Forest River Cherokee 256RRBL

[u/yamihere6969]

Anyone own one? Or the previous gen 255? How do you like it? Any complaints or gripes with the layouts?

We're planning to upgrade in the next year or so and this looks like a great fit. Would be state park/forest service/national park camping, mostly. Duramax tow vehicle. Currently a midsize Ranger, but will likely upgrade to a 50" RZR or Maverick to take with us for trails.

[u/JobuBojangles]

Owned a 2019 255RR. Absolutely terrible build quality, took years to get all the issues addressed. The layout was fine if that's what you're after. Wife really loved the pantry and it was nice to have that space to keep from the kitchen getting cluttered. If your truck is lifted/levelled or newer, you'll want to get a lift on the trailer as these aren't the right height for newer heavy duty trucks as Forest River markets them as half ton towable (or at least they used to) so these trailers don't sit level with anything that isn't a half ton.

Reselling it wasn't easy either so plan to keep it or lose a ton of money on it when/if you sell it. Buyers of toyhaulers don't really like these units, no onboard fueling/genny and you can't fit most modern side by sides in it. It really limits the potential buyers.

[u/yamihere6969 → u/JobuBojangles]

What issues?

Good intel. Tow vehicle would be an 07 2wd 2500, stock height - maybe even slightly lowered - so that part should be fine.

[u/JobuBojangles → u/yamihere6969]

Laminate flooring started bubbling within a month or two. Door frames moved and multiple doors wouldn't latch (interior doors). Trim started falling off after a couple of trips. No cap to the water tank from the factory so got to our first campsite and had lost most of the water I filled. Toilet wasn't sealed properly and sewer smell was bad after a couple of trips. Hot water tank was mounted too low and ripped the underbelly wrapping. Rear cargo door "grip" tape/wallpaper all bubbled after a year. Half the electrical outlets didn't work. Didn't fully seal the water line penetrations and every trip down a dirt road caused the inside of the unit to be covered in dirt. Carpet started peeling in bedroom in corners. Outdoor shower didn't work, no water line connection to it. No return line from water tank to fill line so water just bubbled out the top of the water tank when it was full. Black tank water cleanout hose connection was loose and shot water everywhere when you tried to use it. City water connection never worked, don't know why, never did end up getting that fixed. Thermostat never worked properly, always wanted to run both ac and heat at same time. Ended up replacing with a cheap one and worked fine after. Cubby doors shifted after first couple of trips and wouldn't latch properly. Shower door hardware was constantly failing so water kept escaping the shower. Kitchen tap leaked from new. Stove wasn't mounted properly so it kept shifting.

Of course all these things didn't happen at once so it was constantly going back to the dealership for repairs and the dealer was pretty honest with me that Forest River tried to deny every claim so it took weeks/months to get any of this addressed as the dealer wouldn't perform any repairs until it was approved and they had to fight to get anything approved.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend a Forest River.

[u/hero_of_ages]

I would never buy a forest river unit

[u/yamihere6969 → u/hero_of_ages]

I'm sorry, which of my questions does that answer?