Warranty Work Question

Hi everyone.....I"m new to this site and I'm looking for a new r-pod, and I have found a couple of dealerships.  One has a better price than the other, and the one with the better price is several hours away. But I'm hearing that warranty work has to be done at the dealer of purchase.... and that other dealerships will not honor the warranty.  I have read that owners had to drive there little pod several hours back to the purchase location to have their issues handled.  My thoughts are if I buy a Ford in California and move to Miami, that a Ford dealer in Miami would honor the warranty work, am I wrong?  I am interested in your thoughts about this.   

Welcome Carrie!

Yes, you'll have an easier time getting warranty work done where you purchased it.  Basic industry fact that the RV dealerships give their customers first priority.  Its not like the auto industry.  Its not supposed to be that way but it is.

But, Runebane has a good point.  Call around your area and talk to the service managers of the Forest River dealers.  You may not have a problem.  The closest FR dealer to me does not sell 'pods but will do warranty work.  I haven't used them though because where I bought mine is convenient to places where we often camp (even though the dealership is 1 1/2 hours away).

There have been few changes between the '10 and '11s.  The early '10s only had the two rear stabilizer jacks, not the ones on the front.  Also early models didn't have the A/C wired to the wall thermostat, it only ran the heater.  About half-way through last year the '10s started getting 4 jacks and A/C + heater get run from the thermostat.

My personal experience with the jacks on my popup is they never really gave a firm feel.  Because of thin stamped steel and rivet construction is my guess.  First few trips with only the rear stabs in our 'pod felt the same way.  I started using heavy-duty jack stands on the front and now it is rock-solid.  I don't think I would want all 4 jacks knowing this.

The early A/Cs had the controls over your head like popups.  No big deal unless you can't reach over your head easily.  The overhead thermostat doesn't have exact temperature markings like the wall thermostat.  Also no big deal, after your first trip you'll know where you want the knob to be comfortable.

If it saves you a grand or two and the things above don't bother you I would go for the '10 with no reservations.  The later '10s aren't any different from the '11s.  Oh, I forgot there is one difference.  The newer model has different "R-pod" stickers on the outside.  The letter O is a recycling symbol and instead of "Made by Forest River" below, it says "Eco-constructed".  Personally I like the older sticker.