Soon to be new Roo 19 Owner!

[Buckeye X]

Pup is gone and deposit is in on a new Roo 19. Other than a sewer hose and no cranking the @÷!! $ roof up what do we need to know about the new rig?

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[mTn_biKer65]

There's at least one if not more good youtube vids on set-up for a hybrid. Worth a look for at least those tent ends procedures.

Chances are you'll be tearing down at some point during rain. Once the ends are closed wipe up what water you can and when you get home don't wait for good weather to dry them out. I'd set them up immediately rain or shine to get any water away from the wood on the deck and the hinge area.

Get familiar with the operations of your water heater. e.g. location of the electric switch and how to tell if it's full of water before you turn it on. Many stories here of burned out water heater elements because the water heater was empty especially on that first trip out.

Enjoy!!!

[rockfordroo]

Went from a popup (20 yrs) to a Roo19. Mine is a 2012.

I have the old bunk latches, you'll have the new ones, which seem to be of dubious quality, per other posts on the forum.

My water heater inlet/outlet/bypass valves are junk. I have the metal ones, not plastic. Don't know what you'll have. The bypass valve failed to close first trip of 2nd season. Replaced it with similar POS.

You should get LED lights. I've got incandescents. You'll probably also get awning LED's - nice.

There's storage space across the front of the trailer, but it's tough to get to. One guy installed a door into it between the dinette and sofa so he can get to it from inside.

The triangle cabinet by the door needs a shelf. I haven't made one yet, but will this summer.

I installed a piece of clear plexiglass on the sink cabinet that faces the shower. Most Roo owners have done this. Caulk the edges. Keeps shower water from damaging the cabinet. Also installed a triangular shower shield - see pic.

There's a lot of wasted space at the outboard ends of the rear storage area, behind the tail lights. Haven't done anything with it yet, but the piece of paneling they put up will probably be coming out this year.

My furnace blows into the foot area of the dinette, which is exactly where it draws in it's cool air. Dumb design. Several folks have moved the air discharge to the side of the dinette bench so it blows into the walkway between the dinette and the stove. I've been led to believe FR fixed this on the newer ones, but don't know for sure.

Got a 2" memory foam topper for the mattress. Speaking of which - the heated mattresses are NOT like an electric blanket. They only put out about 150 watts (a good sized light bulb). You may not actually feel much heat when you put your hand under the covers, but when you crawl in and go to sleep, they work very well. Have done 40 deg F with the control set a mid-heat.

Turning on the exhaust fans (you've probably got 2, I've just got the one in the bathroom) when closing up, with the permanently fixed-to-bunks canvas is supposed to help you ensure the canvas gets in properly - sucks it in, so to speak. (I haven't tried this trick yet myself.)

I remove the mattress from the bunk before I close it up; others don't - they leave it snapped to the bunk. You'll have to decide what you want to do.

The dinette table legs are crap. Too heavy and too awkward to fold/unfold. Lots of complaints on the forum. Wish I had the simple X-style legs like on my popup, that just folded up against the bottom of the table independently. Easy and light.

We have had no leaks so far. (2 seasons, starting 3rd.)

You'll probably want to get a pair of BAL X-chocks for between the wheels. It will reduce rocking and rolling.

Many of us have done the vinyl fence post/rain gutter for holding the stinky slinky. See pics.

As a prior PUP owner, any similar issues/complaints you have you'll probably take in stride. So, please don't get the wrong idea - we're very happy with our Roo.

[Buckeye X]

Good info! The idea of only having to drop 2 bunks after a wet weekend is fanfriggintastic.

What about a breathable RV cover? Our Pup was a Coleman with the infamous ABS roof that self destructed in the sun so I am way over concerned about longevity.

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[bikendan]

don't know if you had Popup Gizmos on your old pup, but you'll need them for your hybrid.
those and Reflectix in the tent windows will help with temp regulation and condensation.

[Buckeye X]

Why not keep the sewer pipe in the bumper? Rust?

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[rockfordroo]

Why not keep the sewer pipe in the bumper? Rust?

Yes, plus it doesn't fit very well (or not at all, depending on manufacturer).

My popup was a Coleman Sequoia with an aluminum roof, so no problems. These things have rubber/EDPM roofs. I have a cover I put on my over the winter, but not in the summer. We'll see how well it does over the long haul.

[jmcl528]

We just went from a pup to a 2012 19 and love it!! Pretty much makes everything easier and more comfortable. Good luck with yours.

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[Buckeye X]

We've had one night of driveway camping!

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[indybp57]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Also installed a triangular shower shield - see pic.

Did you fabricate that yourself or are they an aftermarket item?

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[kpm]

Originally Posted by bikendan

don't know if you had Popup Gizmos on your old pup, but you'll need them for your hybrid.
those and Reflectix in the tent windows will help with temp regulation and condensation.

Ditto on the Gizmos. I used mine for the first time this past weekend and they were great. I'll get some pics to share.

[rockfordroo]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
Also installed a triangular shower shield - see pic.

