Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS. I very specifically chose this model after taking a look at the Jayco Jay Feather 25RB recently. This is also a prime example of why I recommend looking further if you find a floor plan that you like. Oftentimes if someone makes it, several companies do. And this is an example of what a difference the various RV companies make in how they make decisions.
Material differences in the Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS
So what are the differences in how this rig is built compared to the Jayco? How much time do you have?
Both feature Goodyear Endurance tires, but the Flagstaff also includes tire pressure monitoring. The suspension on these is a torsion axle suspension; the Jayco rides on horse-and-buggy-era leaf springs.
These units feature aluminum-framed floors with 5/8” tongue-and-groove plywood as the base. The walls are laminated by Flagstaff in-house using a vacuum lamination process, which results in better glue distribution.
On the top these feature a vacuum-laminated roof as well with aluminum framing. Flagstaff is one of the few companies to do this.
The windows in these are frameless pop-out windows which require less maintenance. But, they also don’t provide as much natural air flow, so Flagstaff uses high-performance vent fans throughout the trailers as standard equipment.
Inside, the Flagstaff includes a larger and actually usable 22” oven.
What’s inside
One of the highlights of this floor plan is the large bathroom at the rear. This results in a lot of space. I’m happy that Flagstaff, too, didn’t use the counter space for two sinks. You can see some decision priorities here—with the Jayco offering much more counter space but the Flagstaff biasing the space in the bathroom to a larger linen closet.
Something you’ll get in the Flagstaff is a ShowerMiser system, which redirects water into the fresh water system while you’re waiting for the shower water to get hot. This means that that water isn’t going down the drain and being wasted—which is good for boondocking.
Living space
The kitchen in this has decent counter space, although I think the nod here goes to Jayco, as well. However, the Flagstaff has a flip-up counter extension—so there ya’ go. Although it’s not flush with the counter when up.
This unit incorporates the new 12-volt fridge that can open from either side. If you’re a fan of vintage appliances, as I am, you might think that this feature was popular in the 1950s with those Philco fridges. See? What’s old is new again! What’s even newer is that Lippert figured out how to make the fridge door so you can’t just take the thing off inadvertently.
Get comfortable
As for seating, you have a choice of either theater seats or a hide-a-bed sofa. The theater seats are more comfortable, of course, with a big center arm rest that features household and USB power outlets in a pop-up mechanism.
Before you sit down, you have another choice to make in either a free-standing table and chairs or a booth dinette. Usually, I’m all in on the table and chairs. But the dinette offers more storage in the aluminum-framed bases. Oh, yeah. Wherever there’s a house-built component like the base of the dinette or the entire bed structure, Flagstaff builds it out of welded aluminum.
I do like that the table is free-standing, but I wish you could raise it up to counter height, although that’s an easy enough mod to make.
Once it’s time to retire for the night, know that the 2024 model features a true queen-sized bed.
Storage a-plenty
One of the nice things about these is all the storage in them. This particular design features a wardrobe slide with both hanging storage and drawers.
In the main area is walk-in storage—which could be for clothes or food or hiding and scaring your spouse. Whatever works for you.
And, as mentioned, there’s a linen closet in the bathroom, as well.
Another nifty storage area is in the front pass-through, where you’ll find that there’s a large sliding tray that can slide out from either side. You know whatever you want is always the farthest from your reach. This nifty tray can help solve that and make the space more usable.
Boondocking and travel access
You darn well better put that flip-up counter extension on your checklist or you’ll be sad as it would come into contact with the slide, but checklists are always a good thing, even for us experienced travelers.
But at least the fuse box and converter panel are in the main living space—in this case right under that fancy fridge. And, again, there’s a door to the bedroom.
You can still get to the bathroom and the kitchen but the slide blocks the access to the bedroom.
As for being off the grid, this rig comes with 200 watts of solar and an 1800-watt inverter. You can opt in a second panel, as well. Also, if you’re going to be off-grid, any RV can also employ ground-deployed solar panels to add additional juice.
Another boon to boondocking is the aforementioned ShowerMiser.
What I would change
Now, if you think I think this RV is perfect, know that I don’t think any RV is perfect. Plus, we all have our own ideas.
I’m not a fan of the floor ducts for the furnace at all. Funny that Flagstaff puts them in their cabinets above the floor in the smaller Micro Lite series, but moves them to the floor in the more premium models.
Another bummer here is that there are two connection points for the sewer system. There’s one for the black tank and bathroom gray tank, and another for the kitchen gray tank. I know of two people who have plumbed these together—maybe they’ll share their plans for this with Flagstaff.
So you know there is carpeting along the bolsters beside the bed. This is true of my own trailer, too. This might be something some buyers don’t like, although they likely won’t be walking here. However, know that all RV decisions are made as compromises. For example, that very large pass-through storage compartment in the front is the result of these larger bolsters beside the bed.
Conclusions
The differences between today’s rig and that Jayco are so incredibly substantial that it reinforces why I suggest you shop around once you’ve found a floor plan that you like. That’s also true of dealerships.
In fact, this past weekend a large dealership chain was supposedly having some party in the parking lot. It was so very depressing walking around in there that we left. Then we went to the adjacent locally owned dealership and truly felt happier for that experience.
Well … until the owner shared her political feelings.
So when you’re shopping for your next RV, even when it’s theoretically the same floor plan, keep in mind that the decisions made by designers can truly materially affect the results. Perhaps that’s why Flagstaff sales aren’t tanking like some others in the business.
And we’re going to take a look at another version of this floor plan on Sunday, so stay tuned!
Also know that the Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS is identical to the Rockwood Ultra Lite 2606s featured in the video.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the photos and video in this article.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a life long RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars. He also works closely with a number of RV manufacturers to get an inside look at how things are done and is a brand ambassador for Rockwood Mini Lite with his wife, Peggy.
You can also check out his RV podcast with his wife, Peggy.
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I sure do like that ‘slider’ in the front storage area. The shower miser is something I wish I had in my rig. Boondock access is a good point. But with that 12v fridge, you’re gonna need a lot more solar if boondockng is your forte.
Thank you, Tony! 🙂 This seems to be a great RV! If only, as you note, the furnace/AC registers were not in the floor AND there were not two gray tank dump valves. Oh well. Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
Nice review. Good to focus on how to compare some quality features to help in decision making.
One tip on that is to make a spreadsheet with units you are looking at across the top and all the features down the side. Write in the various specs for each unit (ie: plywood floor, 16″ O.C. aluminum floor joists, etc.). When completed, rank each feature for each unit. I like just using a highlighter to mark the best quality.
This allows a buyer to then look and see which model has the most color under it. You can also note “deal breakers” and color red if the spec doesn’t meet your needs.
Using this method ensures you consider everything vs trying to just keep all that in your head.
Our motorhome has a simple, though not cheap, solution to the “double-dump” problem. Our gray tank is behind the rear axle, the black tank and dump valve are in front of the axle. So, the gray tank has a macerator pump to pump the contents over the axle directly to the dump valve. But that would not be a solution the corporate bean counters would ever suggest!
It looks like a very nice trailer. You said that there are two entrance doors into the trailer, but on the layout and the picture of the trailer exterior I only see one. So where is this second door?
You are absolutely correct! I have been looking at far too many trailers and getting things out in advance of leaving on a big adventure and I mixed this up with another trailer in this case. I just made corrections to reflect this as there is but one entry door on this trailer which means that the slide would block access to the bedroom.