Purchasing my First Roo - Help

lboe12 · 03-16-2018, 09:09 AM

Hi All, im new to the forum and about to be a new owner of a Roo. Im super excited but need some help. We are in Canada so get ready for some sticker shock! We are looking at 3 options:

2017 Roo 19 (NEW from dealer) - $27,000 + Tax
2018 Roo 21 DK (NEW from dealer) - $29,000 + Tax
2015 Roo 21 DK (Used) - $19,500 private sale - used but well cared for

I cannot decide the best route to take. We really like the extra space the slide provides in the 21DK so we are leaning this way. I like the idea of going new as i am coming from a 10 year old pop up and i just dont want to deal with issues (fridge not working, leaks, damage etc...) Is there any new features or fixes that have occurred since the 2015 model which would make a new unit more appealing? We have two young kids (6 and 3). Ideally i would like to keep the trailer for 6 of 7 years at least. Any input would be appreciated - really it comes down to is it worth the savings for a couple year old unit? What do you guys think?

Thanks for your help!

Mainframe · 03-16-2018, 09:19 AM

I am thinking you could get a new 21 DK for $19,500 where are you located? Any chance you could call my camper sales guy?

I got a really good deal from him

Matt McDermott
Internet Sales Manager
Wholesale RV Club
866-876-6207 - Toll Free
513-349-1366 - Direct
mmcdermott@wholesalervclub.com
RV Dealer | Wholesale RV Club

lboe12 · 03-16-2018, 09:24 AM

I am located in Calgary Alberta Canada. I did lots of looking online and couldn't find anything new near that price. But of course if its possible i am open to looking.

Mainframe · 03-16-2018, 09:37 AM

OK, $29,000 Canadian translates to 22,167.89 US, with your destination charges you may be close, I would buy as new as I possibly could afford, these usually have a lot improvements year to year, are the 2 new ones equally equipped? One year difference may come down to how many extras are on the camper.

In the new category I would buy the camper with the most ad ons LOL the one year difference wouldn't matter to me, just the extras.

let us know what you decide and don't forget to post pics,

mopwr4me2003 · 03-16-2018, 12:10 PM

I would go new as well if money allows. You still may have the issues with a new unit like leaks and hidden things that are missed or poorly done from the factory but this is true for any unit regardless of manufacture. My question to you is are these units the advertising price online? Are these brand new units on the lot or are these the prices of a new one off the line? Also are these prices the MSRP? Just a few things to look into before you get sticker shock. If it is a unit that’s been sitting for a while on the lot they will want it gone and you could negotiate price.

As far as the model goes, I have a 183 and love it but honestly I went to the camper show and loved the slide feature, it gave so much more room but at this time our TV would not support the added weight which is why we have the 183. I think no matter which you decide you will be happy with it coming from a pop up.

Tim

donjbray56 · 03-16-2018, 12:18 PM

We have a 2017 Roo 21DK purchased new, we upgraded from the Roo 19... Really like the slideout. Make sure they have new tires on it, even the new one...

rsdata · 03-16-2018, 03:41 PM

Have you done your homework on the payload size of the tow vehicle needed to tow that camper? don't do as many do buy a unit that their current tow vehicle cannot handle... payload that is, not tow capacity...

Hersbird · 03-16-2018, 03:55 PM

I like 2/3 the price for 3 years. Nothing is going to break under warranty anyway, it's too short. Maybe if you were living in it full time but with us we had it out maybe 4-5 times before the warranty was up. Now there may have been stuff broken when built but that stuff would have been fixed on the used 3 years ago, you will have to deal with that upon taking delivery of the new. $10,000 fixes and upgrades a lot of potential problem areas.

lablover · 03-16-2018, 03:56 PM

I am thinking these prices seem high even if it is in CAD, however being that you live in the west, there aren't as many hybrids available. I would go with new and the model that suits you best.

Kaadk · 03-16-2018, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lablover

I am thinking these prices seem high even if it is in CAD, however being that you live in the west, there aren't as many hybrids available. I would go with new and the model that suits you best.

No, prices really are that much higher over here. For a Roo, that's actually a pretty good price.

Back to the OP's question, looking at the 2 floorplans, I'd say the 21DK has more bang for the buck. You lose the couch, but you're gaining that slide space, what appears to be more countertop (love the extra deep countertop on Flagstaff), an extra outside fridge and even the lose of couch is mitigated by the fact that it's a free-standing dinette table which can be moved out of the way to turn the U-Bench into a couch.

