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Helpful Tools

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Our helpful tools assist you before, during, and after you purchase

Whether you are new to RVing, or are looking for additional information to enhance your RV experiences, we have provided these helpful tools to assist you. Below you will find answers to our customer’s most frequently asked questions, definitions to common terms you will see on pages on this website, links to our RV Finder, How-To Videos, and Trailer Life Tow Guides, as well as a payment estimator to estimate monthly statements for various scenarios.

Answers to our most frequently asked questions

Contact Information

Visit the Contact Us page to locate the contact information for the specific brand that you need customer service for.
P.O. Box 30
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: +1 (574) 825-8532
Website: www.forestriverfrog.com
For Sales: Dealer Locator

Parts, Chassis And Serial Number

Contact your authorized Forest River RV Dealer.

The Serial Number can typically be found on the following documents:
  • Title
  • Insurance Policy
  • Bill of Sale
  • Your Owner Registration Card (Supplied with new unit purchases only)

On the Recreational Vehicle, this varies by year but here are the most common locations:

Older Motorized: (1990 + Before)
  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted to the firewall under the hood.
  • Rear Diesel-under rear wall hood
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open)
Newer Motorized: (After 1990)
  • Class As: Interior in driver's cockpit area, behind seat on sidewall or in cabinet above driver's seat.
  • Exterior tag mounted on firewall framing under hood – front or rear (RD)
  • Class Cs: Sticker in door jamb (drivers) and tag under hood to framing (passenger side)
Travel Trailers
  • Stamped into the top of the A-frame in the front of the trailer.
  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted on the top of the A-frame.
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open)
Fifth Wheels
  • Stamped into the "Pin Box" frame. (Not the adjustable sleeve)
  • Stamped into a tag which is mounted to the "Pin Box" frame.
  • Stamped in the entrance door frame (not the door) just above the striker plate. (Found when outside, facing the doorway, with the door open).
  • Stamped into a steel cross member in the lower front compartment (accessed from the front of the unit below the overhang i.e. the front jack leg area) on the driver's side.

This is a very common question within the RV industry, not just Forest River. The chassis of a motorized product is purchased from a chassis manufacturer (Ford, Chevy, Workhorse, Freightliner, Spartan, etc.) as an "Incomplete Vehicle" (with an established chassis serial number). When Forest River completes the vehicle, we assign a model year and a Forest River serial number to the coach portion. The RV industry and chassis manufacturer model years change at different times. For example, Forest River may introduce the 2021 model year unit in June of 2020, but the chassis manufacturer doesn't introduce the 2021 chassis until September of 2020.

Because Forest River "Completes the Vehicle" and assigns the model year, the value of any Forest River unit is determined by the model year of the Forest River RV, not necessarily the chassis. This may vary by state.

Warranty / Roadside Assistance

Forest River RV brands provide a One-Year Limited Warranty. We do not offer any other type of warranty on our products. Many of the suppliers utilized by Forest River RV warranty their own products, and some components may have a longer warranty through the actual component manufacturer.

Note: Most RV dealerships sell after-market “Extended Warranty Contracts” that have a variety of terms, conditions and time periods. These may be a viable option depending on your needs. We encourage you to be sure to thoroughly read and understand the contract before purchasing.

Forest River RV brands come with one year of Roadside Assistance included for the first year on most new motorized and towable Forest River RVs*. This service provides you with 24/7 coverage for the following services:

  • Towing
  • Jump Starts
  • Tire Assistance
  • Delivery of Fuel and Emergency Fluids
  • Locksmith/Lockout Service
  • Winch Out
  • Technical Support
  • RV Mobile Mechanic

If you purchased your vehicle prior to 1/1/2019, please call the following number for emergency roadside assistance: 877-801-0333

If you purchased your vehicle on or after 1/1/2019, please call the following number for emergency roadside assistance: 866-209-2895

Click Here for More Information (PDF)

*See your dealer for details.

 
 

Our RV Classifications, Commonly Used Terms And Weight Definitions


Product Make

The Product Make is a classification of recreation vehicle that has a substantial degree of commonality in construction of chassis, frame and body, which does not include level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range, and does not have a specific trade mark associated with it.

Class A Rear Diesel (RD) Motorhomes
Built on a rail (or bare) motor vehicle chassis powered by a rear diesel engine.
+ View Class A Diesel Motorhomes
Class A Gas Motorhomes
Built on a rail (or bare) motor vehicle chassis powered by a front gas engine.
+ View Class A Gas Motorhomes
Class B Motorhomes
Built on an automotive manufactured van-type chassis.
Class C Motorhomes
Built on a cut-away automotive manufactured truck chassis (cab portion in place from chassis manufacturer).
+ View Class C Motorhomes
Toy Haulers
Towable RVs mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motor vehicle that is constructed with a roof, floor and sidewalls made of rigid materials with a rear garage type storage facility.
+ View Toy Haulers
Fifth Wheels
Towable RV mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle by means of a towing mechanism that is mounted above or forward of the tow vehicle’s rear axle (typically a truck).
+ View Fifth Wheels
Travel Trailers (Including Destination Trailers)
Towable RV mounted on frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motor vehicle that is constructed with a roof, floor and sidewalls made of rigid materials.
+ View Travel Trailers
Camping Trailers
Towable RVs mounted on a frame and wheels and designed to be towed by a motorized vehicle that is constructed with a collapsible roof and collapsible partial sidewalls that unfold and extend in the set up mode and fold back up for travel.
+ View Tent Campers
Truck Campers
Towable RVs designed to be placed in the bed of a pickup truck.
 

