Tried and true or brand new? That’s the headline of the debate for buyers comparing the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro versus the Keystone Outback OBX. These travel trailers offer lightweight towing, off-grid capability, and comfortable sleeping areas for couples and extended families.
With Keystone’s introduction of the Outback OBX, many buyers wonder how these new off-grid campers compare to a model dominating this space for years – Forest River’s Flagstaff E-Pro.
Let’s begin with a side-by-side comparison of the basic specs for these RV models:
Flagstaff E-Pro versus Outback OBX: 2024 Spec Comparison
These specs provide an overview of the entire lineup. We’ll go into more detail on each line below.
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX | |
| # of Floorplans | 13 | 2 |
| Length Range | 12’3” to 21’2” | 20’4” to 22’1” |
| Exterior Height Range | 7’3” to 10’ | 10’9” |
| Dry Weight Range | 1,903 to 3,971 pounds | 3,890 to ~4,300 pounds |
| CCC* Range | 687 to 1,442 pounds | ~1,110 pounds |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2 to 5 | 5 to 6 |
| LP Capacity | 40 pounds (2 containers) | 40 pounds (2 containers) |
| Fresh Water Capacity | 20 to 31 gallons | 37 gallons |
| Gray Water Capacity | 6 to 39 gallons | 30 gallons |
| Black Water Capacity | 0 to 27 gallons | 30 gallons |
*CCC = Cargo Carrying Capacity
As the newcomer, the Keystone Outback OBX lineup currently features two bunkhouse floorplans. The main difference in floorplan between the 17BH and 18BHS is the addition of a single slide-out in the 18BHS, expanding the living area and sleeping capacity.
As the longstanding industry favorite, the Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro lineup features 13 floorplans with front dinette, rear dinette, twin bed, bunkhouse, front kitchen, rear bathroom, front Murphy bed, and micro camper layouts. Due to available space, some of the smaller floorplans may not offer all the features and amenities you’ll find in the larger models.
So, a significant advantage for someone shopping for the OBX and E-Pro is the considerably more extensive selection from Flagstaff. But do the general features of the OBX outperform those of the E-Pro?
Flagstaff E-Pro versus Outback OBX: 2024 Feature Comparison
Because they’re designed for boondocking adventures, the Outback OBX and Flagstaff E-Pro are both feature-laden. Forest River and Keystone offer optional packages to expand your trailer’s off-grid capability further.
To make the comparison more manageable, we’ll highlight the features of these two models side-by-side:
Construction Features
Let’s start with construction elements. Notice the similarities and differences in the design and build of these two off-grid campers.
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| Lippert Frame | NORCO NXG Frame |
| Dexter Torflex® Torsion Axles with Aluminum Wheels | Dexter Torflex® Torsion Axles with Aluminum Wheels |
| 15” Mud Rover Radial Tires with Lift Kit | 14” Radial Tires |
| 6-Side Aluminum Cage Construction | 6-Side Aluminum Cage Construction |
| ⅝” Tongue and Groove Plywood Flooring (with ½” OSB in the 12S) | Hyperdeck® High-Performance Water-Resistant Flooring |
| Laminated Clay with Alloy Band Fiberglass Sidewalls | Pinch-rolled Laminated Gel-Coated Fiberglass Exterior |
| Block Foam Insulation | Block Foam Insulation |
| Interior Azdel Paneling | Interior Luann Paneling |
| Heated Holding Tanks (N/A 12S) | Holding Tank Heating Pads |
| 2” Rear Hitch Receiver | 2” Rear Hitch Receiver |
| Heated and Enclosed Underbelly |
Notice the Flagstaff E-Pro offers a slightly larger tire and interior Azdel paneling, which many tout as more resistant to mold and decay if water does permeate the fiberglass exterior.
Conversely, we like the Hyperdeck® flooring in the OBX, which is lighter, less likely to degrade, and more water-resistant, showing that the designers were well aware that owners would likely be traipsing in from all sorts of wet and dirty adventures.
Exterior Features
Conduct your virtual RV walk-around as you compare and contrast the exterior features of these lightweight travel trailers:
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| Tinted Bonded Frameless Windows | Acrylic Euro Double-Paned Windows |
| Outside Griddle with LP Hookup | Outside Griddle with LP Hookup |
| Fixed Roof Ladder (N/A 12S) | Telescoping Roof Ladder with Bracket Attachment |
| Outside Shower | Outside Shower |
| Power Awning with LED Lighting | Power Awning with LED Lighting |
| Black Tank Flush (N/A 15TB, 15RD, 12S) | Black Tank Flush |
| Outdoor Speaker | Outdoor Speaker |
| Cargo Rack Prep on Rear Bumper |
Again, lots of similarities across these towables. Nothing too surprising here. But we should point out those double-paned windows in the OBX, which are latched to swing open for added ventilation. The cargo rack prep is nice, too, but we might be slightly suspicious of anything that risks affecting the OBX’s most valuable asset: its light weight.
The roof access also differs, and I’d give the E-Pro the nod for having a fixed ladder because it eliminates the need to store a telescoping ladder between uses. The downside is a more extensive and expensive repair if the ladder is damaged.
