2012 FOREST RIVER XLR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The lippert i-beam frame used on these campers fails because lack of strength in the wheel well area. The i-beam frame will develop cracks that will eventually lead heavy swaying to the point that the tires will begin to rub on the trailer itself. In my particular case I saw smoke coming out of the wheel well while driving on a windy highway. I went to several RV dealers who al said my trailer was unsafe to travel in and was not repairable. I eventually found a frame shop that was able to repair the frame and a cost of $4,300 and I also had to purchase 4 new tires. My insurance company refused the claim because they stated this was a manufacturers defect that is a know issue and as a result their is a class action lawsuit against Forest River and Lippert.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER THUNDERBOLT 35X12 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A THREE INCH CRACK IN THE EYE BEAM, WHICH SUPPORTS AND MOUNTS THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS A STRESS FRACTURE, NOT CAUSED BY ANY TYPE OF WELDING OR HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/18/15*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER THUNDERBOLT 35X12 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A THREE INCH CRACK IN THE EYE BEAM, WHICH SUPPORTS AND MOUNTS THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS A STRESS FRACTURE, NOT CAUSED BY ANY TYPE OF WELDING OR HEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/18/15*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER XLR BEING HAULED BY A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES ON THE TRAILER WERE RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSING THE TIRES TO PREMATURELY BE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE REAR AXLES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TIRE POUNDS FROM 3,500 TO 4,500 POUNDS AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THE 6 INCH I BEAM AND IT CAUSED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE FRAME ON THE TRAILER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE FRAMING. THE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE I BEAM SHOULD BE 8 INCHES AS THE NEWLY DESIGNED MODELS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND NOT 6 INCHES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE FRAMING COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO HAUL THE TRAILER MORE THAN 150 TO 200 MILES. THE TRAILER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER XLR BEING HAULED BY A 2013 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES ON THE TRAILER WERE RUBBING THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSING THE TIRES TO PREMATURELY BE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE REAR AXLES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE TIRE POUNDS FROM 3,500 TO 4,500 POUNDS AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THE 6 INCH I BEAM AND IT CAUSED SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE FRAME ON THE TRAILER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE FRAMING. THE COMPANY INDICATED THAT THE I BEAM SHOULD BE 8 INCHES AS THE NEWLY DESIGNED MODELS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND NOT 6 INCHES. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE FRAMING COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO HAUL THE TRAILER MORE THAN 150 TO 200 MILES. THE TRAILER WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.