Changes for 2019 Rockwood Fifth Wheel Models

[itat]

It looks like Rockwood (and Flagstaff) have consolidated all their models without a bed slide into the Ultra Lite series 5th wheels (the UL’s all have a wardrobe slide on the driver’s side). That includes the popular (former) Signature 8289WS which is now the 2889WS. All the Signature series models now have a bed slide. And there are only 4 Signature series models now. According to Doug Fought at Rockwood sales, they’re also now going to start equipping them with the Nautilus all-in-one "water management system" like Grand Design has been using for a few years.

[JonE]

I am wondering when Forest River is going to update their website with this sort of information? Starting to see new models hit dealer lots but still no mention on the fr website. Also, the website still displays models that apparently have been discontinued.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by JonE

I am wondering when Forest River is going to update their website with this sort of information? Starting to see new models hit dealer lots but still no mention on the fr website. Also, the website still displays models that apparently have been discontinued.

For what ever reason, the web site is the last to be updated.
Been that way for years.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 5picker

For what ever reason, the web site is the last to be updated.
Been that way for years.

YEP!

[nomad297]

You can keep up to date on Rockwood better if you follow their Facebook page.

Bruce

[JonE]

I guess they were listening to us. New Rockwood & Flagstaff models are now updated on the website

[JohnD10]

My SOB 5'ver is a 2015, and am I ever glad I bought it then.

It is a very similar floorplan to the FR ones mentioned here...probably the same chasis, even!

The 2016 and newer models lost the bedroom slide with the closets in it, which I believe is a weight cutting measure to make a so-called 1/2-ton towable...which it is not.

Without that bedroom slide there no is no access to the bathroom from the bedroom...you have to go down the stops to the kitchen, turn around and then open the bathroom door, then back up the steps to enter the bathroom!

I probably would still have my TT if the 2015's like mine had that new revision.

[EMICT]

I was caught in the Signature to Ultra Lite confusion when I ordered my FW back in August. I wanted an 8298WS and when I attempted to order this FW with my dealer, they had just terminated taking orders on this unit. I ordered the 2898KS having been told that this unit was the replacement for the 8298WS... however, I was not told at the time that the "replacement" was now in the Ultra Lite series, not the Signature series. It didn't make a lick of since to me as this particular unit is 36 feet long (compared to 33 feet for the 8298WS) and weighs in at 9528 lbs. The only "ultra lite" feature is the pin weight at around 1450 lbs. I wasn't familiar with the naming regiment of the Rockwood series at the time, so I didn't realize that the 2000 series numbers were the Ultra Lites and the 8000 series were the Signatures.

With that all said, after adjusting my expectations, I am happy thus far with the unit.

[itat]

More changes for 2019....

- now using the Nautilus P1 water management system like in Grand Design Reflection 5ers

- now using a 360Siphon vent cap on the black tank vent

- now using the LCI Turning Point pinbox rather than the Reese Revolution

- added the Shower Miser water saver system at the shower faucet

- on the 5th wheel, they did a color change on the front cap. The light brown on the 2018 is now a dark brown and the Signature logo has changed.

[bikendan]

Wish FR would make a Rockwood/Flagstaff version of the Open Range/Mesa Ridge 280RKS 5th wheel.

[WFD]

Originally Posted by itat

More changes for 2019....

- now using the Nautilus P1 water management system like in Grand Design Reflection 5ers

- now using a 360Siphon vent cap on the black tank vent

- now using the LCI Turning Point pinbox rather than the Reese Revolution

- added the Shower Miser water saver system at the shower faucet

- on the 5th wheel, they did a color change on the front cap. The light brown on the 2018 is now a dark brown and the Signature logo has changed.

They went away from the dark front cap in 2016 because of the grief it caused them, and now they are going back to it?

[itat]

Originally Posted by WFD

They went away from the dark front cap in 2016 because of the grief it caused them, and now they are going back to it?

Hopefully the new caps are properly painted and clear coated.

The front cap color change was done on the new TTs, too.

[itat]

One other change I forgot to note in post #9 is that they are now mounting the spare tire underneath the coach, not on the rear bumper.

The bigger changes are on the 2019.5 models. Some early 2019s don’t have these changes.

[Tooters]

Not all of the 2019 Signature model 5th wheels have a bed slide. I have a 2019 8298WS Rockwood Signature 5th Wheel. (not a ultra-lite). Forest river started making them and at some point stopped. I don't know how many were made but the mfr date of mine is 16 July 2018.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Tooters

Not all of the 2019 Signature model 5th wheels have a bed slide. I have a 2019 8298WS Rockwood Signature 5th Wheel. (not a ultra-lite). Forest river started making them and at some point stopped. I don't know how many were made but the mfr date of mine is 16 July 2018.

That’s interesting. That model isn’t on the website now. It must have been an early 2019. My current 2011 TT isn’t in the 2011 brochure.

[itat]

Well, it seems there is yet another late-2019 model year change at the Rockwood factory...Azdel will replace the luan in exterior walls in all laminated wall units.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3NpCidvvU

[JonE]

Originally Posted by itat

Well, it seems there is yet another late-2019 model year change at the Rockwood factory...Azdel will replace the luan in exterior walls in all laminated wall units.

Will this bring any significant weight savings? Are the weights listed on the FR website with or without the Azdel?

[itat]

Originally Posted by JonE

Will this bring any significant weight savings? Are the weights listed on the FR website with or without the Azdel?

I don’t know about weight savings. They aren’t really promoting it at this point. But to me the biggest pro is the potential for reducing, if not eliminating, the chances of delamination. I had that happen on the bunk doors of my 2010 Roo and had to replace both doors. If they had used Azdel its possible it wouldn’t have delaminated on the exterior.

[itat]

We did our PDI yesterday on our very early-2019 (build date April 4, 2018) Signature 8290BS and discovered a few more changes I wasn't aware of:

- The sparker for the stove top burner also lights the oven pilot light. Its a push button, too. If you partially open the oven door you can see the reflection of the pilot light so you don't need to get on your hands and knees to see if its lit.

- The Suburban furnace can run on both propane (with 12VDC) and 120 VAC shore power electric.

- Signature models no long come standard with the metal "weathershield" for the Dometic awning. Its now an option you have to order.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by itat

We did our PDI yesterday on our very early-2019 (bulf date April 4, 2018) Signature 8290BS and discovered a few more changes I wasn't aware of:

- The sparker for the stove top burner also lights the oven pilot light. Its a push button, too. If you partially open the oven door you can see the reflection of the pilot light so you don't need to get on your hands and knees to see if its lit.

- The Suburban furnace can run on both propane (with 12VDC) and 120 VAC shore power electric.

- Signature models no long come standard with the metal "weathershield" for the awning. Its now an option you have to order.

Interesting... I'll be anxious to hear more about this one!