Fleetwood somerset vs forest river rockwood. Where are the evolutions !?

[davey bobcat]

OK so I am a current 2008 E2 owner and very familiar with the history of Coleman and somerset . Also, The forest river Rockwood Thor company history. We really want a new ish E3 ( four kids , getting bigger , wife wants extra dining space ) I cannot find one anywhere. There is literally 1 for sale in the entire states of Utah and Idaho wyoming nevada . I have read many threads on many forums and Facebook pages and Facebook pages comparing the difference in quality of new and used and comparing the difference in the 232 or 28 versus the evolution series. As a result of this I have personally been through many iterations of the forest river / rockwood pop up And I can say for myself now that I am much more impressed with the quality of the evolution. The problem is I cannot find one anywhere. I'm worried this could be because there are not many out there I assume that it is not because people love them so much that they are not willing to sell them? What is the deal? Why are there SO SO many more of the Indiana campers ! Better business and marketing ? Less demand somehow ?

 

[kitphantom]

It may be a combination of the number of E3s manufactured and owners willing to sell. One of my fellow SOTFs wanted a specific Retro TT model, living in AZ at the time, she ended up buying a gently used one from Tennessee or vicinity, and having it delivered to her. My neighbor, years ago, well before COVD camping craze, bought a Casita in Kentucky. He has a son living there, so he could do an inspection, and they drove back to pick it up and visit the family.

 

[davey bobcat]

Thanks for the reply and the thoughts. You know I read so many posts about about comparing the quality of Fleetwood versiof Fleetwood versus forest river.. One of the more recent posts suggests there's not much difference and that one should simply find the layout they prefer and go with that.
I couldn't disagree more. I wish I could find that thread and share my share my findings. But now I am more confused than ever about why there are so many of these Pop UPS out there. I had a hard time even locating a somerset A-line dealer!

 

[jmkay1]

I was told that Somerset pulled out of the popup business so if any of that is true it is going to complicate your search. I knew of one dealer in MD that used to sell Evolutions and now all I see are aliners. No clue where all the Evolutions went unless people are holding on to them. Unfortunately during Covid thousands more people have jumped into the camping wagon so supply for any camper is extremely limited and if one is found going to cost you $$$. Unfortunately now, as in after the Covid craze there is practically a monopoly with popups so what's being made is junk.

 

[davey bobcat]

I was told that Somerset pulled out of the popup business so if any of that is true it is going to complicate your search. I knew of one dealer in MD that used to sell Evolutions and now all I see are aliners. No clue where all the Evolutions went unless people are holding on to them. Unfortunately during Covid thousands more people have jumped into the camping wagon so supply for any camper is extremely limited and if one is found going to cost you $$$. Unfortunately now, as in after the Covid craze there is practically a monopoly with popups so what's being made is junk.

Jmkay1,
i actually got a hold of a really nice person at somerset/ aliner in PA today. they told me that the evolution is on the "back-burner" now and they have not made them since 2020 due to covid, difficulty in getting parts due to supply issues and difficulty with staffing shortages.
This breaks my heart because Im one to go out of my way for a good quality product and I feel those evolutions were a very good quality product.

 

[Overland]

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[johnpdo]

Not gloating, just super happy with my 2015 Evolution E3. We bought it when it was 3 years old from a Camping World in Indiana. It has held up pretty well, but not perfectly. I have had to replace the whiffletree last Winter (the thing that raises the roof), and was able to get that off the internet.
Also, one of the bed supports was bent. They have a unique way of sliding, and it was bent when we got it. We replaced the bed we sleep in with a thicker memory/foam combo mattress, and it sleeps wonderfully. The step to get into the bed has also failed. It was just stapled together, so I took it apart and gorilla glued it with brad nails to hold it while it dried. It is sturdy for the first time now. I also like to lean back on the cushions when seated at the slideout table, and that caused the back of the box to separate (also held together with staples). Now it's gorilla glued and stapled. Sturdy for now, anyway.
Ours is not a toy hauler, but has a box on the front that can hold quite a bit of gear.
I hope you are able to find the camper you are looking for. The E3 is perfect for us. Easy to tow, with either a Ford Explorer or an F250.
Good luck with your hunt!

