2009 Coachmen RV Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb Specs
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Safe Towing Capacity
80%
Under capacity
Safe zone
Max rating
Essential Upgrades for the 2009 Coachmen RV Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb
Towing & Dimensions
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 5797 lbs | CURT WD Hitch & Sway Controller | Shop Weight Distributing Hitches | - |
| Hitch Weight | 895 lbs | ReeseTrailer Hitch | Shop Hitches | - |
| Payload Capacity | 3098 lbs | Coil SumoSprings | Shop Suspension Kits | - |
| Length | 359 in | Furrion Backup Camera | Shop Cameras | - |
| Width | 96 in | Clip On Mirrors | Shop Mirrors | - |
| Exterior Height | 132 in | Telescoping Ladder | Shop Ladders | - |
| Interior Height | 78 in | - | - | - |
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Dry Weight
5797 lbs
Hitch Weight
895 lbs
Payload Capacity
3098 lbs
Length
359 in
Width
96 in
Exterior Height
132 in
Interior Height
78 in
Towing & Dimensions Best Sellers
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Electrical & Solar
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore Power | 30 Amps | - | - | - |
| Battery Type | 12V Lead-Acid | Renogy 100Ah LiFePO4 | RV Batteries | Top 5 |
| Solar Pre-Wired | Optional | - | - | - |
| Inverter | Optional | - | - | - |
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Shore Power
30 Amps
Battery Type
12V Lead-Acid
Solar Pre-Wired
Optional
Inverter
Optional
Electrical & Solar Best Sellers
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Tank Capacities
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | - | - |
| Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks | 1 | - | - | - |
| Fresh Water Tank Capacity | 36 gal | - | Fresh Water Tanks | - |
| Gray Water Tank Capacity | 54 gal | - | - | - |
| Black Water Tank Capacity | 30 gal | - | Back Water Tanks | - |
| Number Of Propane Tanks | 2 | - | - | - |
| Propane Tank Capacity | 60 lbs | 30Lb Propane Tank | Propane Tank Capacity | - |
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Number Of Fresh Water Holding Tanks
1
Number Of Gray Water Holding Tanks
1
Number Of Black Water Holding Tanks
1
Fresh Water Tank Capacity
36 gal
Gray Water Tank Capacity
54 gal
Black Water Tank Capacity
30 gal
Number Of Propane Tanks
2
Propane Tank Capacity
60 lbs
Tank Capacities Best Sellers
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Tires & Wheels
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Wheel Diameter | 15 | - | - | - |
| Wheels Composition | Steel | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Aspect Ratio | 75 | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Width | 225 | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire | 225/75R 15D Full Spec | - | - | - |
| Rear Tire Speed Rating | D | - | - | - |
| Rear Brake Type | Electric Drum | - | - | - |
Specs
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Rear Wheel Diameter
15
Wheels Composition
Steel
Rear Tire Aspect Ratio
75
Rear Tire Width
225
Rear Tire
225/75R 15D Full Spec
Rear Tire Speed Rating
D
Rear Brake Type
Electric Drum
Heating & Cooling
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Conditioning Type | Automatic | Dometic 13.5K Air Conditioner | Shop All RV AC | - |
| Water Heater Tank Capacity | 6 g | RV Tank Water Heater | RV Water Heaters | - |
| Heater Type | Automatic | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Pump Power Mode | Electrical / Propane | - | - | - |
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Air Conditioning Type
Automatic
Water Heater Tank Capacity
6 g
Heater Type
Automatic
Water Heater Pump Power Mode
Electrical / Propane
Heating & Cooling Best Sellers
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Living Room / Bedroom(s)
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds | 2 | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains | Yes | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Location | Front | - | - | - |
| Sofa Material | Cloth | - | - | - |
| Number Of Bunk Beds | 2 | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Mirror Doors | No | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Number Of Sofas | 1 | Tri-Fold Sofa | - | - |
| Full Size Master Bedroom Closet | No | - | - | - |
| Number Of Queen Size Beds | 1 | Queen RV Mattress | Shop Mattresses | - |
| Number Of Bathrooms | 1 | - | - | - |
| Master Bedroom Door Style | Full Sliding Door | - | - | - |
| Living Area Location | Center | - | - | - |
Specs
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Number Of Convertible / Sofa Beds
2
Master Bedroom Shades / Curtains
Yes
Master Bedroom Location
Front
Sofa Material
Cloth
Number Of Bunk Beds
2
Master Bedroom Mirror Doors
No
Master Bedroom Flooring Type
Vinyl
Number Of Sofas
1
Full Size Master Bedroom Closet
No
Number Of Queen Size Beds
1
Number Of Bathrooms
1
Master Bedroom Door Style
Full Sliding Door
Living Area Location
Center
Living Room / Bedroom(s) Best Sellers
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Kitchen / Dining
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Of Oven Burners | 3 | - | - | - |
| Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Size | Mid-Size | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Table Configuration | Bench Seats | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator Power Mode | Electric / Propane | - | - | - |
| Kitchen Location | Center | - | - | - |
Specs
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Number Of Oven Burners
3
Kitchen / Living Area Flooring Type
Vinyl
Refrigerator Size
Mid-Size
Kitchen Table Configuration
Bench Seats
Refrigerator Power Mode
Electric / Propane
Kitchen Location
Center
Bathroom
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Flooring Type | Vinyl | - | - | - |
| Toilet Type | Plastic | RV Toilet with Sprayer Attachment | Toilets | Top 5 |
