3 year Owner Review INTERIOR Mini Lite camper. Good or Bad? Forest River Rockwood Mini-Lite 2109s.
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- Опубліковано 3 гру 2019
- Time for a review. What broke and what worked great. 33,000 miles and all kinds of terrain. See the EXTERIOR review here: • Forest River Rockwood ...
We have a 2015 2109s that we bought in 2020, to replace our 2018 Gulfstream micro-lite that was too small, and we love it! To answer some people's question about traveling with a dog. We travel with a 7-year-old, 70-lb lab, and she does great in the camper. Her bed is on the floor in front of the couch by the bathroom wall. We did some mods, too. We put 2 shelves in each of the wardrobes to make better use of the space, and we are in the process of putting shelves in the closet by the door. This summer, we did a 2 month trip to Alaska from eastern Missouri, boondocked almost every night, and were able to get by on one deep cycle battery. Over all of those rough roads, we just had one drawer under the sink come apart on our way home because some of the staples weren't attached on both legs of the staple. I think she fared really well. I use our oven a lot. The trick is to put a clay tile on the floor of the oven under the grate to even out the heat. I have never used the microwave to cook and only use it for bread storage. We are thinking about taking it out to have more storage area. I am going to check with Rockwood to see if I can get a door to cover the opening. If not, I'll put a cargo net up there. I put wire shelves in the kitchen cabinets to use more of the vertical storage. Ours does not have bathroom linen storage, so our linens go above the sofa. I've never had anything fall out. We've looked at other campers, but just love the one we have, and it's been 4 years now. Hope you are still enjoying yours, even if you might not be full-time now.
Good tips. :) Yes, we love ours STILL. Just waiting for the right time to go camping again. Thanks for all that information to others.
We have a 2018 model of this MiniLite 2109. We love it. Especially the fact that when the slide is in you have complete use and access to the interior with little inconvenience. We've had the trailer 2 years and have taken many trips. We tow it with a Toyota Sequoia 5.7 SUV using a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch and its a good match and when fully loaded for a big trip, the Sequoia is pretty much maxed out weight-wise. It tows great under all conditions. We initially used the Andersen WD hitch but had too many "wear" issues with it. We've added a lot of small upgrades: hooks, wire wall baskets, etc. We store a lot behind the couch. I changed the locks on all of the storage compartments to more secure "barrel" types. I added "syphon" roof ventcaps to the black and gray tank vents after we got "stinked out" in a severe windstorm. Added 2 cargo boxes onto the rear bumper to carry the sewer fittings and electrical gear.
We carry 4 camp chairs on the rear (two recliners on the ladder). The generous pass thru cargo area up front is full of all of our gear including BBQ and propane fire pit. I converted outdoor propane supply for the BBQ (etc) to the underside of the rig (as seen on the latest models) which freed up a previously "dead"cabinet for storage of our DVD collection. I added a second overhead light to the galley, left of the stove. We've had no issues or leaks. Trailer is well-made. Now- the new 2205s has come out and we'd LOVE to have one! Its the "big brother" to our 2109s. Its just a bit bigger (18" longer, 850# heavier, 6" taller) but it has many improved features...most prominently the welcomed large pantry cabinet next to the slide and the NICE 8 cubic foot refrigerator (ours is 6). And I like the new fiberglass front cap. And- with the slide in, it STILL has the same open floor space and access as our 2109s. Yes, we do want one! BUT: I figure it would cost us about $14,000 to upgrade (and a lot of work!) and its really not THAT different than the 2109s. So- we remain "on the fence" about making any change.
My main complaint about both the 2109s and the 2205s is that I wish the bathroom was a tad larger...so we could get fully dressed in there after a shower. And a little window in there would be nice. But every rig is a compromise! We love this thing!
Wow.. You've done a lot to your camper! Good for you. You point out one good thing for sure, the bathroom is a bit small, but I myself am not big being on 5'4". :) I hear now is a good time to get top $ for used rigs, but then $14k is a lotta dough for just a bit more storage and larger bathroom. Hmmm. I guess you alone can justify that. :) I carry quite a bit of "stuff" in the back of my Titan. That helps to free up room inside. I don't mind a few more trips to the store for provisions to go in my fridge. I am BORN to shop, do the cooking, and enjoy going grocery shopping. You'd be surprised what I can get into my small fridge/freezer. LOL
I hope your decision is met with happiness. I can't imagine at this point living in a larger unit. This little guy gets into some great spots. :) Happy camping and thank you.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been debating moving to a smaller trailer and love the Rockwoods. 2109 has been a front runner and this video helped solidify that decision.
