Community Forums

Bernese guy · 02-09-2025, 12:26 PM

I just purchased a '25 21RBS Titanium. It's a great floor plan and very well built. But now I see it has the lighter 4000 pound axles, brakes, and smaller frame. Just wondering if I made mistake not getting the 22FQS with all heavier axles and larger brakes and bigger frame. Has there been any issues? Am I just overthinking it? I tow with a Ram 2500 4x4 diesel.

BeatCJ · 02-11-2025, 10:37 AM

Your Gross weight rating is 8250. They also list the Dry Hitch weight of 650 lbs, Dry Weight of 5600 lbs, hitch is about 11.6 %. It's really easy to get to the rated payload with silverware, blankets, grille, extra batteries and Solar Panels, 650 lbs of freshwater, food in the fridge, jeans, boots, 120 lbs of propane and tanks.

You have enough capacity in those axles. You will have to pay attention to how you load it. I'm a big fan of overbuilt, but that's me.

Vintage465 · 02-12-2025, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernese guy

I just purchased a '25 21RBS Titanium. It's a great floor plan and very well built. But now I see it has the lighter 4000 pound axles, brakes, and smaller frame. Just wondering if I made mistake not getting the 22FQS with all heavier axles and larger brakes and bigger frame. Has there been any issues? Am I just overthinking it? I tow with a Ram 2500 4x4 diesel.

I can tell you from my experience with our purchased new 2015 20fq that the 3500 pound axles and the 6" I-Beam frame are good for about 10 years and 80,000 miles before you'll need to repair and strengthen the frame from stress cracks. The weakest points of these frames is the cross members between the axles and in the 4-5 feet area in front of the axles. Also, ORV's use an extra tall spring hanger that has a small foot print and the material that they're welded too is only 1/8" thick. I just completed the strengthening and repairs on my frame. This included increasing the foot print of my spring hangers

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_6183.jpg
Views: 14
Size: 469.4 KB
ID: 435317

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_6184.jpg
Views: 12
Size: 426.3 KB
ID: 435318

BPTS · 02-13-2025, 10:52 AM

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...CABEgI-9_D_BwE

Vintage465 · 02-13-2025, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPTS

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...CABEgI-9_D_BwE

I've been running the idea of these up and down the hallway for a few years. The thing is, though, now matter what you strengthen or stiffen it tranferrs the stress somewhere else. So if we install these, and take the side loading flex off the spring hangers you're going to put the stress on the frame in general. So, in general, we're not going to win this war, just the interim battle...........

Bernese guy · 02-14-2025, 12:25 PM

If my frame cracks with what little I carry, it will be fixed and sold.

Vintage465 · 02-15-2025, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernese guy

If my frame cracks with what little I carry, it will be fixed and sold.

Well, couple things, I'm currently of the belief, it's not a matter of "if", but "when". I'm seeing it on not just my trailer, but most every trailer(with the I-Beam Frame) with any real use on it. From what I'm figuring out, it's not how much weight you're carrying(top loading), it's the twisting and turning(side loading) that puts force on the frame, spring hangers and running gear. Wherever the cross members and outriggers are, stress cracks appear from the stress put on the frame during turning activities. I guess I just never actually realize the amount of stress put on the frame during tight backing and maneuvering activities. But in all reality, most people may not travel as much as we do and maybe not do as much maneauvering into tight spots as us. We currently have 80,000 miles on our trailer.

Bernese guy · 02-15-2025, 12:03 PM

My plan is to use it for 5-7 years then decide what to do. Long before the frame and other things start to fail. My 21RBS has been in production for many years with no known issues.

Vintage465 · 02-15-2025, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernese guy

My plan is to use it for 5-7 years then decide what to do. Long before the frame and other things start to fail. My 21RBS has been in production for many years with no known issues.

That's a solid plan to sell within 5-7 years and leave issue to others. Also, if you're not looking one would likely not realize the stress cracks in the frame at the outriggers and cross members. I'm just that guy that checks all things running gear and notice them.

Bernese guy · 02-16-2025, 08:58 PM

I had a '14 250RDSW and towed it all over the PNW for 10 years and never had any frame or suspension issues. I am not expecting and with my '25 21RBS.

Dave Pelletier · 02-18-2025, 09:38 AM

I had no issues with my 2020 21RBS but I did wish I had gotten the 22FQS.....if I had, I'd still have it. The 22FQS is the smallest of the Timber ridge trailers using the 8" frame and larger axles, etc. so it's a bit over-built.....but I like that.

Dave

SailorGuy · 02-18-2025, 10:16 AM

Vintage 465: I also have 2015 20FQ with 70k miles (we were next to you at the Quartzite ORV meetup a couple of years ago). How did you determine you had frame stress cracks? Were their symptoms? BTW I have been to AK and back and had no problems with the spring hangers. Only a rock through the front cap.

Did you only find the frame problems when lowering the chloroplast (which I’ve never done)?

Bernese guy · 02-18-2025, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

I had no issues with my 2020 21RBS but I did wish I had gotten the 22FQS.....if I had, I'd still have it. The 22FQS is the smallest of the Timber ridge trailers using the 8" frame and larger axles, etc. so it's a bit over-built.....but I like that.

Dave

I agree, but the 21RBS can be easily towed by a 1/2 ton. It's almost 2 feet shorter and close to 1000 pounds lighter. I looked at everything and the 21RBS is built better than most trailers that size. It's really not a lightweight trailer. The tires and wheels are just like those of much heavier years past. I towed a 250RDSW for many years and I am really over that size and weight.

Dave Pelletier · 02-19-2025, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernese guy

I agree, but the 21RBS can be easily towed by a 1/2 ton. It's almost 2 feet shorter and close to 1000 pounds lighter. I looked at everything and the 21RBS is built better than most trailers that size. It's really not a lightweight trailer. The tires and wheels are just like those of much heavier years past. I towed a 250RDSW for many years and I am really over that size and weight.

I agree that any ORV is definitely NOT a "light weight trailer", even the Creeksides. .....which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I bought my 21RBS thinking I'd tow it with a half ton but after trying it and weighing the tongue, I decided it was more trailer than I was comfortable towing with a half ton so I bought a 1 ton.......had I known then what I know now, I would have gotten the 22FQS since I now have more than enough truck for it. My 21 RBS' measured TW was 1,180 lbs and far beyond what I wanted to tow with my Ram 1500, QC 4x4 5.4 hemi, tow package truck with 1392 lbs payload.

I ended up with the 25RDS as my wife wanted to take the grandkids camping and wanted the sleeper couch and separate bedroom but frankly the 25RDS is a PITA to get into the forest service sites we frequent. I think the 22FQS is the sweet spot in size/weight/construction. Oh well.

2 cents,
Dave