First Impressions w/new tow vehicle |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Topic: First Impressions w/new tow vehicle Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 10:33am |
We just replaced a tow vehicle that had a V-8 engine and a towing capacity of 6,800 lbs. to a smaller 2015 Nissan Pathfinder with a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. Since we were going to a lighter tow vehicle with a shorter wheelbase, I decided to add a weight distribution hitch with sway control. Wanting to be sure it was installed correctly, I took it to our dealer where we had originally purchased our 171. Total install time was about 45 minutes. After adjusting the hitch I took it home which was only about 5 miles away. I purposely took the freeway so I could see how it handled at speed. My first impressions were very positive. The hitch/anti-sway combination worked perfectly. More of a concern was the smaller engine of the tow vehicle. Although I didn't encounter any long stretches with hills, the trailer tracked perfectly, and without any interference from the 40 foot tractor trailers I encountered. All went well and proceeded to take it home to continue storing until the spring. I'm looking forward to trying out the towing capacity on some long trips and will amend this post. Till then. Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:09am |
What WDH did you get?
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:17am |
Bought the Eaz-Lift at Amazon for $258 with 600 lb. tongue capacity. Seems to be well built. I did take a quick look at some that were in the $400 range but couldn't see what major differences there were. Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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Podster
Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:42am |
Whats the HP on the Pathfinder?
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:44am |
260.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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Podster
Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:47am |
Should be plenty of power!
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:50am |
Seems to be. The proof of the pudding will be on a long climb during a hot summer day with the A/C on. That should tell the tale. Overall, we are doing a lot less driving overall, so the only concern is the 5 or 6 camping trips for the summer. I really was concerned with the lower hp but so far all is well. The saga continues. Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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Podster
Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 11:55am |
I have the 1/2 ton version of the Ford Ranger with about 220HP and so far no problem and it looks like I'm probably heavier.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 12:02pm |
The Pathfinder weighs 4,428 lbs. Big hills during summer should tell the tale. So far very happy with the vehicle. Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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Podster
Senior Member Joined: 16 Sep 2014 Location: San Antonio Online Status: Offline Posts: 1108 |
Posted: 03 Jan 2015 at 12:35pm |
Yes, I was referring to POD weight. I understand the terrain issue because I grew up in Beaverton and used to backpack the Eagle Creek trail! It will be interesting to hear your performance report in the fall. Good luck and safe travels to you, as well.
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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
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