Purchase Advice

[FR27]

Hello everyone! I'm not new to the site, but my first time posting. I need some advice for those that have experience with these two models. We are a family of five looking at purchasing a new TT with bunk beds. We are seriously looking at the Rockwood Ultra Lite 2706WS and have also considered the Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S. In your experience, which one would work better for us in the long term?

[ben31]

Welcome!

What are your trade-offs? Meaning what are your important (must have) items? Is more living space important, more storage, towing with a Prius (joke of course), etc.? What is your Tow Vehicle (TV) and what can it pull?

We'd love to help you with your decision (always fun helping others spend money!!), but we can't do that unless you give us some details about why you like them.

[67L48]

Let's start with what these trailers are. Then we can talk about the differences:

Ultra Lite 2706WS

Length: 32' 10"
GVWR: ~8,800 lbs

-------------------------------
Mini Lite 2509S

Length: 25' 9"
GVWR: ~6,700
*the queen bed in the front is a Murphy bed

-------------------------------
So, these are massively different trailers. One is a pretty long 33' trailer with a huge slide-out, dedicated bedroom, and larger bathroom. You're going to have to have a capable tow vehicle (read: larger than 1/2 ton).

The other is a light weight trailer that is under 26' and only 6,700 lbs. It's 27.5% shorter and it's 31% lighter. These are night and day differences. You could tow this with a properly equipped 1/2 ton.

Lots of factors come into play beyond just amenities preferences. Tow vehicle capability, storage facilities, and camping preferences are just a few. For example, I camp in lots of places that couldn't accommodate a 33' trailer, but could accommodate a 26' one. So, lots of very personal items will affect this choice.

Good luck.

[FR27]

Thanks for the reply!

This is not our first TT. We have had a pop up and 3 different TT from a 25' Micro Lite to our last TT, which was a Jayco Whitehawk 28DSBH. We are looking for something similar to our past 28 DSBH, which they do not produce anymore. I think to list what is important to us:
1. Comfortable living space for 2 adults and 3 kids, especially on bad weather days.
2. Quality build
3. Inside flow and good use of space
4. Outside storage
5. Ease of towing

I have a 2015 Ford F150 Supercrew with 3.5 Ecoboost. I use the 12000lbs Equalizer WD system.

[67L48]

1. Subjective. I think they both offer great living space and interior flow for a family of 5. Obviously, the larger trailer has more space and is, therefore, probably a bit more comfortable. It also facilitates someone napping on the Queen bed without losing your couch.
2. I believe the build quality of both Rockwood branded trailers will be similar. Larger trailer is more expensive and may have some higher grade materials. Not sure.
3. See (1) above.
4. Most likely the larger trailer will have more outside storage. It's best to go to youtube and watch a 2509S video that walks around. Even better if you can visit one in person. That will give you a feel for if the smaller trailer gives you enough outdoor storage.
5. As stated above, the smaller trailer will be much easier to tow.

I wouldn't feel comfortable towing 8,000+ lbs with a 1/2 ton (particularly if I had the weight of 5 people in the cab) ... but I don't want to completely flip this thread on its head by starting more TV wars. Just do your homework on ratings (GCWR, GVWR, Tow Capacity, etc.). My guess is that your factory tow hitch has a max capacity of 500 lbs with normal hitch and 900 lbs with a WDH. So, you'll almost certainly be exceeding your hitch ratings with the larger trailer.

Good luck.

[rockfordroo]

X2 on 67L48's comment on weight. You've asked for purchase advice, so I think weights are fair game.

Lots of folks on the forum will tell you they exceed their tow vehicles towing and payload limits and they have "no problems." (Well, no problems YET, anyway!).

But it's your wife and kids, so you get to decide.

[llr]

Personally I would not have another camper with only dinette seating. Especially for the bad weather times.

[FR27]

Thanks everyone...this is helping with the decision making process.

My struggle is really with the TV capacity. We have searched the brands and floor plans extensively over the past 6 months and REALLY like the Rockwood 2706WS, however, safety first. If the TV was not an issue the 2706WS is what we would buy. This is why we are considering the Mini Lite 2509S OR the other option is to get a new truck??

Any suggestions?? I have looked at the new F250 SD. Not sure if I want this as daily driver though.

