New 8289WS Delivered

[PhoneDude 8289]

Took delivery on our brand new 2014 Rockwood 8289WS on 12/30/13. The pre delivery went great taking about four hours. Norman at Orlando RV did a great job during the pdi explaining everything and answering all our questions. The remote for the fireplace was missing but he went and found one for us.

After loading all our things in it we headed to a campground, Orange Blossom KOA. So far a pretty nice stay and no problems setting up. The only thing we haven't figured out is the tv. It works great over the air but can't get it to work on cable. The jack with the amp has nothing plugged into it, if I turn it off the light goes out and the ota signal is lost but no cable. Swaped the outside cable/sat connections and no difference. Guess I'll have to start taking things apart to see how it's wired at the back of that switch.

Other than the miner tv problem we love this unit.

[tomjsas]

You will most likely need to go into the tv and change the input setting from air/antenna to cable and the it should work. Remember to keep the amp turned off when on cable.

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

[Wiscampsin]

Congrats on your 2014 Rockwood 8289WS. Great way to start out the new year!

[Weezer]

Soooo wish we were camping this weekend. Haven't been out since Thanksgiving....

Congrats on the new toy!

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by tomjsas

You will most likely need to go into the tv and change the input setting from air/antenna to cable and the it should work. Remember to keep the amp turned off when on cable.

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

Tried changing input settings on TV, no cable. What I did was take all jack loose checked cable colors to trace the cable. The amp jk was wired incorrectly. Every connection at the jack including the cable / sat jack at the outside were loose. Corrected all the loose connections and wiring at the amp. We now have OTA and cable channels and excellent reception.

[tomjsas]

Excellent! Too bad it wasn't as simple as changing the input on the TV

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by tomjsas

Excellent! Too bad it wasn't as simple as changing the input on the TV

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

Also found a situation behind the battery box and had to remove the battery and box to correct it. The terminations behind the box and at the battery disconnect switch were barely hand tight. One if the nuts on a stud was started and took several turns to tighten it. Guess I'll pull the breaker panel and check all those connections and anything else I can get into.

[tomjsas]

Something for me to check too. I've had issues at the beginning with bolts on the landing gear shaft shearing. Put sturdier replacement ones in and always carry extras now.

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by tomjsas

Something for me to check too. I've had issues at the beginning with bolts on the landing gear shaft shearing. Put sturdier replacement ones in and always carry extras now.

Tom - 2014 8289ws, 2011 Chevy 2500HD

Thanks for the info, I'll have to be sure and add that to my list as soon as I check all the terminals in the breaker panel and converter.

[French]

Congrats on the the new rig. I am interested in how the tundra towed it. How did it work out. Any driving impressions?

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by French

Congrats on the the new rig. I am interested in how the tundra towed it. How did it work out. Any driving impressions?

I wasn't worried about it because I towed a 291RLS Cougar for a couple of years. The Cougars GVW was 10.3K#, at the scales loaded for travel was never more than 9.3K# with 1/2 tank of water. Our 8289WS GVW is close to 1K# less than the Cougar with pin weight close to the same. Have not had a chance to get to the scales yet with the Rockwood but that will happen.

Towed that Cougar all over the Rockies in Colorado and the Cascades up into Washington state. Plan on doing much of the same with the Rockwood.

A good break controler, e rated tires and airbags are a must.

[Maron]

One unique thing about Rockwoods vs others is that every trailer is weighed at the end of production. Others are estimated so other then what you put in it, the actual weight is on the yellow sticker on the starboard side of the trailer. I had a tour of the Rockwood plant in Millersburg on 12/20 and they pointed that out.

[French]

Yes as i understand it the actual total dry weight for that unit is on the yellow sticker. I do not believe the actual dry pin weight is measured for every unit . That is why we need to depend on the brochures to give us that. These number have just changed significantly since November 2013

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by French

Yes as i understand it the actual total dry weight for that unit is on the yellow sticker. I do not believe the actual dry pin weight is measured for every unit . That is why we need to depend on the brochures to give us that. These number have just changed significantly since November 2013

Two questions comes to mind for those changes:

1) Did the GVWR change on those campers, too?

2) Did the percentage of the dry pin weight / dry vehicle weight change?

[French]

Yes!gross vehicle weight changed and so did the pin weight ratios. albeit in some cases the changes were minor. Recall only one model weighed the same as the last time they were weighed.

Brett at Forest River mentioned they decided to weigh all their Rockwood 5's after some tweaks and changes were made in many 2014 models the changes were implemented in May June the official re-weigh happened in November. the brochures changed in December 2013.