Well cool! We have found this to be just outstanding for room and comfort. I searched the web a LONG time, years, until I decided on this model for the queen walk around bed and smaller weight. Good luck to you my friend. Michael
Thanks for the review! We just ordered a 2109S and your videos have been very helpful in selecting that particular model. Looking forward to retiring and hitting the road in 2020!
Woot Woot! I'm excited for you. :) Glad I could be of some assistance. We LOVE our 2109s. Michael
Thanks Garland for taking the time to go over everything..I like the Rockwood brand too.
I hoping to get a new camper and get out to visit places and landscapes we've never seen before.
I'm 69 and I'm praying I can do it before something else breaks down ha.
Hope you guys enjoy your full timing adventures and I'm looking forward to your next videos,
Cold!, here in the N.E. again and Merry Christmas coming soon, so I'll just say God bless.
I had to do two takes to make that video of just the inside. I sure talk a lot. Enjoy your adventures at any age, we are 71 and want to do this while we can, before we break. Hope you warm up soon and get out there. Merry Christmas to you as well. Michael
Thank you for the update - Mini lite 2204 is on our radar.
Cheers
You betcha. We use the heck out of ours, but still love it. :)
Thanks for the review. We just bought a 2014 rockwood mini 2104s with the u-shape dinette. It has less kitchen space than yours but quite a bit of storage space overall. We do feel that it is a quality trailer and are happy to see you have had such good luck with yours.
Congratulations. :) I love smaller, it is easier to care for, park, and tow. You'll figure out the kitchen space soon. Linda asked me.."How do you cook in this space?" LOL I do the cooking, so I find a way. Hope you have good luck with your camper too.
Wow, congrats! Happy trails and stay safe! I’m jealous 😪 Still a year away for us, but at least we got a trailer and took some trips already.
Well time goes very quickly. Don't rush it. :) Glad you got out some for taste of fun. Michael
Cleaning supplies...bottle of vodka. I like how you roll.
LOL!!!! I caught that right away too! Looks just like my vodka bottle hahaha! You know they're cool :)!!!!! I asked my client year's ago who at that time had just celebrated her ''100th birthday'', what the secret to her happy, healthy longevity was,.......'her reply was,' A GOOD GIN and TONIC,...and don't skimp on the gin!' Cracked me up!!!! The senior's know best always!!!!
A three year review is really useful, especially for those of us in the market for our first RV. Mine will likely be a Rockwood Lite 2511S or 2512S. A friend who has been an RVer for a while says I will be sorry if I get the one that won't let me access the bathroom with the slide still in.
Thanks Robert. I suggest you go to a dealer, look at the model you want and IF the bathroom isn't accessible without putting out the slide? Have him show you how to move out the slide enough to get into the BR. It may only be a foot or less and you will be happy. If being able to access the BR IS important with the slide in (to us it is) check out other models. Just saying you have control over what you buy. :) Michael
the micro lite flagstaff 21fbrs you can keep the slide in and access the bath, fridge and bed and couch! Worth it!!!
Love the honest review.
Thanks. I don't slam things but try to be honest. This month is our 4th yr of owning the camper. I'll be doing a 4 yr review this month. So NOW you'll know what it's like after 30,000 + miles and 4 yrs. LOL
We ordered a nice pull down faucet off Amazon works great, same for the bathroom. Thanks for video.
Odd you mentioned that. :) We bought new residential kitchen and bathroom faucets recently and had a plumber come out and install them. I couldn't reach under the sink in the kitchen to reach the lock nuts holding it down to the counter. I like the bathroom one ok but the kitchen faucet isn't what I expected. Thanks Byron.
@@garlandstyle5797 Oh also gotta have a good flushing china toilet, had a plastic garbage toilet, talk about junk.
@@byronmouton9527 My 300 Dometic is still working. After all this time, I finally had to do a repair on that. Video to follow. LOL
Love your camper!! We are looking at finding a small couples camper, too
There are options for smaller campers of course. I love the one we have, Forest River, since it is pretty much all season. Winter in below freezing for a few days can be tough, but it is well insulated. :) Thanks and good luck. Oh, the walk around Queen Bed cannot be beat!
