Free RV manual

Forest River FR3 Manual

The Forest River FR3 is a Class A motorhome built by Forest River. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2014 to 2025. This page shows how its systems work, every recall on file for it, and where to find the official owner's manual.

Built by	Forest River
Kind	Class A motorhome
Model years on record	2014 to 2025
Recalls on file	13

The official owner's manual

Forest River keeps owner's manuals online, free to read. Pick the model year of your rig. It is on the sticker by the entry door.

Forest River owner's manuals

Component manuals

Dometic · Fridges, air conditioners and awnings
Suburban · Furnaces and water heaters
Lippert · Slides, awnings, jacks and leveling
Thetford and Norcold · Norcold fridges and Thetford toilets
Dexter · Trailer axles, brakes and bearings
Cummins Onan · RV generators

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a Class A motorhome. The ones its recalls touched come first.

1 recall touches thisShore power and batteries30 amp and 50 amp shore power, the 12 volt battery side and the inverter. What runs on what, and how not to trip a breaker.1 recall touches thisPropane, furnace and fridgeOpening the tanks, lighting the stove, running the furnace and fridge, and what to do if you smell gas.1 recall touches thisThe roof air conditionerHow much power it needs, why it freezes up, how to clean the filters and what to try before you call for help.Free manualFresh water and the water heaterCity water, the fresh tank, the pump and the water heater. How to fill it, turn it on and keep it clean.Free manualThe water heaterGas, electric or both. How to fill it, light it, drain it and care for the anode rod, plus what to do when there is no hot water.Free manualBlack and gray tanksThe order, the hose, the valves and what to put down the toilet. Dumping your tanks the right way, step by step.Free manualThe toiletHow to flush, what paper to use and how to keep the black tank from clogging or smelling.Free manualSolar and lithium batteriesHow solar charges your batteries, what lithium changes, and how to tell how much power you really have left.Free manualPropane, smoke and CO alarmsWhere each alarm is, what each one means, how to test them and why the propane alarm sometimes beeps on a low battery.Free manualThe refrigeratorGas and electric absorption fridges, 12 volt compressor fridges, how long they take to cool and how to keep food cold on the road.Free manualThe furnaceA propane furnace with a 12 volt fan. How it starts, why it drains the battery and what to check when it blows cold air.Free manualRoof and sealsWater is the biggest enemy of an RV. How to check the roof and seams, which sealant to use and the signs of a leak.Free manualSlide outsWhen to open them, when not to, and what to check first. Slide outs are the most common repair on a rental, and most of it is avoidable.Free manualAwningsPower and manual awnings, how to set them, and why wind is the thing that breaks them.Free manualLeveling and jacksBlocks, tongue jacks, stabilizers and auto leveling. How to get level, why it matters and why stabilizers are not for lifting.Free manualWinterizing and spring start upDrain it, bypass the water heater and fill the lines with RV antifreeze. Then how to undo it all in spring.Free manualGeneratorsStarting it, loading it, keeping it healthy, and staying safe from exhaust.Free manualTowing a car behind a motorhomeWhich cars can be towed four down, the gear you need, and the steps before and after every tow.Free manualTires, wheels and bearingsTire age, pressure and load, lug nut torque and when to service trailer wheel bearings. The parts that cause the most trouble on the road.Free manualWeight and payloadWhat GVWR, cargo capacity and tongue weight mean, how to weigh your rig, and why sway almost always starts with weight.

Recalls on file

NHTSA has 13 recalls on file for the Forest River FR3. The most common areas are trailer hitches (2), air conditioner (1) and tank assembly (1). Each one is listed below as filed. A recall is fixed free at a dealer, even on a used rig, and even years later.

Recalls on the engine, brakes and chassis of a motorhome are often filed under the chassis maker, such as Ford, Freightliner or Mercedes, not under the coach. A VIN check shows both.

Air conditioner · model years 2022 to 2025 · 24V771000, filed November 8, 2024

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Ahara, Entrada, 2022-2025 FR3, Georgetown, 2021-2023 Dynamax Isata, 2021-2025 Encore, Mirada, Pursuit, 2025 Sportscoach, V-Cruise, V-Sport, V-Tour, 2023 Sunseeker, and 2024-2025 V-RV motorhomes, equipped with General Electric air conditioners with a soft start device with part number ICM870-16A-BH5400. The air conditioner soft start device may fail and overheat.

What can happen. An air conditioner soft start device that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the soft start, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2025. Owners may contact Encore, Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach customer service at 1-574-825-8212, Isata customer service at 574-262-3474, Georgetown, FR3, and Sunseeker customer service at 574-206-7600, Ahara and Entrada customer service at 574-264-6664, and V-Cruise, V-RV, V-Sport, and V-Tour customer service at 574-617-6408. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1839.

Campaign 24V771000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our the roof air conditioner manual.

Tank assembly · model years 2019 to 2024 · 24V103000, filed February 12, 2024

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Georgetown and FR3 Class A motorhomes. The liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tank mounting brackets may break, which can result in the LPG tank becoming dislodged and damaged.

What can happen. A damaged LPG tank increases the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the brackets and welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 11, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1736.

Campaign 24V103000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our propane, furnace and fridge manual.

General RV equipment · model year 2021 · 23V262000, filed April 13, 2023

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Forester 2401BSD, FR3 F3A32DSF, Georgetown GTA36K7, 2022-2023 East to West Entrada, 2023 East to West Alta, Coachmen Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral and Chaparral Lite, Forest River Crusader, Sanibel, Shasta Phoenix, Coachmen Spirit, and East to West Tandara vehicles. The solar panel mounting hardware may become loose and pull through the slot in the panel.

