2012 Rockwood/Flagstaff Changes

reubenray · 11-01-2011, 08:31 AM

I have been looking for the smallest model FW of these brands for a while now and finally found one to look at. Then I checked the specs and boy have they changed. The dry weight jumped up over 700 pounds and the dry weight pin weight went up over 300 pounds from the 2011 model year.

While other brands are coming out with more lightweight models Forest River is going backwards!!!!!

lbrjet · 11-01-2011, 11:11 AM

Maybe the numbers are just a little more accurate. I bought my 2011 Flagstaff TT a little over a year ago and the 'brochure' dry weight was listed at 6,250. The actual weight on the sticker? 6,907.

This did not surprise me because I had checked the brochure weights with the real sticker weights on several models, and all the real weights were significantly higher.

Don't go by brochure weights only. Find an actual trailer on some dealers lot to get the actual weight from the sticker before deciding.

Maybe FR is finally getting realistic with their published weights which would be a good thing. Or maybe they made design changes to that model.

crocus · 11-01-2011, 12:04 PM

I seriously doubt that the weight of a similar model would change very much from one year to the next. Are you comparing the actual weight of the camper you looked at vs the 2011 brochure dry weight? If so, you are comparing apples to oranges.

reubenray · 11-01-2011, 12:54 PM

Being I have not been able to find this particular model to look at I am comparing the 2011 brochure to the 2012 brochure.

david-o · 11-01-2011, 02:04 PM

Where are you finding 2011 and 2012 Flagstaff brochures? I went to forestriver.com, clicked on "lite weight travel trailers" and then the Flagstaff brochure link. All I find is a "Flagstaff and V-Lite Brochure" that lists 2010 standards and options (pages 14 and 15). I can't find anything on the website that shows the new floor plans and interior colors that I saw at the Hershey RV show in September.

reubenray · 11-01-2011, 02:09 PM

It is actually the website that shows the new weights. Below is the Flagstaff model. I have the old books that show the old weights. It does appear to be some changes inside also. The brochure does show the old weights.

http://forestriverinc.com/nd/default...ries=ClassicFW

Here is the old info/weights.

http://www.rvguide.com/specs/forest-...e/8524rls.html

crocus · 11-01-2011, 03:15 PM

There's your problem, Reuben. The RV Guide numbers are simply WRONG. Use the Forest River numbers.
I didn't think the weight would change much, unless of course you trust some stupid "guide".

reubenray · 11-01-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocus

There's your problem, Reuben. The RV Guide numbers are simply WRONG. Use the Forest River numbers.
I didn't think the weight would change much, unless of course you trust some stupid "guide".

The weights shown on the RV guide are the exact numbers that was shown on the 2011 model. I have the old brochure. I used the RV Guide just to show the differences being I cannot find the old layout and weight shown.

Below are the differences between the old and new floor plans.

1) The new (2012) floor plan has a wardrobe slide-out that the 2011 did not have (major change).
2) There are three steps now instead of one step on the 2011 model (major change).
3) The 2012 has a garden shower instead of a garden tub (minor change).
4) The linen/wardrobe for the bedroom are different (minor change).

Look at the different floor plans!!!

wayne anthony · 11-01-2011, 04:23 PM

I have the 2011 8524 rlws. I was told the difference between brochure weight and sticker weight was the options installed. Don't have the brochures with me right now, but it seem like it was around 5900 lbs. and the sticker on the trailer is 6400 something lbs. The external picture on the 2011 brochure is not the 8524 rlws. Wayne

lbrjet · 11-01-2011, 06:38 PM

Yes, Wayne, 'options' like the A/C unit, the awning and some other heavy items. They are actually listed as 'mandatory options'. If it's mandatory then it's really not an option is it. FR doesn't post the true wieghts online or in brochures so it is buyer beware if you are concerned about the weight.

Rebel702 · 11-01-2011, 08:21 PM

Looking at the smallest FW Rockwood from 2011 to 2012 Model 8244S is now 8244WS. A major part of the weight change is a wardrobe slide. The GVWR went from 8188 to 8050, dry from 5880 to 6786, hitch from 997 to 1342.

