Microlite 21 DS or 25 FKS

[teeitup]

been looking at both these models. the 21DS seems to have more furniture with less length and weight but 25 FKS has the walk around bed and outside kitchen. Which one would work for long term travel best? thanks. comments would be appreciated from those who own these models also.

[elchilero53]

Haven't used either of them but from the specs, the 25FKS looks like it would be more livable for a long-term travel situation. Both have really nice floor plans. You didn't mention a tow vehicle but a properly equipped 1/2-ton pickup truck or SUV would have no problem with either of them. My 2¢.

[JayArras]

Originally Posted by teeitup

been looking at both these models. the 21DS seems to have more furniture with less length and weight but 25 FKS has the walk around bed and outside kitchen. Which one would work for long term travel best? thanks. comments would be appreciated from those who own these models also.

Our 21DS has the walk around bed also, not the murphy option.

I agree that for long term travel, longer is better.

[backon4]

We have the 21DS with the Murphy Bed and like the couch during the day and bed at night. We have an SUV for now so lighter is necessary. I would call it a "squeeze" around bed because it's doable but pretty tight getting in and out. We are very comfortable staying a week at a time but would want a bit more space if full time.

[rp53]

I like the 60 gallon gray tank the 25fks has would love to have that on my 21fbrs

[Corky Freeman]

We have the 21 DS and love it. After a small wreck we sent it to the factory to be repaired but bought another to have for preplanned trips. So now we have 2 but of course will sell one. That is how much we like it! The bed is the Murphy option and it makes a world of difference with the floor space. We did not want to buy a new tow vehicle but had looked at 25 with outdoor kitchen and opted out due to the towing vehicle issue. As for the bed it is pretty easy access in my opinion, no crawling over husband to get out, mostly walking around though I may be unclear as to the definition.

[rwatson908]

I have a 21DS with the Murphy bed(2 years)
I tow with a 2011 Forerunner limited,.
We camp with 2 adults and two 75 lb four legged friends.
We enjoy the Murphy bed option, sofa during the day and bed at night. We convert the dinette to a bed for our dogs.
The space is fine for us, cozy on stormy days.
Our longest trip was from Atlanta to Denver and we had no problems for our 10 day trip.
We utilize a anti-sway hitch which is highly recommended and a trailer brake.
I would also suggest a slide-out topper and finally- inquire about the second year option warranty from FR. Our dealer failed to mention it. The dealer offered a more expensive one!
Happy trails, Ron

[itat]

Neither of those models has a sofa although the 21DS has the Murphy bed option. The dinette will grow old very fast as your only lounging spot if you're living in it for long periods. I'd rather have a sofa and eat at the sofa if I had to choose between the two. Something like the Microlite 21FBRS.

If you're OK with the Murphy bed option look at the Microlite 25KS, or its sister, the Rockwood 2503S. If you don't want a Murphy Bed, look at the Microlite 25DKS or its sister, the Rockwood 2502KS.

[windsurfdog]

We, also, have the Murphy bed 21DS which we love for camping...even extended trips...but would be a bit tight for months at a time if that is your plan. The big plus to the 21DS is its interior room when compared to its diminutive length. The deep slide (DS) is 85"x45" and really opens the space. Plus the 21DS fits just right in its parking space at home.

As for the outside kitchen, I use a 2'x4' folding table with a propane campstove by the door, use another 2'x4' table at the outside shower with a couple of small plastic bins for dish washing, and an ice cooler for beer...voila, outside kitchen.

For extra storage, I have 3 large plastic bins with covers that ride in the camper when travelling (and when at home) and are stored just under the camper when camping. Yes, the 3 steps + threshold (4 total steps) is high but is advantageous for storing these large totes just under the trailer. And one of these totes serves as storage for the "outside kitchen".

Hope you find the camper that is right for you!

[teeitup]

It's interesting that almost everyone who replied has the 21DS and no one has the 25FKS. I too see the value in the DS with the big slide. Also, it does have a couch (the murphy bed) during the day and so you have two pieces of furniture instead of just one. Also, it's much shorter and towable. I'm heading to Lazy Days to look at both units tomorrow in Longmont.

[itat]

teeitup, what are you planning to use as a tow vehicle?

[Tigger1]

We have the Rockwood 2104S, sister to the 21DS. We haven't had it long enough to take an extended trip yet so we can't speak to your question on that. We have the Murphy bed option because we wanted the sofa during the day in addition to the dinette as seating space. The bed is easy to get in/out of. The deep dinette slide-out gives a nice living area. Everybody's requirements are different. We needed a trailer we could park in our driveway and one where we could tow with our existing vehicle. We traded in a hybrid without a slide that was shorter.