| Bathroom Location | Rear | - | - | - |
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Bathroom Flooring Type
Vinyl
Toilet Type
Plastic
Bathroom Location
Rear
Exterior
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Length | 12 ft/m | Awning Fabric Replacement | All Awnings | - |
| Number of Awnings | 1 | Motorized RV Awning Set | Shop Awnings | - |
| Leveling Jack Type | Front Manual / Rear Manual | - | - | - |
| Number Of Axles | 2 | - | - | - |
| Sidewall Construction | Fiberglass | - | - | - |
| Number of Doors | 1 | - | - | - |
| Door Type | Curtain | - | - | - |
| Body Material | Aluminum | - | - | - |
Specs
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Awning Length
12 ft/m
Number of Awnings
1
Leveling Jack Type
Front Manual / Rear Manual
Number Of Axles
2
Sidewall Construction
Fiberglass
Number of Doors
1
Door Type
Curtain
Body Material
Aluminum
Exterior Best Sellers
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Options
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Awning | Yes | - | - | - |
| Washer / Dryer Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Sliding Glass Door | No | - | - | - |
| Heat Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Refrigerator | Standard | - | - | - |
| Phone Prewiring | No | - | - | - |
| Wallpaper | Yes | - | - | - |
| Battery Power Converter | Yes | - | - | - |
| Screened Room | No | - | - | - |
| Power Retractable Slideout | Yes | - | - | - |
| Water Heater Tank Bypass | Yes | - | - | - |
| Overhead Fan | Yes | Overhead Fan | - | - |
| TV Antenna Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Air Conditioning Prewiring | Yes | - | - | - |
| Interior Wood Finish | Yes | - | - | - |
| Satellite Prewiring | No | - | - | - |
Specs
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Cable Prewiring
Yes
Power Retractable Awning
Yes
Washer / Dryer Prewiring
Yes
Sliding Glass Door
No
Heat Prewiring
Yes
Refrigerator
Standard
Phone Prewiring
No
Wallpaper
Yes
Battery Power Converter
Yes
Screened Room
No
Power Retractable Slideout
Yes
Water Heater Tank Bypass
Yes
Overhead Fan
Yes
TV Antenna Prewiring
Yes
Air Conditioning Prewiring
Yes
Interior Wood Finish
Yes
Satellite Prewiring
No
Quick Overview
| Specs | Value | Buy | Shop All | Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parent Company | Forest River | - | - | - |
| Year | 2009 | - | - | - |
| Make | Coachmen | - | - | - |
| Display Name | Captiva™ Ultra-Lite 281DSB | - | - | - |
| Class | Travel Trailer | - | - | - |
| Max Sleeping Count | 8 | - | - | - |
| Number of Slideouts | 2 | - | - | - |
| Introduction Year | 2009 | - | - | - |
Specs
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Parent Company
Forest River
Year
2009
Make
Coachmen
Display Name
Captiva™ Ultra-Lite 281DSB
Class
Travel Trailer
Max Sleeping Count
8
Number of Slideouts
2
Introduction Year
2009
How We Scored This RV
Our MintRV Rating analyzes over 50 specifications across 5 key dimensions. Each dimension starts at 5.0 points and adjusts based on how this RV's specs compare to others in its class. Below is exactly how we calculated each score for this travel trailer.
Tow-Ready Score
5.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Travel Trailer class averages
+0.3
Final Tow-Ready Score
5.3
Living Space & Layout
5.8/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Travel Trailer class averages
+0.8
Final Living Space & Layout
5.8
Comfort & Features
5.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Travel Trailer class averages
+0.3
Final Comfort & Features
5.3
Storage Space
5.0/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Travel Trailer class averages
+0.0
Final Storage Space
5.0
Off-Grid & Campsites
5.3/10
Base Score
5.0
Spec-based adjustments
Based on Travel Trailer class averages
+0.3
Final Off-Grid & Campsites
5.3
About Our Rating Methodology
MintRV Ratings are calculated using verified manufacturer specifications. We compare each RV against others in its class type and weight category. Scores are updated when new specs become available. Learn more about our methodology →
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Frequently Asked Questions
To safely tow the 2009 Coachmen RV Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb, ensure your vehicle's rated tow capacity exceeds its GVWR of lbs. With a dry weight of 5797 lbs and hitch weight of 895 lbs, most midsize trucks and SUVs can tow it comfortably with a 10-20% safety margin.
This Travel Trailer has a dry weight of 5797 lbs and a GVWR of lbs, giving a payload capacity of 3098 lbs for gear, water, and supplies.
The approximate dimensions are length 359 in., width 96 in., and height 132 in. Always confirm clearances for garages, storage, and campsites.
The Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb includes a fresh water capacity of gallons, black water tank(s), and lbs of propane capacity-ideal for off-grid weekends.
Many Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb owners add a weight-distribution hitch, brake controller, leveling system, and portable generator to improve towing comfort. Solar kits, backup cameras, and upgraded tires are also popular upgrades.
With a GVWR of lbs and dry weight of 5797 lbs, the Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb is light enough for smaller tow vehicles yet rugged enough for light off-road travel. Add solar, extra propane, and a generator for extended off-grid stays.
This floorplan sleeps up to 8 people comfortably - perfect for couples or small families seeking a lightweight, easy-tow Travel Trailer.
The Captiva Ultra-Lite 281dsb features body construction with sidewalls and 2 axle(s). Its GVWR of lbs ensures strength without excessive towing weight.
?? Tip: Always check your vehicle's specific towing capacity in the owner's manual. Consider payload and tongue weight too!
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