Hubby and I have our custom order Taylor coach 17ft travel trailer coming in July 2021🤣🤪👫🇨🇦, I wish I could talk hubby into the 19ft so we would get bigger holding tanks but at least we are supersizing what we currently have. We are getting a convection microwave. And 3 burner cooktop...and the same 6.5 dometic fridge. A seperate shower is going to be nice(currently a t/s combo), we are planning to rent our house out and hit the road for a year! 6 months in Canada and 6 months in USA! Our recent 5 month USA trip showed us we can do it on hubby's pension....but hoping renting the house out will pad us with a bit extra $. We r both back to work..to pay for our new toys🤣😍(trailer(never owned a brand new one!) and 2nd hand truck). Hubby and I have hooks by the door too...so handy. Our current trailer has 9x6.5 floor...our "supersized" will be 14x7 floor...plus it is called the designer series, so very light and bright inside!!!! Plus we have ordered pop up shelves like yours!!! On the ends of both the gouchos. Can you imagine what design you would make if you could build ur dream trailer!!??? Hubby has mostly let me do that and I feel like an evil genius!!!!🤣😁😎🤪🏆
He Evil Genius. :) Well that sounds great to me! We loved Canada. British Columbia to be exact. We were there in September after Labour Day around the first of the month. Hardly a soul was in the Provincial Parks. Except around Jasper National Park. It was beautiful! I want to go across southern Canada and over to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia yet. Managing money is very important of course for peace of mind. How cool that you can do it and have fun. I hope to hear more about your travels soon. Michael
On bathroom vanity cabinet under sink the toilet paper roll is mounted on the inside door of cabinet, space saving, just a thought it works well on mine.
We store so little under the sink. I need to add tht to my videos some time. Two small trash bins. But not for trash. LOL I may have room for a tp hanger. Good suggestion. Thanks. Steven.
Thanks for all your great videos! I really enjoy your channel. I also have a 2017 2109S and would like to replace the sofa with two recliners. Most folks say it can not be done. I believe where there is a will, there is a way. Have you herd of anyone doing this?
Thanks Daniel. Look under the couch and you'll see what we face. I haven't heard of anyone doing it in our model. I would like to do it myself, but hey, the couch has to die first! LOL Please let me know if you do it. ok? I'd probably fall asleep in it almost every night. :) You have me curious, I think I'll look around some tomorrow under the couch.
Hi Daniel, we have a 2020 Flagstaff Micro Lite 21fbrs and we too needed recliners due to health issues. Our couch was a jack knife, very thin and within 4 mo. the cushion was sunken in. The 2020 has the slide out gear box, lines, wires under it.We left the covering over it all and bought 2 wall saver recliners that fit perfectly. We're both very happy we did!!! They are Ashley Signatures...RV furniture can be expensive, these were 600 for both...no problem through the door! Comes in two pieces...Comfort is ""KEY" to happiness!
My drawer slides had a lot of problems. The ball bearings fell out and jammed up the slides. The screws also came out. I wish I knew where to buy better quality replacements. The led lights also burned out over the couch area. Haven't used mine anywhere as much as u have. It's good to see your review. By the way I get 10 mpg at best pulling this trailer with my 5.7 4wd 2018 Tundra.
I saw some decent slide rails at Lowes, wondered if they would work for me. But I went in there and put in a lot more wood screws and they are strong now. I forgot to mention about the Gustafson overhead reading light over the couch! Yes, one burned out on me and I have to replace the entire unit? Gads. So I'm keeping my eyes open for a new light fixture. One is still working. LOL I'm holding out for that one to die. :) I think the freaking industry standard for mileage is 10 mpg! LOL Thanks Mike.
We just purchased a 2021 Flagstaff 21FBRS (same as this 2109S) and can't wait to take delivery. Garland, regarding your Tundra, I have that same tow vehicle too and use it to tow my 21' boat, I get the same 10-11 MPG towing that, so good to know the camper will be about the same. My Tundra has the large fuel tank, so I'll have ~300 mile range towing.
@@szinski I just got back from Ashville, NC to Lexington,KY and that trip was 300 miles. My 2018 Tundra with 38 gallon tank had almost one fourth fuel left. It said it got 11 mpg. I ran between 55 and 65.
Sounds like it's holding up pretty well.
