2017 Rockwood Signature 8289ws

[paverdave]

Been looking to buy a 2017 Rockwood Signature 8289ws..We just notice that there are no drawers in the bedroom for pants, socks, underwear. Only one little one under the night stand...We really like this 5th trailer, but would be a deal breaker with no clothes drawers in the bedroom...How do other owners deal with this?..Need some help here...Thanks Dave

[WFD]

Not an issue for us....the 2016 is like that as well...we use the drawer under nightstand as well as the storage area above the bed and there is enough shelving in wardrobe slide that its never been an issue. It certainly would not have been a deal breaker for us, too many good things about the floor plan for that small an issue to be a deal breaker. However in the post Sept 2017 models they have moved the wardrobe slide to the other side and put in a sliding mirror door as opposed to the 3 doors the previous models had. Perhaps the new 2017's no longer have shelving in the wardrobe slide?? Does the model you are looking at have the kitchen pantry? If so, it is the post Sept 2017 model with the bedroom slide on the other side.

[paverdave]

Yes, it does have the kitchen pantry, and the ws on the other side of the trailer..Would like to get the 2017 model with the 2016 closet w/ shelves....Will have to see if I can order it that way. They made a mistake with no clothes drawers on the late model....Thanks for the reply...Dave

[markspm]

Just bought a pre sept build 2017 and love the layout. Also we have way more room upstairs then we'll ever use

[MOD Guy]

Not your camper or floor plan, but ours lacked drawers as well. I built some in the lower section of the closet.

[paverdave]

Thanks markspm...That is what I want, an early model with closet space in the bedroom...Why they got away from that I don't know...But got a call into the dealer and will see what I can do....Thanks Dave

[markspm]

Hey Dave. I agree. The panty to me is nice but even with that you lose allot of storage. Glad I was able to get the old style. I've heard of allot of people complaining about the changes. Good luck

[itat]

We have been looking at the 8289WS as a possible next camper for us. Unfortunately, they didn't have one at the Toronto RV Show when we visited yesterday but I was able to see a few other Rockwood Signature UL 5ers.

I have to say I think they've taken a step backwards except for the trend towards the bed slides that add a lot of space in the bedroom. We don't care for either of the new wood tones and the tile look floor we like so much on our current trailer doesn't look nearly as nice in the 2017 models. Both the tile look and the wood look floors have no dimensional effect. The backs of the chairs that come with the free standing dinette don't look very strong. I'm not a fan of the new soft close drawers - they're very stiff to open. And, it could be just the dealers that were there (both Rockwood and Flagstaff) but several cabinet doors were mounted crooked in their units.

I agree with others that the changes to the 2017 8289WS are more negative than positive. You get the big new pantry in the kitchen but it's really not needed and it resulted in shortening the length of the sofa. By moving the wardrobe slide to the back wall, which should be a positive, they positioned it further back, into the bathroom and deleted the nice linen closet when they relocated the vanity.

Looking at other manufacturers at the show, we really liked the similar floorplan in the Keystone Cougar X-Lite 28SGS. Much nicer wood tones and their "Cashmere" interior colour scheme is fantastic. Quality seemed to be a bit better than the Rockwoods. We also liked a lot of the design features in the Grand Design Refection models like the deep drawers (every drawer), the big docking station and the aluminum entry steps (which the Cougar also has).

[tmfaulksr]

Just moved to the 2015 RW8289WS (diamond pkg) because we loved the bedroom & living room layout. We have 2-hanging closets plus 1-shelving closet with an additional closet next to the bed. We feel this will meet every need. Hope this helps.

[paverdave]

MOD Guy...Thats exactly what I'm talking about..more drawers....What were they thinking!!! ...I will find out Monday if I can add the early model cabinets with the new Rockwood 8289 ws..Wife has been looking at the Rockwood 8299bs, with bed slide..nice trailer..Probably no going back now.. My Bank acc. keeps shrinking!!!! Thanks..Dave:

[chriscowles]

If you have sufficient cabinets with shelving, clear storage boxes are available in a variety of sizes and are suitable for socks, underwear, etc.

[WFD]

Paverdave.....I would be very surprised if they make a change like that in the bedroom slide, that stuff is all pre-built and they just basically assemble it. As mentioned in another post if you like the floorplan enough, you may have to make your own modification once you have it...we were going to hold out till the fall of 2017 to trade up but when we saw the floor plan change last Oct and our local dealer still had 1 pre Sept 2017 model, we decided to make the move now, because the post sept 2017 edition would be a deal breaker for us and cause us to look at other models.
Please let us know what they tell you.

[Darross]

We have a 2016 and unfortunately I see they have changed the closet. By looking at some of the pictures, it does look smaller. We have more than ample storage between the closet and area above the bed. It's unfortunate that it changed.
As WFD stated, if you can get a pre Sept model, it should still have the older style closet

Darross

[tahoe1840]

Just a thought for you, we have a wardrobe slide similar to yours. My DW found some great stackable plastic drawers that fit neatly in the wardrobe leaving enough space for some hanging as well.*

[paverdave]

WFD..The bedroom bed slide is model 8299bs witch the wife likes with plenty of bedroom drawers...The 8289ws (wardrobe slide) late model doesn't have any bedroom drawers. Thats the problem were having......The pre sept 2017 models is what I want......Will see.......Thanks Dave

[jtatum65]

Dave,

Where are you from and who are you trying to buy from? Look at RVTrader, they list several '16's listed with the wardrobe slide on the passenger side.

[paverdave]

Thanks jtatum65...Western Nevada here, Will check RV trader out..Looking to buy from east coast if we can get early model bedroom...Thanks Dave

[itat]

Originally Posted by paverdave

Thanks jtatum65...Western Nevada here, Will check RV trader out..Looking to buy from east coast if we can get early model bedroom...Thanks Dave

In you're not aware, the Flagstaff 8528IKWS is the same trailer just in Flagstaff colors and decals. If you want the pre-Sept. floorplan without the extra pantry you could look for the Flagstaff too. There just aren't as many Flagstaff dealers as Rockwood dealers.

[dcheatwood]

One of the closet/wardrobe doors opens to reveal shelves that we use for folded items. Also put lighter things like socks, underwear and T-shirts above the bed in our similar 8282ws.
I imagine the lack of drawers is in an effort to keep weight down. (Ultralight) drawers require hardware, rollers and more wood. = More weight.
The 8289 is a nice unit. Don't let the drawer issue keep you from it. 😁

[Radio]

There is unused space at the foot of many RV beds. The bedspread will usually hide the space and whatever you store there. We have organized that space using a number of cute boxes and baskets or even milk crates.

Cheap, easy, flexible.