Actual Tongue weight of Rockwood 1905

[Less is More]

We are going to be picking up new 1905. The dry tongue weight is 395lbs. It was recommended that we see how it rides before investing in additional hitch hardware. I have a class III/IV hitch with a 500lb max without weight distribution on my E 150 van. Has anyone experienced over that weight with gear? We will have minimum gear and I will weight it when I get home and load it? But I just want to make sure I get home.

[Palms]

I ordered one on 8/27. It will be w/o the upper bunk. After researching for several months and reading thousands (yep, thousands) of posts, you should spend the few extra bucks for peace of mind. I don't think you'll ever regret it and seems to be the safest way to go. JMHO and in the best spirit. Small additional investment.

[Bluepill]

Watch the dry weight rating on the camper. Mine was listed as 284. It was exactly that until I installed the 2 propane cylinders and battery. That increased it to 398.

Remember you want about 13% of the total trailer weight as tongue weight.

[Mach1905]

Less is More... I actually bought my WD hitch more for the sway control than the WD. My 1905 pulls behind my Toyota Highlander very well. One other thing I found: when my WD hitch was initially not properly set up, I was blinding oncoming traffic with my headlights (oncoming drivers were flashing their high beams).

[itat]

Congrats on your new 1905!

There are 2 things to consider: weight distribution and sway control.

I believe most states and provinces require electric brakes for any trailer over 3500# so that's my rule-of-thumb for needing a sway control mechanism of some sort.

If the brochure says the dry tongue weight is 395#, you'll be over 500# when you get it loaded and add 2 full propane tanks and a battery.

If you're not towing very far you could test it out on the drive home but I'd recommend you seriously consider a WDH and sway control. You can get the Equal-i-zer 4 point hitch that has built-in friction sway control, the Andersen WDH or the chain type WDH that you add on a sway control arm or two. Even if the dealer installs the WDH, you'll need to redo the setup once you're fully loaded and ready to go camping because you'll be adding at least 600#. If you hang around here long enough you'll talk yourself into a few extra mods and accessories and may be adding more like 1000# of cargo. Also, if you camp without hookups you'll be towing a full tank of fresh water with you.

[jking46]

You spent a bunch of money on your new camper so don't go el cheapo on the hitch. You want to be stable, smooth , and safe. Don't know your towing history, but if you have never pulled a flat front, full sized camper before, you will be amazed at instability you will feel on the highway. Cross winds and semis can cause pucker moments.

[Jhochst]

I have 1905, you need the hitch and sway

[Palms]

I ordered the e800 which includes sway and now still impatiently waiting for some news regarding our unit ordered on 8/27.

Last time I spoke to dealer, 2 weeks ago, he said he would call as soon as he heard from FR. going to call tomorrow. Originally said we'd get it in 4-6 weeks and believing that is wishful thinking!!!

[Jhochst]

We got ours in 3 weeks when we ordered. Dealer 10 miles from factory

[Palms]

Well... spoke to the owner of Tropical RV, really nice guy, in summary. No word yet from FR. Promised to let me know when he does. Got the waiting for it blues.

[Jhochst]

We were expecting 10-12 weeks when we ordered. Seems like forever. We got the 3rd one off the line of the new year. Major upgrades we did not expect. Was very happy