*I SCREWED UP AGAIN!* Old habits sometimes die hard. I referred to that solar package as "190w" about a billion times. For the 2023 models it's been nudged to 200w!! Sorry about that. Doing my best here :) _-Uncle Josh, the RV Nerd_
Or just plant it in the ceiling with a drop down bracket. Last place I'd watch from is an uncomfortable dinette. Rather have recliners - neck breakers are deal breakers. Bristro table & chairs would make it road mode functional. No hookup for water on outside kitchen? Still think generators should be standard. 😂
We love our 21 2509s. I like the pass through storage, corner vanity, fold up doors on the overhead cabinets in the slide out, and the removal of carpet. I’d love to see a retractable headrest on the sofa and move the outdoor fridge to the rear so the stove and grill are next to each other. Make those changes and it’s perfect!
The bunk area would make a great pet area. Upper bunk could be cat bed area while below is food and litter area. Cargo door makes emptying the cat pan easier. Absolutely love the peninsula kitchen. U-shaped dinette is the best.
So refreshing to see aluminum construction, multiple seating areas, a porcelain toilet, standard solar and an attached ladder in a family bunkhouse trailer👍👍👍
Ty for saying something!! I am trying to not stop my videos dead to show everything and just keep them rolling where possible I felt like this was enough to give folks the general idea
We have a 2018 2509s and have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it with 4-6 full-size people and a dog. The size is really nice for getting in/out of just about anywhere. It’s what I would consider ideal size/weight for a 1/2 ton pickup. Yes, the hitch is a little heavy. I attribute that to a little extra “Rockwood Beefiness” and an engineer really thinking about axle placement. I’ll take a heavy hitch (more weight forward) over a light hitch ANY DAY. For my part (let’s consider that a smaller part than the better-half’s part), the only complaint is the size of the shower. The height doesn’t bother me so much (I’m 6’1”), but not every XXL shirt fits me. I’d like to see the shower be more like 30” deep. Many of the tweaks that Rockwood has made to this model, in the last 5 years, are smart adjustments to an already smart model. We’ve started considering the possibilities of replacing this camper. If we could change anything about what we have, it would be a permanent bed, a permanent foldout couch along with the u-dinette and a larger shower. Unfortunately, this will most likely mean a larger/heavier/expensiver trailer. To be honest…with all the tweaks since 2018, we might consider another 2509s or Flagstaff equivalent.
We love our 2022 2509s, and the 2023 changes look great. Additional improvements we’d like to see: • Lighter colour awning. Who thought black was a good idea? You can feel the heat radiating while under it. • Lighter weight bedroom curtains. The current ones are very heavy. The screws keep pulling out of the ceiling during travels. • Slam latches on all cargo doors • Make the oven optional. We'd rather have storage, which we use the oven for now. • Lose the front window. The window can leak, crack, and adds weight. We have never opened that curtain as the bed is up during the day. Thanks Josh!
People complain about both awning colors. My 2019 2509s has a nasty dirty white awning. Would love a darker color. Bedroom curtain. Some wider screws can fix that. My 2019 2509s was built in April 2018 and I ordered it without the oven. The storage is nice. Guessing they wanted to standardize it since they had to make 2 different countertops and cabinets.
We absolutely love our 2021 2509S. Even with the “upgrades”, we feel that ours is nearly perfect. We carry a 4250W inverter generator on a custom made rack in the accessory rear hitch. That new cargo door would be useless to us. We tilt the lower bunk up and carry our chairs, extra tp and paper towels, etc. To us, with all of the storage bays and quality build, this exceeds Airstream.
That’s starting wattage, Josh. I think running is 3500W. But yes, it honestly never fails us. Having said that - we wouldn’t try to run certain things like the microwave or a hair dryer. But, it’s an inverter, so clean power. 😊
I LOVE the shower/tub DON'T change it! I also LOVE the access door for ebikes or MORE storage. I LOVE that they upgraded the solar system so someone like me in the SOUTH can go off grid. The ONLY thing they didn't figure out is to put the FIREPLACE in this unit.😎❤❤
I really like these. The no bunk version was really high on my list before, but the cargo door might change that. I can't wait to see the no bunk version.
