I am currently traveling in a 2025 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2618RD, towing with a 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500.

As much as I loved my 2109s the changes in the ways I camped changed my trailer needs. I started working for weeks at a time from my trailer. This is an amazing opportunity, but on days with bad weather, working, eating, sleeping, and relaxing within a couple dozen square feet was starting to feel a little claustrophobic. I really wanted some sort of table or desk I could work from. Additionally, I have been doing or planning more trips with others. I have shared my bed, but it would be ideal to have a second sleeping space. The spare couch in the 2109s was just awful for sleeping.

Over the summer in Maine, my GMC was starting to have issues, mostly of the electrical variety. The scariest was an intermittent stall that would occur, often when I would turn on the turn signal or roll down the window. This could be pretty scary when towing and my mechanic could find nothing wrong. So getting a new truck became a priority.

In August I took a trip to Elkhart to look at some of the models I was considering and figure out what size truck I would need. I toured the Rockwood factory and loved what I saw. But I really wanted a bit more space; the 26 foot models seemed perfect and I decided on a 3/4 ton truck. In September, I started truck shopping in earnest. I really loved the safety and comfort features in the Silverado and pulled the trigger on that.

A couple weeks later, I started looking more seriously at trailers. I was torn between several of the 26 foot models. Each had pros and cons. I wanted a second opinion and brought my parents to a dealership for their thoughts. After all, Mom is my most frequent guest and Dad is my personal trailer mechanic. We were sitting in the MiniLite 2515s debating floorplans when I joked that there are only so many things you can fit in 26 feet. “Well,” Dad says, “Go look at something bigger.” A 30 foot Ultra Lite was one spot over, so we half-jokingly poked our heads in. The search was over.

One of the items on my dream RV list are big rear windows. In the 500+ nights of camping in my 2109s, I was often frustrated that I would be backed up to a stream, the ocean, woods, or other amazing view and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it from inside. I would daydream while scrolling through the views from Airstreams and 5th wheels. I wanted the big windows and views.

The 2618RD has the rear dinette and windows I had dreamed of. The dinette would be my work spot and there were also recliners for relaxing. The kitchen was roomy with plenty of storage and counter space. And the dinette would make a decent bed for guests. I went home to “think” about it, but had the ball rolling for a purchase by the next day.

This trailer has a 12 V fridge. While it is much bigger and cools better, it is a battery hog. So I worked with ABC Upfitters to have a power package installed before purchase. I am now able to run the AC for short periods of time on battery. And it is great to heat up lunch in the microwave when pulled over at the rest area.

I spent almost three months in the trailer as soon as I bought it. Towing the extra length was definitely a learning curve. I have made a few modifications. But I am in love with my new home and can’t wait to make many new memories in it.

Mostly I can’t wait for all the rear dinette views!

My 2017 Post on My First Trailer:

When I started looking at trailers, I made a wishlist of all the possible trailer options. After looking at dozens of floor plans and thinking of the way I like to camp, a few things rose to the top of my list.

• Walk-around bed – I like the accessibility of both sides of the bed for the purpose of bed making.
• Enclosed or large shower – Tiny corner showers with a shower curtain seem like a constant battle to keep the bathroom dry.
• Full freezer  – Many smaller trailers feature a dorm-size fridge. I would like to be able to travel with a week’s worth of food, including some frozen meals.
• Plenty of storage – So many RV owners’ groups are full of modifications to increase storage. It makes more sense to me to buy a model with lots of existing storage.
• Large water tanks – Most of my favorite campgrounds are without sewer. The larger the tanks, the longer the trips.
• Short and lightweight as possible – For ease of towing and maneuverability. Some campgrounds also have restrictions on the size of allowable trailers.
• Sofa seating – I don’t use my dining table at home nearly as often as I use my couch. I decided I would be much happier without a dinette.
• Dual axles – Two axles seemed like the safer way to go in case of a flat. And it felt much more stable when walking around inside the trailer.
• Accessibility with the slide in – I wanted to be able to pop in the trailer for quick meals and bathroom breaks without having to extend the slide.

The Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite hit all of the items on my wishlist. Additionally, after a year of living with the trailer I have found several features that I absolutely love.

• Deep, double bowl sink – I love having plenty of space to wash dishes.
• Extending counter – The 2109s has a lot of counter space to begin, but the ability to add more space for long trips or more elaborate meal preparation has been very helpful.
• Fridge by the door – It is wonderful to be able to reach into the trailer to grab a cold drink without tracking dirt. It is the next-best-thing to having an outdoor fridge.

Nevertheless, I have made the home my own. Feel free to read more about that here and here.