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Continental/Forks RV


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We had been communicating with these folks over a year ago through one of their sales people. Yesterday, I learned that the gentleman is no longer with the company so I sent an email through their "Contact Us" link on their web site. Almost 24 hours and no response. Personally, I've always put a significant amount of weight into these kinds of interactions. This gives me pause. Is anyone aware of anything that might be going on up in Shipshewana?

2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2019 Arctic Fox 32-5M
Cindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.

 

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I have found the best way to work with small companies is to pick up the phone and call. If you're dealing with a conglomerate that has "Computerized" customer service the call back is quick, but many small operations don't have the 2-3? people dedicated to returning e-mails.

If you have been in contact about building an RV, the salesman should have had a file on you that he passed to someone.

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

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Not aware of anything going on at Forks. We always just called the office and asked for either Jay Troyer or Eric Stutzman. Forks is a small outfit owned and operated by the Stutzman family, they have always been very responsive to any of our questions/concerns. As suggested above I also would recommend a call to the office and find out what is actually going on, Best Wishes, Jay

2015 Continental Coach Elegance by Forks RV, 41'; 2015 FL M2 112, DD 13, by 2L Custom Trucks; Trailer Saver air hitch; '48 Navigoddess with a Rand McNally GPS

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Just had parts shipped. Kevin is the new service guy. They just parted on Facebook a new demo unit they built. Alls well in forks land. !!!

2009 Volvo 780. D-16 500hp 1850 torque with a Herrin hauler bed.

2015 Continental Coach

2008 650cc Suzuki Bergman

2013 Mustang GT 500 convertible

2014 Smartcar convertible

WWW.Hollyfab.com. (Metal Fabrication Company)

Jamesc@hollyfab.com (preferred contact method)

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You were likely dealing with Mike. He has been gone for some time. Just call Jay.....he will take care of you.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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We had been communicating with these folks over a year ago through one of their sales people. Yesterday, I learned that the gentleman is no longer with the company so I sent an email through their "Contact Us" link on their web site. Almost 24 hours and no response. Personally, I've always put a significant amount of weight into these kinds of interactions. This gives me pause. Is anyone aware of anything that might be going on up in Shipshewana?

 

The first time I tried teo contact them none of the phone numbers worked no one returned my emails and I even posted onto their Facebook page no one ever contacted me. Three months later I trade again and Jay responded to my email.

2016 Western Star 5700xe (Pathfinder) DD15 555hp

w/12 speed automatic 3:05 diffs

2005 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLPK

2 Great Danes

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I am currently sitting in Forks parking lot. I can tell you they are extremely busy with service and building new coaches. Yesterday I think there were 4 units in production and 4 units for service that I saw.

 

Give Jay, Jerry, or Eric a call.

2009 Volvo 780 with Herrin Hauler Bed
2015 Continental Coach
2017 Smart Car Prime

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I sent our sketch to Jay and hopefully, we'll have an opportunity to discuss when we meet the folks in early August.

2012 F350 KR CC DRW w/ some stuff
2019 Arctic Fox 32-5M
Cindy and Tom, Kasey and Maggie (our Newfie and Berner)
Oh...I forgot the five kids.

 

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They may be a bit disorganized. We go to a Drv dealer in OK for service. They took on Continental/Forks, after several months back & forth Continental was unable to get a 5th wheel to them to show potential customers. The dealer gave up and terminated the agreement.

Jan & Thomas

2012 Drv Mobile Suite 5'r

2012 Ford F350 Super Duty

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Continental was unable to get a 5th wheel to them to show potential customers

And that's probably a good thing. Forks is small and has a backlog of orders. The dealer discount can only hurt quality and the profitability of a small company.

"There are No Experts, Do the Math!"

2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp  1850ft-lb  18spd  3.31  260"wb
SpaceCraft S-470
SKP #131740

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And that's probably a good thing. Forks is small and has a backlog of orders. The dealer discount can only hurt quality and the profitability of a small company.

I agree. The margin that is required by a dealer will hurt a small manufacturer. All of the custom shops face the same quandary. If they have a dealer network it either cuts their margins to the point of jeopardizing business, OR they have to start becoming a semi-custom/production shop to get the efficiency required to produce the margin required to support a dealer network. That is one reason they do not have dealers.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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Forks builds a nice unit. I'd be curious what the 4 in there were for. 4 in production vs 4 returns isn't a good ratio. I'd be a buyer but I really like my dual tandems, especially here in the NE.

2000 Volvo 635 A/S, N-14 Cummins
"The Phoenix"
'03 KA 38KSWB

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A month ago there was a Jayco, and a Teton in for servicing (they've started doing that) along with a couple of new builds and a final delivery being tuned in.

"There are No Experts, Do the Math!"

2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp  1850ft-lb  18spd  3.31  260"wb
SpaceCraft S-470
SKP #131740

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Sorry I did not make myself clear. There were four units (maybe more) under production, four to six units there for repair work which were not manufactured by Forks, one unit manufactured by Forks, and two units there for warranty work including ours. Two finished units left their shop when we were there.

