CamperHardlyKnowHer

Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S

Travel trailerbuilt 2017– (in production)Better build tierCommon on the used market
WHAT ONE COSTS
$45,200MSRP today

Still in production — a used 2023 would run roughly $31,200.

WHAT IT WEIGHS BEHIND YOUR TRUCK
~6,805 lbestimated as towed, for 2 people

dry weight 5,563 lb + fresh water (53 gal, full) 442 lb + propane + battery 200 lb + gear for 2 600 lb. Brochure dry weight omits water, propane, batteries and your gear; this estimate doesn't.

You want a tow rating around7,565 lb (10% margin)
GVWR (the sticker maximum)7,700 lb
Tongue weight, loaded~856 lb (13%)
Cargo capacity2,137 lb
WHICH TOW VEHICLES IT FITS — 60 OF 95

Judged the way the app judges: estimated loaded weight against each vehicle's rating less a 10% margin — per model year, because the 2509S's published weights changed mid-run.

VEHICLETOW RATINGVERDICT
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.7 Turbo HO, tow pkg) '23-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.8 Duramax) '15-227,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 (6.2 V8, max tow) '19-2613,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax, max tow) '24-2622,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '20-2318,510 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '11-1918,100 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '20-2636,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '11-1923,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (max tow) '14-1812,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado EV (4WT) '24-2612,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Suburban (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Dodge Durango (5.7 / 6.4 Hemi, tow pkg) '14-268,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '18-249,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '25-269,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '24-2613,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '11-1411,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '15-2013,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '21-2314,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 Lightning (max trailer tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, gooseneck) '20-2222,800 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, tow pkg) '17-1918,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel) '11-1616,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel, gooseneck) '23-2623,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '20-2237,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '17-1932,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '11-1621,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2638,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-450 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2640,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Ranger (2.3 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '19-237,500 lb2019–26 model years fit
Ford Ranger (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '24-267,500 lb2019–26 model years fit
GMC Hummer EV Pickup '22-267,500 lb2019–26 model years fit
GMC Sierra EV '24-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Gladiator (3.6 V6, max tow) '20-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Grand Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-269,850 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Land Rover Defender '20-268,201 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Land Rover Discovery '17-268,201 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Lexus GX 550 (tow pkg) '24-269,096 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Lexus LX 600 '22-268,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter '19-267,500 lb2019–26 model years fit
Nissan Armada (3.5 twin-turbo, tow pkg) '25-268,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Armada (tow pkg) '17-248,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Titan (5.6 V8, tow pkg) '17-249,760 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Titan XD (Cummins diesel) '16-1912,710 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (3.0 Hurricane, max tow) '25-2611,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi eTorque, max tow) '19-2412,750 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi, max tow) '11-1810,620 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins HO) '19-2620,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins) '11-1817,980 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins DRW, gooseneck) '13-1831,210 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '25-2636,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '19-2437,090 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Rivian R1S '22-267,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Rivian R1T '22-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Tesla Cybertruck '24-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Sequoia (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '23-269,520 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (5.7 V8, tow pkg) '11-2110,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '22-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
The 35it doesn't fit
  • Chevrolet Traverse (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Chrysler Pacifica '17-26 — over by ~3,565 lb loaded
  • Ford Bronco 4-dr (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~2,755 lb loaded
  • Ford Explorer (3.0 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~1,765 lb loaded
  • Ford Maverick (2.0 EcoBoost, 4K tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~3,205 lb loaded
  • Ford Transit (HD tow pkg) '15-26 — over by ~595 lb loaded
  • GMC Acadia (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Honda Odyssey '18-26 — over by ~3,655 lb loaded
  • Honda Passport (AWD) '19-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Honda Pilot (AWD, tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Honda Ridgeline (AWD) '17-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Palisade (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Santa Cruz (2.5T AWD) '22-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 Hemi) '11-21 — over by ~325 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~1,225 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee L (5.7 Hemi) '21-26 — over by ~325 lb loaded
  • Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-dr (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~3,655 lb loaded
  • Kia Telluride (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~1,855 lb loaded
  • Mazda CX-90 (3.3 turbo, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Nissan Frontier (3.8 V6, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~370 lb loaded
  • Nissan Pathfinder (tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~1,405 lb loaded
  • Ram ProMaster '14-26 — over by ~585 lb loaded
  • Subaru Ascent '19-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Subaru Outback (XT / Wilderness) '20-26 — over by ~3,655 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model X (tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model Y (tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~3,655 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (4.0 V6) '11-24 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (i-Force Max) '25-26 — over by ~1,405 lb loaded
  • Toyota Grand Highlander (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Toyota Highlander (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
  • Toyota Land Cruiser (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~1,405 lb loaded
  • Toyota Sienna '21-26 — over by ~3,655 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~955 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (V6, tow pkg) '16-23 — over by ~685 lb loaded
  • Volkswagen Atlas (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~2,305 lb loaded
THE SPECS
Length25.8 ft
Height (incl. A/C)10.9 ft
Width8.0 ft
GVWR7,700 lb
Dry weight5,563 lb
Dry tongue weight700 lb
Cargo capacity2,137 lb
Sleeps8
Slide-outs1
Axles2
Fresh water53 gal
Grey water29 gal
Black water29 gal
Air conditioning18,000 BTU
Awning18 ft

