Do I need a weight distribution hitch for my 233 Roo?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Harold4187

Cheapest place etrailer.
Com even include sway bar

RVW has the 10000lbs 4pt Equal-i-zer for $110 cheaper than Etrailer.
With free shipping and it has integrated sway control, no sway bar.
But Amazon seems to have the best price.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forest River Forums mobile app

[Lemos5]

I own the 2016 233s Roo and I have the 4 point sway on mine. I pull it with a 2017 Ford F-150 super crew cab and it handles it with ease with the equalizer on. When I don’t have it on I can definitely feel the difference. Go 4 point equalizer if you can.

[sdyess]

Originally Posted by RooBeDo

Guys I Need to get a hitch for our new 233 Roo.
I'm pulling it with a 2016 ford expedition.

Do you I just need the ball and hitch or would you recommend a weight distribution system?

Thanks

I recently sold my 2013 Roo 233S (I’m sure it’s slide did make it some heavier than the 233), which I pulled with a 2009 Chevy Tahoe LT (which had the heavier transmission). I used a 1000# weight distribution system, as well as a sway bar with it. They both made a TREMENDOUS difference, and I would certainly recommend you using both...ESPECIALLY the sway bar.

[4kmprs]

2014 Expedition owner here. Bought it used last June and pulled my roo 233s over 6,000 Miles from Cleveland to California and back a week after I bought it. I Really enjoyed the ride and interior space over my prior TV, (2004 F150 super crew) we had no trouble towing it through the desert and the mountains.

Here’s an excerpt from an old thread from 2012 when we first got our 233. I wanted to avoid having to unhitch the camper to drop the liftgate of the f150. Some suggested turning the power hitch motor around to avoid having the lift gate issue. Turning the motor didn’t get me enough clearance and it wouldn’t solve my other problem which was having enough clearance to drop the front bunk while still connected.

Since buying the longer 48123 shank listed below, we have pulled our 233 over 20,000 Miles across almost every mountain range in the continental U.S. with no issues.

As we had far off destinations, and had many 400-600 mile driving days between our desired destinations, we frequently sought pull through sites, dropped our levelers and just kept our trailer hitched up.. It made for quick set ups and tear downs.

A fringe benefit on our last trip was when we encountered 80+ an hour winds and a severe thunderstorm at a camp site in Oklahoma. We turtled for the night and kept the trailer connected to the Expedition. This approach reduced the rocking and rolling from the wind considerably and made us feel a little safer. One of my daughters and I slept on the floor while DW and other daughter slept on the dinette and couch.


The only issue we had was the safety chains were too short so we had to get a couple extensions for them.

There was a lively debate on this forum about the pros and cons of longer shanks, the distance of the receiver to the vehicle and the possibility that towing capacity was impacted. I contacted the manufacturer before I purchased it and was assured that these concerns were unwarranted.

We have an eaz-lift elite WDH

Hope this info helps and that you enjoy your 233 as much as we have.

Sharing the URL to the LCI jack that I am referring to so if others have this question in the future, they know LCI's response.
http://www.lci1.com/images/Flyers/sales/lci_pt2.pdf

Also, re: Hitch/Shank Lengths...Camco offers Eaz-Lift Shanks in various lengths.

I currently have the 48121. The 48123, which is 4 in. longer, looks like it will work from a length perspective. Failed miserably though when attempting to figure out how this 4 inch additional length would impact my tongue weight though.

2a. ADJUSTABLE 2'' SQUARE SHANK HI-LOW
10'' long (comes with hitch)* 48120
12'' long (optional) 48121
14'' long (optional) 48122
16'' long (optional) 48123
http://eaz-lift.com/eazlift/Instruct...structions.pdf (page 2)

[4kmprs]

Here’s the manufacturer’’s response re: weight ratings with a longer shank

“This really shouldn’t effect anything towing wise. Typically, the decrease in tongue weight ratings are significant when using unsupported loads like a bike rack or cargo carrier. For example, if you have a 500 lb tongue weight rating and you extend 2 ft past the edge of the receiver tube it would reduce the tongue weight to 250 lbs. So weight divided by distance equals rating. So you would divide your rating by 1.33 (16 inches). Like I said before, if you’re towing a trailer I wouldn’t worry about it decreasing your tongue weight. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.”

Travis Mai
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[Idrive4fun]

I am struggling with this also on my trailer. I have a 2012 Expy, and currently have the Reese setup. (Grey wolf 27RR). For weight distribution, check your tongue weight while loaded, and get the appropriate size bars for that. For sway, the E2 has two friction points, where the bars go on the brackets that are attached to the trailer. The other one has the same thing, plus another point at the other end of the bar where it attaches to the truck. Not positive how it works. Double the cost is significant, but if you get hit by one cross wind that moves the trail of your trailer too much and it stops that, it will be worth it.
Again, check your tongue weight. I was very surprised by what mine is, and will be moving things around to reduce it.

[2 in a Roo]

10th year with our Equalizer WDH. Started out with a Roo 21SS, now pulling a 23IDKS.

[soconor]

I moved from trailer towing to Class C then A a few years ago and have a WDH and sway bar (which I wouldn’t tow without) sitting in my garage. On the road until July 12 so I can’t provide details at the moment. Contact me if interested.

[yakmeat123]

Yes You won't need a heavy duty "Centerline" but you should have something. You will be glad you did. You might consider getting something sturdier than what you need as most people upgrade at some point and then you wouldn't need to buy another one.

[Tcullum]

I recommend a blue ox sway control, it has weight distribution and sway control all in one. Quiet too.

[dlambers]

I would recommend a WDH, with a 23 footer a sway bar is an option. You'll find it much more pleasant towing with the WDH, no more bucking over bumps and dips, and not as much trouble balancing the load to get it to ride level.

[Shrprm]

For all who ask if they need a WDH and sway control, check the Utube videos on trailer sway.
If this doesn't put an END to these questions, please post your travel plans with routes and times so we can all stay far away.