I have owned 2 Class B motorhomes, a big truck camper, a tent trailer, and now a 2017 Rockwood 213 HW. My wife and I liked the simplicity of the tent trailer but I got old and it was too big of a workout to put the tent trailer up. I find that the A-frame is a breeze. Mine has been lifted 4". I have the cassette toilet which is nice in the middle of the night. I took the microwave out to add the needed pantry. I re-did the front panel with a marine-style fuse box and moved the floor light switch so you can reach in and switch it on before entering the dark trailer. I installed a USB/three accessory plugs which I can switch off or on; no light when sleeping. Mine came with a nice Kenwood in-dash stereo, but it was too hard to turn the outside speaker off. I put in a switch. I replaced the speakers and replaced the radio with a marine style that has Bluetooth. When boondocking I only use a portable Bluetooth speaker; when I'm home I use the stereo. I have added two Battle Born 100 AH lithium batteries and now have a dual system with the front lead acid batteries sharing the 360 watts of solar using a marine-style Perko switch. The stupid table has new AP Products hardware; so it can swing up and be held with a single spring-loaded leg. I have two 1/2 umbrellas for shading the big windows. When the bubble windows start to leak; I have a plan for them, I've done other things to make it more livable out in the sticks, but I have bent your ear almost off. I love my A-frame.
Thanks for the great comments and good that you have the ability to make yours more durable and comfortable. I’m not inclined to add these useful modifications into a unit that most likely won’t stand up to the rigorous backcountry roads I often travel. After my big trip to the arctic and Alaska this year I will most likely be selling it and just camp in the back of my truck when I’m traveling into the bush. Wife and I are considering a Class B unit at some point. I don’t mind roughing it but also like my comfort. Cheers.
I am the 4th owner of a 2005 US built (now by Columbia Northwest) ALiner. It is only 13 ft., so you have much more space than I have! I researched A-frame campers for 3 years before buying. I've had this for 4 years. Before me, it spent it's entire life in the torrential wind and rain of hurricanes and scorching sun of South Florida. My Aliner was first owned by a "go everywhere/see everything" senior couple. Next, it was a family of 4. Then, a young bachelor. It has been on extended trips into the mountains, beaches and back-country roads of the US. It is not lifted for additional ground or tire clearance. Just as all cars are not built with the same quality, neither are the A-frame camping trailers. I believe yours is a Rockwood design taken from the ALiners. A-frame campers, unless designated for off-road/back-country use, are built and intended to be on pavement or maintained gravel or dirt roads. Your A-frame was not built to handle what an off-road or overland conventional “egg” fiberglass or even “toaster” camper can handle. You made some good points about what to look for in an A-Frame camper. Pro: Hard side for security against wildlife. Some parks do not allow any canvas. As for breaking camp in the rain, folding the sides down allows far less water inside than packing wet canvas and bedding on a conventional pop-up! Pro: Spacious with generous headroom Pro: Privacy Pro: Good frame ground clearance for off-road. If lifted, be sure you also gain additional tire to wheel-well clearance. Pro: Generous lighting via windows Pro: Low travel profile so easy to tow Pro: Extremely useful tongue box storage The problems you pointed out seem to be related to manufacturer shortcomings or use that the camper was not designed for. Some, such as the door gasket and the fogged bubble window, are normal maintenance. A-frames are notorious for leaking air where the sidewalls meet the roof panels. Being meticulous about setting the camper up in a level position will help eliminate most leaks. If the weather stripping isn't preventing leaks, replace it with closed cell foam stripping. The bubble windows can often be polished to almost like new condition. Do not use headlight polish. Use polish that is made for your bubble windows. It can easily take two hours to polish one window, even when using a powered buffer. Don't be in a hurry and don't press too hard. Depending on size, replacement bubble windows can be $500+ each. I spent 5 hours and $80 on polish and mine are almost like new. I made snap-on rectangular covers of marine canvas for mine to protect them from abrasion while driving. This has worked very well! On leaking doors, also check for loose hinge screws/rivets and hinge-pin wear. The marker lights are a choice by the camper manufacturer who apparently did not consider rough and tough off-road use. A little rubber cement will hold them from jarring off, yet you will be able to access the bulb with little effort and no damage to the lens. Stress fractures in the bubble windows are the result of the window expanding and contracting at a different rate than the surface it is screwed to. A solution for this is to mount the window in a bed of non-hardening sealant and don't completely tighten the screws. Another or additional leak preventer is to cover the edges and screw heads all the way around with 4 inch wide RV roof repair tape. It is available in black or white color and looks very neat. Mine were done