Disappointed at this point.

[billnourse]

Am very disappointed with my XLR Nitro 321 at present. Have had it for about two months and nothing but issues. Fridge would not work on AC. Cost 700.00 to fix and don't know yet if Dometic is going to pick up the tab under warranty. Levelers won't work properly. Hoping Lippert can offer some insight. Dealer is 200 miles away so it is really not practical to take it in for every issue especially when there shouldn't be issues. Have tried to contact Forest River, but they do not respond to e-mail. The local shop where I am getting work done can't get them to respond either.

 

[DHudson]

Report to BBB

 

[Joe Hogan]

We feel your pain...some issues are common in the first year of ownership of any RV. Unfortunately the current RV market is such that OEMs are so busy they have no time or parts for warranty claims. Not an excuse, just reality.

Your issues do seem to be a bit more than usual but you just need to work through them.

On the bright side, hopefully after the first round or two of issues, things will normally settle down. After the initial few trips, camping will become more enjoyable.

 

[Germanrazor]

Agree with Joe. Right off the get go our ice maker brand new did not work. Fortunately, the maker was a pleasure to deal with and fix. Toilet valve leaked day one and the dealer was suppose to fix, well, if they did it was short lived. I did the work myself to make it better than from the factory with a shut off valve to boot.

I hear the first months of ownership is working out the kinks that should not be, but they are.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

In my world of electronics, we refer to failures on anything new as "infant mortality". That said, the further one gets away from day one, the longer something is likely to reliably perform as it should. On the other side of this we also say "new only guarantees new, and not necessarily good". From a manufacturing point of view, the quality gurus will tell you a certain percentage of products will be dead out of the box. Expect that. Remember that quality is built-in and not inspected in.

Yes, being patient, being vigilant, and working with your Dealer should get one past the 1st years ownership and associated gremlins. Always check everything and every system twice before launching out on a trip. Thus keep the surprises and disappointments to a minimum.

 

[Vinni]

probably some you haven’t even figured out yet. Does your coach have a solar option? Inverter? If so contact me.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

probably some you haven’t even figured out yet. Does your coach have a solar option? Inverter? If so contact me.View attachment 9540View attachment 9541

Oh yes, our travel trailer does have both an inverter 12VDC - 120VAC @1KW and a converter 120VAC - 12VDC @ 50 amps. See the attached modification and update. No solar installation. As an electronics engineer, retired, I haven't decided on a reliable system.

 

[Vinni]

ordered a new 2021 RockWood ultra lite 2882s with 190 watt solar/inverter option. This is what I received. One solar panel with Go power controller matched to a WFCO inverter. The factory chose to leave out cable from inverter to controller. The reason being that the controller is not compatible with WFCO inverter. This is because of interface problems. Mismatched components don’t function correctly together when they are combined in a system. Now the A/C button on controller will not function inverter unless you go out on your own and purchase on from Go Power and install it on your own. They said this is what you get. The inverter is “Ready Accessible “ in the exterior compartment that is located opposite traffic side with a button on inverter. We are not talking any responsibility for button not working or providing remote switch for inverter. They said I have to exit coach and go to traffic side compartment and turn off or on inverter as needed. That doesn’t seem right to me. Especially since I am unfortunately handicapped individual. Even without a personal problem I do believe this is a electrical engineering problem. What has been delivered is a MISMATCHED INCOMPATIBLE SYSTEM. This is due to Interfacing problems between components installed. Owners manual show functions of components And mine doesn’t function per owners manual. The inverter manual says there is a remote switch provided with 20’ cable. My coach doesn’t have one. The factory omitted these due to incompatibility issue. Forest River Owners with factory solar option are being ripped off Is you controller central doesn’t turn on and off inverter.if the system wasn’t mismatched components you would fully functional electrical system. Just what I would expect from factory Installed components. So we contacted Go Power who advise to have go power inverter installed with provided cable and all would function properly. Forest River replied go Power inverters are unreliable. Isn’t that a matter of opinion? If Go Power is “Unreliable “ why are they using Go Power Components? Forest River Claim Customer Satisfaction is important. It doesn’t appear so. So if you are buying Forest River product with Factory solar options BUYERS BEWARE!!! Your thoughts are Welcome. Thanks

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I have only had one new vehicle that was worth the effort. Experience proved to me the new experience is that of frustration. When I gave up on dealers to do their job, the frustration of new went away. Of course with that, I quit wasting money on new.

To me new is a Fool’s game. When you wake up to this, the frustration will go away.

