Outdoors RV 21rbs travel trailer
05-13-2018, 03:02 PM
#31
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Top of the driveway.
The hitch I went with is the E2 model 92-00-0800 from fastwaytrailer.com.
I replaced the standard shank with one that is just a bit longer (1-2 inches)
With the stock shank at the same height, it would hit the ford emblem on the tailgate.
First trip is in my driveway!
07-17-2018, 11:24 AM
#32
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know I'm joining this party a little late but I thought I would jump in as I have similar concerns as the original poster.
We recently upgraded from a 2007 tent trailer to a 2018 Outdoors RV 21RBS which we are towing with a 2015 F150 5.0. We opted for the Blue Ox Swaypro hitch. My wife and I absolutely love the trailer and, as our kids are now 17 and 19, we weren't sure how much longer they will be camping with Mom and Dad. Plus they are both boy scouts and they know how their tent works.
I have noticed a bit a movement in the truck/trailer and I'm not sure if it is sway issue or just a symptom of having such a tall trailer behind me. It is not a constant occurrence but seemingly more to do when I get hit with a cross wind. On a recent trip a dust devil hit the freeway in front of me and I swear we shifted about 5 feet towards the shoulder. Total white knuckle moment! I am checking my tongue weight to make sure I am sitting in that 10-15% range but I wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar experience and, if so, what solutions are there.
I appreciate any advice you can share.
We recently upgraded from a 2007 tent trailer to a 2018 Outdoors RV 21RBS which we are towing with a 2015 F150 5.0. We opted for the Blue Ox Swaypro hitch. My wife and I absolutely love the trailer and, as our kids are now 17 and 19, we weren't sure how much longer they will be camping with Mom and Dad. Plus they are both boy scouts and they know how their tent works.
I have noticed a bit a movement in the truck/trailer and I'm not sure if it is sway issue or just a symptom of having such a tall trailer behind me. It is not a constant occurrence but seemingly more to do when I get hit with a cross wind. On a recent trip a dust devil hit the freeway in front of me and I swear we shifted about 5 feet towards the shoulder. Total white knuckle moment! I am checking my tongue weight to make sure I am sitting in that 10-15% range but I wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar experience and, if so, what solutions are there.
I appreciate any advice you can share.
07-17-2018, 12:34 PM
#33
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I towed a popup tent trailer for years behind my LandCruiser before my wife told me she wanted the new Creekside 21RBS, at which time I got the 2014 F150 5.0.
We live in the Front Range Foothills west of Denver and get hellacious winds, especially in the winter. Big winds will push semi tractor trailers onto their sides.
So, yes, a tall trailer with a lot of surface area will get pushed around at highway speeds, I don't think you can avoid it. You can slow down, or not travel, but that's about it.
I think you can influence the behavior a bit though, and without getting another tow vehicle, it probably starts with your choice of a WD hitch and how it's adjusted.
Next would be how your trailer is loaded. If it's heavy in the back and light in the front, you can get more sway. The tires you are running on your truck may effect it as well.
I test drove a 2015 F150 Ecoboost before I purchased the 2014. The stock tires gave the steering a limp noodle feel, almost like they were passenger tires on a truck.
The tires I have on my 2014 are truck tires, you can run them all the way up to 80 lbs. if needed. They ride a bit harsher than stock but they have a less mushy feel,
which seems to help a lot when towing. I'm uncertain how the aluminum body on the 2015 effects the towing characteristics. What's your experience been?
We live in the Front Range Foothills west of Denver and get hellacious winds, especially in the winter. Big winds will push semi tractor trailers onto their sides.
So, yes, a tall trailer with a lot of surface area will get pushed around at highway speeds, I don't think you can avoid it. You can slow down, or not travel, but that's about it.
I think you can influence the behavior a bit though, and without getting another tow vehicle, it probably starts with your choice of a WD hitch and how it's adjusted.
Next would be how your trailer is loaded. If it's heavy in the back and light in the front, you can get more sway. The tires you are running on your truck may effect it as well.
I test drove a 2015 F150 Ecoboost before I purchased the 2014. The stock tires gave the steering a limp noodle feel, almost like they were passenger tires on a truck.
The tires I have on my 2014 are truck tires, you can run them all the way up to 80 lbs. if needed. They ride a bit harsher than stock but they have a less mushy feel,
which seems to help a lot when towing. I'm uncertain how the aluminum body on the 2015 effects the towing characteristics. What's your experience been?