with this tape over 6 years ago and I still have no leaks. As for the floor, yours is a common wood chip composite, set in a highly waterproof or moisture resistant resin. Deterioration usually starts at an edge or where the surface is gouged. Off road use may accelerate damage due to moisture absorption by abrasion from rocks and gravel. My 2005 ALiner floor is made similar to yours. I think ALiner switched to non-wood flooring a few years ago and this is no longer a potential problem. I have one 2 inch area of moisture damaged wood flooring that I cut out, sealed the edges with epoxy and filled with expanding foam. I then gave just that spot a coat of tar-like chimney sealer. If you decide to coat the entire underside of the flooring material, be sure your sealer will adhere to the surface and that there are no voids that will trap water from the road. ALiner keeps exposed underside wiring to almost none. You can buy split-length tubular plastic conduit to put around wiring exposed to the elements. Anything you do to protect against abrasion, moisture and varmints will be money well spent. Replacing your table support with a single leg pedestal will mean having the receiver for the vertical post secured permanently to the floor. In my case, it was a nuisance. The table can be mounted to almost any front wall so that it is secure in the up position and yet swing down to the bed position. This gives you an unobstructed floor with minimal knee/leg obstruction. I too, pulled the microwave out in favor of storage space. I still carry the microwave on the bed when traveling and put it up on the countertop when parked. I'm self-powered with 400 watts of solar, so it is still handy to have. A two burner induction hotplate avoids carrying propane for cooking. I have a diesel heater that is extremely cheap to use, trouble free, odor free and takes 1/4th the space of a propane heater. Most importantly, this type of heating totally eliminates trouble with condensation inside the camper. The propane water heater was removed in favor of more fresh water capacity. If you use a water heater, be sure to service the anode rod every year. Seal the anode threads with an approved anti-seize thread sealant. By removing the propane tanks, I reduced the tongue weight by 65 lbs. I do not have a built in storage box like yours. Removing the tanks gave me the ability to carry more gear in a 48 inch long rectangular diamond plate tongue box. I also removed the two tongue mounted batteries (74 lbs.) in favor of 4 Battle Born LiFePO4 that are carried inside the camper. I bought LiFePO4 batteries for more usable capacity than FA or AGM and safety against fire from common Lithium batteries. The addition of two batteries added very little to the trailer weight. They are mounted almost directly over the axle with two on each side. The trade-off there was some lost storage, but greater security and protection, so that they can be charged during extreme low outside temps. Each LiFePO4 battery gives me approximately double the usable power of one of the previous AGM batteries that the ALiner came with. Thanks for all your suggestions. You have a great looking camper that should give you many lasting memories. Best wishes! RL P.S. I definitely appreciate the idea of being able to boondock anywhere with air conditioning when I need it!
Thank you for the extensive feedback! This is so useful. I agree, the Aliners have a far better reputation than the Rockwoods. I am doing a follow up to this video on the additional issues I’ve had recently while on an extended trip up to the arctic with it. Thanks again!
It was not my intent to disparage the Rockwood or any other brand. Aliner has had it's problems with the frame. That can also be caused by simply exceeding the GVW, especially on rough terrain, or putting too much weight on the rear bumper. They flatly state to not add any weight to the bumper (if you have a bumper!). Mine came from the factory with the spare tire mounted on the bumper and I added a white plastic 5 inch X 70 inch square fence post cover with a top cap on both ends. This is where I carry my rolled up entry approach rug. Total weight = 7lbs. I highly recommend a wind preventer. I made my own design with cable but the tubular aluminum is less expensive and much easier to install. I believe owning an RV is simply a way to learn how to fix a lot of different things that you never thought of when you bought it! For me. doing my own work is a huge bonus to camping. I'm really eager to hear about your artic trip! Ciao` @@capturereeladventure
I have had a Aliner Classic with front and rear Dormers and I absolutely LOVE IT. You hit on several of the issues, but the positives of garage kept and ability to handle by myself and >>>>> far outweigh the issues!!!
We have always loved tent camping as “before-kids” adults, later, pop-up tent trailer camping with our kids, and now Aliner camping in our retirement years. I miss all the storage and room of a pop-up tent camper, but the set-up became just too much for us now. Our Aliner fits our needs: a secure camper, easy to set up, tow, and garage it. We, too, were amazed at the less than professional way all the wiring is stored. We go down fairly good dirt roads here in Arizona, and go slow, yet something inside always comes loose. We have to check all the time to make sure we have turn signals. But, it’s truly nicer than tent camping. And I try not to sweat the small stuff!
