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Radio
Starting Member
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 22 2009 : 9:10:13 PM
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Here's our first impressions of the new camper, that I wrote down back in July when we first picked it up.
Stuff we like:
NO LEAKS! ANYWHERE!!
Has very good towing manners, no problem for the F-150 to pull. Very well behaved on uneven, bumpy roads and on the freeway with big trucks passing.
I will improve transmission cooling (yes, I have the tow package) before next summer.
The kitchen! Huge counter space and more cabinet space than I think we'll ever need. Massive pantry.
The way the faucet head is also a spray nozzle on a hose and looks and works great at the same time.
The lift tubes on the overhead cabinets keep the doors firmy open OR shut.
The refrigerator worked great in 90 degree heat, and so did the A/C. In fact all the major systems we used on the trip were flawless. Did not use water pump or furnace. Even the Concertone XZ600 worked great!
The matress is a full (real) queen and slept very well.
The lights in the basement! And by the steps.
All the chairs are comfy, we saw no problems with interior fit and finish. Like the hidden storage in the dining room chair seats. (Shhh! It's a secret)
We like all the storage in the bedroom, three wardrobes and some drawers.
The toilet room has a window! Like the open bath layout. Like the tiny tub in the bottom of the shower.
Improvements Forest River made over the previous year models:
The water pump relocated to make more cabinet space. And is on the opposite end of the trailer from the bedroom.
The slide out motor relocated to somewhere besides between the street side wheels, under the slide...now protected and out of the way...somewhere.
The "accordion" style bedroom door replaced by pocket door. Nice.
First mods I will make:
We have the table and chairs. The strap to hold the chairs in place lets them fall over, as there are no rugs on the legs for the strap to catch on. (You sort of have to see it to understand) I'm going to put small hooks on the chairs to hold the strap in place to see if that helps.
The water filter is behind a cabinet door that is screwed shut. (WHY?) That will get a knob and catch to make servicing the filter easy. Also will "shock mount" the water pump. Everybody does that.
Don't like:
The kitchen drawers are under the optional counter extention. I saw that one coming and bought the trailer anyway. The way the sink is arranged it's difficult to place a dish drainer on the counter to drain into the sink. No big deal. Pretty sort list, huh?
Boo-boos:
The kitchen table was mounted too close to the wall and the day/night shade will not come all the way down. Cordless screwdriver to the rescue. The laundry basket, when placed on the basement deck, doesn't like up with the laundry chute (hole?) I think that's a design issue. Prop up the end of the basket with something and move it closer to the compartment door and it works OK.
Since then:
I ran over a local dealers gate post (whooops!!) And what I found was the gate post was no match for the trailer! The wall construction was remarkably undamaged. I find I dislike the laundry chute and have covered it over with a piece of foam insulation board because it's just a 10 x 10 hole to the outside world. Really loads the A/C or the heater, depending. With this bathroom layout there's just no real good place to store towels, so I put two towel bars in the toilet room. The fan in there helps dry a damp towel. The one that came with the trailer went in the kitchen.
Those little plastic hooks on the shower (Dollar Store) sure come in handy. Also note the SAME Weather Radio on the TV shelf. Had to make my own 12 vdc outlet to plug the thing into, as there was not a single one anywhere in the trailer. Gheeze. Not one. But from here, it sure looks longer than 28 ft.
Those reading pillows (Target) will convert any RV bedroom into a suitable library.
The table is homemade to hold ham radio equipment. The other chair is in my wife's "office"
Can't get over the storage in this floorplan.
We did a "test fit" in a booth at an RV show. Our knees touched under the table! So we got the table and chairs.
The first week we had the camper at a KOA in Ohio. We asked for and got a manual awning. Don't know why they put blue awnings on trailers trimmed out in tan and brown.
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milzat
Administrator
USA
1119 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2009 : 05:27:27 AM
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Thanks for the review, Radio.
DW and I love this floor-plan.
Mike
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Rock8280WS
Junior Member
Canada
53 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2009 : 10:45:16 AM
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Wade (Radio),
I agree with your comments for our quite similar floorplan.
Suggestion for the kitchen table and chairs :
we have kept the plastic bubbled wrapper that we place around the center table foot, then strap the 4 chairs by one corner foot each around it. No scratch, no movement when travelling up till now.
Rock8280WS 
2008 Rockwood 8280WS Fifthwheel
2000 GMC Sierra
DW & DH + one "Bichon frisé" Alarm System
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Edited by - Rock8280WS on Mar 24 2009 10:47:21 AM |
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Bud
Junior Member
Canada
22 Posts |
Posted - Apr 12 2009 : 7:41:03 PM
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Hi Radio: We have the same unit 2007 variety and we have had some issues with it. Despite these issues we love the floor plan and room. We also have our chute covered for mostly same reasons. Will be interested in hearing how your front nose cap is after a year or so. We have had ours repaired, separation from trim and large gap to allow moisture across just above the pin. Had it repaired in June 2008, worked ok for a few months and needed more done and recaulking in Oct. Took home and did not move until end of Jan. 09 and off to Florida and before we got there was coming apart again. It is in the shop right now hopefully with a good repair to come. Different shop as came home to our dealer out of business.
We are so glad we purchased the 2nd year of warranty from Forest River and so far they have come good on most.
Have been directly in touch with Jonathan Gust warranty manager and he has been quite helpful. Fingers crossed to get all sorted out and soon.
We really like the trailer overall despite the "stuff" that has been going wrong. Too bad the quality control is not better to avoid the annoyances.
On the road again eh! from east side of Algonquin Park
Ernie and Karen |
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2009 Rockwood 8280SS review
