Rockwood Signature Ultra Light 8314 BSS Pros and Cons

rossandjan · 04-26-2011, 09:25 PM

Went to a local rv dealer here in Orlando for the 3rd time to check out a Jayco 31' TT but was won over by the Rockwood 8314 BSS. Jayco's seem to have a strong following and we're concerned about the build quality of forest river products. Hardly any info about this unit on internet. Any info would be greatly appreciated

sherdep · 04-26-2011, 09:39 PM

If you went to the RV Dealer off of Fairbanks in Orlando (Orlando RV) - they are not a Rockwood Dealer - they actually sell those out of their Ney York store and deliver them here if I am not mistaken

I went to Tropical RV and ordered mine from Dane - the other dealer is in Wildwood.

well worth the trip to Tropical - so far I am very happy with the pricing and sales side of it - cant comment on the service cause havent had any issues yet - knock on wood

sherdep · 04-26-2011, 09:42 PM

I went to a search engine like metacrawler and put in Rockwood 8314 BSS and came up with a bunch of info

the front end on that particular unit doesnt look very aerodynamic but if that is the floor plan then I understand whole hartedly on that one

sherdep · 04-26-2011, 10:07 PM

one more thing I came across - Orlando RV is part of the RV Direct chain
read this thread http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...sale-1017.html

also read this letter that explains their experiance with RV Direct - kinda makes ya wonder http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...1.cfm#20421531

FarmerMT · 04-30-2011, 10:52 PM

My In laws are huge Jayco fans. We spent a year researching many different types of trailers before deciding on the Rockwood. Every time we would bring up a potential RV we would get the, you need to buy a Jayco speech. That all changed when we brought them to a very large RV Show and put a Rockwood up against a Jayco in a side by side comparison. The Jayco they picked for the comparison was solid. We tore the two trailers apart, in the end the Rockwood won! When you really focus on the level we did you start to notice where costs were cut. Maybe the trim is off a little, maybe the floor squeaks, maybe the stairs and parts are a lower quality. Crawl into the cupboards in the kitchen, look at the hardware used, look at the backside of the counter tops. Look at the weights of the trailer why is one heavier then the other? Are the walls solid. If you take the time to really look you will be happy in the end. It is more then just color's and a floor plan.

rossandjan · 05-01-2011, 08:45 PM

Thanks to FarmerMT for your response. It was very encouraging, as we have placed our order for a 2012 Rockwood 8314 bss fully loaded, minus the slideout awnings and carpet only on the slideout not the bedroom. We didn't compare nowhere to the level you did, but did have both units on the same lot and the floor plan of the Rockwood was just incredible. Thanks again

kalik282 · 05-01-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossandjan

Thanks to FarmerMT for your response. It was very encouraging, as we have placed our order for a 2012 Rockwood 8314 bss fully loaded, minus the slideout awnings and carpet only on the slideout not the bedroom. We didn't compare nowhere to the level you did, but did have both units on the same lot and the floor plan of the Rockwood was just incredible. Thanks again

Congratulations on ordering your new TT!

Might be my personal preference, but, I would add the Slide Toppers. (There are my threads here on the subject.)

John (And, yes, I had the toppers on the old TT, and they are on the new TT as well.)

sherdep · 05-01-2011, 09:45 PM

can I ask where you decided to order you TT from?
and congrats

rossandjan · 05-02-2011, 08:05 PM

Thanks. We ordered our tt from Orlando Rv, Winter Park. We looked at Rvw, but in the end didn't think they could save us much on the one we wanted. Plus we didn't want to go and get it and we like having a dealer close by. The talks went well and we feel we got a good deal.

RossandJan
2006 Chevy 2500HD Ext.Cab 6.0 gas

sherdep · 05-02-2011, 08:34 PM

I just went to the Forest River website and did a local search on Forest River Dealers and I stand Corrected - apparently they are a Forest River Dealer. I was given Mis-Information and sorry for posting the wrong info in post #2

Glad to hear it worked out and you got a good deal - welcome aboard

rossandjan · 05-04-2011, 05:49 PM

Thanks John for your input, have reconsidered. Called today and had the 2 slideout toppers included, since the unit order was placed just last week.

RossandJan
Tow vehicle-2006 Chevy 2500HD Ext.cab 6.0
2 USN vets/1 Retired

kalik282 · 05-04-2011, 07:09 PM

Just reread my post, and "(There are my threads here on the subject.)" should have read "(There are many threads here on the subject.)"! DOH!

Hope I didn't cost you too much $$$!

Congrats again on the new TT!