Thank you for your comments. A Frame campers certainly are appealing for many reasons. The Rockwood A122sesp model I have is much larger than some of the Aliners and it just barely fits in my garage. I'm always having to check to see what has come loose after a backroad excursion. Everything got shuffled around inside until I started putting things into buckets and packing them tight against each other on the floor. Despite the positives I will be selling this unit after my 10 week fly fishing and photography journey up to the Arctic with it starting in August. Stay tuned to this channel for all the videos of that trip! Cheers.
I bought a 2022 Rockwood A122s on closeout Spring of 2023... Solar panel, 2 batteries, electric jack, heated mattress all the bells and whistles... Listed at $25,000 ...Got it for $15.500... Absolutely love it...
Fascinating and honest take on the Aliner. I love the concept of easily stored in a garage and relatively lightweight. For every video that details all the negative, there're ones that highlight all the good. 🤷 I feel some of the blatant quality issues and cable management as well as over all execution of things that should be simpler but obviously cheaped out on is definitely worth taking serious. Ugh. I just finally got a vehicle rhat can tow small campers and I'm just starting the process of taking the search serious. Thanks for the information. I guess it's tent camping for yet another season. 😂
My Aliner is much older, but has many of the issues you point out. Many of these shortcomings, however, exist to keep the cost down. Adding cladding to the wiring, better electronics interfaces, etc. would raise the price substantially. Your video certainly has great value in showing people the compromises that this type of camper entails. In particular, the fact that the door bisects the lower portion of the "shell" makes flexing and poor fitting closures a certainty. Serious off roading would not be an expectation. I have encorporated many of blogger Slim Potatohead's "mods," particularly the use of latches to pull the door sides together when the unit is collapsed. Good job!
Thanks for your comments! I agree, adding these would increase the cost but would make it more durable. I bought mine used so the difference might not have been that much. If they make a unit with larger knobby tires and market it as a sport model which this is, they should have added additional protection from the elements that this would be subjected to. You’re correct in stating it’s not for serious offroad but the type of dirt roads I go to are generally normal gravel roads with typical washboard surfaces and the odd potholes. I have taken this unit in to my local rv repair shop to fix the broken wall issue and will make a short video on that soon. Thanks again for your input! Cheers.
Excellent review. Thank you. A short note on your orange marker lights on the front side of your camper. Looking at the video, you complained about the light cover being loose. If you look closely, you will see two small holes on the top of the lens. Those are drain holes to allow water to escape. There is a small hole at the front of the lens. When traveling that hole will allow water to collect inside the light cover. When you remove the cover and rotate it 180 degrees, look inside and you will notice a small hook that the cover snaps onto the top of light frame, and the cover will snap on, providing for a tighter cover that will hopefully stay on better, and not collect water. Sorry about the length, but I had to be as accurate as possible. I appreciate the detailed review. Again, thank you.
Thank you for being very honest about your experience with an A frame trailer. We will keep all the points you shared in mind as we decide on which camping trailer to purchase.
I’m glad to have seen this video as I’m considering buying an A frame camper for full time use, my own “tiny house “ on wheels rather than for just camping. Your video was eye opening because I thought this would be perfect for full timing in, now I’m not so sure….. So I guess I’ll keep looking Great video though
Thank you for your comments. You would be challenged to live in one of these full time however I’ve had comments on this video for Aliner owners saying they are very happy with their units. The Forest River made ones seem to have most of the issues from what I can gather. Some of the Aliners have a toilet and shower in them. I am about to embark on a nearly 3 month camping trip to the arctic with my Forest River made A-Frame camper. The Dempster Highway will take me through the Yukon and Northwest Territories in conditions that will surely challenge my little rv. Follow me here on updates to see how this A-frame camper holds out! Good luck with your search!
I've found that the 2.5 gallon portable cartridge toilets fit PERFECTLY in the storage compartment under the dinette by the entry. When you need to use it, just open the storage door, pull out the toilet, do your business, slide it back in and close the door. I prefer this to models with the built-in toilet since it doesn't take up any floor space only storage space. When you talked about the wiring, the "spaghetti" mess doesn't bother me as much as the connectors they use. They just use those screw on wire-nut caps to join wires, which come apart easily with enough shaking and rattling. I've been replacing a lot of them with the WAGO style connectors as I encounter issues with loose connections. I almost feel like spending a day or two going through the unit thoroughly to find every single wire-nut and replace it with a WAGO connector. (Edit:) One thing you talked about a lot is that this is advertised as an "off-road" capable model. I would agree 100% with you that it really doesn't live up to the advertising in that regard. At least not for regular use in that manner. These are really just a bit more capable than your standard trailer. That is, it may hold up or be more capable than MOST travel trailers - it's definitely better at giving you access to camp sites - but I believe most of the problems you discussed in your video were due to regular use "off-road". The dust issue, the crack in the wall, even the window leaks would be aggravated by off-road use. I don't think they should be advertised this way without extensive improvements, many of which you pointed out.
my wife and i owned a Rockwood A-Frame. biggest piece of junk i ever owned! 4 attempts to repair the heat pump, one total replacement, the dealer took mercy on us and bought the unit back. we purchased a small, 17', travel trailer. i love A-frames and if i was to purchase another i'd look at Chalet A-Frames.
