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Old 09-20-2017, 01:20 PM   #1
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Mini Lite redesigned for 2018

Has anyone seen the new 2018 Mini Lite, yet? I just found pics here from a dealer in Illinois:

#RB201818789 - 2018 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2304KS for sale in Bridgeview IL - House of Camping

It doesn't have all the specs but the front end is totally redesigned. This link is to a 2304KS and the GVWR is almost a 1000 lbs. lighter. It looks like the grey and black tanks hold 5 gals. less. Tongue weight is 130 lbs. lighter. Pay load is considerably lighter - less than 900 lbs. - soI guess that means the axles are probably lighter, too.

What's your first impression of the changes?
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:26 PM   #2
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You probably need to be more specific in your title. The models I look at, 2504S and 2509s, have no discernible differences between 2017 and 2018 that I've noticed.

Good luck.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:30 PM   #3
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I bet that's because the new design for those models probably hasn't been released yet. I may be wrong, but I kind of doubt they'd redesign the whole front end on only some of the new 2018s. Do you think they'd have both square front AND a round front models?
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:32 PM   #4
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Just almost purchased a custom built 2509S. Been wanting one for almost a year. Did 1 last search on rvtrader checking them out and ran across 1 that looked different. Dug around and, sure enough, they all now have that rounded front with the large window. Backed out and bought Wildwood. It wasn't as good of a floor plan, but it was cheaper- and I figured if I couldn't get exactly what I wanted I'd just save some money. Just couldn't get past the front window on the Rockwood. The 2509S has a murphy bed, so the window is completely useless. Bed will be up during the day, so you can't even see out the window. And at night or during naps when the bed is down you've got less privacy and a huge window over your head letting in light and heat- not good for Texas camping. Plus- at some point I KNOW that thing is gonna take a hit from a rock. No telling how much it would cost to replace. And what happens in 5 years when they don't make them like that any more and that glass gets cracked? Would probably be next to impossible to find a replacement. Looks like a problem just waiting to happen to me with no real benefit- at least none for the murphy bed floor plans. And I'm pretty sure that the awning is shorter now, at least on the 2509S. Looks like at least 1' less awning on the front- I guess to accommodate the curved profile. Didn't even think to check GVWR specs. The 2509S was around 1600 and I needed every bit of that for a family of 6 and what all we carry. I typically don't even consider anything with less than 2K CCC. No way could I have made do with a reduction in GVWR if your research is correct. If anything most of those MiniLites needed an additional 500 pounds MINIMUM INCREASE.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:33 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by 67L48 View Post
You probably need to be more specific in your title. The models I look at, 2504S and 2509s, have no discernible differences between 2017 and 2018 that I've noticed.

Good luck.
This is a mid year change. I've confirmed that all new going forward are like this. Only ones that you'll see with the changes are ones that have just arrived at dealers in the last week or two.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:33 PM   #6
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His link is a 2304KS.

I believe this is the new design they are going to. I saw one on a video someone else posted in the last couple of days. Nice to have the front window, but it doesn't open. Dustman makes some good points about it, too.

There's also a new Roo 23FL that has the same front, and just one fold out bunk at the rear. the inside is HUGE; you could square dance in it:

2018 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD ROO 23FL

Their website brochure doesn't show the new fronts yet. It's a 2/24/17 brochure. (The brochure date is on the very last line of the very last page.)
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:37 PM   #7
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dustman - I agree with you about the front window. It seems useless to me, too.

My husband and I are ready to buy a TT but there are no 23' Mini Lite or Micro Lite near us, and we've not had a chance to go inside one that size. We didn't want to order on sight unseen. We've been waiting for new models to arrive at the dealers out west and they've been delayed.

I'm not crazy about some of the changes at first glance.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:39 PM   #8
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This is a mid year change. I've confirmed that all new going forward are like this. Only ones that you'll see with the changes are ones that have just arrived at dealers in the last week or two.
OK. Thanks for the clarification.

The question is: does the presence of a front window with the Murphy bed models excuse the horribly goofy looking front end?