Great upgrades ! We love our “sister to the 2509” 1st 2507 TT 2021 we are retired and are using it a lot since acquire it June 2021. Have had many compliments on it. Wife calls the large outside kitchen my “man kitchen”. Only wish the two wardrobe cabinets on either side of the Murphy bed were easier to access. The two counters in front of them should be half the length. Upgraded to a full size Queen Wilderness mattress this year, a must do.
We have a 2019 and we love it but I wish they had a pull out nozzle on the kitchen faucet, I wish they had cabinet or shelf option instead of the TV (because we took ours out because we never use it), and above all else I wish the upper bunk would fold in half for storage or be easily removable so if you are only using the bottom bunk it would be out of the way.
My wife and I were not really looking for a bunk model but this might have changed our minds. We love the 2514S because of the duel doors for loading/unloading and those emergency pit stops but unfortunately it is not available. We are going to a fall RV show next weekend and hope we will be able to do a comparison of this and the sister model 2507S. Rockstaff keeps checking off the boxes for what we are looking for in our 1st camper.
I have a 2020 2509s, love all the upgrades on the 2023!! The only thing I would like to see and not really a big deal, but a bathroom window that opens.
Enjoy the videos! Love the great detail and personality you add to them. Added bonus, I don’t fall asleep to your videos (enter mis piggy karate chop lol). Currently have the geopro 19fd. Looking at upgrading to the mini lite. But I’m holding in hopes for a few more details. I do prefer the orange lettering over the grayscale. More “pop”, less original. Kinda makes it feel special in a park filled with trailers. Also agree with the tie downs on the floor in that passthrough as I have e-bikes I take camping. Another mentioned moving fridge to the rear to keep the stove near the griddle. I like that, or bumper grill / griddle would be nice. Rock wood makes decent product. I feel like they’re only minor steps away from the design crew taking a year long vacation. For me, the keyless keypad entry I would miss. So many times I’d like to lock it with my keys inside and not worrying about my hidden spare. So convenient. Slam latches throughout. Worried about my doors bowing away. Especially the long ones on the mini lites. And the outside LED nose “flair” light. If they could make that color changing for mood lighting, that would be pretty sweet. The last one that will probably never happen do to size, would be auto levelers. But that’s just being picky lol. Thanks again for the video Josh! Keep up the great work!!
There's actually someone in one of the Rockwood MiniLite Facebook groups who did that. It fits but it does show above the Murphy bed platform when it's in the upright position. We'll probably do that in ours when we get it.
We have had our 2022 2509s since last September and absolutely love it so far. The new cargo door would definitely be nice since we carry 4 bikes-2 on a bike rack on the rear hitch and 2 that we have to load through the door. The optional solar/inverter upgrade would be nice too. We love the murphy bed when it's down but when up it blocks that awesome front window, significantly darkening the interior. Someone mentioned longer drawers under the dinette which is a great idea. There's about a foot of space behind those drawers that is very difficult to reach from the outside for anyone with less than a 4 foot long arm. Also, the A/C units should come standard with one of those styrofoam ducting blocks that help route the air into the ducts. We are in Texas and they help tremendously. Oh, and every once in a while you might want to make sure the plumbing under the kitchen sink is nice and snug especially when you just got done doing dishes and have a gallon and a half of water to drain.
My guess, is that FR fig's that if you're traveling with kiddos (bunk beds), they MIGHT be to young for a shower, thus, the tub/shower combo. Y'all Be Safe!
Would be an AMAZING floor plan for us if they just added a few inches to the rv length to make the murphy bed accessable in travel mode. So close! Still very nice.
Been enjoying my 22' 2509s very much, glad I got mine before they added the rear door. Seems this is becoming the Industry standard now ,should be an option IMO. My little kids sleep in those bunks, door there decreases security and just becomes an area for air leaks both hot and cold. The carpet less is a nice addition and the slam latches on the outdoor kitchen door are great, that's one thing I wish mine had on all the exterior storage doors. Interesting they changed up the bathroom cabinet and vanity to a corner setup.
