Towing a 21 RBS

[ken1944]

[p]Gents,[/p][p]
[/p][p]Brand new member, first post, and by next weekend, brand new owner of a 21 RBS.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I've read all I could on towing a 21 RBS on the forums, and my take is this:  You don't need an anti sway/WD hitch set-up, but they do make towing better.  Would that be accurate?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Based on this, I'm thinking about ordering a sway hitch...an Anderson WDH...and being done with it.  Is this a good idea, or should I try towing the trailer first before spending the money?  I'll be towing with a 2011 Toyota Tundra 4x4, 5.7 motor.[/p][p]
[/p][p]I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Thanks,[/p][p]Justin[/p]

[pinstriper]

I think there's a lot of talk with people who have 11's, 13's, 14's, and 16's who don't need WD or anti-sway. It's easy to hand-wave away a WD or sway setup at those lengths and weights. When you get up to a 21' trailer, now we really need to understand trailer weight, tongue weight, and probably most important is that the TV wheelbase comes into play.

I'm currently considering an Anderson, not so much for the WD which I don't need, or even for the sway which is doubtful on a 14DBS. If you actually need WD, the Anderson is probably not it. If WD is marginally needed, go for it.

Saying Toyota Tundra and the motor isn't so much informative as knowing what cab and bed length. You are in the neighborhood of "WDH needed" almost for sure.

[ken1944]

Pinstriper,

My Tundra is a double cab, standard length bed.

Justin

[pinstriper]

Zed,

I think with a trailer pushing 4k loaded, WD would be prudent. With your rig not being a short cab/short bed wheelbase, I'd be willing to bet you won't experience sway. I think conventional WD and sway equipment is more likely to deliver a safe and comfortable tow than anything else.

Now, that's coming from a guy with more experience towing a 2 horse trailer than a TT, and who tows a 14dbs. Plenty of 21RBS owners who can provide more meaningful feedback based on their experiences.

[djsamuel]

I tow my 21BHS with a Ram 1500.  It tows great and sits nice and level without a WDH hitch and no sway control.  However, I wanted to add some sway control in case I run into a situation where sway would occur (such as high crosswinds).  In addition, the truck did bounce a bit when driving over humps in the road such as small bridges at higher speeds.  So I bought an Andersen WDH.  I don't tighten down the chains too tight, only three turns each side beyond hand tight, with the trailer lowered on the hitch and latched, but not loading the truck.  At that setting, the bounces are really damped well, and the trailer tows great.  I only hit a sway situation once so far, when an 18 wheeler passed me in the other direction at high speed and close to the centerline of the road.  The trailer swayed slightly and pulled right back in behind me.  

Given you're towing with a Tundra, I think you'll be in the same situation as me with the Ram 1500, which is a quad cab with the 4.7L engine.  You won't NEED weight distribution and I'm sure the truck sits nice and level with the trailer attached.  I've been very happy with the Andersen hitch but if I had a different tow vehicle, it may not be the best choice.  There are several good options, but the key thing is you want one that clamps on, not one that requires drilling through the frame.

Hope this helps.

Doug

[fasteddieb]

FWIW, I think this was the only "sticker" on my 21BHS:



 

I have never been given an "as delivered"  empty weight, and like you would be curious.

We do plan on finding some CAT scales some time soon and at least weighing our "road ready" weights. Of special interest because out Flex's towing capacity is only 4,500 lbs.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/2821/thread" timestamp="1408591236" author="Lookin at a LL"][div][/div][div][/div]Sorry to hijack the thread but what is the UVW of the 21RBS with the "XL living Package"? Local dealer keeps giving me the # off of the web which I assume doesn't include the options and they have no unit in stock to check the sticker. If you know the weighs of a BHS i can just subtract 150lbs to get the weight as per the websites published base weights.
Been trying to search on this forum and on "the Googles" but no success. So if someone has a link then that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance[/quote][font size="3"]LL is the only trailer manufacturer I've seen that does not put the "as built" weight on a little yellow sticker on each unit. For the 21RBS use 3500# as the dry weight including one empty propane tank, empty HW heater, no water and no batteries. This would include the 13.5k Btu A/C, XL Living package and microwave. I saw that number on a shipper from LL to a dealer and it's probably close enough until you actually weigh the unit. 
[/font]

[david]

On another thread someone posted their actual scale weight of 4,200 lbs for the 21' loaded with two LPG tanks and a hitch weight of 575 lbs. Another posted a hitch weight of 525 lbs. Either 525 or 575 lbs of hitch weight puts you into full size pickup or SUV territory irrespective of a WDH.

I would tow without a WDH and see how you like it first before jumping into a WDH. If you do go with a WDH, be aware that the design of the Andersen means that it has very little weight transfer capability.

David

[fasteddieb]

Someone mentioned that the waste recycling plant where we take our stuff had a scale. I know because when you bring a load they weigh your vehicle/trailer before and after and charge you per pound for the difference.

Never occurred to me to use them for the trailer. Asked the lady there yesterday if it would be OK and she said yes. I asked how much, and she said they wouldn't charge me!

Certainly not up to  CAT standards, but next time I hook up I'll swing by and weigh Flexie and the 21BHS together, then unhook and just weigh the Flex. Plan on doing so with most of the stuff we carry. Only major lack will be determining the tongue weight - and I have some ideas using a bathroom scale and some geometry to bring the weight into the range if the scale.

I'll let you know what I discover.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/2858/thread" timestamp="1408741637" author="@fasteddieb"]Only major lack will be determining the tongue weight - and I have some ideas using a bathroom scale and some geometry to bring the weight into the range if the scale.


[/quote][font size="3"]That geometry thing with the bathroom scale works great. I take a 6" piece of 2"x2" and slice it diagonally so I have two knife edge triangles to support a 4x4 between the scale and a block or brick. Works great..........but you knew that.[/font]

[funpilot]

The CAT scales near me independently weigh the truck front axle, rear axle, and the trailer because they are on different scales when you properly drive on them.  I pay $10.00 for that.  

[shovelhead]

I tow a 21RBS with a RAM 1500 4X4 quad cab HEMI engine.  3.92 gears.  My maiden voyage totaled 8000+ miles a tour of USA all without sway control or load distribution.  Throughout the trip I felt  very secure and  the 21RBS tracked just fine.  I would  feel a small bounce and sway if I hit a bridge expansion joint that had a large space, big potholes,  and semi's traveling 80+ MPH :-)

 Nothing  that felt out of control. That being said I went for the Anderson just to tame some of the sway & bounce.  It doesnt remove it , just some  reduction.  Do I think you absolutely need it?    No.  But it does help.