tow vehicle for 21ss or 23ss

[bk2910]

Originally Posted by campbuzz98

I am looking at purchasing a ROO 21ss or 23ss with all options, but first I am purchasing a new TV. I have looked at all the weights(unloaded and GVWR) of these two units and was wondering what they would weigh with all options. The tow vehicle I was interested in was the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has a tow rating of 6200 lbs with the 6 cylinder and 7400 with the 8 cylinder. I know I will never be at the total GVWR of the trailer. It's only me and my wife. I prefer to get the 6 for better gas mileage, but would the 8 cylinder be a better choice due to weight. Also can you get electric stabilizers added on the trailer somehow. Feedback greatly appreciated from all of you.

I have a roo 21ss that a tow with a
2012 grand Cherokee with a v8 I don't think the 6 will be enough. You can use a cordless drill to raise and lower your stabilizers

[Toddzilla1478]

I'm looking at a 23SS as well. I would be towing with a V8 4.8L Cayenne (7700#rating). Probably a fastway E2 WDH. Does this sound like a reasonable tow vehicle setup?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla1478

I'm looking at a 23SS as well. I would be towing with a V8 4.8L Cayenne (7700#rating). Probably a fastway E2 WDH. Does this sound like a reasonable tow vehicle setup?

with that short of a wheelbase, i'd go with the 4-point Equalizer, not the E2.

[bk2910]

I went with the 4 point equalizer for a little peace of mind with the sway control

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

"Don't forget the new jeep has an 8 speed tranny with the v6 or v8 I believe. This will help a lot with towing performance. If you are only going to tow 5% of the time then the better choice may be the more fuel efficient option."

I believe someone else on this forum had the new jeep w/ 8 speed tranny and was running in 6th gear on the flat and level. That still seems scary to me. Also agree with the wheelbase comment. The shorter the wheelbase, the more you're going to get knocked around, both in yaw and pitch.

A 6 speed running in 5th, and an 8-speed running in 6th....why is that "scary" to you? Most vehicles state to manually pull the transmission down to a lower gear if the trans is hunting. If the vehicle is able to find the right gear and hold it, that's not scary. That's a well-executed transmission.

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by PHS79

Personally I wouldn't tow that big of TT with a Jeep GC, not because of power or "towing capacity", but because of the short wheel base. I would go with something like a Tahoe/ Yukon or Expedition, or better yet a 1/2 ton truck.

It is true that the shorter the wheelbase, the more tendancy toward instability. In other words, an improperly loaded trailer (not enough TW) on a long WB vehicle may not feel as squirrelly as the same improperly loaded trailer on a shorter WB vehicle.

That said, I'm pulling a 27ft ultralite hybrid (~5000 lbs loaded) behind a Mountaineer (short WB compared to most pickups), and it's absolutely stable. 2-week, 1900 mile trip around Michigan's Upper Peninsula last year was never stressful. (Well, not the towing part, anyway!)

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by bikendan

with that short of a wheelbase, i'd go with the 4-point Equalizer, not the E2.

I agree Dan.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

It is true that the shorter the wheelbase, the more tendancy toward instability. In other words, an improperly loaded trailer (not enough TW) on a long WB vehicle may not feel as squirrelly as the same improperly loaded trailer on a shorter WB vehicle.

That said, I'm pulling a 27ft ultralite hybrid (~5000 lbs loaded) behind a Mountaineer (short WB compared to most pickups), and it's absolutely stable. 2-week, 1900 mile trip around Michigan's Upper Peninsula last year was never stressful. (Well, not the towing part, anyway!)

Agreed. I pull a 22' behind a Liberty with a Reese DC and I am fine. Windy days still require 2 hands.

[PhotoMaster]

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

Windy days still require 2 hands.

Here at the shore, every day is a windy day! :0

[Roo Campers]

Not sure how my ROO 183 compares re: weight but my TV is the V6 4-Runner I am content but would not want anything bigger than the 183 without going with the V8, hills you feel the weight wide open highway the wind, My trailer dealer took a lot of care to set me up and it is very well balanced and the truck handles the trailer no problem from that end.

[patkins]

Are you serious a 4 runner... We had a 03 pathfinder and a 19 roo what a struggle.

[rockfordroo]

I tried pulling my 2012 Roo 19 last year with a V6 Traverse. I was not happy. 4th gear (out of 6), 3000 rpm at 60 mph on flat interstate. Some folks on the Traverse forum think that's OK, but I sure don't. It's not the weight, it's the drag. I just bought a 2009 Silverado with more umph.

