Towing difference Roo 23IKSS vs Outback 250TRS

[mfoster711]

I am planning to downsize from our 5th wheel to a smaller travel trailer or Hyrbid. One of the primary reasons for downsizing it to lower my stress level while driving so I want something that is significantly easier to tow than my 5th wheel. I have previously had a popup and a real small Hybrid so I don't have much experience towing a midsize travel trailer and would like your opinions regarding that. My tow vehicle is a 2007 Ford F250 Diesel and I plan to have a weight distribution hitch with sway control for towing either.

The two campers I am currently debating are the Rockwood Roo 23IKSS (large hybrid) and the Outback Terrain 250TRS. The Terrain is a little bigger in every measurement but I am curious if the differences are significant. Do you think I would even notice the difference between towing the Roo vs the Outback?

I am really curious how much difference the 1'9" in height would matter.

Here are the numbers for the two campers:
Roo Outback Diff
Height 9'7" 11'4" 1'9"
Length 24'10" 27'6" 2'8"
Hitch 514 585 71
Empty 4858 5483 625
Cargo 1618 2017 399
GVWR 6476 7500 1024

[Speedogomer]

goducks10 wrote:
I wouldn't get either. Don't want canvas and the rear slide bed would a PITA to make as well as get in and out of.

It isn't the easiest to make, that's for sure. Getting in and out however is easier than you think, there's plenty of head room to sit up, and slide right into bed.

[kodiakcanuck]

Having owned a hybrid previously and now owning the exact same floor plan trailer as the Outback (Kodiak version!) there wasn't much difference in towing. The rear slide is perhaps a bit more tongue weight and a little heavier, but overall the same experience.

The real question; can you stand the canvas ends? You can hear outside noise in larger campgrounds, they can have moisture issues, and can be a little chilly sometimes, although you are in Texas so perhaps not a issue. Also climbing over my wife to get out of bed first in the AM was an issue, she was scared to sleep on the outside end, so I was stuck there.

We moved to the hard rear slide trailer for these reasons. I believe in your Outback model you sleep with your head towards the back of the trailer and your feet towards the inside like the Kodiak. This is the best set up and easier to get out of bed. The only issue is its a bit of PITA to make the beds sometimes, but overall not an issue.

The 2 main reasons we love the outback rear slide floor plan:
- the floor plan is VERY open and with higher ceilings it feels very big.
- the king size bed is huge and lots of room.

Make sure you get a good hitch with built in sway control like Equal-i-zer or Husky Centerline. This makes all the difference for an easy tow experience.

Good luck with your choice :B

[dadmomh]

Loved our ROO 23SS and the newer u-shape dinette is a nice improvement if more than 2 for a meal. There used to be a cabinet where part of that dinette is now and DH would have been distraught to lose his area for tools, but can certainly see the need for the larger dinette. I miss the large kitchen workspace, miss the unzipped bunkends and the breezes blowing through, miss the outdoorsy feeling....don't miss the small amount of extra work involved with a HTT as we're just getting too blasted old for extra work. Love our 2604.

[PAThwacker]

Short towing, easy storage, and loving the tents. Pupped, bh htt, next up a roo 23ss.

[goducks10]

I wouldn't get either. Don't want canvas and the rear slide bed would a PITA to make as well as get in and out of.

[Tequila]

Take a look at the thread on rippling. Maybe you shoudl be looking at a third choice.

[wmoses]

Good to see you are getting closer to the trailer you want.

To the other folks advising against the hybrid - the OP had a popup, then he had a hybrid that was to small. See a recurring theme here? They like canvas and I am sure they know what the upsides and downsides are.

I too had a popup and then a hybrid. There are some advantages to owning a hybrid over a regular TT. Just a quick jaunt over to the hybrid forum would clarify why some folk like them.

[mfoster711]

Thank you everybody for your comments. Just last week, after doing my initial research, I told my wife I was 95% sure I wanted the Hybrid. We looked at some this weekend and even made an offer that did not work out. I then spent the past couple of days doing more research and I have completely done a 180 degree change of opinion. I am now 95% sure I want the Outback.

You comments helped and I feel really good about the decision and I am extremely happy the dealer did not except our offer on the Hybrid.

[Speedogomer]

I think the differences in towing would be negligible. It comes down to hard sides vs canvas. Some people love sleeping under canvas, and wouldn't have it any other way. There's a certain connection to the outdoors that you just can get from anything else. Yes the canvas sides let in more noise, but it also let's in the sounds of the wildness. If you're at busy campgrounds it can be annoying, if you're at a quiet national park deep in the woods, it's awesome.

That said, I have an Outback Terrain and love it. I like the idea of canvas better than the actual experience of sleeping under canvas. In the end hard sides gets my vote.

[dadmomh]

Just took a look at the Outback....forgot about the rear slide. Very nice floorplan. Like it a lot and that would be my choice.

[dadmomh]

We had a ROO 23SS for nearly 8 seasons and loved it. Didn't mind the extra jobs needed with a HTT. But then old age crept up while we weren't watching and it really became a chore. We moved to a Rockwood 2604 and life is good.

Agree that the floorplan of the IKSS is awesome and I just about had a fit when I saw it on the hybrid side of the forum. We all did. Then some little issues were noticed and these may or may not be a problem for you, but these were the most commonly mentioned. While on the road, the frig and bathroom are not accessible without at least partially opening a slide....not good if you're not pretty level. The slide on the curb side would be a huge downside for us....you lose a lot of outdoor space. Seems like there was some question on the bathroom, but can't recall what it was. It is gorgeous and I love the island kitchen, but too many downsides and we needed to change from a HTT anyway.

Not familiar with the Outback you're considering, but looking at the pix it looks like the layout is very similar to our 2604. While we miss some of the camping experience with a HTT, the TT is much better for us now.

[Mr_Beebo]

You will notice little if any difference towing either one of them.
As far as BO's opinions of the drawbacks on a hybrid, the noise is relative, and we have had no issues freezing folks out in our Roo. Regarding the last comment, I sat in our campsite in Arkansas last week during a late morning downpour and watched as numerous campers were breaking down their hardsided rvs and loading up equipment soaking wet. There is no doubt they'll be drying out when they get home.
No leaks in the 4 years we have owned ours, but I read about plenty, hard sides, 5th wheels, class c, etc.

[B_O__Plenty]

There will be no noticeable difference in towing. I would not get the Roo. The reasons being: Noisier inside while in use. Harder to heat/cool. Pain in the.. to setup or take down when wet. If you pack it up wet you will need to open it later and dry it out. Harder to get in and out of beds. Possibility of leaks..

B.O.

[wmoses]

That particular Roo was my trailer of choice when we were in the market. Then I compared what I could get the Roo for vs the trailer I got instead, and I went with the TT. The 23IKSS is still a great floorplan though.

To answer the original question, I think they will tow similarly - too close to call. My trailer is over 30 ft long and I am totally accustomed to it now having moved up from a hybrid that was about 19' total. If the OP gets something (TT) larger, it just takes some time to get accustomed to it.