RV review: 2023 Rockwood GeoPro 19FBTH - small, solar and spectacular
Today’s RV review is of the 2023 Rockwood GeoPro 19FBTH. The packaging on this makes it one of my absolute favorite small trailers for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it’s a small toy hauler that can be legitimately towed by even mid-sized pickups.
Since their introduction Rockwood’s GeoPro and the essentially identical Flagstaff ePro have been a huge hit. The thinking behind these is to offer class-leading features and top-of-the-line build quality in a small, affordable package. It seems that when Rockwood has the opportunity to decide between a premium build feature or component as choose one that might be more price-sensitive, they chose the better quality every time.
The reasons I write that is because things like vacuum-laminated aluminum-framed walls are used throughout including the ceiling and all the slide room walls on models that have those. The substrate material is Azdel all around which is a waterproof man-made material.
Check out our article on RV construction types and why it matters.
Table of Contents
Most of the GeoPros incorporate Dexter MoreRyde axles, frameless windows, MaxXair fans, BAL frames, GoodYear Endurance tires filled with nitrogen and fitted with tire pressure monitors and on and on. I honestly can’t think of a single area where there are trailers that best the Rockwood GeoPros in terms of quality features.
But, more than that, the things that are incorporated into these trailers tend to make a difference down the road as you use these trailers.
The GeoPro line also includes 200watts of solar on the roof. If off-grid (boondocking) is your style the GeoPros feature an inverter that keeps some of the outlets working from battery power.
There is a ShowerMiser shower valve that lets you recirculate water into your fresh water tank as you wait for the hot water to get to the shower head, thereby saving water and extending your boondocking adventures.
And those rugged off-road tires also help you get to places other trailers might have to avoid.
Small toy hauler
But speaking to the specific floor plan of this toy hauler, the newly-introduced Rockwood GeoPro 19FBTH features a very decent 6’11” cargo length capacity which is accessible by a 60” by 68” counterbalanced cargo door in the rear. To make cargo loading and unloading even easier this trailer features a special air bag suspension created by MorRyde that allows you to raise and lower the trailer to favor cargo loading by lowering the suspension or traverse those trails that you wouldn’t dare venture down in most trailers by raising it.
While some smaller trailers feature a wet bath, this one features a full dry bath.
To accommodate the toy hauler capability the trailer has a kitchen on one side of the unit and a flip-up couch on the other. While you’re not going to be getting side-by-sides into this toy hauler you can get dirt bikes, mountain bikes, kayaks and other things in and potentially tow with something like a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Boondocking and travel access
Boondocking is going to be an area where even the standard model of this trailer shines. As mentioned there is a 200 watt solar panel and 1,000 watt inverter that are standard equipment on this model. That may be enough for some people.
But there is the optional Power Package which really steps up the solar and battery game with 600 watts of solar panels on the roof along with a 400 amp-hour Mastervolt lithium battery system and a 3,000 watt inverter. This package also includes an 11,000 BTU Coleman Mach air conditioning system with soft start technology so, yes, you could run the AC on the battery.
If 600 watts of solar isn’t enough there is a provision to add more to the side of the trail with a “solar on the side” function. You could plug in something like the GoPower! DuraFlex portable solar panels we wrote about.
This is one of the RVs we’re including as an example of what’s to come as we all think about a future where we potentially don’t need a generator.
Our article on a generator-free future for RVing.
I had also mentioned the ShowerMiser system which another feature that will extend the time you can enjoy off the grid by redirecting the water coming into the shower back into the fresh tank while you wait for it to get hot. In other words, you’re not wasting fresh water waiting for it to get hot in the shower. This is a terrific feature.
Challenges
Honestly my only challenge in this rig is that the bed is a full-size “east-west” bed where one person has to crawl over the other at night, but these are narrow-body trailers and this one is small enough to be easily towed. It already comes close to defying the magic of physics with size/functionality and Rockwood/Flagstaff can only do so much.
Having owned a Rockwood trailer myself for the past four years I can attest to the build quality and usable premium features in these trailers.
If adventure is in your wheelhouse and you have been thinking that your toys have to stay home perhaps the Rockwood GeoPro 19FBTH might be just the ticket to take it all with you when you go.
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