Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2018 Forest River Wildcat
The 2018 Forest River Wildcat has several recalls, primarily involving the electrical system and equipment. Buyers should be diligent in checking for compliance with recalls and understanding potential safety risks due to wiring and labeling issues. Despite minimal owner complaints, the tires and brakes need close scrutiny during inspection.
Known issues to inspect
Incorrect wiring of safety switch
How to check: Verify break-away safety switch is wired to a constant power source.
Incorrect tire and rim information
How to check: Ensure the placard lists correct tire and rim combinations.
Incorrect weight ratings
How to check: Check GAWR and GVWR information for accuracy.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Pre-drive inspection
What to check: Confirm safety switch wiring is correct.
Red flag: Incorrect wiring detected
- 02
Initial movement
What to check: Verify trailer brakes engage properly.
Red flag: No braking when detached
- 03
Driving straight
What to check: Check for smooth suspension performance.
Red flag: Excessive bouncing or noise
- 04
Tire check after drive
What to check: Inspect tire condition and alignment.
Red flag: Mismatched tire sizes
- 05
Post-drive inspection
What to check: Check for worn or damaged brake components.
Red flag: Uneven or excessive wear
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the break-away switch recall been resolved?
- Are tire and rim combinations correct?
- What is the tire tread condition?
- Are the GAWR and GVWR labels correct?
- Were any suspension repairs done?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall completion records
- Maintenance records
- Tire replacement receipts
- Brake inspection reports
Generated by gpt-4o on 7/25/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2018 Forest River Wildcat.