Flagstaff Micro Lite versus Rockwood Mini Lite?

[Paul GA]

The model they are looking at, the slide doesn't go all the way to the floor... looks like a 21FBRS.

[PupScrappy]

Just got a Microlite 21FBRS. Looked at Rockwood too.. What I was told is that they are the same trailer and the names are just different to handle dealer territories. Apparently in their agreements there can't be another Flagstaff dealer for a 50mile radius so to overcome this they brand one model Rockwood.. As for the trailers I could not tell the difference. I just had a Flagstaff dealer within 5 miles of home and honestly fell in love with the 21FBRS as soon as I walked in the door. Been on three trips now and it's been so wonderful. I love the space in it and it's so comfortable and well laid out. No issues with anything (hope I didn't just jinx myself) i love the reaction when people visit and step inside and the look on their face says it all. They are very impressed too. Just a great rig.

[ScottW713]

Originally Posted by PupScrappy

...Apparently in their agreements there can't be another Flagstaff dealer for a 50mile radius so to overcome this they brand one model Rockwood...

Think about that for a minute, their agreement with the manufacture doesn't allow another dealer in the area, so to overcome the rule the manufacturer created, they create another brand.

Not that it matters, but after looking at campers for a couple month's, I have come to the conclusion that the entire industry is very comparable to the auto industry in the 70's. From warranty work only at the dealer you purchased from to the endless names and minor cosmetic changes to create another brand, to pricing where some try and sell at the insane manufactures price, to others selling more realistic prices, to half year model changes, to the 3 or 4 year lag on technology, to shoddy craftsmanship, to the whole premise of you will get what we give you, not want you may want, to where it takes months to get an special order.

It's an industry ready for some foreign competition. I would love to see what Toyota or Honda esque camper manufacture would come up with. Not that I would want one, but they cleaned up the auto industry and that would be great for the camper industry.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by ScottW713

It's an industry ready for some foreign competition. I would love to see what Toyota or Honda esque camper manufacture would come up with. Not that I would want one, but they cleaned up the auto industry and that would be great for the camper industry.

Won't ever happen.

A lot of RVs are made in Europe. Do you see any dealers selling European RVs?

RVs aren't very popular in Japan, automobiles are. The few RVs that are made their are small and no where near the size of normal North American RVs.

The shipping costs alone would eliminate any good profits for either region.

There's not enough profit margin for either to build them overseas and ship them to North America.

And i doubt they have any interest in taking over any RV companies over here.
Maybe to invest but not to run.

[ScottW713]

Originally Posted by bikendan

The shipping costs alone would eliminate any good profits for either region.

There's not enough profit margin for either to build them overseas and ship them to North America.

FWIW, my Tundra was made in San Antonio and my BMW was made in S Carolina. Not many half tons on European, Japanese, or S American roads. The idea that things will remain the same is why GM almost went bankrupt, and why the Japanese and Europeans stormed the US auto market. Change is inevitable, not saying there are going to be Japanese campers, just that the industry is mismanaged and wide open for a fresh business model.

[bikendan]

But Japan knows how to build lots of autos efficiently. And they have a huge home market for them.

The same can't be said for RVs.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forest River Forums mobile app

[SailorSam20500]

Well, you could build them cheap in Mexico.... OOOPS, Trump won't like that!

[HappyCamper1962]

Originally Posted by ebell619

Hi Forum!

I am actively researching our first travel trailer for our family of 4. We really like the Rockwood Mini Lite 2306, but now I've found the Flagstaff Micro Lite 23LB and I cannot figure out what the difference is between these two units?!

Can you tell me from your experience what the difference between the Rockwood Mini Lite versus the Flagstaff Micro Lite?

And also, do you like yours?!

Thanks!

Erica

Here it is 2 years later and the same nagging question . I am in the middle of face to face comparisons of the Flagstaff 21DS and the Rockwood 2104S. Both are available within reasonable driving distance. Indeed, same camper, same assembly line, same quality. The Flagstaff units have a lot more decals and in my opinion, look cooler than the plainer exterior of the Rockwood. I also really love the Regal interior color scheme on the Flagstaff far better than any of the Rockwood interiors - more modern looking. All that being said, I am still leaning toward the Rockwood as I don't HATE the mocha interior, it's just not my fave, and it might be better to have fewer exterior decals to fade and peel since this is what should be our final TT down-size before going into a motorhome when we retire and that's some years away. As for price, I am openly negotiating with both dealerships (openly meaning each knows I am working with the "opposing team") and as of right now, I can get a much better deal on the 2019 Rockwood - like about $3,000 less out the door! There are scant 2019 Flagstaff 21DS units on the lots where I am, so maybe that's why the dealers are so far sticking to their guns as far as pricing. I REALLY like that Regal interior so I have one last attempt at it but if they can't get within $500 of the Rockwood, my money goes to the Rockwood.

[JayArras]

As has been stated previously on this thread and others, the only real differences just boil down to two: trim color schemes and dealer network.

There are far more Rockwood dealers around than Flagstaff, so the competition among dealers is a bit more intense. That is why they are willing to negotiate more. A $3000 difference is serious coin! That will buy a lot of mods, lol! I'd go with the Rockwood.

[HappyCamper1962]

Originally Posted by JayArras

As has been stated previously on this thread and others, the only real differences just boil down to two: trim color schemes and dealer network.

There are far more Rockwood dealers around than Flagstaff, so the competition among dealers is a bit more intense. That is why they are willing to negotiate more. A $3000 difference is serious coin! That will buy a lot of mods, lol! I'd go with the Rockwood.

Well, no 2019s on the dealership lots, but I was able to nab a 2019 Rockwood 2104S on the line and customize it, so rather than wait 3 months for it, I will be able to pick it up late this month. Done deal! In the end, even with adding an extra Fantastic Fan and back up camera, I still saved $2500 over the 2018 AND the 2019 Flagstaff 21DS models locally. There seem to be more Flagstaff dealers near me, but the salesperson at RVOne with the Rockwood stuck with me knowing I was working several deals around the state simultaneously and in the end, gave me a killer deal to earn my business. No stress buying. Paid exactly as was quoted to me in email and her communication has been excellent. Not taking my "oops I downsized too far" 2017 Starcraft Satellite back out just to make sure it stays perfect for trade. Can't wait to be on the blue roads again soon!

[JayArras]

You might have done even better net-net if you had sold your Satellite privately. But not everyone wants to deal with that hassle. I sold my 17 year-old Mallard 19N last year for $4000 less than I paid for it 14 years prior.

[HappyCamper1962]

Originally Posted by JayArras

You might have done even better net-net if you had sold your Satellite privately. But not everyone wants to deal with that hassle. I sold my 17 year-old Mallard 19N last year for $4000 less than I paid for it 14 years prior.

Yup, agreed. Could have pocketed more in a private sale but been-there-done-that. My Satellite was fully paid for which made it a great bargaining chip without the drag of negative equity. In the end, the paperwork showed them "giving" me over $14k for it, which everyone knows is a load of u-know-what but that's all part of the negotiating . I negotiate contracts for a living - they can say whatever they want about the price of the new camper and the value of my trade...those numbers are always false; just used for negotiation. All I care about is how much I have to write a check for when the deal is done. Having that mindset, and doing due diligence to know how much I should pay, and the highest acceptable amount I will pay, gets me the best deal every time Oh, and one more good thing about trading is that you only have to pay sales tax on the difference, not on the whole price. That's a good chunk-o-change to save.