On April 28, 2021 I plopped down a $1,000 deposit and ordered a Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S travel trailer from Wana RV. My wife and I have been planning and saving for this day for over 3 years. We expect delivery of the Mini Lite anywhere from August to November.
There were many considerations in determining our purchase. I must have looked at over a hundred travel trailers before deciding that the 2205S was perfect for us. Let me detail some of my considerations.
UVW/Unloaded Vehicle Weight: The 2205S comes in at a bit over 5,100 pounds dry. I estimate I'll load the travel trailer with about 500 pounds of water, supplies and accessories. My truck has a 7,000 pound towing capacity. Going down the road with the water tanks 1/4 full, I'll be at about 5,500 pounds. That amount of weight should not over stress my truck.
Length: At under 24 feet, the Mini Lite should not be a big fat target for strong gusts of wind. That's a real concern for many RVers. Travel trailer slab surfaces are perfect sails. Obviously, a fishtailing travel trailer is no fun. I originally considered a 26 and 28 foot travel trailer, but decided a shorter one would create less headaches for my Chevrolet Colorado. A mid-size truck.
Price: My goal was to purchase a travel trailer for $25,000 plus TTL. I hit my goal perfectly. If I had a bigger budget, I would of purchased a higher end product. I've had my beady eyes on a Winnebago View 24D. That beauty lists for $185,000. Another RV I loved was the Oliver Legacy Elite 2. That Tennessee fiberglass molded travel trailer typically sells for over $65,000. Definitely out of my budget.
Construction & Amenities: You get what you pay for? In my price range you typically get fiberglass and Azdel construction plus aluminum framing, solid wood door and drawer fronts, a porcelain foot flush toilet, solid surface kitchen countertops, a DC fridge (the 2205S comes with a Go Power190 watt solar panel, a modest charge controller and a 1,000 watt clean sine wave inverter) a residential queen bed, and in the case of the 2205S two very nice recliners. These comfy seats are in the Perfect TV Watching Position.
In the end, I kept to my budget and limitations. I found a product that met most of my needs. The Mini Lite is a definite compromise. Like many enthusiasts, I look forward to personalizing my travel trailer. One goal is to make the Mini Lite more boondock capable. Feel free to contact me to share your suggestions, questions or comments.
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