Rockwood Mini vs. Jay Feather Ultra vs. KZ Spree Escape?

[Danpaine]

Any opinions on any of the above would be much appreciated, especially related to quality. Our tow vehicle is such that
we're limited to choosing a small TT. Thanks in advance!

[Mike_Up]

Danpaine wrote:
We just sold the C (need to change my profile). I'll be towing with my 2002 Nissan 4x4 V6, thus the need for a TT on the smaller side. DW is insisting upon a side slideout, which I agree with, so that narrows our options to just a few which will make the 5200 gwvr on the truck.

I think we're leaning towards the Jayco, but if anyone knows of anything else out there I may have not explored, I'd really appreciate it. We love the Lance 1685, but it's a bit pricey for how often we're going to use it.

Thanks!

Nissan what? I had a 2004 Titan Crew Cab 4WD, a 2000 SE Xterra 4WD, and a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD (due to the Titan being such a piece of crap).

I would not recommend towing anything other than a Pop Up with the midsize trucks/SUVs because of limited payload and limited receiver hitch rating.

Their tow ratings are for boats and flat bed car carriers that have little tongue weight, not campers. The Titan because even pulling a Pop Up caused it's to have trans and differential issues.

Not a fan of Nissan anymore after so many problems with both the Titan and Pathfinder. First year 2000 Xterra was the only good Nissan.

If you give the model, we could be more helpful.

[Rmack1]

I have a Rockwood Mini Lite 2104 which I tow with my '04 Nissan XTerra 4X4. It has a supercharger, which helps.

Even fully loaded, the trailer weighs in at under 5000#, so I'm good to go.

I did have the largest transmission cooler I could get installed. It's not that expensive and is a real good idea.

The TT has the Murphy bed option. In case you don't know, that's a bed that folds up at the head. This one folds against the front slanted wall, and the couch underneath pushes back as the backrest folds up, opening up a nice bit of floor space that would otherwise be taken up by the bed. And what 22' TT has a full size living room type couch?

I don't think they made this exact model this year. Mine is a '13. the '14 is differently laid out, and has a slide out. I like mine better, as this new model doesn't seem to have the Murphy Bed option and the couch.

We love it. It's pretty easy to convert from living to sleeping mode, and vice-versa, and gives us more living space than many larger, heavier trailers do.

This version even has a bathtub, which, though small, is large enough to sit in, and it allows you to lean over and wash your hair without splashing out on the floor.

We convert our dinette into a kid bed for our boxers at night, also.

Though there is no pass through storage in the front two storage compartments, there is a large space under the couch that we use. We have four long, less than 10 inch tall, and about a foot and a half wide plastic bins that we slide out like drawers that provide a large amount of storage.

[AlmostBoatless]

We love our new MicroLite 21FBRS - only issue was the drawer slides - took lots of advice and left most of it empty for a few trips - now are finally figuring out what exactly we need. Great design perfect for 2 people. Had mom one trip and with good weather thankfully, the trip went perfectly! One issue with the shower leaking and we took all advice and all is fine now. The design is great.

Good luck!

[Winged_One]

I know it's not one you mentioned, but when we were looking at small TT's and bought a 199ML Passport, one of the things I really noticed in small trailers was many had tiny openings for their exterior storage. Be sure to look at that and think about what your going to try and store, and will it fit past the opening.

[rexlion]

You might add Cruiser RV and LivinLite to your list. They have almost identical floor plans available. The Shadow Cruiser S-185FBS is only 254 lb hitch weight to start. LivinLite's Camplite 16DBS is also just 250 lb on hitch, and it has zero wood content (nothing to rot). Both of those have tandem axles under the trailer, so you get a ton or more of cargo carrying capacity (you'll never overload it even if you try). And they're a little bit lighter weight overall, although it won't matter much since most of your towing drag is from wind resistance.

[Danpaine]

Thanks, rexlion. Yes, looking at the Jayco 197.

[rexlion]

Pay close attention to the allowable hitch weight of your Nissan, and the dry tongue weights of the trailers you look at. Realize that when loaded this tongue weight will easily increase by 100 lbs or more. If the fresh water tank is in front, when filled it will really add a lot to the tongue. I had bought a new Rockwood 2304s (23'8" and a slide) in 2005, about 375 lb listed tongue weight, and when loaded (plus WD hitch, gotta add that weight too!) I think the tongue may have been over the 600 lbs rated hitch weight of my Mountaineer, because I bent a rear leaf spring. The Rockwood had a 30 gallon fresh tank in front plus two LP tanks. Too heavy! Plus, I definitely needed my Equal-i-zer weight distributing hitch. It was scary to tow a 23' TT with a 111" wheelbase tug... handling was not good.

I assume you may be looking at the Jayco 197 or 20M, which have slides. Those have 425-450 lb dry tongue weights.

[Danpaine]

We just sold the C (need to change my profile). I'll be towing with my 2002 Nissan 4x4 V6, thus the need for a TT on the smaller side. DW is insisting upon a side slideout, which I agree with, so that narrows our options to just a few which will make the 5200 gwvr on the truck.

I think we're leaning towards the Jayco, but if anyone knows of anything else out there I may have not explored, I'd really appreciate it. We love the Lance 1685, but it's a bit pricey for how often we're going to use it.

Thanks!

[rexlion]

I agree with Campfire Time, all 3 are good brands. I've had no complaints about my KZ, other than the 5K btu AC is inadequate for a 16' TT in 95* heat and the 3 cubic foot Norcold should have been called a NorWarm.

I do sometimes wish I had a more aerodynamic trailer, like the molded fiberglass Scamp, Casita, Lil Snoozy, etc. But not because I dislike the KZ, it just pushes wind like the box it is.

Tell us more about your tow vehicle! Are you planning to tow with the C, or something else?

[katet78]

We have a 2013 KZ Spree Escape 243S. We purchased it in March of this year and have had it out on a total of 33 nights this summer (about $4000 tow miles), with 2 more trips planned. So far, we love it!!! Very happy with the quality and floorplan. Had a small issue with the slide motor at first, but KZ took care of it for us, no charge. Haven't had any other issues with anything and everything seems to be in perfect condition still even after all the miles and use. Of course, I do think, as with anything, the better you maintain, clean, and take care of anything, the less problems you'll have.

Enjoy whatever you choose!
katet78

[Campfire_Time]

I think all 3 are fine trailers. We've looked at KZs seriously but on the end the Jayco won for its floor plan. This is our 3rd Jayco, and our 2nd HTT. The previous Jayco we had for 10 years with no issues other than a small leak in a roof seam that was caused by caulking that dried out. That can happen on any trailer make.