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Old 09-20-2017, 01:40 PM   #9
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dustman - My "research" consists only of what I see on that dealer's site. I'd love to get full specs and an explanation of all the changes. I'm worried that this new model may be a wimpy.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:42 PM   #10
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The front may look goofy, but I'm thinking it's more aerodynamic than the old flat one that most of us have.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:48 PM   #11
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rockfordroo - that new Roo looks odd to me. Are there really a lot of people who want an enormous TV that rises up out of a cabinet AND they want to sleep in a tent, too? I'm thinking that might be a pretty narrow market - lol.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:50 PM   #12
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You're still pulling a brick. I doubt you'd notice any difference in mileage.
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Old 09-20-2017, 01:52 PM   #13
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OK. Thanks for the clarification.

The question is: does the presence of a front window with the Murphy bed models excuse the horribly goofy looking front end?



Not for me. I thought it looked goofy, too. And I can't handle owning something that looks goofy no matter how functional. When it's goofy AND not functional, it's a definite no-go.
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Old 09-20-2017, 02:22 PM   #14
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We just bought a 2018 2504S that does not have the window in the front, but we didn't think it was non functional when we saw some with it. We often have our trailer/truck configuration at campgrounds such that we cant see our truck (because its in front of the trailer). Our first thought was, when we are in bed, we can peak out and see the truck. Useless is a subjective term that gets tossed around as an absolute.
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Old 09-20-2017, 02:41 PM   #15
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I'd say it's all in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't mind a small window for the purpose you mentioned, but to lose such a large area of insulation for a window that's only accessible when the bed is down seems an odd design choice to me.
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Old 09-20-2017, 02:44 PM   #16
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We just bought a 2018 2504S that does not have the window in the front, but we didn't think it was non functional when we saw some with it. We often have our trailer/truck configuration at campgrounds such that we cant see our truck (because its in front of the trailer). Our first thought was, when we are in bed, we can peak out and see the truck. Useless is a subjective term that gets tossed around as an absolute.
Fine. Useless AFAIC. The potential issues are many, the uses few, IMHO.
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Old 09-20-2017, 03:00 PM   #17
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I certainly agree its a disaster in the making, which is why I didn't go with that style front. Seems strange to have a window on the front that is uncovered while traveling, just waiting to get smashed by a rock or bird or who knows what else. There have been forward facing windows on rvs forever, but most have a hard plastic cover that folds down to cover the window


As far as insulation, if the bed is in the stored position, the mattress is your insulation, and that would probably be more effective than any other wall on the trailer. Temps are going to be down and no direct sun when the bed is down (at night), so I wouldn't be concerned about that. Though I overall agree its negatives outweigh the positives
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Old 09-20-2017, 03:21 PM   #18
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I certainly agree its a disaster in the making, which is why I didn't go with that style front. Seems strange to have a window on the front that is uncovered while traveling, just waiting to get smashed by a rock or bird or who knows what else. There have been forward facing windows on rvs forever, but most have a hard plastic cover that folds down to cover the window


As far as insulation, if the bed is in the stored position, the mattress is your insulation, and that would probably be more effective than any other wall on the trailer. Temps are going to be down and no direct sun when the bed is down (at night), so I wouldn't be concerned about that. Though I overall agree its negatives outweigh the positives
I wouldn't have had a problem with them adding a window as long as it has a cover- like the signature ultralites have. Still pretty much useless with the murphy bed, but I get needing them to be consistent across the lineup. I'd want it added to the old style front design though- not feeling the bubble look at all.
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Old 09-20-2017, 03:25 PM   #19
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Agree with the new shape being odd. My concern with the rounded front is that I put a truck bed box on the tongue between the propane tanks and front wall, to hold my battery, etc, and I don't know if it would function. The rounded part starts to encroach on the area that is needed to open the box lid with the hinges located on the back of the box
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Old 09-20-2017, 03:26 PM   #20
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How does the rest of the trailer compare to a 2017 model? Other than fabrics are they the same? I am not familiar enough with this model to know. Jay
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