Undercover RV tech reviews Rockwood Ultralight RV from Forest River
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
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In this video I'll be reviewing a 2023 model Rockwood Ultralight 2720IK travel trailer from Forest River. Floorplan - www.rvusa.com/...
Hired a pro inspector prior to purchasing a 2024 Wildcat. He found a multitude of problems including bubbles in the roof. The dealer is now filing a warranty claim with Forest River. This would have been my problem had i not hited an inspector. Your channel enlightened me a great deal. Thank you!
Your reviews are excellent! However, id really love to see a review on which RV make, model, and year TO buy, as opposed to which one's to avoid. Perhaps more grade A and high B models and less C and F models. Thank you!
I’ve got a 2608SB rocwood front kitchen and wardrobe slide in bedroom. Bought it a yr old in 2020. It’s well built. Fit & finish is great. It’s performed well and so far we’ve. Not had issue worth talking about with it. U have to remember. It’s a square box on wheels that gets the shit beat out of it rolling down the road. U will have things happen. But as long as u take care of it. Inspect it all around periodically and keep up its Maintance u will be good. Mine doesn’t set in weather when not in use. It’s under a roof all the time when we’re home. That’s a big plus. The sun will destroy anything. So keep that in mind also. Drain the water heater after every trip, and keep all seals and rubber strips lubed up along with slide mechanism. Small tips from past experiences. But I do believe Rockwood is in top 5 travel trailers to but. Also walk the roof every now & then.
Thank you for reviewing the Rockwood. You obviously read requests from your fans!
Thanks for watching!
I bought a Rockwood Signature, brand new custom order. The issues began immediately. On the closet slide out (Schwintek)…the fiberglass of the front facing sidewall of the slide box spider cracked. Had the wall section replaced, and a year later it cracked again on the new fiberglass wall. The walls are only an inch thick and and do not have sufficient bracing/studs; also doesn’t help that Rockwood followed none of the Lippert installation requirements for the Schwintek system (rollers and wall backing/reinforcement). Rockwood will do NOTHING about it. I’ve also had a bent axle from the factory (Dexter replaced it), a wheel randomly fall off on the road, roof material incorrectly installed and bubbling up on the slide outs, I had to completely re-plumb the rig with pex and proper fittings because of leaks, ceiling panels were falling down because they weren’t glue laminated properly at the factory (so Rockwood stapled it up, but the staples only go into foam because the roof is made like a luan board foam sandwich, and the list continues to grow. It’s a complete piece of junk and the manufacturer does NOT stand behind their product. All of the Indiana produced RV’s a complete junk!! Avoid at all costs!
Thank You for your informative and eye opening videos. Hopefully as more people watch and learn from the videos and speak out, the RV industry will take notice and give us a consistently higher quality product. I for one would gladly pay a bit more to get an "A" or even "B" graded RV that I can rely on. I won't even consider a "C" or lower rated RV. I'll be sharing this with my RV friends. Thanks again!
Thanks! I would encourage to to let you salesman /dealership know what you value, and what you won't buy. They need to be aware of a problem that is impacting sales so they can decide how to handle it. Thanks for watching!
Thank you, been looking at the Rockwood line of travel trailers. And keep educating us all to keep us vigilant. Keeping RV manufacturers from continuing to produce badly plumbed trailers might work if we all demand that quality.
Make sure and let you salesman know if bad plumbing is a deal breaker for you. They will pass the word up the ladder!
Glad you are speaking out on plumming. Had damage on my 2021 ALTA the six RV I purchased since 1980. Had it repaired and they fixed it the same way. When I had the same leaks again I replaced fittings leaking with brass and continue to monitor for leaks.
I have worked as a Industrial Piping Designer since 1972. Tried to get through to Forest River management to tell them of their out of code piping. Blocked by the lieutenants. Keep calling it out.
Sorry to hear that, yes I'm pushing for reform in the industry. RVIA is largely to blame for not enforcing the code. It may come down to a class action lawsuit, but I'm confident the facts are on our side.
@@undercoverrvtech I took videos of the pipes leaks. ALTA 2100 MBH leaks on CZcams. 3 Holiday Ramblers, 1 Haulmark Toy Hauler and a 2013 Keystone Cougar. Live all of them combined for over 15 years and not 1 leak. Can’t believe they get by with this.
I taped videos on my leaks. If you searched on CZcams ALTA 2100 leaks you should find them. If you need them you can use them.
