Got a new trailer

[tomhole]

Originally Posted by Marazzito

I have been looking at Rockwood travel trailers myself for my first travel trailer. I love the floor plan on the 2701SS and it is lighter than the car trailer I pull with my Land Cruiser on it. However my wheelbase is much shorter so I am sure sway would be an issue and I don't need a trailer that big of atrailer at this time nor do I really want a trailer that big for my first travel trailer. I really like the 2501SS (27 feet) as well as the 2601SS (29 feet), do you think that would be to long for my DC Shortbed Tacoma with a standard WDH and sway setup or can it only be done with the Hensley. I know general rule of thumb would limit me to a 25 foot trailer with my wheelbase. I really like the 2501SS - 2701SS because of the pop out and bunk beds. Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Does anyone know if there is anyway to rent travel trailers. I know you can rent RV's we have done that. It sure would be nice to rent a travel trailer for a weekend camping trip though!

I would say you would be pushing the edge of the envelope with your 127.1" wheelbase and a 2701SS (31 ft ball to bumper). One thing I can say about the 2701SS is that it has a LOOOONNNNGGGG distance between the axles and the ball. That makes for a stable tow with respect to sway.

I went from 25 ft overall to 31 ft overall and haven't noticed any issues. I think the 2701SS is more stable than the 23SS, probably due to the aforementioned long neck. I do have a 141" wheelbase, though.

I will caution you that the new Rockwood Ultra Lights (non-signature series) have gotten fat. They went to an 8' wide body and added an entertainment center. My trailer right off the lot weighed 5200 lbs with nothing in it (1 battery, 1 full propane tank, no other liquids). Hitch weight was 580 lbs. We have all our gear in it now and it weighs 5800 lbs. That's with another battery and 2 full propane tanks. Hitch weight has ballooned to 740 lbs. Still have to add clothes and food. I do have ALL of my gear loaded in the front storage area. The back 2 areas are empty. So I am going to move most of that to the rear areas. I expect to be at 6000 lbs total trailer weight and hopefully under 700 lbs hitch weight, ready to camp. And my 2701SS does not have the new entertainment center (it is 8 ft wide).

Based on all of this real world data, I would say the 2701SS is not a good match for your Taco. Not sure about the 2501 or 2601. I would be more worried about weight than length on this series of trailers.

Tom

[Marazzito]

Originally Posted by tomhole

I would say you would be pushing the edge of the envelope with your 127.1" wheelbase and a 2701SS (31 ft ball to bumper). One thing I can say about the 2701SS is that it has a LOOOONNNNGGGG distance between the axles and the ball. That makes for a stable tow with respect to sway.

I went from 25 ft overall to 31 ft overall and haven't noticed any issues. I think the 2701SS is more stable than the 23SS, probably due to the aforementioned long neck. I do have a 141" wheelbase, though.

I will caution you that the new Rockwood Ultra Lights (non-signature series) have gotten fat. They went to an 8' wide body and added an entertainment center. My trailer right off the lot weighed 5200 lbs with nothing in it (1 battery, 1 full propane tank, no other liquids). Hitch weight was 580 lbs. We have all our gear in it now and it weighs 5800 lbs. That's with another battery and 2 full propane tanks. Hitch weight has ballooned to 740 lbs. Still have to add clothes and food. I do have ALL of my gear loaded in the front storage area. The back 2 areas are empty. So I am going to move most of that to the rear areas. I expect to be at 6000 lbs total trailer weight and hopefully under 700 lbs hitch weight, ready to camp. And my 2701SS does not have the new entertainment center (it is 8 ft wide).

Based on all of this real world data, I would say the 2701SS is not a good match for your Taco. Not sure about the 2501 or 2601. I would be more worried about weight than length on this series of trailers.

Tom

Thanks for the resopnce, I tow a 6,000 lb car hauler quite a bit and the Tacoma really does handle the weight well, it has to work hard in the mountain grades but really complain about it and can stay well above 55mph speed limits. As far as stopping goes, I have only had one panic stop and I was impressed at how well it stopped, I planning on upgrading the front brakes and rotors soon just for a litthe better stopping power. I know the Tacoma is a mid sized truck and not a full size but it is a good fit for me and would hate to see it go. I love the 2701SS, but I know it is to long for my needs and truck. I am thinking I would be fine with the 2501SS and maybe the 2601SS but even the 2601 seems like it would be asking for a Hensley. I found a place that will rent travel trailers in my area and they have a 25 foot travel trailer that I think I will be renting for a weekend trip to see how the truck feels. I heard that a general rule of thumb is a 20 foot trailer for a 100'' wheelbase and every 4'' over 100'' is good for an extra foot in trailer length. If that is accurate I should be fine with a 26 or 27 foot travel trailer, I really don't want to push the limits when it comes to sway though. I really hope the I don't have to much of a sway issue because I love my truck but really want a travel trailer and I don't really want to upgrade to a Tundra (yet). Thanks for the input.

[Sean Woodruff]

Originally Posted by Hensley Ron

I think you mean Jim Hensley. It's not his company. Our former Vice President started a shell company with the idea of selling the "new" Hensley. So, far, he's only adding on to the current design, which will increase the price.

I am the former Vice President of Hensley Mfg. that Ron is referring to in this false statement.

Not a shell company. Just as real as Hensley Mfg.

Not adding to the old design. Fixing the problems with it.

Not more expensive. Less expensive.

These are the facts.

Thank you.

[TUNDRA786]

Wtf???

[RockyMtnRay]

Originally Posted by TUNDRA786

Wtf???

From what I've gathered, there's some family-separation type splitting up going on over in the Hensley corporation (the mostly family run company that makes the the Hensley Arrow hitch and McKeesh mirrors, among other things). And some of the hard feelings, etc. are apparently being voiced in various RV/towing forums around the 'net...including, unfortunately, ours. (Perhaps a is in order here but I'll reserve summary judgment for the time being).

So, grab a box of popcorn and sit back to watch the squabbling. If things start getting out of hand in this forum, trust that I have a moderator stick and I definitely know how to use it.

[Sean Woodruff]

Ray, there are no hard feelings from me.

I will always set the record straight whenever I see any post on any forum that I know to be false information. It doesn't really matter to me if the false information is about me or about Hensley Mfg. That's just the type of person I am. Thinly veiled words used in posts leave digital footprints in the internet world. I think integrity then REQUIRES me to speak up when I read them.

Again, no hard feelings from me but when I see someone attempting to spin information with false statements I have to say something. You don't have to take my word for them being false. The information is readily available from other sources that will prove my points.

[tomhole]

Good info on the new Hensley here:

Sean & Trailer Sway Elimination? - My RV Talk

And more pics here:

eBay Motors: Used Hensley Arrow (R) hitch? Buy NEW J. Hensley Design (item 180194143612 end time Dec-22-07 08:02:36 PST)

I won't be the first guy to buy it, but I will read others inputs with interest.

Tom