07-17-2018, 02:15 PM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BigHorn - I have come to same conclusion you did about the stock tires. I have been reviewing LT tire options to replace the original Goodyear tires. I will take the harsher ride and reduced gas mileage for improved stability while towing.
Regarding the truck, I don't necessarily believe the aluminum body is much of a factor. I went to a CAT scale recently to weigh my truck and the truck/trailer combo. The truck alone came in at 5360 pounds which seems about right for a 1/2 ton pickup (pretty close to the published weight on the door panel by the way). Granted I have not checked the specs on other 1/2 tons but from others that I have talked to I believe they are around that range. Right now I want to make sure the WD is configured properly and that my tongue weight is in the recommended range. Unfortunately my trailer dealer is located in Boise and I am in Las Vegas so running it over to them for quick adjustments isn't really an option. Once I have the hitch dialed in and have the Load E tires installed I am hoping to at least feel a bit more comfortable. After years of towing that tent trailer it is definitely a completely different feel towing the 21RBS.
Sincerely appreciate your input.
Regarding the truck, I don't necessarily believe the aluminum body is much of a factor. I went to a CAT scale recently to weigh my truck and the truck/trailer combo. The truck alone came in at 5360 pounds which seems about right for a 1/2 ton pickup (pretty close to the published weight on the door panel by the way). Granted I have not checked the specs on other 1/2 tons but from others that I have talked to I believe they are around that range. Right now I want to make sure the WD is configured properly and that my tongue weight is in the recommended range. Unfortunately my trailer dealer is located in Boise and I am in Las Vegas so running it over to them for quick adjustments isn't really an option. Once I have the hitch dialed in and have the Load E tires installed I am hoping to at least feel a bit more comfortable. After years of towing that tent trailer it is definitely a completely different feel towing the 21RBS.
Sincerely appreciate your input.
07-18-2018, 12:32 AM
#35
I have the blue ox hitch(1k bars) and stock tires as well. I just got back from a 900+ mile trip towing most of the way. I was happy with how the truck performed towing. The only situation that I felt uncomfortable with was when there was a section of road with long sweeping turns and extremely rough road. That being said I never felt a backend movement like you described.
How many links of chain are you using? When I first picked the trailer up from the dealer they recommended 7 links (blue ox manual says to start at 9) and it was pretty good but there was a slight gentle rocking that occurred. I tightened it up to 8 links and it seemed to be really good, and eventually I tried 9, and then 10 just to see. I like the overall feel of 9 the best and that is what I'm sticking with.
I would check the measurements of your set up compared to the blue ox manual and make sure that everything is set up correctly. If anything seems like it was set up incorrectly it should be pretty easy to adjust yourself rather than taking it back to the dealer. I am sure tires with a heavier load rating would help firm up the ride, and many people have upgraded the rear shocks to help with back end hop.
The good thing about the 21rbs is that I don't think it is possible to overload the rear end unless you had something really heavy mounted to the rear bumper. Do you travel with any water in the tank? I usually carry some and having some water in the tank might help with the movement you are experiencing?
Not sure if this was any help, but if there is anything else I can do to help let me know!
How many links of chain are you using? When I first picked the trailer up from the dealer they recommended 7 links (blue ox manual says to start at 9) and it was pretty good but there was a slight gentle rocking that occurred. I tightened it up to 8 links and it seemed to be really good, and eventually I tried 9, and then 10 just to see. I like the overall feel of 9 the best and that is what I'm sticking with.
I would check the measurements of your set up compared to the blue ox manual and make sure that everything is set up correctly. If anything seems like it was set up incorrectly it should be pretty easy to adjust yourself rather than taking it back to the dealer. I am sure tires with a heavier load rating would help firm up the ride, and many people have upgraded the rear shocks to help with back end hop.
The good thing about the 21rbs is that I don't think it is possible to overload the rear end unless you had something really heavy mounted to the rear bumper. Do you travel with any water in the tank? I usually carry some and having some water in the tank might help with the movement you are experiencing?
Not sure if this was any help, but if there is anything else I can do to help let me know!
07-18-2018, 06:37 PM
#36
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeroc - thanks. That is big help!
