2013 Forest River Rockwood

Defect. Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.

Risk. As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.

Defect. Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Risk. If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

WE PURCHASED NEW A 2013 ROCKWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER (MODEL 8329SS), THE TRAILER IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT NOTICED THAT THE 4 TIRES WERE RUBBING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRAILER, MOST LIKELY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. WE DID NOTICE AFTER WE TOOK DELIVERY THAT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRES AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER WAS VERY CLOSE, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS DESIGNED WITH THIS CLEARANCE. NOW TIME HAS GONE BY AND WE WENT TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES (TRAILER ONLY HAS MAYBE 7,000 MILES ON IT) AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRES HAVE BEEN RUBBING. AFTER DOING A WEB SEARCH FOUND A RECALL FROM FOREST RIVER REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE (CAMPAIGN #13V554000). WE CALLED SEVERAL PEOPLE AT FOREST RIVER, GAVE OUR SERIAL NUMBER AND WERE TOLD OUR UNIT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, WAS ADVISED TO SEND PICTURES WHICH WE DID, AFTER SEVERAL EMAILS AND PHONE MESSAGES WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM FOREST RIVER REGARDING THE ISSUE. THE TRAILER SHOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE A CLEARANCE OF 3.5", OUR TRAILER HAS ONLY CLEARANCE OF 5/8" TO 1 5/8". SO THIS RUBBING FROM THE TOP OF THE TIRES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RV IS HAPPENING WHEN THE TRAVEL TRAILER IS BEING TOWED, MOST LIKELY WHEN GOING OVER ROAD BUMPS AND BACKING UP INTO CAMP SITES. WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS UNIT IT WAS A NEW MODEL BY ROCKWOOD (FOREST RIVER), AND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PRODUCED. WE PURCHASED ON 10/01/2012 FROM WEEKEND RV SALES IN CLINTON TENNESSEE, THE UNIT WAS BUILT ON 9/21/2012. DURING MY FIRST CONVERSATION WITH FOREST RIVER REGARDING IF OUR TRAILER WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECAL

THE TRAILER WAS FURNISHED WITH TRAIL EXPRESS POWER TOWING ST225/75R15 TIRES FROM THE FACTORY. WITH ONLY ABOUT 2000 MILES ON THE TIRES, ONE STARTED TO HAVE A SLOW LEAK WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT MY HOME. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TIRE DEALER AND HE FOUND THAT THE SIDEWALL WAS LEAKING ABOUT A HALF AN INCH FROM THE RIM. I HAVE OPTED TO REPLACE THESE PRACTICALLY NEW TIRES WITH ONES MADE BY MAXXIS. I WOULD NOT WANT TO RISK A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHILE TOWING THIS LARGE TRAILER. FOREST RIVER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THESE HAZARDOUS TIRES. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING THEIR PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES.

CPSC:H1550028A. FOREST RIVER RV. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BUNK BEDS IN THE RV HAVE A FALL SAFETY ISSUE. *LN THE RV DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH GUARD RAILS. *JB

2013 ROCKWOOD FREEDOM. CONSUMER WRITES IN THE REGARDS TO BRAKES LOCKED DURING TOWING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TRAILER BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE SO HOT THAT GREASE WAS OOZING FROM THE BEARINGS. THE CONSUMER ALSO FOUND THE BRAKE LANYARD WAS DISENGAGED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BACKING PLATE, HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPACKED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE LANYARD DISENGAGED WHICH CAUSED THE TRAILER BRAKES TO LOCK UP, WAS DUE TO A PIECE OF ROAD DEBRIS HITTING THE CABLE.

CPSC: I1450340A. 2013 ROCKWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER. CONSUMER STATED THE TRAILER STARTED TO SWAY AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO ROLL OVER ON ITS ROOF. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE TRAILER STARTING TO SWAY, WHEN HE WENT AROUND A CORNER OR CHANGED LANES. THE WIND THEN CAUGHT THE TRAILER, HE HIT THE TRAILER BRAKES, TO SLOW THE SWAYING DOWN. HE THEN LET GO OF THE TRAILER BRAKES AND THE TRAILER JERKED. WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE PICTURES, HE NOTICED THE FRESH WATER TANK WAS EXPOSED AT THE REAR BUMPER OF THE TRAILER. WHEN HE WENT TO RETRIEVE HIS BELONGINGS, HE CHECKED THE TANK FOR BAFFLES, AND DISCOVERED NONE HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE TANK. THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE WATER MOVING AROUND IN THE TANK, PLAYED A MAJOR FACTOR IN LOOSING CONTROL OF THE TRAILER. THE TRAILER HITCH BROKE WHEN IT ROLLED, CAUSING THE SWAY BARS TO COME OFF THE HITCH.

WE FILLED THE FRESH WATER TANK FOR A CAMPING TRIP. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING LANE CHANGES OR CORNERING THE TRAILER WOULD START TO SWAY, I WOULD HIT THE TRAILER BRAKES TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL. THE TRAILER STARTED TO SWAY AGAIN AND I LOST CONTROL, THIS TIME ROLLING THE TRUCK AND TRAILER. I NOTICED THE FRESH WATER TANK WAS LOCATED AT THE REAR BUMBER. I FEEL THE WATER SWATCHING AROUND IN THE UN BAFFELED TANK CAUSED THE TRAILER TO SWAY OUT OF CONTROL. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS WE HAD TOWED THE TRAILER IN HIGH CROSS WINDS WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT THERE WAS NO FRESH WATER ON BOARD AT THAT TIME. I TOW THE TRAILER WITH A 2006 FORD F 150 SUPER CAB 4X4 6FT BED AND USE A E-2 STABILIZER HITCH. I HAD USE THIS SET UP ON THE 25 FT R-VISION FOR 3 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. WE LOST OUR DOG FROM INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. UPDATED 12/1/2014 *JS