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Old 07-15-2019, 01:15 PM   #1
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Different "brands" identical trailers?

My husband and I are back to looking for our first travel trailer. I've noticed that most everyone has similar layouts. That is to say you can find a Coachman and a Forest River and what have you with very similar layouts. BUT, I've only just realized that among Forest Rivers brands, some are 100% identical, just with different names. I have a computer with two monitors and I pulled up the 360 walk thru of a Flagstaff Micro Lite 21FBRS and a Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S. You literally cannot see any difference except for the upholstery.

So...why would a person decide to choose one over the other? It's starting to hurt my head looking at the same darn trailers over and over.
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Old 07-15-2019, 01:21 PM   #2
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Many if not all Rockwood / Flagstaff models have a twin in the other line. Decals, interior patterns and colors are the only differences.

I ordered a Rockwood and after it was delayed a couple of times found a Flagstaff in stock so bought that instead.

Personal opinion buy the one from the dealer you trust more unless you are very concerned about interior colors and patterns, then buy the one you like better. Both are built in the same factory by the same people.
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Old 07-15-2019, 01:24 PM   #3
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It is not much different than the situation with Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Both are made on the same production line. So you buy on price, equipment, and dealer reputation.
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Old 07-15-2019, 01:34 PM   #4
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These are designed to offer retail dealers an "exclusive" sales territory. Roo and Shamrock, for example are the same trailer -- other than the decals -- so the dealers can be "exclusive" and still be in the same telephone area or ZIPcode. The trailers come down the same production line and are built by the same people.

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Old 07-15-2019, 01:49 PM   #5
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Yep, dealer territory.
Can't have two Rockwood dealers within a certain radius so they build the exact same R/V and put Flagstaff on it and a new dealer can be 1 mile away selling them.

As mentioned they are built on the same assembly line by the same people.

I would choose whichever model has the better dealer.
Unless you are rather handy, dealer selection is often as important as model/brand selection
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Old 07-15-2019, 02:12 PM   #6
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Many RV manufacturers have twin brands, not just FR.
Thor Industries and Winnebago are two examples.
As was said, it's for marketing.
But I will say that there far more Rockwood dealers nationwide, than Flagstaff dealers.
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Old 07-15-2019, 03:38 PM   #7
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Thanks everyone!

Now to find the "perfect" little trailer.
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Old 07-15-2019, 04:01 PM   #8
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Well, now you have more "brands" options to consider.....
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Old 07-15-2019, 06:22 PM   #9
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I have 2 General RVs within 50 miles of me 1 sells Viking the other cells Coachmen but they're identical
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Old 07-16-2019, 01:50 PM   #10
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Different

21FBRS/2109S

Either one makes a great couples trailer. We loved ours.
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Old 07-16-2019, 02:18 PM   #11
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Many years ago there were many brands of rv's.

Today a few corporations own everything!

Economy of scale?
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Old 07-16-2019, 02:34 PM   #12
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just like 80 years ago there were several thousand 'car' builders, now only a few... it's how things work. Woolworths works the same. TG&Y, too... or even the 'K' mart....

while it's interested to remember what car manufacturers aren't 'around' anymore, and the retail store chains that seem to have disappeared, it's another story to single out the Hardware business in the same frame of mind - as one would think that with Lowes and Home Depot getting the 'lion's share' of the market, I'm amazed at the number of 'niche' ACE and TrueValue stores that have started to pop up in places that you would think would never again be a store for hardware... in your neighborhood, with smaller footprints, and fantastic customer service.
Dollar General is another 'retailer' that has pounced on the 'Walmarts are only in the metro areas and bigger cities' routine, and now you can find a brand-new DG store in the 'middle of nowhere!' .... crazy : _) crazy good!
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Old 07-16-2019, 06:10 PM   #13
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Clones

What I noticed is many times the Flagstaff and Rockwood are identical, but weight specs are different. But the MFG. specs are a joke anyway. If you tour the plant, you will see them built at the same time ,on the on the same line.
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Old 07-16-2019, 07:23 PM   #14
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There are only a VERY few manufacturers.
All use the same general philosophy as General Motors did not that long ago.
It was hard to tell the difference between a:
Chevy
Pontiac
Oldsmobile
Buick
Cadillac
Other than trim and whiz-bangs.

Underneath they were all the same car.
The same is true of RVs.

In particular, Rockwood and Flagstaff are almost the same in many aspects....other than trim and a few whiz-bangs. By the way, as RVs go, they ain't Airstreams, but they are near the top of the heap for the "everyday" RV brands.
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Old 07-16-2019, 09:44 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmoore13 View Post
, Rockwood and Flagstaff are almost the same in many aspects....other than trim and a few whiz-bangs. By the way, as RVs go, they ain't Airstreams, but they are near the top of the heap for the "everyday" RV brands.
Thanks. The other possibility we're looking at is a Coachman 1943RB. It's my husband's favorite. I leaning toward the Rockwood.

I wish I knew more about the pros and cons of each.
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Old 07-16-2019, 10:16 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs.Shockley View Post
... I wish I knew more about the pros and cons of each.
Spend time reading on this forum. I assume there is a corresponding one for Coachman.
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