It is doing great. What will break or go awry, are the appliances etc. :)
Good review, thanks. I am going to buy one in the spring. I am finally retired and all hooked up on my social so it is time to go camping and fishing.Thanks for your videos.
Awesome to hear you are getting out there! :) I hope I helped in some way. Enjoy! Thank you. Michael
Love that you are going full time. We have recently made the same decision. The little Mini will work for the first year, then we will take a look at our situation and decide if we want to continue or buy a new home. The only issue I have continually is the rubber liner thingie that goes along the side of the slide comes out . It has happened almost time we use it. The water gets in when this happens. Have you had an issue with this? I love your videos and have learned a lot...Thank you.
How cool! :) I wish you all the best on your decision. Like Minds! I am not sure about the rubber "thingie" you are talking about on the slide but I'm betting it is the rubber flap that runs from top to bottom along the slide for protection. Mine had some glue that makes it stick some, but I have not had it come OFF. I'd suggest you check with any RV repair place about that if it comes clear off. Sounds like it wasn't installed properly to the side of the unit, either screwed in or stapled in correctly. I'll give Gorilla Glue a big shout out however, but watch out, it is STICKY as heck. Hope that helps you some. thank you Helene. Michael
@@garlandstyle5797 Yes, that was the part I was thinking of. It was fixed once, but came off again. Rain comes in with the slide closed. We have to leave it open. I will take it into a local rv shop and have it fixed once and for all. I think a little glue is the ticket. Thanks for the suggestion of Gorilla Glue. That stuff is great! thank you so much for your help. Safe travels to you.
Thank you for the tour. Very informative. I would like to know what if your sofa has recliners? Makes into a bed? If so, is the bed comfortable? I like Linda’s little touches with drapes and decor.
Thanks, glad you liked it. We are simple folks as you can see. Our Sofa jackknives into a sleeper. But it is uneven as the back pads are higher than the seating area. It's OK for kids maybe. For an adult? I would only sleep one person if they are short, and not bother jackknifing the sofa at all. Thanks for the deco comments. I'll pass that on to Linda. :) Happy camping! Stay safe please.
Hello to you both!! Just subscribed because we have the Flagstaff Micro Lite 21fbrs a 2020. LOVE your wife's curtains!!! We love our camper and live in it too for now...travel plans when hubby retires in a few more. Your set up inside is the same as ours. Wanted to say the 2020 comes with a tank scrubber. We use Happy Camper and we no longer have any smells from anywhere.
Can't wait to get on the road one day...Thanks for vid lessons and being so pleasant to watch, listen, learn!
Thanks Carolyn. We are on month 3 living full time in our 2109s and traveling now. I have SO much to post on here. I'm still learning after 3 yrs having our camper. Check out Fabric stores for your curtains if you want to change them out. Those just caught my eye! Yes, MY eye. LOL Have a ball and please remember, one broken thing, doesn't break a dream. :) Save travels! Michael
Very helpful, thanks. I'm shopping for my first rv, and this was in the top 3, until I went to the Tampa rv show last month. Now I'm going with the Coachmen Spirit 1943RB, which has real recliners, instead of the weird sofa this unit has, which is on top of the wheel box. LOVE the curtains!
I hear you on the sofa. We like it ok but I sure miss my recliner! LOL I'm glad you did your research. Smart lady! :) Hey, go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and you'll find all kinds of cool material.
And I'm still researching. Cuz as you know, a new trailer needs a WHOLE BUNCH of accessories. Oi vay. And I definitely have plans for my sewing machine 😉
Hi Mike, we have the flagstaff microlite 21fbrs, 2018 version which is almost exactly like yours and love it. We've enjoyed your videos and incorporated a couple of your ideas like the footrests. We don't get to use it as much as you do but it works perfectly for us. A couple of things that I liked was when the slide is closed we can still use everything in the camper, which is great when traveling and stopping to rest or have lunch. Also it is so easy to tow and we can get into places without any problems. I especially like the openness when the slide is open, makes the camper feel much bigger than it is. So far we've had no issues, everything works as it should. I do plan on raising it a couple of inches to give more ground clearance, I get a little worried in rough campgrounds about dragging the sewer pipes or the steps. Well, thanks for all of your videos and suggestions, we enjoy them greatly and happy trails.
