2013 RW Windjammer 3008

[LTDreaminCO]

Does anyone know how the 2013s differ from the 2012s? I am hoping to pick up my unit toward the end of the month. Since delivery was delayed, I am getting a 13 instead of a 12 and wondered if there is any real difference.

Thanks!!

[pbrackney]

The only change that I really saw with ours is the rims are different. Here are the rims that came with mine. I have seen two different types of rims and neither are like the 2012's. Other than that I have not seen any other changes. of course having it be a 2013 will give it a better resale price.

We love our v-lite and I know you will love your WJ.

[Vambie]

Oops

[kamp k]

Another thing I've noticed is the manufacturers hitch weight on the 2013's is quite a bit more than the 2012 model for whatever reason. Our 2012 model had a dry hitch weight of 742 lbs listed on the FR website, whereas the 2013 is listed at 894.

[Old car]

We have a 2012 and I have not seen a 2013 3008 personally. I know interior trim patterns changed a bit but not sure about anything else.

[LTDreaminCO]

Thanks Kamp K. I haven't taken delivery yet hoping to get the unit by the end of the month. I purchased a 2012. Production delays resulted allowed us to be eligible for the 13. According to the dealer FR was out of the combo wood.

I was going to buy a 10K Equal-i-zer hitch, but with the increased weight I will be sure to get the 12k. Have a great camping season.

[pbrackney]

Originally Posted by kamp k

Another thing I've noticed is the manufacturers hitch weight on the 2013's is quite a bit more than the 2012 model for whatever reason. Our 2012 model had a dry hitch weight of 742 lbs listed on the FR website, whereas the 2013 is listed at 894.

KampK I have a 2012 brochure and the weight is listed as 894. The 742 lb must have applied to the 2011 and early 2012's before the full model switch over occurred. I am curious as to what caused the weight increase. Did they change the layout, tank locations, etc...

[pbrackney]

As I think about all this I seem to remember reading somewhere that when they switched over from the 2011 & early 2012 to the late 2012's abs early 2013 they moved the axels back a bit to help with stress on the sidewalls that was causing some cracking on certain models. That would increase the hitch weight.

This may be the answer to our question of why more hitch weight.

[kamp k]

Originally Posted by pbrackney

As I think about all this I seem to remember reading somewhere that when they switched over from the 2011 & early 2012 to the late 2012's abs early 2013 they moved the axels back a bit to help with stress on the sidewalls that was causing some cracking on certain models. That would increase the hitch weight.

This may be the answer to our question of why more hitch weight.

I'm not sure why the hitch weight increase either, and I was curious as well, but what you've stated would make sense. We placed our order on March 29th last year and thought we were ordering a 2011 at the time, but quickly learned from our dealer that ours would actually be a 2012 model. I guess we got one of the early 2012 models.

When we scaled ours at the CAT scales, the TT weighed 7690 lbs and the hitch weight was 750 lbs with WDH applied, and just over 1000 lbs. without WDH.

[mrtodds]

My understanding was the same as pbrackney's, they moved the axel's due to stress, and to give the whole unit better handling. But now for the question I was wondering about...we took our maiden voyage of 1980 miles to Florida and points along the way back to Maryland. "Absolutley" no problems and the layout is spectacular! BUT! When those tip outs go out the trailer goes from level to about one inch out, leaning with the tip out of course! lol I ended up putting a single leveling block under the drivers side of the camper making the rig lean slightly to the passengers side...then when the tips went out it was dead level! lol The stabilzers work "okay" but we get a lot of "hop" from walking..."or other activities" lmao I'm thinking of getting two old school levelers for under the port frame to take the weight? Any idea's on this guys?
Thanks

[ralphieracer]

I have noticed alot of movement in my 2012 Jammer 3008, I'm installing a stabilizing kit on mine which will tie the jacks to the frame on two corners in front and one in the rear.Will let you know if it helps.
I have a question to ask, does anyone get movement with the unit while towing? I went to a F250 SD from a F150 to increase my load capability, I have a good equalizing hitch, with sway control bar. Still was unsteady towing on the interstate, so I added 5000# capacity Air bags and have not used the Lift bars but still use the sway control. I seem to get pushed around alot and when it starts to dance, it doesn't get real bad, but gets your attension.I towed alot of trailers in 5th wheel design, but never a TT this size. Any comments?
Ralphie Racer

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by ralphieracer

I have noticed alot of movement in my 2012 Jammer 3008, I'm installing a stabilizing kit on mine which will tie the jacks to the frame on two corners in front and one in the rear.Will let you know if it helps.
I have a question to ask, does anyone get movement with the unit while towing? I went to a F250 SD from a F150 to increase my load capability, I have a good equalizing hitch, with sway control bar. Still was unsteady towing on the interstate, so I added 5000# capacity Air bags and have not used the Lift bars but still use the sway control. I seem to get pushed around alot and when it starts to dance, it doesn't get real bad, but gets your attension.I towed alot of trailers in 5th wheel design, but never a TT this size. Any comments?
Ralphie Racer

Triangulate your stabilizers.

[caper]

If you are using friction sway control you might need 2. One on each side. I added the second to our 3001 and it made the world of difference.

[mrtodds]

I have the f250sd and before I even towed it on this trip I added airbags at a neighbors suggestion just to help level up the rig better. I have a 12000 lb equilizer hitch set up but thought wht the hell, can't hurt! Besides the trailer we carry a 800lb golf cart in the bed as well. I've just switched to the travel trailer from a 5th wheel and it handles very similar to the ol 5th wheel, but it reminds you once in a while with a little drift to the side and a suck back over when a truck blows by you that it is a trailer indeed! lol I ran between 70 and 75 though so most of the time I was with or passing the trucks. I used pac-brake bags from ebay, actually sold by pac brake. $285 delivered and the install was a snap! If you do them, mount the air fittings on the trailers power supply bracket instead of drilling holes in the bumper.
Remember that the springs nowadays are desighned for a comfortable "empty ride" and it takes a few inches of rear end sag to get to the real springs! lol The air bags offer support to the axel without interuption!

[mrtodds]

Attention 3008 owners! We just got back from my son's graduation of Coast guard boot camp in cape may and I have a few pointers for 3008 owners.
1. The rear drawers under the bed can hold "nothing".
2. The bottom of the chest in the bedroom can hold "nothing".
3. buy a small bottle jack and put it right under the frame holding the axel's on the left side of the rig.
To elaborate; The drawers under the bed, and the bottom of the chest have "toilet tissue" for a bottom....unsupported toilet tissue, and they give way when the trailer is encountering bumps in the road. Yes we loaded them kightly in anticipation of the g forces in that area of the camper. The fix-Forest river and your RV dealer will tell you what you'd expect.....don't load them so much! Well duh! So I'm cutting 3/8 oak venner ply to put in these three area's.

The bottle Jack; When those two beutifully sized tip outs "tip out" the weight differential is incredible and the levelers can not compensate for them, so you get rocking and movement in the unit. Place the bottle jack "I have a 4000lb little one, between the two axels and catch the angle Iron on it's down leg and jack your rig back to level. ""Amazing Improvement" and the jack doubles as a...."Jack" lol
We love the rig, and the floor plan though Good luck to all! Mrtodd out!

[Redheaded blue tick]

looked at a 2013 3008, the only changes noticed were the scare/side lights, and the frame has been changed