2013 Palomino Columbus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (11) · Suspension (3) · Structure:body (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment 2016-11-15 · campaign 16V828000 · 1,104 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Equipment 2013-05-17 · campaign 13V203000 · 9,526 vehicles
Defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; P
Risk: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
What owners report
2016-12-20 · Suspension · 20,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the 5th wheel trailer we purchased came with supplied 6000 pnd lippert axles. the axles are too small for the weight carried on this trailer. 7000 or 8000 pound axles should be standard. in 2013 this is what they used. in subsequent years, they used heavier axles. we are educated to this and are sensitive to brake, axle seal, and overall tire maint…”
2016-05-12 · Structure:body · 80 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 forest river columbus. the contact stated that the floor in the kitchen of the rv had become very soft. the recreational vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 80. …”
2015-04-16 · Service Brakes · 5,000 mi“the travel trailer is unable to stop due to faulty seals leaking and getting grease on the brake hardware. i am aware of the problem with these seals due to other trailers identified with this problem. i have contacted the manufacture of the axel assembly lci (lippert) and was told that since my trailer was 2 years out of warranty nothing could be …”
2015-04-15 · Service Brakes · 3,000 mi“brakes were not stopping 5th wheel travel trailer. pulled off brake hub and found grease on brake shoes from faulty grease seals. i am in contact with lippert components at this time, it doesn't sound like they want to help. *tr…”
2014-12-03 · Service Brakes · 5,000 mi“both trailer axles, 6000#, were inspected and found to have grease contamination on brake shoes and hardware. this caused loss of braking action. the grease from the wheel bearings passed the seal, causing the contamination. *js…”
2014-11-20 · Suspension · 6,000 mi“all axle seals leaking on 2013 columbus 320 rs...6000# axles. approximately 6000 miles on unit that was purchased in march of 2014....this is being reported in november 2014. grease leaked through axle seals into hub assembly, contaminating braking mechanism causing reduced to no brakes on 14,000# 5th wheel trailer. this 5th wheel is used prima…”
2014-11-19 · Service Brakes“rv brakes failed when attempting to stop for traffic light. *tr…”
2014-11-13 · Service Brakes · 2,500 mi“wheel seals failed allowing bearing grease to spread around all brake surfaces. all 4 brakes were effected. all effected parts are being replaced by the dealer. *tr…”
2014-11-08 · Service Brakes · 1,200 mi“i received a letter from lippert inc. indicating that there were issues with brake components installed on my columbus 320rs fifth wheel that could lead to a failure to stop the trailer. i took it into berryland campers and had them inspected. the lippert seals used on the wheel assemblies had leaked grease, contaminating the brake pads with grea…”
2014-05-11 · Service Brakes“during annual maintenance i have found all four of my brake drums to have signs of grease in them. it appears the rear seal has failed and is allowing grease to penetrate the inner brake area. i have pictures upon request. thank you *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.