10 Major Issues With Rockwood A-Frame Campers & How To Fix Most of Them

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Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 39

@lefty5463 18 күн бұрын

I just traded my 1991 Mazda mx-5 for a 1998 Aline July 16,2024. Yeah! I can't wait to get started making it to fit me. I heard all the stories on KZfaq about leaks and cracks. I have a plan to fix all that. There's so many fixer upper repair stuff you can buy these days.

@capturereeladventure 18 күн бұрын

Good luck! You picked the right brand that’s for sure.

@sjTHEfirst 3 ай бұрын

Should have bought an Aliner. Much better built. Yes, every camper has issues but I think you hit the jackpot with that one.

@capturereeladventure 3 ай бұрын

Thank goodness I sold it! No more trailers or RVs for us! Will be camping in the back of my truck when fishing and overlanding on my own where there is no one else around. We much prefer a nice lodge or hotel to noisy formal campgrounds.

@jasonwooden 18 күн бұрын

I was filling the fresh water tank on my Palomino A-frame and it fell out! The anti-rotation bolts weren't installed on the hangers, and there aren't any safety straps. Tons of other issues too. I've owned over 20 RVs over the years and never had one I liked. They are all junk. I recently built a Wedge Camper for my truck and am quite happy with it. Looking forward to a van build in the future. Thanks for confirming my bias.

@capturereeladventure 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for commenting. The good ones are few and far between. Too bad less expensive has to always mean not just less quality but also far less reliability. Even the low end models still cost too much for the life they have in them before costly repairs start kicking in.

@donklaing 20 күн бұрын

After watching and reading all these damage stories I've decided to rent a trailer when the urge gets me.

@capturereeladventure 19 күн бұрын

Good idea. The cost of owning and maintaining a trailer is hard to justify if you only use it a few times a year as most do. This is especially true on new trailer purchases and the fast depreciation they go through. When you factor in total cost of ownership after a trailer is sold and you divide that by how many times it’s been used, the daily cost of using that trailer is shockingly high in many cases. If you only plan on going out a handful of times a year then renting is by far the better option.

@candyalexander2196 3 ай бұрын

Ours is a love hate relationship with our A213HW Rockwood 2018 bought Feb.2023 used have repaired 6 leaks finally dry have had some great trips finally dry

@capturereeladventure 3 ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that you’re another victim of Forest River and their cheap manufacturing and materials standards. How can they keep getting away with this?

@robertmayer6696 3 ай бұрын

The best way to take care of all the problems, SELL IT!!! Smart move!!!

@capturereeladventure 3 ай бұрын

Thanks! My dad told me years ago that the best two times he ever had with his motorhome was the day he bought it and the day he sold it. 😁

@nancyp1568 2 ай бұрын

My goodness! I have a 5 year old Aliner Scout and have had zero problems with any of it...unless I don't level it right. By reading the comments this isn't just a one off for you. Hope you can find something else that you can actually enjoy time in.

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

Aliners have a much better build quality. Glad you’re not having g the same issues. Will be using the bed of my truck with the cap on the back for my backcountry roughing it trips, watch for those videos of amazing places and experiences coming this year! I’m also glad to be staying in lodges and hotels when I want some luxury. Cheers!

@jimross9429 3 ай бұрын

I had a Forest River high wall pop up it was the biggest piece of garbage I ever owned. I traded it in on a Forest River 22FBS travel trailer that was built like a tank. It amazes me two products from the same brand that are night and day different.

@capturereeladventure 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. I scratch my head as to why their A-Frames are so poorly made and how they have gotten away with it.

@philipgelsheimer5705 2 ай бұрын

I just watched your video a little too late as I take delivery of a 2024 A213HW next week. I had to chuckle as I wanted an a-frame so I wouldn't have to repair another lift system failure. "What could go wrong with a hinged wall?" I thought naively. We'll see how it goes. I'm retired and reasonably handy so I think in 3 years it will look like a homebuilt after all the repairs🙄

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment! My recommendation with your trailer is to baby it or else you’ll have issues in short order like most who own one of these. Don’t take it on dirt roads if you can help it. They are cozy and practical for short trips. I did a 10 week, 9000 mile trip with mine last summer, way too long for such a small unit. Check out the video series on my channel! Episode three coming out soon. Best of luck with your new unit!

@A_World_Full_of_Lies 2 ай бұрын

Not too long ago, I was reading that Rockwood A Frame campers have poor build quality and not to buy them because you will have multiple issues. The Aliner brand are the original A Frame campers, they are well built and last for decades. I think you just bought the wrong brand. Glad you sold it!

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I wish I would have known about the Aliner quality difference before I bought mine. Very happy I sold it for more than I paid for it.

@GavinSwick Ай бұрын

It's unfortunate that QC/build quality seems to be such an issue with these models, the newer A213 model is one my wife and I have our sights set on because of its sleeping arrangement not being offered in the higher quality A-Liner brand (dual twins that can convert into a large king). While these Rockwood/Flagstaff models are clearly a much lower-tier in quality to A-Liner, they are also substantially lower in price (in the $15k/40% cheaper range for comparable models). Do you think a proactive initial investment in some of these remedies from the outset might have changed your opinion of the camper? If I "save" $15k on the Rockwood model, but also make a ~$2k additional investment in fixing most of these weak points before they become problems, do you think it becomes a worthwhile product at that point?

@capturereeladventure Ай бұрын

You bring up an interesting point. Whether you make additional proactive improvements I would machine that it depends on where and how often you plan on taking your trailer out. I’m no expert on these units, I’ve only been able to share my experiences. The many other comments on this video clearly shows it is a lesser build quality than the Aliner, hence the increase in price. I suggest posting the same question to the various Aframe Facebook groups. This is where I believe you’ll get much more insight into whether your suggestion may be the right way to go. Good luck with your purchase. I hope the trailer serves you well. Thanks also for the comment. It’s really appreciated. 👍

@Crfreak757 Ай бұрын

I have one of these campers it's a 2015 Forest River A122 I love it I take care of mine and keep it covered when not in use - the windows on yours are really jerry-rigged! Someone has run self tapping screws through the windows into the camper that's not factory no wonder it leaks - The lift support looks bad/stuck thats why it ripped out the side you can see all the corrosion on it + it's not fully extended - The hinge is just a big piano hinge that's such a easy fix don't keep cutting it as it comes out - also the door seals are not factory

@capturereeladventure Ай бұрын

I clearly bought the wrong unit. Glad I sold it. Hope yours continues to give you years of enjoyment. Thanks for the comment!

@gradycooper475 Ай бұрын

What year was your camper? I have a Rockwood A-Frame and have had great luck with it except for the skylights which I replaced with Lexan Formed exactly like the originals and they were all bedded in butyl rubber and then taped with Ethernabond. It's a great camper!

@capturereeladventure Ай бұрын

Mine was a 2018. The skylights on Rockwoods are screwed in compared to the Aliner which is glued on and no screws. The holes drilled to allow the screws to hold down the bubble windows develop stress fractures which cause it to leak. They should do away with the bubble windows and not even have any in that location. There is plenty enough light coming in from the main windows anyway. Everyone who owns a Rockwood Aframe camper will develop leaks in these locations. Good luck with your camper and thanks for your comment! 👍

@darryldickson4360 2 ай бұрын

Why didn't you remove the skylights and sealed them correctly?

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

There were multiple layers of repairs done to these windows and would have taken a huge amount of time and effort. I decided a year after buying it that I would only own it only long enough to take me on a 14,000km/9000 mile journey up to the Yukon, NWT, and Alaska. Did the necessary repairs and recently sold it. Glad to get rid of it, just way too many issues. In fact it has sworn me off of rvs for the forerseeable future. Will go truckbed camping when I want to rough it. Cheers.

@darryldickson4360 2 ай бұрын

After buffing at the windows spray clear coat automotive on them

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

Great idea. Thanks!

@darryldickson4360 2 ай бұрын

Have someone else lift up and down on the wall while you push the hinge pin back in

@capturereeladventure 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion! I've already sold the trailer so no longer able to try it. Will recommend it next time this comes up. Cheers.

@donklaing Ай бұрын

Novus is used in aerospace.

@capturereeladventure Ай бұрын

Good to know. Thanks!