Looking to buy a FW.. concerened about bent frames on rear kithcen

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by dezolen

No problems with rear kitchens. I would rather not sit at rear of 5th wheel and have to look thru center kitchen to watch the tv. Also much more cupboard space with the rear kitchen layout.

Keep to the facts.. This is my layout. I don't watch the tv through the kitchen while sitting in lazy boys or lounging on the sofa.

[grhodes50]

Originally Posted by RV Guy

Don't be scared Gary because we normally do spec in larger I Beams than many of our competitors and yours is a 10".

I ain't scared.

I have looked at the frame and I did notice the 10" I beams.
As you know, I've been over that tt with a fine tooth comb several times.

I know that trailers have had frame failures, just never heard of the rk models being more prone to do so. All manufacturers have been producing rk models for years and you would think that if there is a problem we would have read about it by now.
Eveyone has their preference, but if Snowsail and his wife really like the rk models, I would hate to see them settle for something else unnecessarily.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by RV Guy

Don't be scared Gary because we normally do spec in larger I Beams than many of our competitors and yours is a 10".

I love the Prime Time Crusader and I'm sure it's well built , I just couldn't afford the friggin thing. In a different price range all together. Not really comparable to Rockwood/Flagstaff.

[grhodes50]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I love the Prime Time Crusader and I'm sure it's well built , I just couldn't afford the friggin thing. In a different price range all together. Not really comparable to Rockwood/Flagstaff.

Wow. I only paid $2k more for my 2011 LaCrosse than I did for my '09 Rockwood.

If I remember correctly the LaCrosse is 8" longer and it has a few more features. The LaCrosse dry weight is heavier by about 900 lbs.

So pretty much comparing apples to apples.

[crocus]

A TEN INCH I-beam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crap, I would sure like to have that under my fifth!
But that does emphasize the difference between campers, and underscores my concern about the Flagstaff/Rockwood fifthwheels. Although the frame is much shorter on a fifth wheel, so wouldn't have to be nearly as big as an equal-length bumper hitch camper, it still would be nice if it was more than 1/8 inch thick. That is why it is difficult to mount a rear hitch, as anything welded to that thin metal just rips right out. Heck, we can't even mount a bike carrier on the rear "bumper", as it will rip out of the frame! Geez! Maybe they shouldn't have scrimped quite so much just to make them light?
My old Cobra weighed 3000 lbs less, but had a frame twice as strong. Newer isn't always better. If that old Cobra had a slide, I would have never sold it. I pulled a 2500 lb boat behind it with no worry. I would never try that with the Flagstaff.
As for dezolen's dumb comment, it was a DUMB comment.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by grhodes50

Wow. I only paid $2k more for my 2011 LaCrosse than I did for my '09 Rockwood.

If I remember correctly the LaCrosse is 8" longer and it has a few more features. The LaCrosse dry weight is heavier by about 900 lbs.

So pretty much comparing apples to apples.

Good for you. . The difference in my neck of the woods was $5K plus. Not the same apple. Do you get employee pricing?

[rbarrieau]

Make sure all your cabinets are secure when u travel the rear kitchen tends to bounce things around when u r towing.

[grhodes50]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Good for you. . The difference in my neck of the woods was $5K plus. Not the same apple. Do you get employee pricing?

I wish!

I used my old tried and true negotiating tactic.......

.......I sent the little grandkids in first!

[grhodes50]

Originally Posted by rbarrieau

Make sure all your cabinets are secure when u travel the rear kitchen tends to bounce things around when u r towing.

I heard that alot and was a little concerned about it before I purchased the tt.
Our experience is some of the light items, paper plates, paper cups, paper towels, etc.... do bounce some, but everything in our pantry and fridge stay put. So it's turned out to be a non-issue for us.

A couple of things I need to point out. Our 303RKS tongue weight is approx 200 lbs heavier compared to other PT tt's with the same approx length and weight. This is due to the axles being a little further back than most because the placement of the tt's entry door. Of course it has the Equa-Flex suspension with the EZ Tow axles (further apart). This may be part of why everything rides okay.

[RV Guy]

Employee Pricing -LOL

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by RV Guy

Employee Pricing -LOL

I just figured he must have been an employee of yours.

[RV Guy]

I was gonna claim we are one in the same but Gary's just another satisfied owner!

[grhodes50]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I just figured he must have been an employee of yours.

I can understand people thinking that when they read my post about PT.

Honestly, this is the best tt I've owned (total of 5), the best customer service I have experienced and only one other dealer has treated me as well.

[Dave_Monica]

Where's the posts regarding frame bending on rear kitchen layouts? I've never have heard of that issue before, but would like to read any info available on it.

To the OP...you can see how opinionated we all can be defending our choice in a camper layout. You need need to spend some time at the dealer in campers evaluating layouts and make your own choice based on your wants and needs.

Good luck.

Dave

[dezolen]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Keep to the facts.. This is my layout. I don't watch the tv through the kitchen while sitting in lazy boys or lounging on the sofa.

Let me clairify
I am referring to a Rockwood 8285ws layout which is closest in size to the 8280ws rear kitchen layout

[crocus]

"Let me clairify, I am referring to a Rockwood 8285ws layout which is closest in size to the 8280ws rear kitchen layout"
=====================================
Well dezolen, Rugged Brown's 2011 Flagstaff 8528 CKWS is the same size.
As is mine.
JFYI

[dretired]

We have 2012 Keystone Cougar High Country model 299rks ..We love its kitchen , i love the head room in the bedroom area( i am 6 ft tall),, lots of storage .7,700 lbs dry 1,450 pin weight

[jjarrard]

I lurked for almost a year reading posts about layout and construction. RKs were high on my list. We both wanted a large rear window with two easy chairs in the rear. I never could warm up to the television placement of most RL models. Storage was also a huge issue for us. Many TT layouts with a lot of living space lacked storage. When we finally walked through a Lacrosse 301RLS, we knew right away it was different. We could easily accept the tradeoffs. It has the large window with chairs. The television placement is great. The 12 cubic ft fridge, fireplace, and large storage is great! I appreciate The construction and plumbing details also. We still have not found a TT we like better. Make sure the tradeoffs are the ones you can live with. Every layout has them. I can say without reservation that Prime Time makes an extraordinary unit!

[crocus]

dretired, no doubt your Cougar is a very nice camper, but is it really only 7700 lbs dry? I think that might be at the upper end of what the OP could pull with his Ecoboost.

[dretired]

Yes, It really is 7,700 lbs dry ..at least thats what both the storm door and front left corner stickers say. We (the 2 of us ) will keep the weight down as much as we can.. An F150( super cab) eco boost, with MAX Trailer tow pkg, max Payload pkg, ( dont forget those towing mirrors ) 3,73 rear gears and a 8ft box can give around 11,300 lbs of towing capability and a payload of close to 3,000 lbs...