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Old 10-16-2017, 09:43 PM   #1
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Long Story short, getting new front window model 2507s

We have a 2018 mini lite 2507s built in July, and will be trading it for the new model that they started building in August. No fault of either model, just an unfortunate incident. We have not picked it up yet, but if anyone is deciding between the two and are interested, the changes that I can see are:
Obvious, the front window. The far side bedroom window is no longer the escape, that is now in the dinette. The two little trunks front door side are now one bigger trunk. There is more room for batteries and possibly a tool box or small generator on the tongue which has a rack on it. Tongue is lighter, about 25lbs. Steps are different, seem easier to use. Added an extra access door on the cabinets over the dinette. Fixed the pull tab on the bed with a washer. Slightly darker exterior and the decals look nicer. Better colour match. Slightly different light fixture over dinette. Awning one foot shorter. Coax adaptor on door side has a nice cover.
That's all I can think of now, feel free to ask any specific questions if you have them.
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Old 10-16-2017, 09:58 PM   #2
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Thanks for the details

We have a 2018 2509S that was built in May with a flat front. A week ago we were camping and saw the new 2509S in the campground. I didn't want to get too nosy but I picked up a few outside differences you listed.

Multiple models in the same year. Reminds me of the 1964.5 Mustang
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Old 10-17-2017, 11:46 AM   #3
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We will be taking delivery of the “new 2018” version of the 2104s very soon, so very anxious to see what the actual differences are - besides the obvious addition of the front window on the MurphyBed version.
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Old 10-27-2017, 08:02 AM   #4
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We will be taking delivery of the “new 2018” version of the 2104s very soon, so very anxious to see what the actual differences are - besides the obvious addition of the front window on the MurphyBed version.
I just picked up the new version I call the 2018.5 Flagstaff 21DS (same as 2104S) in oyster color. Has all of the options and love that new front rack. Really like it. Going to get in one trip before the winter.
It is heavier than the previous version. My dry weight is 4,517lbs vs brochure of 4,304lbs.. Changes per factory: started using a heavier duty mounting bracket for slide, 5/8" tongue & groove plywood flooring, the floor is 3" longer due to front curve, front glass window, and big front rack.
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Old 10-27-2017, 11:16 PM   #5
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sportbikenut - Have you seen the new brochure for the 2018.5 models? Here's a link for the Micro Lite and Shamrock brochure:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/brochu...ckbrochure.pdf

It lists the unloaded weight for the 21DS at 4543 and the hitch weight went up to 548 (previously 383). I was wondering what accounted for the weight increase. Is the tongue and groove a big part of that?
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Old 10-28-2017, 07:52 AM   #6
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sportbikenut - Have you seen the new brochure for the 2018.5 models? Here's a link for the Micro Lite and Shamrock brochure:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/brochu...ckbrochure.pdf

It lists the unloaded weight for the 21DS at 4543 and the hitch weight went up to 548 (previously 383). I was wondering what accounted for the weight increase. Is the tongue and groove a big part of that?
Thanks, I was not aware that the new brochure came out. Wonder if there are typo's in it, as the stated weight is even higher than mine. Not sure what flooring was used before as I could not find it in the previous brochure. But, the 5/8" was added to the entire line, so it does not explain why the 21DS is heavier than the 23's. It could be the slide reinforcement is heavier than expected. One other thought is the axles. For this unit they could have gone with 2 - 3k rated axles, but the build sheet shows 2 - 3.5k axles. Maybe they are heavier too?
I do like how solid the entire camper feels. No flex in the floor anywhere. And same for the roof. And they did address the issue that others have commented on in the past, where the TV does have an audio mode that routes the sound thru the ceiling speakers.
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Old 10-28-2017, 07:56 AM   #7
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I just picked up the new version I call the 2018.5 Flagstaff 21DS (same as 2104S) in oyster color. Has all of the options and love that new front rack. Really like it. Going to get in one trip before the winter.
It is heavier than the previous version. My dry weight is 4,517lbs vs brochure of 4,304lbs.. Changes per factory: started using a heavier duty mounting bracket for slide, 5/8" tongue & groove plywood flooring, the floor is 3" longer due to front curve, front glass window, and big front rack.
Seems like if the floor is 3" longer, and there's more room on the tongue, that the frame must also be longer.

Edit: Just checked the Shamrock brochure posted above against last years Roo brochure and the new one is 2" longer than the old one. 21ft 9in vs 21ft 7in. But I still don't understand how the floor can be 3" longer and still have more room on the tongue. Seems there should be 3" - 2" = 1" LESS room on the tongue. Unless the box has been moved backwards closer to the bumper.
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Old 10-28-2017, 01:09 PM   #8
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The higher axle weight is interesting. There's a member here who has a 2016 2304KS who felt the axles for that year were underweight for the trailer so beefing the axles up is probably a good thing.

I wish I knew more about how the weights went up. We have a 23FBKS on order that we're not expecting until December. The brochure says tongue weight of that unit went up by 53 pounds and is now one of the heaviest in the line at 643 lbs. The FR rep thought it was going to stay the same as the previous model, so I get the feeling no one really knows what all the changes are yet.
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Old 10-28-2017, 01:54 PM   #9
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The higher axle weight is interesting. There's a member here who has a 2016 2304KS who felt the axles for that year were underweight for the trailer so beefing the axles up is probably a good thing.

I wish I knew more about how the weights went up. We have a 23FBKS on order that we're not expecting until December. The brochure says tongue weight of that unit went up by 53 pounds and is now one of the heaviest in the line at 643 lbs. The FR rep thought it was going to stay the same as the previous model, so I get the feeling no one really knows what all the changes are yet.
Did the old brochures include the weight of the new plywood floors?
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)

2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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Old 10-28-2017, 02:58 PM   #10
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I would say no, as the old brochures are close to 2 years old and this is a recent change. But, what were the old floors? Luan, particle board, OSB, ??
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Old 10-28-2017, 03:41 PM   #11
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I would say no, as the old brochures are close to 2 years old and this is a recent change. But, what were the old floors? Luan, particle board, OSB, ??
Luan and foam as I understand it.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)

2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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Old 10-28-2017, 07:21 PM   #12
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I prefer good old plywood!
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