Hi, I tow a 2011 Forest River Rockwood Freedom 242XR with a 2008 Toyota Tundra. I get some sag when fully loaded and hooked up. I would like to get a weight distribution hitch to solve the problem but I believe I read somewhere that my trailer frame is not compatible with a weight distribution hitch. Could this be true or is it nonsense? Info on the trailer and truck if it helps Trailer status according to the manufacture Dry weight 2,388 lbs Payload capacity 1,469 lbs GVWR: 3,876 lbs Hitch weight: 376 lbs Tundra Dry weight: roughly 5700 (according to the scales at the local dump) I have the factor tow package so a class IV hitch Thanks for the help IPU
I don't know your pup, but any pup wit a c channel frame/tongue cannot accept a weight distribution hitch. It needs to be boxed or solid. I know someone who folded their tongue skyward on a Rockwood pup a few years ago because he was using weight distribution.
I'm surprised your Tundra sags that much. Might think about weighing the trailer and hitch loaded and seeing if you can rearrange how you pack the trailer.
Good advice. The truck sits level when loaded before hitching up. Does not sag enough to make driving hard. Semis passing going the other way do not blow me around. The trailer pulls nicely. I have never had any problems with swaying.
It's also not a bolted on A-frame, as it seems to be one piece with the rest of the trailer. Searching on e-trailers, they also seem to suggest that many c-channel trailers are compatible with WDH, as long as the open parts of the C channel are pointed inwards and facing each other. Jayco may be the exception thouhh to actually allow WDH on C channels, but I'm not 100% sure.
Why not ask Forest River? Curious how you determined the hitch weight? If that is what is in the manual, it may be without anything on the huge storage platform up front... If you are carrying a 500lb ATV up there, obviously, your numbers may vary. PS: Looks like it has a tube frame, so you may be OK for the WDH, but I'd still ask FR. https://library.rvusa.com/brochure/Rockwoodtentbrochure2011.pdf
Some sag is normal. Lots of sag not so much. Adding weight to a truck, pulling or carrying will lower the back of the truck a bit. How much sag are you talking about? If the hitch at the right height? Your tundra shouldent need a weight distribution hitch. But as stated , it depends on loading.
Same for me as well. It would be interesting to know what Jayco did to a C channel tongue to strengthen it enough to allow W.D. Either way, If I were the owner of a pup and unsure if my tongue would allow use of weight distribution, I would want a written guarantee from the manufacturer. As I said before I have seen proof of the damage it can cause. I've never seen a tongue at a 45 degree angle from the frame before I saw this one. It was nuts!
Dexter approves their frames made for palomino, very ole thread I've posted before, from 2009. https://www.popupexplorer.com/forum/index.php?topic=64564.msg58959#msg58959
I believe it's due to being integrated into the trailer frame, not just being bolted on afterwards. I mean, we're not talking a 1000lbs setup here, more like 400.
My 2004 Palomino C channel tongue was one piece into the main frame rails and they had it right in the manual.. WDH was not advised .. I know the jayco DC is talking about was identical in that its tounge was one piece with its main frame rails.
In the thread I posted, palomino voided the frame warranty if a WDH was used but luckily that owner got in touch with the trailer frame maker that would warranty the trailer with WDH if WDH rules were followed. My coachmen stated wdh 'not reccomended' (its use was not prohibited) but at one time coachmen was suggesting the use of the single bar 400 (no longer available).
Took a few pictures of mine, if anyone is interested in the A Frame construction method and allowing weight distribution with jayco.