Rockwood Fifth Wheels

I contract to dealers in my area to transport TTs and FWs direct from the builders to the lot. I have done this for a number of years and it has given me some insight into the build process and quality of many RVs. I have been able to watch the builds (unsupervised) in progress and, as you can imagine, I have seen some interesting things.

The builder makes it, but the dealer can break it! An indifferent or careless dealer can turn minor issues into major ones. You need to spend as much time checking into your dealer as you do in the selection of your unit.

When it came down to it, I purchased the Flagstaff(Rockwood) shown in my sig. I liked the fact that they did independent quality control checks at several stations along the build line. The most important thing to me was that I received what I paid for. "Bang for the Buck". So far, so good, minor issues, mostly of my own making.

Ken

texasclarks wrote:
I think you might have been looking at a Redwood vs Rockwood.

Rockwoods are nice, but definitely not $114K.

agree ... around here Rockwood 5ers window sticker in the mid $40's and can be bought in the mid to upper $30's

Jim

My father bought one last May, his 3rd fiver. Can't remember the model number but it's 30'. It has been nothing but a nightmare. A lot of the problem is the dealer but the cause was the fiver. I looked at it after they bought it and was surprised by the poor build quality compared to previous Rockwoods I have seen, especially the roof. The roof is made of several panels, sloped down like most fivers, covered by the rubber membrane which wraps over the sides a few inches. You can feel large gaps under the rubber between the panels and the edges where the roof meets the walls have sharp shards of ply under it which poked through the rubber. The caulking was horrendous as well.

My parents usually go east for the month of July so that was their shakedown trip last year. The roof leaked in several places, the front cap had warped, caulking was missing, the rear slide was misaligned which scuffed the vinyl floor, plus a few other minor issues. It went back to the dealer for repairs when they got back. The dealer had it for several weeks, fixed a few small things and said it was good. I couldn't believe what they had done. They said the cap problem was "normal", smeared white lap sealant all over the roof seams (the trailer is brown and taupe!), it still leaked and the floor wasn't fixed. Back to the dealer it went. The dealer then said the skylight was cracked and causing the leak which ran under the roof membrane all the way to the back of the trailer. They replaced the skylight, recaulked and said it was good. It was not, the damage was done. Several spots on the ceiling were water logged. The dealer refused to believe it and said it would be fine when it dried out. It was now September and we refused to accept it until it was fixed. They had it all winter until this May.

The new season is starting and still no trailer. We requested a new one and the manufacturer refused. Their solution was for my parents to keep it for the summer and then return it to the dealer in the fall when it would be sent back to the manufacturer to have the entire roof replaced! Can't wait to see what that looks like.

Oh, and now 2 of the 4 tires are weather cracked on the sidewalls from sitting on the dealers lot.

Hoping for others that it's just one lemon.....

The DW and I own a Rockwood Sig. UL 5W. Traded our Keystone Passort for it back in March of this year. Completed our annual out west trip (21 days) on 23rd of May. 3800 mile tow. Ours has the two recliners in rear that we really like for end of day relaxation.

Only a couple of minor problems. The hotwater heater does not heat as good on gas only as it does on electric only. Have just been using gas / elec at same time until it get it figured out or take it back to dealer.
Other problem is that the black tank drain line, due to location of the black tank, does not get flushed when you drain the grey water tank. Thought the black tank drain valve was leaking but was not. Must use the tank flush connection or at least flush a couple full toilet loads of water down with the drain valve open to get the drain line flushed out.
The 5er is a lightweight. A sticker on the bumper says you'll void the warranty if you add any weight to the bumper.
They have the torsion flex axles, no springs.
Had a flat west of Tulsa, Ok due to road debris. A good kid in some company van waved us down before any damage was done to the trailer. Have ordered a Tire Pressure monitoring system for installation .
I'm towing with the reese revolution sidewinder pinbox which was great not to worry about tight turns but I was getting minor sway in heavy cross winds.
Oh ya, the bed is really comfortable.

Arkidog

I have a Flagstaff (Same box just different stickers) Kind of like GMC/Chevrolet.

No major issues. A few minor one's.
Concertone Audio/DVD was a piece of junk: Replaced with a small Home Theater.

Had a sliding interior door track come loose. (was not installed correctly) Fixed myself.

Mine is a 2009 that we ordered from the factory and received in March of 2008.
Dealer was good to us.

I would consider them again if making another trailer purchase.


Bill

I was looking at some rvs in South Fork Co. They have a Redwood sitting there on consigment. It is 1 year old. Stated they could not sell it until they took care of some problems inside. Said the inside was pretty bad. I guess if you wanted one this could be bought pretty cheap. Could not go in.

I've owned a Rockwood 24' fifth wheel for just short of 8 yrs
Had to replace 2 faucets on it because of hard water
It has almost 3 yrs worth of use(5mo x 7yrs) and has been a solid unit
BTW, this is my 2nd Rockwood. Owned 1st one for 5 yrs and was also solid
JMHO

Looked at a Rockwood lite. Thought it was pretty nice but decided it may not be up to double towing.

ROADSTARJR wrote:
I know that I looked at one 2 weeks ago 114,000.00 looked nice but wow

I think you might have been looking at a Redwood vs Rockwood.

Rockwoods are nice, but definitely not $114K.

I have a Rockwood TT and have had very minor issues with it. I will consider it (or other Forest River Products) once we look to upgrade.