Hey Kurt. :) Glad you love your new 21FBRS. Yes, we love the open feeling with the slide out, but also, it is easy enough to get around when stopping at Truck stops, Walmart or where ever and needing to just spend the night. Especially getting to the bathroom at night. :) If you raise the bed up, let me know how you did it. We go to some VERY hairy places but have had excellent clearance so far. I mean SCARY. LOL So much to learn about our campers, and I'm still learning of course. I hope to help out beginners and others with my videos.. thank you. Michael
Hi Mike, depending on the axle you have the kit may differ. I believe this is the one I would use but I will check on the exact axle I have. Right now my trailer is covered for the winter so next spring I double check. Torflex Lift Kit - Tandem Axle - 2-7/8" Lift www.etrailer.com/p-K71-724-02.html. I also changed the entry steps to a 3 step version to reduce the rise of the steps to 7" instead of the 9", 2 step version that came with the trailer. The final step rise into the trailer was 11" and it was just to much for our aging knees...LOL. Doing that however made the steps hang lower when folded and that is another reason for wanting to raise the trailer. I guess when you fix one thing you create a problem somewhere else. I raised our old Prowler that we had before this trailer and was very happy I did, never had a problem dragging the back of the trailer on hilly spots.
Thorough review. It looks like Rockwood builds a quality trailer. Were the foot stools included with the trailer or did you purchase them extra.
I got the stools at Walmart. They are perfect!
Hi Garland! Nah, we won't be selling our 2109 to buy a 2205. Not enough bang for the buck. Sweet rig, though! Keep up the great work!!!
Ok.. Well make your Mini work. Thanks!
Great video and good to hear you've had a good experience with your 2109S. We are considering replacing our current RV with something a little larger and with more storage space, and the 2109S is on our short list. Your video provided some good information that was very helpful. One question - do you ever boondock somewhere using solar panels? If so, do you have a roof-mounted solar panel or do you have a portable solar panel? Good luck in your travels!
Thanks. This camper is perfect for 2 travelers. We have no pets, so take that into consideration. We've been living full time in our camper since Nov 1, 2019. So that should tell you something. I have 2 100w Renogy Solar panels on the roof, permanently mounted. I have 2 videos on how it was installed on my channel as well. It really is quite easy. I could add 2 more 100w panels, or get more powerful panels, but with 2 common lead acid batteries, we have no issues boondocking. With sun or even partial sun, we could go indefinitely for 12v power. I carry a 1600-2000w Predator generator just in case of course. I did not want portable panels due to possible theft, setting them up and down, taking up room in the truck, etc. Hope you have a great time with your new camper whatever it may be. :)
@@garlandstyle5797 Thanks for the info on the solar panels. We frequently camp at remote campgrounds so solar is important to us. I'll check out your video on your panel installation. And although we have a couple dogs, they usually stay home with the pet sitter! Coincidentally, after seeing your 3 year review video last night, I found out just today one of my neighbors has a 2109S he's considering selling, so we may end up with that one!
@@omcbob37 If you are in "so so" shaded areas a lot, but can get a portable/suitcase solar unit with a cord to reach the batteries directly, then do get one. I've found that even some shade doesn't prevent us from having enough 12v power. What year is the 2109s your neighbor selling?
@@garlandstyle5797 My neighbor's rig is a late 2018 model. I do have a small 40 watt briefcase solar panel I use on our current rig, plugged into the solar on the side outlet. It does a decent job of keeping the battery charged but if I get a new RV, I'd rather just have a roof-top panel.
@@omcbob37 2018. Should be a good one then. :) You'll have plenty of room on the roof for permanent solar. Another great benefit of roof mounted is not having to mess with wiring or anything but getting up on the roof once every now and then and cleaning the dust, bird poop, or leaves off the surface. Of course you don't have to do a thing when boondocking in the open. :) Enjoy my friend.
Well done thanks.. We own 2019 Flagstaff 21 DS with Murphy bed, similar layout and quite functional. Two questions if you don’t mind, what is your tow vehicle and have you replaced the factory tires? Thanks enjoy your videos
Thanks Sherrie. I have a 2012 Nissan Titan V8 Pro-4X. I bought it used and it will tow more than my 2019s. I was thrilled it would tow up to 9,000 lbs. I lucked out. I ran the factory installed Castle Rock tires for 22,000 miles and they hardly wore at all. I just kept a close eye on them. Then before a long trip, I put on Goodyear Endurance tires. Probably unneeded, but I changed them out. Happy travels! Michael
I am going to buy this trailer. Less is more! Tell me again what you put up on the front window to prevent drafts...
