Free RV manual

Forest River Impression Manual

The Forest River Impression is a fifth wheel built by Forest River. Federal safety records on it cover model years 2018 to 2026. 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	Fifth wheel
Model years on record	2018 to 2026
Recalls on file	9

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

How its systems work

Our free manuals for every system on a fifth wheel. The ones its recalls touched come first.

2 recalls touch 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.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 manualThe 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 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 manualHitching a trailerCoupler, safety chains, breakaway cable and lights. A simple routine to hitch up the same way every time.Free manualTrailer brakes and breakawayElectric brakes, the brake controller in your truck, how to set the gain and how to test the breakaway switch.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 9 recalls on file for the Forest River Impression. The most common areas are wiring (2), exterior lighting (2) and step and ladder (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.

Wiring · model year 2026 · 26V130000, filed March 5, 2026

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2026 Impression fifth wheel recreational trailers. The insulation on the wires may have been improperly removed, exposing conductors.

What can happen. Exposed conductors may cause electrical arcing, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-327-2716. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-2039.

Campaign 26V130000. See it on NHTSA

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

Step/ladder · model year 2025 · 25V245000, filed April 14, 2025

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Coachmen Catalina, Forest River Aurora, Cascade, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Sandpiper, Sierra, 2025 Campsite Reserve, Impression, Pause, Puma, Sabre, Salem, Vengeance, and Wildwood fifth wheel and travel trailers, equipped with a removable step assembly. The clip-on bracket mounting bolts may come loose, allowing the steps to detach.

What can happen. Steps that detach while in use increase the risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the clip-on bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2025. Owners may contact customer service at Aurora & Catalina (1-574-825-4995), Campsite Reserve, Cascade, Cherokee, Sabre, Vengeance (1-260-499-2100), Cedar Creek (1-260-593-4000), Impression (1-574-327-2716), Pause (1-574-327-2681), Puma (1-574-642-0588), Sierra & Sandpiper (1-574-534-4574), and Salem & Wildwood (1-574-534-3167). Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1915.

Campaign 25V245000. See it on NHTSA

Wiring · model years 2021 to 2025 · 24V847000, filed November 8, 2024

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.

What can happen. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.

Campaign 24V847000. See it on NHTSA

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

General RV equipment · model year 2023 · 23V503000, filed July 21, 2023

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Impression fifth wheels vehicles. The exterior griddle may be stowed while still connected to LP gas line.

What can happen. A griddle stowed while the gas is still in use can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will install a 90-degree fitting on the griddle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-327-2707. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1658.

Campaign 23V503000. See it on NHTSA

Escape/egress/exit · model years 2022 to 2023 · 22V667000, filed September 6, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Forest River Inc. Impression Fifth Wheel recreational vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a secondary emergency exit.

What can happen. A missing secondary exit could result in occupants becoming trapped inside during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix. Dealers will inspect and install an egress window, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1554.

Campaign 22V667000. See it on NHTSA

General RV equipment · model year 2022 · 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

Lines and fittings · model years 2021 to 2022 · 22V243000, filed April 13, 2022

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.

What can happen. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix. Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.

Campaign 22V243000. See it on NHTSA

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

Exterior lighting · model years 2021 to 2022 · 21V903000, filed November 19, 2021

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Impression Fifth Wheel Recreational Vehicles. The center identification light on the rear of the vehicle was incorrectly installed at a higher position than the other lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What can happen. Incorrectly installed rear lights may reduce visibility of the vehicle for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix. Dealers will reposition the center top lamp, and a reflector will be installed in place of the center lamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service Phone Number 1-574-296-2084. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1441.

Campaign 21V903000. See it on NHTSA

Exterior lighting · model year 2019 · 18V733000, filed October 19, 2018

What is wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Primetime Impression fifth wheels, model MPF3000RLS-49. The side marker lights are not located in the correct spot, reducing visibility of the vehicle to other drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What can happen. Reduced visibility of the fifth wheel can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remedy the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-862-1025. Forest River's number for this recall is 49-0891.

Campaign 18V733000. 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 Impression 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 Impression have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for it. The most common area is wiring. 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.

Other Forest River manuals

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Every Forest River line we cover