Jim

Dave_Monica · 11-01-2011, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reubenray

Below are the differences between the old and new floor plans.

1) The new (2012) floor plan has a wardrobe slide-out that the 2011 did not have (major change).
2) There are three steps now instead of one step on the 2011 model (major change).
3) The 2012 has a garden shower instead of a garden tub (minor change).
4) The linen/wardrobe for the bedroom are different (minor change).

I believe some of these changes happened in 2010...the higher profile (three steps), larger basement. Our 2010 8280WS had these changes...early 2010 production did not.

The weight numbers do cause me some concern. They list a dry weight of 6786, GVWR of 8050 and CCC of 1264. My experience is that the dry weight is understated by a few hundred lbs but with that GVWR you won't have very much cargo carrying capacity...maybe 800 to 900 lbs.

On our 8280WS advertised dry weight 6800, yellow sticker 7250, actual scaled weight 7400.

Hope this helps.

Dave

wayne anthony · 11-01-2011, 10:19 PM

Another thing I added to the 2011, was the third step to the bedroom as my wife complained every time she went up or down the two steps. Wayne

reubenray · 11-05-2011, 06:55 AM

I am now more confused. We looked at a (supposebly) 2012 model of the Rockwood 8244 and it has the same floor plan as the older models. What exactly is the floor plan that is being shown on Forest River's website? There is an additional letter behind the number on the website. The model I looked at is the 8244S and the model on the website is 8244WS.

I liked the old model, but am afraid that it may disappear before I am actually ready to buy (6 months to a year).

lbrjet · 11-05-2011, 08:13 AM

Is not unusual for changes (some times major) to occur halfway into a model year. RV's are contantly changing. When you are ready to buy, find the right unit and buy it. A year from now there will even be new models to choose from that are still on the drawing board.

My 2011 Flagstaff had a major change halfway into the model year. Had we not purchased the early model year version I would have something else, because I didn't care for the change. My unit has a rear bedroom with a large window on the back wall. That is something I wanted. Now the back wall is all closet.

Rebel702 · 11-05-2011, 08:51 AM

Rockwood changes were made in Sept at the factory, which is when they also introduced the Diamond pkg. The unit you are looking at on the website is marked "new" with the added wardrobe slide which is denoted with the "W" in the model number. Even if you are not ready to buy there will probably still be 8244S units around on dealer lots. You may have to travel a bit to find them. Six months to a year is a long time though and you may see something else you like. We changed our minds on floorplans 3 times before making a final decision. Take the opportunity to visit some RV shows and keep looking online.

reubenray · 11-05-2011, 08:58 AM

I have already planned on going to the Dallas RV show which will be in February.

reubenray · 12-06-2011, 05:11 PM

It appears that several more brands have made changes that added weight to the models. The V-Cross brand changed their website today which added several hundred pounds to some models. Wildcat and Palomino have also made changes which added weight to their models.

I guess the lightweight models are being phased out!!!!

kalik282 · 12-06-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Is not unusual for changes (some times major) to occur halfway into a model year. RV's are contantly changing. When you are ready to buy, find the right unit and buy it. A year from now there will even be new models to choose from that are still on the drawing board.

My 2011 Flagstaff had a major change halfway into the model year. Had we not purchased the early model year version I would have something else, because I didn't care for the change. My unit has a rear bedroom with a large window on the back wall. That is something I wanted. Now the back wall is all closet.

Kind of off OP topic, but...
I waited for my 2011 Flagstaff TO get the rear closet.

To the OP, if you are 6-12 months from purchase, you might want to wait and see what is available then.

John

lbrjet · 12-06-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalik282

Kind of off OP topic, but...
I waited for my 2011 Flagstaff TO get the rear closet.

To the OP, if you are 6-12 months from purchase, you might want to wait and see what is available then.

John

No two trailer owners tastes are exactly the same. We had many deal breakers that excluded lots of units. Sliding doors, tub instead of shower, not being able to easily see the TV from the couch and so on.

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