Kjc12
Pittsburgh, PA
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Joined: 03/22/2022
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Hello. I am debating purchasing a used/like new 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205s or a new 2022 Winnebago Minnie 2306bhs.
I like both floor plans and would be happy with either one. I intend to use the camper primarily for solo trips and hope to do a few days of boon docking on each trip. The bunks in the Winnie would work well for storage and potentially guests.
The Rockwood would be several thousand cheaper (7-8k) and would come with a transferable warranty.
I’ll be towing this with a 19 Ram CC 4x4 with the 3.92 gears.
I believe the two brands are fairly equally manufactured though I would appreciate any solid feedback on either one.
Thank you in advance!
* This post was
edited 03/23/22 09:15pm by Kjc12 *
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wanderingaimlessly
Kerr Reservoir
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Joined: 08/23/2017
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As a generalization, Winnies are usually considered superior to Forest River products. That said, either can be either good or bad on any individual unit.
Look at both carefully, look for fit of cabinetry, materials used, plywood vs particle board, hardwood vs plywood etc, then decide.
Generally freestanding furnishings are better than built in. Appliances will likely be comparable. Depending on how you intend to camp, tank sizes may become important.
If you are looking at new, you may want to compare warranties.
Happy hunting
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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Are both TTs comfortably below the max trailer weight and max available payload of your truck?
At 26 feet plus tongue you are at the max length for many boondocking areas (aka “noon docking”) with the WInnebago…and I am a Winnie fan.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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gemsworld
Arizona West Coast
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Joined: 03/08/2009
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wanderingaimlessly wrote:As a generalization, Winnies are usually considered superior to Forest River products. That said, either can be either good or bad on any individual unit.
Look at both carefully, look for fit of cabinetry, materials used, plywood vs particle board, hardwood vs plywood etc, then decide.
Generally freestanding furnishings are better than built in. Appliances will likely be comparable. Depending on how you intend to camp, tank sizes may become important.
If you are looking at new, you may want to compare warranties.
Happy hunting
What he said. I owned a Mini Lite for a couple of years and was not impressed with the materials and workmanship. In order to make then "Lite" they use thinner materials to cut down on weight. I weigh 200 lbs and the floor on my Mini Lite flexed (sunk) when I walked on it. Did I mention the vinyl flooring came unglued in the middle and I had a giant air bubble underneath it? Compare the dry weights if they're similar in size. Go with the heavier one.
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Skibane
San Antonio, TX
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Joined: 11/09/2005
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Winnebago-branded towable RVs are mostly made in Middlebury, IN by Winnebago of Indiana (separate from their motorhome factory in Forest City, IA).
Basically, Winnebago bought Sunnybrook RV, and took over their factory.
Factory support for their towables doesn't seem to be as good as for their motorhomes - For example, you can't download wiring diagrams or plumbing layouts for them.
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agwill
enosburg falls, vt
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Joined: 09/22/2003
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Save your money!
al
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propchef
NORCAL
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Kjc12 wrote:
The Rockwood would be several thousand cheaper (7-8k) and would come with a transferable warranty.
I'd double-check that "warranty." Forest River TTs have warranties that are only for the original owner and aren't transferable. Most TTs don't have transferable warranties.
The verbiage:
"The Forest River, Inc. (“Forest River”) Limited Warranty covers this recreational vehicle (“RV”) for a period of
one (1) year from the date of purchase of the RV by the first retail purchaser when purchased from an
independently owned and authorized Forest River dealer. This Limited Warranty only applies to the first retail
purchaser of the RV. This Limited Warranty does not cover those items identified in the “Exclusions From
Coverage” section of this Limited Warranty."
"first retail purchaser" being the keywords here.
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Sandia Man
Rio Rancho, NM
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Joined: 08/09/2008
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Well OP, you are right about them being equally manufactured, which is as fast as they can push them out the factory door. There is a lot of Forest River bashing on the internet, and to a point it is deserved, part of it is they have so many different models and brands that they manufacture vastly outproducing the majority of RV builders.
View as many units from varying manufacturers that you can in your area. Undoubtedly, whatever brand, model, or manufacturer you end up with there will be issues to deal with during and after warranty period, just part of RV ownership. Some are minor, others more glaring, purchase from dealer that is equipped to handle warranty issues expeditiously.
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Kjc12
Pittsburgh, PA
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Joined: 03/22/2022
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propchef wrote:Kjc12 wrote:
The Rockwood would be several thousand cheaper (7-8k) and would come with a transferable warranty.
I'd double-check that "warranty." Forest River TTs have warranties that are only for the original owner and aren't transferable. Most TTs don't have transferable warranties.
The verbiage:
"The Forest River, Inc. (“Forest River”) Limited Warranty covers this recreational vehicle (“RV”) for a period of
one (1) year from the date of purchase of the RV by the first retail purchaser when purchased from an
independently owned and authorized Forest River dealer. This Limited Warranty only applies to the first retail
purchaser of the RV. This Limited Warranty does not cover those items identified in the “Exclusions From
Coverage” section of this Limited Warranty."
"first retail purchaser" being the keywords here.
This is a third party supposedly bumper to bumper warranty. The seller claims to have paid $3k for it.
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Kjc12
Pittsburgh, PA
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Joined: 03/22/2022
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Lwiddis wrote:Are both TTs comfortably below the max trailer weight and max available payload of your truck?
At 26 feet plus tongue you are at the max length for many boondocking areas (aka “noon docking”) with the WInnebago…and I am a Winnie fan.
The Ram has a max tow of 11,290 lbs and payload of 1,800 lbs. I was assuming that either of these models would town easily with my truck. Is that not true?
For reference:
2022 Minnie 2306bhs
Dry Weight 4,668 lbs
Hitch Weight 584 lbs
2021 Rockwood 2205s
Dry Weight 5,004 lbs
Hitch Weight 530 lbs
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