Provided your wires are in good shape, and continuity tests are passing, hang your own conduit parallel to the existing wire. Then cap the ends. Purchase more plastic wire loom for the exposed wires where you can apply it. Spray expanding insulation foam on the bottom and saw off excess. Possibly do a metal roofing panel underneath as well. If you have additional conduit laid in first you can just run new wires where needed should the old ones short out?
Excellent walkthrough on your Avan. Certainly some important things to consider. Most Campers, Vans and Trailers are a bit of a compromise, we need to be prepared to trade one Feature for another Benifit. We just changed up to an Avan from a much loved Little Guy Rough Rider Teardrop. Now we can cook, sit and eat out of inclement weather and hostile wildlife. We have a built-in, well ventilated (to the outside) toilet for urgent night time nature calls and are experimenting with an Internal Pressurized Dust Reduction System to keep dust out, regardless of leaking weatherseals. Cheers from Michael. Australia.
Very thorough user review. Thank you. I'm sooo tired of seeing only walkthru's from dealerships touting all the features of these units, which are NOT from a user's perspective. I bought a nearly new popup recently. Real nice unit...I had high hopes. But after one 2-night stay where all the flimsy construction was revealed, I was glad to unload it on the market without much of a $$$ loss. I had never seen such thin "wood" and tiny screws. Doors fell off left and right. The canvas wouldn't align properly. And the stab jacks were obviously not brand new to the original owner; a couple jacks were bent and badly rusting. Pretty shoddy construction. Shameful.
Thanks. I really appreciate the feedback. When I first started researching these popup campers I saw those dealership walk through vids and are what sold me on the unit. From previously owning a conventional trailer for camping I was familiar with shoddy construction so was aware this might be an issue with the a-frame camper as well. These units have way thinner walls and use less expensive materials that are meant for light use only. My hope is that my almost three month trip up to the arctic coming up in a few weeks won’t damage it too badly as I will be selling it on my return. I’ve already fixed the broken wall with full length steel reinforcements. Hopefully this holds up and the other wall doesn’t have the same issue. Stay tuned for the videos on that trip coming this year!
@@capturereeladventure I'll be watching! The fact that owners need to be DIY'ers is a deal breaker for me. Me and DW take turns on how many unnecessary holes we can drill into our walls. It's great that you're able to keep up with the fixes. I'll probably get a 4x6 enclosed cargo trailer, throw my tents and camping gear in it, and hit the road that way. Simple is best for us non-wrenching types. I once had a fully decked out Coleman popup. Shower and all. All those systems were overwhelming. Sold it to a pastor at a good price. I hope they used the heck out of it.
I've seen some cool enclosed cargo trailer camper builds. Even the simpler ones with just a cot, table, and chair inside works well. Thanks for the comments!
Well… you probably kept me from purchasing a ‘21 A214 or A213 this weekend. I’ve been eyeing these things for months, missing some good end of season deals. But now I need to think twice about some of these weaknesses, while I do like the overall design concept. I really am glad you detailed everything visually in the walk through, it is truly a unique review and VERY appreciated!
That’s great! I just got back from a 2 month trip with mine. Had so many issues with it I’m going to do a follow up video specifically about why you should never buy a Forest River A Frame camper.
Thanks for the comment. Glad I could steer you away from these units. The Aliner is far better product from what I've seen in the comments and from own experience.
Of all the items that you mentioned that you are not a fan of I already figured out how to fix all of them. This spring I'm going to pick up my Rockwood A 213 HW. I plan on doing a lot of modifications to suit my needs. Thank you for sharing your story I really enjoyed it.
I was hoping to see the set up and take down but you related it was a quick operation, also this type of trailer has been on my radar for a year or so, we now use a cargo trailer conversion and it has good and bad points also. The shocking part to me was the wiring nightmare, which would be job one to enclose in PVC conduit and have the lower structure enclosed. My microwave comment is as following, we have one at home we seldom use so it is not needed on the road. Good video revue.
I live near the Aliner factory. I am a builder/designer of just about anything... years ago i bought a bunch of scratch and dent parts from them. I toured the factory.....holy crap they are nicely built. I generally HATE rvs. I am building several vans, including a Quigley 4x cutaway. Aliner is doing it well. I have been self employed for 30 years... i could work for them, they are doing that "well".
