2304ks 2016 with 2016 Chevy Colorado

[Picnic]

We are seriously looking at a Rockwood Minilite 2304ks and just bought a Chevy Colorado with trailer package (7000#) anticipating towing an ultralite. We had considered a Passport until we saw the 2304ks and today saw the sister Flagstaff Microlite 23FBKS and feel they are better value and have all we want in a couple (plus dog) TT. Years ago we had two smaller units, traveled quite a lot (live in western NC but traveled from Nova Scotia to Santa Fe at various times) so know this will suit us. We had also considered the Minilite 2104s with murphy bed but believe the 2304ks has much more overall storage, important to us. We'd appreciate any thoughts on choice, TV or from those that have this model.

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by Picnic

We are seriously looking at a Rockwood Minilite 2304ks and just bought a Chevy Colorado with trailer package (7000#) anticipating towing an ultralite. We had considered a Passport until we saw the 2304ks and today saw the sister Flagstaff Microlite 23FBKS and feel they are better value and have all we want in a couple (plus dog) TT. Years ago we had two smaller units, traveled quite a lot (live in western NC but traveled from Nova Scotia to Santa Fe at various times) so know this will suit us. We had also considered the Minilite 2104s with murphy bed but believe the 2304ks has much more overall storage, important to us. We'd appreciate any thoughts on choice, TV or from those that have this model.

It's a nice model. It's the one that I almost purchased until I saw the 2504KS it has the dinette, sofa, and bed that has the storage area under the bed. Dry weight on the 2304 was 4185 lb, and the 2404 was right about 4500 lbs. also the 2504 had a higher capacity for cargo 2000 lbs versus 1500 on the 2304. I pull it with my Tacoma Prerunner with a 3.0 V6. Still can do 75mph with it if I want to so the Colorado should really have no issue the the lighter model. Just make sure you have the right tongue weight, and tire pressure, or you can get a lot of sway. As for the TV situation, I have seen people go as big as 32 inches without any issues. I put a 28 inch samsung in mine after market. I could have gone bigger, but I got a great deal on the 28 incher...I'm sure you will have a bast in the mini lite... Some folks that have purchased the lighter Rockwoods have had issues with raw laminate but edges showing in the wheel well. So make sure and look for this issue before you roll off the lot.

[Picnic]

Thank you. Need to clarify two things--the 2104s does not have murphy bed, but sofa in slider. Also, I had seen TV used in forum for tow vehicle and meant that BUT thanks for the info about the television as we also wondered about that LOL. Very glad to hear that your Tacoma has no issues with pulling the heavier model as we pulled our smaller TTs with both a Silverado and then a van and had researched the Colorado for towing and have specified what we will be towing with when looking but still am glad for real life examples.

[Rrickim63]

Please check yellow ccc sticker in door jamb of colorado to be sure you have an enough payload capacity for whichever camper you choose.

[Ken K.]

see below just to satify the truck snobs who think you need a duramax 3500 to pull anything....


Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 2.5L I-4 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 2.5L I-4 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Long box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Long box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)


(z) Towing package required

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by Picnic

Thank you. Need to clarify two things--the 2104s does not have murphy bed, but sofa in slider. Also, I had seen TV used in forum for tow vehicle and meant that BUT thanks for the info about the television as we also wondered about that LOL. Very glad to hear that your Tacoma has no issues with pulling the heavier model as we pulled our smaller TTs with both a Silverado and then a van and had researched the Colorado for towing and have specified what we will be towing with when looking but still am glad for real life examples.

lol yeah sorry it was 4 am I would have caught that normally, luckily I still covered the question some how...

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Ken K.

see below just to satify the truck snobs who think you need a duramax 3500 to pull anything....


Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 2.5L I-4 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Short box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 2.5L I-4 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Standard box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Long box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 3,500

Colorado/Canyon Crew Cab, Long box 2WD/4WD 3.6L V-6 7,000 (z)


(z) Towing package required

How about providing a corresponding table showing payloads?

Bruce

[Picnic]

I checked the payload for our Colorado crew cab and it is 1552. The towing weight with towing package is 7000# but we should be well below both.

Thanks to everyone pointing out things to pay attention to. We don't want to go larger and the 19s are a bit small for us. There are two of us with a smallish dog and are used to traveling with a medium bag for each and having trailered long distances before understand what we really need and what we really don't need--we think LOL. My necessities are my laptop and Ipad and camera gear and can adjust otherwise.

