szahn34
Green Bay
New Member
Joined: 11/04/2009
View Profile
 Offline
|
We are going to buy our first camper. I like the HTT over a TT, but then I am at a loss. Forest River makes 4 different ones themselves, Roo, Shamrock, Surveyor and another that I can't remember right now. What is the difference? Is one the economy version and another the cadillac version? It looks like the Roos are popular by scanning the forum, but why over the others?
Must stop typing . . . head spinning.
HELP
|
sapoc
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
New Member
Joined: 04/18/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Welcome to world of HTT, you will love it!
Forest River is a great manufacturer and you will find that each of the brands are of equal quality, not to mention the floorplans are the same. Forest River changes the graphics, interior fabric and the name on the outside so that they can open additional dealers. More like Chevy and Pontiac rather than adding Cadillac into the mix.
Roo and Shamrock are the main expandable brands with the most floorplan offerings. Surveyor and Cherokee are secondary brands with only two floorplans each. You will find Fibreglass exterior panel construction on Roo, Shamrock, Surveyor and you will find Aluminum panel on the Cherokee.
Ask yourself, Does this floorplan suit my family's needs? Can my TV handle the HTT I like? Spend some time walking through some HTTs in your area and don't be in a rush, you have to live with your decision and in WI I'm guessing you won't use this until the Spring. You have an RV show coming up... January 21-24, 2010 Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena and Shopko Hall WBAY RV & Camping Show.
Have fun!
Work interferes with our camping!
2008 Aerolite Cub 235
TV 2004 Aviator
Me=65 DW=Younger than me DS=94 DD=96 DD=93
|
bikendan
Napa, Cal.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
szahn34 wrote:We are going to buy our first camper. I like the HTT over a TT, but then I am at a loss. Forest River makes 4 different ones themselves, Roo, Shamrock, Surveyor and another that I can't remember right now. What is the difference? Is one the economy version and another the cadillac version? It looks like the Roos are popular by scanning the forum, but why over the others?
Must stop typing . . . head spinning.HELP
first, the Roo and Shamrock are twins, just different fabrics and decals. the Surveyor is made in a different factory. they claim to be superior to the Roo/Shamrock but i've been in all three and see very little difference in quality. the Cherokee is a new brand of expandable. it has the aluminum siding but that's all i know about them.
there is a 5th FR expandable. FR bought Palomino a few years ago and they have interesting floorplans. i hear good things about them but have never seen one.
the Roo sells the best because it has the most dealers and the two top internet dealers sell the Roo.
if there were as many Shamrock or Surveyor dealers as Roo, they would probably be even in numbers.
we had 3 Roo dealers in our area and only one Surveyor dealer. no Shamrock or Palomino dealers, locally.
Bottom line: you have to look at each brand yourself and see/feel which one you like. every brand has its loyal fans.
Dan- Firefighter , Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur , Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever , 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
|
szahn34
Green Bay
New Member
Joined: 11/04/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Thank You!! That helps clarify things a lot. I did not know when the RV show was, but will definitely check that out. I will have to find out what brands local dealers stock.
|
mbopp
Henrietta, NY, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/20/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
What you decide on may be dictated by what you'll be towing it with. And don't listen when a dealer says "Sure, you can tow that 29 footer with your minivan."
"A bad day of camping is better than a good day at work."
'04 GMC Envoy & '05 Travel Star 21SSO
17' Wenonah Kevlar & 16' Dagger Royalex canoes
http://community.webshots.com/user/mbopp0153
|
|
|
Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/15/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
First find out what you can tow! The tow vehicle is paramount.
Whatcha got?
As for "local dealers" you can price Roos at RVWholesalers. They no longer have prices on line, but will email the price back to you.
As noted the Roos and Shamrocks are twins wearing different lipstick. I'm not convinced there's any difference but the exterior graphics. Some say the interior fabrics are different patterns, but I've not seen that. They come down the same assembly line together.
Surveyor is claimed to be a premium brand. Can't prove it by me.
I'd not have one of these trailers with stick and siding construction. Roo walls, floors, roof are one piece cored laminates. Very strong. Pretty sure Jaycos use the same construction.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
Our Photo pages
|
dadmomh
Jackson, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 01/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Search "Surveyor Travel Trailers" and find their brochure. Somewhere in the brochure, think it's the last page, shows the construction details. They have aluminum stud walls, different insulation and as I recall different floor construction. We did look at a Surveyor TT before we bought our ROO and found it to be very nice and well finished. Haven't looked at their floorplans lately, but the selection is limited for HTT. You're right, ROO/Shamrock lead the FR line of hybrids. We love our 23SS. Hope you'll find the perfect one for you.
2007 ROO 23SS
2003 F-150 Super Crew with stabilizers and Prodigy
Sam, World's Best Yellow Camping Lab
7 "stay-at-home" K-9s
|
szahn34
Green Bay
New Member
Joined: 11/04/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
I'm towing with a Yukon XL. That should be OK, but I'll check the exact capabilities. It looks like the Roos 23SS would be good for us and quite popular. Thanks for all the advise. This is an incredibly helpful forum! All the posts are great.
|
Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 03/15/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
We're more than happy with our '06 Roo 23SS and the newest models are even nicer!
If you've got the 6.2 V8 and at least 3.42 axles you've got the muscle to pull it.
Be aware that the 2011 models will be produced in May or June so you may want to wait for the latest model since you won't probably get much use before June anyway.
-- Chuck
|