Really good explanation. I’ve been attracted to these, but after watching this, I’m having second thoughts. For as much as they ask for campers these days, I expect quality. Thanks for the review.
I KNEW IT!! First-time viewer, but at 0:28, I knew you were out in Western Canada -- years ago, I worked with a guy from BC who also pronounced garage as "garach." Nice guy, but he kinda stuck out in Central Jersey.😆
Magnetic covers for your exterior facing vents? Something like a dozen or so neodymium magnets sewn into a screen mesh? Option #2, take the covers off and add tyvek or another barrier to the interior of the vent, remove when you're setting up camp? For the lens covers that want to pop-off easy, maybe a rubber band or gasket to help make the snap-in more snug?
It continues to be an issue on the long trip I’m currently on with this thing. Stay tuned for an updated video on why you shouldn’t buy an aframe camper. 😎
A rebuttal to your suggestion of having two 6-volt batteries mounted in series, as opposed to two 12-volt batteries mounted in parallel. From experience, I mounted, as you have suggested, two 6-volt batteries on my camper and went camping in the Nevada desert. After about the third day, one of the 6-volt batteries developed internal problems. This caused a serious voltage shortage, rendering many of the camper accessories almost useless. If the same had occurred with one of the 12-volt batteries, I still would have had 12 volts, but just diminished longevity. The total amp hours were just a little reduced with the two 12-volt batteries over the two 6-volt batteries. Something to consider.
Thanks for the comment. That is something that could also be considered. I bought the most expensive 6 volt batteries at the time so they've served me well.
Thanks. I attached a pulley at the peak to lift my tarp canopies (heavy duty and nylon). I tossed the heat pump in favor of more storage and installed a simple thermostat. I use stackable drawers above the microwave. I put my 29er batteries on a rear bumper plywood shelf. I hang my bike on the rear tire. Generator also goes on the back. The best thing I like are the Dexter wheel bearings. I cover the A frame with a fitted cover in the winter. You got your table in backwards lol. Cheers, Jim
Check out a Lagun table mount. You can easily rig an awning with a decent tarp. There are several ways to mount it to the trailer roof panels, including laying the tarp over the edge of the door panel before you raise and fasten it in place.
Thank you for this video!!! It certainly has changed my mind on purchasing an A Frame camper. Too many cons, but I do like the pros. Cons out weigh the pros, and I appreciate the info you shared.
Another informative video!! Thank you for pointing out both the pros & cons of an A-frame. I would rather have a Casita but unfortunately, it will fit in my garage (too high). Best regards, Bob from AZ
If I owned a pickup-- thought of having four rooftop pieces built atop the truck cargo area that could be locked when folded. The door would be at the tailgate of course with windows front and back and a step up would be handy. I guess it wouldn't be much larger than a tent although using lightweight waterproof materials would be beneficial. You can tow a supply box for wires, cooking, heating/cooling supplies etc. instead. Price-wise you could be as creative as budget allows👍
I purchased a 2018 Rockwood A-frame as a retirement present for myself in 2017. I agree with your concerns on construction of these units. My big issues were the marker lights. They all leaked and the sealing job they did in the manufacturing process was atrocious. I removed all lights and revealed them .another issue was screws falling out. All over the camper. I soled my storage issues with some stackable bins from princess auto and some boxes from the same brand ( tactix). In regards to the lack of a place for an awning, mine came with the Dometic side tent. I don't use it and have been thinking about selling it . Let me know if you are interested.
Much appreciate your comment. I hope Forest River watches this video and reads the comments. The follow up video to this one will show additional issues I’ve been having including one of the roof lift assist shocks tearing out of its screwed in instead of bolted on mount. Also the constant water and dust leaks as well as the pin which holds the two sides of the long gable wall hinges together working their way out. Very frustrating to deal with the poor construction quality.
Thanks for the comments, much appreciated. If cars were built this way the manufacturers would be in big trouble. Not sure why we keep letting RV manufacturers get away with building things to such low standards.
I have the same beefs. If I could get my trailer without the dome windows I would. I would also want a portable cooktop to enable the fridge to be taller. I hate all the lights on things too. The table falls apart over time too. The legs make the storage area smaller too.
Great video. I can understand the window leaks on the slanted roof sides. As nice as it is to have a view, I would stick with openings only on the straight door side and opposite end for cross ventilation. I was thinking of building a folding/closable A-frame upon a small truck cargo area and leaks were a concern esp for windy rainy nights.