Here is my Playlist about the problem and ways to fix it if it helps you. RV Plumbing Leaks: czcams.com/play/PLRhkJB7TNcSn2U5sDy5ic2iWr8kFxxd_N.html
Thanks for all you’ve opened our eyes to.. I asked JoshtheRVNERD .. if he would please open the cabinet doors for the sinks so we can see if the plumbing is correct before driving 1-1 1/2 hours to find out.. he was open to the suggestion
It is going to be difficult for any salesman to add plumbing to their online reviews because even saying that a RV has good plumbing leaves people wondering about the ones that might have bad plumbing. You can't comment on the good without calling attention to the problem in the industry and de-influencing sales of badly plumbed RVs that are already in inventory. From what I've seen, Alliance and Keystone are always correct. Everyone else is hit or miss, or just always terrible.
If you take my shopping course it will show you all the areas to inspect. Under sinks is one, but also behind toilets, the back of the water heater, water pump connections, and behind the water panel are all areas to check. Often the under sink connections are correct, like on Cedar Creek, but in the cargo area behind service panels the are tons of bad connections.
How can we tell by looking at a fitting? The one behind the toilet, looked like the other fittings you use for repairs? Have you ever used the brass fittings that say they are for joining Pex to expandable flex pipe, that use Pex looking pressed on connections? Thanks
Yup, I have everything I need to re-plumb my Rockwood. Now I need to go out and look at the frame!
These manufacturers deserve every bit of grief they get for their poor plumbing. Another excellent RV review! I suggest you make a spreadsheet of these reviews on your website.
Thanks! I actually incude all my reviews as well as all the scores my undercover shoppers have done using my app in a database that is a part of my paid RV shoppers course. Here is the link if you would like to learn more, undercoverrvshopper.com/
Thank you for reviewing a Rockwood !!!!
Thanks for your reviews, Jacob. Last year I bought a 2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS travel trailer. This our 4th Rockwood so I obviously have a fair bit of confidence in their quality but I’ll have to check all the plumbing fittings. The good thing about our particular model is the plumbing fittings are all easy to access. We considered a Cougar model but I’m not a fan of their use of cable slides and Furrion appliances.
Thanks for reviewing Rockwood/Flagstaff. I have a 2019 Flagstaff E-Pro 19BH (bought used about 1 year ago) and to my untrained eye, it appears to be well built. Now I wonder if the plumbing in my unit is correct (fortunately, I have not had any plumbing issues). Hopefully, you will review one of the E-Pro/Geo Pro units soon.
Jacob, Very good report. appreciate your input
Much appreciated!
Any plans to review Jayco? Thinking about 30 ish footer bunkhouse.
Many thanks
Here is a review that includes a Jayco. Also I have some in my shorts so be sure to check those out. czcams.com/video/Vm7Zeq6t9a0/video.html
Please do a review on a grand design 2670 mk, luv the channel 👍
Check out the 2025 rockwoods. They changed the plumbing.
I would love to hear a review between rockwood ultra lite 2606ws and a alliance delta 262rb thanks and I love the show
I'm looking at a smaller unit in the ultra lights in a year or so and so I sent an email to the compliance people myself with a link to your 30 second review on the plumbing. The frame thing is of interest but knowing it is a Lippert, I have to wonder about their "responsibility" for that AND is it different by specific model since they are different sizes etc. Another between the lines thing is how you mentioned that this is one that is asked about the most in relation to your reviews. If your objective review harms sales, I would hope they would do everything they could to make em right. And the simple fact that some Forest River plants do plumbing correctly while others do not, says something about their Quality Assurance programs at higher levels. They obviously know HOW to do it right. Why not on all models, particularly one of the higher end lines... Don't get that coming from a QI background. As a top level executive over that particular area of manufacturing, I'd be all over that like stink. Macro system problems are killers. Just ask Boeing... Oh, Mike Becker is the top guy in Compliance for Forest River. I can't find his email address, but YOU have an opportunity to favorably impact the RV industry imho. When you do these vids, consider sending a short email or letter to the manufacturers with your link to the reviews. Oh, I did find an email to the head (tippy top) of compliance Mike Becker but can't find it now. But, here is his address. Mr. Mike Becker
Director of Corporate Compliance
Forest River, Inc.
2324 Century Drive
Goshen, IN 46528
Tha ks for watching, and for looking deeper into this by reaching out to FR. My guess as to why some rv product lines are plumbed correctly is that FR buys small manufacturers that are successful. Each plant is now owned by FR, but can continue to operate as they have been.