I know you will enjoy it Tami. I just got a truck size window shade in the auto section of Walmart. Once you get your rig, measure and go check them out at any Auto supply. Good luck! :)
Nice review. Just curious, how much does your rig weigh loaded up? Thanks.
My GVWR is 5256. I have not weighed it yet after all this time. One day I plan to if convenient. :) I carry a normal load though. I'd expect my weight to come very close to that. Thanks, I'll have to do that some day. LOL
Garland nice update enjoy your channel. Congrats on becoming fulltimer. We’re on the fence to tow a rig your size or drive, i.e, Winnebago View or class B van model. Do you still prefer towing your home or does driving it have any appeal? Tks, continued safe travels and blessings for 2020.
Hey there. I would love to have a Class B, lots of appeal there and trust me, after almost 3 yrs of reviewing all types of camping styles, this camper fit us best. The major drawback I had with a Class B or B+ was having to unhook everything at a camp site before going to visit local attractions. You COULD go smaller than our rig of course, but for being on the road a lot, having a rig that we can park, detach, and go see the sights in an area in just our truck is great. I did a video early on about making a decision on what RV fits your travel style. I don't monetize, so not looking for views, but this may help some, it is as pertinent today as it was then. ua-cam.com/video/J-8KG7IhxTQ/v-deo.html But in answer to the question, yes I still prefer towing our home. :) Good luck in your decision and thanks for watching Aurora. :) Michael
Garland Style Tks for input. Agree with the pro’s con’s of ClassB. Your RV is the perfect size for a couple. A cozy rolling home to return to after exploring an area. Not to big for towing. Enjoy, happy trails👍 will view the link.
Wow so how was it adjusting from huge home to luxury Japanese apartment haha, But really they are that small in japan. Did enjoy the update though keep it up.
Thanks. It was a 1400 sq foot townhome, but no HUGE home. :) I think I'm pretty lucky compared to the Japanese however. Michael
Wow great review, do you still have it? How's it holding up. I'm considering a 2022 model. Only concern is the frt glass.
Yes. We still have our camper. :) It is holding up great. We put it through a LOT, many miles as well. Over 40,000 in fact. Of course things will wear out or break, but nothing major at all. I am very happy with my 2109s and believe we couldn't have made a better decision for the price. You can have covers put over the front glass now. I have a film on mine and it's stopped cracking. I've had chips after that was installed, but no cracks. Prices are insane on campers now. If you have a chance to find used campers, Rockwood or Mini Lites like mine, I would jump on it. Personally I think they are way overpriced at this time. They are a good SOLID camper. Good luck on your search. :)
Thanks!!
Yer welcome! Hope that helped.
Hi again.
We are headed to Utah in our mini lite. Going to hit some below freezing temps over Loveland Pass. Do you know if the pipes are exposed to freezing on this camper? Thanks! Loving our mini lite! So small yet so spacious!
Mike, what we need is to see the budget on Full Timing vs living in Sticks & bricks?
Thx,Cajun
You know? I was thinking about that.. LOL I will certainly have time for that now. I'll get a couple of months under my belt and do that. Thanks.
I’ve watched your one year review, and now this one, and still have the question about the mattress that comes with it. Was it comfortable from the start, or did you have to replace it or modify it in order for it to be bearable? Most RV mattresses are horrible which is why I ask.
Oh my. We slept on the mattress about 3 times and said NO WAY. Too hard! We put some blankets under a padded mattress cover and that didn't help. So we bought a 3" foam pad at Walmart and that did the trick. Been using the same mattress over 4 yrs now. :)
I’m interested in the truck windshield visor? Is that a particular brand? And looks like it’s installed over your shade? Any problem with condensation?
Thanks for the review! I’m looking at a Murphy bed version.
Hi Jeff. The visor is a Truck size double Reflectix type visor I got at Walmart. It isn't always in stock. You could also find it at any Auto Supplier I think, or online. Just measure your window, mine fit almost perfectly, with a tiny curl at the bottom but it fit down in there great. Bring up the built in shade and just tuck it next to the window, then lower the shade. Takes us less than 30 seconds to put in or take down.
It is amazing what the difference is on the cold on your head at night. Our brains were freezing when we woke up in the morning, that's why we tried it.
