New Guy needs help

dogman · 11-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Hi All,
I am in the market for a new TT and thought I would ask the professionals. Currently I am deployed to Iraq so I have a few months before I will buy one but wanted to start asking questions now. The TV will be a 2007 Silverado Crew Cab 1500 Shortbed, 4x4/Z71w/tow package. I am interested in the 829FKSS/831FKBSS or the 829FLBDS. As you can tell I like a lot of them. All the info or recomendations you can give me will be greatly appreciated. If you dont want to fill the forum up feel free to PM me. Thanks in advance for all your help.

davenrobin · 11-10-2008, 04:18 PM

First off, let me thank you for your service.

We have a Rockwood 8296SS which is the twin of the 829FKSS.

We love it with no major problems so far.

dezolen · 11-10-2008, 04:57 PM

Buy the one you really want first even if it means borrowing a bit as it will be cheaper than trading in in a few years. 2 foot syndrome is common as with boat ownership. Ask me how I know.
Your truck should handle any of your choices

welshman599 · 11-10-2008, 08:03 PM

Hey dogman Welcome. My first thought was "There's professionals here?? Where?"

Now's a great time to do some planning and figuring (with your head down) and narrow down your units of interest. I'm not an expert but you seem to be focussing on units that are well within the towing capability of the truck. I'd be leaning a bit away from the 829FLBDS because the double slide-out on the other models really open the living area up more than the single does, but on the other hand the room around the bed is better on that unit. So that's just personal preference.

dahmmer · 11-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Buy the one you really want first even if it means borrowing a bit as it will be cheaper than trading in in a few years. 2 foot syndrome is common as with boat ownership. Ask me how I know.
Your truck should handle any of your choices

I can fully attest to this . Bought new toyhauler last year but 24 ft when I wanted a 28 footer . 1 year later almost to the day ended uo trading in on a 30 footer toyhauler. So mine was a six foot syndrome. Get the size you really want now and save money in the long run.

Radio · 11-10-2008, 09:31 PM

You might not think so now, but you are in a good position. You can't buy anything, but you can research, think, and change your mind. I was in that position for about 5 years, then my finances changed and was able to purchase exactly what we wanted, a Rockwood 8280SS.

Had I not been forced into a situation where all I could do was research, think and plan, then I may not have been as happy with my purchase as I am. We're going to own this trailer for a long, long time.

Think about what you are going to do, where you are going to go and then decide on the RV that will fill that need.

And take your time.

And thanks for serving!

Hokiehall · 11-11-2008, 06:43 AM

Welcome to the forum dogman, and thank you on this Veterans Day for your service to our country. You are truly one of the great heroes of our time.

As others have said, do plenty of research and get the trailer you want. Don't "settle" for one you are not sure about because you will end up getting rid of it in a year. We have had 3 so far and still haven't found the perfect one, although we keep looking at the Flagstaff 831RLSS/Rockwood 8314. Our issue is that our TV would be at its limit with those and we really are not ready to trade both trailer and TV.

Don't hesitate to ask questions and don't worry about "filling up the forum" as this is one of the reasons it exists.

rlocicero · 11-11-2008, 03:38 PM

We researched this extensively. and decided that both the 829 and 831 are a great choice. We are going to go with the 829FKSS only because my wife likes it better. She says that it feels more warm and cozy. Your truck will have no problem towing either. We are currently towing a 31' Holiday Rambler Savoy 7200# dry weight.

dogman · 11-12-2008, 01:42 PM

Hey just wanted to thank everyone for all the great input. I think I have narrowed it down to the 829FKSS or the 831 FLSS...This site has some really good information on it and I cant wait to get more active in it. I hope to be camping my first week back to the states.

dogman · 11-12-2008, 02:54 PM

Ok, need more assistance. I just found a 2007 831FKSS brand new from a dealer and they are asking 15K. Whats everyones input.

dezolen · 11-12-2008, 03:42 PM

Just remember once it is in your name it will be worth 1/2 what you paid. It is 2 yrs old no matter what. Doen't matter too much if you plan on keeping it for a long time. If it is exactly what you want go for it. should be lots of bargaining power for new 2009 as 2010's will be out by March or April if previous history of model years is any indication

MtnGuy · 11-12-2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogman

Ok, need more assistance. I just found a 2007 831FKSS brand new from a dealer and they are asking 15K. Whats everyones input.

