New 2016 Rockwood 8289WS

Tater70 · 05-02-2015, 02:02 PM

We got the new baby, we are so excited. Spent the night in the driveway. Very comfortable and have everything in its place. The big trip starts June 1st.

PhoneDude 8289 · 05-03-2015, 01:46 PM

Very nice, we have the 2014 8289WS. Took delivery on ours 12/31/13 in Orlando FL. So far we have had about 5k miles of joyful camping.

Scootdawg · 05-04-2015, 06:50 AM

I love our 2015 8289ws, its just what the wife wanted and she is extremely happy with the lay out.

WFD · 05-04-2015, 07:32 AM

We have a 2014 as well...love it! We changed the thermostat in ours to a digital one as the analog one that comes with has too wide a range of cycling both heat and a/c. Ordered a digital one from Amazon that has a 1 degree variance...very easy install.
Have any of you changed the original cheap tires from your units to a higher quality tire? The onslaught of stories in the forum about blowouts and tire failures has me concerned about these cheap OEM tires.

Wiscampsin · 05-04-2015, 08:38 AM

Congrats on your new Rockwood 8289WS! I don't think I could wait that long to get that great looking rig to a campground.

BamaBob · 05-04-2015, 09:52 AM

Welcome to the forums from Huntsville, AL

Congrats on the new rig - we love ours!

RFKosar · 05-04-2015, 12:00 PM

I know you'll love 8289ws! We bought our 2014 model in August 2013, sold the house in Texas and hit the road full time for a year and a half! What a great little 5th wheel! We just bought a house in Florida and parked it in driveway, ready for more RVing!

RFKosar · 05-04-2015, 12:02 PM

WFD - what thermostat did you get for your 8289ws?

B and B · 05-04-2015, 12:06 PM

We bought a 2013 8289 WS in July 2013. Started our third season April 10 with ours. Love the trailer and floor plan. Constant mods and getting the whole trailer refined to our needs. If you have the time a trip to Goshen Rally is a neat experience, had a couple small issues looked after there.
I would look at a tire upgrade as well, the stock tires are not the best quality.

Welcome and Enjoy! Is that a half ton chev too?

PhoneDude 8289 · 05-04-2015, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WFD

We have a 2014 as well...love it! We changed the thermostat in ours to a digital one as the analog one that comes with has too wide a range of cycling both heat and a/c. Ordered a digital one from Amazon that has a 1 degree variance...very easy install.
Have any of you changed the original cheap tires from your units to a higher quality tire? The onslaught of stories in the forum about blowouts and tire failures has me concerned about these cheap OEM tires.

Had a problem holding air in one of the original tires, turned out the bead that holds the tire to the rim was crumbling in places. Replaced all four with Maxxis M8008 radial ST E rated. I had steel valve stems installed and balanced with the tire pressure monitors installed. D rated would have been plenty but I would have to wait a few days for them to come in. Got the E's for the price of D's. I maintain 70PSI in the Maxxis tires. OEM tires were about 6 months old with less than 3K miles on them.

Rsharrer · 05-04-2015, 03:00 PM

We bought our 2014 8289WS July 5, 2013 from Wana RV in Shipshewana, Indiana. Took a factory tour when we were back there. Now have 14,000 miles and 180 nights on/in it. We were also concerned about the original tires and kept a close eye on them. Bought a Tire Tacker system to monitor them. After about 11,500 miles found cracking on three of the tires. All on the inside and about an inch from the rim. Replaced them with Hercules "D" range tires. Forest River did the right thing and provided a partial imbursement even though we were out of warranty. Other small issues but nothing unreasonable. Hope you enjoy your new rig as much as we have enjoyed ours!

Scootdawg · 05-04-2015, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsharrer

After about 11,500 miles found cracking on three of the tires. All on the inside and about an inch from the rim. Replaced them with Hercules "D" range tires.

Hello, I am getting ready to order some new tires for my 8289 and am still undecided. How are the Hercules holding out? Did you buy them online?

Rsharrer · 05-04-2015, 03:19 PM

I purchased my tires from a dealer here in Elk Grove, Ca. About $400 including mounting and balancing. Only have a couple thousand miles on them but most noticeable difference is that they hold air much better than the originals. As I recall, Hercules is a company that markets tires manufactured by someone else. Ultimately I trusted our local dealer and his recommendation and so far, so good.

bruane · 05-04-2015, 03:26 PM

Keep an eye on the front cap. They have a tendency to collapse if in cycles of sun and cold. They have supposedly fixed the problem as of this year by putting in a piece of reinforcing foam.Other wise its lever the cap off and stuff Styrofoam sheets in or replace the cap. Not v elegant.

BamaBob · 05-04-2015, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scootdawg

Hello, I am getting ready to order some new tires for my 8289 and am still undecided. How are the Hercules holding out? Did you buy them online?

We have Goodyear Marathons - Load Range D and love them!

The Crow 1994 · 05-04-2015, 05:17 PM

What a beautiful 5'er! I'm officially jealous. We had one ordered last summer, but backed out at the last minute. Are there any noticeable differences between the '15's & 16's?

Witch Doctor · 05-04-2015, 05:49 PM

I have had very little problems with mine and it is a 2012 model, Changed tires to Marathon "D" rated at 6000, miles. Been across the USA from Virginia to Oregon and back, No major thing at all. It seems that the dark color caps are having the problem not the white. I also think they made a cap change in 2013 when all the problems started to pop up then with the dents. We love our trailer it has great and comfortable lay out. One thing to watch for are the recliners. The handle rubbed against the wall paper, caught it in time. Now we put a pad between the wall and chair on the one that the handle is against the wall when we travel.

Bears1985 · 05-04-2015, 07:47 PM

My wife and I purchased our 8289ws signature ultra lite diamond package in 2013. We have now made three trips to Florida. We both love it. One thing that we have that you don't have is as you walk into the unit directly to right we have a pantry and across from the bathroom door we have a linen closet. You have a entrance from the bedroom directly to the bathroom as well as storage doors on the door side of the island. We don't have that and wish we did. For whatever reason that year they changed the bedroom entry into the bathroom and then changed it back. We want to wish you the best and happy camping.

Tater70 · 05-04-2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Crow 1994

What a beautiful 5'er! I'm officially jealous. We had one ordered last summer, but backed out at the last minute. Are there any noticeable differences between the '15's & 16's?

A few of the things we liked about the 16 was the addition of angled cabinets in the kitchen just to the left of the stairs, an exterior storage compartment that is behind the fireplace, the sofa is leather and the AC's are a new combined duct system that is supposed to be more effective.

The Crow 1994 · 05-04-2015, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tater70

A few of the things we liked about the 16 was the addition of angled cabinets in the kitchen just to the left of the stairs, an exterior storage compartment that is behind the fireplace, the sofa is leather and the AC's are a new combined duct system that is supposed to be more effective.

Very nice! Sounds like some well, thought out changes for the better. I'm hoping some variation of this plan is still available when my wife and I decide to take the plunge in a few years.

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