Forest River Advances FR3 Design for Modern Motorhome Buyers

A decade after its debut, Forest River’s FR3 lineup is hitting a new stride with bold upgrades and fresh configurations that speak directly to today’s travelers.

The all-new FR3 Plus brings full-body paint, solid-surface countertops and power theater seating to a coach already known for value, while a nimble, smaller-chassis FR3 joins the family to deliver the same FR3 spirit with improved maneuverability at a more accessible price point.

Forest River introduced the FR3 in 2014 as an entry-level Class A motorhome. Today, it’s known as a coach that bridges the gap between luxury and practicality. The FR3 blends spacious Class A living, smart storage and use-every-inch design to make it a favorite among first-time buyers and seasoned RVers alike.

“When we moved the FR3 into a bigger chassis, it became more of a mainstream product,” says Jay Cavitt, product sales manager at Forest River. “In fact, the FR3 has been in the Top 5 gas-powered Class As for nearly a decade. It’s an affordable product that offers the bells and whistles customers want.”

From Entry-Level to Mainstream Appeal

Forest River first introduced the FR3 as a stand-alone offering. But it quickly grew into more than an entry-level motorhome, according to Cavitt.

He explains that Forest River initially aimed the FR3 at first-time Class A buyers, but it didn’t take long for the FR3 to gain traction and expand into a more mainstream market. This led Forest River to increase its chassis size, incorporate additional features and ultimately create the FR3 Plus two years ago to appeal to customers seeking a higher-end experience without leaving the FR3 family.

“The FR3 Plus offers full body paint, solid-surface countertops and power theater seats as standard,” he says. “It was designed for customers who owned an FR3 already but wanted to move up in product. At that time, the FR3 had nothing that would allow them to do that, so we risked losing them to something else.”

With the space and styling of a Class A, the FR3 Plus also offers the easy drivability of a Class C motorhome, making it ideal for families and adventurers, he adds.

With the FR3 Plus in the fold, dealers now have five different FR3 floorplans to offer customers: three standard FR3 layouts and two FR3 Plus layouts.

The FR3 Plus floorplans include the:

• FR3 33Z — 35-foot, 1-inch Class A with easy handling; a king bed, washer/dryer prep, a 15-cubic-foot fridge, solid-surface counters and a convertible dinette.
• FR3 Plus 35G — Offers a bath-and-a-half layout on a Ford F53 chassis; a residential kitchen with 15-cubic-foot fridge and hidden pantry; theater seats and a convertible dinette.

The standard FR3 layouts include the:

• FR3 30DS — This coach offers a wraparound dinette, hide-a-bed sofa, 15-cubic-foot fridge, a pantry, king bed, washer/dryer prep and a split bath.
• FR3 34DS — Features a bath and a half; a king bed slide with washer/dryer prep; theater seating, a fireplace, hidden pantry; booth dinette and a full kitchen.
• FR3 31DS — Shorter than the 34DS, this coach offers a full bath, king-bed slide, jackknife sofa, a booth dinette and an electric overhead bunk.

“This flexibility allows buyers to find a motorhome that fits their specific needs, from first-time buyers to seasoned RV enthusiasts,” he says. Cavitt adds Forest River prices the FR3 lineup to appeal to a broad range of buyers, with models ranging from $170,000 to $190,000.

One of the FR3’s most compelling aspects is its positioning between Class C and Class A motorhomes, he adds.

“It comes entry level to mid-level coaches,” Cavitt says. “It is a step above the Class C. With its longer chassis and larger dimensions than most Class C models, the FR3 provides buyers a bridge to Class A comfort without the bulk or expense of full-size models.”

Cavitt notes that the FR3 Class As also offer a visibility advantage. He explains that with a Class C, RVers walk down into a cab. “But with a Class A, you just walk straight into the cockpit, so you got a lot of view,” he says. “It has a huge windshield and expansive side windows to give a lot more visibility.”

Maximized Storage

Forest River emphasizes storage in every FR3, something Cavitt says is often overlooked in the Class A segment where storage is still an important commodity.