I don't know much about that model other than what is on the Flagstaff website, but I just bought a smaller unit (2008 Surveyor 263) for more money, so that deal seems like a lot of bang for the buck. A lot has to do with what options are on the unit.

Chap

dogman · 11-12-2008, 05:51 PM

I wasnt aware that 2010's would come out so soon. It may work out to my advantage to wait till I get back from Baghdad. Thanks for the info dezolen. I think I will keep lookin.

rockwood06 · 11-13-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Just remember once it is in your name it will be worth 1/2 what you paid. It is 2 yrs old no matter what. Doen't matter too much if you plan on keeping it for a long time. If it is exactly what you want go for it. should be lots of bargaining power for new 2009 as 2010's will be out by March or April if previous history of model years is any indication

Talking to the dealer where I bought my Rockwood, It seems that I am loosing approx $2,000 a year on my camper. A $27,000 camper that I bought for $21,000 in 2006 new is now worth approx $12,000 to $14,000 and I have had it for 3 years. From what I understand, one has to keep there camper 5 to 7 years to get the most out of it. Has anyone heard different?

08flagvlite · 11-13-2008, 11:05 PM

One thing nobody has mentioned here is that your TV- A 1500 crew cab short bed 4x4 is really a little bit under rated to pull that big of a camper. How I know is I live in flat Florida, and as you can tell by my stuff, my Dodge ram 1500 Quad cab shortbed hemi is really under rated for my V-Lite. I need more torque, and rear susp. is "mushy". This truck is rated to pull 9800 lbs., and my camper weighs 5700 lbs. dry. I wish I had a diesel, and at least a 2500 chassis. I have 390 H.P. with mods, although my rear end is a 3:56, and that could be some of the problem, as well as P rated tires, instead of LT.
GOOD LUCK on your decision, OH, I also only get 7 mpg towing at 60-65 mph. My engine is a 347 cid gas V8, with an overdrive automatic. Just thought you might be interested. Randy

realebill · 11-14-2008, 05:26 PM

thanks for your service. i'm sure you will find the right trailer. hopefully you can get a good deal on the trailer of your choice

dogman · 11-20-2008, 10:28 AM

I just received an email from a dealer stating that the Flagstaff models do NOT have an enclosed underbelly and they DONT have a polar packages on travel trailers. Is this true? I have seen a lot of advertisements from other dealer websites stating they do have enclosed underbelly's and polar package. I guess I might be misunderstanding what a polar package is. Any words of wisdom from y'all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Oh one more thing. Its still about 75 degrees here so it would still be good camping if you dont mind the sand storms and bullets.

out4stlhed · 11-20-2008, 07:35 PM

Can't help much with the camper issues because we have always towed larger and heavier requiring diesel to do the best job.

I would like to thank you for your service. Our son-in-law is currently at camp bucca until may or june. Our daughter, his wife, is in the seaman to admiral program getting her engineering degree then commissioned in 2010.

Come home safe so that you can enjoy whatever TT you decide on.

Greg

**Bama Rambler** · 11-21-2008, 09:17 AM

While I don't know if they changed it since 2007 Forest Rivers website states that the Flagstaff line has enclosed sectionalized underbelly. It doesn't mention a "polar" package as an option though.

Good luck and stay safe.

armadafrfs · 11-22-2008, 03:45 PM

The Flagstaff I was looking at had an enclosed underbelly with electronically controlled heated tanks as well. That, usually coupled with higher R values, is what I have seen in polar packages in other brands.

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