New to RVing and the Forum in general!

[Akustaka]

So I'm looking into getting a 832FK Flagstaff/8339FK Rockwood and renting out a long-term stay RV lot for 675 a month including utilities instead of renting an apartment (Cheapest close by in a non-shade neighborhood) for 1025 a month excluding utilities. (Planning to live in the unit for 5-7 years and pay off the camper in a single year, putting a hefty 40% down payment and going to dump money into it to get it paid off so my monthly living expenses is only 675 excluding maintenance where the apartment would be 1025 plus utilities and parking fees.)

I'm figuring this will be better long term even if I have to manage repairs on the unit as I will have my own space I can do whatever I want with in a location by a lake with walking trails and amenities on site.

I'm mainly joining to see if there are any little quirks or quibbles with Flagstaff/Rockwood but everything I am seeing for the most part on reddit or just general people talking about the brand say they absolutely adore their units and have very minimal problems. Dealer I am working through is very open to questions and has walked me through 2 units, my sales person is actually the person who told me to look into the forums as the reputation of flagstaff/rockwood speaks for itself.

I understand things are going to break, it's going to lose value, it's going to give headaches, but realistically a real home will do the same excluding the value part. I plan on moving out west eventually so what better way than to just bring my home with me.

I'm not asking if this is a 'good idea' as frankly I don't care about others opinions on that matter, I've ran the numbers multiple times and for MY current situation this makes sense as I will come out of the tunnel with an asset vs just throwing money at an apartment that I will have nothing with at the end. I'm not planning on selling the unit, I want it to be my home for the foreseeable future.

I just want to know if there are quirks or known little things that these brands have like anything in life that need to be kept a watchful eye on. What I should expect getting into the lifestyle, ect. The sales person told me straight up that I'm jumping like 3-4 trailers ahead of where most people start and that a lot of the wear and tear on units comes from transporting them nonstop all over the place, so for me just parking it in one spot for a long while.. Excluding appliance issues eventually, he really does not see much that will come up with my unit as long as I keep on top of maintaining seals.

I appreciate everyones time who reaches out and gives their thoughts, I'm looking forward to reading what everyone has to say and looking forward to getting started in my own place!

(For what it's worth, I currently live on a camper on my mothers land so I'm not a stranger to the limited space, the wind rocking the unit, minor little quibbles that need maintenance, ect. Just looking for more full-timers experiences and thoughts, thanks!)

 

[bikendan]

Hi and Welcome to FRF.

No comment on what your life plan is but I'm a big fan of the Rockwood/Flagstaff lines.
Owned a Rockwood Roo for 10 years.
We're going to buy a Rockwood 8263mbr/Flagstaff 826MBR next year. It will be our last RV.
Those two lines pack a lot of great features for the money.

 

[tomkatb]

Much to learn.

This is a three season lightweight trailer not really designed for full timers. So, you have to adapt.

Take the thermopane windows. Condensation. Assuming you are in Georga, heat is an issue. Two ac units will not control temps over 100 degrees. Likely over 80 in the rv on bad days.

You need a big propane cylinder. The pipes in cold weather are heated likely by the propane heat system. The pipes run along the duct.

You will be trying to use electric space heaters to heat the rv. Need 3-4. You need 50 amp service.

Skirting is a good idea. A heated water line is a good idea. Learn how to shut the water off as necessary.

RV salesmen are not your friends. They know little. The more they screw you the better their Christmas bonus. They do not care if you come back. There are plenty of folks out there.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

You're joining a growing community of 'full timers' that find an rv a practical alternative to apartments or homes.

Is this a new unit that you're buying? You'll have a 1 year warranty on a new unit and you may have to transport the rig back to the dealer for work or getting approval from FR for a mobile mechanic.

You probably already know the pros and cons of living in an rv.
What you don't know is how living in an rv park will affect your everyday life.
Rvs don't have a lot of sound deadening insulation and while it doesn't bother most people, others have trouble with slamming doors and people starting their noisy vehicles early or late in the day.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[tomkatb]

I think telling the rv folks your are living in the unit often negates the warranty.

Might have been the olden days.

 

[Akustaka]

You're joining a growing community of 'full timers' that find an rv a practical alternative to apartments or homes.

Is this a new unit that you're buying? You'll have a 1 year warranty on a new unit and you may have to transport the rig back to the dealer for work or getting approval from FR for a mobile mechanic.

You probably already know the pros and cons of living in an rv.
What you don't know is how living in an rv park will affect your everyday life.
Rvs don't have a lot of sound deadening insulation and while it doesn't bother most people, others have trouble with slamming doors and people starting their noisy vehicles early or late in the day.

Welcome to the forum!

