purchase of a 2020 Forest River FR3 32DS

[Wrightway61]

we are going to purchase either a Forest River FR3 32DS or a Coachman Pursuit 2022 31BH. does anyone have any suggestions based on experience with either one of these coaches?

[Sgt B]

Sir, I will be blunt: I owned an FR3 for four months and traded it; I thought it was a piece of garbage. I don't have the time nor the energy to go into much detail, so I will only mention my biggest complaint: engine noise. It was so loud when it downshifted to even go up a slight grade at an overpass that the DW and I had to yell at each other to talk.

[boiledowl]

Originally Posted by Sgt B

Sir, I will be blunt: I owned an FR3 for four months and traded it; I thought it was a piece of garbage. I don't have the time nor the energy to go into much detail, so I will only mention my biggest complaint: engine noise. It was so loud when it downshifted to even go up a slight grade at an overpass that the DW and I had to yell at each other to talk.

I had a 2020 coachmen and it was very loud too.

[NXR]

This is a dedicated FR3 group where you may get more answers: https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f232/

And for Coachmen Motorhomes: https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f230/

Ray

[NXR]

Originally Posted by Sgt B

Sir, I will be blunt: I owned an FR3 for four months and traded it; I thought it was a piece of garbage. I don't have the time nor the energy to go into much detail, so I will only mention my biggest complaint: engine noise. It was so loud when it downshifted to even go up a slight grade at an overpass that the DW and I had to yell at each other to talk.

If noise was the biggest complaint that is a complaint with any gas motorhome.

Adding insulation to the doghouse helps tremendously. Going to the newer V8 chassis (introduced in 2020/2021 models) instead of the older V10 chassis also helps a lot. The new V8 revs about a thousand RPM less than the V10 and people have reported over 1 MPG increase in mileage.

If you order a new motorhome, get the optional dual pane windows. They reduce the wind and other noise while driving a lot, and also while parked

Ray

[Sgt B]

Originally Posted by NXR

If noise was the biggest complaint, that is a complaint with any gas motorhome.

Adding insulation to the doghouse helps tremendously. Going to the newer V8 chassis (introduced in 2020/2021 models) instead of the older V10 chassis also helps a lot. The new V8 revs about a thousand RPM less than the V10 and people have reported over 1 MPG increase in mileage.

If you order a new motorhome, get the optional dual pane windows. They reduce the wind and other noise while driving a lot and also while parked

Ray

I did insulate the doghouse, floor boards, and the firewall inside and out - it helped a tad, but not worth the time and energy it took to do it. Aside from the noise, other factors caused me to get rid of it. There are lots of rigs out there that cost about the same and are much, much better than the FR3. Fair warning to those considering the FR3; I hope you are satisfied. Myself as a 35-year RV owner and one who has owned them all except the class B, it is not for me. But to each his own; that's why they make chevys and Fords.

[House Husband]

An FR3 would not be on the top of my list of MHs to purchase.
A friend with A FR3 had he bay light fail. I went looking for a fuse.
I found inline fuses in the battery bay, with no labels as to what they protected.
The dealer found the bay fuse under the carpet, under the drivers seat.

Richard