Pluses of smaller camper....

[oldsmasma]

We'd LOVE to have you with us but there's just not enough room in the motor home lol

[Bluepill]

Space needed for me and the dog and the bike:




Space needed when the wife travels with me:



All those Female Accessories (Clothes, lotions, storage for along-the-way-purchases, etc.) take a lot of space.

[Franklins Mom]

We have a 1905 and love it !!

Easy up/down on the bed and I love the couch which folds down nicely for a short or long afternoon nap with me, hubby and our 63lb Springer Spaniel.

[dmchapman]

Originally Posted by eljoho

As with everything in this world there are so many choices and living here in Vermont the dealers are far a few between - most at least an hour or two away. We've been trying to do some 'window shopping' on line. We bought an R-Pod as our 1st camper and are looking to upgrade to something slightly more roomy. Not exactly longer but with a regular bathroom, walk around queen bed and more storage. We are looking for something between 20 - 23' preferably, that would sleep 3-4 people (usually 2 with a 120 lb. Chocolate Lab baby named Zoey) but sometimes with a human sister named Barb. Hubby would like to stay with the lightweight style of the R-pod but wife would like more kitchen area/storage. We'd also like the two door refrigerator/freezer style in order to have a larger capacity if possible. I've seen some with the murphy bed/sofa that looked good (comments please on comfort). Husband likes the idea of eating area while wife like idea of bed being made up all the time, not having to do it every day and not having to climb over hubby at night to go to bed! Any suggestions on makes and models would be greatly appreciated!!! Though we love camping our old butts just can take riding around in the car all the time.

Well, I'll add my 2 Cents. We have a Flagstaff Microlite 21DS with the Murphy bed. It has inner spring construction and is heated when on shore power. Not a great quality mattress but with a 2" memory foam topper it is okay. We can access the bed from both sides, though not all the way to the head due to small cupboards at both arms of the sofa. The top of the bed is a little high so we have collapsible storage boxes from WalMart that we use as a step to mount the bed from the end.(also makes it easier for the dogs to get up there.) The bed is fairly well balanced so lifting is not a problem. We like having the sofa as nobody wants to sit at the dinette for reading or watching television. 3 adults fit (cozy) on the sofa and the 3 dogs sit at the dinette. The 85" dinette makes a good sized bed for our adult son when he comes along. The 85" slide makes the trailer very roomy when deployed but we have to be careful in the older parks to watch our clearance because it goes out nearly 4 feet. We opted for this model for the full size refrigerator, double sink, stove with oven, dry bath, dual 30# propane tanks, and nicer interior. Storage is a bit limited as is cargo weight capacity. The rear entry model might have been a better choice because you can access the fridge and bath with the slide in, which we cannot. It towed pretty well with our 2007 Avalanche but our new-to-us 2012 Silverado does an excellent job.

[mgarland48]

Just looked at the Flagstaff 21FBRS. Wow, that virtually identical to the 2109S! North South bed is just awesome. I don't stumble far to the bathroom at night, and even if the couch is jack Knifed in the down position. That removable table is PREMO! We keep two lightweight tv trays back there as well (plenty of room) and use those 1/2 and 1/2 with the table. Very light, easy to tow, cheaper on gas, love dual axles in case of a blowout for safety. Tv is easily seen from the couch AND bed too. Check out the price diff on a 21FBRS and a 2109S. I think they are the same?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by mgarland48

Just looked at the Flagstaff 21FBRS. Wow, that virtually identical to the 2109S! I think they are the same?

Flagstaff and Rockwood are twin brands.
Built in the same factory, on the same assembly line.

Only difference is model number, outside graphics and interior decor.

RVDirect sells both brands.

[rp53]

All I can say is we have absolutely love our Flagstaff, it is wonderful got all the amenities we need and the fit and finish is really good for a TT

[rammie]

we are looking at a shamrock 25bds. murphy bed, outdoor kitchen, and best use of space floorplan we have found. it appears to fit our needs perfectly. it is just her and i, with our basset hound. will have a rare guest too. the same thing is available as a rockwood 2507s. we just need to get our financing approved and will have one of them, good luck in your search!

[Cowracer]

Having had small units I can say this..

The one, super huge issue with the smaller campers is smaller bathrooms/showers are always microscopic. It was physically impossible to use the toilet in our old roo in the ahem... "seated" position with the door closed. And the shower was completely out of the question. Sounds like a small thing, but when you have to bundle up all your stuff, trudge to the shower house, put up with usually disgusting stalls and water that is never the right temp, and all that... The idea of showering in your own unit becomes VERY appealing.

Tim

[rp53]

our 21fbrs has plenty of room in the bathroom shower is plenty big, however i am 5 foot 9 150 lb and my DW is much smaller than me

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Having had small units I can say this..

The one, super huge issue with the smaller campers is smaller bathrooms/showers are always microscopic. It was physically impossible to use the toilet in our old roo in the ahem... "seated" position with the door closed. And the shower was completely out of the question. Sounds like a small thing, but when you have to bundle up all your stuff, trudge to the shower house, put up with usually disgusting stalls and water that is never the right temp, and all that... The idea of showering in your own unit becomes VERY appealing.

Tim

Check the bathroom in the Mini Lite 2503S. HUGE. 25' 10-1/2" ball to bumper.

[rammie]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Having had small units I can say this..

The one, super huge issue with the smaller campers is smaller bathrooms/showers are always microscopic. It was physically impossible to use the toilet in our old roo in the ahem... "seated" position with the door closed. And the shower was completely out of the question. Sounds like a small thing, but when you have to bundle up all your stuff, trudge to the shower house, put up with usually disgusting stalls and water that is never the right temp, and all that... The idea of showering in your own unit becomes VERY appealing.

Tim

We agree with the small bathroom size, it is something we look at strongly. I have a 36 inch inseam, so seated position is a good point. The 25 BDS, and the Rockwood 2507s both have bathrooms that are all the way across the rear wall. Hopefully that will be enough for us!

[Cowracer]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Check the bathroom in the Mini Lite 2503S. HUGE. 25' 10-1/2" ball to bumper.

That's a big improvement over the 21ss. At least on the commode side, but It the same size shower, which big guys like me don't fit in. MY 8329ss has the rounded front shower with sliding doors, instead of the flat front with the single hinged door, and I gotta say, the extra 5-6 inches that the rounded front gives make all the difference in the world. It takes the shower from unusable, to snug but useable.

Don't get me wrong... I don't thing larger campers work for everyone. I could totally see the attraction of a R-pod or a-frame for weekend getaways.

Tim

[rp53]

my 21fbrs has the rounded shower door as well that is a great feature

[eljoho]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions to help us with the choices in our quest for the next 'eljozohome-away-from-home'! We now have our work cut out for us and will most likely have more questions in the future! Stay well and travel safely!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Cowracer

That's a big improvement over the 21ss. At least on the commode side, but It the same size shower, which big guys like me don't fit in. MY 8329ss has the rounded front shower with sliding doors, instead of the flat front with the single hinged door, and I gotta say, the extra 5-6 inches that the rounded front gives make all the difference in the world. It takes the shower from unusable, to snug but useable.

Don't get me wrong... I don't thing larger campers work for everyone. I could totally see the attraction of a R-pod or a-frame for weekend getaways.

Tim

Mines a 2016. The 2017 has the curved shower.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Check the bathroom in the Mini Lite 2503S. HUGE. 25' 10-1/2" ball to bumper.

OK on the bath but with the sofa down into a bed where is the living area. Even if on my own I'd not want to be messing with up/down bed/sofa. My wife nearly always goes to bed before me so either she does not sleep or I'm not happy. Would never work for us, but surely does for a lot of people.

[mikdor1]

Wow, great replies, now how about some pics of your smaller campers. Here is a pic of ours. It is small for a fifth wheel 26 ft.,we love it. It also has the round shower door. The toilet area is very small, will have to get use to that!!!

[aeblank]

Our 23'er.....

Not particularly small in my mind, but compared to do many I see! Also, no slides.....on purpose.

[rmac04401]

Not tiny but much smaller than most fifth wheels.