Forest River apparently is very particular about mobile mechanics and you need to get the extended warranty plan to cover it, which I'm planning on doing since I don't really have a way to transport it, all I got is an old Nissan sedan haha

 

[Kathie-FRF]

Welcome to the forum. Our previous TT was a 2015 Salem Hemisphere Lite 32FK. We bought it used (5Yr old). Maybe any "bugs" got worked out on it before we bought it, but never had any issues. Replaced the awning 2 years ago. Last fall, had to replace the outdoor kitchen faucet, but after 10 years that's reasonable.

 

[5picker]

Flagstaff/Rockwood are touted here and on other R/V forums as one of the best lines from Forest River. We absolutely loved both our Flagstaffs and if we could have gotten the floorplan we wanted in a Flagstaff/Rockwood, we would have another.

I won't question your choice of full-time living in an R/V but will remind you when you have questions, there are many knowledgeable folks here ready and willing to help you through whatever you encounter.

 

[bikendan]

Forest River apparently is very particular about mobile mechanics and you need to get the extended warranty plan to cover it, which I'm planning on doing since I don't really have a way to transport it, all I got is an old Nissan sedan haha

Where is this "extended" warranty from FR? Sounds like the dealer selling a 3rd party extended warranty.
FR will allow you use an independent RV shop or mobile RV technician. You just have to get pre-approval from FR and be willing to be reimbursed.
How do you know that FR very particular about mobile RV technicians? Have you had personal experience with that?

 

[dangerranger]

The great things about RV living is if I don't like my neighbors I can hook up and move. U haul rents trucks for a local move for less than $50. And the cost is not bad for what you get.
The down side is you have very little personal space. Most RV parks have a lot of rules. And after just 5 years of full time living your asset won't have much resale value. [ If you keep up the maintenance and are going to live in it this may not matter]. Good Luck DR

 

[Oaklevel]

Welcome from Virginia !!!!

As others have said keep up with maintenance and find a good mobile RV repair (just in case)................. Good luck !!!

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Forest River apparently is very particular about mobile mechanics and you need to get the extended warranty plan to cover it, which I'm planning on doing since I don't really have a way to transport it, all I got is an old Nissan sedan haha

An 'extended warranty' isn't available from FR. The dealer is trying to sell you a warranty from a third party. Many aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

If this is a new rv, you'll have a 1 year warranty from FR that is included in the purchase price. It' shouldn't be an added item on your bill. You do need prior approval from Forest River for a mobile mechanic and they usually will tell you which mobile mechanics to use.
Appliances and other items in the trailer will have manufacturer's warranties which can be longer than 1 year.
Be very careful about purchasing an extended warranty.

 

[Baker9713]

Welcome from Mississippi!

 

[GolfingDave]

Been living in mine full time since May of 2022. Parked at a local fairgrounds for the summers and travel Nov-April usually moving every 5-9 days.
Overall things have held up well. Glad I went with a Rockwood.
Haven't gone south of US RT 82 in those travels so I have done a fair amount of winterizing items. With what I have done and still being able to travel I can get into the mid teens at night with no problems. As long as it gets to freezing or just below within a day or so. You can do a more thorough job if staying put.

I think I would at least operate the slides every couple of months or so. Anything that is mechanical and just sits is not good for it.
I am a fan of slide toppers mainly for keeping rain noise to a minimum.

Would be nice to have the extra 10 feet you have except for when I travel.

I plan on moving out west eventually so what better way than to just bring my home with me.

That is a lot of home to move. There are a lot of nice campers seven feet shorter in the Super Lite category.
Moving it is the only drawback I foresee.

 

[Akustaka]

Been living in mine full time since May of 2022. Parked at a local fairgrounds for the summers and travel Nov-April usually moving every 5-9 days.
Overall things have held up well. Glad I went with a Rockwood.
Haven't gone south of US RT 82 in those travels so I have done a fair amount of winterizing items. With what I have done and still being able to travel I can get into the mid teens at night with no problems. As long as it gets to freezing or just below within a day or so. You can do a more thorough job if staying put.

I think I would at least operate the slides every couple of months or so. Anything that is mechanical and just sits is not good for it.
I am a fan of slide toppers mainly for keeping rain noise to a minimum.

Would be nice to have the extra 10 feet you have except for when I travel.


That is a lot of home to move. There are a lot of nice campers seven feet shorter in the Super Lite category.
Moving it is the only drawback I foresee.

I'm planning on parking it in one location for 5-7 years, so I'm not too concerned with moving it as I will only have to move it once or twice during the lifespan of owning the unit (excluding original delivery)

 

[Akustaka]

An 'extended warranty' isn't available from FR. The dealer is trying to sell you a warranty from a third party. Many aren't worth the paper they are printed on.

