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Old 10-16-2016, 08:30 PM   #1
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Question Rockwood 2618 VS- towing

DW and I just purchased a Rockwood Ultra Light 2618 VS. It is a V nose with a kitchen in the front. I don't see any references to this specific trailer, but was wondering if anyone has one, or has had any significant negative issues, or other comments.

We took it out for the first time a week and half ago and surprisingly everything we checked worked very well. We're pulling out again Tuesday.

The biggest issue we had was my 1/2 ton truck was a bit light on some hills, so I was finally able to convince the DW to let me buy a 3/4 ton.

The trailer weighs 6250 lbs dry, and I was wondering if anyone could provide their insight on the real axle ratio to go with in a Chevy 2500 HD. The 3:73 or 4:10's. We live in the Midwest so we have some hills but nothing like Colorado.
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Old 10-16-2016, 08:40 PM   #2
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The 2618 is probably our next trailer.
There are a few 2618 owners here that might respond.
There are a number of 2618 threads on the Forum.
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Old 10-17-2016, 11:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pd2436 View Post
DW and I just purchased a Rockwood Ultra Light 2618 VS. It is a V nose with a kitchen in the front. I don't see any references to this specific trailer, but was wondering if anyone has one, or has had any significant negative issues, or other comments.

We took it out for the first time a week and half ago and surprisingly everything we checked worked very well. We're pulling out again Tuesday.

The biggest issue we had was my 1/2 ton truck was a bit light on some hills, so I was finally able to convince the DW to let me buy a 3/4 ton.

The trailer weighs 6250 lbs dry, and I was wondering if anyone could provide their insight on the real axle ratio to go with in a Chevy 2500 HD. The 3:73 or 4:10's. We live in the Midwest so we have some hills but nothing like Colorado.
You should be fine with a 3/4 ton truck and the 3.73 rear end. Of course, if you provide the specifics on your truck it would be easier to know for certain.
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Old 10-18-2016, 02:25 AM   #4
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Are you going to use this truck for anything but towing?

I look at as the transmission can always shift down if needed but with a really low rear end gear it can never shift up.

I think the engine torque is the much more important spec to get right. That was why I went with the Ford Ecoboost in my 1/2 ton. And why I probably won't be getting a new truck because my next one would be a Ford 6.7L diesel with twice the torque I have now. Go big on torque and rear axle does not matter, it will take care of itself.
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Old 10-18-2016, 09:11 AM   #5
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There are two factors to determine with regard to matching a tow vehicle (TV) with trailer. First, and most important, is whether you will be within the weight limits for the TV when the truck and trailer are loaded up and hitched up. The GVWR is posted on your truck (inside driver's door) and tells you the total weight allowed including truck, passengers, cargo, and hitch weight from trailer. The GCWR is the TOTAL weight allowed including loaded truck PLUS loaded weight of the trailer. Exceeding either the GVWR or the GCWR can put you at risk legally in the event of an accident; also it's not smart since the truck's manufacturer determined what was a safe and reasonable limit based on the physical nature of the truck (springs, shocks, frame strength, engine, transmission, etc).

The other factor is whether, within the limits of your TV, you will have a vehicle that is straining to pull your trailer up a hill, overheating the engine and transmission, or will tow easily and not wear out your TV prematurely.

