2021 Forest River Ibex problems

Filed Jul 10, 2021 · CO

There were so many QC issues I can't even list here but I opened the back to find the microwave door open and hanging my one bent hinge with the other broken. Then my door started sticking and it got progressively worse. It then became apparent that the frame was separating from the walls creating a gap behind the door that continually got worse and was later evident across the entire rear of the trailer. I tried to get the dealer to look at this but they would not as it wasn't listed under their "Keep you Camping" policy. They even removed the wheels to repack the hubs and didn't catch the major issue right above the axle. SO, they ordered me a new microwave but wouldn't think about the root of these problems which were evidence of a bending and breaking frame. Frustrated with the dealer, I then contacted Forest River/Ibex warranty dept and sent pictures. I was told to take it to an authorized repair center. This center said the frame was broken, the trailer was not safe to tow further and should be totaled. It remains on their lot 2000 miles from my home. Ibex warranty turned this over to Lippert, the frame manufacturer, who sent out a mobile tech. His report mentioned evidence of "bouncing" or bottoming out which would create a crack on top of the frame. He stated "both gray and black water tanks are behind the axle one of them all the way back and must have been filled with water to cause this much damage." Since the black water valve was broken for 2 months and I couldn't use the toilet this was certainly not the case. Obviously, he thought weight behind the axle was a problem but failed to mention that Ibex placed their heavy refrigerator in the far back. Lippert denied the warranty claim so Ibex summarily did the same. Poor design, factory weight distribution issues, cheap thin materials and the shape of the roads in this country are all to blame, not me. A brand new 2021 trailer began breaking a month in and failed completely in less than 5 months.