I will say it again - the ROO 21SS is THE BEST FLOORPLAN if you need a small to med. sized hybrid. Again, it isn't even fair to compare the 21SS to the 19H since in my mind the features and floorspace of the ROO are superior.
Then again I guess it is a fair comparission - Jayco should have offered a flush-floor slide equipped hybrid by now. Especially since they offer newer Jayfeather TT's with their new frame and super slide/flush floor slide's. If you look at the hybrid market they appear to be dumping models and offering to many "me-too" floorplans.
As far as build my Jayco was industry average with above average factory customer support. It was always apparant that it was a light weight (some floor flex with weight, 1 1/2 thick walls, flat roof, plastic sinks, etc.) but never looked cheap. I have been in a few ROO's and they seem to be built to same level most companies build to and are on par with Jayco in cabinets, etc. I can't comment on their CS but I have heard really bad stories and good stories - so not having owned one I can't give my opinion on their CS.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's of Maine 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB 2008 Chevy 2500HD Ext. Cab LT 4X4 Champion lil' yellow Chinese genset, 4000W Camping Pictures
tibba wrote: thanks for all the feedback. I know they're quite different units, but am looking for something in the 3500lb range. I'm intrigueded by the size of the Roo when open, and also know that the Jayco is 8' wide as opposed the to 7.5" Roo. I like that the Roo has ducted air and a square rear bumper for possible bike rack use. But the Jayco is less expensive and still seems like a quality unit.
just realize that the 21SS weight is 3500 dry. doesn't include weights of options, water or propane. you'll have to add about 400lbs just for the options, like awning, microwave, oven, a/c, etc....
and the rear bumper won't support a bike rack without welding additional braces to the bumper. too many have tried and the bumper has failed.
as far as price, you can get a 21SS from RVW, with normal options, for $14,300. RVDirect usually has them in the same price range and they are in new york. they also sell jaycos.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
The newer 21ss's weigh more than 3,500 lbs dry. The last version of the 2007 Forest River brochure for the Rockwood Roo's that I saw still did not reflect the current weights of some of the models that FR had "beefed up" with heavier duty axles/tonques...the older (and lighter) weights were still listed. As a point of comparison, our '07 Roo 21ss has a UVW of 4,242 lbs and a GVWR of 6,559 lbs (see our pic link below for a photo of the weight sticker). Compare that to the brochure listed UVW of 3,498 and GVWR of 4,753. That being said, we love the floorspace created by the flush floor slideout in our 21ss. The layout/floorspace was a huge factor in our decision to go with the 21ss.
Brad (40), Cheryl (40), Kaila (17)
'07 F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4x4 with 5.4L V8 and 3.73LS gears
'07 Rockwood Roo 21SS
I have a Roo19 (no slide-out). If I had known, I would have picked the roomier 21SS. Regarding insulation, a lot of people cover their tents with a solar blanket and even insert reflectix in the windows. The Roo also comes standard with heated mattresses, a wonderful idea.
Bruno, Carol, Thierry and Julien
Sankei the fox terrier
97 Dodge 2500 4x QC diesl
2006 ROO19
Owner of a 21ss for over 1.5 yrs, its a 07, absolutely no problems ForestRiver would not fix and my dealer could not handle, bent one canopy arms in a win storm the other day in Myrtle Beach, on the way home called ForestRiver stop there and they fixed it right there at no charge, Also no leaks and have been in some huge downpours, no problems with the slide, will buy another ForestRiver again in a heart beat. also in Myrtle Beach had 115 degree index for over 9 days airconditioning worked great, Wife complains about it being cold on the end of the tent ends on cool nights. But all in all great camper. Frank
E350 Ford 7.3PSD conversion,3.73 rear end,super chipped, Rockwood Roo 21ss, 3500 kipor generator, 124 inch S&S Roadking, 2 teenage daughters, Boston Terrier (CARMINE)and a good look'in better 1/2, and I'm just big and ugly!! Thank GOD, Life is Good.
Absent some of the FR workmanship issues with the current 21SS models particularly I do not believe there is much of a comparison issue. The 21SS stands up there with models the same size and larger. The 6" added width of a Jayco along with the continued lack of riser kits and low(ered) dump drain plumbing issues does not compare to the super slide floor plan and side windows on same.
If there is a choice, I would recommend a unit with a slide. I traded my 19H for the 23B with a slide after one season due to lack of floor space. Between Grandkids and dogs, we were tripping over each other. If there had been a Roo dealership close by, I believe I would have gone with the 21SS first and probably would have stayed there. (at least for a few years.
The slide more that makes up for the 6" inch difference in width. Of course, I don't know about the accessibility in the 21SS with the slide in. I know that I use the camper quite a bit while on the road when needing to stop for lunch or other breaks. I do not need to rely on rest stops with full service. My slide is not as deep so I have full access to everything inside when the slide is in.
There are only two inacessible items on my ROO when the slide is closed. The wardrobe closet (and consequently anything behind the slide to the rear) and the storage under the forward bunk. All kitchen and bathroom functions are a go.
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
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