What can happen. Loose hardware can cause the solar panels to detach from the vehicle during transit, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Dealers will install additional hardware to the existing panel and install a secondary holding bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact East to West Alta, Entrada and Tandara customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Coachmen Apex and Spirit customer service at 1-574-825-8205; Coachmen Brookstone, Chaparral, Chaparral Lite, and Shasta Phoenix customer service at 1-574-825-7101; Crusader and Sanibel customer service at 1-574-862-1025; and Georgetown Forester and FR3 customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1607.

Campaign 23V262000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2022 to 2023 · 22V556000, filed July 29, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.

What can happen. An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report for their designated model. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 22V-486.

Campaign 22V556000. See it on NHTSA

Wiring · model year 2021 · 20V361000, filed June 19, 2020

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 FR3 recreational vehicles built on a Ford chassis with a V8 engine. The wiring harness may have an incorrect wire connected to the parking brake, allowing the leveling jacks to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is in motion.

What can happen. If the leveling jacks deploy while the vehicle is in motion, it can cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will correct the wiring harness, free of charge. This recall began June 26, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1178.

Campaign 20V361000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our shore power and batteries manual.

Trailer hitches · model year 2020 · 19V901000, filed December 18, 2019

What is wrong. MORryde International, Inc. (MORryde) is recalling certain 2020 Forest River Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes that they modified. The trailer hitch bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can cause the hitch bolts to loosen.

What can happen. If the bolts loosen, a towed trailer or vehicle could detach from the motorhome, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and Forest River dealers will properly tighten the bolts, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact MORryde customer service at 1-574-293-1581.

Campaign 19V901000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our hitching a trailer manual.

Trailer hitches · model year 2020 · 19V891000, filed December 13, 2019

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes. The trailer hitch bolts may not have been properly tightened, which can allow cause the hitch to detach from the chassis.

What can happen. If the motorhome is towing a trailer or vehicle, the hitch detaching from the motorhome can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1119.

Campaign 19V891000. See it on NHTSA

How this part works is in our hitching a trailer manual.

General RV equipment · model years 2019 to 2020 · 19V481000, filed June 21, 2019

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes. The slim-rack slide out mechanisms may activate unintentionally, moving the slide room in or out unexpectedly.

What can happen. If the slide-room extends or retracts unexpectedly, there is an increased risk of injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new controller and switch for the slideout mechanism, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 31, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-0991.

Campaign 19V481000. See it on NHTSA

Visibility · model years 2017 to 2019 · 18V768000, filed October 31, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forest River Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes, 2018-2019 Berkshire motorhomes and 2018 Charleston motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.

What can happen. If the windshield roller shade unrolls while driving, it could block the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7605. Forest River's number for the recall is 68-0822.

Campaign 18V768000. See it on NHTSA

Door · model years 2018 to 2019 · 18V234000, filed April 12, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Forest River FR3 and Georgetown recreational vehicles. The entry door latch may not engage fully, allowing the door to open unexpectedly while moving.

What can happen. If the entry door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install shims between the entry door frame and the wall frame, two additional screws will be added through the entry door frame to secure the door frame to the sidewall frame and will verify that the entry door latch pawl is properly contacting the striker bolt, if required the dealer will adjust the striker bolt, at no charge to the owner. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-0700.

Campaign 18V234000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model years 2015 to 2017 · 16V828000, filed November 15, 2016

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 FR3 motorhomes manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 12, 2016; 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toyhaulers manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 31, 2016; 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toyhaulers manufactured October 4, 2012, to December 4, 2015; and 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toyhaulers manufactured May 23, 2014, to November 23, 2016. These vehicles were equipped with certain aluminum, black, ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries. The affected ladders have retractable hinges, each with a welded 'top hat' that can separate from the hinge.

What can happen. If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on January 3, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102016-0271.

Campaign 16V828000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model year 2014 · 15V798000, filed November 25, 2015

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014 FR3, 2009 Forest River Encore, Sportscoach Elite, and Aurora, 2008-2009 Cruise Master, 2012-2015 Aviator, 2007-2014 Georgetown, 2007-2009 Legend, 2008-2012 Ridgeview, 2008-2014 Cross Country, 2010-2014 Coachmen Encounter, 2009-2014 Pathfinder, Solera, Mirada, Prism, and Pursuit motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

What can happen. Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. Forest River issued an interim notification to owners on January 7, 2016. The recall began on March 3, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service number at 1-574-389-4600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102015-0109. Or owners can contact Lippert Components at 1-574-537-8900.

Campaign 15V798000. See it on NHTSA

Automatic transmission · model year 2016 · 15V726000, filed November 3, 2015

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Forest River FR3 and Georgetown, and Coachmen Mirada and Pursuit recreational vehicles manufactured August 7, 2015, to October 22, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.

What can happen. If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-800-392-3673. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-10302015-0105.

Campaign 15V726000. See it on NHTSA

Check your own rig. Put your VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup. It shows any open recall on that exact rig, including the chassis.

Questions owners ask

Where can I find the Forest River FR3 owner's manual?

Forest River keeps its owner's manuals online. Look up your model year there. Our free manuals on this page explain how each system works.

Does the Forest River FR3 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recalls for it. The most common area is trailer hitches. Check your own VIN on the NHTSA site to see if yours was fixed.

Is a recall repair free on a used RV?

Yes. A safety recall is fixed free by the maker's dealers no matter who owns the rig now or how old it is. Call the maker or any dealer for that brand with your VIN.

Where is the VIN on an RV?

Look for a sticker by the entry door, inside a cabinet near the door, or on the tongue or front frame of a trailer. The title and registration show it too.

Renting one from us? Call or text 909-259-RVDR before you try a fix. We would rather talk you through it than have you guess, and it is free.

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Every Forest River line we cover