RV review - 2023 Flagstaff Classic 8529RLBS
Today’s RV review is of the Flagstaff Classic 8529RLBS fifth wheel. This is one of those floor plans that every fifth wheel maker builds so it’s a great basis for comparison if you’re in the process of making a choice.
By looking at the same floor plan the details that each builder put in become more apparent and there are absolutely some things I really like about Flagstaff products. Know, too, that this is identical to the Rockwood Signature 8294BS.
Why I like it
One of the things I’ve often suggested in the buying process is to shop for your next RV under the RV first. If a builder is willing to put better quality features where people tend not to look, that shows an attention to detail.
I have friends who have bought fifth wheels and very quickly realize that they need to upgrade the suspension. Many, many towable RVs use really cheap suspension systems. One of the things I really like about Rockwood and Flagstaff products is the suspension systems.
From the company’s smallest pop-up campers to these large fifth wheels they use a torsion axle suspension system. This provides both a smoother ride and better handling. A better suspension also transmits fewer road irregularities to the trailer which means that all those horrible bumps on the roads out there are less likely to damage your RV.
Something that always impresses me is when I get into my own camper after a particularly rough road and still see things in place. In fact, a few times I’ve left things on the counters and was very surprised to see that they were still there.
Another aspect of the design that I appreciate is the standard use of Goodyear Endurance tires. But they go one step above that and include in-wheel tire pressure monitoring like you would find in many vehicles nowadays. In fact these have been required in cars and trucks with less than a 10,000 pound GVW since 2007 and it’s good to see them in trailers.
Listen to our podcast episode about RV tires with Ron Heneger of Goodyear.
Another thing you don’t see is what’s in the walls of an RV. There are a lot of ways to build walls in an RV but my favorite is to vacuum laminate them with high-quality parts including Azdel. Flagstaff and Rockwood have officially committed to 100% use of Azdel substrate both inside and outside as part of the laminating process.
Further, the company has their own lamination plant and uses vacuum lamination which I feel provides the best results.
The roofs, too, are laminated in these using aluminum trusses and bonded with a vacuum lamination process. Further, the ceiling is vaulted which you really notice in the company’s travel trailers but which also provides surprising headroom in the bathroom of this model.
Other build quality things on these include the use of frameless windows which require less maintenance over time.
One more thing you might not notice is the construction of the under side of the slide boxes. These are built with a method where water isn’t going to intrude through he floor over time. Not something you might notice but something that will make a big difference long term.
It might also go unnoticed but the two awnings on this trailer feature a metal surround when they’re closed. These will significantly increase the life of the awning fabric and it’s not something I think most people even look for.
Basis for comparison
As mentioned this floor plan is one that just about every fifth wheel maker builds so it’s a great basis for comparison among what’s out there.
One of the things I really like about the implementation here is the kitchen. There is a three-burner stove with a larger, usable 22” oven. But then the countertop extends all the way from the stove to the back of the RV.
The TV on this is suspended above the counter top so if you were entertaining in here, you’d have a nice place to put a spread of food. Pretty slick.
There are also pop-up power outlets on either side of the stove that incorporate both household power plugs as well as two USB plugs. When these are pushed down to be flush with the counter top they also have a provision for wireless charging on the top. Nice.
I had written about the caliber of the windows but there’s no denying that there are a lot of camp-side windows. The lack of windows is something I’ve been calling out of late but there will be none of that here - there are lots of windows.
I’ve also noticed that Rockwood and Flagstaff have done away with carpeting in the slide in favor of a marine-grade flexible flooring. This is a big step forward, to me, because having carpeting right under where you’re eating is silly. This marine-grade flooring is easy to care for.
Something the company has upgraded for 2023 is the control system. There are still traditional buttons for lighting and such but they’re better integrated into a lighted control panel on this. You can also connect the system to your smart phone or tablet and have controls there. Further, this panel lights up when you get near it but doesn’t stay illuminated all night long. It’s a nice upgrade and I like it.
Another thing I like in these is the outside kitchen. Essentially they provide a rail on the outside into which an included flat-top griddle slides as well as a metal table. The advantage of this is that you get a flat-top griddle but it doesn’t consume a large amount of space. I use the heck out of the one in my camper.
Since there’s that nifty long countertop on the inside the company took advantage of this space with a nifty cabinet on the outside. This is a fairly spacious cabinet on the road-side slide room that would be perfect for all those things you might need as part of setting up camp. Not expected, but definitely welcome.
The storage at the front of the trailer is really nicely finished as well. This is no surprise, but this space is heated. So, too, are the holding tanks which have 12 volt heating pads on them that come on when the temperatures drop.
Boondocking and travel access
If boondocking is your thing, and it’s absolutely mine, then know that this trailer comes standard with an 1800 watt inverter but just 200 watts of solar. So if off grid is where you like to be, consider upgrading the solar and one option is with portable solar panels.
Read my article about GoPower! Duralight portable solar panels.
This also is equipped with the Shower Miser water saving feature where you can redirect water back into your fresh water holding tank while you wait for it to get hot in the shower. It’s surprising how effective this is at water saving when you’re off the grid.
As for travel access; however, there is no accessing anything on the main floor when the slide rooms are in. You can get upstairs to the bathroom but the fridge is a no go.
On the subject of the refrigerator you have a choice of either a residential model or a 12 volt RV fridge. Go with the RV fridge, they’re just designed for this environment and don’t require an inverter to operate.
Conclusions
With all the models I’ve seen of this floor plan there are a lot of reasons to lean toward this one. But many of those reasons may not be immediately apparent, which is why I try to point them out in these articles.
I hadn’t also mentioned that if you choose a second roof-top air conditioner, which is an optional feature, it is a low profile model to help keep this trailer from becoming too tall. It also incorporates a heat strip so you can keep your boudoir cozy on colder nights without having to run the furnace.
The upstairs bedroom also can be had with either a queen- or king-sized bed and you also have the option to outfit this with a washing machine and dryer.
Overall if you’re looking for a floor plan that offers a very open feel with lots of windows and one that is well built, there’s a lot of reasons to have the Flagstaff Classic 8529RLBS or Rockwood Signature 8294BS model at the top of your shopping list.
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