Thanks for commenting on using the slide when it's closed. Even though you don't know the answer, mentioning it at least helps watchers to contemplate and ask the question.
I just saw on the website it now shows a theater seat option which makes this the ultimate bunk house imo! This was the main reason the Wife and I were bypassing the bunk house, didn’t want the prehistoric dinette. Thumbs up on the vid👍👍
Solid review again! Given I have a 1/2 ton, the wife and I are stuck between this unit or the Alliance Delta 251BH for our first camper. If it were you, would you pick one over the other for a family of 4 first camper?
I noticed the air conditioner vent over the top bunk. Awesome!!! I have a similar layout to this in the keystone Passport which doesn’t have the air conditioner vent over the bunk. That top bunk get very hot. Also love the access to the bathroom in travel mode. Our passport bathroom door opens the other direction and leaves no access to bathroom on travel mode.
Great trailer. I too don’t like the tv not having some sort of storage space behind it. Also, I prefer a shower instead of a tub. I know that’s subjective.
Just an FYI - Same link posted for both the Rockwood and the Flagstaff. Found your channel this weekend and have watched roughly 74 of your videos since. Appreciate all you do!
We took out our top bunk and put in a shelf for clothes. If Rockwood could make both bunks flip all the way over on a piano hinge, it would have endless versatility!!!
Close but still not what we want. I love the cargo door if it fits 2 -10ft kayaks. I don't need either bunk but would rather have the full outside kitchen of the Rockwood 2507S with the lift-up door in their place. I think that would fit. I agree no tub shower! We would also select the 67" theater seating so one can use the bed and the other still recline and read.
Cool video. I would say the Blackstone bumper griddle mount if possible on the back bumper. Take out the griddle in the outside kitchen and replace with a small sink. Just a thought.
I think they're working on making that available to more and more models. It's a slow process though as it requires rewiring each model individually So I believe they're focusing first on their most popular models and going backwards from there
5 years ago, I watched my first RV Nerd video, the 2017 Rockwood 2509s. I fell in love with Rockwood the 3509s and and RV's. I live in East Texas and dreamed of takin a road trip north one day to Hayletts to buy one from you and bring it home. I could afford one back then but never could get my ducks in a row. They were about 23k back then. Now days, I finally got my cargo door and no carpet but COVID prices killed my dreams. Maybe in another 5 years, I will be able to afford a used 2023 model. Lol 🤞🤞🤞
Like like like! Excellent execution. Dig the colors and the cargo door! I wish the entertainment wasn't so much of an after thought...perhaps that means I need to go up in size a bit. Overall I very much like this unit!
Personally this is the camper I want, however, for some reason I have never understood why the underseat storage in the “U dinette” doesn’t have full length drawers. Who is really reaching in from the outside door to those angles both left and right? Make the drawer’s longer and square up the space IMHO. Great updates though..love it. By the way…link seems broken for pricing…🤷🏻♂️
I use totes to run the width of the storage accessed from the outside door. I use 3 totes and it works great. The storage under the right side of my dinette actually runs the depth of the slide (not a drawer) and the drawer on the left does not, but if the drawer was as long as the depth of the slide that would be a really long drawer. Totes make everything better.
In terms of Rockwood I think they rely on the outdoor cargo door to access what the drawers don’t reach Also consider the kind of hardware require to support heavy loaded full length extension drawers..
🤔does the S stand for in the model Super or Solar or some one is gonna be happy to on it. It’s nice looking inside and outside. The TV location gives a different thought of TV dinners. Josh stay safe & dry, hope y’all had a fantastic Labor Day weekend
I'd probably order the optional hide a bed sofa for the slide out. That'd take care of my problem getting around with the slide in. We eat on our sofa at home anyway. Lol Great video
I’d change the free standing table to a fixed one with the latch release up/down functionality as well as extend the countertop in the bathroom like Grand Design does.