If this is a new rv, you'll have a 1 year warranty from FR that is included in the purchase price. It' shouldn't be an added item on your bill. You do need prior approval from Forest River for a mobile mechanic and they usually will tell you which mobile mechanics to use.
Appliances and other items in the trailer will have manufacturer's warranties which can be longer than 1 year.
Be very careful about purchasing an extended warranty.

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it and will take it into consideration.

 

[Akustaka]

The great things about RV living is if I don't like my neighbors I can hook up and move. U haul rents trucks for a local move for less than $50. And the cost is not bad for what you get.
The down side is you have very little personal space. Most RV parks have a lot of rules. And after just 5 years of full time living your asset won't have much resale value. [ If you keep up the maintenance and are going to live in it this may not matter]. Good Luck DR

Yeah I'm looking at it to live in, I'm going to be spending around 55k to 60k OTD so the way I look at it, It's going to be my full time residence for 5-7 years, at 5 years the cheapest rent I can find is 1025 a month and that's with a year lease before utilities. But the camper once paid off will only be about 700 a month and INCLUDES utilities. So at 5 years for 1025 a month equals 61,500. Where as the rental for the rv lot at 675 would be 40,500. That's a savings alone of 21,000 dollars! Plus at the end of it if I decide to sell the RV, even if I only got 15k for it that would push the savings total to 36,000, NOT INCLUDING WHAT UTILITIES WOULD INCREASE THE 61.500 PRICE TO... So EVEN IF I spend 10k on maintenance for the RV over the span of 5 years, I'm still saving 26,000 in the long run, plus have a space I can do whatever I want with in an RV park with amenities like a lake at my doorstep, hiking trails, open restrooms with showers if mine ever has an issue, 'semi' gated community, and nature.

This is what I've been mulling over to decide if it is worth it or not, and I know my RV loan is going to eat a lot into those savings numbers I've quoted out, but I'm planning on just absolutely DUMPING money into the RV for the first year and a half I own it to pay it off as fast as possible.

 

[Akustaka]

Where is this "extended" warranty from FR? Sounds like the dealer selling a 3rd party extended warranty.
FR will allow you use an independent RV shop or mobile RV technician. You just have to get pre-approval from FR and be willing to be reimbursed.
How do you know that FR very particular about mobile RV technicians? Have you had personal experience with that?

Apologies for long response times, I spoke to 3 different sales reps and they all pretty much told me the same thing. And the extended warranty would fall under an airstream umbrella, does it not sound worth it to consider? It would appear to cover all RV technician repairs for callouts. Does the FR reimbursement cover the mobile technician as well?

 

[Akustaka]

Flagstaff/Rockwood are touted here and on other R/V forums as one of the best lines from Forest River. We absolutely loved both our Flagstaffs and if we could have gotten the floorplan we wanted in a Flagstaff/Rockwood, we would have another.

I won't question your choice of full-time living in an R/V but will remind you when you have questions, there are many knowledgeable folks here ready and willing to help you through whatever you encounter.

Thanks a bunch! It really means a lot!

One of the biggest concerns I have at the moment is that while the RV lot I'm going to purchase from DOES allow third party inspectors they cannot 'trust' them after previous mishaps with inspectors unintentionally damaging something so in order for me to pay an inspector to look at the rig, which can be anywhere from 4-8 hours apparently.. They require to have someone from service staff monitor the inspector at all times so I would have to pay flat rate for a service staff member to accompany the inspector along the rig and ensure that everything is okay with it. Meaning ontop of the 800-1400 dollar inspection I'd have another 120-180 per hour charge from the dealer just to have the inspector on the property. This comes across as a HUGE red flag to me.

With all the positivity I see about flagstaff and rockwood, is an inspection really necessary? I hardly ever see ANYTHING negative and usually it's just minor things that I've seen FR took care of pretty quickly.

If I was going to buy like, something cheaper as in a wolf creek model then yeah I'd feel more inclined for an inspection but I am feeling more and more that Flagstaff/Rockwood has their reputation for quality that makes it less necessary, but still a good idea.

Thoughts?

 

[GolfingDave]

Where as the rental for the rv lot at 675 would be 40,500. That's a savings alone of 21,000 dollars!

Rents never go up?
Campgrounds are never sold? This is the one that I would be concerned with or at least take into consideration.
I would be more attentive to the life style and not the savings. You can never count on the savings.

I'm planning on parking it in one location for 5-7 years, so I'm not too concerned with moving

Could necessitate a move. A lot can happen in a short time.
Two campgrounds near me have been sold in the last couple of years. Both within fifteen miles of me.
Prices went up dramatically.

Just things to think about. Mobility has its advantages.