Has anybody seen the 8285IKWS? Opinions?

[RhoZeta]

Just lost our beloved 83166SS TT in a freak accident at storage facility (roof caved in from ice storm 2 weeks ago) Insurance has not looked at yet but it will be totaled, was kind of bummed out for the first week but now I am excited at the possibilities of a new camper! We want a 5th wheel (well, at least I do , Me Wife is still in shock)
Loved our Rockwood and will most likely go with another, they really seem to be one of the best bang for the buck campers going.

The 8285IKWS is a new model and I really like it, as does me Wife.

Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite Fifth Wheel by Forest River

I also like the 8289WS.

Also saw a V-Cross Platinum, 315VRL that we really liked as well, tho it is quite a bit heavier than the Rockwoods but still in the FR family.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/FifthW...pe=fifthwheels

Any opinions on the new model from anybody yet?
Thanks!

[MarcusN]

We love our 2013 8289WS. Love the opposing slides, really opens up the living area. Get many comments on the awning coming off the slide out as Rockwood only one we found with this and gives us 17' of awning vs just 9'. Put our picnic table there and sit under the other. Make sure you get the Platinum or Diamond edition as the interiors are much nicer.

[PapaSmurf]

I do not have an opinion, but can tell you what we have had in the past and did not like... having to look over the kitchen counter to see TV. The Rockwood has the TV on the other end of the kitchen from the seating. Anything left on the island is in the line of view, plus it is uncomfortable to see from the sofa. The V-Nose has a much better set-up for keeping the TV in view from all seating areas. Additionally, the 38 foot length will provide you a huge living area in general.

If you have the truck to safely tow it, bigger is always better.

[WFD]

Not sure about the 8285 but with the 8289 the tv is located across from the couch and in perfect view of the lazyboys so the island does not come into play at all....beautiful floor plan...you can get the exact same floor plan in a Flagstaff but the model # escaped me right now, its not 8289.

Rick

[RhoZeta]

Well, ended up ordering a Heritage Glen 327 RES, really liked the layout. We looked at most all of the Rockwood models, did like the 8285IKWS and the 8282WS, but the Heritage Glen won out. Did look at the 8289 as it was recommended and listed as the dealers most popular seller, curious tho, to those who have an 8289, what the heck do you do for a pantry? It seemed like it had very little storage. Did like the layout, just seemed like no storage.

[tomjsas]

I use the cupboards by the door and the one up in the hall by the bath for my pantry. I find it has plenty of storage.

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

[jeepman71]

Never thought about the lack of a pantry. We still have not put much of anthing in any of the cabinets over the chairs at the back of ours.

[5er_tom]

The 8289WS has a new floor plan for 2014. The stairs up are now along the side of the unit, where the panty had been. There appears to be more room under the microwave, but I cannot tell if the large panty that was in the pre-2014's is still there. We have the 2013 and have almost more storage than we need.

We love the unit and highly recommend this floorplan, and Rockwood, to everyone.

[Weezer]

We just bought the (somewhat) twin to this 5er, the 8528IKWS, Platinum Package, Regency Interior.
Picking it up in the morning...yeeeeehaw!

There are many new features to the 2014...split awnings, one over the dinette slide (which also has it's own slide topper) and one over the entry door. The awnings now have metal shields that cover the roll when the awning is rolled up.
With the platinum package, of course, comes quite a few upgrades; bonded, frameless windows, etc.
We looked at the Diamond package but we're in the South where it gets HOT, and that tan exterior 1. absorbs more heat 2. isn't worth the added 1K.

Oh, and we traded in our 2014 V-Lite, still listed in my signature line.

[RhoZeta]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

The 8289WS has a new floor plan for 2014. The stairs up are now along the side of the unit, where the panty had been. There appears to be more room under the microwave, but I cannot tell if the large panty that was in the pre-2014's is still there. We have the 2013 and have almost more storage than we need.

We love the unit and highly recommend this floorplan, and Rockwood, to everyone.

I can assure you there is zero pantry in the 8289 we looked at, my wife just kept walking around it mumbling over and over "there must be storage here somewhere" LOL. I had been telling her it was the best seller, most recommended etc. and after that I have lost a little credibility... Must have been a 2014 thing as all the units we saw were 2014's.

[RhoZeta]

Pics:

2014 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8289WS Fifth Wheel by Rockwood_8_5th Stock# 852742 Inventory - The Original RVWholesalers

[WFD]

We currently have an 8289 on order...the pantry at the entrance was done away with part way through 2014...in fact when we finalizing our order in Oct many dealers didn't even know about the change yet...in fact you can still find some on dealer lots with the pantry. They also moved the toilet so now you have a full linen in bathroom as opposed to the previous that had it above the toilet. There is also now a pocket door from the bedroom to the bathroom.
What they did do is install cabinet doors in the island from the trlr entrance door side so you have more accessible storage in the island now as opposed to the previous doors that were by the fridge and stove.
By having the stairs at the entry door as opposed to partway into the trailer, after the pantry, seems like the stairs are wider now, but I can't confirm that as I never measured it.
We were questioning the removal of the pantry as well, but my wife says there is more storage there than we know what to do with...hey no sense questioning the DW when she says , believe me there is lots of storage.

Rick

[jeepman71]

The link posted still has the same floor plan my 2013 has. People often have different needs. We looked at a Silver Back 29RL i believe and my wife didn't think it would have enough storage in the kitchen.

[ronaldco]

We have been looking at the Rockwood 8289WS but a few things are holding us back. The lack of pantry is number one on that list. The only place in the kitchen for food storage is on top of the microwave oven which is very high. They should have the microwave on top of the stove and do away with the window and have cupboards on the full side wall where the microwave is now located as they do in their 8282WS model. It's nice to have most of your food in one location. Also, lots of companies are putting all water hook up, tank flush handle and bypass in one compartment which would be nice if Rockwood would do so also. One more concern we have is the lack of insulation

[5er_tom]

I wonder if there are any 2013 units still around? Might be worth the effort to do a search.

[5er_tom]

Here is a new 2013 that appears to still be available:

#R201331980 - 2013 Forest River Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8289WS for sale in Bridgeview IL - House of Camping

[RhoZeta]

The no pantry thing was a deal killer for us on the 8289. BW determined that all by itself a7s a non-starter so did not look any further at them. I too was shocked at lack of storage overall on the 2014 model.

[Weezer]

We have the 8528IKWS (see sig for pics) which I believe is the twin to the Rockwood.

The pantry space can be deceiving. That cabinet on the side bar of ours is TALL and DEEP. I'm able to keep everything in that one cabinet except bread, chips, etc. which I just store in one of the overhead cabinets. And since that one pantry is located low to the floor, you can load it up with canned goods, etc.

I keep dry goods; paper plates, tinfoil, ziplock bags, etc. in the left side cabinet above the stove. "Adult liquids" are kept in the drawer under the sofa, wrapped in towels.

YMMV, as it's only DH and myself in ours.

[Dkjones28]

We have a 2013 8289WS and are OK with it. Lots of storage. My complaint is the small bath and the lack of insulation.

[BostonBill]

Rockwood ultralite. 8285ws. No paperwork came in the package. Where is the heater (not hot water). Is is electric and gas? Please help. Thanks
Bill