Community Forums

rte1985 · 12-24-2018, 06:53 AM

I have been eyeing two different campers and I am so torn. The campers in question are the winnebago micro minnie 2306bhs and the rockwood mini lite 2509s. Things that put the winnebago ahead is the cargo capacity and 15 inch wheels. We are a family of five and I don't want to overload the camper. With 2800 lbs of ccc even after batteries, lp, full fresh water tanks and wdh we will still have over 2000 lbs left which is awesome! I love how the camper is fully functional with the slide in also. It is also lighter than the rockwood which will make towing that much easier. I also prefer the interior decor and the televison location. The rockwood on the other hand has larger murphy bed. Double wide bunks instead of single in the minnie. The bathroom isn't as nice as the minnie imo. There is more storage in the rockwood and it has an outdoor kitchen which is nice but isn't a huge deal for us. Also you can't use the murphy bed unless the slide is out and you have to hop over the dinette to access the camper with slide in. My biggest concern is the cargo capacity is 1500 lbs. After dealer options, 200 lb propride hitch, lp, batteries etc and fresh water tanks filled (58 gallon versus 31 on the minnie which is a pro for rockwood). that would leave 500-600 lbs cargo of actual stuff which is nothing for a family of 5!!! Plus it has 14 inch wheels.... I don't want to be a weight nazi and have to carefully watch everything that goes in the camper. I want to load up whatever we need without a worry of being over weight. The rockwood just has some really nice EXTRA features. What are your thoughts or what would sway you? Price wise the rockwood seems to be about 3000 cheaper. Decisions decisions. There really isn't a perfect camper out there!

steve52 · 12-24-2018, 07:17 AM

The Rockwood may have more storage volume-wise, but 500 lb of cargo is nothing. Keep in mind too that a Murphy bed eats up your front pass thru storage. Not being able to get around the inside with the slide in would be a deal breaker for me.

For your large family, I'd say the Winnie is a better choice.

scbwr · 12-24-2018, 07:39 AM

I'd go with the Micro Minnie. Our 2014 2201DS Minnie trailer was a really good trailer. And you want the larger cargo capacity.

tuffr2 · 12-24-2018, 08:06 AM

If you go to YouTube you can watch Traveling Robert. He travels in a Winnebago Mini, not the model you are looking at but a Mini.

He does a 3 year review. With just him things are holding up very well.

Also to me, cargo capacity tells a little of how well the Winnebago is built. I think the Winnebago has the very best fiberglass and you can pick a color. That is if a family of 5 can agree on anything...

Also the bigger tires is a good thing.

I am looking at the Winnebago Mini Plus models. Their build quality gets a

from me. The added Cargo Capacity, to me, means tires, axles, frame is better.

I have not looked at the Rockwoods yet so I can not comment on their build quality.

rte1985 · 12-24-2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

If you go to YouTube you can watch Traveling Robert. He travels in a Winnebago Mini, not the model you are looking at but a Mini.

He does a 3 year review. With just him things are holding up very well.

Also to me, cargo capacity tells a little of how well the Winnebago is built. I think the Winnebago has the very best fiberglass and you can pick a color. That is if a family of 5 can agree on anything...

Also the bigger tires is a good thing.

I am looking at the Winnebago Mini Plus models. Their build quality gets a

from me. The added Cargo Capacity, to me, means tires, axles, frame is better.

I have not looked at the Rockwoods yet so I can not comment on their build quality.

Its funny you mentioned that! I just watched all of his videos recently! I have read a lot of "which one would be best" on the forums but didn't see any comparing these two brands. I read a lot of happy rockwood owner threads but when you read about people comparing campers not to many people seem to consider the foundation of the camper. I lot of people get excited on the glitz and glam but tires, axles, frame, cargo capacity and holding tanks hold a lot of weight for me. I don't plan on packing the house but with 3 kids ccc is VERY important. I give winnebago a big thumbs up on there micro minnie line having 15 inch tires and a nice beefy cargo capacity! You just don't see that in these smaller campers. I came across a family blog where a family of six and 1 dog are full timing in a micro minnie 2100bh (one size smaller than what we are looking at) and it seems to fit them well. Thanks for the replies! Looking at getting a deposit on something this coming year. Also Merry Christmas to everyone

Mr_D · 12-24-2018, 08:35 AM

Be careful when looking at the CCC without actually weighing the rig.
Our story: ordered a MH with an advertised CCC of 5700#'s, when it came in the weight sticker showed a CCC of 630#'s and the front was overweight if the fuel tank was full and before we even sat down.
So, unless you have the actual weights to go by you may have far less than you think.

tuffr2 · 12-24-2018, 10:08 AM

Forgot to mention, a bit more detail on the Winnebago. It uses a semi custom BAL frame and Huck Bolts to keep things together. My understanding is Huck Bolts are better than welds. And for what it is worth. Like I said I was looking at the Mini Plus. I crawled under one to look at the axle capacity. I expected to see 4,400lb capacity but saw 5,200lb capacity.

