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Helpful Tools

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Our Helpful Tools Assist You Before, During and After Your Purchase

Whether you are purchasing your first commercial bus or are needing to add vehicles to your existing fleet, we have provided these helpful tools to assist you. Below you will find answers to our customer’s most frequently asked questions, industry definitions and a collection of How-To Videos. Forest River Bus wants to ensure a positive experience with all our vehicles as our goal is to have customers for life.

Answers to Our Most Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

Visit the Contact Us page to locate the contact information for the specific brand that you need customer service for.

For Sales: Dealer Locator

General Information

No – we do not sell factory direct. In order to assure the best possible experience, we encourage customers to work and purchase from the Authorized Brand Dealer located in your territory. You can find the Authorized Dealer in your territory by selecting a brand and entering you state/province on our Dealer Locator.

To receive an elevation please contact your Authorized Dealer. Please have the following information available and allow 48 hours to receive unit specific information.

  • Elkhart Coach Unit Number –found on Vehicle Safety Certification Label
  • Chassis VIN

Vehicle Safety Certification Labels may need to be replaced due to loss, or modifications made to increase/decrease maximum capacity. Please note any vehicle capacity adjustment must be approved and weights verified by Elkhart Coach’s Engineering Department prior. Replacement labels can be ordered through the Service Department, found on our Contact Us page.

Parts, Chassis & Serial Number Information

Contact your authorized Elkhart Coach Dealer.

The Elkhart Coach dealer network is the exclusive distributor of Elkhart Coach parts. Utilize the dealer locator to find the dealer nearest you. Your satisfaction is very important to us. Should you need additional assistance in finding a dealer or experience difficulty obtaining the parts you need, please feel free to contact us via our Contact Us portal.

The Serial Number can be found in the following places:

  • Title
  • Insurance Policy
  • Driver’s Side, Lower Corner of Windshield
  • Vehicle Safety Certification Label in the Driver’s Door

This is a very common question with the Commercial Bus industry, not just Elkhart Coach. The chassis for a conversion product is purchased from the chassis manufacturer (Ford, Chevy, International, or Freightliner) as an “Incomplete Vehicle” with an established chassis serial number. When Elkhart Coach completes the conversion, we assign a model year and a Elkhart Coach serial number. The Commercial Bus industry and the chassis manufacturer model years change at different times. For example Elkhart Coach was built on a 2018 chassis in December; however, the bus was not completed until early 2019, the chassis and conversion years are different.

The value of the Elkhart Coach is determined by the fiscal year the vehicle is completed, not necessarily the model year of the chassis. This may vary by state.

Owner / Maintenance / Warranty Manuals

Owner’s Manuals are placed on a USB and shipped within the vehicle from the factory to the dealer. An Owner’s Manual can also be downloaded here.

Regularly scheduled maintenance is a necessity to keep your vehicle in tip top shape, and the best way to avoid downtime associated with costly repair work. Forest River Bus has produced a simple maintenance checklist for all users which can be accessed here.

  • Forest River Bus introduced a comprehensive, 5 year/100,000 mile warranty late 2018. To view how our available warranties, please visit our Manuals link. elkhartcoach.com/manuals
  • Forest River Bus strives to stay ahead of the curve to bring our customers the best quality product with the best possible warranty.
 

Forest River Bus Classifications and Commonly Used Terms


Product Classification

Product Classification describes the use, capacity and required testing for buses that share a substantial degree of commonality in construction, chassis, frame and body. Upgraded options, equipment and price range does not have a specific trade mark associated with classification.

Mobility Van
A wheelchair-accessible van, or mobility van, is a vehicle that has been modified by increasing the interior size of the vehicle and equipping it with a means of wheelchair entry, such as a ramp or lift.
Light-Duty Commercial
Light-Duty vehicles are made up of three different commercial truck classes which are determined by weight or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Light-Duty vehicles have a GVWR range of 0 – 14,000 lbs., or 0 – 6,350 kg. A CDL (Commercial Driving License) may be required for a Light-Duty vehicle. Check with your state regulations.
Medium-Duty Commercial
Medium-Duty vehicles are made up of three different commercial truck classes which are determined by weight or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Restrictions). Medium-Duty vehicles have a GVWR range of 14,001 – 26,000 lbs., or 6,351 – 11,793 kg. A CDL (Commercial Driving License) may be required for a Medium-Duty vehicle. Check with your state regulations.
Heavy-Duty Commercial
Heavy-Duty vehicles are made up of two different commercial truck classes which are determined by weight or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Restrictions). Heavy-Duty vehicles have a GVWR range of 26,001 lbs. or higher, or 11,794 kg. or higher. A CDL (Commercial Driving License) is required for any Heavy-Duty vehicle.
 
Terms and Definitions

The maximum permissible weight of the vehicle when fully loaded. It includes all weights, inclusive of all fluids, luggage, passengers and optional equipment. For safety and product performance do NOT exceed the advised GVWR.
Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards are U.S. federal regulations specifying design, construction, performance, and durability requirements for motor vehicles and regulated automobile safety-related components, systems and design features.
The Department of Transportation serves the United States by ensuring a safe and accessible, nationwide transportation system. Each state also has their own Department of Transportation, which provides specific transportation regulations per state.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides and enforces vehicle performance standards, and partners with state and local governments to reduce injuries, deaths and economic losses from motor vehicle crashes.
Commercial Driving License is required to drive commercial motor vehicles over a specific GVWR. States may also require drivers to have a CDL to operate vehicles legally. Prospective licensees should verify CDL requirements per state specific CDL Manual.
Under the ADA, the Department of Transportation issues and enforces accessibility standards for transportation vehicles. These requirements apply to new or remanufactured vehicles. Specific ADA regulations can be found at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/ada-regulations
Compressed Natural Gas is an alternative fuel vehicle utilizing natural gas rather than gasoline or diesel. Existing gasoline-powered or diesel vehicles may be converted to run on CNG and is used due to convenience and being cost effective.

We have created a variety of how-to videos to help you perform general maintenance and routine tasks on your Elkhart Coach. Additionally, we have partnered with some of our main suppliers to provide videos that are specific to their products being used in your Elkhart Coach.

+ View Our How-To Videos