Cautionary Tale - R-pod Owners Forum

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StephenH

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6289

Topic: Cautionary Tale
Posted: 24 May 2017 at 7:49pm

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mcarter

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419

Posted: 24 May 2017 at 6:01pm

I don't know. Could the dealer determine weights at delivery, probably. But looking thru latest R-Pod brochure FR does a good job of info. Especially to specs and they match the decal on side of Pod. They are not responsible for what the owner does to TT after they take delivery. Manufacturers have no idea what mods the owner may apply. I think FR did a good job of informing buyers of what weights are and capacities and cautions at capacity. I weigh my trailer and I know the tongue weight with mods applied. It's my responsibility. Not sticking up for dealers, good, bad or ugly. The owner/operator has a responsibility, also. Happy Trails.

Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

furpod

Moderator Group - pHp

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128

Posted: 24 May 2017 at 5:45pm

I hope, what ever a ATC 7X20 is, they have a forum, and you are expressing this there also.. In general, it just isn't an issue with pods.

ToolmanJohn View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 451

Posted: 24 May 2017 at 4:56pm

Keith-N-Dar

Even if a dealer makes it clear that they don't know, would they tell you or be able to if you demanded it? Would they?

The selling dealer and the website both claimed a tongue weight FAR lower than actual and DID NOT specify no propane and no battery on the specs. I can take some fault for not writing it down and being excruciatingly specific with my requests for weights and towing circumstances. If everyone did this and it resulted in thousands of lost sales because the dealers don't know the answers, the trailer makers would have to start making the info CLEAR.

In fact, why would anyone tow their camper with no propane and no battery??? Would anyone buying a camper do this? Why sell them without actual tongue weight KNOWN? We're not buying car haulers or boats. The tongue doesn't change much on those.

So why won't the manufactures just show it like it WILL BE ready to load up for camping? Why not? Add the propane (one or two tanks, 20 or 30 pounders) add the batteries (12 volt - 2 six volt - 2 12 volt) and show the actual numbers..

Adding an A/C, or a microwave, NO PROBLEMS, show the actual weight both trailer and tongue? Why not?

Adding a full tank of water? Show the tongue weights in the specs. Why not? Whats wrong with safety data?

This is just me trying to make sense of something that really doesn't make sense. Where's the logic in not reporting actual weights? It's a safety thing.

2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447

Posted: 24 May 2017 at 1:17pm

My dealer made it clear that the published weight specs were dry weight without propane or batteries.

This is a good argument for having enough capacity in your TV. This is a problem when using a marginally suitable vehicle.

Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Clejo

Newbie

Joined: 10 Apr 2017
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18

Posted: 24 May 2017 at 9:46am

I bought a bathroom scale that was rated up to 550 pounds when I added my murphy bed mod because I was curious how much weight I added to the hitch. The futon was 55 pounds and I estimated about 10 pounds for the wood. this was all added to the front bed of the 180. I also removed the spare tire and added a bike rack in it's place which is lighter. With a half tank of water and full propane I was surprised I had 500 pounds on the hitch. I'm sure a lot of people would be surprised how much more weight there is on the hitch over the published weight, especially when adding an extra propane tank or second battery.

Joe M.
Perryville, MD
Green 2017 R-pod 180
Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 23 May 2017 at 4:07pm

Gotcha Toolman,

You're right. I tend to research most of my purchases to excess. Fortunately, potential Pod purchasers have a great resource right here to find the facts prior to purchase. I know it helped me!

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

ToolmanJohn View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 451

Posted: 23 May 2017 at 4:55am

No. Not a Pod.

This is about buyers getting facts from dealerships and manufacturers before purchase.

2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

fwunder

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1676

Posted: 22 May 2017 at 9:50pm

TJ, you talking about an RPod?! I have a hard time seeing 920 pound tongue weight for any pod.

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6228

fred

2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

ToolmanJohn View Drop Down

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Apr 2014
Location: Connecticut
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 451

Posted: 22 May 2017 at 9:34pm

Trailer tongue weight came in WAY OVER website specs. Turns out their website had a reverse typo, which they are now correcting since I brought it to their attention.

I measured the tongue weight at home Sherline 1000 Scale... Wow... 920 pounds???...I towed THAT???? To the trailer, some credit is due, it towed PERFECT on the highway at 65 mph with wind, and getting passed frequently by semis. No weight distribution, no sway, but I didn't realize I was severely overloading the hitch (770 MAX), and also over my rear axle weight rating by 81 pounds.