Those slanted side windows are a nuisance and IMO should never have been part of the design. Not only do they leak but they also get scuffed and can easily break as they are so thin.
Like you, I would prefer a hard sided enclosure in predator territory, even here in central NY with black 🐻. However, the issues you've addressed have steered me clear of A-frames. I'm more and more inclined to build my own square-drop, one tall enough to stand in, independent suspension, and without the yacht-inspired finishes that many overlanding camper manufacturers seem to be obsessed with.
Glad you found the video useful. I see more and more folks build out their own units. At an outdoor recreation trade show this year there were a lot of utility trailer companies with some great looking units to add your own custom build into. Way cheaper than the flimsy build rv trailers out there. Would be good to see your final build here on RU-vid. Good luck.
Thanks for the idea. It would have to be rare earth magnets as the wind may tear them off. I’ve used regular magnets before to try and hold down a previous trailers electrical inlet plug cover and it just wouldn’t stick. Perhaps a more permanent magnetic mount with a hard plastic cover could work. Someone suggested using shelf liner material as it’s waterproof, held down with gorilla tape. Not elegant and would need to be removed and redone every time you get back on the road.
@@capturereeladventure it may not look great but maybe a heavy duty velcro would work if the magnets are not good enough because you don't want an air gap that can catch the wind. If ts a a plastic velcro you hopefully would have as many things catching it when the cover is off
Good stuff to digest regarding this trailer. The concept of this trailer is good being foldable for storing and foldable for less wind drag while towing are good. But like you covered, the execution of the build is really low quality. Don't get this industry standard of "offroad capable". It's just verbage much like the term "boondocking version." Just a lift alone is not enough. Offroad versions should be both lifted and axle free with independent suspension in my opinion. I think independent axle less suspension is even lighter overall too. Thankyou for the time and effort spent in making this segment and sharing your thoughts. Safe and happy travels.
Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated. I agree that if its billed as a sport model with lift and knobby tires it should be built to withstand the rigours of potholes, dirt, and the inevitable twisting of rough roads. This model is simply the street version with a larger tire and paint scheme to give the impression it’s something more than it is. Regardless, I purchased it knowing it wasn’t anything different so will have to deal with whatever issues come out of using it in harsher conditions. Stay tuned for the video series on The Great Northern trip I’m doing with it starting next month. Heading up to the arctic for 10 weeks of fishing and photography!
Remember to change the locks on your outside storage doors!! Most companies only use 3 keys and locks combo. If you have 20 A frame campers in a lot, my key would open 2/3 of the doors.
I had rented an A-Liner Ranger a couple of years back and it seems to be made a bit better. I went all over it making sure that I didn't damage it and I didn't see any exposed wires. I don't know if the rental company had taken steps to eliminate issues or not, but it is the only experience that I have had with one of those campers. I would buy the A-Liner Ranger should I purchase one. Thanks for your review and thoughts.
Appreciate the comment. The ALiner has overwhelmingly more support than the Rockwood. I hope Forest River is paying attention to all the negative reviews.
Thanks. I’m doing a follow up video to this in the next few weeks. I’m on a 2 and a half month long trip with it to the arctic on the Dempster Highway in the Yukon and NWT. Have had some interesting experiences with this camper that aren’t on the first video. Stay tuned!
For the side vents, maybe some kind of roll up magnet to cover the entire thing while towing. Good video, thanks for sharing. And ya, that wiring underside is so bad.
Thanks for your input! Thought of doing magnets but they’re never strong enough except the rare earth ones. And they’re almost too strong. Have decided to go with velcro and some coroplast yard sign material I had laying around. Easier to put it between all the screws holding down all the vents and comes in long rolls. I need about 260 inches worth. Will post a video soon on some of the fixes I’ve come up with.
i say a most of the issues are more quality of manufacturing issue than design similar issue you'll may see any other rvs possibly more on the lower end rvs. Though other issues are the issue you see in all collapsible trailers which i expect and experienced myself.
Many RVs are slapped together in record time on the assembly line. Especially the lower priced units as you mentioned. That doesn’t forgive the manufacturers from producing something that falls apart easily after only a few short years. Better engineering and parts should be standard on items that must not fail, ever. Leaks should be a thing of the past!
