Need advice on a hybrid model

Question

Hello,I'm a new member here and I am wonder if any experienced campers can offer any advice to my wife and I. We have been camping for about two years now with a popup camper. We are considering making an upgrade to a hybrid model next year, and we're doing our homework on this now. We definitely want a three bed layout since we have kids, which limits our options a little bit. I think we've narrowed it down to either the Rockwood Roo 233s:http://www.forestriverinc.com/HybridTravelTrailers/Roo/default.aspx?page=floorplandetails&amp;floorplanid=4012Or the Aerolite 224es:http://aero-rv.com/floorplan/224ESThey both seem like really solid campers. I am curious if anyone out there has any experience with either of these two brands? Or can offer any advice on what we should look for as far as "must haves" in a hybrid? This is a camper we'll have for years to come, so I want to make sure we're getting what we need and something we'll enjoy.Palomino also makes a three bed layout, but honestly our popup camper is a Palomino and we've had nothing but problems with it. Also, perhaps this should be another thread, but the one place we were looking at was trying to sell me a sway bar kit for the hitch of the camper. Something similar to this:http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Pro-Series/PS49903.html?feed=npn&amp;gclid=CL-5vJah6b8CFShp7Aod8QIAoQIs that necessary? I grew up on a farm where we pulled trailers all the time, and I've never heard of this kind of setup. It seemed kinda gimicky to me. I'll by pulling with a 5.4 F150, I would think a hybrid would be a light enough that I wouldn't need something like this. Thoughts?Thanks in advance!

shawnmg · Answer

Either trailer is really good. If you search the forums, both brands have had their problems. But like someone else here has said, most people only post their gripes, not their praises. For every "bad" trailer or brand post there are a ton of successful stories. I have had six great years with my Kodiak, sister to the Aerolite. Just now I am having problems with my fresh water lines. Years ago when hybrids just came out my father had a similar problem with his Roo. Its an assembly line process with workers that are not paid that much. Unfortunately with the industry you get the occasional problem, like with your palomino.

As for the sway control, it is what you are comfortable with. With my original setup, the Kodiak 195 with a Chevy Trailblazer, it was almost the tail wagging the dog if several trucks came by. Set up with the Dual Cam and so much better. Plus it and smart thinking probably saved me from a nasty accident. With my current TV, 1500 Chevy Silverado, a lot better, but still glad I have the Dual Cam.

choochooman74 · Answer

Weight Distribution Hitches are more needed than you think. Your hitch and owners manual usuall state a trailer weight that you don't need and need to use a WDH. I don't feel that safety devices are gimicky.

By the way, my next camper will probably be a Roo 233S with a Ram 1500 3.0l VM diesel. And you bet your life that will have a WDH.

phoneguy1212 · Answer

People usually get confused between weight distribution and sway control arms. Most buy them as a kit and have both in it. Because the hybrid is light and tall if you are going to do any highway travel at 65mph then sway control is a must. There will always be that cross wind or trucker to get the swaying started. This is why it's a must have. Now for weight distribution is only needed if after you hook a fully loaded camper up and it causes you truck to sag in the back or while driving you feel like you're on a roller coaster ride after every bump in the road mainly every bridge you go over. So if you pack the proper way and keep the weight to the center of the camper and not on the front you might not need it. I'm like you and was raised on a farm and did plenty of towing and never heard of such things till I bought a travel trailer. We always knew if it starts fish tailing we slowed down and if our back end drooped a little after hookup we adjusted the load and drove slower speeds. Most were not raised like this and the industry has made work around for this at a price. It eases everybody's mind that there's a fix for all their worries for a price and they work well for what they do. They allow an under rated tow vehicle to haul something too heavy and we get to travel interstate speeds because we spent good money on a weight distribution and sway set-up.

dadmomh · Answer

Absolutely a WDH/sway set up.  It's like buying fire insurance for your home - you don't need it until you need it.  You're making a big investment for your family, don't skimp on something really important.

campfire_time · Answer

The types of trailers you towed on the farm didn't have the heavy tongue weights a travel trailer does. That and the fact that you most likely weren't towing those trailers at freeway speeds. So yes, you need a WD hitch. Its not gimmicky, its a safety item. It puts the weight back on the front wheels to bring back proper steering control.

phoneguy1212 wrote:
Now for weight distribution is only needed if after you hook a fully loaded camper up and it causes you truck to sag in the back or while driving you feel like you're on a roller coaster ride after every bump in the road mainly every bridge you go over. So if you pack the proper way and keep the weight to the center of the camper and not on the front you might not need it. I'm like you and was raised on a farm and did plenty of towing and never heard of such things till I bought a travel trailer. We always knew if it starts fish tailing we slowed down and if our back end drooped a little after hookup we adjusted the load and drove slower speeds. Most were not raised like this and the industry has made work around for this at a price. It eases everybody's mind that there's a fix for all their worries for a price and they work well for what they do. They allow an under rated tow vehicle to haul something too heavy and we get to travel interstate speeds because we spent good money on a weight distribution and sway set-up.

Wow, this post is far from accurate. We spend big money on a truck and trailer and you're suggesting we should cheap out and try to balance the trailer like we do a pop-up? The amount of rear squat is meaningless. The "roller coaster ride after every bump" is caused by lack of weight on the front wheels. You can move things all around if you like, but you are still taking too much weight off the front wheels of the TV. If you have a truck look at your owners manual. There is a specification as to how much weight you can safely take off the front wheels. With GM its zero. You have to adjust the WD hitch to put all the weight back on the front. Just because we grew up a certain way doesn't mean what we did as kids was safe for our families.

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