Towing a 2011 21SSL Roo with F150

Cappacino · 05-07-2010, 01:34 AM

I just ordered a 2011 21ssl roo and have a couple of questions. My t.v. is an 06 F150 5.4 with tow package and a tow rating of 8600lbs

1. What kind of hitch is recommened....trailer weighs 4800lbs, 2 toys are 1200 total and I figure 1500lbs of people and "stuff" which leaves me approximately 1100lbs under max. I will be towing in the mountains periodically and safety is important.

2. Are there any issues with tongue weight (because of the toys) which would make it advisable to put in air bags or extra springs in the rear suspension? Or will I be ok as is?

3. Is the factory tow package sufficient?

4. Any other feedback from 21ssl owners would be appreciated, ty

I purposely went with this model because I did not want to get rid of my 1/2 ton feeling that it could comfortably handle the weight. Any thoughts?

**bikendan** · 05-07-2010, 03:37 AM

I just ordered a 2011 21ssl roo and have a couple of questions. My t.v. is an 06 F150 5.4 with tow package and a tow rating of 8600lbs

1. What kind of hitch is recommened....trailer weighs 4800lbs, 2 toys are 1200 total and I figure 1500lbs of people and "stuff" which leaves me approximately 1100lbs under max. I will be towing in the mountains periodically and safety is important.

first newbie mistake, using the "dry" weight numbers. it will weigh about 5200lbs. as it sits on the lot from the factory. add the weight of a battery, water and propane to get what it will weigh before you start adding cargo.

2. Are there any issues with tongue weight (because of the toys) which would make it advisable to put in air bags or extra springs in the rear suspension? Or will I be ok as is?

depends on what and how much you'll put on the cargo deck. hard to answer that without knowing.

3. Is the factory tow package sufficient?

no, you'll need a WDH with sway control and a brake controller. Equal-i-zer and Reese Dual-Cam are the most popular WDHs and Prodigy is the most popular BC.

4. Any other feedback from 21ssl owners would be appreciated, ty

it's basically a 21SS with a front deck. you should ask all the 21SS owners for feedback, too, since there aren't many 21SSL owners. i've only seen a couple on all the hybrid forums i'm on.

I purposely went with this model because I did not want to get rid of my 1/2 ton feeling that it could comfortably handle the weight. Any thoughts?

i don't see you needing to change TVs. your Ford should be fine, even in the mountains.

LadyWindrider · 05-07-2010, 08:09 AM

I tow about 7000 pounds of Work and Play toy hauler with a 2001 Ford Supercrew 4x4. I suggest you figure your tongue weight with the toys loaded, and make sure you get appropriate rated spring bars. I have the Reese Dual Cam hitch with 1000 pound spring bars, and a Prodigy brake control. I do not have air bags or other modifications to the suspension. My truck tows the trailer ok, and I tow in the highest mountains on the east coast. Gas mileage is 10 mpg with the 5.4 with overdrive off, and two small adults on board. Sorry can't help more with trailer.

Cappacino · 05-07-2010, 04:53 PM

1200lbs is what will be on the deck ( 2 ATV's 600 each).
I realize I need a WD hitch......any thoughts on a pullrite or would that be overkill?

LadyWindrider · 05-07-2010, 08:08 PM

With that much tongue weight, and your overall weight, you're not going to be happy anywhere near a hill, much less a mountain. You need to weigh your truck and gear, then add the weight of the loaded trailer and see if you are over the combined vehicle weight rating. Also, 1200 pound spring bars are the biggest I've seen, and that's not big enough for the tongue weight you are talking about. You're looking at 1500 pounds tongue weight as a guess.
All I can say id good luck.

Roo 21ssl · 05-23-2010, 07:22 AM

We took delivery of our 2010 Roo 21ssl on 12-19-09. On the sticker on the camper it states that the dry weight is 5,135lbs, max cargo weight 2,162lbs, & a full load of water is 308lbs. We haul 3 dirt bikes, 4 gas cans, a large supply bin, a 10'x10' tent, & 2 ladders on the deck. Our TV is a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 v10 with a 410 axel and od button. We have been out 2x fully loaded (no water) & the TV labored a little with strong winds hitting the Roo. Hills are not a problem as long as you build up speed before hand or od off. Is there any changes between the 2010 21ssl & the 2011 model? Congrats on your Roo & Good Luck with your tv!

STATIC · 05-23-2010, 12:58 PM

I would say you definitely need airbags for that tongue weight even with the top of the line equalizer bar. I own a 21SS, I'm pulling it with an 08 Tundra and have a equalizer bar and it still sags a little bit, plus having a hole bunch of crap in the back of the truck...I need to get some airbags! My Roo weighs about 6500 loaded....Truck pulls it just fine...

MtnGuy · 05-28-2010, 06:45 AM

I really don't think airbags for a 1/2 ton truck is a good idea. If a WDH won't keep the truck from sagging, then you need to move up to a bigger truck and stiffer trunnion bars. And I am 1 of those 1/2 ton truck owners......I too own a 2006 F150.

If the OPer has the same hitch receiver that I have, then the hitch is not rated for 1200 lb. tongue weight. Mine is rated at 9900 lb. tow capacity with a 990 lb. tongue weight when using a WDH. Anything over that is going to be stressing the hitch....maybe to the point of failure.

Those are some heavy toys......not sure if the ROO is made for such a load. I don't know if there is a maximum load for the front platform, but you might want to check that out.

Cappacino · 06-28-2010, 11:57 PM

Just wanted to foward the results of my research.

I loaded two 600lb ATV's on the deck (which is rated for 1600lbs) and my tongue weight was 1200lbs. Even though my truck sat perfect with the 1200lb "equalizer" hitch the dealer put on I opted to go with the 1400/14000lb one for a little more peace of mind.

I recently picked up my camper (hoo rah) and am very pleased with the "equalizer" brand hitch.

I will post more results once I load my unit up with camping gear and the atv's.

Cappacino · 07-23-2010, 12:27 AM

Well I'm back from a week spent in the mountains of Wyoming. I'll make this short and sweet. Camper worked great. Truck had no issues. I would definitely go with the Equalizer 14000/1400 lb hitch like I did. It made sway almost non existent. I maxed out my tow limits and the F150 towed the wieght with absoulutely no problems.

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