samefly
USA
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Joined: 07/13/2016
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Hello all,
We're planning to purchase our first travel trailer this year. Both the Coachmen freedom Express Liberty Edition and Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite have caught our eye. In terms of reliability, build quality, and customer service which one takes the win?
Thanks for any help you can provide. This is an awesome forum.
* This post was
edited 07/13/16 06:57pm by samefly *
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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With my money it would be Rockwood
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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azdryheat
Tucson, AZ
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I wouldn't buy any RV billed as Ultra Lite. The overall quality of RV's being built these days is terrible as the manufactures cut too many corners and there is a complete lack of quality control in the manufacturing process. I can only suspect the quality would be worse on an 'Ultra Lite' trailer because they had to cut even more corners to make it 'Ultra Lite'.
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
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ulvik
Smoky Mountains
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We love our Rockwood 2304DS appears to be great build quality even for a lite camper.
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Great Smokey Mountains
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dadmomh
Right here
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Both of our trailers have been Rockwood. First the ROO 23SS hybrid, then the '13 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604. Both were very good quality, no issues at all, most little things could be tweaked with nothing more than a screwdriver. Not familiar with your other choice, but if we were in the market for another trailer, definitely would be another Rockwood.
Trailerless but still have the spirit
2013 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 - new family
2007 Rockwood ROO HTT - new family
2003 Ford F-150
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Sam, you were the best!
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Rburkes
36869
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We like Coachmen. We are enjoying our newest one.
2017 FE 276 rkds. We traded in a 2015 FE 246 rks.
No issues of concern with either.
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samefly
USA
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Thanks for the responses so far. Rockwood seems to have some happy customers here.
What do you like most about your trailer? What do you wish they would improve?
* This post was
edited 07/13/16 08:10pm by samefly *
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TurnThePage
North ID
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There are REALLY NO GOOD REASONS to choose one over the other. Construction is similar, materials might lean toward Coachmen, but that's my opinion. It's more important to find a design/floor plan that suits your needs, then CAREFULLY inspect it for quality. Take the time to look in the nooks and crannies. Lean on the table a little. Check the drawers and doors. Verify the plumbing works without leaks. Closely inspect the edges of the roof for potential leaks (maybe most important!). Consider the holding tanks size, ground clearance, etc. (how do you intend to use the trailer?). Google the dealers you're considering doing business with. Sales is one thing, service is another. Neither brand separates itself from the other.
Once again, just my opinion.
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dadmomh
Right here
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While you're checking things inside, know in advance that the faucets in the kitchen and bath are junk....same thing for most manufacturers. You'll likely want to replace them with higher quality...yes, any standard home units fit. Some folks have not been thrilled with the sound system....we had no issues. Both of our trailers had an oven and we wouldn't consider one without it, but depends on your needs and how you camp. We would not be interested in an outdoor kitchen...would rather have that space used inside....but some love theirs. These items may not qualify as "construction quality" but it is a part of the whole package, so just some things to look at.
Happy shopping...happier camping.
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stallsmi
Northern Alabama
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We own the Freedom Express Liberty Edition (322RLDS). We have had many quality problems and will NEVER buy another Coachmen/Forest River product. Among problems: black tank simply fell out of the unit (it fell through the bottom enclosure), we are on our third A/C unit, water pump failed, tv and radio were mis-wired, slide outs had major leaks (design flaw), CO monitor failed, etc, etc. This was all in the first year. We have spent thousands to get the unit serviceable. We had a StarCraft prior to this and passed to our son. That trailer is still going strong after 13 years.
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