Interior Features
Let’s move to the interior to compare and contrast popular interior features between the E-Pro and the OBX:
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| Barreled Ceiling (N/A 12S and 14D) | Flat Ceiling |
| Energy-Efficient LED Puck Lighting | Energy-Efficient LED Strip Lighting with Dimmer Control |
| 20K BTU Furnace (11K Under Bunk in 12S) | 20K BTU Furnace |
| 12V Refrigerator | Solar-compatible 12V Refrigerator |
| 13.5K BTU Roof A/C | Solar-compatible 18K BTU Roof A/C with Variable Compressor |
| Quick-Recovery Gas/Electric Water Heater (On-Demand in the 12S) | Girard® On-Demand Tankless Water Heater |
| 12V Smart TV with Stereo (N/A 12S) | Solar-compatible 12V Smart TV |
| Standard Roller Shades | Integrated Double Shades with Blackout Curtain |
| Microwave (Convection Microwave in 12S, 15TB, 15FBS, 15RD, and 19FDS) | Microwave |
| Oven (N/A 19FDS, 15FBS, 15TB, 15RD, 12S) | 17” Oven |
| Recessed Cooktop with Flush-Mount Cover (15TB, 15FBS, 15RD, 19FDS); Gas Range (15FD, 19BH, 19FBS, 19FD, 20BHS, 20FBS, and 20FKS) | Three-Burner Gas Range with Low-Profile Hood Vent |
| Shower Miser Water Saver (N/A 12S) |
The noticeable interior differences begin with the barreled ceiling in the E-Pro, which provides more headroom for taller campers. Forest River also caters to boondockers in more arid climates with the addition of the Shower Miser system to reduce water waste.
The OBX excels by incorporating solar compatibility into nearly the entire electrical system. Soft-start technology allows the A/C to use only battery power, and the variable compressor improves energy efficiency when running. While a soft-start A/C is an optional upgrade for the E-Pro, Keystone made it a standard feature in the Outback OBX.
Hitch & Towing Features
Compare these towing features in your Flagstaff E-Pro versus Outback OBX debate:
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| Power Tongue Jack | Power Tongue Jack |
| TST Tire Pressure Monitoring System | Lippert Tire Linc® Tire Pressure and Temperature Monitoring System |
| Backup Camera Prep | Backup Camera Prep |
| Full-Size Spare Tire with Carrier | Full-Size Spare Tire Mounted Underneath |
There’s not much difference between the towing features for these two off-grid campers, aside from the different tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) manufacturers. You can learn more about these systems using the links below:
Electrical and Solar Features
The length of your off-grid stays often depends on your camper’s ability to harness and store solar energy. So, let’s compare the electrical and solar features of the E-Pro versus the OBX:
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| 200-Watt Roof Solar Panel | 220-Watt Roof Solar Panel |
| 1,800-Watt Inverter (1,000-Watt in 12S and 14D) with 30A Charge Controller | 2,000-Watt Inverter with 30A Charge Controller |
| Bluetooth System Control Panel (N/A 12S) | Zamp Solar Sidewall Charge Port with 15A Solar Charging Circuit |
| AIR 360+ Omnidirectional Antenna with Wi-Fi Prep | AIR 360+ Omnidirectional Antenna with Wi-Fi Prep |
Note that Keystone publishes comprehensive online materials explaining the ins and outs of their SolarFlex® packages. Learn more about SolarFlex® to understand whether the standard Protect 220 or the upgraded Discover 440I package best suits your boondocking needs.
Optional Packages
Here are the optional upgrades Forest River and Keystone are offering for these respective models:
| Flagstaff E-Pro | Outback OBX |
| Second (and/or Third) 200-Watt Roof Solar Panel | Second 220-watt Roof Solar Panel |
| 460Ah Mastervolt Lithium Battery | Two 100Ah Dragonfly Energy Lithium Batteries |
| 3,000-Watt/160A Inverter/Charger with Safety Disconnect Switch | 2,000-Watt Inverter with Built-in Transfer Switch |
| Tongue-Mounted Bike Rack | Y-Design Front Hitch Bike Rack |
| Slide Topper (Only on Slide-out Equipped Models) | Backup Camera |
| 11K BTU Soft-Start Coleman Mach A/C | NORCO BAL Independent Suspension System |
| Side Solar Plug-in for Portable Panels | Knobby Mud Tires |
| Two Smart Remotes for System Control and Monitoring |
Both trailers offer upgraded solar packages and a tongue-mounted bike rack. Keystone’s remaining upgrades focus on improving your visibility (backup camera) and off-road performance (suspension and tires). Forest River’s upgrades provide exterior protection (slide topper), easier use (smart remotes), and off-grid camping comfort (soft-start A/C).
Which Is Right For You?
There are many similarities between the Outback OBX and Flagstaff E-Pro. We hope our lists above have pointed out the key differences, but here’s a synopsis of the key benefits of each model:
Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro
- More Layout Choices. 13 floorplans versus 2, currently.
- Higher Ceilings. Barreled ceiling with higher interior height (minus the micro campers).
- Fixed Roof Access. No need to store a telescoping ladder between uses.
Keystone Outback OBX
- Solar-Compatible A/C. Soft-start unit is standard versus an upgrade.
- Increased Standard Solar Capture. 220 watts versus 200 standard, plus the sidewall charge port for compatibility with portable panels.
- Customizable Lighting. LED strip lighting can be dimmed to your preference.
Which Gets Your Vote?
Let us know which travel trailer you’d prefer:
Where To Find These Lightweight Off-Grid Campers
Once you understand the differences and similarities between the Flagstaff E-Pro and the Outback OBX, we recommend feeling those differences in person. You can find these models at Camping World dealerships nationwide, with availability changing based on your location and inventory at specific dealerships.
Use these links and input your zip code to locate available models near you. Then reach out to schedule a time to tour both and see which is your perfect off-grid camper!
If you’re interested in comparing the Flagstaff E-Pro or Outback OBX to other lightweight campers, here are a few additional resources:
Which would you vote for? The Flagstaff E-Pro or the Outback OBX? Let us know in the comments below!
