Forester

History

Company shut down before 1985. Not sure of exact date.

Manufacturer Information

FORESTER Campers were manufactured by FOREST CITY INDUSTRIES, located in Forest City, IA

FORESTER Camper Frames were mfg by BLOCK TRAILER CO..

The FORESTER 2“ tongue hitches were mfg by MARVEL CO.

Years built

1958-1979

How to tell the year of your trailer.

On the top of the hitch rail, numbers are stamped directly into the metal, possibly rusted/painted over. The first digit is the year, so if the first number is a “3”, then it was a 1963, etc. The last two digits indicate the model. If the last two digits were a “14” then it was a 14 foot unit. A 17T (T for toilet) would have “17T” at the end of the entire number. If the last digit is a “L” , this is a “Low” height model, such as the CUB models.

Other ways of dating your trailer.

Oftentimes the vin# cannot be read off of the hitch rail due to rust/paint ect & the date cannot be determined. You may have to date the trailer indirectly by dating the parts the trailer was made from. Marvel Co , mfg of the FORESTER hitches, dated the connecting tongue hitch directly by stamping the top with very small digits. These hitches were dated with the numeral equivalent of the month and year, “2-67” would be February – 1967. These dates only reflect when the hitch was made and not necessarily the date the camper was made, although most of the time the camper was made the same year as the hitch. The HYDRO-FLAME Furnace sometimes has a quality control inspection sticker that is dated. Remove furnace access panel, look inside using a flash light, check all parts and surfaces for these stickers. The HOLIDAY Stove/Oven, Range Hood, Icebox/Fridge, LP Lighting or the main Electric Fuse Box may also be dated or may have these types of inspection stickers.

Models

Lengths Includes Tongue

? Ft. KAYOTE
14 L Ft. CUB
14 Ft.
15 L Ft. Low Model
15 Ft.
16 L Ft. Low Model
16 Ft.
17 L Ft. Low Model (Longest Lowline Model made by Forester)
17 Ft.
20 FT.
23 FT.
24 Ft.

Interiors

Pre 1965 1/8” birchwood plywood walls. Pine framed birchwood cabinets, 1/8“ birchwood plywood ceilings. 1965- 1968 birch wood Veneer Paneling, Solid Wood Cabinet framing, Vinyl Board Ceilings with Cloth & faux Leather-Vinyl seats and curtains.

Standard Features

Aluminum Siding “Skin” w/ Baked Enamel Paint, Awning Track Rail

Front Booth Style Dinette, Hadco 300 Refrigerator, Holiday Range Stove/Oven, Sink, Humphrey Products Gas Light, Rear Goucho Sofabed, Foldaway Framed bunks or Canvas Sling beds overhead the Goucho or over the dinette.HydroFlame Furnace, overhead vent, 12volt DC lighting & 110AC lighting/outlets, 3/4” Water connector “City Water hook-up” supplies a standard Cold Water Faucet & Clean Water Tank supplies a Hand-pump Style Faucet. Additional Fold-out end/side tables.

Storage includes a Large Full Length Closet w/removable shelving, Cabinetry Overhead & Under Countertop, “Chest-top” or “Trunk Style” dinette seats/booths with side access panel. Large storage area under Goucho w/multiple ways to access including an exterior panel. Built-in magazine/book rack.

Unique features/Options

Early Forester travel trailers (1959-1968)kept the classic canned ham shape. They are one of the last small trailer manufacturers to keep this classic shape through the 60’s.