 

[Vinni]

Here are some things i found.1) Window valances were either missing fasteners or had been stripped from being overnighted. Then they put screws in wall next to bracket to temporarily hold it to wall. (2) Glass stove cover hinge fastener fell out while traveling. (3) Refrigerator light doesn’t stay in wall of refrigerator Faulty tabs wont hold. Refrigerator also runs hot while in travel on propane 54+Degrees. (4) Sewer Black water valve doesn’t seal properly every time I remove cap outer a cup of raw sewage comes out. (5) Water pump switch in compartment Quit working. (6) The controller center A/C inverter Button on controller Doesn’t turn off or on the inverter. (7) Closets Doors are missing catches to hold them in place during travel. There are pilot holes in frame but no catches. Don’t no how long they are supposed to last. (8) Celling fan blade bracket broke while traveling. (9) Front compartment Led light switch has failed. (10) Protruding screws were LP Hose connects for outside grill. Ouch! (11) Trash and screws left in floor ductwork. (12) Wood trim at some cabinets stamped with excessive gaps Exposing raw wood. This leads one to question Quality Control? (13) Gouges in flooring covered up with Repair Tape to cover up. They missed one to.
Being that your retired electronics engineer would you agree about the electrical system. Here are some pics.

 

[Vinni]

I have only had one new vehicle that was worth the effort. Experience proved to me the new experience is that of frustration. When I gave up on dealers to do their job, the frustration of new went away. Of course with that, I quit wasting money on new.

To me new is a Fool’s game. When you wake up to this, the frustration will go away.

Bottom line was 15K to drive to OHIO Paid for fuel an vacation a month on way back say many sites. not going to let RV = Recked Vacation. Easier bobtailing 3000mi. Then start dragging 5th wheel around.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

ordered a new 2021 RockWood ultra lite 2882s with 190 watt solar/inverter option. This is what I received. One solar panel with Go power controller matched to a WFCO inverter. The factory chose to leave out cable from inverter to controller. The reason being that the controller is not compatible with WFCO inverter. This is because of interface problems. Mismatched components don’t function correctly together when they are combined in a system. Now the A/C button on controller will not function inverter unless you go out on your own and purchase on from Go Power and install it on your own. They said this is what you get. The inverter is “Ready Accessible “ in the exterior compartment that is located opposite traffic side with a button on inverter. We are not talking any responsibility for button not working or providing remote switch for inverter. They said I have to exit coach and go to traffic side compartment and turn off or on inverter as needed. That doesn’t seem right to me. Especially since I am unfortunately handicapped individual. Even without a personal problem I do believe this is a electrical engineering problem. What has been delivered is a MISMATCHED INCOMPATIBLE SYSTEM. This is due to Interfacing problems between components installed. Owners manual show functions of components And mine doesn’t function per owners manual. The inverter manual says there is a remote switch provided with 20’ cable. My coach doesn’t have one. The factory omitted these due to incompatibility issue. Forest River Owners with factory solar option are being ripped off Is you controller central doesn’t turn on and off inverter.if the system wasn’t mismatched components you would fully functional electrical system. Just what I would expect from factory Installed components. So we contacted Go Power who advise to have go power inverter installed with provided cable and all would function properly. Forest River replied go Power inverters are unreliable. Isn’t that a matter of opinion? If Go Power is “Unreliable “ why are they using Go Power Components? Forest River Claim Customer Satisfaction is important. It doesn’t appear so. So if you are buying Forest River product with Factory solar options BUYERS BEWARE!!! Your thoughts are Welcome. Thanks

I see a systems integration opportunity. I did a bit of search on this topic. First, the solar controller is accessible via Bluetooth. Should be able to turn it on and off as well as select the house battery. I view there is no need to turn it on or off when using the converter. As to the WFCO, their remote control system is unique to their system. Yes there is a provision with the converter to allow it to be turned on when no AC is present and turned off when AC is present. It is not intended to communicate with any other device. As to having to go outside, it appears the control panel has a switch to turn the converter on and off. Perhaps it is this cable that is missing.

Or maybe I'm just confused about the systems.

 

[Vinni]

I see a systems integration opportunity. I did a bit of search on this topic. First, the solar controller is accessible via Bluetooth. Should be able to turn it on and off as well as select the house battery. I view there is no need to turn it on or off when using the converter. As to the WFCO, their remote control system is unique to their system. Yes there is a provision with the converter to allow it to be turned on when no AC is present and turned off when AC is present. It is not intended to communicate with any other device. As to having to go outside, it appears the control panel has a switch to turn the converter on and off. Perhaps it is this cable that is missing.

Or maybe I'm just confused about the systems.

You are getting it. According to Go Power rep the two are not compatible. Advised not to plug in the cable. I would think on my new coach controller button would control the inverter. It would if it wasn’t mismatched components That don’t interface together.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

You are getting it. According to Go Power rep the two are not compatible. Advised not to plug in the cable. I would think on my new coach controller button would control the inverter. It would if it wasn’t mismatched components That don’t interface together.