Weight distribution cannot solve this. I know some people think erroneously that it reduces tongue weight, it does NOT. It distributes axles weights, that's it.

The problem is being worked on and the trailer maker is working directly with me to find a safe solution.

2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

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StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Topic: Cautionary Tale Posted: 24 May 2017 at 7:49pm
	+1
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 24 May 2017 at 6:01pm
	I don't know. Could the dealer determine weights at delivery, probably. But looking thru latest R-Pod brochure FR does a good job of info. Especially to specs and they match the decal on side of Pod. They are not responsible for what the owner does to TT after they take delivery. Manufacturers have no idea what mods the owner may apply. I think FR did a good job of informing buyers of what weights are and capacities and cautions at capacity. I weigh my trailer and I know the tongue weight with mods applied. It's my responsibility. Not sticking up for dealers, good, bad or ugly. The owner/operator has a responsibility, also. Happy Trails.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 24 May 2017 at 5:45pm
	I hope, what ever a ATC 7X20 is, they have a forum, and you are expressing this there also.. In general, it just isn't an issue with pods.

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 24 May 2017 at 4:56pm
	Keith-N-Dar Even if a dealer makes it clear that they don't know, would they tell you or be able to if you demanded it? Would they? The selling dealer and the website both claimed a tongue weight FAR lower than actual and DID NOT specify no propane and no battery on the specs. I can take some fault for not writing it down and being excruciatingly specific with my requests for weights and towing circumstances. If everyone did this and it resulted in thousands of lost sales because the dealers don't know the answers, the trailer makers would have to start making the info CLEAR. In fact, why would anyone tow their camper with no propane and no battery??? Would anyone buying a camper do this? Why sell them without actual tongue weight KNOWN? We're not buying car haulers or boats. The tongue doesn't change much on those. So why won't the manufactures just show it like it WILL BE ready to load up for camping? Why not? Add the propane (one or two tanks, 20 or 30 pounders) add the batteries (12 volt - 2 six volt - 2 12 volt) and show the actual numbers.. Adding an A/C, or a microwave, NO PROBLEMS, show the actual weight both trailer and tongue? Why not? Adding a full tank of water? Show the tongue weights in the specs. Why not? Whats wrong with safety data? This is just me trying to make sense of something that really doesn't make sense. Where's the logic in not reporting actual weights? It's a safety thing.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

Keith-N-Dar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Location: Mayville, WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 24 May 2017 at 1:17pm
	My dealer made it clear that the published weight specs were dry weight without propane or batteries. This is a good argument for having enough capacity in your TV. This is a problem when using a marginally suitable vehicle.
	Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150

Clejo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 2017 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Posted: 24 May 2017 at 9:46am
	I bought a bathroom scale that was rated up to 550 pounds when I added my murphy bed mod because I was curious how much weight I added to the hitch. The futon was 55 pounds and I estimated about 10 pounds for the wood. this was all added to the front bed of the 180. I also removed the spare tire and added a bike rack in it's place which is lighter. With a half tank of water and full propane I was surprised I had 500 pounds on the hitch. I'm sure a lot of people would be surprised how much more weight there is on the hitch over the published weight, especially when adding an extra propane tank or second battery.
	Joe M. Perryville, MD Green 2017 R-pod 180 Ford Explorer Sport Trac TV

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 23 May 2017 at 4:07pm
	Gotcha Toolman, You're right. I tend to research most of my purchases to excess. Fortunately, potential Pod purchasers have a great resource right here to find the facts prior to purchase. I know it helped me! fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 23 May 2017 at 4:55am
	No. Not a Pod. This is about buyers getting facts from dealerships and manufacturers before purchase.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 22 May 2017 at 9:50pm
	TJ, you talking about an RPod?! I have a hard time seeing 920 pound tongue weight for any pod. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6228 fred
	2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 22 May 2017 at 9:34pm
	Trailer tongue weight came in WAY OVER website specs. Turns out their website had a reverse typo, which they are now correcting since I brought it to their attention. I measured the tongue weight at home Sherline 1000 Scale... Wow... 920 pounds???...I towed THAT???? To the trailer, some credit is due, it towed PERFECT on the highway at 65 mph with wind, and getting passed frequently by semis. No weight distribution, no sway, but I didn't realize I was severely overloading the hitch (770 MAX), and also over my rear axle weight rating by 81 pounds. Weight distribution cannot solve this. I know some people think erroneously that it reduces tongue weight, it does NOT. It distributes axles weights, that's it. The problem is being worked on and the trailer maker is working directly with me to find a safe solution.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI