If you've been scouring the internet for rv fender skirts forest river replacements, you already know that these pieces of plastic are surprisingly easy to break and frustratingly hard to match. It usually happens when you're least expecting it—maybe a tire blew out and took the plastic with it, or perhaps the sun just finally won the decades-long battle against the ABS plastic. Either way, you're left with an ugly gap over your wheels and a rig that looks a little less "ready for the road" than it used to.
The thing about Forest River is that they make a massive variety of trailers. From the Rockwood and Salem lines to the Cherokee and Wildwood, each one seems to have its own specific flavor of trim. While that variety is great when you're buying the camper, it's a bit of a headache when you need a specific replacement part. You can't just walk into a big-box store and grab a "standard" fender. You have to do a little detective work first.
Why Do These Things Always Crack?
It's the question every RV owner asks eventually. You'd think something designed to be on the outside of a vehicle would be a bit more rugged. The reality is that most factory-installed rv fender skirts forest river rigs come with are made from ABS plastic. It's lightweight and cheap to produce, which is why manufacturers love it. However, ABS isn't exactly a fan of UV rays or extreme temperature swings.
Over time, the sun bakes the plastic, drawing out the oils that keep it flexible. Once it gets brittle, it only takes one stray rock or a bit of road vibration for a crack to start spider-webbing out from a screw hole. I've seen skirts that practically disintegrated just because someone tightened the mounting screws a quarter-turn too much. It's annoying, but it's just part of the maintenance cycle for most travel trailers and fifth wheels.
Getting the Right Measurements
Before you hit "buy" on the first thing you see, you've got to get your measuring tape out. Relying solely on your RV's year, make, and model is a recipe for a return shipment. Manufacturers sometimes swap parts mid-year based on what they have in stock at the factory. So, two identical-looking Forest River Cherokees from 2018 might actually have slightly different wheel well dimensions.
When you're measuring for new rv fender skirts forest river replacements, you need four main numbers. First, the total length from the furthest left point to the furthest right point. Second, the height at the tallest point (usually the middle). Third, the distance between the bottom of the "legs" of the skirt. And finally, the most important one: the screw hole pattern.
If you can find a replacement that matches your existing screw holes, you'll save yourself the headache of drilling new holes into your camper's siding. It's not the end of the world if you have to drill new ones, but keeping the original factory holes sealed up is always the better way to go to prevent moisture from creeping in.
ABS Plastic vs. Fiberglass
When you start shopping for aftermarket options, you're going to run into a choice: stick with the standard ABS or upgrade to fiberglass.
ABS is what you probably have now. It's flexible, easy to work with, and generally more affordable. The downside, as we talked about, is that it doesn't handle the sun very well over the long haul. If you're a "weekend warrior" who keeps the rig under a cover or in a barn, ABS will probably last you another decade without a problem.
On the other hand, fiberglass rv fender skirts forest river owners often choose are a different beast entirely. They're much more rigid and a lot thicker. They won't crack just because the sun looked at them wrong, and they can be painted to perfectly match your rig if you're into that. The trade-off is the price. Fiberglass is significantly more expensive, and because it's so rigid, it can be a bit more of a pain to install if your trailer's side wall isn't perfectly flat.
The Installation Process Is Easier Than You Think
Don't let the idea of bodywork scare you off. Replacing these skirts is one of the more straightforward DIY projects you can tackle on an RV. You basically just need a screwdriver (usually a Robertson or Phillips head, depending on what Forest River used that day), some butyl tape, and maybe a helper to hold the plastic in place while you get the first couple of screws started.
One pro tip: don't just screw the new skirt directly onto the metal. Use a thin strip of butyl tape behind the mounting flange. This acts as a gasket, keeping water from getting behind the skirt and potentially rotting out your floor or wall studs. It also provides a bit of a cushion that absorbs road vibration, which—you guessed it—helps prevent the plastic from cracking around the screw heads.
When you're tightening those screws, keep it "snug," not "tight." If you see the plastic starting to dimple or bow around the screw, back it off a bit. You want the skirt to be secure, but it needs a tiny bit of room to expand and contract as the temperature changes.
Where to Actually Find the Parts
So, where do you actually find these things? You could go to a Forest River dealer, but be prepared for a mark-up. Often, the easiest way is to look at aftermarket specialists like Icon Technologies or RecPro. These companies specialize in molding replacement parts that are actually often better quality than the originals.
A lot of these sellers have massive databases where you can look up your specific Forest River model and see a drawing of the skirt with all the dimensions labeled. If you see a shape that looks like yours, double-check those measurements we talked about earlier. If the numbers match, you're usually good to go.
Dealing with the Color Match
Most rv fender skirts forest river units come in basic colors: polar white, colonial white (which is more of a cream), grey, or black. If your rig has spent a few years out in the elements, a brand-new "polar white" skirt might look blindingly bright compared to your slightly yellowed siding.
If that bothers you, you can always paint them. If you go this route, make sure you use a paint specifically designed for plastics, like Krylon Fusion or something similar. Regular spray paint will just flake off the first time the plastic flexes. A quick scuff with some fine-grit sandpaper and a couple of light coats of plastic-rated paint can make a world of difference in how professional the final job looks.
Final Thoughts on Maintenance
Once you've got your new skirts installed, you probably don't want to do this again in three years. The best thing you can do is hit them with a UV protectant spray every time you wash the rig. Something like 303 Aerospace Protectant works wonders on ABS plastic. It's basically sunscreen for your RV.
Also, keep an eye on those mounting screws. Every thousand miles or so, give them a quick look. If they're backing out, snug them back up. If they're too tight, loosen them. It's a small thing, but keeping that tension just right is the secret to making sure your rv fender skirts forest river stay in one piece while you're cruising down the highway toward your next campsite.
At the end of the day, it's a minor repair, but it makes a huge difference in the "curb appeal" of your camper. Plus, keeping that wheel well covered helps protect the undercarriage from road spray and debris. It's a win-win, even if measuring things three times feels like a chore. Just take your time, get the right fit, and your Forest River will be looking back to its old self in no time.