 

[davey bobcat]

Not gloating, just super happy with my 2015 Evolution E3. We bought it when it was 3 years old from a Camping World in Indiana. It has held up pretty well, but not perfectly. I have had to replace the whiffletree last Winter (the thing that raises the roof), and was able to get that off the internet.
Also, one of the bed supports was bent. They have a unique way of sliding, and it was bent when we got it. We replaced the bed we sleep in with a thicker memory/foam combo mattress, and it sleeps wonderfully. The step to get into the bed has also failed. It was just stapled together, so I took it apart and gorilla glued it with brad nails to hold it while it dried. It is sturdy for the first time now. I also like to lean back on the cushions when seated at the slideout table, and that caused the back of the box to separate (also held together with staples). Now it's gorilla glued and stapled. Sturdy for now, anyway.
Ours is not a toy hauler, but has a box on the front that can hold quite a bit of gear.
I hope you are able to find the camper you are looking for. The E3 is perfect for us. Easy to tow, with either a Ford Explorer or an F250.
Good luck with your hunt!

oh man, that is what we are looking for. yesterday i walked through a couple used e3 and some rockwoods at the local dealers. they were in rough rough shape. i like the features on the newer rockwood, but the 232 and 28 just seem a little more flimsy, wimpy- from the bumper to the frame and slides to the odd removable door and the lift rods. tough decisions. thanks for your input here John

 

[jharahush]

I just looked on RV Trader and there are quite a few Somerset E3s for sale. If you really want one, you may need to expand your search area to include places farther away from home. Based on a quick look, there were a few in Texas that looked good.

There's also one for sale via private party near me in Boulder, CO, but they "renovated" the inside of it (paint, etc) so I wouldn't consider that one if it were me. To each their own, of course, but rarely do I ever see a "renovated" one that actually looks like it was done well.

EDITED TO ADD: I didn't realize this thread was around two months old - but if you are still looking, check out RVTrader.

 

[davey bobcat]

I just looked on RV Trader and there are quite a few Somerset E3s for sale. If you really want one, you may need to expand your search area to include places farther away from home. Based on a quick look, there were a few in Texas that looked good.

There's also one for sale via private party near me in Boulder, CO, but they "renovated" the inside of it (paint, etc) so I wouldn't consider that one if it were me. To each their own, of course, but rarely do I ever see a "renovated" one that actually looks like it was done well.

EDITED TO ADD: I didn't realize this thread was around two months old - but if you are still looking, check out RVTrader.

Ha, ya i check out RV trader every week. i have seen a few around, but not many in the mountain west. its funny how wildly the values fluctuate. We actually found one in reno, but having a hard time getting exact details from the seller all month. thanks for the feedback on the renovations. not sure what to think about that, i guess i didnt think of it as being a negative, but not all DIY are equal...

 

[Dingit]

It's not the renovations that are necessarily bad--it's the possibility that whatever required the renovations still exists, or caused damage that wasn't repaired, or...you know how dad always said you don't want to buy a car that had been in a wreck even if the body work is good?

 

[jharahush]

It's not the renovations that are necessarily bad--it's the possibility that whatever required the renovations still exists, or caused damage that wasn't repaired, or...you know how dad always said you don't want to buy a car that had been in a wreck even if the body work is good?

Yeah, this is totally my opinion, but I tend to stay away both for that reason as well as general aesthetics. When people paint cabinets and throw vinyl tiles or plank flooring over the existing floor, it looks good for a little while, but then all of that stuff eventually begins to fall apart and in my opinion, looks worse than it did before the renovation.

 

[PopUpSteve]

I would go with the a Coleman/Fleetwood/Somerset over a Forest River/Rockwood. C/F/S are just built better IMHO.

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