Hello From Undecided Florida Couple!

AlwaysWondering · 02-11-2022, 03:15 PM

Hello new friends.

My wife and I have been on our search for a little over a year for our couples camper. Yes, you all know that feeling!

We are lucky enough to live in Florida so we did attend the SUPER RV show this past month and have access to view RVs on lots all year round. Wow what a difference a year off made in some of these models.

What we once thought we wanted (Wolf Pup 16FQ) has morphed into a spread sheet with pros/cons/prices and a few different models of TT now.

Now looking at: The Flagstaff E-Pro E19FD
Rockwood Geo Pro G19FD
RPOD 190
RPOD192

We did like the Flagstaff E-Pro E19FBS, but we weren't able to see if it could pas the "Cracker Barrel Test" when the slide was closed!? I am sure someone here can help answer that.

We are not retired, my wife works full time and I am disabled after being a truck driver for a large shipping company for 19 years. So we are not living in this RV, but we will be utilizing it monthly. With A yearly trip from Florida to family in Boulder CO.

We aren't much for social media (we have zero) and we are happy with that. But we do really find the knowledge of this community amazing from what we have used in our research(Steered us away from the wolf pup)

Thank you to all the contributors. I truly look forward to any info on helping us make the decision to get RVing finally. We have family that has been full time RVers for 14 years and they are enjoying every second of it. (They have a much larger set up)

Thanks and Happy Travels.

M & A

Reverse_snowbird · 02-11-2022, 04:30 PM

Well, since the 190 is temporarily unavailable, the takes it out of the mix. Plus you really don't want to have one spouse crawling over the other to get out of the bed. Been there, done that and it's not pleasant for either partner.

The Rockwood Geo Pro and the Flagstaff EPro look identical to me.
I think any of the above would do nicely for a couple starting out in rving. We put 30,000 miles traveling in a similar trailer although we didn't have the Murphy bed because they weren't making them.

It's going to come down to price and availability. Availability is a huge problem right now and the prices aren't going down due to supply shortages of the trailer components.

Welcome to the forum and looking forward to learning what you buy.

**bikendan** · 02-11-2022, 04:42 PM

Flagstaff and Rockwood are twin brands so the Epro and Geo Pro models are also twin brands. Built on the same assembly line, only differences are outside graphics and interior decor.

AlwaysWondering · 02-11-2022, 05:44 PM

Thanks!

We are truly lucky, all the mentioned above are plentiful right now at multiple lots in our area.

I agree with the crawling over one in the middle of the night to the bathroom calls.

I do see how they are similar and have watched a few videos on the Flagstaff E-Pro and the Rockwood-Geo Pro. But then I just gotta ask, "two different lines for different graphics and interior color?

One thing that has us thinking about choices is the lack of counter space. Seems its an issue in many floor plans.

Thank so much for the interaction. Tomorrow we will be attending a few "RV SALES".

Question to those like myself, How much can I really get these dealerships off there marked prices?

Thanks

M&A

Qwkynuf · 02-11-2022, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysWondering

Thanks!

We are truly lucky, all the mentioned above are plentiful right now at multiple lots in our area.

I agree with the crawling over one in the middle of the night to the bathroom calls.

I do see how they are similar and have watched a few videos on the Flagstaff E-Pro and the Rockwood-Geo Pro. But then I just gotta ask, "two different lines for different graphics and interior color?

One thing that has us thinking about choices is the lack of counter space. Seems its an issue in many floor plans.

Thank so much for the interaction. Tomorrow we will be attending a few "RV SALES".

Question to those like myself, How much can I really get these dealerships off there marked prices?

Thanks

M&A

I don't know what you are towing with, or what your budget is, or anything like that, but if you can go a little bigger than the ones you mention, have you looked at the Rockwood 2104s/Flagstaff 21DS? Pulls easily behind a half ton pickup, but I wouldn't want to try with anything smaller.

We bought a 2020 model in the fall of 2019 and love it. Can't get enough of it. The only downside is that it doesn't pass your "Cracker Barrel test" because the slide has to be out in order to fold the Murphy bed down. Well, that and you have to run it out a little bit to access the bathroom.

When set up with the slide out, it is amazingly spacious for a trailer so small.

AlwaysWondering · 02-11-2022, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwkynuf

I don't know what you are towing with, or what your budget is, or anything like that, but if you can go a little bigger than the ones you mention, have you looked at the Rockwood 2104s/Flagstaff 21DS? Pulls easily behind a half ton pickup, but I wouldn't want to try with anything smaller.

We bought a 2020 model in the fall of 2019 and love it. Can't get enough of it. The only downside is that it doesn't pass your "Cracker Barrel test" because the slide has to be out in order to fold the Murphy bed down. Well, that and you have to run it out a little bit to access the bathroom.

When set up with the slide out, it is amazingly spacious for a trailer so small.

Thanks!
We are towing with a newly purchased 2022 Nissan Frontier. Has a tow capacity of 6012 with the tow package. We are trying to follow the 80:20 rule so tryin to keep GVWR under 5k. We also will run an Andersen WD hitch.

As for budget, id say as cheap as we can go. With our area dealerships the prices are really starting to drop in the past few days by a few $1000.

The access to kitchen and bed when driving out to the midwest is a must so for those few hour stops at the rest stop we can eat and catch a few without the slides out.

I'm starting to learn as I get older, it may not be the perfect time, but who knows if or when it ever will be.

Thanks

M&A

Rhumblefish · 02-11-2022, 06:09 PM

Hey M&A,

#1: welcome! Good to have you here. Hope you enjoy the community and learn plenty, This can be a great resource for owners and buyers.

