Leaking Aqualon on New Starcrafts??

[Mike_Up]

We had a Starcraft 2007 2406.

We really liked the Starcraft but both bunkends leaked in the corners. Starcraft replaced one bunk end but with the wrong design. It fit but not very good. They changed bunkend designs mid 2007 and were being shutdown (due to economy) in 2008 when we were having it fixed. Essentially Jayco shut them down and we didn't want to continue to fight to get it fixed so we traded to a Jay Flight travel trailer. We were really wanting a travel trailer anyhow.

I also had a 2005 Rockwood Freedom 2290 pop up and it was in the shop more than the campground. Piece of garbage.

I really liked the Starcraft's build quality other than it's lousy Aqualon tent.

We live in a snow area and I often had both pop ups opened in the winter with snow on the bunkends. The rockwood never, never leaked while I couldn't keep the Starcraft from leaking.

I'm thinking the Starcraft leaked because the Aqualon vinyl 'soaked' tarp had no stretch and the snow weight pulled opened the needle holes, and the tarp would never go back to it's original shape/size.

The Rockwood had a more flexible vinyl 'coated' tarp and the needle holes never did open. Not nearly as durable as the Aqualon as I had to patch some torn vinyl on the bunkend roofs, but it never leaked.

Has anyone ever had leaking problems after having snow on the bunkends with Aqualon?? The leaks were major with a pencil width stream of water flowing out of the corners, soaking the beds within minutes!!

The reason I'm asking is that we are moving, and finding a spot for our 26BH Jay Flight is getting difficult. We want to stay in a specific area, and many homes with property for our Jay Flight, are not in our price range. So we may go back to a pop up to get a more affordable home since we don't like storing our campers. We do need a camper big enough to sleep a family of 5 also with the comforts of a travel trailer.

I like the Starcraft floorplans but am very leary of going with one again since they are still using Aqualon.

Thinking about this camper with the hard wall bathroom for wife and kids.

Also thinking about this camper with bathroom but it still uses Aqualon.
Trying to stay away from Forest River brands but who knows.

We will do everything we can to find a place that will accommodate the 26BH but want a back up plan.

Thanks for your help.

[RimCountry]

Have you considered not buying new? If "old school" is what you want, there are plenty of gently used pop-ups out there with all the stuff they had in the Good Ol' Days, and they're surely a whole lot cheaper than anything right off the lot.

[ryanb-72]

storage is an added expense and one I did not want to pay. We live on a couple of acres and have room for a camper but after trying to cover ours at home and then looking at adding a carport or something similar..... We finally gave in and found storage. We now have a completely enclosed storage so we never worry about hail or rain and the decals still look new. The monthly payment is not the best but keeping the camper "safe" is a great benefit. Good luck with your move whatever you decide.

[Mike_Up]

BudRock wrote:
I'd be hesitant do buy anything from Forest River again. Just don't hold up no matter how well you try to maintain them. Not much out there that is not Forest River.

Yeh, they bought up Palomino and Coachmen/Viking and have switched them to their build quality which isn't saying much.

Well maybe a storage facility is the only option if we can't find a home with property.

[BudRock]

I'd be hesitant do buy anything from Forest River again. Just don't hold up no matter how well you try to maintain them. Not much out there that is not Forest River.

[Mike_Up]

Hum, after looking at the floorplans I posted links to, Jayco and Starcraft, I notice there's no storage anywhere!

There's no hanging cabinets like I had in the previous Starcraft and Rockwood, and little to no cabinet tops or storage cabinets at all. There's also no ceiling fold up hanger bars. Where do people put their food, water, clothes, and such??? Can't stand clutter so having rubber made boxes everywhere is not an option.

Our previous campers had plenty of storage but these new ones don't. I don't think either will work now because with a family of 4 or 5, we have absolutely nowhere to put anything for the kids or us. Very disappointing.

I wish there were still standard pop up 14' floorplans like yesteryear but now only 12' and under unless you go to a highwall.

Looks like this one will work but it's a Forest River.