[Rookiewood]

We are a family of 4, the kids are 14 and 12 and we are REALLY happy with the Rockwood 8311WS.

[windsurfdog]

Originally Posted by llr

Personally I would not have another camper with only dinette seating. Especially for the bad weather times.

Why do you state that when both trailers have sofas?

[cheeseheadjim]

Originally Posted by llr

Personally I would not have another camper with only dinette seating. Especially for the bad weather times.

The 2509S does have a sofa. It is underneath the Murphy bed, so is available as long as no one is using the bed.

Jim S

[llr]

Originally Posted by windsurfdog

Why do you state that when both trailers have sofas?

I just glanced at the floor plan and missed the one under the bed, still not a favorite but it works

[RACarvalho]

We are also a family of 5 and we looked at 2706WS and 2702WS for I wanted to keep the lenght short but we end up with the 2909WS.....

What both (2706 and 2702) have of good (for us):
Both are Rockwood (we are in our second Rockwood and both are great)
Both have the frame dropped in the front so the cargo area is huge.
Both have the wardrobe slide out.
Both have the front window that we love.

What the 2706 has we didn't like:
Kitchen counter top too small and extension block the passage to the main bedroom.
Not too much/too high storage for pot and pans.
Kids clothes needs to share space with food in the wardrobe/pantry.

What the 2702 has we didn't like:
It doesn't have an external kitchen
Feels more cramped than the 2706

Between the two I would have chosen the 2702 for the bunks seems to be bigger and the kids have better space for their clothes.

Coming from a 23 Hybrid and now with two teenagers, We would not go with the Minilite for as the kids grow they need more space as we found out....

We end up with the 2909 because it has all the good stuff of the two above plus:
1 - the kids have their own space which is important when 2 of your 3 kids are teenagers.....
2 - Bathroom is bigger (my teenagers are tall guys)
3 - The dinette can comfortable seat 5 and we can eat at the same time w/o elbow fighting...
4 - The dinette can really sleep two adult size people which will be good when kids bring their friends along....
5 - Countertop extension don't hold traffic and lots of storage space (teenagers eat a lot !!!).

By the end, I believe the extra cost and weight was totally worth for us.

[67L48]

Correct, the 2509S actually has a larger sofa than the large trailer. The issue is, of course, that it's mutually exclusive with bed use. The large trailer has a bedroom with TV that doesn't compete with anything in the living space. There are a bunch of advantages to having a dedicated, private bedroom.

There are a lot of downsides to a 33', heavy trailer. There are a ton of upsides, too. There is no right answer here. It's a very personal decision that will be difficult for us to help with.

There are a few threads in this forum specifically about the 2509S (and the 2504S, which is nearly identical). Read those. There are also a few threads specifically about the Murphy Bed. Read those. Those will help you get a better feel for how people manage with smaller trailers, how they like/dislike the compromises, and other experiences.

For me, I just could never justify towing that kind of weight with my own F150. Others may think I'm an idiot for artificially limiting my towing capacity of my truck. (Spoiler alert: they're ultimately right. I am an idiot ... just probably for other reasons.)

I'd have no use for a 33' trailer based on the camping I do -- it wouldn't fit in too many places and I'd have no storage. You couldn't give me an outdoor kitchen. No thanks. I wouldn't use it and I'd rather have the storage. But other people LOVE those things (which is very fair). And, I could go on.

The point is that these things are so highly subjective and personal, that, well, the ball is probably back in your court for additional reading, thinking, and introspective soul-searching. Well, maybe not the last thing.

Good luck.

[itat]

For a family of 5, the Rockwood 2706WS is easily a better space for rainy days. Here's video of the (then) brand new 2017 model that gives pretty good info on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLrJ-7mVLqg

We are a family of 5 as well although our 3 boys are now in their late teens and early 20s so they rarely all camp with us at the same time anymore, but we did have to consider them when we bought our current TT a few years ago. So I can offer that perspective.

With our boys being in their teens at the time, we decided to not look at bunk models knowing that they wouldn't be camping with us for much longer. We opted for the U-dinette and sleeper sofa to accommodate them when they are with us. If your kids are younger then bunks are the way to go since they be using them for years to come.