In the FR3, every compartment is thoughtfully designed for maximum usability, from rotocast washable, passthrough storage to clever cabinetry and pantry layouts.

Cavitt underscores the importance of storage for the FR3’s target audience, saying: “A lot of these people are not just traveling 50 miles. They are taking two-week trips, month-long trips and extended seasonal trips.”

More Amenities for Longer Trips

While the Class A market was traditionally dominated by buyers 55 and older, the pandemic and the rise of remote work have shifted the landscape.

“We now see a lot of younger families, travel nurses and travel doctors, insurance adjusters and more. It’s a great product for people who want to extend their travel season,” he says. “These buyers often use their FR3 as both a home and a workplace, staying in the motorhome for weeks or months at a time. The result is a demand for durable, functional and comfortable interiors that provide a home-away-from-home experience.”

The FR3 delivers with high-value amenities, he adds.

Forest River equips the FR3 with features typically reserved for higher-priced Class A models. Every FR3 includes solid hardwood cabinets, which Cavitt says is a rarity at this price point.

“We do all solid hardwoods. We don’t use any wrapped woods,” Cavitt explains. “Solid hardwood ensures longevity, quality and a premium feel for buyers seeking aesthetics and durability.”

The FR3 also includes residential refrigerators, stainless steel sinks, power theater seating and smart TVs depending on the floorplan. All bathrooms are spacious, featuring large showers, porcelain toilets and dual exhaust fans. There is a 6,000-kilowatt generator on every unit, and dual air-conditioning units with a “race-track plenum” ducting system allowing for separate climate zones between the front and rear of the coach.

“You can turn the front air on and turn the rear air off in the bedroom, and if you close the vents, it all runs into the bedroom,” Cavitt says. “So, you don’t have to have the air blowing directly down on you while it cools the coach off.”

The FR3 also caters to modern RVers with solar power, lithium batteries and Wi-Fi connectivity.

“The FR3 has a lithium battery and comes with 200 watts of solar, while the FR3 Plus has two lithium batteries and 400 watts of solar,” he says. “All FR3s come Wi-Fi ready. These features allow buyers to stay connected off-grid, whether at campgrounds, Walmart parking lots or in remote locations.”

In response to market demand and competition, Forest River has introduced an FR3 model on a smaller chassis.

This motorhome uses an 18,000-pound chassis with a 190-inch wheelbase, while the rest of the FR3s are built on a 22,000-pound chassis with a 228-inch wheelbase. This motorhome keeps all the features the FR3 is known for but is easier to drive and fits into smaller campsites. “This makes it a practical, cost-effective option for price-conscious buyers,” he says.

Top-Tier Construction & Quality

The FR3’s build quality is a point of pride, according to Cavitt.

The FR3 motorhome’s sidewalls and roof are constructed with aluminum and steel framing. Vacuum-bonded laminated walls and roofs, paired with rigorous quality control checks, ensure that every FR3 leaving the factory meets Forest River’s exacting standards.

Exterior options include gel-coated fiberglass with graphics for the standard FR3 and full-body paint for the FR3 Plus. Cavitt points out that the combination of sturdy construction and smart design means buyers get a dependable, attractive motorhome.

Dealer Support & Customer Satisfaction

A strong dealer network underpins the FR3’s success, Cavitt adds.

“The FR3 has been a Top 5 gas Class A for many years. That doesn’t happen without quality dealers representing and selling the product,” Cavitt says.

Forest River selects top dealers and trains them on the FR3’s features, construction and advantages over competitors to help them guide buyers through the purchase process confidently.

Future Trends & Innovations

Looking ahead, Forest River is attentive to evolving market trends, including increased interest in remote working from the road and the need for flexible, high-value features.

Forest River approaches FR3 upgrades by studying trends in high-end homes and premium products, drawing inspiration from the latest colors, features and innovative touches.

Cavitt shares that by translating these ideas into the motorhome, the FR3 continues to stay relevant and competitive as buyer expectations evolve.

With its clever design, premium features and versatile layouts, the FR3 makes stepping into a Class A motorhome effortless and fun. It combines comfort, style and value without compromise, giving RVers everything they need to hit the road with confidence.