New Roo Owner

[rocknroos]

I am the proud new owner of a 2015 Roo 17. The PDI is this Tue. I have read a lot of really good information on this forum which I will use during the PDI. I know it will drive my dealer up a wall but I like being informed and prepared. He will just have to deal with it. Any good advice from those who have gone through this before. This is the first brand new TT I have ever bought. Loved camping in Coleman pop-ups for over 20 years so I am not a newbie to TT's but I am getting tired of all the set-up & take-down work. My TV is a Lincoln MKT which may make towing an adventure. Jury still out on that.

[ChooChooMan74]

Best of luck and hope you enjoy your new Roo.

[KateE]

rocknroos - Have you printed out the PDI checklist? I did, even though we purchased from a private owner. I wrote all my notes on the list and we have referred to it several times since. Enjoy your new rig and welcome from Western NY!

[DK-in-SC]

Our dealer is a large reputable place that is only about a half hour away from home. So when we had our PDI, I was most focused on the learning process. This was our first RV, so I needed to learn how to hitch it up, how to connect all the hookups, and how to operate all the major systems.
I didn't spend time testing each and every light, switch and valve. If we had purchased from a dealer that was 1000 miles away, I would have had a very different approach. But knowing my personality and the fact that I am only able to retain a limited amount of information, I just focused on the big stuff. Once we had it home I was able to take my time and go through it slowly and methodically.


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[jking46]

Congratulations on the new Roo!!! After 20 years of pop ups you will enjoy the ease of set up and tear down and also all the features of a hybrid that make camping easier as we age , sometimes not so gracefully. Just a couple suggestions : WDH with sway bars. You didn't need it with a pop up but you will now. PDI. A hybrid is a pop up on steroids. The systems are very similar and not that difficult to understand. Just check for broken items , misfitting items, and anything that doesn't look right. If something doesn't work , either get them to fix it now or if it isn't really important, at your convenience. Hopefully you bought from a quality dealer who will take good care of you and your Roo. Good luck and have fun.

[bikendan]

One thing new owners don't ask for in a PDI, is to have all the systems run through, to make sure they work.
The water, the a/c, the electric, the fridge and so on.
They find out, when they get home, that there are problems that they have to get resolved before they can go camping.

[rocknroos]

Originally Posted by jking46

Congratulations on the new Roo!!! After 20 years of pop ups you will enjoy the ease of set up and tear down and also all the features of a hybrid that make camping easier as we age , sometimes not so gracefully. Just a couple suggestions : WDH with sway bars. You didn't need it with a pop up but you will now. PDI. A hybrid is a pop up on steroids. The systems are very similar and not that difficult to understand. Just check for broken items , misfitting items, and anything that doesn't look right. If something doesn't work , either get them to fix it now or if it isn't really important, at your convenience. Hopefully you bought from a quality dealer who will take good care of you and your Roo. Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the suggestions. My Lincoln MKT came equipped from factory with the towing package. As best I can determine factory installed hitch is a WDH and the anti-sway is built in. We will see tomorrow.

[RooVader]

You will still be looking at 450-500 pound tongue weight so your experience will be much more enjoyable with something like an E2 hitch. I have a feeling you might end up like a pogo stick if you just hook direct to your vehicle. The anti-sway that comes with the vehicle is more of an electronic sway control and while nice...it is not a replacement for the mechanical sway control the other posters suggested.

Again, you are pretty light weight so maybe your experience will be fine but I would at least research your options and do a test hookup and drive before you get too far.

More than anything enjoy the whole experience and welcome to club roo.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rocknroos

Thanks for the suggestions. My Lincoln MKT came equipped from factory with the towing package. As best I can determine factory installed hitch is a WDH and the anti-sway is built in. We will see tomorrow.

No vehicle comes equipped with a WDH.
They come with a hitch RECEIVER.
They may also come with some kind of anti sway sensing system.
Neither will distribute weight like a WDH does.
Your owners manual may state the minimum tongue or trailer weight that required using a WDH.
Bottom line is that you will still need a WDH.

[jking46]

I would agree with roovader. Suggest a test drive of 10 - 15 miles over a variety of surfaces and at various speeds. Not trying to scare you. Just want you to have a safe experience. I think after a test drive you will want the dealer to install a WDH.

[rockfordroo]

No vehicle comes equipped with a WDH.
They come with a hitch RECEIVER.
They may also come with some kind of anti sway sensing system.
Neither will distribute weight like a WDH does.
Your owners manual may state the minimum tongue or trailer weight that required using a WDH.
Bottom line is that you will still need a WDH.

X2!

Rocknroos:

This is what we're talking about when we say WDH:

Equal-i-zer® Hitch - The “American Original� with 4-Point Sway Control™ and Weight Distribution

It's what goes into your receiver.

I pulled a Roo 19 with a Chevy Traverse with a 5200 lb tow capacity for 1 season. I wasn't happy; I bought a Silverado with 7500 lb towing. I was then a happy camper. Good luck with your MKT.

[jgoldwood]

Originally Posted by KateE

rocknroos - Have you printed out the PDI checklist?

Is there a link the checklist you mentioned? I apologize if it's an easy one to find but I could not locate it after some searching. A new 21BD will be on its way soon and I'm trying to prepare myself.

[yetavon]

PDI for ya
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-21227.html


Congrads on the HTT, we spent 27 years in popups and love our Hybrid.

[WannaBcamping]

Go with a list (if applicable) of any upgrades, options or modifications you wanted and ordered if this was a factory order to ensure you received all you paid for.

[jgoldwood]

Originally Posted by yetavon

PDI for ya
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ers-21227.html


Congrads on the HTT, we spent 27 years in popups and love our Hybrid.

Thank you greatly.

Originally Posted by WannaBcamping

Go with a list (if applicable) of any upgrades, options or modifications you wanted and ordered if this was a factory order to ensure you received all you paid for.

That's a good idea. Fortunately I am close enough to where the units are manufactured and their preferred dealer that I was able to walk through and pick out exactly what I wanted.

[rocknroos]

Took possession of my new Roo 17 today. PDi went very well. We made sure that every system was tested and working ok. Dealer included a few extras, like a brass water hose pressure regulator, electrical extension cord plug adapter, tp and some black tank chemicals. Maybe this is normal, but it was a nice touch. I was also pleased to see that both roof vents had vent covers already installed. The Roo 17's UVW is 3100 lbs. TW is 340 lbs. Hooked her up to my MKT and off I went. Got on highway and took her up to 70 mph. I could tell the TT was back there but the big Lincoln didn't seem to care much. May eventually purchase a WDH with sway control, but for now the trailer towed quite nicely. I had been worried about towing, so this was a great relief. Oyster color scheme is really nice. Got a tripped planned to the UP of Michigan at end of this month. Can't wait.

[jking46]

Congrats. Have fun and be safe.

[rockfordroo]

Got on highway and took her up to 70 mph.

Trailer tires are only rated to 65mph. Might want to back off a bit.

[deartruc]

Find your spatula yet?