My wife would have nothing to do a Murphy bed because she insisted that the sofa be available at all times. I'm not that particular about it but it's definitely a nice thing to have. That obviously means a longer and heavier trailer. So, I'll talk about the weight issue at this point.

In our case, we bought our 2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS used - it's 32' long and weighs 7300# fully loaded. My previous F-150 was 600# over its 7200# GVWR, and 200# over its 4000# rear axle rating. The 5.4L engine could certainly pull it, but it was way overloaded in terms of payload. And you could feel it, too. That was too much for my comfort, so I upgraded last year to a F-250.

Your newer F-150 will have a better payload number and the 3.5L Ecoboost will be able to pull the 2706WS easily, but depending upon how much you have in the truck you may also be close to its rated GVWR. In the video I linked to, the salesman says that that particular unit weighs 6500# (empty). You'll add 1000# in stuff so count on it weighing at least 7500# with a tongue weight of about 12% of that, or 900#. Some folks here prefer to just use 12% of a TT's GVWR to be conservative.

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by 67L48

You're going to have to have a capable tow vehicle (read: larger than 1/2 ton).

No need for larger than 1/2 ton truck.

If the GVWR is 8800 the tongue weight would be ~900lbs and if you have a payload around 1600lbs that will be ok.
Also, it seems that the average 1/2 ton today can tow 10K lbs which is plenty for tow a 8800lbs max trailer....

[FR27]

Thanks "Itat"

I've done the calculations and we would be close to GVWR, but still under. I have been looking at an F250 to allow me more of a safety margin. How do you like yours?

[GearHd6]

Do you know the towing limit and payload from the door sticker of your truck? My dad has a 15 Eco Boost that has some pretty impressive numbers for a 1/2 ton. He tows a rather large Arctic Fox and is within his trucks limits.

[itat]

Originally Posted by FR27

Thanks "Itat"

I've done the calculations and we would be close to GVWR, but still under. I have been looking at an F250 to allow me more of a safety margin. How do you like yours?

I like towing with the F-250 a lot more than the F-150. The F-250 is built for towing trailers much heavier than my current TT so its more than stout enough for my needs. I have the 6.2L gas engine. Compared to the 5.4L it’s noticeably thirstier but I didn’t buy it for fuel economy. It’s no rocket off the line given the weight of the F-250, but it makes good power above 3000 rpm. A diesel would get better mpg, especially when towing, but it had a CAD$9000 premium that I couldn’t justify for all I tow, what I tow and where I tow.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

No need for larger than 1/2 ton truck. [...]

Fair enough. I said >1/2 ton. You said 1/2 ton is OK. Neither provided any data or arguments. I suspect you're correct and I'm wrong, but let's walk through the data for fun.

Let's start here: 2015 Ford Towing Guide.

OP stated 2015 F150 SCrew with the Ecoboost V6. I'll assume 4WD and no max tow package.

We have the following ratings:
GVWR: 7,850 (mine is only 7,700)
GCWR: 16,100 (mine is only 13,500)
Tow Capacity: 10,700
Payload: 1,718
Curb Weight: 4,800 (mine is 5,500)

Let's start with easy math: GCWR - GVWR = 8,200 lbs. What does this mean? Like most vehicles, it means that one cannot both maximize the truck and the trailer. This is a common mistake. People think they can put 7,800 lbs on the truck and tow 10,700 lbs. Nope.

What is actually on the truck? Well, there's 5 people. Let's figure 600 lbs of clothed human. There's 100 lbs for the WDH. Let's assume another 300 lbs of stuff -- options on the car, entertainment items, computers, maybe campfire wood, bikes, grill guard, pets, illegal human organs that you're trafficking, and other stuff. Total of "things" on the truck are around 1,000 lbs, which is conservatively high.

So, we have 5,800 lbs on the truck (probably less). So, GCWR - Truck Weight = 10,300. Note that this is still less than the theoretical tow rating. Again, it's important that in light duty vehicles, almost always (but not strictly always) the tow rating can only be achieved in an otherwise empty vehicle. That is why the GCWR is maybe the single most important rating, but the one that almost always gets omitted from the discussion.

But, it's still well within the 8,000 lb larger trailer weight. By my calculations, the OP is fine with the F150. I would not be able to tow it with my 2005 5.4 V8 F150 SCrew 4WD.

Hope that helps and feel free to point out calculation errors.