RoadVitals

2004 Forest River Travel Trailer Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Apr 22, 2016
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Forest River Travel Trailer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure521.7%
  • Suspension417.4%
  • Powertrain (other)28.7%
  • Other / unspecified14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAD TWO BLOW OUTS ON THE SAME TRIP HOME. MY TIRES OUR ON TRAILER. THE TIRE NAME IS CARLISLE RADIAL TRAIL ST/225/75R15. I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR OVER THREE HOUR'S. I NEED TO KNOW IF MY TIRES ARE RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10209846 · filed Nov 25, 2007

WE OWN A 2004 CEDAR CREEK 5TH WHEEL. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE TIRES INDICATED AN AXLE PROBLEM. ALSO KOBER REFUSED TO REPLACE THEIR BAD AXLES OR REPLACE THE WORN TIRES. FORTUNATELY, WE NOTICED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO BEING INVOLVED IN A BLOWOUT OR ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR 5TH WHEEL, CEDAR CREEK, TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO REPLACE THE AXLES AND TIRES. ALSO KOBER HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW AND CONTINUES TO DENY THEIR FAULTY AXLES! JANESVILLE RV SERVICE DID THE REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE AXLES. THEY TOOK PICTURES OF THE AXLES AND TIRES AND SENT THEM TO STEVE HICKS AT CEDAR CREEK IN INDIANA. THIS IS AN AXLE PROBLEM THAT ALSO KOBER NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF AND A FORCED RECALL ISSUED IMMEDIATELY! ALSO KOBER CONTINUES TO DENY THAT THEY MANUFACTURED FAULTY AXLES. SOMEONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE KILLED FOR A RECALL TO BE ORDERED. PLEASE NOTE, OUR 5TH WHEEL TRAILER IS NOT LISTED IN YOUR DROP DOWN LISTS IN THE NEXT SECTION! *TR

NHTSA ID 10199334 · filed Aug 12, 2007
All 11 reports naming tires & wheels

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER TRAVEL TRAILER. WHILE RIDING IN THE TRAVEL TRAILER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRAILER. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF CRACKS IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 10860954 · filed Apr 22, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER CEDAR CREEK 30LBHFS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BETWEEN THE FRAME AND TIRE, LIES A PIECE OF IRON THAT RUBS ON THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, THE PIECE OF IRON CUTS AWAY AT THE TIRES AND HAS WORN DOWN THE SIDEWALLS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY SINCE HE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER NOTICED 4 STEEL BRACKETS PROTRUDING FROM THE FRAME BY EACH TIRE. THE BRACKETS HAD VERY LITTLE CLEARANCE TO EACH TIRE, THEY VARIED A LITTLE BIT BRACKET TO BRACKET. IT APPEARED WHEN TOWED, THE BRACKETS CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND ABRADED THE SIDEWALL AWAY.

NHTSA ID 10197369 · filed Jul 24, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WE OWN A 2004 CEDAR CREEK 5TH WHEEL. EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE TIRES INDICATED AN AXLE PROBLEM. ALSO KOBER REFUSED TO REPLACE THEIR BAD AXLES OR REPLACE THE WORN TIRES. FORTUNATELY, WE NOTICED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO BEING INVOLVED IN A BLOWOUT OR ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR 5TH WHEEL, CEDAR CREEK, TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO REPLACE THE AXLES AND TIRES. ALSO KOBER HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW AND CONTINUES TO DENY THEIR FAULTY AXLES! JANESVILLE RV SERVICE DID THE REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE AXLES. THEY TOOK PICTURES OF THE AXLES AND TIRES AND SENT THEM TO STEVE HICKS AT CEDAR CREEK IN INDIANA. THIS IS AN AXLE PROBLEM THAT ALSO KOBER NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF AND A FORCED RECALL ISSUED IMMEDIATELY! ALSO KOBER CONTINUES TO DENY THAT THEY MANUFACTURED FAULTY AXLES. SOMEONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE KILLED FOR A RECALL TO BE ORDERED. PLEASE NOTE, OUR 5TH WHEEL TRAILER IS NOT LISTED IN YOUR DROP DOWN LISTS IN THE NEXT SECTION! *TR

