Nail biter: 39FK or 39 RKFB?

Jim1521 · 03-16-2019, 10:17 PM

We’re 30-45 days away from decision time. We have 3 RVs in contention:

1. Riverstone 39FK
2. Riverstone 39RKFB
3. DRV Mobile Suites 44 Houston

These three horses are running in the above order on my card, while the wife’s card is showing:

1. 44 Houston
2. 39FK
3. 39RKFB

44 Houston and 39RKFB both 1.5 bath models. Biggie for wife (odd how it’s #3 on her play card though)

- 39FK is hands-down the nicest kitchen of them all.
- She’s really struggling with the storage issue with the 39FK. Lots of storage space, but she’ll need a ladder to get to a lot of it.
- Likes the walk-in closet on the Houston and RKFB, as well as the 1.5 bath. BUT SHE HATES THE KITCHEN IN THE RKFB.

I can make the case for the FK, but I need to show that it’s got enough storage space over the other two. I can probably get the win with the FK if I can show some sq./ft. number comparisons between the FK vs. RKFB.

I’m pretty sure that the DRV is going to drop off the list due to some potential water intrusion issues with slide floors rotting.

So in my mind it’s becoming a two-horse race.

- CCC for FK vs RKFB is nominal.
- I don’t have a number for inside ft./sq. storage space between the two. Lacking any real numbers, does anybody have any anecdotal data I can use - one way or the other?

Jim1521 · 03-17-2019, 04:52 AM

Well, as of this morning the DRV is off the list, so it’s going to be a Riverstone for sure.

dblr · 03-17-2019, 05:46 AM

Congrats on deciding on the River Stone, both floorplans have their pros & cons but of course yours could be different then what ours are. FK seems to have a lot more room in the kitchen plus from some I have heard the cabinets in the rear kitchen will need to be secured shut with more then just the magnet when traveling. With a FK or a FL I dislike the outside storage compartments as they seem to be to small. The RFKB is nice with the bath and a half and meets the requirement of no w/d in the bedroom. but for me at 6'1" tall I do not like the shower in the front bathroom the way they have to raise it to fit over the frame, now if they would center the skylight over the shower for better headroom it would work but they are not consistent on the placement of the skylight, I know getting petty on some little things but somethings you might not realize until you actually use them. Good luck on your decision.

aknavy · 03-18-2019, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim1521

Well, as of this morning the DRV is off the list, so it’s going to be a Riverstone for sure.

What took them off the list, out of curiosity?

Jim1521 · 03-18-2019, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

What took them off the list, out of curiosity?

A number of drivers:

1. Enough REPEATABLE statements from people that I was able to communicate directly with regarding water intrusion issues with the slides, and subsequent floor rot. Obviously it’s not something that will occur on every DRV, however since it’s my money, it’s my decision. When the fix is to apply Eternabond to the outside corners of a slide - on a $200,000 trailer, there’s a problem.

2. Some issues with a lack of quality control as it pertains to caulking around windows, doors, and slides. Again, enough comments from people who have experienced it firsthand. Again, every manufacturer will have their moments, but at $30-40k more than Riverstone, that shouldn’t be acceptable.

3. Contrasting the lack of Riverstone issues - at the thousands of dollars level - when compared to DRVs issues.

Those are the big three in my mind. There are some other smaller issues, but in the end I feel that I’m going to be happier with the Riverstone support.

aknavy · 03-18-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim1521

A number of drivers:

1. Enough REPEATABLE statements from people that I was able to communicate directly with regarding water intrusion issues with the slides, and subsequent floor rot. Obviously it’s not something that will occur on every DRV, however since it’s my money, it’s my decision. When the fix is to apply Eternabond to the outside corners of a slide - on a $200,000 trailer, there’s a problem.

2. Some issues with a lack of quality control as it pertains to caulking around windows, doors, and slides. Again, enough comments from people who have experienced it firsthand. Again, every manufacturer will have their moments, but at $30-40k more than Riverstone, that shouldn’t be acceptable.

3. Contrasting the lack of Riverstone issues - at the thousands of dollars level - when compared to DRVs issues.

Those are the big three in my mind. There are some other smaller issues, but in the end I feel that I’m going to be happier with the Riverstone support.

