Uh oh...took the camper to be winterized

[sunnygirl01]

And we took a look at a slightly larger version of our 2011 Micro Lite 18FBRS. Don't get me wrong... We LOVE our tiny camper. It is so easy to pull and the slide makes it so open inside.
Well, took the camper in to get winterized this weekend and the hubs said "let's just look". So now we are "looking" at a 2015 21FBRS. The differences are a north/south bed which would be so nice, ducted air (one of our big complaints is the air blows right down on the bed and we have not found a good way to deflect it so even on low it freezes me out), it has an oven and counter space, more storage, the TV can mount outside, diamond plate on the front, taller propane tanks, and an electric awning. So now we are waiting on the call back from finance on the numbers.

I am curious if there are any opinions on the electric vs manual awning, and the weight of 18' vs 21'. We pull with a F150 half ton truck.

[sunnygirl01]

I just realized that I don't remember seeing a front window. Our camping buddy may not like a new camper because she sure enjoys looking out the front window. We leave it open for her to look out if we have to go somewhere she can't go.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by sunnygirl01

...I am curious if there are any opinions on the electric vs manual awning, ...

IMO, I would not have a manual awning again after putting the self-storing support poles on my electric awning and doing FT Turbs "Lazy Man's Awning" mod.

[rockfordroo]

Here's one on an RV website - shows a front window:

Colman's RV | 2015 TRAVEL TRAILER FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF MICRO LITE 21FBRS Stock fd401576 | Springfield, IL 217-793-7300

[KenHwy61]

I also prefer the electric awning. So much easier to open and close. I don't think the weight difference from 18 to 21 ft would be all that much and I think your truck should easily handle it. For me, having a front window is something I enjoy but only you can decide how important it is to you.

[WFD]

And I am from the opposite where I would have no problem giving up my electric awning and going back to a manual....I find manual gives me more flexibility to adjust the awning...can't can't enough angle out of the electric one to provide sufficient shade...and one less thing to go wrong...if your electric awning fails, you can retract it, but its a pain and then it needs to be serviced before you can use it again. I really don't find it a big deal to have to go outside and manually open and close the awning...just my 2 cents worth.

P.S. You know it's really not that big a deal to winterize them...no need to pay someone to do it for you, plus you learn a lot about your RV at the same time for future trouble shooting, etc.

[bojangles]

My wife and I have a 2014 21fbrs that we tow with a 2010 f150. It does a fine job of pulling it. We did opt for Aluminum wheels and a slide cover when we ordered ours last fall. We purchased it from Wana RV in Shipshewanna In. only ten mile from Rockwood and Flagstaff plant. We really like ours and the dealer.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by WFD

And I am from the opposite where I would have no problem giving up my electric awning and going back to a manual....I find manual gives me more flexibility to adjust the awning...can't can't enough angle out of the electric one to provide sufficient shade...and one less thing to go wrong...if your electric awning fails, you can retract it, but its a pain and then it needs to be serviced before you can use it again. I really don't find it a big deal to have to go outside and manually open and close the awning...just my 2 cents worth.

P.S. You know it's really not that big a deal to winterize them...no need to pay someone to do it for you, plus you learn a lot about your RV at the same time for future trouble shooting, etc.

The part about angle to adjust for shade is the (Same) if you plan on (Open & Closing) a Door under a awning,Both manual & elect will (Rub) the Fabric if lowered to far! A good sunshade is required for proper Door clearance and Sun reduction at the same time. Also the people at the Outer Edge better be (Real Short) for proper head clearance. Youroo!!

[cbconway]

Yes, the 21FBRS does have a front window. The 2013 model doesn't have ducts for the AC but the AC cools the camper down very quickly. We love ours.

[sunnygirl01]

Thanks for all the input! I did look at the pictures and see the front window!
I know we should probably learn to winterize it ourselves. When we bought the 2011 it was our very first camper experience. I felt like it would be good for someone with experience to put eyes on it once a year and tell me if something didn't look right. I don't quite understand the water bypass valves and how they work yet but I am definitely more comfortable now with everything. But...for $150 our dealer will winterize it in the fall and dewinterize it in the spring AND give it a bath! Lol! Some things are just worth the money! :-)

[mTn_biKer65]

I'm not familiar with the trailer weight for a 21FBRS but I don't think Ford makes an F150 that couldn't pull it comfortably. My last 2 trailers had manual awnings while my new Surveyor Select 235RKS has the power awning. So far it's been problem free so I prefer the power. .e.g. I had an episode this summer where I was tearing down when it started to rain on everything I had outside destined for the back of the truck. 15 seconds later the awning was out protecting everything while I waited for a break in the rain.

Downside for me is the increased # of head hits with the power awning over the manual. Although I like the streamlined supports on the power awning they're a little to hidden so I keep on walking into them.

[okiecowboy]

If had the Murphy bed option the front window may not be available.

[Steeljag]

Power awning is the way to go! With the shocks that allow for auto dump of rain, I'm not worried about it if we're gone. My awning arms are high, and out of the way so I've never hit my head.

Happy camping!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by steeljag

Power awning is the way to go! With the shocks that allow for auto dump of rain, I'm not worried about it if we're gone. My awning arms are high, and out of the way so I've never hit my head.

Happy camping!

Just don't depend on the "Auto Dump" feature to keep from bending the awning tube. You will be sadly disappointed.

[ColoradoRick]

Ah y'all got bit by the upgrade bug...been there, done that! :-)

Your F150 should be fine for towing the extra weight. (I assume it's a V-8?)

We went from an 18" to a 34" so it was quite an adjustment...especially since I had to, also, get rid of my beloved Tacoma truck (V-6)...but I did get my dream truck, a Tundra...she's a beast and doesn't chuckle down the road with the camper like my Tacoma did.

Post new pics if you get her!!! :-)

[Slympicins]

My buddy loves the front window.

[Black]

Originally Posted by WFD

And I am from the opposite where I would have no problem giving up my electric awning and going back to a manual....I find manual gives me more flexibility to adjust the awning...can't can't enough angle out of the electric one to provide sufficient shade...and one less thing to go wrong...if your electric awning fails, you can retract it, but its a pain and then it needs to be serviced before you can use it again. I really don't find it a big deal to have to go outside and manually open and close the awning...just my 2 cents worth.

P.S. You know it's really not that big a deal to winterize them...no need to pay someone to do it for you, plus you learn a lot about your RV at the same time for future trouble shooting, etc.

I am with you on the awning 100%
I would much prefer a manual one...but they don't seem to exist anymore, or they cost way more.

[Old Bill]

We have a 2014 21FBRS, pull it with a 2013 Nissan Frontier V6 Crew Cab 4x4 using an Equalizer Hitch, and we have no problems pulling this unit up and down the foothills of Missouri. This was our first TT, so we've only had the electric awning, but as long as there is a way to roll it back up if the electric switch/motor fails (which there is), then I'll stay with that option. Hope you enjoy your unit as much as we do... it's perfect for the two of us.

[Mountndream]

We have no problem pulling this with a 4.8L 2000 Chevy Silverado. We just got back from the smokies and it pulled well.

We love ours. It's small enough to fit where we need ( like our driveway) but big enough that we don't feel too cramped

We had 7 people and 2 dogs very comfortably during a storm this summer


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[sunnygirl01]

We pick up the new camper tomorrow! I will be posting pics soon after. The old one and the new one are so much alike it will be "spot the differences" ! Lol!