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by nomad297

How about providing a corresponding table showing payloads?

Bruce

I didn't think the 300-400 lb tongue weight would overwhelm the colorado...not like he's hitching up a fiver...wasn't even concerned.

[keeprr]

We looked at a lot of smaller trailers and bought the Mini Lite 2502ks on the first visit to the dealer. There's just myself, the DW and the Yorkie. I liked the idea of the sofa and dinette. I don't like sitting at the dinette for long periods of time plus someone has their back to the TV. Nor that we spend a lot of time inside but there are those days.
The Mini Lite has been trouble free aside for a couple of loose screws. Only camped 20 some days this year and only covered about 1500 miles.

[Picnic]

Thanks all. We will use the TT as more of a rolling hotel room than for camping per se. With us too, there is only myself, my husband and our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel leaving our 9 YO Standard Poodle at home since she does not like to travel. We tend to wander with some planning so keeping it relatively light, smaller truck, good amount of storage for clothing, kitchen and personal items was our priority. BUT that being said, our shake down trip WILL be camping LOL on Jekylls Island, GA, not a long trip from western NC. We do have to make up our minds but we are leaning very far toward the Rockwood MiniLite 2034ks as it meets all of our requirements and there is a good dealer relatively close. We have looked at many possibles within at least a 90 mile area and still come back to this.

[220Chap]

The Passport was a finalist for me as well until I came across the Mini Lite / Micro Lite line

[bailer6334]

We purchased our 2304ks in July. Have used it 4 times so far 10 nights about 2500 miles. As my signature says I tow with a Durango with the 5.7L Hemi does fine. Love the Mini. The storage is better than most in its size range. We downsized from Arctic Fox 5er, and the unit is well insulated. The couch is very comfortable, for sitting or watching TV. The yellow sticker on our unit shows 1340lb carrying capacity. So I only fill fresh water about 10 gallons. We have a Equalizer 4 point Hitch, and I recommend a equalizer hitch. When a semi or other large vehicle passes we have very little or no sway. Its a great unit.

Good Luck

[Picnic]

Thanks. We have an equalizer hitch with sway bars priced into the deal. Appreciate the input about sofa comfort and the low volume fresh water. The storage is why we are likely choosing the 2034ks over the 2109s, even more than some of the slightly larger models we looked at within our weight range. We saw a Microlite with the 2304 without kitchen slide and though the storage was about the same, the difference in feel of volume was significant to us.

[Ken K.]

I think you are going to be more than happy with that setup. You may or may not have experience setting up trunnion style WDHs. There are some awesome videos online regarding setup. The dealer doesn't always set it up for you in the correct way. With the micros as I'm sure you alreadyknow. if the tongue pressure/weight isn't right, they can get a lot of sway going down the road. People are always so quick to blame the truck size for sway, it's often the weight distribution and tongue weight. Just putting it out there for the benefit of the truck snobs more than anything I guess.

[Picnic]

Bought the 2304ks today. We will go back after the first of the year to have hitch, brake box, etc installed. They added a slide topper which has to be ordered from factory so that will slow it down a bit but that's fine. We don't plan to use it until March. Excited to finally make the decision. Santa came early. On top of that we got a call today that the cover for the truck bed was in and will be installed tomorrow--painted to match and basically flat. Can't wait for first trip. The biggest change for us will be dealing with a slider, think the rest will come back quickly.

[Ken K.]

Originally Posted by Picnic

Bought the 2304ks today. We will go back after the first of the year to have hitch, brake box, etc installed. They added a slide topper which has to be ordered from factory so that will slow it down a bit but that's fine. We don't plan to use it until March. Excited to finally make the decision. Santa came early. On top of that we got a call today that the cover for the truck bed was in and will be installed tomorrow--painted to match and basically flat. Can't wait for first trip. The biggest change for us will be dealing with a slider, think the rest will come back quickly.

Congratulations on your new unit! You will not be disappointed.

[keeprr]

Congrats on the Mini Lite. We love ours.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Ken K.

I didn't think the 300-400 lb tongue weight would overwhelm the colorado...not like he's hitching up a fiver...wasn't even concerned.

Good point!

Bruce

[Ken K.]

Mini Lites Unite!