NHTSA ID 10199334 · filed Aug 12, 2007

I PURCHASED A 2004 F37 SANDPIPER FIFTHWHEEL TOY HAULER WITH CARLISLE 235/85/16 LOAD RATING E TIRES. LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON TRAILER AND NEVER OVER 350 MILE TRIPS. I HAVE HAD TWO TIRES GO FLAT IN TWO SEPARATE 70 MILE CAMPING TRIPS. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE TRAILER FROM ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND THEY FORWARDED THE COMPLAINT TO THE MANUFATURE WHO STATED THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER AND DID NOTHING ABOUT THE FLATS (FOREST RIVER). THE LAST TIME I TRAVELED, 10 MILES FROM MY HOUSE THE 3RD TIRE EXPLODED AT 50 MILES AND HOUR AND TORE THE SIDE APART AND WHEEL WELL OF OUR TRAILER UP WITHIN THE 100 YDRS OR SO IT TOOK ME TO STOP. THE TIRE TOTALLY SEPARATED AND THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE BELTS. I TOOK THE TRAILER TO THE WEIGHT STATION AND WEIGHED IT TO SEE IF IT WAS OVERLOADED AND IT WAS NOT AT THE TIME. THE TIRES HAD 80 PSI FOR MAX WEIGHT CAPACITY AS PRINTED ON SIDE WALL. AFTER DEALING WITH FOREST RIVER I TOOK THE TRAILER OVER A CERTIFIED SCALE. THE GVWR ON THE TRAILER IS 13,700LBS AND THE GAWR IS 6,000 LBS PER AXEL, I WEIGHED THE TRAILER AT THE AXLE AND IT WEIGHED 10,700 LBS WITH 100 GALLONS OF WATER. NO 4 WHEELERS, NO FLUIDS IN HOLDING TANK AND ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF GAS IN 15 GALLON STATION, NO FOOD AND NO EQUIPMENT. I WAS SOLD A TOY HAULER THAT IS INCAPABLE OF CARRYING THE WATER (100 GAL), FUEL (15 GAL) AND TWO ATV'S AS ADVERTISED WITHOUT BEING OVER THE GVWR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY CLOTHING, FOOD, EQUIPMENT OR WASTE IN ANY TANKS. WHAT GOOD IS A TOY HAULER THAT IS ADVERTISED TO HAVE THESE CAPACITIES BUT CANNOT CARRY ANYTHING IN THE TANKS OR YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE TOYS AT HOME. I HAVE A GARAGE AT HOME. I PURCHASED THE TRAILER TO HAUL A 735LB HARLEY AND ONE ATV AT ABOUT 1,300LBS IN AN EMAIL FROM FOREST RIVER I SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY MORE. I DIDN'T DISCONNECT THE TRAILER FROM THE TRUCK TO SEE THE TRUE GVWR BUT AT 10,700 LBS AT THE AXLE, IF I ADD MY MOTORCYCLE AND ATV I AM DONE!!! NO EQUIPMENT, NO FOOD, NO CLOTHING NOTHING!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10191873 · filed May 28, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IMMINENT BLOWOUT AVERTED ON 2004 FOREST RIVER SANDPIPER TRAVEL TRAILER, WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED WITH ALKO-KOBLER AXLES. THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS WORN SMOOTH, AND THE REAR TIRE ALSO HAD EVIDENCE OF WEAR. TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 4,000 MILES ON THEM. THIS WAS NOTED WHEN WINTERIZING LAST FALL, SO WE BROUGHT IT INTO ARLINGTON RV SALES AS SOON AS WE UNCOVERED THE CAMPER THIS SPRING, NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES ON DRIVING IT FOR PLEASURE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT AXLES WERE BENT. ALKO WAS NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND PRODUCT, ALTHOUGH OTHER RV OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD OUR COMPLAINT TO ODI NUMBERS: 10174036, 10174097. SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR SINCE THE TIRE WEAR WAS NOT READILY APPARENT UNLESS SOMEONE PHYSICALLY CRAWLED UNDER THE TRAILER TO CHECK THE TIRES. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE WAS KILLED. ALKO-KOBLER SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THE DEFECTIVE AXLES.*AK

NHTSA ID 10190437 · filed May 10, 2007

NOTICED UNUSUAL WORN TIRES, BROUGHT INTO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, DEALER SAID THE AXLES WERE DEFECTIVE. CAUSING EXCESS WARE ON THE MOUNTING HARDWARE AND TIRES. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN THE TRAILER INTO THE DEALER, THE AXLES COULD HAVE BROKEN LOOSE FROM THE FRAME AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. STILL FIGHTING WITH ALKO TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. TWO AXLES ARE DEFECTIVE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10169932 · filed Oct 4, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR RECALL .06E076000 COMPANY RECALL LETTER ON THIS ISSUE SHOWS A RECALL NUMBER OF 07V85000 THIS NUMBER DOES NOT COME UP ON YOUR WEB SITE. I FEEL THEY DID NOT COMPLY WITH RECALL AND REPAIR MY PROBLEM CORRECTLY. THEY ONLY PUT IN WHAT THEY CALLED A HEAT SHIELD INSTEAD OF REPLACING DEFECTIVE TUBE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10211886 · filed Dec 14, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .