RE: The Roo23ss has Arrived (FINALLY)
congratulations Jerry. I see the differences between your decals and ours right away. HOW did you get our webshots name?????? our link is now going to your thing about no pictures yet. None of the 180 or whatever pix of ours are there now. What's gonna be bad now is all the friends and relatives and online people we've sent that name as our link for pictures (not just the Roo but the most recent kid's wedding and etc are gonna click that link and get you now instead of us. Expect to get some questions saying uh? who are you? now LOL..... weird.
Guess I'll spend part of my weekend home redoing a webshot site for ours now, still confused how you got our same name, and the wife just asked me last night if I'd update the most recent mods including the shades on there this weekend. Guess neither of us have looked there in a while. Live and learn , LOL.
Let me know when you get your interior pictures and such on. Am I not reading it right, that is still the link we had for ours right? You've made me think I've had too much to drink and all I have had to drink is lemonaide LOL. Anyway, congrats Jerr and family.
RE: What are you pulling with your Chevy Trailblazer?
By the way, the 2008 notes also say SS models with the 6.0L enginge require Performance Sports package and as it happens my secretary recently bought one to pull a Jayco23B with and she couldn't even find an SS with a 6.0L on a lot that didn't already have the Perf Sports package. Thank goodness since she's got a lot of blonde roots (My wife will smack me for that)
RE: What are you pulling with your Chevy Trailblazer?
towing a 2009 Roo 23SS with a 2008 Trailblazer LT with a 5.3L V8, 3.73, with active power management (down to 4 cyl when needed) and and an Equalizer 4way and ProdigyP3. Our Trailblazer's rating (our year, our engine,our gear ratio , our towing package) is max trailer weight 6800 pounds and a total combined gcwr of 11,500. The TB is a workhorse that enjoys towing.
We have towed with trailblazers since 2003 with no issues. We purposefully went to the V8 with active fuel management on a 2008 in December 2007 in anticipation of getting the Roo. Towing is good, I do wish they made OEM mirrors that were reasonable but have worked that out, and the gas mileage on most recent 200 miles of towing (some hills, some curves, about 50% urban and traffic stop towing time, was 16.2 with highway speeds of 60ish. While not fantastic it was only 3 miles below the last trip we towed with the pop-up earlier this year before getting the Roo. Although admitting that with the popup we tended to go much faster, more like an average of 70mph on interstates whereas we are actively trying to never exceed 60 with the Roo and really work at keeping it at 55.
RE: Have you had Front Bunk End Water Leaks!!!!
Geez luweez, some of these ongoing whine threads! If you like your HTT, it's pretty clear that the fix for the leaking is extending the gasket and seal,etc. and being extra sure everything is tucked in, so why all the "I'm going to ditch this for a TT" talk? If you want a TT and not a HTT, then that's different. Get it. Get over it. But if you want a HTT and it's not the new redesigned or still develops a bunk door leak anyway,, then the fix is out there. Stuff happens. Constantly whining about it when there's been proven fixes available is rampant lately. Maybe always. Maybe more fiber in those people's diets will help that. Do they have Sam's or Costco in NH?? They sell huge bottles of Metamucil at those stores ya'know.
RE: bunk end fan/light combos
Is there a brand or model number of the problematic fan/light combos? We are interested in purchasing one, but would like to know which ones to stay away from... thanks.
We have These and they work great!
-- Tim --
Those are the kind that Forest River included on both our popup and the Roo. They are slightly different than the kind that the pux store was selling when we ordered an extra one a couple of years ago- the light swivels on it and the clip broke right away on it as well. But as we all know, a bad batch of anything can happen on anything at anytime.
RE: bunk end fan/light combos
We never had a problem with the Forest River included one on the Flagstaff popup and no problems so far on the Forest River included two that came with the Roo. We bought one of the other kind from pux store a couple of years ago to have a second one in the popup back then and the clip on it broke the first week. We just used a small self-velcroing strap for the clip area after that on it. If these two ones with the Roo have the fan go out, it will be time to order new ones for me because if I attempted to take it apart and find out what made the fan go out, I'd end up destroying it somehow anyway.
RE: New GVWR for 2009 Roo 233?
