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Old 04-01-2014, 03:47 AM   #1
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Cargo behind rear axle as tongue weight...

My TV is a 2013 Sierra 4x4 and I will be pulling a 21RS Roo. Manual says any cargo stowed behind the rear axel counts toward calculating tongue weight. Is that true? I will be carrying a bicycle in the bed and two kayaks on a rack above the bike.

Trying to determine best WD/Sway Bar configuration to pull my Rockwood 21RS Roo.I've looked at various online distributors, and it seems like the Reese or Equalizer packages are either too small or too big for my setup. any advice as to best choice for hitch size? I'm new to TT's, moving up from small folding trailer. Thanks in advance for anticipated info. This is a great and informative forum.
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Old 04-01-2014, 12:03 PM   #2
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from what i understand Jim, is that the bikes, kayaks, trailer's tongue weight and the WDH will count toward the truck's payload, not the trailer's hitch weight.

you can get the Equal-i-zer for about $440 from RVW with free shipping.
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Old 04-01-2014, 02:43 PM   #3
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Dan, you are my TT mentor/Guru. Thanks for your advice...just picked up my Sierra and am going to order the hitch you recommended as soon as I sell my 2008 Highlander. I've read other posts that say the ball is not included and must be ordered in tandem with the hitch insofar as the operation requires a ball with a longer shaft? I already have a "normal" two inch ball: is a new longer shafted one necessary with the Equalizer? ( jeez...listen to me with all this techno talk..some of my less enlightened cohorts would have a field day with all the double entendres).
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Old 04-01-2014, 04:21 PM   #4
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if you order from RVW, they will help you with the proper ball.

just another point, though the stuff you put in the truck, really doesn't affect the trailer's hitch weight, they do affect the truck's GCWR(gross combined weight rating), which is what the max of the truck/trailer combo can weigh.

and you get the truck's payload number from the sticker on the driver's door.
remember, that's rated with only a 150lb. driver in the truck.
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:12 PM   #5
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Dan, do you have a link for RVW? I googled RVW.com and got so many hits , but none for accessories as far as I could tell.
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:36 PM   #6
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Try this...
10K Equal-i-zer 4-Point Sway Control - RVWholesalers.com RV Parts and Accessories

Used one of these on my 23SS for 5 years. Loved it.

Larry
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Old 04-01-2014, 07:52 PM   #7
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Check on the Roo coupling size. I'm willing to bet the ball is 2-5/16" and not 2".
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Old 04-01-2014, 08:06 PM   #8
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Thanks everyone...Does this configuration (see link above) include the shank? The RVW description does not say? Also, how do I know what size ball my hitch uses?
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Old 04-01-2014, 08:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raspivey View Post
Check on the Roo coupling size. I'm willing to bet the ball is 2-5/16" and not 2".
Yeah, mine was the 2-5/16" ball.
Guess you'll have to call RVW to see what all is included in the price. My Equal-I-zer was included with my Roo.... totally set up. I did keep it for the new Flagstaff.
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Old 04-01-2014, 08:17 PM   #10
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Ball size for Roo 21rs

Quote:
Originally Posted by raspivey View Post
Check on the Roo coupling size. I'm willing to bet the ball is 2-5/16" and not 2".
Thanks...you are correct. 2-5/16 it is...
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Old 04-01-2014, 08:32 PM   #11
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When I bought my Mini Lite, I assumed it was a 2" ball since it was just 21'. Didn't find out until I went to pick it up....wasn't REALLY expensive at the dealership, but the fact that I could have picked one up at Wal Mart for 1/3 of the cost kind of irked me.
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Old 04-01-2014, 08:50 PM   #12
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The items in the bed of the truck rearward of the axle do play into affect with the hitch. If you plan to have heavy objects like coolers at the back it'd be wise to bump up the hitches weight rating as it can help distribute the weight back to the front axle. That us what is meant by your comment of times stored in the bed.
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Old 04-01-2014, 10:02 PM   #13
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Hi Jim, congrats on your setup.

I have the same truck/trailer combination that you do, and with the advice you've been given you' ll find that towing is a breeze. I've got a basic WDH with 800lb bars and without sway control, and haven't had any issues with how it tows.

Only issue I've run into in well over 10,000kms towing with this combination was when the tranny temp on my Sierra hit 100 celsius briefly on the Icefields Parkway in the Rockies.

As far as payload capacity goes, I usually have the bed quite full with 4 bikes, a full cooler and a large Rubbemaid with supplies all strapped in there. That being said, with the fresh water tank on the 21rs under the front bunks, we dont travel with full tanks, as you'd want to keep an eye on the tongue weight.

We originally towed our Roo 21rs with a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and upgraded to a 2010 Sierra for better towing and what a difference! The first time I tried the engine braking, you couldn't wipe the smile off my face! It is so much better than getting pushed down the hill by the trailer like we had in our Jeep GC...

Happy camping, enjoy and let us know how it goes!
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