VCROSS Sway Control

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by dboreham

Ok thanks, and thanks also for the size tip. In our climate we have permanent snow for 6 months of the year so anything you leave out in the weather will degrade pretty quickly. I found this vendor selling both ADCO and Carver (more expensive) covers : Travel Trailer RV Covers

Did you do anything to enclose the A/C topside ? I wondered about building a plywood box around it, something like that, to keep the snow weight off it.

Ideally I'd construct a building big enough to house the trailer, but that won't happen before this coming winter for sure..

I have not build a housing for the A/C yet, as I did not notice too much snow load on top of our unit last winter although your idea does have merit. What part of the country do you call home ? Is your unit a 6504?

[dboreham]

Originally Posted by pdchristensen

I have not build a housing for the A/C yet, as I did not notice too much snow load on top of our unit last winter although your idea does have merit. What part of the country do you call home ? Is your unit a 6504?

South-West Montana. We get around 2-3ft accumulation, although less what with the global warming and all..

We have 2013 6504.

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by dboreham

South-West Montana. We get around 2-3ft accumulation, although less what with the global warming and all..

We have 2013 6504.

I am in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Directly north of Grand Forks N.D.
I am sure we get just as much snow if not more. With the cover on a most of the snow tends to slide off the A/C however with significant build up I could see it being a problem.

[jp4mu]

I read of folks wanting to upgrade to a 6000 lb axle on the 6502. What is the factory-installed axle rated (2014 model)? Worried this may be a problem.

[John S]

If your Vibe is under 35 feet, an anti-sway bar is the way to go. 12% of the trailer weight should be on the hitch which gives you the reference for how slanted or level the TT should be when towing. Over 25 feet in length you need two anti-sway bars.
If your tow vehicle cannot take the 12% tongue weight, then you need an equalizer hitch. However, the equalizer hitch will transfer tow vehicle weight to your TT, which effects your gvw. I tow a 6501 with a Dodge Ram 3500 diesel, so tongue weight is not an issue, and I use a single anti-sway bar. We have been in 27 mph cross winds at 65 mph for 100 miles and no sway.

[Blubear]

I have that questions too as I just took delivery of the 6502 a few weeks ago. I took it out the first weekend and had "some swaying" ....only on the highway and probably going too fast 60mph. On the trip home, I shifted more wt to the front of trailer and to my tv bed, and was much better. Perhaps emptying some of the water would help too...I just want to be as safe as possible.

(After reading A LOT of posts, it sounds as though I should really limit the amount of weight I place in the rear storage area)

Oh and my TV is a 2012 Frontier V6 CC 4WD.

I'm not a mechanically inclined, therefore if I need to upgrade to the 6k axle (and 15in tires) it would need to be done through the dealer.

Just looking for some thoughts on this issue. (it's just myself, my step-dad and Bella the Beagle)

This is a great forum - incredibly helpful.
thanks for any thoughts

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by jp4mu

I read of folks wanting to upgrade to a 6000 lb axle on the 6502. What is the factory-installed axle rated (2014 model)? Worried this may be a problem.

As far as I know they are still coming out of production with 3500 lb axles. You would be able to tell by the GVWR and CCC on the specs.

[AstronomyGuy]

Hello all

I just got back from about a 800 mile round trip with my Vibe 6504. It was a good opportunity to test out my new Equal-I-Zer Weight Distribution Equalizer Hitch 6000# lbs . It has 4 way sway control. I first tried the single arm sway control but I still got a lot of sway going down hills or when I reached the speed of 55 to 60mph. I was constantly white knuckling the steering wheel. With the Equalizer 4 way sway control hitch there was not a hint of sway. At one point I was going down a steep hill and realized I was doing 80 mph. At first I didn't want to spend the money on the hitch but I have to tell you it was money well spent.

Tim

[JohnESA]

I use the Equalizer sway and distribution hitch as well. I'm very pleased.

[Blubear]

I have the e2 600/6,000 lb round bar hitch. (would the 4pt have been a better setup?... I have no way to compare it as this is my first true experience towing)

Still think my main issue was too much weight in the aft of the trailer....with the 38 gallon water tank-full 320lbs, the propane tank-20lbs, battery and then whatever is in the storage area (spare tire) chairs, grill (small one) and other items in the aft (just seems to be too much)

I will try just storing "light weight" items in that area, plus no need for full water tank either (The bed of my truck will handle the heavier items).

Had significant rain over the past 48 hours...going to check for leaks this morning...

[Blubear]

Originally Posted by pdchristensen

As far as I know they are still coming out of production with 3500 lb axles. You would be able to tell by the GVWR and CCC on the specs.

Just checked the Actual "stamped" Specs on this 2014 Vibe 6502:

Dry WT = 3252

CCC = 1441

GVWR = 4710

GAWR = 4400

Tires are 15"
My guess (and only a guess) is FR has addressed the axle issue. STILL I will not be loading heavy in Aft storage.

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by Blubear

Just checked the Actual "stamped" Specs on this 2014 Vibe 6502:

Dry WT = 3252

CCC = 1441

GVWR = 4710

GAWR = 4400

Tires are 15"
My guess (and only a guess) is FR has addressed the axle issue. STILL I will not be loading heavy in Aft storage.

That would be good news. I assume they have not got around to updating their website specs for the 2014 models.

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by Blubear

Just checked the Actual "stamped" Specs on this 2014 Vibe 6502:

Dry WT = 3252

CCC = 1441

GVWR = 4710

GAWR = 4400

Tires are 15"
My guess (and only a guess) is FR has addressed the axle issue. STILL I will not be loading heavy in Aft storage.

I am not sure if all 2014's have those specs..

https://www.couchsrvnation.com/fores...ibe/vibe-65023

[pdchristensen]

Originally Posted by Blubear

Just checked the Actual "stamped" Specs on this 2014 Vibe 6502:

Dry WT = 3252

CCC = 1441

GVWR = 4710

GAWR = 4400

Tires are 15"
My guess (and only a guess) is FR has addressed the axle issue. STILL I will not be loading heavy in Aft storage.

Either the dealers are all messed up or there is an upgraded version of the VIBE coming off the line..

New 2014 Forest River RV V-CROSS VIBE 6504 Travel Trailers at Collier RV Super Center Rockford Illinois Collier RV Super Center

[Blubear]

Who knows what's going on as I've noticed the same "numbers" but I'm going by the numbers "Stamped" on my TT.

[dboreham]

Originally Posted by pdchristensen

I am in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Directly north of Grand Forks N.D.
I am sure we get just as much snow if not more. With the cover on a most of the snow tends to slide off the A/C however with significant build up I could see it being a problem.

Figured I'd report in now that we have some snow

This is a picture I took today of our Vibe. It looks less tall than normal because there's roughly 3ft of snow on the ground around it. There's a solid 2ft of snow sitting on the roof. Still nice and dry inside though. I did not try to build any sort of protection box around the A/C unit. I expect it will be fine but we will need to replace the cover every couple of years as they tend to become torn by the ice weight, based on experience with previous trailers.

[Blubear]

We have not had that much snow here in PA and have had some melting over the past couple days too. Next year I'm investing in an RV Cover! I've gone out after each significant storm and cleared the snow off the roof .... maybe I'm being over cautious .... and I think if I had a cover on it I would not feel as compelled to clean it off. I'm just ready for SPRING!