Beginning our search for a new RV - Help

[Travlin Time]

Hello!
I think I have narrowed my search down to FR’s Rockwood Signature series… maybe!

My wife and I have looked at many different manufacturer’s cross referencing with floor plans and have kind of settled with 3 different RW’s
1 travel trailer and two small fifth wheels .

8263MBR
R301RKS. 5th wheel
R331RL. 5th wheel

Tongue pull or 5th wheel really doesn’t make a difference to me as far as pulling or maneuvering ( I was in heavy trucking , cranes and trailer load management in My 35 yr career).

I know Forest River’s reviews may not be the best but I take reviews with a grain of salt.

We looked at the “ higher end manufacturers and though they are very nice , they have similar reviews and are Simply out of our price range.

The overall construction of these Rockwoods is great - actually beyond that in my humble opinion.

We walked into so many units in hot days and most of them were baking inside and the Rockwoods were pleasingly comfortable- right along with the “ higher end brands” . Their solid surface counter tops are indeed solid surface and not foil wrapped. There wasn’t a piece of molding out of place or loose in any of these three. We were next to a heavily traveled freeway and the noise level from that was virtually inexistent . Foam insulated ( who know’s what kind lol) .

I’m looking for non biased reviews . As far as dealerships , from what we can tell it’s a crap shoot other than for Campers world and that is a definite No for us. As far as Warranties - these RW dogs are Supposed to be no questions asked but I have found out that is not true. As far as Extended warranties I think that is throwing money away “ especially if people are traveling a lot. It may be more costly to hire an independent for traveling repairs but you don’t have to haul into a service center to possibly be there for 6 weeks .

I have thick skin so please do not be afraid to pounce on me and get my thinking Corrected.

Oh- as far as the pex plumbing on these units I haven’t checked to see what kind of fasteners they use so I’ll need to figure that out also!

Thoughts? Help ? Much appreciated

[Palmeris]

They say you get what you pay for, but in the RV world you get less.

All of the mass produced RV's are junk in my opinion . Some will argue that for sure, some will say Forest river is better than Grand design, or Brinkley is better than Alliance, etc. But at the end of the day they are assembled using most of the same parts that the others use and by a work force that is generally paid by the piece . So they are all a crap shoot, again my opinion.

You didnt say what your expected use is. If weekend warrior or couple weeks vacation per year then any of your choices are fine for that. If extended stay, 4 season or full time....well I would want the 5ver for the additional living and storage vs TT regardless

I think you are spot on regarding the extended warranty, unless you have zero mechcanical skills or desires it's better to keep that money working for you until it's required to spend on a repair. And there will be repairs.

Wish you well and good luck in your research

[Travlin Time]

Originally Posted by Palmeris

They say you get what you pay for, but in the RV world you get less.

All of the mass produced RV's are junk in my opinion . Some will argue that for sure, some will say Forest river is better than Grand design, or Brinkley is better than Alliance, etc. But at the end of the day they are assembled using most of the same parts that the others use and by a work force that is generally paid by the piece . So they are all a crap shoot, again my opinion.

You didnt say what your expected use is. If weekend warrior or couple weeks vacation per year then any of your choices are fine for that. If extended stay, 4 season or full time....well I would want the 5ver for the additional living and storage vs TT regardless

I think you are spot on regarding the extended warranty, unless you have zero mechcanical skills or desires it's better to keep that money working for you until it's required to spend on a repair. And there will be repairs.

Wish you well and good luck in your research

Thanks for your input!

We’ll be traveling at least one week every month - January through October . For now I don’t see us staying any longer than a week ( our little dog will travel with us but we have a cat and unfortunately he’ll have to stay at a pet hotel)!

I have a shop that it will be stored in w/ 50 amp service but have plans to build a large - climate controlled shop for storage. I’m thinking that I’m going to go ahead and build the shop 50’ deep juuuust in case we end up with something larger in the future.