I find Traveling Robert a good channel as he has good presentation IMHO.

cherv · 12-24-2018, 10:16 AM

We had a 2013 flagstaff micro lite 21fbrs and loved it. Center walk around bed and pass thru storage. No issues in 5 yrs. I amm and we decided it was time to share the driving so traded in 21fbrs for a jajcp class c 22j mh. Wife drives it no problem

rte1985 · 12-24-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Be careful when looking at the CCC without actually weighing the rig.
Our story: ordered a MH with an advertised CCC of 5700#'s, when it came in the weight sticker showed a CCC of 630#'s and the front was overweight if the fuel tank was full and before we even sat down.
So, unless you have the actual weights to go by you may have far less than you think.

True on the CCC. When they list the dry weight/tongue weight/and cargo capacity that is usually a bare bone rig. By the time you add options/ ac/ spare tire/ television etc etc it can cut down on that advertised cargo capacity by a couple of hundred pounds or even more! That is why the Rockwood capacity scares me off. 1500 lbs advertised but by the time you add the options or if the dealer adds stuff you might actually start off with 1200-1300 lbs of cargo. Then add full lp, a couple of batteries, the 200 lb wdh and fill the fresh water you might literally be around 400-600 lb capacity left before you even put a pair of socks or some pots and pans in. For a bunk house model you will have those axles maxed or over maxed in no time. The minnie on the other han!d has a cargo capacity of 2800. There are only 3 options you can add to it so even with it optioned out lp, batteries, wdh and full fresh water tank you will still have roughly 1800-2000 lbs of cargo capacity left. That leaves plenty of room for any "stuff" you want to bring. Also being a smaller camper that in itself limits how much "stuff" you can cram into it. Highly doubt you would ever stress the minnies axles and you would have some breathing room with that rig. The more I talk about the minnie the more I'm setting my mind on it!

Desert Flyer · 12-29-2018, 10:02 PM

Family of 5 and only 25 gallon black and gray waste tanks ... hmmmm.

rte1985 · 12-30-2018, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Flyer

Family of 5 and only 25 gallon black and gray waste tanks ... hmmmm.

Full hook ups it won’t be a problem. That or we would have to run a tote to the dump station. It’s hard to get toy hauler size tanks in a 21 ft box travel trailer. Maybe in an artic fox or orv but those are few and far between.

tuffr2 · 12-30-2018, 06:25 AM

These smaller trailers are great for the state parks. A lot of state parks have a little lake to swim, fish or just relax. The state parks I know of have a dump station so a sewage tote may be needed. A good rule, make sure the sewage tote is larger than the black tank on the trailer. This will reduce the chance of spillage.

Did you decide on a color yet?

Randy the sly old fox · 12-30-2018, 09:12 PM

In looking at the floor plans, I think you would be happier with the Rockwood. The double bunks will sleep 4 - you will need to sleep 3 soon enough. Also the overall layout of the Rockwood is better- more countertop space and the TV can be viewed from either the sofa (by turning it) or by every body at the dinette - just not at the same time. Neither plan can be used with the slide in.

Don't know how much it would be used, but the Rockwood also has an outdoor kitchen - I don't care one way or another but some people like to cook breakfast and more outdoors.

The Rockwood is also a foot wider and will most likely be heavier than the Winnie. Both brands have been around for awhile and have fairly good reputations. But your tow vehicle is up to either one.

rte1985 · 12-31-2018, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuffr2

These smaller trailers are great for the state parks. A lot of state parks have a little lake to swim, fish or just relax. The state parks I know of have a dump station so a sewage tote may be needed. A good rule, make sure the sewage tote is larger than the black tank on the trailer. This will reduce the chance of spillage.

Did you decide on a color yet?

That’s the kind of camping we would like to do. And good point on the tote size! Platinum or champagne are our color of choice.