The Go Power solar system is basically a stand-a-lone system. I view no reason to have it interface with the inverter. Also if the correct model inverter is used, there is supplied a cable and remote control switch. "The WF-5110R also has an exclusive internal transfer system which automatically allows the AC input to bypass the inverter when the inverter is connected to an AC power source." Not sure why one has to go outside to turn the inverter on or off. Seems it is automatic.

 

[Vinni]

The Go Power solar system is basically a stand-a-lone system. I view no reason to have it interface with the inverter. Also if the correct model inverter is used, there is supplied a cable and remote control switch. "The WF-5110R also has an exclusive internal transfer system which automatically allows the AC input to bypass the inverter when the inverter is connected to an AC power source." Not sure why one has to go outside to turn the inverter on or off. Seems it is automatic.

Not exactly Go Power is a fully integrated system that have “AN EXCLUSIVE INTERNAL TRANSFER SYSTEM” and offers RV industry everything needed to outfit most RVs. Everything would function properly with Go power inverter with switch in instead of WFCO inverter. I don’t think it’s the end user responsibility to fix issue. You are correct about the WF-5110R they come with 20’ cable and remote. Forest River elected to leave them out. After telling me its behind sliding door Or maybe it’s by the bed. No neither place. Must of sold them to someone else.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Not exactly Go Power is a fully integrated system that have “AN EXCLUSIVE INTERNAL TRANSFER SYSTEM” and offers RV industry everything needed to outfit most RVs. Everything would function properly with Go power inverter with switch in instead of WFCO inverter. I don’t think it’s the end user responsibility to fix issue. You are correct about the WF-5110R they come with 20’ cable and remote. Forest River elected to leave them out. After telling me its behind sliding door Or maybe it’s by the bed. No neither place. Must of sold them to someone else.

Not at all an unusual situation where two different systems are chosen for one installation. As I research, either the Go Power system should be used for coach power integration, or WFCO system should be used. Just a poor choice on the manufacturer's part. Most likely cost-driven.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Not at all an unusual situation where two different systems are chosen for one installation. As I research, either the Go Power system should be used for coach power integration, or WFCO system should be used. Just a poor choice on the manufacturer's part. Most likely cost-driven.

While Go Power offers inverters and converters, I don't see where Go Power offers a power distribution system much like the WFCO system. WFCO does offer both the converter power distribution system AND an inverter system with automatic bypass when AC power is available. Seems to me that the Go Power system needs..........to go!

 

[Vinni]

While Go Power offers inverters and converters, I don't see where Go Power offers a power distribution system much like the WFCO system. WFCO does offer both the converter power distribution system AND an inverter system with automatic bypass when AC power is available. Seems to me that the Go Power system needs..........to go!

Sounds like if Forest river did not do there due diligence when they started offering the solar with inverter option. if there would have been a go power inverter with switch to accompany the go power solar controller they chose. The system would function properly and the other WFCO devices you mention are irrelevant.Check with any electrical or electronic engineer. All in the name of profit ignoring Forest River responsibility. Doesn’t seem like CUSTOMER SATISFACTION to me. Happy campers want to share thoughts. Future Forest River buyers?

 

[Vinni]

The Go Power solar system is basically a stand-a-lone system. I view no reason to have it interface with the inverter. Also if the correct model inverter is used, there is supplied a cable and remote control switch. "The WF-5110R also has an exclusive internal transfer system which automatically allows the AC input to bypass the inverter when the inverter is connected to an AC power source." Not sure why one has to go outside to turn the inverter on or off. Seems it is automatic.

Perhaps to have the button on controller panel and in APP actually function as illustrated in the owners manual of the product. Just MayBe.

 

[Vinni]

Based on my quick search, preference would be to use “ They make those systems. I did not find that Go Power does not make all of the systems required.

I did check with an electronic engineer. I looked in the mirror.
Bob
BSEE, MSEE, Ph.D. -Electro Physis

Based on my quick search, preference would be to use the WFCO system for power control, solar control, inverter control. They make those systems. I did not find that Go Power does not make all of the systems required.

I did check with an electronic engineer. I looked in the mirror.
Bob
BSEE, MSEE, Ph.D. -Electro Physics

Thank you Bob. You are partially right. If Forest river had used “the WFCO system for power control, solar control, inverter control.” All would be fine and dandy. But as stated Forest river mismatched components WFCO inverter with Go Power solar controller. They did not install the WFCO power control. Yea they ripped me off for that too. I forgot to mention that. Thanks for bringing it up. Also i do believe the Go Power GO POWER, GP-SW1500-TS, PURE SINE WAVE INVERTER & TRANSFER SWITCH would have cured all the electrical problems. With 100% compatibility. Run this by your engineer.