 

They were EXTREMELY busy between production and service work but it all seemed to work out at the end of the day.

2009 Volvo 780 with Herrin Hauler Bed
2015 Continental Coach
2017 Smart Car Prime

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All three of the major custom builders build a solid product (Forks, Spacecraft, New Horizons). And all three will have units in for service work at any point in time. I would not judge a manufacturer by the fact they have units in for service work. It is part of the "deal". There are NO perfect RVs. If you expect perfection then an RV is likely not the best purchase.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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We were at Forks RV for 6 hours working on our build. Jay work with us and he gave exelent service in regards to our needs. We toured their facilities and was vey impressed in what they do there. We will be deciding on which direction we are going after the hersey show in September.

Terry and Lindsey

and our Border Collie Daisy Mae

2008 Select Suites 36 TK3

2015 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab DRW

Fulltimers since May 20, 2015

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  • 6 months later...

All is NOT well in Forks Land. I just got off the phone with Eric and they are not taking any new orders. Apparently his family is undecided as to whether they are going to continue in business (his words). We toured their factory last year and were very impressed but could not place an order until we sold a house (we have 2). Well, the market went flat (presumably due to Liar and the Wacko we were forced to vote for), and not much happens in real estate over the holidays but last week it all came together. We sold both houses! We are committed to joining the full time ranks but will be doing so in our Cougar until we can find something that suits our needs. Toured New Horizon's facility a few years ago and it is a nice unit but not exactly what we are looking for. Unfortunately not many manufacturers make a 5' garage with a side ramp for our quiver of bicycles. Probably be making a trip down to check out Spacecraft this Spring. The HDT we purchased in August in anticipation of our Continental doesn't even know the 11k lb Cougar is back there! Not a bad thing but we had our hearts set on a Continental. Hope I have better news in 6 months when Eric suggested we call back. Not very promising as ALL email addresses I have for them bounce.

Circ & Cindi Toepel

 

2015 Volvo 730 Niki (for our daughter who didn't make it)

Cougar SRX with side ramp access to garage

Coming soon....42' Forks Continental

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All is NOT well in Forks Land. I just got off the phone with Eric and they are not taking any new orders. Apparently his family is undecided as to whether they are going to continue in business (his words). We toured their factory last year and were very impressed but could not place an order until we sold a house (we have 2). Well, the market went flat (presumably due to Liar and the Wacko we were forced to vote for), and not much happens in real estate over the holidays but last week it all came together. We sold both houses! We are committed to joining the full time ranks but will be doing so in our Cougar until we can find something that suits our needs. Toured New Horizon's facility a few years ago and it is a nice unit but not exactly what we are looking for. Unfortunately not many manufacturers make a 5' garage with a side ramp for our quiver of bicycles. Probably be making a trip down to check out Spacecraft this Spring. The HDT we purchased in August in anticipation of our Continental doesn't even know the 11k lb Cougar is back there! Not a bad thing but we had our hearts set on a Continental. Hope I have better news in 6 months when Eric suggested we call back. Not very promising as ALL email addresses I have for them bounce.

 

If you are going to Spacecraft, you should visit NH again. They will make you whatever you want. When we were there in Oct, they had a used NH toyhauler with space for two BMW bikes and side ramp in inventory. Was very nice.

2003 International Eagle 9200i, Cummins ISX, Freedomline

2007 Teton Scottsdale XT4

 

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I was under the impression that Forks had received a major order to build trailers for overseas customers and it put a huge strain on their existing infrastructure so they were not taking any new orders for the foreseeable future. This was as of October 2016.

They build a great unit (heavy but very nice) but it seems that they have a lot of irons in the fire.

My $.02

David

2016 Volvo VNL780 D13 I-Shift

2016 DRV 44 Houston

2015 Smart Cabriolet

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David,

Eric did not mention anything to me about major orders from overseas customers. What he did say was his parents were having health problems and weren't sure about the future of Continental. I am very disappointed as we had made a trip out to the factory, plans drawn up, all interior items picked out and agreed on price. I blew it because I could not give them a deposit for the work until now. I still want one of their units as my anal retentive factory research has determined they build one of the best Full Time RV's available. With both houses sold, we will officially be full timers at the end of February. I may wait 6 months to see if my options are open with them. In the scheme of things, it may be best us to calm down and be patient. That is a tough pill to swallow as we have been dreaming of this and researching trucks, trailers, domiciles and making plans for what seems like forever! In the meantime, it is back to Craigslist, eBay and the giveaway pile as I do not need all the cool stuff we have been collecting for 30 years!

Circ & Cindi Toepel

 

2015 Volvo 730 Niki (for our daughter who didn't make it)

Cougar SRX with side ramp access to garage

Coming soon....42' Forks Continental

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