There is condensation whether it is in or not. That is where your heads lie of course and respiration in colder weather will be heavier near the head of the bed. You can pull it out in the morning and let it dry out or take a rag and wipe the window dry. There is no avoiding some condensation. But in 4 years, we've never had any condensation damage. :) Good luck.
@@garlandstyle5797 Thank you Garland! Sounds like a great idea!
Thankyou for sharing. How many feet is your mini lite?
You are welcome Daralen. This is a 2109s, therefore 21' 9". I measured it from front to the end of the spare, called it good at 22'. :)
Good to see you've not had any major catastrophes during your 3 year run with the 2109, which is one of the two 'finalist' floor plan / models (competing with the Geo Pro / E-Pro E19FD) we're considering. One of my major anxiety points is having a slide out as part of the floor plan, so much opportunity for things to go badly concerning that gizmo. The later units have a different drive system than yours, so the dependability (or not) of your unit may not apply to the newer Lippert brand / style drive for the newer ones.
I agree completely. No major catastrophes! I've had it down some very rough roads and lots of tilting from side to side too. If you feel spacious inside that Geo Pro without a slide, you are totally right, it's one more thing that could go wrong. So far, so good with the slide. :) thanks Silas! Michael
use slide out supports...they really help!
Great Video, are you having fun camping full time?
Hey Michael! Yes, I'm enjoying being in the camper more than I thought. But we are SO ready to travel more rather than hunker down and over winter here. That will start in January thank heavens. :)
@@garlandstyle5797 Nice, where do you think you will head to next?
@@thetraveltrailerguy heading to Organ Pipe National Monument. Lots of open sites at that CG. :)
Going "full time" are we? Wish I could do it! Do y'all have Thousand Trails?
Take care, I'll be watchin' ya ! CAJUN
Yep.. we'll be full time for a while. Ready to find a new full time home later. Don't have Thousand Trails. I just hear about 50/50 good on that and those odds don't strike me well. Just Good Sam membership. Which basically pays for a small discount and taxes. Thanks Cajun. Michael
Garland Style Check out Passport America and only cost a little over $40/year.
Hello, where do you store your food ie can goods ,soups etc..thx
Hi Joseph. I store the majority in the brown foot stools on the floor. That centers the weight over the axles. I don't keep a lot of canned goods, I can always buy a new one out shopping. :) Michael
I watched it but I was waiting for your picture you were going to put up but you could not find it , did you find it ?
It was down in the floor stool sideways. LOL For the life of me, I can't seemed to remember what it said? I'll have to look at some newer videos and see if it came up. :) Thanks Beverly. Michael
wife and I are thinking of purchasing the rockwood 2509 rv, Do you think a ford f150 1/2 ton truck would be enough for towing an d hitch ?
I'm no guru on trucks Rich. My Titan, if I figured it right, is a 3/4 Ton. I do fine in it and do my share of mountains. I don't ever push the truck. My fully loaded 2109s is around 4400 lbs. My truck towing capacity is 9,000. If you want a LOT of detailed information on that specifically for the 2509, look for and join "Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite fan club" on Facebook. HUGE amount of knowledge in that group, to which I also belong. There are lots of 2509 owners in there. Ok? Good luck my friend. Oh, the best I can point out about a Rockwood Mini Lite is it's insulation. :) We do some cold weather camping at times and it rocks!
Just about all 1/2 ton trucks can tow this as far as GVRW, even some mid-sized trucks and SUVs tow this trailer. But, what kills some is the tongue weight. Make sure your truck has enough payload capacity to handle the 600+ lbs tongue (empty) plus you, your passenger(s) and anything else you throw in the truck.
@@scottwilkins
Thanks Scott !! I appreciate it
We pull ours with a 5.7L, 381 HP, 6000# Sequoia. 122" wheelbase. It does well.
Loaded up, our trailer is at max GVW and so is the Sequoia. You can feel it on long steep grades although the big Toy handles it just fine. I think any good V8-powered long wheel base pickup should do OK.
Hi, Again, We just tried out our newly purchased 2103 Mini Lite 2109S and love it. We can't get the little side bedroom windows open. Did you have that problem and/or can you suggest something to fix it? Also, there is no paper towel or toilet paper holder. Can you screw into the walls without a problem or do I need to screw them to the cabinets? Thanks!