[TitanMike]

I can appreciate the layout of the 25FKS but I went with a 25BDS with Murphy bed.

Lots of closet and pantry space along with even more hanging storage on each side of the bed.

The couch is super comfortable and a lot of floor space as well.

BTW, tows great and loaded with all I haul it only goes over the scale at 6,000#.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rwatson908

finally- inquire about the second year option warranty from FR. Our dealer failed to mention it. The dealer offered a more expensive one!
Happy trails, Ron

As there are a number of threads here about this, the 2nd year FR factory warranty is not available anymore.
Only for a new FR unit bought before June 1, 2017.

[McRabbet]

While you are looking at floor plans, you might want to look closely at the Rockwood UltraLite 2304DS with the Murphy Bed option. I absolutely love mine (new in March and have logged 25 nights and over 3,000 miles since). I bought a Camp Chef 2-burner stove with BBQ box and griddle for outdoor cooking (I got the version without regulator and a 10' extension hose that plugs into the trailer's propane outlet near the aft end of the kitchen; did 8 burgers, brats and a kettle of fresh corn on Eclipse Day) along with a 5' folding table. Big double sink handles the dish washing chores and a $12.99 folding table from Aldi's serves as my laptop desk or dinner table (I'd suggest you get two). I carry four folding chairs that store behind the sofa while underway; everything else fits in the pass-thru storage under the sofa. Extra beer and wine stow neatly in the included ottoman! Lots on storage cabinets and under dinette too.
A great floor plan but you'll need a TV capable of 6,000 trailer.

[teeitup]

Originally Posted by itat

teeitup, what are you planning to use as a tow vehicle?

I have a 2004 GMC Yukon XL , half ton, with tow package and autoride and tow haul. The people at Cheyenne Camping Center, Wolcott, Iowa says the tow rating is 7500 lbs and i should be good with the 25 FKS or shorter. And you say? Thanks.

[teeitup]

Originally Posted by itat

teeitup, what are you planning to use as a tow vehicle?

I have a 2004 GMC Yukon XL , half ton, with tow package and autoride and tow haul. The people at Cheyenne Camping Center, Wolcott, Iowa says the tow rating is 7500 lbs and i should be good with the 25 FKS or shorter. And you say? Thanks.

[teeitup]

Originally Posted by McRabbet

While you are looking at floor plans, you might want to look closely at the Rockwood UltraLite 2304DS with the Murphy Bed option. I absolutely love mine (new in March and have logged 25 nights and over 3,000 miles since). I bought a Camp Chef 2-burner stove with BBQ box and griddle for outdoor cooking (I got the version without regulator and a 10' extension hose that plugs into the trailer's propane outlet near the aft end of the kitchen; did 8 burgers, brats and a kettle of fresh corn on Eclipse Day) along with a 5' folding table. Big double sink handles the dish washing chores and a $12.99 folding table from Aldi's serves as my laptop desk or dinner table (I'd suggest you get two). I carry four folding chairs that store behind the sofa while underway; everything else fits in the pass-thru storage under the sofa. Extra beer and wine stow neatly in the included ottoman! Lots on storage cabinets and under dinette too.
A great floor plan but you'll need a TV capable of 6,000 trailer.

that's a great trailer with the two slides. what's it cost is my question. the 25FKS at Cheyenne Camping Center, Wolcott, IA is 18,700. if it's not too much more I'd probably be interested. Live in Western Colorado. Were is the nearest low price dealer. These guys are all the same over here in Colorado. Way over priced. thanks.

[teeitup]

Originally Posted by teeitup

that's a great trailer with the two slides. what's it cost is my question. the 25FKS at Cheyenne Camping Center, Wolcott, IA is 18,700. if it's not too much more I'd probably be interested. Live in Western Colorado. Were is the nearest low price dealer. These guys are all the same over here in Colorado. Way over priced. thanks.

Oh, I've got a 2004 GMC Yukon XL with a tow package, autoride which is considered air bags, tow haul, 5.3 liter motor, 373 gears. They say i can tow 7500.

[itat]

Originally Posted by teeitup

I have a 2004 GMC Yukon XL , half ton, with tow package and autoride and tow haul. The people at Cheyenne Camping Center, Wolcott, Iowa says the tow rating is 7500 lbs and i should be good with the 25 FKS or shorter. And you say? Thanks.

That tow vehicle should be fine for any Microlite, although full size SUVs will have less available payload capacity than a 1/2 ton pickup with the same chassis. I just wanted to make sure you have enough tow vehicle to handle the larger Microlites that will likely weigh over 5000# loaded and have a tongue weight over 600#.

I am curious what it has for a cargo capacity. There should be a sticker on your drivers door that says something like, "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed xxxx lbs."