Down to 2 choices....

Jim102 wrote:
For a TV we are looking at a Ford F150......What engine gear\ratio would handle it considering we will be going up some mountains? I want to do it right, that is why I am asking your opinion.....

Thanks for your advice and time in advance, Jim

if new or recently used, either the 5.0 v-8 or the Ecoboost v-6, with the factory tow package would be more than adequate.
if older used, a 5.4 v-8 with factory tow package and rear end ratio of 3.73, would be a perfect match.

Im back.......The holidays and our son and his family coming from England (USAF stationed there) to spent three weeks with us, well we put the trailer on hold..
Here is where we are, we are getting ready to order a Roo 21SS (2014) from an RV dealer in Hot Springs, AR. The 21SS has everything we are looking for....For a TV we are looking at a Ford F150......What engine gear\ratio would handle it considering we will be going up some mountains? I want to do it right, that is why I am asking your opinion.....

Thanks for your advice and time in advance,

Jim

The Andersen Weight Distributing Hitch does indeed have sway control. I have been doing a lot of research on hitches in preparation for taking the plunge next spring, and the Andersen is one at the top of my list. They are simple, lightweight, supposedly silent, and do not need to be disconnected prior to backing up. For my own purposes, they also do not extend very far below the HTT's frame, an important consideration since my camper sits pretty low, and most of the CG's we frequent are accessible only by rutted, frost heave-y surface "roads". Some folks on this forum will imply that if you don't buy an Equal-I-Zer or the stratospherically-priced Hensley Arrow,then you don't love your family, and may possibly be a Communist. The Equal-I-Zer is reported to be a terrific hitch, and if I cannot come up with enough user data on the Andersen by Spring, I may go with that. But I love the Andersen concept, and am so far leaning that way. Plus, it's hands down the best looking hitch on the market!

Jim102 wrote:
I thought the Anderson had "sway control" ?
Jim

some WDH's don't have built-in sway control, you have to add it. usually it's one or two friction anti-sway bars.

i don't know much about the Anderson weight distributing hitch and whether it has built-in sway control or that it has to be added.

Exactly what dan and chuck said. We all have - or have had, in our case - the 23SS and all been happy campers. We bought our 23SS from RVW - not an around the corner drive - and saved over $4000 after travel expenses....even more on our new TT. We're in West TN and the drive to Lakeview, OH takes us right at + or - 10 hours allowing for gas, food and potty breaks. They have a large service network, so that's not something to fret over. Remember that the manufacturer of the product needing service is the one who does the warranty coverage, not the dealer. Our local Shamrock dealer - PITA - is impossible to deal with moneywise, but when our Dometic frig needed recall work, I had it in the next day and out the door in 30 minutes....they knew where our ROO came from, but didn't matter. Don't know exactly where Cabot is, but your drive time should be about the same....just get yourself to I-65 then to I-75 the easiest way and be gone. There is a nice motel, wish I could remember the name, but spotless and reasonably priced in Wapakoneta, OH with a Bob Evans right across the street...check the YP. A 10 - 15 minute drive to RVW in the morning. Allow plenty of time for your PDI and paperwork....new lending practices have made more paperwork than we've signed to buy a house. Strongly suggest Indian Lake, a 5 minute drive from RVW, for the first night to check everything out. We had an outside speaker that didn't work....dropped back the next morning and in 10 minutes we were on the road....wire not connected. Also suggest you don't worry about a full hook-up....the regular W/E sites are nicer and will give you lots more room.

Re the WDH/sway, RVW recommended the Equalizer for our ROO and it did it's job perfectly for starting 8 years. On our new TT they recommended Blue Ox 1000. DH took a look at the Blue Ox website and liked what he saw so we went with that and he's very happy with it. Faster hook-up, cleaner, quieter, loves it! They said if we wanted the Equalizer, they would gladly order it and it was about $50 more, but we went Blue Ox.

IMHO, you won't find a dealer in the area that will come close to RVW and they are excellent to work with. If you decide to finance, they'll take care of that and get the best possible interest....we're at 5%.Sugest a good hard look at them....think you'll be surprised at the savings. Good luck.

You shouldn't have to make that drive for warranty work. Once you by it from RVW, you can take it to any dealer for warranty work.

Ray

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'm going to see which one is the shortest drive from our house...and best price...I'll check RVWholesalers as well. That would be quite a drive to have any warranty work..

I thought the Anderson had "sway control" ?

Jim

Get a quote on the Roo 21DK from RVWholesalers. A long day's drive from Cabot that should save several thousand dollars.

As noted the Roo and Shamrock trailers are identical twin sisters wearing different lipstick. That's it.

Pick your price. Pick your shade of lipstick.

-- Chuck

not different companies, they are exact twins of each other. both are made in the same factory. one day they put Roo deacals on them and the next day they put Shamrock decals on them.:W

they are exactly the same trailers, with the same materials.
the only differences are outside graphics and interior fabric decor/patterns.
one big difference is that there are way more Roo dealers than Shamrock dealers. and the two biggest "wholesalers", RVW and RVDirect both sell the Roo, so prices are usually lower on the Roo nationwide, due to their low prices.

and the Anderson WDH is not the "Equalizer", that's a brand name of a WDH. the 4-point American-made Equal-i-zer is a well loved and highly recommended WDH that has built-in sway control.