What the problem is of covering wood is that you hide the problem. It will seam, edge leak into the wood. You get bouncing floors, usually starting at an edge corner. It's amazing all that exposed wire. Easy to fix, I guess. It's why the military doesn't enclose wires in cargo planes, but squirrels can love wire, along with our ship rats we get from from the docks. I believe that the wires may be sweet or salt tasting. Decades ago was a problem with car, truck Ignition wires, especially in the winter. It's good you confirmed the problem about those windows. always thought they would get pitted easily. Decades ago, 60s, we used to use some kind of Aluminum Roof Coating. Came in a 5 gallon bucket, mop, broom, something I can not recall used to put onto trailer roofs. We sealed a large commercial truck by using just a little as seam sealing the rivets and seams. Stuff was bright to look at. The truck had a ply wood interior to protect the metal. The indicator of a leak was water getting into the edge of the plywood discolored surface.
Everyone seems to talk about water issues if you setup or takedown in the rain. So dumb question time....if you're not going to run high speed, can you just pull out and GO with the damn thing still popped open and configured for occupancy? Say, below 40mph?
Absolutely not! This thing is close to 10 feet high and the roof system is no where near strong enough. Many A-Frame users report having to put in systems just to keep high winds from caving in the walls.
I thought it was the best option for me at the time. Rockwood Aframe campers are the worst in the industry according to so many comments on this channel. And I agree given my experiences.
I owned an A Frame for about a year. I liked it for several of the things you pointed out, but at my age I found too many of the inside too short. I had to bend over to use the microwave. The table was not sturdy enough to support two people, so I made supports to put under the table. I failed to close it properly, I had the door sections latched, and it bent the door frame so bad that I couldn't completely close it. There is a constant drain on the battery from systems inside so you have to leave it plugged in while being stored or install a battery disconnect switch. We went camping and the battery got low and propane gas sensor started beeping with no way to shut it off....so we ended up cutting the wire so we could get some sleep. I sold it back to the dealer where I bought it.
Why do they have all that wiring messed up and hanging off the underside? Couldn’t they put in a raceway along the inside near the base? If I were to buy one, I’d want it stripped of almost everything. Just need outside elec connection for campsite elec and solar connection ( I would have a Jackery etc instead of built-in power. I can arrange storage and sleeping areas to my own liking. I would do the same with a teardrop or squaredrop. For me less things to break is better. I’m all for modular, move things around or replace if needed.
Great ideas and yes they absolutely should have isolated the wiring underneath. Poor engineering combined with cheap materials and shoddy construction makes for an rv that is guaranteed to have issues. Why do they have such low standards and get away with it?
Do these have a warranty? Have you raised your concerns with the manufacturer? Did they respond? I really like the design, but if they haven't fixed the "flimsy" at the very least , that's a deal-breaker.
I bought it used with no warranty and didn’t contact the manufacturer. I could have but knew that this unit was purchased for a 10 week trip up to the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Alaska. I did that and sold the trailer earlier this year after repairing most of what I could. The trip videos are on the channel and am in production of episode 3 at the moment.
Thanks for your comment! There are hydraulic lifts on the other side of the trailer and those anchor points are made of metal. These are plastic and there don’t appear to be any other attachment points so it looks to still be a mystery. 😵💫
I haven't seen how the Aliner is constructed in comparison to mine. They've been around a lot longer than the Rockwood models I believe. Hope it works out for you!
I am a builder of just about anything. Skills! . I live near the Aliner factory. I hate RVs ...but they are doing a good job. If I werent so handy/cheap, I would buy one. I bought a bunch of scratch/dent parts from the factory. Been self employed for 30 years....I could work for them. .
I bought a new Forest River Rockwood pop up, and now I own an R-Pod. Also by Forest River. I am not overly impressed by their build quality. Your video confirms that I am going to steer away from them in the future. The Aliner gives a better impression.
Thanks for the comment! The knobby tires are best for gravel roads. They keep the sharp rocks from taking a bite more easily into the rubber. They also dispel water quicker than a highway tire giving better traction and slip control. I don’t need a weight distribution hitch either. These tires came standard on my Rockwood A122SESP A Frame Camper.
I am seeing a Flagstaff A-Frame camper advertised on Marketplace that looks very similar to yours, but has a larger platform on the front as if it’s a toy hauler. I have inquired as to whether that platform would carry my 640 lb motorcycle, but have not received a response. Do you have any familiarity with the type of camper I have described?
I have seen these as well but don’t know about the specs. I just sold my A-Frame camper and recall the cargo capacity was around 1500lbs. Adding 640lbs to the front would increase your hitch weight significantly. I’m no expert in this area but I would be reluctant to add that much weight to the front of this trailer type.