A missing row means the maker never published that figure — unknown, not zero.

WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP
  • 1× Front Murphy bed that folds up into a sofa for daytime use(Stow-away)60×74
  • 2× Rear double-size bunks; bottom bunk folds up for cargo(Permanent)48×72
  • 1× U-shaped dinette converts to a bed(Convertible)44×85
HOW IT'S BUILT — 5/5
WallsAzdel composite
FrameAluminum
RoofWalk-on
UnderbellyEnclosed

Forest River (Better tier): Azdel composite laminated walls, aluminum frame and walkable laminated roof — Rockwood's build spec has been consistently above the budget tier for a decade.

YEAR BY YEAR — WHAT CHANGED
YEARSGVWRDRYMSRP
2017–187,700 lb5,563 lb$45,182
2019–216,869 lb5,300 lb$45,182
2022–266,933 lb5,499 lb$49,971
  • 2017Introduced
  • 2017Introduced on a 25ft 9in body with a 660 lb hitch weight
  • 2018Hitch weight to 694 lb
  • 2019Stretched to 25ft 11in, fresh tank grew 43 to 58 gal, hitch to 709 lb
  • 2021Fresh water reduced to 52 gal
  • 2022Hitch weight up to 773 lb
  • 2023Settles at UVW 5,499 / CCC 1,434 (GVWR 6,933) and holds through 2026
  • 2026Limited-lifetime roof warranty and two-year limited warranty added
  • 2027Reworked to UVW 5,563 / CCC 2,137 (GVWR 7,700); length 25ft 10in, hitch down to 700 lb
  • 2027UVW up to 5,563 lb, hitch 700 lb, CCC 2,137 lb
FINDING ONE

Common — usually several for sale within a day’s drive. Why: Forest River is a volume manufacturer; 10-year production run; still in production. Estimated from build volume and production span — not a count of live listings.

THE READ

The family surprise of the line - real double bunks and a Murphy bed in a 26-foot trailer under 5,600 lb dry.

OTHER ROCKWOOD MINI LITE FLOORPLANS
2104S · 6,841 lb · sleeps 42108RB · 6,389 lb · sleeps 42109S · 5,837 lb · sleeps 42204S · 6,880 lb · sleeps 42205S · 6,794 lb · sleeps 42213S · 6,993 lb · sleeps 42214S · 6,825 lb · sleeps 42306 · 5,864 lb · sleeps 62503S · 6,598 lb · sleeps 42506FK · 7,710 lb · sleeps 42506S · 6,974 lb · sleeps 42507S · 7,590 lb · sleeps 42511S · 7,697 lb · sleeps 42513S · 7,720 lb · sleeps 4the whole line →
Is the 2509S your #1 — or just a spec sheet?

These are the facts. Whether it beats the other six thousand rigs for you depends on what you care about — set your priorities as sliders and watch the whole market re-rank around them. Nothing gets hidden, everything gets explained.

Rank it against your setup →

Data compiled from dealer and aggregator listings, retrieved 2026-07.