2108fbs second thoughts

HammerheadC4 · 11-17-2020, 05:21 AM

I have been looking for my first travel trailer for a couple months.

I really like the micro minnies....I like the 7ft width and dual axles.

My wife is retired and I am still working, but I can retire whenever I want too.

So the TT is for two of us and Jake our med size dog.
We plan to travel from Connecticut to the west for 2 to 3 week trips.

Our local WB dealer has a couple of micro minnies in stock, the 2108's have the GVWR of 5000lbs. I'm concerned about the cargo capacity with the low GVWR.
That's really the only thing preventing me from making the purchase.
They have a 1808fbs with old GVWR of 7000lbs...but she doesn't like the east west bed in this model.

I have a 2020 F250 super cab 7.3L gas for a tow vehicle.

What does a 2108 loaded for a 2 week trip with food, water and clothing etc usually weigh?

Is the 850-1000lb CCC a valid concern?

al1florida · 11-17-2020, 05:14 PM

The posted CCC weights are without full fresh water tank and may be w/o propane. Water is 8.3 lb and propane is about 5 lb per gallon. So be sure to subtract that weight from the CCC. Additionally you may be traveling with some gray and black water in your tanks.

It is very easy to put 500 to 1000 pounds of cargo in a RV. You just keep making trips from the house with 10 & 20 pounds of stuff and pretty soon you have a lot of weight.

backtrack15 · 11-17-2020, 09:12 PM

Wait a bit and get a newer build. They increased the GVWR to 5500.

HammerheadC4 · 11-18-2020, 03:35 AM

Thanks for the replies.

So with water, propane and a battery...looks like that eats up 450lbs.
Add a second battery.....not even 500lbs left for cargo.

Waiting for a newer build, looks like you end up with 1000lbs for cargo. (after water, propane and batteries)

I hope an older build pops up nearby, I like the cabinets better in those.

Bigbird65 · 11-18-2020, 10:05 AM

We bought a new 2014 2101DS and towed it for 4 years, just the two of us. We really liked it but wanted something more roomy with much more cargo space. We traded in on a new 2018 2250DS. Perfect floor plan and plenty of room. We are still extremely happy with it. Unfortunately Winnebago has a habit of dropping popular models from there line. Guess they have to keep their designers busy. Bottom line is don't go to small in the beginning. Get a little larger trailer to start with. I recommend a 7,000 lb GVWR.

backtrack15 · 11-18-2020, 10:30 AM

We went the opposite direction: from big fifth-wheel to small 2100BH. It's all personal preference.

tinglett · 11-18-2020, 10:34 AM

Wow, apparently I was spoiled or too naive about this when I made my purchase. My sister was recently sending me links to RVs for sale (she's looking) and I noticed one had a CCC of only 385 lbs! That's nuts. And just that day, backtrack15 pointed out Winnebago's maneuvering with their builds.

Seems to me all that is being accomplished here is to trim the price (or increase profit) somewhat at the risk of owners pulling overloaded trailers. Sigh. I hope you find that older build.

backtrack15 · 11-18-2020, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HammerheadC4

Thanks for the replies.

So with water, propane and a battery...looks like that eats up 450lbs.
Add a second battery.....not even 500lbs left for cargo.

Waiting for a newer build, looks like you end up with 1000lbs for cargo. (after water, propane and batteries)

I hope an older build pops up nearby, I like the cabinets better in those.

I would also recommend that you shoot for an older build. Just yesterday, I installed some struts to hold the cabinets open over the bed. I accidentally scraped a bit of the laminate off the cabinet aperture with just the slightest pressure from the strut mounting plate. The new cabinets look modern, which apparently had strong appeal in the focus-group tests, but the lamination is very thin and you really have to be careful to avoid damaging them. I think the older units will hold up better in use. Also, the 3700# GAWR and 7000 GVWR completely eliminate any concerns about overloading. I like my 2021B 2100BH for a number of reasons, but I do feel like I have to be very careful to avoid damaging the interior... something I didn't worry about with my prior trailer.

**creativepart** · 11-18-2020, 10:54 AM

I believe a new Minnie Travel Trailer is being featured at today's new Product Announcement at noon on winnebago.com.

https://winnebago.com/theroadahead

tinglett · 11-18-2020, 03:57 PM

I saw the announce videos and it looks like the Micro Minnies stayed the same. I was thinking that MM they kept showing wasn't hitched very well, though. Makes me wonder if they lowered the GVWR so they could "feel good" about showing a smaller SUV hauling it.