Uncle Josh………this is the same layout as our Coachmen Freedom Express 238BHS with some changes. Here`s what Iike over our 238BHS : Cabinets over the dinette, rear cargo door and folding lower bed, ladder for the top bunk, drawers under the dinette bench, larger exhaust fan in the bathroom, rear trailer receiver for bike rack, standard Goodyear tires, pop up power strip location. Dislikes : No outside sink, standard axle spacing, smaller bathroom cabinets and missing shelf, window in bathroom, main kitchen cabinet / drawer layout, spare tire on rear bumper, sink inserts do not match counter top, harder to access bedside cabinets, camp queen size bed, slide out floor does not match main floor, control panel location Great video review once again Uncle Josh!!!!!
That cargo door might be handy for gaining access to the kitchen and bathroom if there is nothing in there to impede you, especially for drunken Uncle Gary who is used to crawling around on all fours!!! LOL
Great review pointing out the minor (yet major) changes Rockwood made. If I were to go Murphy bed bunkhouse, it would be this floorplan style. Although, I’m one of those gargantuan humans you speak of and I’m pretty well done with the camp queens. Yet another thing I appreciate is that you linked the Freedom Express that features a true queen and has practically the same floorplan save for some unique aspects for each camper. Thank you!
@@JoshtheRVNerd It’s a lot of work to put all that there! It’s a feature not many others do and it is actually really helpful. Even though I wasn’t totally sold on the Rockwood, your choices gave me the Freedom Express option that would be suitable. That’s just good sales insight right there! And I do know you’re not doing it just for sales, you seem pretty genuine about getting us the info we need whether it benefits Bish’s or not. It’s what keeps me coming back to watch many of your videos!
I dig it! I really want this for our next camper, but it would be nice if they could just bite the bullet, and put in powered front and rear stabilizers.
Hey Josh! In some of your video reviews you sometimes say that you have yet to find "the perfect RV" my wife and I agree(d) with you 110% UNTIL..... -----> This Rockwood 2509S. For us though, IT. IS. PERFECT!👍 👍😊 in every way... There's only ONE THING that I would add. Not to be picky here, but I would add a FORD F250!!!😝 😝 😝 something I'm currently working on! Thank you again for ALL the effort you put into sharing all this valuable information with us! It is greatly appreciated! 🇺🇸Admiral Uncle Josh 🇺🇸 The "Bob Vila" of the RV Universe! 🌍🌏🌎🌕🌓☀️
Hey, Josh! Is the outside fridge on an outlet that's inverted? Love your videos, so informative! We're totally going to buy this camper and there are only 3 year 2023s in our state that we can find! Your videos have given us the opportunity to see it without seeing it. Thanks! Gotta catch 'em all here in UT, 😉
AC-only, BUT they are now getting better about wiring that fridge's outlet to the inverter for travel use. I am not sure if they've yet accomplished that on this specific model, though
I wonder what the max load is on those double bunks and also the ladder. I can’t seem to find that info in the brochure. Any chance you would know Unkie Josh? Thanks in advance and as always thanks for the outstanding work. 💯🤙
That’s about the nicest looking Murphy bed ever, and it even has footrests! But it blocks the window during the day, like most Murphys. Crap a ladder!!! 🤣🤣 The only thing I could come up with to change is the kitchen counter extension. I’d like to see it the same level as the main counter. I’ve seen it done on some other brands. I think it’s more useful that way.
Josh i really like your videos and very informative i really like this camper the floor plan is awesome is this as good as a jayco and does it have Tankless water heater on demand hot water like the jayco
We just bought a 21 Coleman Lantern at Camping World in Lakewood Nj last year always did pop up camping but I definitely like that Rockwood Mini Lite 2205 my wife and i really like it! Thank you for replying back we love how you keep it real
If I was exclusively a park camper, this would be my choice (or maybe the 2513S), but since I live out west and prefer to get off-pavement, I'd rather go with the Ember 221MDB (or better yet, a 221MSL 😉). If Ember made the 221's with this interior (and the slide storage access doors), it would be the PERFECT unit! The rear cargo door and expanded solar are great additions. I also like the simulated theater seats and the kitchen layout and appliances. I'm not a big fan of dinettes, but this U-dinette is probably the best option especially since there is also the other sofa seating area. However, the inability to close the slide with the bed down is a real bummer. Also, I wish Rockstaff would get rid of the small "porthole" windows on each side of the bed (on all their Mini/Micro Lite models) and use much larger viewing windows. Finally, I'm not a fan of the new grayscale exterior graphics. The former orange highlights really made the graphics pop. I'm afraid these new graphic colors are going to make these RVs look dated much quicker. Also, both inventory links are for the Rockwood 2509S...you put the same link for the Flagstaff 25BRDS as the Rockwood.