Did you fabricate that yourself or are they an aftermarket item?

Commercial made. I think I got it at Home Depot. You may have to move some of the plastic "rivets" that hold the shower wall on. Here's what I used to replace them (GM fender clips) as I couldn't find any at the local RV dealers (you have to cut the top off with diagonal cutters). At the top of the 2nd pic, you can see I've cut off the original rivet (see hole) with a razor blade behind it and installed the new one to the right so the shield won't be on a rivet. Also, just using the sticky tape that comes with the shield didn't work, it kept popping off. I ended up caulking it with silicon caulking and it's stayed on ever since.

[IllinoisCamper]

I have a set of super high wind gizmos with factory installed Velcro strips available in the chicago area for $100 that fit a 2012 Roo19. Used 1 season then traded for a TT. Will throw in winter cover. Both used for one season. Cover has small hole where awning latch poked through. Easily patched.

[Buckeye X]

Got the stinky slinky taken care of, where do you all keep the grill? 6 days until our first trip.....

[rockfordroo]

We bought a plastic tub that it JUST fits into. (Forget that bag it comes with.) I slide it as far forward as I can in the curb side storage area.

[RedStick]

I place our grill in a plastic tote - w/o the lid and transport it either in the back of the truck or in the rv on the floor.

I put the rhino black/grey tank stuff in a much larger tote with the lid...that goes in the back of the truck.

I'd like to do the fence post mod on that.

[Buckeye X]

We ended up using a laundry basket. It has handles and gets the job done.

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Went from a popup (20 yrs) to a Roo19. Mine is a 2012.

I have the old bunk latches, you'll have the new ones, which seem to be of dubious quality, per other posts on the forum.

My water heater inlet/outlet/bypass valves are junk. I have the metal ones, not plastic. Don't know what you'll have. The bypass valve failed to close first trip of 2nd season. Replaced it with similar POS.

You should get LED lights. I've got incandescents. You'll probably also get awning LED's - nice.

There's storage space across the front of the trailer, but it's tough to get to. One guy installed a door into it between the dinette and sofa so he can get to it from inside.

The triangle cabinet by the door needs a shelf. I haven't made one yet, but will this summer.

I installed a piece of clear plexiglass on the sink cabinet that faces the shower. Most Roo owners have done this. Caulk the edges. Keeps shower water from damaging the cabinet. Also installed a triangular shower shield - see pic.

There's a lot of wasted space at the outboard ends of the rear storage area, behind the tail lights. Haven't done anything with it yet, but the piece of paneling they put up will probably be coming out this year.

My furnace blows into the foot area of the dinette, which is exactly where it draws in it's cool air. Dumb design. Several folks have moved the air discharge to the side of the dinette bench so it blows into the walkway between the dinette and the stove. I've been led to believe FR fixed this on the newer ones, but don't know for sure.

Got a 2" memory foam topper for the mattress. Speaking of which - the heated mattresses are NOT like an electric blanket. They only put out about 150 watts (a good sized light bulb). You may not actually feel much heat when you put your hand under the covers, but when you crawl in and go to sleep, they work very well. Have done 40 deg F with the control set a mid-heat.

Turning on the exhaust fans (you've probably got 2, I've just got the one in the bathroom) when closing up, with the permanently fixed-to-bunks canvas is supposed to help you ensure the canvas gets in properly - sucks it in, so to speak. (I haven't tried this trick yet myself.)

I remove the mattress from the bunk before I close it up; others don't - they leave it snapped to the bunk. You'll have to decide what you want to do.

The dinette table legs are crap. Too heavy and too awkward to fold/unfold. Lots of complaints on the forum. Wish I had the simple X-style legs like on my popup, that just folded up against the bottom of the table independently. Easy and light.

We have had no leaks so far. (2 seasons, starting 3rd.)

You'll probably want to get a pair of BAL X-chocks for between the wheels. It will reduce rocking and rolling.

Many of us have done the vinyl fence post/rain gutter for holding the stinky slinky. See pics.

As a prior PUP owner, any similar issues/complaints you have you'll probably take in stride. So, please don't get the wrong idea - we're very happy with our Roo.

Man this is a great post --- thanks for sharing

[rockfordroo]

Man this is a great post --- thanks for sharing

Thanks. I also probably should have said to not try to pull it with an "SUV." I tried the first season with a Chevy Traverse. Wasn't happy, although other Traverse owners pull TT's heavier than mine and didn't seem to mind. It ran 3100 rpm in 4th gear at 60 mph on the flat and level. Even a tiny incline made it drop into 3rd. I didn't like that. I got the Silverado and I'm a LOT happier.

[Buckeye X]

We pull ours with a 2011 Pilot and was able to keep up with right lane traffic in moderately hilly terrain. I wouldn't try to drag it over the Rockies or through West Virginia but for what we plan on doing it'll get the Job done. The main thing is we are not over the Honda's limit and there were zero white knuckle moments on the 150 mile drive home.