Still, even though I get size-envy when I see all the bigger TT's, I still very much like the micros....

backtrack15 · 11-18-2020, 04:07 PM

They lowered the GVWR because dealers were telling them that folks read the forums and hear that they should expect to load any trailer to GVWR. So people would see 7000 and get scared away. Most trailers don’t have 3000 lbs of payload like the Micro Minnie used to have, but folks weren’t smart enough to recognize that.

Most people are probably in the 5000-5500 lb area fully loaded, so I think 5500 is fair. Going to softer axles should help with longevity (smooths the ride considerably). I think they ended up in a good spot, but 2500/5000 on the 2108 units was just plain stupid.

I agree though. These Micro Minnies are not something I would recommend to people with small SUVs.

tomwi · 11-18-2020, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtrack15

Wait a bit and get a newer build. They increased the GVWR to 5500.

Even 5500 seems a bit odd. It's less than the axle ratings. A similar trailer from another brand, using their rating system, would have rated the 2108 at 6400 lbs (6000 for the axles and 400lbs tongue weight. Is Winnie just being conservative? Did they cheapen up on the frame to not be able to handle the axle rating? Curious.

backtrack15 · 11-19-2020, 05:32 AM

I asked the engineers about this back in August. The frame and structure are unchanged. I compared the frames myself and could not see any differences other than the new axle mounts and new mounting plates for auto leveling jacks.

Forest River would rate the GVWR at GAWR + tongue weight + weight of wheels and tires. Dexter would allow a rating of GAWR + tongue weight. Airstream would go with GVWR at GAWR.

Winnebago is trying to keep GVWR low as a marketing ploy. 5500 seems less scary to the SUV owner than 6000.

Ljones1251 · 11-22-2020, 05:44 PM

If the Micro Minnie has dual axles, the GVWR IS 7,000 lbs. I have a 2020 2108TB and have never come close to the Max GVWR.

backtrack15 · 11-22-2020, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ljones1251

If the Micro Minnie has dual axles, the GVWR IS 7,000 lbs. I have a 2020 2108TB and have never come close to the Max GVWR.

Not after 8/1/2020. They arbitrarily dropped the GVWR and installed axles to support the lower figure.

KGs2108DS · 11-22-2020, 05:55 PM

I don't think you have any problem. the key is the rather capable pick-up you'll be towing with. I have a full sized tundra, and load all the heavy stuff in the pick-up bed: generator, all kinds of tools, extra 5gal water jugs X2, ice chest, lantern, stove, 5 gal gas tank, on and on till the pick up bed in full. we pack the trailer refrigerator, under the dinette compartments full of food and cooking utensils , and some gear in the front pass through compartments, and of course full water tank. we've had no problems at all, been all over Colorado from foot hills to camping at 11,000' paved, gravel, dirt, etc, and no towing problems, no weight problems at all. just load the heavy stuff in the pick up.

getaway · 11-22-2020, 06:05 PM

Wow, we got out 2108TB just in time then back in September. It has a GVWR of 7000 lbs.

HammerheadC4 · 11-22-2020, 06:34 PM

I had stopped at my local dealer on the way home from work Friday.

They want over $31,000.00 otd for a new 2021 2108fbs and $26,000 otd for used 2020 2108fbs

I may end up going with a new 2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s....I can get that for 26,000.00 otd

I was thinking along the lines of what KGs posted, I have a crossover tool box and tonneau cover...and my truck has a good payload rating, so I could load a lot of gear in the pickup bed if I had too.
I would prefer the micro mini, but I'm not paying thousands more for less trailer.

getaway · 11-22-2020, 06:57 PM

I have a truck with good payload rating and tonneau cover also, so I'll be packing much of our heavy stuff in the bed also even with the 7000 GVWR. The price for the new Micro Minnies has definitely gone up since we purchased ours.

tomwi · 11-22-2020, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HammerheadC4

I had stopped at my local dealer on the way home from work Friday.

They want over $31,000.00 otd for a new 2021 2108fbs and $26,000 otd for used 2020 2108fbs

If they only have one or two and don't know when they'll get more, they'll quote top dollar. Wait until January/February. By then they should be better stocked, as will their competitors, Not as many RVs sold in snow country in the winter, so they'll be a little hungrier for your business, and you'll beat the spring buying rush. All this assumes COVID doesn't do another number on the supply chain.