Rockwood RV started as a mini motorhome (class C) builder. Today they’re known as one of the industry’s best when it comes to lightweight entry-level towables. You can see this in the many Rockwood Mini Lite reviews on the various forums and other pages throughout the internet.
In 1972, Arthur E. Chapman, grandson of Starcraft’s owner Arthur Schrock, took everything he learned and created Rockwood RV. He did so well, in 1985, Van American (which would later become Cobra Industries) bought them out. Forest River took over Cobra in 1996 yet despite these buyouts, Rockwood remained strong throughout the years as a major player.
If you’re in the market for your first towable RV, you’ll want to consider Rockwood’s Mini Lite series. There have been many updates to the 2020 product line to the point where they’ve created new models. We’re going to review each one for you and point out each of their unique features that make them worthy of the Rockwood name.
Overview of the Rockwood Mini Lite Series
The Rockwood Mini Lite series has 12 different models. Two of which are dealer specific only. This means that the dealerships must specifically order these floorplans.
These RVs are SUV friendly since they’re travel trailers under 6,000 pounds. For perspective, anything between a Ford Explorer (5,600-pound towing capacity) to a Jeep Grand Cherokee (7,200-pound towing capacity) would work well, depending on the RV model. Remember to include your gear, passengers, and driving power when you calculate your tow weight.
The Mini Lite series is also a great lightweight travel trailer under 30 feet. It’s a family-friendly RV with bunk bed floorplans, secondary outdoor kitchens, and plenty of storage space for average to bigger families. The 8 cubic foot refrigerator, which is bigger this year, holds enough supplies to feed everyone.
Young couples will enjoy the Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite lineup due to its affordability. This series is one of the best travel trailers under $30,000. Many of the features are near residential sizes, but you won’t feel claustrophobic with everything perfectly placed.
Rockwood Mini Lite: Travel Trailer Floorplans for Couples
2104S: Murphy Bed With a U-Shaped Dinette
- Dry Weight: 4,841 pounds
- Length: 22.4 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $26,500
The 2104S is the smallest of the Mini Lite series, but it doesn’t look or feel cheaply made. All of the features and amenities use the best materials. The kitchen amenities are all stainless steel including the double basin sink. This couple-focused travel trailer has near residential-sized amenities within it.
The multi-purpose features in this RV makes this trailer seem bigger than it is. Interior cabinets have a hanger rod in them, so you can use it as a closet or a shelving unit. You can access the storage bays in the slideout through the exterior bay doors or by lifting up the U-shaped dinette seat.
2109S: Short Queen Without a Dinette
- Dry Weight: 4,171 pounds
- Length: 22.4 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 3 people comfortably
- Average Price Point: $27,000
The Rockwood designers passed the test with the 2109S. Behind the sofa slideout is the RV’s wheel well. The challenge was to maximize the interior space without the wheel well creating a problem. Even though you can’t change the sofa out for theatre seating, this jackknife sofa will give a third sleeper a comfortable place to rest.
Couples with a lot of gear will enjoy this coach with the massive amount of storage it has. Everywhere you look, there are drawers and cabinets with deep storage capacity. Under the short queen master bed there are three drawers, an under-bed trunk-sized storage space, and wardrobes on either side.
2204S: Two Twin Beds
- Dry Weight: 4,795 pounds
- Length: 23.10 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $25,500
Some people may think, Who would want two twin beds? Are we back in the 1950s? The popularity of this floorplan is surprising.
The twin beds convert into a king with the addition of provided mattress inserts. Others may need separate mattresses due to firmness requirements, relationship boundaries, or their four-legged fur baby needs room to stretch out.
This sleeping flexibility allows for full storage under each bed. The nightstand in between has a power outlet station to plug in your devices or CPAP machine. The only negative is that you lose the bedroom wardrobes, but you can make up for it in the long closet next to the U-shaped dinette.
2205S: Residential Queen With a Standard Dinette
- Dry Weight: 5,004 pounds
- Length: 23.10 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $24,500
The 2205S has a rear entry and a residential queen bed. It’s also the first model that gives you the most options on how you want to enjoy your RV experience. You can change out the standard dinette for one of three options:
- Freestanding table and four chairs
- Theatre seats
- Full size sofa
The entertainment center also has an LED fireplace that puts out heat. Rockwood did a great job putting together this entertainment center. The maple wall unit looks upscale and finished, making the electronics a perfect complement rather than just something they put in.
2506S: Rear Bedroom and a Front Kitchen
- Dry Weight: 5,281 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $30,000
This model has a floorplan that resembles something you would see in the best travel trailers over 30 feet. The rear bedroom is a master suite that closes off with a door. The front kitchen takes up the entire width of the front cap.
