Rockwood vs. Fleetwood High Wall

[CrankitUp]

Hi everyone!  I have been lurking on the board for years and really enjoy the community.  I figured I had better start contributing and "earn my keep."

I am looking to upgrade to a new PU and am torn btwn the Rockwood HWs and the Fleetwood Niagara.  Both seem to have their strengths on paper.  The only one I have seen in person is the Niagara.  I do not believe there are any Rockwood dealers within a few hours of me and I think I have I missed the show season here.

What are the ups and downs of the Rockwoods?  I have not seen many complaints about them in this board.  

I currently have a Coleman Santa Fe. And while I have been pretty happy with it, I can not deny the fact that there are some quality control issues I continue to find.  Most of those are offset by the fact that we have an incredible Fleetwood/Coleman dealership (Gloucester RV) in the area that is easy to work with.  Are the Rockwoods a better made product?

Any insight would be great!

Todd C
Williamsburg, VA

[tlhdoc]

I don't know anything about the Rockwoods so I can't answer your question, but I will add something to think about.  Without having a Rockwood dealer in your area and having a good Fleetwood dealer I would go with the Fleetwood based on having a good dealer available to fix the problems you will have.

[CrankitUp]

That will definitely be a very strong factor in the final decision.  We are going to meet with our dealer tomorrow about the Niagara.

I was intrigued by the fact that the two units seemed to have mostly the same features but the Rockwood was about $3,000 less.

I know that some people have pretty strong opinions on why their PU brand is stronger than others.

Thanks for the help!

Todd C
Williamsburg, VA

[LindaC]

Todd,
May I ask what Glouster RV is asking for the Niagara?  We're also thinking of upgrading to the Niagara and we bought our current PU from Glouster RV.  
Linda

[kimrb266]

We purchased our 05 Niagra this Jan and am happy with it.  There have been some needed repairs, you know, working out the bugs.  We love all the room and all the frills are a +.  We have looked at several different brands of  PUTs and liked the quality and the interiors of the Fleetwoods.  We had an 03 Santa Fe CP and enjoyed it tremendously but as our kids got bigger, we needed extra room.
 
Here in Southern CA the ticket price is approx $14,200 and some dealers aren't willing to deal.  We got ours for $13,200 which I think was a good price.  If we wanted a little bit of better deal, we would have had to drive 1 1/2 hrs and a couple hundred $ in savings wasn't worth the drive.  
 
I hope this helps.

[CrankitUp]

LindaC,

Their price for the Niagara is $12,999.  I will find out what options are included today.

Todd C

[Tim5055]

LindaC,

Their price for the Niagara is $12,999.  I will find out what options are included today.

Todd C

Todd,

We got ours at Peco Campers and their current price is $12,795.00 and thy usually have several options included in their price.

Here are the other "options" that Peco included on my Niagara for the $12,595:

Aluminum Wheels (Factory Installed)
Battery Box Tie-Down Kit & group 24 deep cycle battery
Exterior RVQ Gas Grill
Furnace (16,000 BTUs) (*Only available with refrigerator)
Microwave
LP Gas Oven
2 Portable Combo Fan Lights
Stereo w/ CD Player

Other options I paid for:
A/C
Rear Mount Bike Rack Receiver (no longer available)
Sink Cover

[StarVol]

We offer the Starcraft Centennial High Wall. The Centennial has a 7' 4" height inside. Furnace Stove and Oven with Microwave. Inside Toliet shower and outside shower. Jensen Stereo with outside speakers. Ref with freezer. A/C 7 year warranty on the Aqualon Tent Life time warranty on the Roof Floor Frame and Lifter system.  Two 20lb bottles battery Diamond Plate front and rear. So many options the following is the link to som eof the Centennial Units we have in stock. MSRP is 16K+ we sell for $12,988.
http://www.catheysrv.com/database/inventory.asp?type_ID=6


Happy Camping

[LindaC]

Hey Todd,
 I went to Gloucester RV yesterday and purchased the Niagara for $12,999.
 We added to the price by adding AC, a bike rack and add-a-room (we always use ours)
We bought our first camper at Gloucester and they have always been great to work with.
I can't wait to pick her up!

Linda

[csblackwell]

Let me tell you, you need to look at the Rockwoods!  Once you do, though, the choice will become clear.

Take a look at the pictures of ours.

http://community.webshots.com/user/csblackwell

[StarVol]

Let me tell you, you need to look at the Rockwoods!  Once you do, though, the choice will become clear.

Take a look at the pictures of ours.

http://community.webshots.com/user/csblackwell

Nice looking unit. Looks like they have copied the Starcraft Centennial a lot. The Centennial came out in 2003 with a Bold White look and the high wall design. I just wished the price for Starcraft was as low as that of the rockwood.
Thanks for posting the pictures I had not seen the new High wall from rockwood.

Happy Camping

[csblackwell]

You sound just like a salesman...

[CrankitUp]

Thanks everyone for the input and help.  Both the Rockwoods and Starcraft look like wonderfull campers.  I particularly like the white cabinets on the Starcraft and the fact that it has 7' ceilings (I am 6'6", so I appreciate little things for my comfort).

I took my DW to the dealership with me on Sunday to look at the Niagara, which I thought was great.  She, however, brought up the point that we (wink, wink) were looking to upgrade to a camper with four beds so that we could more easily take friends and family with us.  So we skipped the Niagara and looked at a new 2004 Coleman/Fleetwood Utah that they had on the lot and had just opened.  We got a great deal on the price and the space my DW was looking for.  So, anyway, I will return to sign the papers sometime this week.  The high walls will have to wait for the next upgrade.

LindaC- I think we may have crossed paths at Gloucester RV on Sunday.  Were you wearing the salmon colored shirt?  I was the one who asked Reese about leaving a deposit on the Utah befor we left.

Todd C
Williamsburg, VA

[LindaC]

Yes, Todd we were there at the same time. I did notice you and your wife checking the Utah out.   I like the Utah too because of the extra room.  My husband and I are laughing that we have *all* these luxuries on the Niagara and we dry camp at lot at the Outer Banks  
 :p
This is supposed to be our last camper and we decided to go for it all.  It's my retirement present after 30 years teaching.  We can take our grandkids and our 2 golden retrievers and be comfortable.

Enjoy your new camper!!!

Linda

[fritz_monroe]

Yes, Todd we were there at the same time. I did notice you and your wife checking the Utah out.   I like the Utah too because of the extra room.  My husband and I are laughing that we have *all* these luxuries on the Niagara and we dry camp at lot at the Outer Banks  
 :p
This is supposed to be our last camper and we decided to go for it all.  It's my retirement present after 30 years teaching.  We can take our grandkids and our 2 golden retrievers and be comfortable.

Enjoy your new camper!!!

Linda

You dry acmp at the Outer Banks?  That has become our new favorite vacation site.  Where can you camp there?