2019 Forest River Rockwood Owner Complaints

Dexter axels can not be aligned, resulting in excessive tire wear and blowouts. I purchased a 2019 Rockwood travel trailer used on [XXX]. Tires looked nearly new. On [XXX] I replaced tires in Kanab, UT. On 8/31/2021 I had the alignment checked at Superior Spring in Cheshire, MA. The axels were severely out of alignment but due to the Dexter design they could not be aligned. I called the trailer manufacturer and was referred to Dexter. Although I was 2 years into the 10 year warranty, Dexter told me the warranty only covered the original purchaser. Since that time, I have replaced tires two more times on 5/3/2022 and 4/10/2023. The tires are now showing uneven wear and will need to be replaced soon. I BELIEVE THE INABILITY TO ALIGN THE AXELS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY CONCERN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11610861

Incident

May 3, 2022

Riding down 2 lane Road at 55 mph on 85 degree morning when tire just blow out. Split in half straight across tire.

NHTSA ID

11539774

Incident

Aug 20, 2023

My Forest River Rockwood signature 5th wheel control panel TP36Q10 failed at our campsite. We were stuck. Had to manually bring in 3 slides. The 3rd bedroom slide had to be battery override/control panel override with a drill motor battery to bring back into the 5th wheel coach. This I learned from a RV tech who we called but was unable to assist us. Guest were coming into our site the next day and we had to be off the site. Luckily we were able to get slides in and get out 5th wheel back home. However, It is not safe to use, we have canceled all further trips. (also see my youtube video link ( https://youtu.be/cH8sb5q1hIg) Forest river sent out the wrong replacement panel TP33Vv2. This did not fix the problem. This 5th wheel was made in 2019. This is not a old. This unit has not been modified or touched by anyone. Please send tech to my location to fix panel or replace. Please authorize budget for labor and parts. I already lost deposits for future trips. (Not Happy) Next step is BBB and consumer affairs. Please help. Thank you. [XXX] call anytime. Please contact Forest river rep [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11519360

Incident

Apr 20, 2023

towing my camper with a trailer/side-by-side when the kingpin broke away from trailer hitch. Attached are pic's of the result

NHTSA ID

11486540

Incident

Sep 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Forest River Rockwood RV equipped with four Castrock ST tires, tire size: 205/75/14, and DOT JUJTYMT DOM16/18. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds while towing the RV, the RV was unstable. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the two rear passenger side tires had become out of round and one of the rear driver side tires had also become out of round. The cause of the failure was not determined. The faulty tires were replaced. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA ID

11479417

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Mileage

5,000 mi

one of the four castle rock st205/75r14 tires mounted on my trailer blew out while driving down the highway at 55 mph. fortunately i have a dual axle trailer so the loss of one of the tires was not catastrophic. the tire that blew out was the front tire on the right side of the trailer. It looks like a belt separated and the ire blew around the circumference. I have the tire available for inspection, but intend to pursue a warranty claim for replacement with the rv manufacturer that may result in surrender of the tire. With only one tire in service on that side I felt that we were in danger of having or causing an accident. Although this happened on a highway with limited shoulders we were able to stop quickly along the side of the road and install a spare. I check the tires each morning before travelling and found the pressures correct and no signs of potential failure.

NHTSA ID

11478042

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

OUR FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD SIGNATURE 8335BSS TRAVEL TRAILER HAS A SPARE TIRE MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE TRAILER. IT IS ATTACHED BY AN ASSEMBLY WITH A CABLE BY WHICH THE SPARE CAN BE LOWERED WHEN NEEDED. WE RETURNED HOME FROM MAINE (A 2-DAY, 750 MILE TRIP EACH WAY) ON 10/15/19 AND FOUND THE SPARE TIRE DANGLING BY THIS CABLE AND NO MORE THAN 6" FROM THE SURFACE OF OUR PARKING PAD! SINCE THE TRAILER WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WE RE-TIGHTENED THE CABLE AND TOOK THE TRAILER BACK TO CHESACO RV, JOPPA, MD, ON 10/23/19. AMONG OTHER WARRANTY ISSUES, WE ASKED THEM TO CHECK THIS SPARE MOUNT, SINCE IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF THE WHEEL HAD HIT THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAD BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE CABLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER WOULD HAVE BEEN THE LEAST OF OUR WORRIES, SINCE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHEN WE PICKED UP THE TRAILER AFTER SERVICE, WE WERE ASSURED THAT THE DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THE MOUNT, AND THAT FOREST RIVER STATED THEY HAD EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SET-UP. I HAVE SINCE ADDED A VISUAL CHECK OF THE MOUNT AT EACH GAS STOP, AND HAVE ADDED NYLON STRAPPING AS A BACKUP TO THE MOUNT. AS A MEMBER OF THE FOREST RIVER FORUM, I HAVE SINCE READ AT LEAST ONE OTHER ACCOUNT OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANOTHER FOREST RIVER PRODUCT. IN THAT CASE, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE, THE WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DESTROYED-BUT AT LEAST NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL RECENTLY; AND ALTHOUGH FOREST RIVER COVERED THE DAMAGE UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER PROVIDING ANOTHER MOUNTING DEVICE FOR THAT SPARE TIRE. SO AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, FOREST RIVER CONTINUES TO UTILIZE AN UNSAFE PRODUCT ON CERTAIN OF ITS TRAVEL TRAILERS, REFUSES TO PROVIDE A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE BOUGHT TRAILERS WITH THIS SPARE MOUNT, AND IN MY OPINION IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS WHEN THIS SPARE MOUNT FAILS.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11395405

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

2,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER HOLDING TANK BOLTS BECAME DETACHED AND THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DRIFTWOOD RV CENTER (1975 U.S. P, CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NH 08210, 609-624-1221) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *TT VIN IS INVALID. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

NHTSA ID

11142402

Incident

Oct 17, 2018