I wish that manufacturers would be receptive to feedback from me, but I've been in contact with several and very few really want to consider my input. They are more interested in PR damage control. But that does not help the hundred of thousands of rv owners already impacted. I'm very interested in seeing how FR and other manufacturers respond to being called out. I think it is telling of the corporate culture. Honestly I think that people like you reaching out to them will have a bigger impact that me talking to them.
@@undercoverrvtechForest River, like Thor, is a parent company with many, many brands all manufacturing RVs somewhat independently at their individual factories.
Rockwood has several lines based on price point, size and style. They include Signature, Ultra Lite, Mini Lite, Roo (hybrids) and Geo Pro. Each of these has a sister model in the Flagstaff family that is the exact same trailer just with different exterior decals and interior fabrics. Across all the lines they tend to use similar construction techniques and materials like 5/8” tongue and groove plywood floors and the same laminated exterior walls (now with Azdel or similar) although the higher end lines like Signature will have some higher end amenities and features. I expect that the plumbing would be mostly the same across all the lines.
I’m not sure but I feel you are a very independent in your reviews. I wish I had found you before buying an rv because it would have helped me find defects, etc. I did do a lot of research and ended up with a Jayco 263 RBS. I know Jayco may not be the best of all rv’s, but weighing quality/price, they seemed to check the boxes best of any, but not an rv expert. I need to see if you did an undercover on Jayco trailers. If you did, please let me know how to find it, other than scrolling through every video, thanks
I would love to see a review on 2023 or 2024, Coachman encore 355ds. Also any super c's thank you
I have some coming. Check my short videos, I post a lot more quick reviews there.
czcams.com/users/shorts_1ACw2HTp2I?feature=share
How do the Rockwood Signature models compare to the Rockwood Ultra Lights? Would you give them the same score or are there differences in quality?
Zero difference between a signature and ultra lite, other than a decal and slow closing drawer glides. The construction is EXACT same. Rockwood use to call all their models “Signature Ultra Lite”! DON’T BE FOOLED!!
Hi jacob, love your video's, i have a 12V "cannon" refrigerator in my forest river rouge 32V, what's your thoughts on this unit?
Great review. By the way, what year was this? We have a 2018 mini lite and only plumbing done correctly was by water heater and bathroom sink. The toilet is exactly what you saw on this one. I’ve fixed one but need to fix the others. I still love the quality of our mini lite but this plumbing issue needs to be handled. These manufacturers are a joke and misleading when they give a customer such a bad plumbed rv that costs so much money.
This was a 2023 model. Yes, I've had more than my share of repairs on these bad connections, and I keep hearing more stories of people wrestling with leaks, sometimesthe line on the waterheaterpoppingoff and floodingtheir RV. I hope that manufacturers change their practices, but that won't help everyone who already has a badly plumbed RV.
On the Rockwood Ultra lite you mentioned the the flex hose to pex fitting at toilet connection. Is this the only improper connection you found? If so, it would be a very easy fix, although when buying a new camper one should not have to fix this.
I had a Dometic A/C on my last camper and it worked very well, but for goddness sskes it was LOUD! You need to reduce points for how noisy A/C are. But i guess a noisy A/C is better than a quite A/C that has lost its freon and no longer works.
And i too prefer a gas absortion fridge.
We are first time RVers and bought a 29.9 foot Rockwood 2606 last year. It has the same 12 volt Dometic DC powered refrigerator you reviewed and we have already had to have it replaced along with the Magic Chef microwave. Thank the Lord they were still under warranty.
Do you recommend turning the refrigerator off while traveling?
We have not had any plumbing issues so far and are enjoying the camper.
When talking about the plumbing (toilet) you mentioned that this RV violated the code that governs the manufacturer’s. So how does this RV make it to a lot for sale? Is the code simply a “good practices” code? Anyway after seeing that this RV is a do not buy for me because who knows what they did where you can’t see stuff. I would rather have good appliances and proper water connections than good cabinets/counters. I can easily fix a counter while the rest are much more work. Love the video’s
The code is made by the National Fire Protection Association which is a non-profit organization. The RVIA adopts this code and supposedly has inspectors check participating manufacturers, but clearly they don't actually enforce this code.
There is no government agency involved. Because an RV is not a permanent structure the government does not care. State lemon laws if they exist only apply to the vehicle portion, not the plumbing systems. The end result is if manufacturers can hawk their wares they will sell whatever. Certainly not fair to consumers who are paying a small fortune for these vehicles.
We are looking for a new camper and took a close look at the plumbing of the rockwood mini lite. You mentioned the toilet is not plumbed correctly. How about the connections to City Water, Tank Flush, Antifreeze Inlet panel? It looks like they are using flexible tubing connected to a white plastic screwable connection via plex like clamp?