I also have the 1k spring bars and, because of the height of the trailer relative to the receiver position, they outfitted me with the 9-hole shank receiver. As you and others have noted, dropping my tailgate with the trailer and receiver attached does not appear to be an option. My dealer also told me to use 7 links outside of the rotating latch but based on your experience I will definitely play with that to see if 8 or 9 links improves the behavior. I called the folks at Blue Ox and they basically said to check the setup making sure there is 1 to 2 inches of bend in those spring bars. I think the 7 link setup was a little short of that. Interestingly they also asked if I had the F150 onboard sway control turned on while towing as that could actually counteract the anti-sway feature of the blue ox hitch. I was sure I had turned that off, however, it appears that every time you restart the truck the default setting turns that feature back on. A little annoying but not the end of the world. I just need to remember to turn it off before we take off as you cannot disable it while the vehicle is in motion.
Your comment about the water is interesting. So far we have only carried a minimal amount of water in the 78 gallon holding tank as our camping has been with full hookups. I believe that the tank is in front of the trailer axle so at least a decent amount of the water load will make its way to the tongue. We were trying to go out for a dry camp outing soon so I will be interested to see if a full holding tank impacts the ride.
I agree with you on the trailer loading. Given the trailer configuration you would almost have to intentionally go out of your way to load it up rear heavy. With the thru storage and under bed storage up front most of your gear will be adding load to the tongue.
Again, thanks for your comments. I feel much better about being able to get this thing dialed in.
I also have the 1k spring bars and, because of the height of the trailer relative to the receiver position, they outfitted me with the 9-hole shank receiver. As you and others have noted, dropping my tailgate with the trailer and receiver attached does not appear to be an option. My dealer also told me to use 7 links outside of the rotating latch but based on your experience I will definitely play with that to see if 8 or 9 links improves the behavior. I called the folks at Blue Ox and they basically said to check the setup making sure there is 1 to 2 inches of bend in those spring bars. I think the 7 link setup was a little short of that. Interestingly they also asked if I had the F150 onboard sway control turned on while towing as that could actually counteract the anti-sway feature of the blue ox hitch. I was sure I had turned that off, however, it appears that every time you restart the truck the default setting turns that feature back on. A little annoying but not the end of the world. I just need to remember to turn it off before we take off as you cannot disable it while the vehicle is in motion.
Your comment about the water is interesting. So far we have only carried a minimal amount of water in the 78 gallon holding tank as our camping has been with full hookups. I believe that the tank is in front of the trailer axle so at least a decent amount of the water load will make its way to the tongue. We were trying to go out for a dry camp outing soon so I will be interested to see if a full holding tank impacts the ride.
I agree with you on the trailer loading. Given the trailer configuration you would almost have to intentionally go out of your way to load it up rear heavy. With the thru storage and under bed storage up front most of your gear will be adding load to the tongue.
Again, thanks for your comments. I feel much better about being able to get this thing dialed in.
10-21-2018, 11:02 AM
#37
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys - the first season is over with my 21RBS, winterized it and got the cover on. Just need to pull the batteries and call it good.
Basically, the truck/trailer combo works really well for me. Truck sits nearly level with the WD hitch hooked up, all the weights are within spec at the CAT scale
Tows well in the Colorado mountains and the on the flats too, very little sway, a tolerable amount of movement when buffeted by a passing semi.
I do have an issue, though, with a stretch of highway 285 west of Denver. It's concrete, not asphalt and the seams make for a real rough ride.
Truck and trailer were porpoising - nose of truck went up, rear end went down, followed by the nose dropping and the rear rising.
You guys have the same truck trailer combo. Have you been effected like this on concrete highways? If so, have you found a fix to it?
I'd like to hear all about it!
Basically, the truck/trailer combo works really well for me. Truck sits nearly level with the WD hitch hooked up, all the weights are within spec at the CAT scale
Tows well in the Colorado mountains and the on the flats too, very little sway, a tolerable amount of movement when buffeted by a passing semi.
I do have an issue, though, with a stretch of highway 285 west of Denver. It's concrete, not asphalt and the seams make for a real rough ride.
Truck and trailer were porpoising - nose of truck went up, rear end went down, followed by the nose dropping and the rear rising.
You guys have the same truck trailer combo. Have you been effected like this on concrete highways? If so, have you found a fix to it?
I'd like to hear all about it!
10-21-2018, 03:51 PM
#38
Senior Member
Look into Bilstein shocks, many, many posts here. Most go for the 5100 because the fronts are height adjustable but 4600 will work well too.