The only real downside I see to the 21DK is the extra weight. It weighs a good 300-400 more dry, and all the extra storage means you're going to be able to bring more stuff, So, I think realistically, you're probably going to be at least 500 lbs heavier in the 21DK. If you have an adequate vehicle, no problem, but if you were borderline in the first place, maybe consider the lighter one.

lboe12 · 03-16-2018, 04:55 PM

I am towing with a 2017 ram 1500 which I assume is more than enough though to be honest I haven’t actually confirmed tow capacity.

lablover · 03-16-2018, 04:57 PM

No problem. We tow our roo 21bd with a ram 1500 8 cy

Glindz233s · 03-16-2018, 04:58 PM

I like new but that is just my comfort level. Slide out is a MUST in my opinion. Can't speak to current pricing but we shopped for a couple of years for the right RV and price. Luckily we got a good deal as the dealership was about to change ownership when we bought ours.

Good luck and happy camping.

Velosprout · 03-16-2018, 05:06 PM

I suggest ordering new instead of buying dealer stock. Sure, it takes longer, but you can order exactly what YOU would like, like night shades, tank heaters, slide-out topper, aluminum wheels, stainless steel appliance package, and your own choices of fabrics, cabinet color, and flooring.

lboe12 · 03-16-2018, 05:22 PM

What is a slide out topper?

Velosprout · 03-16-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lboe12

I am towing with a 2017 ram 1500 which I assume is more than enough though to be honest I haven’t actually confirmed tow capacity.

Look at the payload figure on your truck door. Subtract the weight of yourself and your passengers, the weight of any mods like tonneau cover, 100 pounds approx for a weight distributing hitch, and anything you will have in the truck bed. Let’s say your remaining payload number is 800 pounds after the math is done for tongue weight.

Most trailers have approx 13% of the trailer weight on the tongue, so 800/13x100= 6150 maximum GVWR trailer you could tow. In this example.

The more optioned your truck is, the lower the payload rating, and the max payload for a Ram is around 1900 for a tradesman. You will almost always find payload is the limiting factor on trailer size.

njfishing · 03-16-2018, 05:24 PM

I purchased our 2014 21dk used in the classified section of this site last year. A 2017 would have been $23k and I paid $12.7 so a great deal plus the former owner had tons tons of great mods to it and it came with the equalizer weight distribution hitch. A slide was very important to us as it opens up the floor plan a lot and it gives you an lot more deep storage. Very happy with ours. You should have no problem towing it with your Dodge but I would recommend a weight distribution hitch since the DK is a bit tongue heavy (575 pounds) and Dodges tend to squat more the others under load. For this reason I would also recommend an electric tongue jack... It makes all the up an down you need to connect and disconnect your weight distribution hitch a lot easier.

Good luck with your decision and feel free to message me if you have any questions about the DK...

Velosprout · 03-16-2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lboe12

What is a slide out topper?

An awning over the slide out which extends and retracts automatically. Keeps the camper cooler/warmer and protects the slide out from pine needles, leaves, and the weather.

rsdata · 03-16-2018, 06:19 PM

I suggest you do the homework on tow capacity before your purchase... according to specs a loaded up 21DK with 13% tongue weight would put over 720# off your payload capacity... lose another 100# for a WDH, then add weights of passengers, pets, luggage, cargo and whatever else you have in your truck and you may find you are close to or even overweight for your RAM 1500...

check the yellow label on your door frame for the PAYLOAD for YOUR RAM...

below is pic of mine... it shows 1309# COMBINED WEIGHT (payload) max YOUR payload may be more or less... easy enough to check the label and do the math

PLUS I agree to buy used and save $$$ after looking thoroughly over the roof and bunk ends and floor for any signs of water damage...

llevesque · 03-17-2018, 07:46 AM

And before you make your final decision, do yourself a favor and take a peek at the Roo 23IKSS . . . the two slides and center island are huge pluses. I've had mine since 2013 and love it . . . paid $19,500 US back then. Besides many, many trips in the lower 48, I've pulled it trouble-free from Massachusetts to the Arctic Circle in Alaska with my 1500 GMC. Pulls well albeit MPGs suck. Good luck with your purchase . . . Rockwoods are great . . . not a single issue on my current one, which is my 3rd since 1988.

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