summertime blues
Winnipeg, Canada
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Joined: 03/29/2008
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Spent the day today going to some RV places near home narrowing down our hybrid search. Of course we returned with a few more questions than we had left with. We had looked at 2 Forest River units, the Surveyor 233T and the Palomino Stampede 23-SDSL (both equivalent to the Roo 232) and one KZ coyote 23CFK (equivalent to the Roo 233). Here are my two remaining sticking points…
•Radius bunk ends vs. square. The Jayco and Surveyor units have radius bunk ends, i.e. one continuous gasket seal where the Stampede unit has square ends (i.e. mitred gaskets). Is the radius bunk superior in terms of leaking? Or is this something to not be concerned with? From the pictures I've seen, the Roo also has the square ends.
•Velcro tent end seals, the surveyor had the Velcro for the tent ends underneath the mattresses which would seem to make setup more difficult. The Stampede has the Velcro around the edge of the decking and can be easily done from outside. I liked the Stampede for ease of setup and clean looks. Where does the Roo have the Velcro for the tent flaps?
My general impression was that the KZ was a much cheaper looking product than the Forest River (flimsy walls, shelves and doors etc) and the Surveyor was not built as well as the Stampede (i.e. the Surveyor required bunk end poles and bungee cords to tie the ends down).
Of course the missing link is the Roo, which is about $8k cheaper from rvw than my local dealer is asking for the Stampede. Can anyone compare the Surveyor, Stampede and Roo for me? I know there are no tent pole supports, but where are the Velcro tie downs?
Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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USCGfamily
PA
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Joined: 04/10/2007
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Hrrm I compared the KZ and Forest river and didnt see a difference at all in the cabinets etc.. or the walls! My door and shelves had held up great so far and that with 3 teens opening and closing them 24/7 cause some ones always gotta search for snacks etc..
As far as Leaks.. every Make/Model could have a Problem, if you look and search on here you will see every make and model of HTT and any other kind of RVs run into problems. and not just leaking! .. You either get lucky or you don't.
As far as velcro goes.. I do mine from the outside because then I pull the skirt down over the velco which I can't do from the inside this skirt keeps the rain over the velcro seal (if that makes sense)
Coastie Family of 5
07 Coyote 23CFK
http://community.webshots.com/user/USCGfamily
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Mr. Hybridist
Winnipeg
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Joined: 03/08/2008
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Hey Summertime:
We looked at all of the brands you did and at probably the same dealers. We were initially really taken with the Coyote but we did notice that the trailers at that dealership seemed to have an issue with fit and finish. I wouldn't suggest that it was a brand issue but that was our feeling. When we wanted to look at a surveyor Transcona Trailers were in full bore fall Snowmobile sales and the salesman we poke to didn't want to spend time with us. When we visited the last dealer (GNR) and looked at the Forest River Shamrock we were startled that the cabinet doors were significantly more solid than any other we saw. For us this was important.
I suppose what really happened even more was that we fell in love with the floor plan and the fit and finish was excellent. So we pulled the trigger and bought it 30 minutes after first seeing it. I've always equated it to buying a candy bar at the store. As we were driving home we sat in the truck in stunned silence. Really we were in disbelief that when we finally found something we liked the decision was easy.
Fast forward one and a half years and we have now experienced our dealers service department, and other than a few glitches they have been very friendly, helpful, and also skilled in their work and their desire to please.
My current depression stems from the fact that the trailer is currently gone back to the manufacturer to get the floor fixed as it was getting soft in front of the sink. I was hoping to be camping May 9, and that won't happen and now I'm concerned about May long.
If you end up purchasing at GNR remember that they have a referral program and you should always give them the name of the person who referred you so they can get a $100 credit in the parts dept. I was able to have that person split the bonus with me and I got some free stuff.
Regardless of where you buy and what model you choose, remember that the things that you feel are important to you, are important. What you like in fit and finish is all that should matter. there are a lot of people on this forum with every type of rig and they all(mostly) love their trailers, and rightly so. Good luck in your search.
Oh and if you need someone to split the GNR referral fee let me know. LOL
Regards,
Brent
Nights slept...don't know, but it's never enough.
2006 Shamrock 232
1994 GMC 1/2 ton
Reese WDH & Sway Bar
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Mr. Hybridist
Winnipeg
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I forgot to add that we always do the velcro from the outside. It's a piece of cake and we quite like the style. But it's also what we are comfortable with.
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summertime blues
Winnipeg, Canada
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Thanks for the responses. In retrospect, I think that part of my note was simply talking out loud to determine what my final issues are and they come down to price and convenience. Not a unique situation I realize, but it helps to articulate the issue in order to address it.
And sorry Mr. H, GNR took themselves out of the running early, otherwise you and i would be doing some business. Thanks guys.
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Oasisbob
Portland Oregon 97266
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Invest an evening or two here searching the archives. The problems people have had with the rigs you mentioned are discusting. You might consider R-Vision. Ours is a 01 and has given us no problems. We camp more than most. Best of luck
Oasis Bob
Wonderful wife & 4 Really Fun kids
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan (3.3 V-6)
2001 Bantam Trail Lite B-19
HAPPY TRAILS
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abe1759ca
Van. B.C., Canada
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Joined: 05/30/2005
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just make sure you get it with a big mosquito fogger.
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summertime blues
Winnipeg, Canada
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Thanks abe, I think I'll end up towing it with one.
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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The Velcro on our Roo 23SS has to be set from inside the trailer. No clue how one could affix it from outside. Tent ends snap over the end of the door, the sides are bungied together across the bottom, and the a Velcro strip is smoothed out along each side (head and toe of the bed). Partially under the edge of the mattress.
Take down can be done from the outside, but setup of this Velcro (the only Velcro on the trailer I can remember) is an inside, on the bed task.
This is such a minor feature it should be a deal maker or breaker!
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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summertime blues
Winnipeg, Canada
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Should or should not?
DW was very dissappointed to note that the bungee cords from the little pup that we have outgrown will follow us to the next generation. I've tried to console her that at least we wouldn't need the duct tape to seal the holes in the canvas.
I believe you may be right and I'm to the point of overthinking this thing, time to sit down with the dealer and talk turkey. If I can get him down the 20-25% that seems to be commonly referenced around these parts, we should be able to get a deal done.
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