Positive: Just took a tour of Rockwood Plant

ProfChuck · 09-21-2018, 04:10 PM

We just took a tour of the Rockwood plant and I must say, we were completely blown away with what we experienced. We had a few days vacationing in Shipshewana IN (yes, camping) and I called the Doug Fought at the Forest River plant to see if we could get a short tour to get an idea of how our Windjammer was built. Anthony Yoder, from Forest River Rockwood, was kind enough to give us the tour. Now, as a TV director, I have been through and filmed a lot of assembly lines from a horseradish canning company to the Big Three assembly lines, but, this was one of the best tours I have ever had. It wasn't just the tour, but, the PEOPLE who were there! They were enthusiastic, fast, and careful in their assembly. Everyone seemed to really enjoy their work and, yes, contrary to some things I have heard, these people did their jobs with great care to put together a quality product. It was nice to see a workplace where everyone was happy to be there. There were also quality control people all along the line to make sure any problem was addressed before the unit left the assembly line. One thing I really liked was that the little sticker on the side with the weights of your trailer or 5th wheel on it --- well they DO have a special scale that they weigh the unit on, just before it goes out the door. It weighs both the axels and the tongue on separate scales and gives you the print out. Yep, those weights are accurate and individualized for each trailer. I watched them do it! The weight on that sticker is the real, actual weight of the unit as it is completed. Of course, we did see how they put the trailers together starting with the frame, adding the walls, roof and appliances, and furniture. My interest was how the slide-outs worked - and yes, they are meant to go out and stay out by themselves without any bracing on the bottom (In fact bracing them outside could wreck them). Cool engineering. Anyway, I just wanted to post something to say "Thanks" to the people at Forest River Rockwood, and especially Anthony Yoder, for sharing their time with us and letting us see how our Windjammer was put together. While I won't bore you with all the minute details of the wall, roof, etc. and how they manufacture them, suffice it to say there is a lot going into these trailers you don't see on the outside. We were totally impressed with the crews and the workmanship and pride they put into building these trailers and how friendly everyone was. Guess we will be FROGS for as long as we live, because it is such a great product. I know we have enjoyed our Windjammer these last six years and look forward to many more.

elchilero53 · 09-21-2018, 04:50 PM

Thanks for the great report! And thanks for the verification that they DO weigh the completed trailer and produce a sticker with the results. I can verify that the weight of my trailer was within 2 lbs of the unloaded factory weight on the yellow sticker.

youroo · 09-21-2018, 04:56 PM

PROFESSOR Chuck, did they tell you to enjoy your Windjammer because this is the end of the Jammer s and V-Lites?

Youroo! !

TeachTexas · 09-21-2018, 05:17 PM

We took our tour during the FROG rally in Goshen. It was very informative.

ProfChuck · 09-22-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

PROFESSOR Chuck, did they tell you to enjoy your Windjammer because this is the end of the Jammer s and V-Lites?

Youroo! !

Yes, they told me before I took the trip. It is sad. They said they needed more production capacity for the increase in the sales of the 5th wheels and other travel trailers. Windjammers and V-Lights were only about 15% of sales, but, they also said that down the road they may bring them back. I'll hang on to mine until they do. Just love it.

moff34 · 09-22-2018, 12:46 PM

Thank you for the positive report on the Rockwood assembly line. We are very pleased with our Rockwood trailer. Getting a tour of the plant is on our list of things to do.

johntaylor · 09-22-2018, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfChuck

One thing I really liked was that the little sticker on the side with the weights of your trailer or 5th wheel on it --- well they DO have a special scale that they weigh the unit on, just before it goes out the door. It weighs both the axels and the tongue on separate scales and gives you the print out. Yep, those weights are accurate and individualized for each trailer. I watched them do it! The weight on that sticker is the real, actual weight of the unit as it is completed.

All trailers are weighed before they go out the door, and have a sticker with the VIN and dry weight. It's required by law.