Hi thanks for the video . So I owned a Rockwood A frame for a number of years . I used it a lot while working away from home . Probably slept in it a 150 nights a year . It did have the toilet built in . Overall I really liked the trailer and it was fun . Its demise was the floor . The particle board is a poor choice for trailer flooring , especially left exposed . So on a long trip out to the East coast we got caught in a really bad rain storm on the highway . I mean the kind you slow down to 25 MPH with the wipers on high . The next day I noticed the the floors all across the back in the storage area had collapsed. The tires must have been shooting water up in there the day before and saturated the flooring . The only other real problem I had ,and this was my bad . I forgot to drain the water storage tank one day . With in an hour we had chewed the tire of that side of the trailer . The best thing for heating I found was one of the oil filled electric heaters . The ones that look like an old hot water system heater . No noisy and nice heat . I did have the CoolKat heater ,but they will wake you up every time it comes on . Thanks
Since you dont care about capability to use table outside,take the legs off and install the tube like you mentioned or get a lagun arm for it,either are better than what you have
I think it’s built in obsolescence. Let’s build it low quality so we constantly have to bring it in for servicing. Reminds me of Microsoft, build an operating system full of holes that hackers can exploit. Then charge everyone to learn how to stop the hackers with additional software and training courses. That’s my rant for the day. 😁
I had a black bear and her two cubs sniffing around one night on a remote lake in northwest British Columbia. They could break in easy enough as the aframe campers are just over an inch thick compared to a larger travel trailer. Makes for good stories though. 😵💫👍.
If all the wiring and hoses we're covered up with something then people would complain they can't get to them when they need to fix something.... for me I like to tent camp.... pretty much zero maintenance and it's a lot cheaper and easier... I just can't see spending $30,000 on something like this that is going to do nothing but have issues
Good points. RVs are expensive to buy and maintain. I also like sleeping in the back of my truck with a canopy on top. Too many big critters where I live to be tenting.
Wow. Great review. I haven’t seen such a badly made camper like this one is. Cheap and nasty. I would sell that now before it’s too late. Cheers for video.
Kind of weird that they have raw plywood exposed on the bottom too. It should at least be painted with water-shedding spray paint. These things are so expensive, the hanging wires and raw wood is unacceptable, imo.
Agree. I hear it has some kind of water proofing infused in it but the rest of the trailer is junk so selling it soon. Doing a follow up video on why you should never buy a Forest River A Frame camper.
Thanks for your comment! I agree, it made that wall so unstable that it broke internally and I wound up having to put two steel plates along the entire length to repair it. It worked but that wall is much heavier to lift now.
I appreciate the honest critical eye review. When someone expresses how perfect/flawless their newest expensive purchase is, I lose interest in their objectivity and option.
And I appreciate the comment. When I first started looking at these units the only videos were from dealerships. I always take these with a grain of salt with all the sales hype. Cheers!
Well, you talked me out of an Aframe. My husband is not a mister fix it. In the way. They just have that wiring in there now. These things are way too expensive to have the floors the way they are the wiring all exposed everywhere it’s just sad.
Glad to know I helped your buying decision. When I bought mine I did so mostly sight unseen. Bought it in a different city but saw it live on a video walk through. It was what I wanted but had I seen it in person before deciding to purchase it, and knowing what I do now about this particular model I would never have bought it. After going on a 9000 mile, 67 day trip with it last fall I am shocked at how poorly the Rockwood A- frame are made. If you’re not the handy fix it types you are far better off going with a class B or class C type camper. Class B is best for fuel economy but they are pricey. Once I sell this unit we are never camping again. Comfort wins over convenience as you get older. 😁
Almost ALL wiring under a trailer is exposed....big deal. Camped for 12 years with a popup, two large deep cycle batteries, and NEVER lost one. You must camp east of the Mississippi river.
Once I have it in the exact position I want it usually takes about 5-10 minutes depending on how level the ground is. Having levelling ramps of some kind makes it faster. I used to just use blocks of wood but they were a nuisance.
Good thing I sold it for a small profit after fixing most of the issues with it. No more trailers for me, ever! I’m either camping in the back of my truck on overland journeys or sticking to lodges or hotels from now on.
Agree. Unless you use ac the only way to cool it down is to leave the windows wide open and the overhead fan on to draw in the air. If it’s warm out at night that won’t help much plus it’s noisy.
Is a step up from a tent trailer for sure, but grizzlies can peel that door back or break the glass where the bed is, with relative ease. Hopefully this gentleman is properly armed against a potential bear attack.
I totally agree! I always bring bear protection with me in several forms, including a shotgun with slugs, buckshot, and a 45-70 as backup. Especially reassuring when I took this unit to the Canadian arctic and Alaska.
Why don't you go back to the firm where you bought it? I would! They should change this electric mess; it's dangerous! After all: electric + water.....
I bought it in a city 2days drive away so wasn’t going to deal with them again. I sold the trailer two months ago so never need to worry about it again thank goodness. 👍
