I agree on the FW tank issue, and the Dexter chassis FR uses on the HTTs are completely adequate for an underslung tank, but know what the issue is? FR doesn't want to have to have a tank designed and put into production for this as there are no standard FW tanks that can span the rails without need for more steel and then bottom support (more material and effort = more cost, less profit). The polyethylene tank in them now is a standard rectangular tank, no reinforced bottom and would sag and stress crack. My approach would be this, for FR to use a taller, narrow width, tank that spans the length of the camper under the forward cabinet against the front wall. This would still allow good gravity and city fill locations as well as drain and tap ports. It would offer much better, uniform tongue loading, and would allow great storage space and give 40 gallons if need be (333# of water). We're talking a tank 6" wide by 18" tall by 86 inches - EZ and not so custom needed if FR sits it on the floor and provides two intermediate, cushioned straps to confine it and maintain the shape (we weld our own up for our field trucks fitted in a similar way).
Cabinetry:
FR - PUT SOME THOUGHT INTO IT! They seem to miss the boat and waste a lot of space. I know much is a result of cost savings and construction speed, but some are just so obvious it hurts... The kitchenette in the 21SS has room for another complete drawer if they just aligned the height of drawers to that of the cainet door. The 21SS has outside storage (wide door) under the jackknife, but a single narrow door under it internally. See FW above, but even if they just rotated the existing tank INTO the front cabinet, you'd have use of the cabinet under the entertainment center, fine access to the drain, and wouldn't lose much more than already lost in the front cabinet. Hello, shelves? How about if you leave the water pump where it is, use all the space above for drawers. Oh yeah, why is the water filter hung low, dead center of the front cabinet? These are all things that can be modified, but also a little thought at the factory would make such a smarter product.
* This post was
edited 08/08/08 03:24pm by Scott_C *
I would also like to see a good sized tub instead of the corner unit...even if it meant making the overall length of the camper just a little longer....I prefer the 21SS, so I also wish they would make the sofa a little longer in it.
Ditto - I make the corner shower work, but would add a foot to the overall length to get the tub.
My only other complaint is the outside storage - something FR added the year after mine - I have the door just not the courage to cut.
2007 Rockwood Roo 23ss
Derek '77
Tina '78
Brianna '04
Dominick '07
Maximus (slobbering camping buddy)
we kind of consider the 2009 23SS pretty near perfect for the price we paid at any rate. Labor intensive things (drawers,cabinets,tank moving) will add up $. Adding stuff = adding weight, adding size usually, not good. Then it wouldn't be a 23 anymore, which it really isn't now LAUGHING. We have absolutely no interest in a huge freshwater tank, and while many do I know, and that's fine, recent surveys posted in Trailer Life, etc. show most people go to full or w/e sites nowadays. Forest River Roo fixed the bunk seals for 2009, they added the second outside storage door and fairly decent storage compartment for 2009, so they're probably listening within the realm of also everyone demanding lower pricing in general and considering there's a softer market out there. The only thing I might ask for is some sort of "one way only" way to put the mattresses up in the bunk ends when you close up so that so many people wouldn't be confused by this. We seem to have lucked out on that too and don't have any problems getting ours up quickly, but judging by the posts, it's a confuse-a-ment (grin) to a lot. Sure a big old jacuzzi bath, and 4 more closets and a huge theatre seating area and a 4 door frdge and two king sized beds and all that would be grand, but then it wouldn't be a 23SS at all. Mess with it too much and up goes the price and weight and length and it's probably safe to say most people who bought a 23SS bought it partially based on the price, weight and size (obviuosly the floorplan is the biggy) So don't do those big extras , are you listening FR??? unless you leave us a 23SS option pretty much as it is now. Okay I do confess I'd love bigger windows but am realistic enough to realize I'd be giving up cabinets and more for that. Bigger windows or more cabinet (no crawling on the floor type) storage? easy choice
Now one thing as we've already discussed on this forum, is the toilet area. Perhaps a self-washing down area for those who think their manhood is threatened by sitting to tinkle or an ejection seat type of floor in front of the toileee that senses if someone isn't sitting for everything and shoots them out the skylight. hmm... not a bad plan . ARE YOU LISTENING FR???
We're reloading the linens from being washed today in prep for leaving a week from tomorrow for our next trip, and as I look around the Roo , even as it is turtled up, and then I look at the checkbook and the check amount for it, I still think it's a pretty darn near perfect (NEAR) for the moolahlah we paid for it. The glass is half full anyway.
I agree on the FW tank issue, and the Dexter chassis FR uses on the HTTs are completely adequate for an underslung tank, but know what the issue is? FR doesn't want to have to have a tank designed and put into production for this as there are no standard FW tanks that can span the rails without need for more steel and then bottom support (more material and effort = more cost, less profit). The polyethylene tank in them now is a standard rectangular tank, no reinforced bottom and would sag and stress crack. My approach would be this, for FR to use a taller, narrow width, tank that spans the length of the camper under the forward cabinet against the front wall. This would still allow good gravity and city fill locations as well as drain and tap ports. It would offer much better, uniform tongue loading, and would allow great storage space and give 40 gallons if need be (333# of water). We're talking a tank 6" wide by 18" tall by 86 inches - EZ and not so custom needed if FR sits it on the floor and provides two intermediate, cushioned straps to confine it and maintain the shape (we weld our own up for our field trucks fitted in a similar way).
Just for the record, FR does make models with large FW tanks under side. Our Palomino (by FR) has a 38 gal tank mounted just where you think one would fit. We find this nice as most of the campgrounds we visit do not have city water hook up. Due to the weight, we travel with 1/2 tank and top off at the campground and need to empty the 31 gal grey tank on occasion.
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