[ChooChooMan74]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I tried pulling my 2012 Roo 19 last year with a V6 Traverse. I was not happy. 4th gear (out of 6), 3000 rpm at 60 mph on flat interstate. Some folks on the Traverse forum think that's OK, but I sure don't. It's not the weight, it's the drag. I just bought a 2009 Silverado with more umph.

Damn. My lil guy on flats is in 4th (out of 5) doing 60 at 1900 and hills 3rd doing 2700.

[Roo Campers]

Originally Posted by patkins

Are you serious a 4 runner... We had a 03 pathfinder and a 19 roo what a struggle.

Yep, it is as I said, does the job, I have also pulled it with a 2012 Tundra 5.7 "my last company car" so yes I get it, "not even there" however, the Tundra gets hit just as hard for fuel economy as a percentage even with all the power so the Runner kicks its but in that area and more importantly,, my wife loves the 4-Runner for the 95% of the time running the kids around. There are always two ways to look at peoples towing questions,

A) What is the best vehicle to tow my trailer with
B) What is the best vehicle that fits my life needs including the ability to tow my trailer.

So yes I am pretty serious throwing a car like my Runner out there.

[jaws2003]

F150 towing a 23SS Roo

The difference of a F150 like truck with V8 vs a SUV (my case a Explorer with V6) is 200% better in all road conditions. The 75% rule in towing capacity is very true for stability and worry free driving.

[urocav2001]

I can tell you from recent experience. I bought a 233s and tried towing it with a short wheel base 6 cylinder trailblazer, it did tow it around good, but not safely, the trailer threw the trailblazer around like a leaf. Any type of wind or tractor trailer came by the vehicle and you were going for a ride, the 6 cylinder was plenty of power to tow it at 285hp but the wheelbase makes a huge difference, I went out and bought a 13 silverado ext can all is great now except the nice payment but gotta keep the family safe, I would not tow this camper again with an SUV that small just not worth the risk, and your nerves are shot by the time you get camping

[Jamesm]

I have a 2006 Volvo XC90 (AWD with a straight 5 engine) and pull a Roo 233 (without slide) with no problem at all. It actually tows better then our old Jayco popup. We invested in a really good weight distribution and anti-sway and brake control ... But haven't had any issues yet. I'm sure my old Pathfinder would be even better ... But no complaints.

[force]

Originally Posted by jaws2003

F150 towing a 23SS Roo

The difference of a F150 like truck with V8 vs a SUV (my case a Explorer with V6) is 200% better in all road conditions. The 75% rule in towing capacity is very true for stability and worry free driving.

Agreed, I don't think enough can be said about the wheel base of your tow vehicle.

What I was surprised about my F150 Super Crew and the Roo 23SS was how little it took to go over the rear axle weight. I had the family, a few rows of firewood, some bicycles, tools, and a Leer cap on the bed, plus a full load of fresh water in the Roo (which contributes a fair amount of tongue weight), and ended up 200lbs over the RGAWR.

Curious if you've ever taken yours to the scale all loaded up and got your RGAW?

[Cruze108]

Update:

Wife and I recent purchased a '13 23SS and towed it on our first couple trips with the wife's new '14 Jeep GC with the Pentastar V6 and 8 speed. The Jeep had more than enough power to tug the trailer around even on hills. We opt'ed for the 4 pt equalizer setup. Only issue we encountered was the short wheelbase of the Jeep. You feel like the trailer is going own you on the road. Skilled drivers can make due but not everyone knows how to handle a trailer. We were able to average 10-12 mpg over the longer trips to northern MI, so that was a huge perk.

After our second major trip up north we determined that the jeep wasn't sufficient for hauling all of our gear. So I did was every responsible guy would do....I traded in my 4 door sedan for a Dodge 1500 crew cab 4x4 with a HEMI, 4 inch lift and 325/60/20 tires. Now we don't even worry about the trailer and gear.

[Manzie49]

Everyone we had the same problem. We bought a 23ss and were hoping to tow it with our Trailblazer. We brought our new ROO home on a very windy day with the Trailblazer, what an experience..white knuckle ride for 70 miles. Well I work for one of the Big auto company's and I went to the guys who specialize in towing and I was told yes it can tow the ROO but the WHEELBASE would be a big problem. That's all I needed to hear, New 2013 GMC Sierra is now the work horse..What a difference can't even tell the ROO is behind us. Oh yes the dealer said "NO PROBLEM TOWING" he was right it can tow it but not safely. Think about your family and do the right thing here.