New Roo Owner

EcoBuckeye · 03-10-2021, 11:18 AM

I'm a long-time camper, first-time owning a trailer. Tent camping over two and a half week trip from Ohio to Idaho with three kids finally forced me to consider buying something a little easier to setup and pack.

We just bought a Rockwood Roo 183 that hasn't arrived yet, but as a total noob to trailer camping I am quickly devouring as much information as I can.

bzac1954 · 03-10-2021, 11:21 AM

Welcome from the great state of Wyoming! Enjoy that Roo when it finally arrives!

Wiscampsin · 03-10-2021, 11:29 AM

Welcome from Wisconsin. Congrats and enjoy your Rockwood Roo 183.

aceinspp · 03-10-2021, 11:32 AM

Welcome to the forum and the world of RVing. Enjoy and

Later RJD

**bikendan** · 03-10-2021, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoBuckeye

I'm a long-time camper, first-time owning a trailer. Tent camping over two and a half week trip from Ohio to Idaho with three kids finally forced me to consider buying something a little easier to setup and pack.

We just bought a Rockwood Roo 183 that hasn't arrived yet, but as a total noob to trailer camping I am quickly devouring as much information as I can.

Hi and Welcome to FRF.
Be sure to check out the Roo/Shamrock sub-forum for lots of hybrid help and ideas.

StrangeBird22 · 03-10-2021, 12:47 PM

Welcome from central Ohio

hobienick · 03-11-2021, 12:02 AM

Welcome from Westerville, OH! Lots of great parks in our state.

Stepping up from tenting is wonderful. So much easier to pack up and go.

Reverse_snowbird · 03-11-2021, 12:11 AM

You're going to love the ease of setting up and tearing down that rig. Not to mention all the additional space you're going to have.
It's going to give you more time for activities with the family.

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the rving community.

rsdata · 03-11-2021, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Be sure to check out the Roo/Shamrock sub-forum for lots of hybrid help and ideas.

X2

As a former popup owner I find my 183 is much easier to prep both arriving and leaving AND gives some much needed inside storage space for lawn chairs and such.

Welcome from Kentucky.

EcoBuckeye · 03-17-2021, 02:16 PM

We just dragged it home last night and it's a hit, everyone is stopping by to look inside. My oldest boy has hit his head on the bed end three times in as many hours, hasn't knocked any sense into him yet.

Edit: Better update my signature!

rsdata · 03-17-2021, 04:09 PM

I use the front bunk exclusively... I have hit my head on the overhead of the bunk entrance many times. I finally tacked a piece of pipe foam insulation over the corner, opening up the foam at the side slit... I think I used the 3/4 inch size... has saved me some nasty forhead hits in the past 6 years. I do the same with the awning arm closest to the door, only using velcro for a temporary fastener.

EcoBuckeye · 03-17-2021, 05:56 PM

Thanks - I think I'll have to do that. He's got some pretty gnarly bumps already.

EcoBuckeye · 03-20-2021, 06:42 PM

Tonight we're sleeping in the driveway, it's supposed to get near 30 by the AM. I spent the day working on the water, understanding the city water and pump system. The water miser on the shower head is really cool!

I did make a mistake by forgetting to install the water filter, it would have been nice to have changed it while the system was dry. The housing was extremely tight and I wasn't sure if I was going to break it when I opened it.

I sprayed down the three bunk ends twice with the hose to condition the threads. Everything remained tight except for two places near the bottom corners where the material attaches to the box. The holes appear to be stretched and I think I'll need some kind of caulk or sealant in those spots.

Finally, I dropped and dented my griddle and scratched the side when the mounting bracket fell to the ground with the griddle. Unlike the table/shelf which tilts over the lip from the top, the griddle mounts seems to slide over the end of the lip. It fits much more securely that way. I must have missed that in the instructions.

The Teton HD WiFi booster is pretty finicky. It's connected to the home wifi (again, for practice) but the throughput is a tenth of what I get with my phone outside on the same home signal. 11 MPS now, so good enough for the firestick.

I have the heat on and the tanks warming. Tomorrow I'm going to practice dumping the tanks here in the driveway, I figure it's the one and only time I can be sure it's all clean water so I can afford to make a mistake. My gray water tank is already 3/4 full from messing with the water, getting the air out of the lines, and playing with the shower.

rsdata · 03-20-2021, 10:31 PM

Quote:

I did make a mistake by forgetting to install the water filter, it would have been nice to have changed it while the system was dry. The housing was extremely tight and I wasn't sure if I was going to break it when I opened it.

I have bypassed the filter... such an awkward spot. If it leaks under the front bunk ( if yours is in the smae spot as my 2014 183) you will not know until the floor is flooded and possibly damaged permanently.

Using an external blue water filter is much easier. Screw it onto the end of the garden hose then into the fill line. Use it for a year then throw it away.

Driveway camping is the way to do it... figure out what you need before leaving the house

EcoBuckeye · 03-21-2021, 07:33 AM

Good thing we camped in the driveway - I began to hear a drip in the shower. It looks like it's coming from behind the faucet panel. My gray water tank was now full. Fortunately we were just running clean water through everything so I could empty it on the ground.

I guess this means it's back to the dealer, which is unfortunate since they're about 2.5 hours away.

Edit to add media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtNrsvkWsgU

**bikendan** · 03-21-2021, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoBuckeye

Good thing we camped in the driveway - I began to hear a drip in the shower. It looks like it's coming from behind the faucet panel. My gray water tank was now full. Fortunately we were just running clean water through everything so I could empty it on the ground.

I guess this means it's back to the dealer, which is unfortunate since they're about 2.5 hours away.

Edit to add media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtNrsvkWsgU

You don't have to go back to the dealer. You can use an independent RV shop or mobile RV tech. You just have to get pre-approval from FR and be willing to be reimbursed.

EcoBuckeye · 03-21-2021, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikendan

You don't have to go back to the dealer. You can use an independent RV shop or mobile RV tech. You just have to get pre-approval from FR and be willing to be reimbursed.

Good to know, I appreciate that.

Hoomi · 03-21-2021, 04:32 PM

Welcome from Baja Arizona! We're in the process of upgrading from a 22 year old popup trailer to a 2021 Wolf Pup, for many of the same reasons. We take delivery next weekend.

EcoBuckeye · 03-23-2021, 12:44 PM

I spoke with the dealer and I'm going to attempt to diagnose and treat this leak myself, with their remote guidance. They think it's just a matter of tightening a connection behind that panel, and my opening it won't void any warranty through them. If this works, I'll have a better understanding of PEX plumbing and I won't need to drive and wait for what may be a simple repair. If I can't do it, I'll still have the option for same day service with them.

I didn't really intend for my welcome post to turn into a new owner blog, but there you go.

Chuck_S · 03-23-2021, 01:13 PM

My grey water tank stays Open when in my driveway. Unless you're testing the tank for leaks I recommend you do the same. Short hose to run onto the lawn. When we had our only bathroom remodeled a few years ago I showered out there every morning for at least a week.

Where ya located? Where's the dealer? (Just curious.)

-- Chuck

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