2703WS differences between 2015 and 2016 Models?

Knothead · 12-19-2015, 02:57 PM

I just purchased a 2016 2703WS (still at dealer for add ons). I've been researching the 2607 for a while and then decided on the 2703.
Unfortunately, it appears that mine may be a 2015 with a 2016 nose on it! It does not have the 15" tires that it is supposed to come standard with and now I find that it is not wired for the Furrion Camera System like it is supposed to be. I don't know yet what else it is supposed to have that it doesn't! It does not have the GVWR that the 2016 is supposed to have (7700# as opposed to 8139#). I don't know if they changed the axles and brakes on the 2016 or what other changes would have allowed for a heavier GVWR?
Someone is sure to know what changes were made between years. Thanks in advance!

Cmccul · 12-20-2015, 12:25 PM

The year may not be the defining difference. We ordered a 2015 Flagstaff 26RLWS. We started seeing 2015's with different front ends, different refrigerators, different cabinet handles, etc. They had changed mid year. So two 2015's could look a lot different and I guess 2016 could be as well.

Ejs4029 · 12-21-2015, 10:25 AM

We ordered our 2703 Rockwood in April and it was delivered in June has a 2016 Model ours did have the new nose. Some of the differences I did notice in newer 2016 models are an additional 110V outlet at the kitchen counter, Revised cushions in the dinette (No More rounded corners), Looks like glass panels in the cabinets above the dinette, White corian counter tops (Looks like non rounded edges), Radius Shower, Additional 110V plug in front of queen bed, No longer have the full length wardrobe on street side of the bed and it looks like they are putting a charging center next to the 110V outlet at the front of the queen bed on the wardrobe side...I'm sure there are some other changed they have made.

Knothead · 12-21-2015, 05:32 PM

I appreciate any information, I'm happy as a clam to have a new Rockwood, but I specifically bought a 2016 because of some of the new features and they don't seem to be on mine like in the videos and brochures!

Probwrm19 · 12-22-2015, 01:10 PM

Forest River seems to have made a lot of changes half way through the 2016 production year. Our new 2109s had several changes we liked in the 2016 1/2 year (for lack of a better name). Shower doors instead of a curtain and a better couch were the big differences. We had to specify which model year we wanted to be sure we got what we wanted. The dealer had to order ours even though he still had an earlier 2016 on lot.

**2-B-REIL** · 12-22-2015, 04:35 PM

Being a dealer, we can tell you this what you are seeing... Year changes in the March/April Time frame. So if you were looking at a 2015 in Feb. and ordered on and it came in, lets say, the month of May, it would have been a 2016. What is the difference between them, nothing. The industry makes a model year change, but does not typically make product improvements until the start of the fall season. As a dealer we do not care for that as it is confusing to both the consumer and the sales staff on what they are selling. Some people compare the RV industry to the Auto industry.. When there is a Year Change in the RV side of things there is again typically no product changes. Rockwood made product changes approximately the 1st part of August time frame. "Knothead", you can look at the production date on the side of the unit. If it was produced from Approx. late March up to the August Time frame it would be a 2016 Model, but will not have the current (August to date) updates on it. You are basically getting a 2015 with a 2016 Title. Wood Color/Deco will tell a lot. Wood Décor for 2015 into 2016 was Hickory and Cherry. The New Décor is Driftwood and Maple. The 2703 is a great Floorplan, enjoy. Hope this helps a little.

Knothead · 12-22-2015, 06:10 PM

I appreciate all the information, the trouble is that a lot of it is contradictory.

I did an enormous amount of research online last night comparing the pictures of 2015 and 2016 model 2703WS and comparing the differences in installed components, size and weight comparisons, graphics, and layouts. The differences in floor-plans did not significantly change. There were cabinette and interior color changes, and lot more electrical outlets, different sized refrigerators (very important), etc. on the interior. The real major changes occurred in the chassis (frames) between the two years. That alone, is a substantial difference that should have been pointed out (like buying a new car with a four cylinder when you thought you were getting a big block v-8!)

I called Forest River this morning to verify some of my concerns. My unit was built in April 2015. He said that the model year changes occur when the new brochures come out in June. He says that this unit should not have been a 2016 but a 2015, (it is equipped just like one built in October of 2014) and if it somehow got listed as a 2016 the dealer should have disclosed that this unit was not compliant to the 2016 specs. Forest River (Rockwood) changed from Lippert to Northwood frames for the 2016 model year. Judging from the complaints I have read online, there was a reason for this.

Bottom line is that I didn't get what I paid for. I went into the dealer with a 2016 brochure and said this is the trailer that we want. The brochures, websites, and many videos online detail the current features on the 2016 2703WS and that's the foundation for my purchase decision. I could easily have purchased a 2015 that the dealer had for a lot less, but it didn't have the features and GVWR of the 2016.

Small design changes are to be expected, but this trailer is substantially different than what Forest River advertises for 2016 models.