For those planning on winning the campground’s annual cookoff, you’ll have an unfair advantage with the long counter space, large oven, and three burner stove. When it comes time to serve, the outdoor kitchen has a pullout stove to keep your food hot and fresh.
There are some drawbacks that can give you pause. The 32-inch LED TV is on a front-facing wall, so your view may not be optimal. The person that sleeps on the wall side of the short queen bed will have a tight walkway getting into it.
2507S: Murphy Bed With an Outdoor Kitchen
- Dry Weight: 5,471 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $28,500
If you’re looking for the best travel trailer for entertaining under 26 feet, the 2507S is your champion. The murphy bed option allows you additional seating with the daytime sofa. While this floorplan is similar to many of the previous models, the increased length gives it even more space to walk around.
You can start the party with the exterior kitchen. It has a swing-out gas stove, tall dorm-size fridge, and sink. The bumper-mounted barbecue swing arm gives you more cooking options. You can enhance the outdoor experience through the A/V capabilities outside with the TV mount and exterior speakers.
2511S: Rear Big Bathroom and Two Slideouts
- Dry Weight: 5,492 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 2 people
- Average Price Point: $27,000
For those who want a travel trailer with an extra-large bathroom, the 2511S will fulfill your goal. This rear bathroom floorplan takes up the entire width of the coach. There’s plenty of room to move around in both the shower and bathroom.
This model has two slideouts. The main slideout houses the U-shaped dinette and the refrigerator. The second holds the bedroom wardrobe, giving you the biggest closet in the Mini Lite series.
2512S: Rear Big Kitchen and Two Slideouts
- Dry Weight: 5,327 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 people
- Average Price Point: $25,000
The 2512S takes a similar perspective as the 2511S, except instead of a big bathroom, it has a big kitchen in the back of the unit. The main slideout has a standard dinette. The second slideout is the big closet in the bedroom.
This rear kitchen travel trailer comes with two pantries, a 22-inch stove, and one of the longest countertops you’ll see in a coach of this size. To accommodate this, the entertainment center isn’t optimally placed.
2304KS: Dealer Order Kitchen Slideout
- Dry Weight: 4,651 pounds
- Length: 24 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 4 feet
- Average Price Point: $23,500
This is the first of two special order floorplans available in the Rockwood Mini Lite series. The 2304KS offers a rear full-width bathroom due to the placement of the kitchen in the slideout. Cooking masters will enjoy this setup because of the dual pantries.
Some may be uncomfortable with the entertainment center placement directly behind the four-person dinette. Not only will they not be able to see, they’ll have the soundbar directly behind them. The TV is in a perfect position for those cozying up together on the daytime loveseat that the murphy bed rests on.
Rockwood Mini Lite: Bunk Bed Floorplans for Families
2508: Bunk Beds Without a Slideout
- Dry Weight: 4,685 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 8 people
- Average Price Point: $23,000
The 2508 is the first family-friendly model with the bunk bed feature. The designers maximized the space in this non-slideout model by making the master bed a murphy. This gives more day time seating and additional space to move around.
The bunks are full-size beds and fully enclosed for safety. Instead of a corner shower stall, Rockwood installed a tub style shower so parents can take care of their small children. What this coach lacks in space, it more than makes up in family-focused features.
2509S: Bunkbeds With a Slideout
- Dry Weight: 5,300 pounds
- Length: 25.11 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 8 people
- Average Price Point: $28,500
The 2509S is similar to the 2508, except it has a U-shaped dinette on a slideout on the off-door side. The door side has a corner configurated kitchen. Otherwise, the bunks, murphy bed, and bathroom setup are the same.
This model does give you more interior space but has a price difference of $5,500. Some people prefer not to go with slideouts due to the additional cost or it breaking down. Rockwood gives you a manual crank that fits under the entry steps to physically close the slideout if the motor ever stops working.
2306: Dealer Order Bunkbed With No Slideout
- Dry Weight: 4,337 pounds
- Length: 24 feet
- Sleep Capacity: Up to 6 people
- Average Price Point: $23,500
The 2306 is a special order floorplan that RV dealers have to order. What makes this non-slideout model different is the twin-size bunk bed placement. The position of the bunks is on the off-door sidewall instead of the door wall like the 2508 and the 2509S.
The average price of this model is the same as the 2508. There’s a walkway space advantage, but this gives the bunk bed sleepers less space. If you don’t need to sleep two kids to a bunk, this model may have better value for you.