Range Brand

A Range Brand is the leading predominant common trademark or brand name of the respective Product Make and Product Line. Salem, Rockwood and Cedar Creek are just a few examples of Forest River Range Brands.

Product Line

A Product Line is a specific series of RV products identified by a common trademark or trade name and targeted to a market segment as determined by level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range. Product “Lines” with the same trademark or trade name are not the same unless they also share the same product “Make”. Salem Cruise Lite, Rockwood Roo and Cedar Creek Cottage are just a few examples of Forest River Product Lines.

Product Model

A Product Model is a specific offering within a Product Line and Make that is distinguishable by its length and interior floorplan. It typically will share all or most of the level of décor, opulence, equipment and price range characterized by other Models within the same Product Line. 231RB Cruise Lite, 21BD Roo and 40CD Cottage are just a few examples of Forest River Product Models.

Weight Specification Definitions

Towable

The maximum permissible weight of the unit when fully loaded. It includes all weights, inclusive of all fluids, cargo, optional equipment and accessories. For safety and product performance do NOT exceed the GVWR.

The maximum permissible weight, including cargo, fluids, optional equipment and accessories that can be safely supported by a combination of all axles.

The typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s) and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.

*Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment

The amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.

**Estimated average based on standard build optional equipment


Each Forest River RV is weighed at the manufacturing facility prior to shipping. A label identifying the unloaded vehicle weight of the actual unit and the cargo carrying capacity is applied to every Forest River RV prior to leaving our facilities.

The load capacity of your unit is designated by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading your unit.

Motorized

The maximum permissible weight of the unit when fully loaded. It includes all weights, inclusive of all fluids, occupants, cargo, optional equipment and accessories. For safety and product performance do NOT exceed the GVWR.

The maximum permissible loaded weight of your motor home and any towed trailer or towed vehicle. Actual GCWR of this vehicle may be limited by the sum of the GVWR and the installed hitch receiver maximum capacity rating; see hitch rating label for detail.

The maximum permissible weight, including cargo, fluids, optional equipment and accessories that can be safely supported by each axle.

The typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s), including full fuel, all fluids and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.

* Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.

The amount of weight available for fresh potable water, cargo, passengers, additional optional equipment and accessories. CCC is equal to GVWR minus UVW. Available CCC should accommodate fresh potable water (8.3 lbs per gallon). Before filling the fresh water tank, empty the black and gray tanks to provide for more cargo capacity.

** Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.


Each Forest River RV is weighed at the manufacturing facility prior to shipping. A label identifying the unloaded vehicle weight of the actual unit and the cargo carrying capacity is applied to every Forest River RV prior to leaving our facilities.

The load capacity of your unit is designated by weight, not by volume, so you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading your unit.

Actual towing capacity is dependent upon your particular loading and towing circumstances, which includes the GVWR, GAWR and GCWR as well as adequate trailer brakes. Please refer to the Operator's Manual of your vehicle for further towing information.

Find The Perfect Fit

Need help finding the Forest River RV floorplan that is right for you? It’s easy! Select your RV Type, choose from a set of desired features, such as bunk beds, slide outs or construction type, set length or weight requirements and filter. We’ll suggest a list of floorplans and products that are an exact match. You’ll find the perfect fit in no time!

+ RV Finder
 
 

Towing Guidelines

When deciding which Forest River RV is right for you, compare its weight shown in the specification chart to the towing limits of your tow vehicle. Because of the many variables, the process can be confusing. These guides are provided by Trailer Life magazine for your convenience as a general reference. They list the model, engine and published maximum towing capacity for the corresponding model year.

These guides do not attempt to provide all necessary information such as axle ratios, cooling systems, transmissions and any additional equipment required by the tow vehicle manufacturer to achieve the published maximum towing limits. Please be sure to verify your particular tow vehicle manufacturer's specifications. Your Forest River RV dealer will be glad to help you with questions.

+ TrailerLife.COM Tow Guides

How-To Videos For Your Convenience

We have created a variety of how-to videos to help you perform general maintenance and routine tasks on your Forest River RV. Additionally, we have partnered with some of our main suppliers to provide videos that are specific to their products being used in your Forest River RV.

+ View Our How-To Videos

We Want To Make Your RV Buying Experience Simple And Stress Free

We also want to assist you in finding the ideal Recreational Vehicle that fits your budget. Should you be looking to finance your purchase, this Payment Estimator simply assists you in "running the numbers" to look at various scenarios to estimate your monthly payment.

We encourage you to contact your local Forest River RV Dealer to assist you with your purchase decision or simply to answer any questions that you may have. Forest River RV Dealers can be located through our Dealer Locator and will be happy to service your needs.

Payment Calculator