KeepTravelin · 09-22-2018, 01:08 PM

My wife and I also got a private , 1 1/2 hr tour with Anthony Yoder(in pic attached) this past July. We went to the Millersburg assembly plant to see the Rockwood, Mini Lites built. Very impressive seeing this up close and personal. Yes, you will actually get to walk thru the assembly line as they are being built and will probably have to move out of there way as needed. We stayed at the Elkhart Campground and also toured the RV Hall of fame. I arraigned this tour months before arriving and I would highly recommend it.

ProfChuck · 09-22-2018, 01:40 PM

Great picture. Wish I had taken more. Just did details as a record for our Windjammer. duh---

rsewald7313 · 09-22-2018, 01:59 PM

We did several tours before we bought our Coachman Freedom Express. Made us more knowledgeable of what went into our unit. Our dealer suggested the tours and we were glad we did. (did Heartland and Imagine Design also)
I'd suggest this to everyone considering an RV, as well as anyone who has one.

NJKris · 09-22-2018, 02:58 PM

ProfChuck, do you know if it would be possible to schedule a tour while your RV was being built? I just ordered mine, and would love to drive out there and see it being built if possible.

KeepTravelin · 09-22-2018, 03:26 PM

Here is Anthony Yoders email. See if he can help?

AMYoder@forestriverinc.com

tomrob1161 · 09-22-2018, 05:16 PM

Thank you for the report of your tour of the Rockwood Plant. We'll have to put that on our bucket list. We are very pleased with our 2013 Rockwood Signature Ultralight, 8315BSS.

ProfChuck · 09-22-2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

ProfChuck, do you know if it would be possible to schedule a tour while your RV was being built? I just ordered mine, and would love to drive out there and see it being built if possible.

Looks like "Keep Travelin" beat me to it. Anthony is the one to contact. I wish I had had time to go and see mine built, but, I was still teaching at the University then and couldn't get away. Also, we had expected delivery in March '13, but, the schedule got moved up and it was delivered in November '12. We just happened to put our order in when they were making that model and it got put right into the production lineup. We did get it home before the snow flew that year, but we had to scramble to do it. Hope Anthony can do something for you. He is a really nice guy. You won't have much of a window on the schedule, though. They make about 26 of them a day. These guys really hustle. Good luck. ---It's worth it if you can go!

NJKris · 09-23-2018, 04:34 AM

Wow! Thanks for contact info. I'm going to give it a shot.

aceinspp · 09-23-2018, 06:44 AM

When we attended the Goshen rally in 2015 we took the Rockwood plant tour but not the one building V-Lites or Windjammers

That plant was just down the hill from the plant we where touring. Sad to hear they no longer will be making either one. Best built tt as I've owned 2. Looks like this is my last one have to hang on to it. Later RJD

aceinspp · 09-23-2018, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfChuck

Yes, they told me before I took the trip. It is sad. They said they needed more production capacity for the increase in the sales of the 5th wheels and other travel trailers. Windjammers and V-Lights were only about 15% of sales, but, they also said that down the road they may bring them back. I'll hang on to mine until they do. Just love it.

They give you a time line as to when production will cease? Later RJD

nomad297 · 09-23-2018, 07:22 AM

Was your tour at the factory where they build/built Windjammers? I have read all of the posts and I think the answer is yes, but I just can’t tell for sure.

Thank you,

Bruce

youroo · 09-23-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepTravelin

My wife and I also got a private , 1 1/2 hr tour with Anthony Yoder(in pic attached) this past July. We went to the Millersburg assembly plant to see the Rockwood, Mini Lites built. Very impressive seeing this up close and personal. Yes, you will actually get to walk thru the assembly line as they are being built and will probably have to move out of there way as needed. We stayed at the Elkhart Campground and also toured the RV Hall of fame. I arraigned this tour months before arriving and I would highly recommend it.

Great Pic,but I don't remember Anthony wearing a "Purse "!

Youroo! !

youroo · 09-23-2018, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceinspp

They give you a time line as to when production will cease? Later RJD

We were at the Factorys located in Millersburg, In. They are"Service/plant#10 D/plant#10L/plant #10C" They were running the (Last of the Windjammer /V-Lites at that time,this was August of this year! They were being built in Plant#10 C!

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