Warren Buffett’s RV Company Is In Hot Water—Here’s Why
You know how everyone and their uncle wanted an RV during the pandemic? Yeah, that boom isn’t looking so shiny now. Forest River—the RV giant owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway—is facing some serious heat over quality issues. And we’re not just talking about a loose screw here or there. Think wiring that could start fires, flues leaking carbon monoxide, roofs that might as well be sieves. Not exactly what you’d expect from a Buffett-backed company, right?
How Forest River Became Buffett’s Problem Child
Buffett bought Forest River back in 2005—back when flip phones were still cool. It made sense at the time: steady business, loyal customers, all that good stuff. The guy’s famous for buying companies and just letting them do their thing. But here’s the kicker: when you grow too fast (and let’s be real, everyone was scrambling to meet RV demand these past few years), things start slipping through the cracks. Big time.
I mean, Coachmen and Shasta are household names if you’re into RVs. But lately? More like household hazards.
The Scary Stuff Coming Out of Those Fancy RVs
Electrical Problems That’ll Make Your Hair Stand Up
Literally. We’re talking flickering lights, appliances that work when they feel like it, and—get this—actual melted wires behind walls. One owner said they smelled burning plastic for days before finding the culprit. That’s not an inconvenience—that’s how RVs turn into bonfires.
Flue Installations Done Wrong
This one’s scary. Carbon monoxide is silent, invisible, and deadly. Multiple reports say flues weren’t aligned right in gas furnaces. One family only found out because their detector went off. Could’ve ended very differently.
Roofs That Can’t Handle Rain
Imagine paying six figures for your dream RV, only to find water dripping on your face during the first rainstorm. Mold, rotting floors—the works. Some folks reported leaks within weeks. How does that even pass inspection?
The Lawsuit That Changed Everything
Here’s what broke the camel’s back: someone dropped $100K on a motorhome that showed up with over 30 defects. Thirty! Including—wait for it—faulty brakes. That lawsuit got regulators to finally sit up and take notice. Suddenly, all those “small complaints” don’t look so small anymore.
It’s Not Just Forest River—The Whole Industry’s Messed Up
Talk to anyone in the RV world, and they’ll tell you: quality’s been going downhill for years. Everyone’s rushing units out the door, using cheaper materials, skipping proper testing. “They’re basically disposable now,” one insider told me. And when your “disposable” vehicle costs as much as a house? That’s a problem.
How Not to Get Screwed Buying an RV
Do Your Homework
Forums are your best friend. RVForums.com doesn’t sugarcoat anything—if a model’s got issues, you’ll hear about it there first.
Be That Annoying Customer
When you pick up your RV, go over every inch. Check for weird smells, loose wires, water stains. Better yet, pay an independent inspector—it’s worth the $200.
Don’t Take “It’s Normal” For an Answer
Most states have lemon laws for RVs too. Document everything, push for warranty repairs, and know your rights.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about Forest River—it’s about an entire industry that forgot quality matters. And for Buffett? That hands-off approach might need some rethinking. Have you dealt with RV nightmares? Drop your story in the comments—let’s compare horror stories.
Source: WSJ – US Business