It’s a very nice trailer. The tongue weight is quite heavy. Once loaded you’re closing in on the payload of a lot half ton pickups. You’re probably better off with a 3/4 ton truck. This trailer really lacks nothing!
Josh, we are getting a sequoia with 7k towing, would it be safe to take this into the nc mountains if we only put 800 lbs on it? Thanks for all you do!!!
OPTION: You could, I guess, use the rear cargo door to access the bathroom, kitchen and bunks in transit, without placing possible pressure on the slide-in flooring. Maybe Rockwood should option a small folding step-up in/on the rear bumper to accommodate this action. Glad to hear the solar upgrade package is now available in this trailer.
Another awesome video! And love the new updates! And may I say, in ‘road mode’, I would rather use the new updated cargo door to get in to use the bathroom at a travel stop!! Haha would make people do a double take! 🤪 #rvnerdherd
How does the Rockwood 2509S compare to the Jayco 199MBS? Which has better quality in your opinion? I do know that I like the bed layout better in the Rockwood. Other insight as to comparing the Jayco and Rockwood?
They're kind of apples and oranges. Single axle narrow body w/corner bed vs dual axle standard body w/north-south bed.. Overall though I feel Rockwood wins the debate of fit and finish. Pound for Pound I personally feel Rockwood is about the best overall brand out there currently I have bleed Jayco blue for a while. But Rockwood is a brand that even makes other builders go "whoa..."
I'm still waiting for Rockwood to come out with that floor plan similar to the Imagine 17mke or Surveyor 203rkle with the fantastic counter space. That would be fantastic in a Mini Lite. So glad they got rid of the orange. I never was a fan of that color choice. Orange with our red truck. Yikes!😄
"Best" is really subject to what goals you're looking to accomplish. But these are a few of my favorites: ► Trailer: bit.ly/3oOFmGh ► Fifth Wheel: bit.ly/3RSkXMG
At 7:15-- PLEASE TELL US you'll wash it before delivery? I really like this unit. Wife and I will be in the market for a small trailer towable by our Ranger (7500LBS) next year, but I'm trying to get her to consider buying one this year. AT 8:51-- YES, ADD CARGO TIE-DOWNS. With respect to road mode accessibility-- the outdoor kitchen is fully accessible, and for this reason, should have a DC fridge instead of 110. So if there's not a 12v outlet in the outdoor kitchen there should be, but also the electrical out there should be on inverter. First thing I'd do is pull that small 110 fridge and put it in my home office and put a Dometic or similar 12v fridge freezer, so that we could use it in transit. AT 15:11--the griddle AND the propane stove for the outdoor kitchen is wonderful because it's going to be a lot more versatile than having to do the side dishes like baked beans inside. I REALLY like this camper.
Ok…this is probably a dumb question, but here goes: is it possible to order this unit without a top bunk, or possibly a half bunk up top? Sometimes things aren’t accomplished simply because they aren’t asked.
Factory won't alter their plan but we can assist with simply removing that top bunk And you're right -- there's no harm in asking. Sometimes it sparks the right fires!
Hey Josh, I was watching another one of your videos and you were talking about a battery system that prevents you from destroying the battery. Do you know what I'm talking about and does Rockwook include that type of thing in their trailers? I'm looking at something like a 2506S if that helps. Great work. Thanks for all the help and videos!
You always want to verify the specific truck's capacities. There are SOME half-tons that are actually very limited in capacity and not suited for this RV. But.. most tow pkg half-tons will handle it