Hey. The side windows get very sticky I noticed. I'd pull the screen on the inside off and wet it with water first. See if it loosens up. Or use a small screwdriver on the inside and see if you can gently pry it open a bit. Ours is STICKY to open to this day, it seals very well. Yes, you can screw into the walls. Not over a 1" screw though. I have put in some wood screws to hold pictures. The walls are likely the same as ours with the foam insulation. Watch out for area around wiring of course. I just put our paper towels over the stove in the upper cabinet. You could also drill small holes in the side of the ventilation hood and screw in a holder. :) Good luck.
What do you tow with? And how does it "feel" behind you?
I'm still trying to convince the better half that we need one. Her idea of vacationing/camping is in a hotel. Yeah, she's a city girl, and I'm about as country as you can get, lol. I've been camping since I was about 8 years old.
I have a Nissan Titan V8 Pro-4x. It is a 3/4 ton. Pulls like a dream and drives like a car when not towing. My camper is a dual axle, so it tows very easily, I hardly know it is back there. I LOVE trucks! Wife may not feel at all like she is "camping" in the right camper. I feel this is really GLAMPING myself. Nothing rough or hard about it. All the comforts of home. Take her to see one at an RV show and go from there. It is way better than a hotel and 1/2 to 2/3 less expensive to stay in a campground. You can go from FANCY campgrounds to so so. Depends on your travel style Ted. Good luck.
What type (Model, Year, Package) if Truck do u pull the travel trailer with? Hitch / sway bars?
Hi Scott. I have a 2012 Nissan Titan V8 Pro-4X. It had a tow package installed already. I have a Fastway e2 Trunnion hitch. The dealer set it up when I bought the trailer. Works very well. :) here is a link to the one I have, or just there abouts. I have a 6000 or 9000 lb one, not sure which actually :) thanks
www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS744US744&biw=1094&bih=510&tbm=shop&sxsrf=ACYBGNSTv2AikdkAgzoOOo5VNyvh45QetQ%3A1575670316736&ei=LNLqXdDILNX99APT2ZCACQ&q=Fastway+e2+Trunnion+92-00-6000+hitch+setup&oq=Fastway+e2+Trunnion+92-00-6000+hitch+setup&gs_l=psy-ab-sh.3...43201.48198.0.48604.11.11.0.0.0.0.257.2344.0j4j7.11.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab-sh..0.1.254...35i304i39k1.0.NI6g3Ygdf3c#spd=7093096982225681435
Hope that works.. But look up Fastway e2 Trunnion 92-00-6000 hitch. Should get you close. :)
Would you be comfortable towing the Rockwood 21xx series Travel Trailer with one of the newer Mid-Size Trucks like the Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger (with towing packages)?
Scott Farrar gcw of a trailer like that is about 5700lb. A Ranger is rated for 7500lb. So it can do it but if you nervous about it just get a 1/2 ton...same basic price but you can get a V8...the mass of the truck will make towing easier as well as the longer wheel base...larger brakes, etc
We are seriously considering the Rockwood 2205s which is nearly same layout. My concern is where to put the 🗑 trash can. Ideas?
We keep it simple. A plastic grocery bag hung on the bathroom door knob. If someone comes over, we just move it to the bathroom shower. LOL
we have a 2109s and we use a small stainless pedal-open can, placed below the fold-out countertop extension. Works great.
Does your sofa recline? What brand is your RV?
Yes, it is a jackknife sofa. The small grand kids slept on it. The back side, when folded down is higher than the seating portion. I'd only need to add some padding to the seating area to raise it up however. I COULD, since I sleep curled up, sleep on it at 5'4". :) This is a Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s. :)
No recline. We added a 2" piece of foam below the useless jackknife seating area to keep our butts from bottoming out. Current models have a different sofa that makes a better bed than our 2018 model...but its more bench-like than our true sofa.
We all know not to buy one from 2020-2023.
Oh dang. :( Sorry.
Why? What if it was produced before March 2020 but is still called a 2020. Before COVID restrictions etc. would that be okay ?
Thorough review. It looks like Rockwood builds a quality trailer. Were the foot stools included with the trailer or did you purchase them extra.
The camper has been outstanding considering all the stuff I've put it through. LOL The foot stools we purchased separately at Walmart. :) Thanks
We use a couple folding aluminum/canvas folding camp stools for leg rests.