues as with any new RV, but our disappointment came with the use of the factory installed Onan...read more
We looked a long time to find this particular floor plan with a long enough area to house our Polaris RZR. We knew we had to sacrifice space in the bathroom area, and that there would be some minor issues as with any new RV, but our disappointment came with the use of the factory installed Onan 4000 generator. The compartment was not built per Onan specifications and as such heat builds in the compartment and shuts the generator down because of overheating. When this was brought to the attention of the rv dealer, no one seemed to know what caused the problem or how to fix it. They referred us to an rv repair business who stated that unless they could recreate the problem, there was nothing they could do about it. On our first outing in the new rv, we ran the generator for the AC and within 30 minutes it shutdown and the temperature in the generator compartment was 165 degrees with the compartment door open. Friends who were with us also had an Onan generator and had no such problem. The Onan manual indicates the proper amount of space allowances for housing the generator, but this compartment in this particular model meets none of those specs! After the generator, shuts down, the fuel vaporization is so high the fuel odor was smelled by all those around us. Because of the way the rv is designed, there is no way to enlarge the compartment. My husband is now researching a way to vent the generator to eliminate a problem we should not have had in the first place. The generator throws a 36 Code upon shutting down. We do a lot of "dry" camping and to have a problem like this is frustrating, you assume Forest River takes pride in creating an rv that meets all safety standards and a vapor locking generator is certainly not safe. This is not the first RV we have owned with an Onan generator, but the first to give us issues. If anyone else has had this problem, we would like to hear your experience with Forest River in finding a solution.
Livability
4.0
Overall quality
4.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
Factory warranty/support
4.0
Voted most helpful review
Matt and Margaret Brown
Oregon
Reviewed on October 23, 2019
RV reviewed
2012 Forest River Sandstorm 263SLR

5.0
We had this trailer made specifically for us form the manufacturer. Love it! It is spacious enough to have the whole family in it and that includes 6 grand kiddos. I love the bedroom in the front and the overall lay out. There is not a thing that we dislike about this trailer. I would...read more
We had this trailer made specifically for us form the manufacturer. Love it! It is spacious enough to have the whole family in it and that includes 6 grand kiddos. I love the bedroom in the front and the overall lay out. There is not a thing that we dislike about this trailer. I would definitely recommend this trailer if not for anything than it is the second one that we have owned and by far the most comfortable and very homey feel to it. One thing that we have done is cover all flooring when loading to save the carpet and flooring.
Livability
5.0
Overall quality
5.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
Factory warranty/support
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Bobby Browne
Idaho
Reviewed on June 17, 2019
RV reviewed
2018 Forest River Sandstorm 282SLR

2.4
We bought our 2018 28ft Sandstorm Fifth-wheel toy-hauler 1 year ago. We had warranty issues and Dennis Dillon RV told us to wait until winter to bring it in and keep track of the issues. Wrong don’t ever wait! They sent off warranty requests to Forrest River for approval and we had a hard time...read more
We bought our 2018 28ft Sandstorm Fifth-wheel toy-hauler 1 year ago. We had warranty issues and Dennis Dillon RV told us to wait until winter to bring it in and keep track of the issues. Wrong don’t ever wait! They sent off warranty requests to Forrest River for approval and we had a hard time getting the work done. Black tank leaked, our door wouldn’t stay shut, the oven cover came apart and the window covers were all loose. After 3 months we got the camper back and the black tank wasn’t fixed and the carpet had staples everywhere. The worst service and had to fight to get anything fixed under warranty. The door still won’t stay shut but to take it in and wait 3 months is unacceptable. Will never buy another Forrest river product or buy from a Dennis Dillion company.
Livability
3.0
Overall quality
2.0
Floorplan
2.0
Driving/towing
4.0
Factory warranty/support
1.0
Voted most helpful review
wgolden
Arizona
Reviewed on June 14, 2019
RV reviewed
2018 Forest River Sandstorm 211SLC

5.0
Great starter RV - has all the capabilities the big RV's have, quality build would recommend to anybody interested in camping in general, especially dry camping. Have had no issues with anything at all in this RV! an overall great...read more
Great starter RV - has all the capabilities the big RV's have, quality build would recommend to anybody interested in camping in general, especially dry camping. Have had no issues with anything at all in this RV! an overall great rig
Livability
5.0
Overall quality
5.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
Factory warranty/support
5.0
Voted most helpful review
Megan
Nevada
Reviewed on June 14, 2016
RV reviewed
2012 Forest River Sandstorm 226SLR

4.0
We love our toy hauler, and it\'s definitely made of quality materials and manufacturing. We\'ve hauled it out to the dunes and have had it in the mountains with our RZR, and there doesn\'t seem to be anything it can\'t do. The manufacturer definitely backs their product, and for that we will...read more
We love our toy hauler, and it\'s definitely made of quality materials and manufacturing. We\'ve hauled it out to the dunes and have had it in the mountains with our RZR, and there doesn\'t seem to be anything it can\'t do. The manufacturer definitely backs their product, and for that we will always stay with Forest River.
Livability
5.0
Overall quality
5.0
Floorplan
5.0
Driving/towing
5.0
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