You could tow an semi trailer with a 1/2 pickup on a level road at 1 mph but the truck wouldn't last long and it wouldn't get up a hill. I climbed up a long mountain pass towing a car trailer at 35 mph in 2nd gear years ago in an F250--being passed by loaded semis--and fried the transmission in the process. It was within the weight limits of the truck, but too much load to climb a long hill with the engine/transmission combo the truck came with.
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Old 10-18-2016, 11:30 PM   #6
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The biggest issue we had was my 1/2 ton truck was a bit light on some hills,
Just trying to understand, what do you mean say the truck was light on some hills? Not enough power going up or breaking issues coming down?
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Old 10-23-2016, 05:45 AM   #7
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Congratulations on the 2618VS! We've had ours almost two years, and really like it. I was towing it with a 2013 F150 with the 5.0 V8. The truck could certainly handle the trailer, but a couple months ago, we got a new Ram 2500 CTD. Now towing is really pleasant. On the highway, the biggest problem is keeping it under 70. Next season, I will replace the load range C tires with load range D Carlisle tires for a greater margin of safety. On the trailer, the one thing we have talked about changing is replacing the sofa with a couple of recliners.
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Old 10-25-2016, 08:59 PM   #8
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We have a windjammer and love it. We just finished a 11 day vacation in it. Usually we are ready to be back home but not this time! The trailer was very comfortable. We tow with a 3/4 Ram 5.7 hemi. Love that truck! It does a great job towing and is comfortable. Good luck on your truck choice!
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Old 10-26-2016, 08:57 AM   #9
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We used to own a V-Cross V27FK with front kitchen, DW loved it but alas due to too light of axles being installed and needing a bit more room we traded up to a fiver.
Other than the axle issue ,I did add drag wheels on the rear as it would drag in my drive.
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Old 10-26-2016, 08:22 PM   #10
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We used to own a V-Cross V27FK with front kitchen, DW loved it but alas due to too light of axles being installed and needing a bit more room we traded up to a fiver.
Other than the axle issue ,I did add drag wheels on the rear as it would drag in my drive.
Why were the axles too light? Did that cause a problem? Our camper is bouncy but so far that is our only complaint. What should I look for in the axles?
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Old 10-26-2016, 08:31 PM   #11
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Axles were too light 3500# each. Had one bend and since I was second owner neither Forrest river or lippert would step up. So we upgraded
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Old 10-27-2016, 05:22 AM   #12
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That is terrible. I am sorry you had to deal with that. I hope this isn't a stupid question but how did you find the weight limit of the axles? I never gave that a thought. We replaced the tires as they were too close to the weight limit but did not have the axles checked.
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Old 10-27-2016, 06:14 AM   #13
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That is terrible. I am sorry you had to deal with that. I hope this isn't a stupid question but how did you find the weight limit of the axles? I never gave that a thought. We replaced the tires as they were too close to the weight limit but did not have the axles checked.
My axles have a sticker on them and they are #3500 each. Kind of marginal. Those are about the net wt of the trailer. They will tell you that the "overload " is carried by the tongue weight on the WDH

BTW the 4.10 gears are standard on the 2500HDs or they were on mine, don't know what year they started that
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Old 10-27-2016, 07:08 AM   #14
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[QUOTE=jeff64;1351702]My axles have a sticker on them and they are #3500 each. Kind of marginal. Those are about the net wt of the trailer. They will tell you that the "overload " is carried by the tongue weight on the WDH

X2, Yep 7000# and a full load of water and "stuff" didn't leave a lot of room for us
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Old 11-01-2016, 09:52 AM   #15
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Just purchased a 2500HD to tow our 2702WS which also weighs 6250 dry, but probably over 7K+ loaded. We purchased the Duramax which comes with the 3.73. The gas versions come with 4.10. I would go with that. 7K+ lbs up speed long grades will still make you want the best towing setup you can get.
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Old 11-01-2016, 03:21 PM   #16
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More truck sure makes the towing experience more pleasant! Of course now I am feeling the "need" for a small 5th wheel. Not knocking the 2618VS; we really like it. Just wonder if we would be better off moving up to something with recliners and a table and chairs instead of a dinette for retirement travel in 2018.
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Old 11-01-2016, 06:38 PM   #17
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[QUOTE=Old Bleu;1355385Of course now I am feeling the "need" for a small 5th wheel. Not knocking the 2618VS; we really like it. Just wonder if we would be better off moving up to something with recliners and a table and chairs instead of a dinette for retirement travel in 2018.[/QUOTE]

We ordered our unit with table and chairs, deleted the HAB, and ordered a pair of recliners from Lazy Boy. DW's chair has memory foam and mine has the swivel base. Thought about getting the power version, but decided against those. DW is thrilled.
We had considered a 2816VS but really wanted the table/chairs in place of the dinette and that was not do-able. Furnace and water heater are under the dinette.
Decided early on that a 5ver was more than I wanted to deal with.
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Old 11-04-2016, 06:44 PM   #18
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OP here, sorry for the delay in response but we have been out enjoying the camping experience.

I said the truck was a little light on the hills, meaning it would shift to low gear and run about 4300 rps for long a duration of time. I know that is not good for the transmission, but it never got close to getting hot.

I think in my mind I would feel more comfortable with a 3/4 ton truck and I think the 3:73 rear axle will be fine. I am actually now considering the Ford F 250 because it can tow about 3,000 lbs more with the 6.2 L and 3:73 rear axle. And the Ford is a bit lighter on the pocket book.

I think it all boils down to comfort level of the driver. Makes for a much more enjoyable towing experience--if I'm not worried about breaking down due to maxing out the towing capabilities. I cant imagine my trailer ever being over 7000 lbs fully loaded (minus h20). It weights 6250 dry and just my DW and I travel.
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