2509S - Late-Year 2019 vs. 2020

[campbikemom]

Our family is looking to upgrade our Starcraft 19BH sometime the next year or so, and based on scouring the 'net and doing walk throughs at an RV show, I think that a nice murphy-bed option like the 2509S will be our best option for our family of 4 plus a German Shepherd.

We are not necessarily looking to buy now, but the dealer that we bought our 19BH from currently has a "later in the year" version of a 2019 on the lot (as well as a 2020 - but I am sure they are eager to have the 2019 go). I was wondering if there was somewhere where there is a good breakdown of all the little changes from version to version throughout the year that I am missing? The 2019 that this dealer has has the changes that I liked on the 2020 such as the pull down steps, the drawers on the night stands, the "water save" feature, outdoor storage, etc. At first glance I cannot pinpoint a difference between the two other than style (I happen to prefer the "shaker" style cabinets in the 2019) and year.

We are going later in the week to look at both so I am sure there are indeed differences, but I am hoping there might be a point by point document listing features so I could do a direct comparison.

Also, a random question that I will undoubtedly have answered when we make it over to look at them in more detail, but is the HEATED underbelly standard, or is that an added feature? I know they are all enclosed and one video I saw mention the heated feature. I hope it's standard, but that is probably too optimistic to think that.

[pilotpip]

Heated tanks is an option. I believe the big changes for the 2020 are they went back to a 2 burner stove instead of the crappy capital grill in the outdoor kitchen, and have a blackstone-style griddle that attaches to the rail. They also added TPMS and may have beefed up the frame for a receiver to attach a bike rack/cargo carrier on the back.

[campbikemom]

Originally Posted by pilotpip

Heated tanks is an option. I believe the big changes for the 2020 are they went back to a 2 burner stove instead of the crappy capital grill in the outdoor kitchen, and have a blackstone-style griddle that attaches to the rail. They also added TPMS and may have beefed up the frame for a receiver to attach a bike rack/cargo carrier on the back.

That’s where I’m confused - I had heard/read the same thing about the 2020’s, yet I have yet to see a 2020 with a 2 burner stove instead of the capital grill. It’s hard to discern between the versions!

[pilotpip]

They (the manufacturers) pretty much toss whatever they have sitting around the factory at that time in with no regard for what it is.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by campbikemom

That’s where I’m confused - I had heard/read the same thing about the 2020’s, yet I have yet to see a 2020 with a 2 burner stove instead of the capital grill. It’s hard to discern between the versions!

I have a 2020 built 6/26/19. It has the TPMS in it but none of the other changes.

[Jaz 1960]

Go on youtube do a search for 2019 or 2020 mini lite , there will be alot of videos for mini lites.

Originally Posted by s1njin

I have a 2020 built 6/26/19. It has the TPMS in it but none of the other changes.

[ependydad]

RV manufacturers don't do one "big bang" change at the end of one model year to the next. They do a series of changes as the year goes on and then around March start badging the models with the next model year.

My 2017 Spartan 1245 is identical to the early 2018 Spartan 1245. It had the changes that were important to us- different sink in the bathroom, different light fixtures in the kitchen, and different faucet.

The only downside is you have a "1 year older" rig when it comes for resale and the big Forest River Rally now that they implemented age restrictions on fixing issues with rigs.

[BostonRVer]

Originally Posted by s1njin

I have a 2020 built 6/26/19. It has the TPMS in it but none of the other changes.

I got one of the late model 2020 refresh models... it comes with a bunch more stuff then the earlier 2020s.. here is what I got:

- TPMS
- Sound bar inside
- 2in hitch in the back for a bike rack or something if you wanted
- got rid of the cream interior and went with a sand interior
- griddle outside instead of grille
- got rid of capital grille for 2 stove cooktop

I think thats the highlight of it.