None of this is your fault, and I don't intend to take anything out on anyone here. These types of purchases are huge for most of us and I just want what I thought I was getting.

Ejs4029 · 01-06-2016, 11:13 AM

Knothead, Did you order your 2703 or did you buy if off the lot from the dealer ? Just wondering if you had the opportunity to verify any of the components before purchasing it...I know when we ordered ours in April I confirmed with the dealer it was going to have the new nose and even contacted FR to make sure. So mine is essentially a 2015 with a 2016 Title. The cosmetic interior and exterior changes (decals) have been trickling out since then I even had a plug added at the factory that is now standard in the bedroom area. Some of the new changes my wife and I liked and some we didn't those that we liked were the new radius shower, and the non rounded dinette cushions the one we didn't like was the white corian counter tops (I like the gray rounded edge better that we have)

The new frame and upgraded wheels and axles would have been something I wished I had not that I have had any issues with mine it's just an upgrade that I feel like if I had known it was going to be offered in 6 months from when I bought mine I would have waited but I guess it's just like any new model year product it's always going to have something nicer or upgraded so I don't beat myself up about that too much

Camp123 · 01-09-2016, 12:28 AM

What is the difference in the nose between the 2015 and 2016 Rockwood 2703ws? We purchased a 2016 Rockwood 2703ws in September

Knothead · 01-09-2016, 07:34 PM

Hi Camp123,

Sometime in the 2015 run (along about the October period as I can surmise from Forest River) they changed from a rolled Laminate nose area to a fiberglass nose "cap". The old rolled noses had a diamond plate gravel shield up about a foot and a half or so from the bottom edge. Others may differ in the description, but if you have the gravel plate on the bottom edge it is the early version of the 2015s. The fiberglass Cap has a "winged" pattern molded into the front.

Hope this helps!

Ejs4029 · 01-11-2016, 09:58 AM

Knothead is right on the money here are some pics to show you the difference.

seldent · 04-16-2016, 06:48 PM

is the entery door strut a 2015/2016 feature that was replaced with the standard hold-open latch on the 2016/2017?

raspivey · 04-16-2016, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seldent

is the entery door strut a 2015/2016 feature that was replaced with the standard hold-open latch on the 2016/2017?

Not sure if it's on all models and when it started. My 2014 2104S has a strut. The 2017 2703WS I just ordered doesn't...at least the one I looked at on the lot before I ordered just had the latch.

firefighter73 · 04-17-2016, 04:10 PM

My 2016 2703ws has the strut

raspivey · 04-17-2016, 08:42 PM

Just out of curiosity, what was the build date on it?

firefighter73 · 04-17-2016, 08:49 PM

Mine was built August of 2015

raspivey · 04-17-2016, 09:25 PM

I was just curious. I've heard they tend to switch year models around March / April and don't actually change them up until around Aug. / Sep. I'm almost willing to bet that that they changed things up on the 2016 shortly after yours was built. They did that to me when they were building my 2104S about the same time yours was built. They called the dealer to tell him that they were switching to the new decor and wanted to check with me. The one I just ordered and the one I looked at a few weeks or so ago are 2017, but I believe they're actually 2016 built after September or so and called a 2017. The pics I've seen seem to back that up so far. Of course, I'm starting to believe that what you get depends on what was handy on the assembly line that day and who was working.....

andymil · 04-18-2016, 07:29 PM

We picked up our 2703WS on Friday (4/15). It was just manufactured the last week of March. I noticed a ball stud near the hinge side of the entry door threshold and found one on the bottom of the door. No strut.
I questioned Forrest River today but haven't received a reply yet.

I don't want to hijack this thread but I want to warn 2703WS owners to check the refrigerator vent covers. Because the refer. is in the slide, it has two of the standard plastic Dometic vents on the side. I checked the top one and found no sealant along the bottom inside edge of the frame. The bottom frame had a generous amount of silicone sealant applied. These will leak and allow water to soak everything behind and below the refer. I can't believe Dometic hasn't changed the design of these vents for at least 10 years and probably a lot longer.

seldent · 04-20-2016, 08:13 PM

***I noticed a ball stud near the hinge side of the entry door threshold and found one on the bottom of the door. No strut.***

So your must have the traditional T latch?

***I don't want to hijack this thread but I want to warn 2703WS owners to check the refrigerator vent covers. Because the refer. is in the slide, it has two of the standard plastic Dometic vents on the side. I checked the top one and found no sealant along the bottom inside edge of the frame. The bottom frame had a generous amount of silicone sealant applied.***

I hope this was just overlooked in one unit and not an epidemic with many. Thank you I will be sure to check when I pick mine up in a couple weeks.

andymil · 04-20-2016, 09:24 PM

Yeah, it has the T latch. Forest River said it shouldn't have a strut.

I've had three other owners find no sealant on the upper vent frame. Check the last few posts in the thread "First real trip in the 2703WS!!". Two owners there and someone picked up a new one today that had no sealant. It's starting to look like standard practice. I contacted Forest River but haven't heard back yet.

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