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DavMar View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Aug 2017
Location: Lexington, NC
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Posts: 592 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New RP 180!!!
    Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 10:11am
Originally posted by OldNeumanntapr


Would the WDH or overloads alone do a better job of controlling bounce, especially going over bridges on the highway? That's one thing I did notice this weekend that was mildly annoying.

Thanks for the advice.


IMHO my answer is yes! As would also things like Sumo Shocks, helper springs, or even just better rear shocks then the original ones. Once my WDH was properly adjusted and with the addition of up graded tires both my wife and I immediately noticed an improvement on "bouncing" on our 180. Opinions very on whether or not to have a WDH, I wouldn't tow without it due to safety issues alone not to mention the improvement on towing.
Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog.
2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 10:05am
I don't have any experience with overload springs for comparison so I hesitate to say which would be better.. The one thing a WD hitch with sway control that I know about will do for you is provide sway control that, unless your truck has it integrated, is lacking.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 9:32am
Originally posted by StephenH



You mention adding overload springs. Consider instead a weight distribution hitch such as the Equal-i-zer 4-point sway control hitch, the Progress Industries E2 hitch (2-point sway control), the Andersen No-Sway hitch, or something equivalent. These will provide sway control as well as keeping the back of the truck from sagging too much. Sway control is something you don't need until you do. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Crosswinds and passing trucks can exert much more force on the 180 than they could on the Coleman.

Would a good WDH do a better job of leveling the back of the truck than just the overloads alone? I measured the air gap this weekend. Unloaded I have a six-inch gap between the top of the tire and the bottom of the bed fender. Once the trailer is on it drops one inch to a five-inch gap. This was our first overnight trip with the 180 and we didn't have a great deal of gear with us. (No bikes, kayak, and only 1/3 full of freshwater tank.) I imagine that with more weight the truck would drop further.

I'm wondering why the RV shop techs who installed the brake controller on the truck and did the walkthrough BOTH said that I was fine without the WDH. Wouldn't they have wanted to push something else to make a sale?

Would the WDH or overloads alone do a better job of controlling bounce, especially going over bridges on the highway? That's one thing I did notice this weekend that was mildly annoying.

Thanks for the advice.
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2018 at 12:28am
Morro Bay is a favorite place. I lived there with my exwife 30 years ago. It’s nice to be able to camp there.
We are loving the new rPod. The best part is that is does in fact fit in my outside parking place next to the condo. I was worried because I have to back it in off of an alley and there’s not a lot of room to maneuver. It took me 20 minutes but I did it! I had six inches on each side, backing in on a corner. Didn’t want to hit the garage and I really didn’t want to hit the neighbor’s van. The rPod is seven feet longer than the tent trailer was and it makes it really difficult in limited space to back it in.
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Posts: 240 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 11:54pm
Originally posted by OldNeumanntapr


Drove to the coast over highway 46 and pulled the 1,740 six percent grade in almost 100 degree heat. The Tacoma pulled the rPod just fine in fourth gear with the overdrive locked out. I was taching about 3,800 and the truck never felt like it was straining. 55 and 60 mph but that was just fine.

Camping now at Morro Bay Dunes, private RV Park. Just picked programmer the TV and checked out the cable TV !
Still marveling at how much nicer the rPod is compared to the tent trailer.
Highway 46 is wonderful! And we love Morro Bay. So glad you folks are already having such a fantastic time with your new Pod. 
2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one)
His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD
Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 11:15pm
Thanks. It was fun. Several times the wife and I high-fived each other. We are over the moon. Such a world of difference from the old dilapidated tent trailer trailer.

Met another new rPod owner at the campground who also just got one, a 2017 179 from a dealer in Los Angeles. He had a new WDH and told me that someone he knew with an rPod who did a lot of towing with a standard hitch wore down the rear tires much too fast. Didn’t think about that.

Today took the dogs to the beach and used the outside shower to wash them. Took the table outside and placed towels over it and bathed the dogs one at a time in a Rubbermaid bin with the outside shower. Had to off load the soapy water to my five gallon bucket to pour into the campgrounds dump station so we didn’t get water on the ground.
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DavMar View Drop Down
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Posts: 592 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:03pm
Originally posted by OldNeumanntapr

Already have the trans cooker as part of the towing package. My truck just 60,000 miles so will be getting the trans flushed this coming week in a major service along with new plugs and new oil in the rear diff.

I’m a member of the Tacomaworld forums. Thanks for the tip on the trans temp gage. Sounds like a good idea.


Congrats on your maiden voyage of your new 180! I too am a member of Tacomaworld forum you know its my truck by their sticker in my Tacoma back window. I have no problems towing my 180 but I do run it in manual shifting with the ECT in the ON position. On flat grades, interstate and such, I have no problem with it running highway speeds with up shifting into 5th gear. I did put in a set of Sumo Springs to help handle the 180 tongue weight and have the  rear shocks run cooler. I would also suggest, especially since you live out west maybe running in the windy plains of the west, to seriously think about looking into a WDH.
Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the
wonder dog.
2017 Rpod 180
2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4
Lexington, NC
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onazip View Drop Down
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Posts: 43 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 9:28am
I agree that the WDH is major benefit.  We got a Husky WDH from Amazon and the difference was night and day.  I towed our Pod home without it and felt like I was driving a boat.  Very light front end and the rear sagged about an inch.  With the WDH the Tacoma is level and there is very little sway.  
I found that 60-65mph was my sweet spot for highway speed.  I may be imagining, but I also thought driving in "4" instead of "D" resulted in less automatic tranny shifting.  
2018 Tundra
2018 176t
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:42am
Trans cooler. Stupid auto correct😟
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:41am
Already have the trans cooker as part of the towing package. My truck just 60,000 miles so will be getting the trans flushed this coming week in a major service along with new plugs and new oil in the rear diff.

I’m a member of the Tacomaworld forums. Thanks for the tip on the trans temp gage. Sounds like a good idea.
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