[Travlin Time]

I expanded my search and Fiver is out! My beautiful bride of 40yrs likes the floor plan on the Rockwood sig 8263MBR better than anything that I have managed to rummage up. Even the big fivers don’t have double sinks in the bathroom like this couples trailer does without having way too much of everything else we don’t want. Let it be written, let it be done . So I’m no stranger to hauling/ towing but a tongue pull tt is a little different. I’ve read more than I want to read on ytube on hitch set ups and I’m starting to think that with my 2500 4door lwb vs length and weight ratio of this particular trailer I may not need anymore than I already have- standard B&W adjustable drop hitch . I’m installing my air bags helpers and the tongue weight though more than a lot of similar trailers is not really that much. I have an anti sway bar included in the sale but I doubt I’m going to need it- Scream at me if I’m wrong. If it was a short bed or a light weight 1/2 ton or SUV that would be a different story. Am I just carrying a conversation on with myself and Palmeris here?

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by Travlin Time

Thanks for your input!

We’ll be traveling at least one week every month - January through October . For now I don’t see us staying any longer than a week ( our little dog will travel with us but we have a cat and unfortunately he’ll have to stay at a pet hotel)!

I have a shop that it will be stored in w/ 50 amp service but have plans to build a large - climate controlled shop for storage. I’m thinking that I’m going to go ahead and build the shop 50’ deep juuuust in case we end up with something larger in the future.

Are you sure that you want a trailer and not a motorhome? Frequent moves, trailers are work. If you electric for AC, and a good fuel supply for heat in winter, the motorhome rules. Just a thought.

[Goettsch]

Sway bar is for trailer control not pickup control. Certainly not a bad idea.

[twogypsies]

I hope you don't rely heavily on the double sinks in the bathroom! They should be in the kitchen, instead. Trust me, I really doubt both of you will be in the small bathroom at one time.

We've had a trailer and 5th wheel and I would never choose a trailer as the best. A 5th wheel is so much easier to tow and set up/disconnect. There is also more outside storage space in a 5th wheel.

[Gooma]

Go for a fifth wheel. More stable towing, and easier setup.
Why would anyone need double sinks in the bathroom? Just another gimmick.

[Travlin Time]

Originally Posted by Gooma

Go for a fifth wheel. More stable towing, and easier setup.
Why would anyone need double sinks in the bathroom? Just another gimmick.

Oh I hear ya but I’ve always purchased things the way I wanted them lol. She wants this so I’m going to make her happy even though it will be more work for me !

[Travlin Time]

Originally Posted by d23haynes57

Are you sure that you want a trailer and not a motorhome? Frequent moves, trailers are work. If you electric for AC, and a good fuel supply for heat in winter, the motorhome rules. Just a thought.

A motor home would be nice but they are out of my price range.

[db4570]

That's a nice looking camper with an interesting layout. It's heavy- 8000# empty, but your truck should handle it fine if you don't load too much stuff in the camper or truck, and set up your WD hitch correctly. Are you someone who travels with all the comforts of home, or can you keep it reasonable? Check your truck payload capacity to be safe, and subtract trailer tongue weight and stuff in the truck.

I have had 3 Forest River campers of different configurations, and I think the important stuff they do well (chassis, running gear, exterior, structure) but, especially on my latest one, the interior fit and finish is pretty sloppy, as are some of the mechanical details. For instance, door latches not installed correctly, furnace panel loose, sink drain kinked, other dumb little stuff that I had to fix. I like doing little mods to my campers anyway, so these weren't a big deal.

Good luck! Have fun!

[Beamer2022]

A lot depends on what TV you have. Does it have the cargo capacity for the 1500 lbs. tongue, 100 lbs. hitch and everything else you put in the truck? Any 3/4 to 1 ton should do.

How do you plan to use the RV? Do you set up and stay, or do you set up and leave and explore. If you explore, you won't be in the RV except for evenings. It makes a difference in what you want and how you use it.

If you explore and are away from the RV most days, you might want to make sure you don't base a decision completely on what it's like when you are there. If you park and stay, you might want to make sure you make your decision completely on what it's like when you are there.

Good Luck

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by Travlin Time

A motor home would be nice but they are out of my price range.

Are you also buying a truck? Looking at new trailers?
Going used you can likely get into a motor home at similar cost.
What does your heart want? Maybe we can help you get there.

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by Travlin Time

Oh I hear ya but I’ve always purchased things the way I wanted them lol. She wants this so I’m going to make her happy even though it will be more work for me !

Happy Wife...Happy Life.