2019 Forest River Vengeance

Defect. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forest River Vengeance Rouge recreational trailers, models VGT25V-73 and VGT25V-73-W. These vehicles may be missing side marker lights in the middle of each side, reducing the visibility of the trailers to other drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. The reduced visibility can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install the missing amber side marker lights, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 73-0727.

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, DRY ROADS, AT APPROX 60 MPH, TOY HAULER TRAVEL TRAILER DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE, STRUCTURAL STEEL SUPPORTS AND TRIM OF THE TOY HAULER TRAILER. TIRE WAS CASTLE ROCK 225/75R15 WITH MANUFACTURE DATE OF "4517". TO BE SAFE, WE REPLACED ALL FIVE TIRES.

UPON RETURNING FROM A CAMPING TRIP IN OUR 3 MONTH OLD TRAILER. I NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I OPENED THE COMPARTMENT FOR THE BATTERY AND THE WIRING WAS ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE WIRE AND THAT WAS ON FIRE (AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE) AND FOLLOWED IT TO THE FRONT PIN BOX OF THE TRAILER WHERE I FOUND A AUTO RESET BREAKER THAT WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY (NOT SECURED IN A METAL GROUNDED BOX) AND WAS SHORTING TO GROUND. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE WIRING TO CATCH FIRE. THIS WIRE WAS THE CHARGE CIRCUIT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS TIED DIRECTLY TO THE TRAILERS BATTERY. THIS CAUSED THE WIRE TO RECEIVE POWER FROM THE TRAILERS BATTERY'S AND WITH THE LUG OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER SHORTED TO GROUND IT BURNED ALL THE PLASTIC OFF THE WIRE AND CAUSED THE OTHER PLASTIC LOOM AND WIRES TO CATCH FIRE. IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS WHILE IT WAS HAPPENING IT WOULD HAVE BURNED MY TRAILER TO THE GROUND AND POSSIBLE CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE.

DRIVING HOME FROM A SHORT CAMPING TRIP, ONLY 50 MILES AND LEFT SIDE FRONT AXLE TIRE BLEW. TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, SPUN AROUND WITH THE TIRE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FLYING OUT THE SIDE INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. WHILE IT SPUN AROUND IT RIPPED OUT AND SEVERED THE PROPANE GAS LINES, THE UNDERBELLY MATERIAL AND ALL THE INSULATION. LUCKILY IT JUST MISSED THE GASOLINE SUPPLY LINE FOR THE GENERATOR. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND GET STOPPED QUICKLY TO REMOVED DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD AND AVOID DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES. MY WIFE WAS FOLLOWING IN OUR CAR AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE FLYING DEBRIS AS WELL. WE WERE ON A SMOOTH ROAD DOING 55MPH AND DID NOT HAVE A TIRE IMPACT OF ANY KIND. THE RV IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES ON THESE TIRE. THEY WERE ALL CHECKED PRE TRIP AND SET AT THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE OF 80PSI. AFTER THE TIRE SEPARATION IT STILL HAD 75 PSI IN IT. *DT*JB

2019 FOREST RIVER RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRUCTURAL DEFECTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING THE FRAMING, THE JACK, THE HITCH, TRIM AND DECAL, AND THE COACH WOULD NOT FOLLOW STRAIGHT. *JS