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Old 08-10-2014, 06:07 PM   #1
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My first camper

Hi everyone! Just bought my first camper 2015 rockwood 2013g and I can't wait to get out there. I live in the northeast so time is limited. So much to do so little time.
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Old 08-10-2014, 06:18 PM   #2
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Congratulations. Hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
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Old 08-10-2014, 07:56 PM   #3
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Congrats on your new camper!

Have you taken delivery of it yet? About when does your camping season end? Hopefully you can make good use of your time with it.

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Old 08-10-2014, 08:04 PM   #4
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Congrats on your new unit. Awesome.
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Old 08-10-2014, 09:06 PM   #5
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Welcome and congrats on your 2015 rockwood 2013g.
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Old 08-11-2014, 12:21 AM   #6
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Congrats on your new camper!!!


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Old 08-11-2014, 08:31 AM   #7
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Congrats on the new camper. I also just picked up my new camper. I got a rockwood premier 2514g. We took it home Saturday and popped it in the driveway. The whole neighborhood came out to look at it.

Enjoy it!
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:35 PM   #8
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Camping season here ends around October first but that's tent camping. With my new camper with the heater I'm hoping a little bit longer. New England in the fall is amazing. If you ever get the chance
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:36 PM   #9
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Congrats to you and your new camper. I'm actually picking mine up next week
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:54 PM   #10
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Yes. New England is awesome in the fall. But the official end of camping is Columbus Day for most private campgrounds. Not sure about the state parks.
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Old 08-13-2014, 08:07 PM   #11
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enjoy
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Old 08-13-2014, 08:18 PM   #12
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Since I'm relatively new to towing. Sway bars Are they recommended? Thoughts please
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Old 08-13-2014, 10:43 PM   #13
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I'd say manditory. Our dealer wouldn't let us leave w/out them.


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Old 08-14-2014, 07:55 AM   #14
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It depends on the driver comfort the tow vech. and what you pull. I have a 2014 Explorer and pull a 2015 High wall 276 which is about 4K lbs but dont have any sway bars, we have had a little sway but slower speeds (60) and trailer brakes do the trick for us. My dealer told us go and camp use the trailer and pull it, if the pup sways or we dont feel comfortable with the sway then get it. You may even want a weight dist hitch (wdh) that can help too.
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Old 08-14-2014, 02:06 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBelchers View Post
Since I'm relatively new to towing. Sway bars Are they recommended? Thoughts please
The 2013g model number doesn't match up with the Rockwood web page, and you don't say what you have for a tow vehicle.

My opinion - for what it's worth - that towing with a minivan or unibody SUV, any tongue weight over 200lbs would benefit from a WDH/anti-sway. If you have a body-on-frame SUV or truck - these can generally tolerate higher tongue weights better. Even so, 300lbs would be the most I would go without a WDH/anti-sway. They really are that nice.

My 1992 Explorer towing a 2000 Coleman Westlake (about 3000lbs in camping trim) without a WDH would sway above 62MPH. Those moments with sway did not make for a happy DW.

I test drove my new A122 (tongue weight about 300lbs, about 2600lbs) with my 2008 Hyundai minivan around the dealer's lot. I didn't like the "bounce" of the tow vehicle or the camper. The dealer recommended and sold me on a Equal-i-zer 600/6000 WDH and anti-sway. He installed it and set it up at below dealer cost. The thing tows and rides like a dream - no sway at 75MPH on the interstate with cross-winds and passing trucks. I normally limit tow speeds to 65MPH or less due to trailer tire ratings. And the DW feels very comfortable towing - she will even drive it with the WDH.

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2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan)
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Old 08-15-2014, 07:11 PM   #16
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Sorry. It's a 2813g. My tow vehicle is a 2013 jeep grand cherokee. .
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Old 08-15-2014, 07:57 PM   #17
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Sorry. It's a 2813g. My tow vehicle is a 2013 jeep grand cherokee. .
Looked up the specs on the 2318g. It's a nice camper with the slide-out. But based on options available and the normal camping stuff that's not included in the factory weight (propane tanks, batteries, awning, shower, toilet, water, food, tools, and personal stuff) my guess is that you will be pretty close to the maximum 3000lbs in short order. More importantly, you are likely going to be closer to 350-400 lbs tongue weight. The 15% rule of thumb for tongue weight would put you at 450lbs tongue weight, which tells me your tongue weight is going to be on the light side unless the water tank is forward of the axle - and you tow with the tank full.

A light tongue weight is easier on the tow vehicle, but more susceptible to sway. On the other hand, if your tongue weight is really 450lbs, that's going to make the steering and front wheels light.

In your case, I personally would recommend a WDH with anti-sway. Properly setup, the WDH will restore your GC's handling to pretty much normal by distributing some of the tongue weight to the front wheels. My Equal-i-zer combined WDH and anti-sway (there are other good brands and models) adds less than 5 minutes to mount or remove the bars at either end of the tow (and cost me $350 installed).

But the difference in handling and elimination of the dreaded sway of the camper is priceless. I know - I towed a similar weight Coleman Westlake PUP with a Ford Explorer without a WDH, and got into the tail wagging the dog on downgrades on I-80 in the Sierras. Only manually actuating the trailer brakes brought it under control.

just my thoughts and experiences
Fred W
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2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan)
Equal-i-zer 600/6000 WDH and anti-sway
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Old 08-19-2014, 08:28 PM   #18
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Thanks Fred I appreciate your knowledge and experience and you taking the time to respond I will take your advice and check out the wdh and the sway bar set you have
Thank you again
David
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Old 08-19-2014, 09:13 PM   #19
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Yes thank you fred. Btw where did u get ur wdh I find it but in michigan they want 600 + for it.
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Old 08-21-2014, 04:28 AM   #20
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first camper

Congratulations! I know my family and I thoroughly enjoyed our new (2012) Rockwood 1940ltd this past summer here in Florida. It was hot but the AC made it more than bearable. Actually, the heat I guess made campers scarce but it was grand hiking in the different habitats. Do many of you northern campers venture south, thereby extending your camping season? I was impressed by the state parks we visited, and my daughter learned camping etiquette and a lot about the environment including a prescribed burning in one park. All the best!
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