Same things I heard from the owners in the owners groups/Facebook groups. Too many recurring themes, and the new ones have cheap cabinetry.

My only drawback to Riverstone is the lower cargo capacity that they have compared to DRV. Other than that, I'm sold.

dblr · 03-19-2019, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

My only drawback to Riverstone is the lower cargo capacity that they have compared to DRV. Other than that, I'm sold.

Our 38MB has just over 3100lbs capacity, I know you are full time we are more part time but told my wife this makes us carry less, heck we have empty cabinets. Could you get the IS in a 9000lb to up the cargo rate?

aknavy · 03-19-2019, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dblr

Our 38MB has just over 3100lbs capacity, I know you are full time we are more part time but told my wife this makes us carry less, heck we have empty cabinets. Could you get the IS in a 9000lb to up the cargo rate?

I asked the guys at Couches RV Nation about 9k axles, and they said no. I haven't been to the factory, so I don't know if their response would be any different.

I'd consider doing it myself if the price was right on the trailer, but this brings me back to my current issue with my Cedar Creek - axles are upgraded, tires are upgraded, but the weak point is the front deck, where it flexes. Don't want to repeat this on another unit.

lcv800 · 03-19-2019, 07:47 AM

Just did the math on my 2019 38MB. 2,955 cargo weight. We spend 6 months at a crack in ours, and like dblr, have cabinet space to spare. Basement is cavernous and I could load even more, but I'm probably at max or close to weight now.
Rusty

aknavy · 03-19-2019, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcv800

Just did the math on my 2019 38MB. 2,955 cargo weight. We spend 6 months at a crack in ours, and like dblr, have cabinet space to spare. Basement is cavernous and I could load even more, but I'm probably at max or close to weight now.
Rusty

Yeah, having space to spare doesn't translate to making weight. I have lot's of space in my Cedar Creek, but it needs a serious diet. And I don't have a generator or solar, which will be on my next rig.

lcv800 · 03-19-2019, 07:51 AM

I know exactly what you mean about space and weight. I have both solar and the generator. I want to hit a Cat scale on my way back to Chicago but I'm afraid!
Rusty

aknavy · 03-19-2019, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcv800

I know exactly what you mean about space and weight. I have both solar and the generator. I want to hit a Cat scale on my way back to Chicago but I'm afraid!
Rusty

You should do it and post up....inquiring minds want to know!

Do you have any noticeable frame flex in the pinbox/front deck area when you're hooked up?

dblr · 03-19-2019, 08:15 AM

We did not get a generator but did do the w/d, I have not noticed any frame flex up front like I did on our Cedar Creek, also did not do the Trail Air as the truck has a custom air ride hitch. You can still see thru our storage bin as I am anal about how much we carry, anything to heavy I try to load on the truck to keep the weight out of the camper. Even with a the car on the truck would be hard to overload it.

lcv800 · 03-20-2019, 05:19 AM

Ditto on the no flex (noticeable anyway).
Rusty

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-20-2019, 07:02 AM

You buy what...YOU need, what YOU like, what fits YOUR needs.

mwdilday · 03-20-2019, 07:07 AM

3. Riverstone 39FK
4. DRV Mobile Suites 44 Houston
5. Riverstone 39RKFB

Combining the score from you and your wife they look like that. I would say the 39FK since the other two are on the bottom of one of your lists. The 39FK is the only one that both of you kinda like.

aknavy · 03-20-2019, 07:34 AM

I just realized I kinda got off topic in this thread yesterday...back on topic.

Can you get to the fridge in the RKFB with the slides pulled in? It's nice to be able to grab something when you're stopped without having to deal with slides.

It doesn't appear that you can on the FK - is that true?

dblr · 03-20-2019, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aknavy

I just realized I kinda got off topic in this thread yesterday...back on topic.

Can you get to the fridge in the RKFB with the slides pulled in? It's nice to be able to grab something when you're stopped without having to deal with slides.

It doesn't appear that you can on the FK - is that true?

Looking at the floorplans I would say no on both getting to the fridge, on our 38MB we can only get to one door so we either try to put what we might want on that side or load whatever in the 12 volt cooler in the truck.

You may also like: