Ultra-Lite 2304DS vs Mini-Lite 2507S

[chriscowles]

Hello. I was comparing Ultra-Lites to Mini-Lites to see what the differences are, and to determine whether we should consider one of the low-end Ultra-Lites. I observe that a UL 2304DS is shorter than an ML 2507S, but the UL weighs ~800# more, apparently due to having two slides vs one and 150 gallon total water (potable/gray/black) capacity vs 118 gallons.

Considering the necessary difference in GVWR, how is that accomplished? Higher rated axles? Tires?

(As an aside, I can pull the UL2304DS but the ML2507S seems better equipped, to us, for a trailer of approximately the same size. All other ULs are far bigger than we're interested in dragging down the road.)

[Jay2504]

The water capacity makes no difference in unloaded weight. The unit is weighed with the tanks empty. We have a 2016 2504s and the 2304DS is one of the campers under consideration for an upgrade. Not 100% sure but I believe that the frame is bigger on the 2304DS, and there is the weight of the 2nd slide. Jay

[chriscowles]

The weight difference I referred to is GVWR, which does include cargo carrying capacity. Whether you use that CCC for water, or for something else, is your decision.

The 2303DS is rated for a higher GVWR than the 2507S. I know why it's heavier or rated to be heavier, anyway. What I don't know is the difference between the two that allows the 2304DS to be rated to carry that extra weight.

[rebeltown]

Don't know how big your 2507s is lengthwise but the UL 2304DS is only 21.5 feet in length not including the the A frame hitch section up front. A second slide out definitely adds a lot of weight to a trailer. You can save weight by picking a longer trailer over a second slide out. I wanted to keep the length short so I chose the 2304DS and am happy with it. I don't think the actual living space length in the 2507s is the same as a 2304DS. My trailer out of the factory weighs 5240 lbs.

[Paul Dershem]

We have the 2304 DS.

On the positive side, we enjoy the feeling of spaciousness provided by the two slide-outs, and the Murphy bed provides us with both a dinette and a sofa when the bed is stowed. We feel very comfortable in our studio apartment on wheels.

On the negative side, there is precious little storage accessible from outside, and we're anticipating that the height of the Murphy bed will eventually cause problems for us as we creep into our seventies.

Having a kitchen slide-out is a great idea, but the slide-out provides no toe-kick, so it feels awkward to stand in front of the stove when there's no place for your feet.

We have the barbeque that attaches to the outside wall, and while it works very well, we find that there is inadequate light to see what we're doing after dark; time to add a supplementary light source.

The sound system in ours is OK, except that its lowest volume level is still too loud for us unless we're using an outside sound source with its own volume control. And it seems that the outside loudspeakers (by the barbeque) come on by default whenever we turn on the sound system - I have to double-check to make sure they're off so we don't inadvertently blast people in nearby campsites with our music.

We're about to add a rack to the front, above the propane tanks, to hold our inverter generator because there is no place to store it on the outside of the trailer.

I am very interested in hearing comments from other 2304DS owners.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Paul Dershem

... The sound system in ours is OK, except that its lowest volume level is still too loud for us unless we're using an outside sound source with its own volume control. And it seems that the outside loudspeakers (by the barbeque) come on by default whenever we turn on the sound system - I have to double-check to make sure they're off so we don't inadvertently blast people in nearby campsites with our music. ...

Do the outside speakers come on as the primary speakers? Or do they come on together with the interior speakers? If they're primary, and the interior speakers don't come on automatically, it should be easy to switch the wires around from speaker set A to speaker set B, at the connection on the back.

[McRabbet]

Personally, I love my 2304DS and find both interior space when parked (both slides out) and the available external storage is very adequate for 1 or 2 people (I happen to be a widower, so I travel alone). The bed is very comfortable, I store a full 2-burner Camp Chef Stove with several accessories in the pass-through storage, use the storage behind the dinette for all my water hoses, sewer hoses and electrical lines (kept in low profile storage containers) and keep many other items (folding chairs, leveling pads, flagpole, rug, air compressor, heavy tools and hitch accessories) in the pass through and side access compartments. Internally, there is loads of pantry and cabinet space for food and clothes. Controls on the built-in radio/DVD player should allow full control of the speakers (my outside speakers are not on unless I want them on) and the lack of toe kick on the kitchen slide is no big deal to me. I like having the big sink at the back, adjacent to the lavatory door; its cover serves as extra counter space. I tow with a 207 Tundra and it pulls well (I recommend not towing with full tanks as it does add lots of weight). For me, the only shortcoming is the tight aisle when underway to get back to the rear lavatory at a rest stop, but it is wide enough to get to it. Mine is a 2018 model, now 28 months old, and I have had zero problems with it.

[Nathan 18]

We have the 2304KS (single slide) and love it. We like the shorter length and we don't miss the larger dinette and the extra weight of the 2304DS.