John

trustheart · 02-03-2013, 02:24 PM

I have had since last year and have used 7 times this year the toilet always backs up. I have the automatic rinse out on side. I have to put about 20 gallons of water into rinse it out every time I use to get everything out of tank it takes me about 1 1/2 hours to deal with this. I have had it in 4 times and it is in now in again. They tell me use a garbage can for toilet paper I told them unacceptable. I had an 18 ft Pioneer and never had problems with toilet. My dad has a 2012 Big horn and neither of those have this problem. I love this travel trailer it is awesome!! Anyone have this problem? I have a re-occurring drainage problem. It will not clear with the flush spray from the hose inlet. We have to move the build up out of the way of the opening with a stick and pouring those buckets of water down to move it. I have had to bring a water hose into the trailer and use the force of that spray to get the flow moving. This seems to be a very poor design. Is there a correction my local dealer can do to correct this problem? They are not having any luck!!

VTX Al · 02-03-2013, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trustheart

I have had since last year and have used 7 times this year the toilet always backs up. I have the automatic rinse out on side. I have to put about 20 gallons of water into rinse it out every time I use to get everything out of tank it takes me about 1 1/2 hours to deal with this. I have had it in 4 times and it is in now in again. They tell me use a garbage can for toilet paper I told them unacceptable. I had an 18 ft Pioneer and never had problems with toilet. My dad has a 2012 Big horn and neither of those have this problem. I love this travel trailer it is awesome!! Anyone have this problem? I have a re-occurring drainage problem. It will not clear with the flush spray from the hose inlet. We have to move the build up out of the way of the opening with a stick and pouring those buckets of water down to move it. I have had to bring a water hose into the trailer and use the force of that spray to get the flow moving. This seems to be a very poor design. Is there a correction my local dealer can do to correct this problem? They are not having any luck!!

My guess is that you are attempting to flush your black tank with the drain valve always open, which is the way they advise to do it. This method is not very effective as it does not allow a build-up of sufficient flushing water in the holding tank to create enough of a flow to flush the tank efficiently. If you leave the drain valve closed for a few minutes when adding flush water the resulting flow will clean your tank. Repeat a couple of times to completely flush the black tank. The instruction to leave the valve open is to totally eliminate the possibility of over-filling the tank, however, a few minutes with the valve closed will not come anywhere near completely filling the black tank. Just don't walk away and leave the fllushing water running unattended.

I realize that the "flush police" out there will call me an idiot for even suggesting this method, but I have been doing just this for years now with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

...VTX-Al

DAISY BOYKIN · 02-03-2013, 04:13 PM

No VTX-AL , you are 100% correct. As AL stated--DON"T WALK AWAY WHILE FLUSHING--. You have to close the black valve, add about 3/4 tank of water ( someone or you has to watch the light panel) , allow to drain, fill several times and drain. I usually have to fill and drain 4-6 times to remove all the "T" paper and brown gold fish. Again VTX-AL is right on.

We use the "ANGEL SOFT" toilet paper from WALMART. It is cheaper than RV "T" paper and will completely disolve in 5-10 hours for it is septic tank safe. I also use the new dishwasher "PODS" in my black tank (3 at a time)
along with the green or orange packets (1) after draining. refill black tank
until the 1/2 full light just comes on, add the items listed above. Fill the toliet bowl 1/2 full, pitch in dishwasher packets and toliet packets. Let disolve, dump into tank. You should be good for 4 days for two people.
# 2 paper in tank, #1 Paper in trash can!

Right before leaving the camp ground, make sure the shower gray tank valve
is closed for at least two showers, after dumping black, flushing, recharging
with the chemicals. Now dump gray tank to flush out any residue from black tank dumping.

Good luck and have fun!

trustheart · 02-03-2013, 07:42 PM

I have tried what both of you suggested already and it did not work. We did it several times than we ran the water down toilet and it started Moving it little by little. I really think tank is not tilted properly. We do use the Rv toilet paper. It is very frustrating,

**Herk7769** · 02-03-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trustheart

I have a re-occurring drainage problem.

If the solids are caked up, all the flushing in the world will not clear it. You need to dissolve the solids with a bacteria and enzyme product like RV-Digest-It.

Add 1 full quart to the tank and fill the tank with water. Let it sit a MINIMUM of one week; then dump and rinse for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes (by the clock).

For severely clogged tanks, this process should be repeated.

Once done and water running free and clear, prevent future problems by adding 1/2 cup liquid Calgon water SOFTENER and 1/2 cup liquid detergent to 5 gallons of water before you use the black tank for waste.

NEVER use the tank for solids when it has no water in it.

trustheart · 02-03-2013, 08:17 PM

This is a new T/T 2012 I am a single woman I have not even done # 2 enough in this thing to clog it up I have used it 7 times this started 1st time out on me and my roommate. I can not see spending $30000.00 to right off the bat have a problem 1st weekend out in RV. And I have taken It back 4 times and right now it is at dealer again.

**Herk7769** · 02-03-2013, 08:42 PM

The only other possibility is a disk of plastic from a hole saw cut is in the tank that is blocking the drain or a partially opening maladjusted gate valve.

Has the dealer investigated either case?

trustheart · 02-03-2013, 08:48 PM

I will ask them Monday about those two.

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