One thing I know is that the dealers often have outdated brochures in stock and also website info, but usually a call to the sales manager or the service manager can get you someone to go copy the actual sticker on a like model and tell you. Forest River's factory was happy to give us this info when we were shopping as well and did apologize for the wrong data on their websites and brochures and said the production of those are farmed out (we all have excuses I guess for our bloopers)
Just FYI, our 2009 23SS 'factory completion sticker' is GVWR 6390 lbs (2899 KG), minus UVW =4430 lbs, 2009 kgs. , minus 31 gal freshwater @ 8.3 lb per gallon = 257 lbs (117 kg)... minus 9 gallons propane @ 4.2lbs per = 41 lbs (18kg) = CCC of 1662 pounds (754kg) and of course you have to deduct dealer installed options and all that. We do have the 3000 axles.
We have scale weighed pretty loaded (except very little freshwater) and got a weigh ticket of 6001 once and 5993 once and 6214 the third time. We got a tongue weight ticket of 612, another 617 and another 682. Same loads all 3 times. Same scale. Different scale operators. None of the times would he do an axle weigh thing. (no reason why, just said nope, I'll do a total trailer weight (TV off the scale) and a tongue weight and that's all. So we're planning to do a weighing on a different scales on the next trip that takes us past a different one when we're loaded.
RE: roo 23 ss awning
Our awning is 17' and our mat is the 9x15 one we got years ago from CW. Also in a tote bag from CW. We also have step rugmats in that material from CW and a throw rug size of it for just inside the interior door (really grabs the yuck before it gets further in since we have the 'wood' flooring and don't want to cover it with lots of rug runners or carpet as we like the 'wood' look
RE: ROO Cabinets
We use the big thick rubber bands instead of baby latches. Cheap and easy. We've never had a problem yet with the pantry door or the bathroom one which would not be double to put the rubberband around. We had a couple of loose cabinet latch screws and did the glue thing this past week and is on the list of honey-dos for me to just go ahead and do them all.
RE: Camping nights per year
hotel or cabin or lodge room sanitation versus our own sanitation on the Roo = priceless value. black light even a high-end $300 plus a night room sometime and it's easy to justify the expense unless you have a very high tolerance for the yuck factor ;-)
We would like to be full-timing but until we can, we're happy and feel personally justified even at only 28 nights camping (doesn't include camp yard or camp driveway) in the 2009 Roo so far. 46 nights camping so far (not including yard or driveway) since January 1, 2008 so far. Guess it is a matter of what you like to spend your time and money on- some people gamble, some people drink a lot, some people go to concerts a lot, some people buy clothes, shoes, jewelry,whatever - us, we consider our camping/boating our major vice and where we put our free time and much of discretationary spending. In our minds, we could justify it after one night for that reason theoretically ;-)
RE: Which Equalizer model for 23SS
We talked to Equalizer customer service after our dealer recommended the 1000/10000. We have been towing with it a few months now and love it. Frequently one of us will be towing the Roo and the other following towing one of the boats or else just driving the Tacoma or the Eclipse if work schedule requires leaving (wife's a doc, she has sudden notice call backs and things) and therefore we have the opportunity to observe the tracking of the Roo and its tow vehicle. The Equalizer does its job fantastic. We were in some strong cross winds and driving wind just yesterday returning back from a trip and this was on curves and hills and that baby just tracked straight along. Don't know if other brands of WDH/sway control are as good, haven't ever tried, but we definitely know that on our 23SS (2009) towed by an '08 TrailBlazer, the Equalizer 1000/10000 was the right way to go. By the way, dropping one of the bars on your foot DOES hurt (found that out a few weeks ago)
28 nights camping (doesn't include camp yard or camp driveway) in the 2009 Roo so far. 46 nights camping so far (not including yard or driveway) since January 1, 2008.
RE: 2009 Roo Bunk end leaks?
NO LEAKS on our 2009. The seals are definitely different on the 09s. If you would like to see photos of our 2009 seals, we will be happy to show them to you, but you can see it at the dealer. (And remember, any product can have problems sometimes and the problems will always be the louder and more often posted than the no-problems or good stuff--- do your research, go look, and make up your own minds on your purchase. Personally, I think you will be pleased with the 2009 Roos (and presumably the Shamrocks since they are the same except cosmetically.)
We have a 2009 Roo 23SS. No leaks. And we have been in rain several times. This past week we were in some heavy rain set up and in heavy driving rain (blowing hard too) as Tropical Storm Fay has come into Alabama. NO LEAKS. No problems except needed to tighten a couple of cabinet door hinge screws (added a bit of glue at same time)
A few mods so far with the most recent being adding day/night combo soft shades (pleated) with black out liners to replace the curtains at dinette & sofa (left valance on top) which are FANTASTIC! VERY WORTH THE MONEY to get these. Highly highly recommend them.