Two different lines for minor changes (different graphics and interior color/options), is badge engineering as old as the hills. The E-Pro E19FD and Geo-Pro G19FD are I-dentical - down to the last pound. They roll out of the same building, built by the same people, to the same spec with the same materials. Only difference is what graphics sheets the exterior crew puts onnem. It's how Forest River manages the individual brand line itself, to make sure each brand offers a full competitive product line. Same thing with Forest River's Rockwood Roo and Shamrock - same line, the minorest of differences (and even less so now, as line options are reduced by Covid, labor and supply shortages issues and/or increased desire and reduced supply).

As you noticed, there's only so much room in these lil guys, and the things that DO go in all need to be pretty much the right size for you (a WAY too small bed wouldn't work, nor a way-too-small toilet, or a way-too-small seating/eating area). So the compromises end up showing in with slightly downsized things (toilets in these things are smaller than at home, but usable). The kitchen, however is usually cut incredibly. (bye bye, counterspace). The trick, I've found, is look to see what can be used instead (use your dining table for counter space, think of the top of the stove as prep and serve space, too) and then look to see what you can do OUTSIDE. It's tight, but it works. Think of it as the coolest blanket fort ever made.

Things are changing, but MSRP prices are up (slightly over last year), and the amount of 'discount" you can get off MSRP is likely smaller than it has been in the past. I think the general target should be about 1/3 off MSRP. You can shop your build anywhere they sell it, and if any reputable dealer is willing to give you a printed price on the build you want, you know that's something you can take to a different dealership and be aggressive.

In shopping for my roo, I built a spreadsheet that tracked not only cost, but also distance from my home, fuel pricing, time to get the unit, etc. And prioritized dealers willing to work with me, and support the RV after the sale. My closest dealers were all the most expensive dealers, and wouldn't come down to match prices that other dealers were willing to honor, so I bought ~400 miles away (closer to the production facililty, which reduced cost and increased dealer competition).

I recommend you check with Wana RV and RVWholesalers to find a price, but there are great dealers willing to work with you and get you into the RV of your dreams. Check the dealer section here for dealer reviews.

Hope this helps!

TeachTexas · 02-11-2022, 06:15 PM

I would suggest looking at the Rockwood 2109S. Everything is accessible with slide in and the full queen bed is walk around. We think it is a perfect couples trailer.

AlwaysWondering · 02-11-2022, 06:18 PM

Thank you RHUMBLEFISH.

I agree, we have been tent campers so this upgrade, no matter which one it will be, we will feel happy as heck about being RVers! And hopefully part of the FROG family.

Being in Florida im trying to keep it in the borders as of now for purchase, just due to not being outfitted for any snow I may need to deal with. But from some of my research and the spread sheet tracking I am seeing some decline in pricing.

I am gonna shoot for that 1/3 off MSRP with fingers crossed. Honestly not sure we can swing it close to MSRP.

Thanks
M&A

AlwaysWondering · 02-11-2022, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeachTexas

I would suggest looking at the Rockwood 2109S. Everything is accessible with slide in and the full queen bed is walk around. We think it is a perfect couples trailer.

Thank you!

I think this one might be a little higher than we want to go with GVWR?!

Thanks

M&A

**bikendan** · 02-11-2022, 06:30 PM

"I do see how they are similar and have watched a few videos on the Flagstaff E-Pro and the Rockwood-Geo Pro. But then I just gotta ask, "two different lines for different graphics and interior color?"

This is so RV manufacturers can allow two dealers in the same area, to sell popular models. So if there already is an established Rockwood dealer, a local competing dealer can carry Flagstaff. It allows FR to get a better market share. Many other RV manufacturers do the same thing, including Winnebago.

Reverse_snowbird · 02-12-2022, 12:57 AM

When you add a slideout, you're definitely increasing the weight of the trailer. Whether it's worth it depends on your style of camping. We tend to use the rig as our portable motel room and spend most of our time outside the rig... sightseeing or enjoying nature. So we don't need a big rv. Does it get tight sometimes? Of course, but we've learned to carry only what we need. (and a sense of humor helps too)

Towing with that Nissan Frontier means that you're going to want the lightest trailer that will meet your needs.

Rhumblefish · 02-14-2022, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysWondering

Being in Florida im trying to keep it in the borders as of now for purchase, just due to not being outfitted for any snow I may need to deal with. But from some of my research and the spread sheet tracking I am seeing some decline in pricing.

I am gonna shoot for that 1/3 off MSRP with fingers crossed. Honestly not sure we can swing it close to MSRP.

Good luck to you guys! I had less luck negotiating a good working price with locals, and great luck negotiating AWAY from my region (you could tell that the local dealers wanted to be accommodating (to get the sale), but were still trying to maximize price (to meet their profit goals). Even with a signed build sheet and a stated price.

With more than a $4k in price difference btw the local dealerships and what I could negotiate at dealers no more than 400 miles away, it was worth it to me to go out of state. Granted, I went up to the IN/OH region to get the camper, which reduces pricing due to distance from manufacturing.

Local dealerships will end up giving priority to people who buy from them for post-sale service, but - if you're even remotely handy and you are willing to use other local resources and independent RV service people - it might be worth it to look at a distance (and especially if you're price conscious).

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

HangDiver · 02-14-2022, 01:06 PM

I'll just throw this out there.... my Micro Lite 19fd is nearly identical to the Geo Pro/Epro which I pulled with a Nissan Frontier. I ended up having to upgrade to an F-150.

The tongue weight and frontal area of those travel trailers will put a lot of stress on the Frontier. I suggest that you check the towing section of the Frontier owners manual and see what 2022 model year maximum "frontal area" is for pulling a travel trailer.

Good luck in your search.

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