Lol, love it, 'RVIA take note'!
But we all know rvia is a joke. 🍻
I will be absolutely shocked if I ever see you give something an A grade outside of those way too small Taylor trailers. I am rethinking whether I am in the market for a camper because you seem to find many things wrong with every camper you've reviewed. Watching your videos makes me think the entire industry is garbage.
There are some that get really close. Alliance Paradigm if it does not have Accu-Slide usually scores high. The difference between A and B score might be just fit and finish. Arctic Fox has mostly good plumbing, just incorrect connections at the pump. If you change that hose assembly it would be A+. Brinkley has the same issue, mostly good plumbing, needs a few corrections.
There are some other large 5th wheels I've given an A grade to.
Airstream if you can afford it.
@@mariodostie5218 LOL. The Airstream layouts are garbage. Way too uncomfortable for me. I wouldn't buy them at any price.
In my 2022 Ultra Lite it has a Dometic 12v fridge.
That is one thing that make reviews tricky. Things change so frequently even with the same brand/model, even mid-year if there are supply hiccups, my score is very particular to each RV.
What would be the correct Connector for the supply line to the Toilet you showed? Thank you!
Why do you replace the whole Coleman AC because the freon leaked out? Why not find the leak, repair it, and recharge it?
Great question! It boils down to cost. I'm an RV tech, and don't have an HVAC liscense to be able to purchase refrigerant, or the special equipment to perform the repair, so that job would be outsourced to an HVAC company. The cost of having an HVAC company repair the RV AC usually is the same or greater that a replacement unit.
The AC itself is not designed to be serviced as there is not test ports, so it would have to be modified just to identify the leak. It is essentially built like a window AC. If you know a really cheap AC guy it might work out to have one repaired, but it usually does not work out.
I’ve heard that it’s acceptable to remove the pex clamps on the flex hoses and replace it with a worm drive style clamp. Is that accurate?
No. The issue is that PEX fittings are not designed to seal with flex hose. Replacing with a worm drive clamps may temporarily fix a leak but I would not consider a long term fix.
Well, that was disappointing! I own a Rockstaff and have been extremely happy with it, knowing that you will never have a perfect RV and you will always have items that break, I have owned several RV's through the years and in my opinion Rockwood is one of the better built units out there. You should also take a look at Suspensions!
What do you think about ATC 5th wheels?
Good job. Looks like another one bites the dust. I wonder how many people will still buy this unit.
Please do winnebago era
If a person isn’t a little bit handy shouldn’t own a camper.
@@NanaGram Did I say anything about warranty? I still stand by what I said! So after warranty runs out you are going back to a dealer because a screw fell out of your drawer? You had the audacity to tell me I was wrong for that comment! Is there a perfect camper for you to buy “ no” and this guy does a great job telling all of us there isn’t! If you have a flat on the road do you have everything to jack that sucker up and put a new tire on? Or would you call someone for help. There is a such thing as being prepared for any situation! So you read too much into my comment!
Have you heard about all the frame problems 5th wheel owners are having
Yes, I'm planning to make a video addressing that issue soon.
Please do it further on TT's, not just 5th wheels. @@undercoverrvtech
You're replacing an AC unit because of freon loss? There's something fishy going on here. Number 1, freon has been out lawed for about 35 years now as it is considered an environmental hazard. All AC units, residential or automotive, use R34, or near to it, nowadays. If the unit on which you're working has R34, it seems just a little wasteful to trash the entire unit, when a refill would do the same for alot less scratch.
Your pretty awesome
Spoiler alert they are all lemons 😂
Lol, feels that way sometimes. No I think there are RV's that serve people well. But finding one is way more challenging than it should be.
That's exactly my problem with this RV!!
Have you ever seen a perfect RV, No you have not. There's always going to be something that could have been done better. I agree there are some that are better then others, but not one is perfect.
A TPO roof is a 10/10 RV roof? Are you serious lol.
Yes, I've worked on many 15-year-old RVs with TPO roof membranes that were find. I do prefer aluminum or fiberglass but with proper care TPO is durable. Just don't attack trees with your RV :-)
Holy shit. After watching these videos I dont want to buy any RV. He shit cans all of them
Dude hates every RV. It would be easier if you would do videos on which ones you like.
giving it a F because of a couple fitting that are not that hard to change out is a joke.....
That's not the reason. The reason is because there are likely many more buried deep in the bowels where they are hard to change out. Its a case of "if you seen one, there are more hiding out of sight" issue.
love the content and its quick and informative.
Glad you enjoy it!