28 nights camping (doesn't include camp yard or camp driveway) in the 2009 Roo so far. 46 nights camping so far (not including yard or driveway) since January 1, 2008.
Dothan AL nightmare traffic lights , better way?
Last November we towed from NW Alabama to FtWilderness,FL (first time to go there since having moved to Alabama so a different route than the dozens of previous FtW trips from IL which routes us through TN and GA instead of AL) We almost went nuts trying to get through Dothan AL going down and back up. On that loopish thing. A stop light every few feet and in the middle of malls,etc. Is there a better way?? We will likely be going back down to FL next spring and dread Dothan. We also were surprised at the routing around Montgomery. That also took us (on the way down) through mall area and lots of lights. Better way?
Thanks!!
RE: Lake Guntersville and Monte Sano, AL?
Thanks Charlie! Unfortunately, we will probably not have time to go touring Monte or Guntersville or others over there before we can go. Our schedules are insane right now. Thanks for the other area tips, will be looking them up. We are hoping things will be getting gorgeous and that the drought won't affect the colors too much. Hoping to get down to the gulf in December for a week+ also , have not gotten to explore down there either. Happily accepting any campground and route recommendations anytime you have any for within a reasonable drive of here.. really appreciate it.
RE: Lake Guntersville and Monte Sano, AL?
Thanks, Hokie - did PM you. Thanks again! We did hear from some other campers at Wheeler that Guntersville is pretty full of partiers a lot as the lake is right there plus it is so big- we prefer quieter camping for sure.
Lake Guntersville and Monte Sano, AL?
We're transplanted yankees to NW Alabama and also recent converts to hybrid trailer from popups. Coming from the flat straight roads of the north, we're still adjusting to towing not only something bigger and heavier, but on the terrain of Northern AL. So far we've only been to Joe Wheeler SP in AL, a couple of Mississippi SPs and a SP in TN, all fairly nearby. So now we're getting our hectic schedules worked out better and are wanting to explore a little more of AL to the east of us. We are wondering about Lake Guntersville for a week from a Sunday to Sunday in late September, any pros or cons on the camping there? Also, recommendations for easiest towing route from Tuscumbia to Lake Guntersville for someone not used to 'big hills' 'mountains' and 'curvy' towing? Also curious about same info for Monte Sano SP? We noticed Monte Sano doesn't reserve full hookup sites, is it hard to get a full hook up there if you're coming in on a Sunday afternoon? Thanxxx a lot for any tips, experiences and advice.
RE: Screen door opener mod please
Thanks to all.
The pictures and details are greatly appreciated.
Going to try one way and if I screw that up or can't get it to do its thing, will try the next.
If I can get this thing done before we take off on Sunday for a week, I will get some major Honey-Do points with the mrs so wish me luck
Screen door opener mod please
Finally we found time to put the plexi-glass acrylic (whatever it is) on the screen and replaced the white solid slider middle of the door with a clear section and very pleased. But also getting really tired of the annoyance of that stupid screen opening way, slide the panel, push the little black lever. I know there's gotta be better ways , have seen the push bar thing, but pretty confident some of you guys and gals must have also got fed up and did a mod on this and would like to know what and how to do it. Thanks in advance.
RE: Paint for dirty bunkends??
Actually there is a paint made for vinyl and leather and certain other fabrics; we boaters use it on boat seats and stands and those kinds of things when we get an old looking one and want a fresh color seating without buying new. But I wouldn't recommend it on a camper bunkend's top for a number of reasons. Breathability. Cracking. Fire and water proof. Unsure results.
car parts places have a product for convertible tops that works on old set in stuff on the vinyl pretty well. it will take some elbow power anyway. a mixture of 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 bleach and 1/3 hot water sprayed on the canvasy part sometimes works (open everything to air the fumes out and rinse very very well (hose it )and protect anything and everything around it from bleaching out. This is much easier on a popup than a hybrid for obvious reasons.
softscrub (branded product) has a fair level of success along with some citrus formulas. you'll need a soft brush to get in the grooves. and re-water proofing. And then get thee some bunk end covers stat so it doesn't reoccur.
RE: Tires Balanced ?....WTH
People's Tire locations in Cullman, Tuscumbia and other Alabama locations have the adapter for the lug holes and have balanced tires on 2 of my trailers and several others I know. I also find their wheel bearing packing service to be excellent and very friendly priced. Easy enough to do oneself, but time is a commodity with us.
Just for the record, Alabama IS in the United States.
