From Pop-Up to hardside

Originally posted by rnrplayhrd Thank You everyone. The responses have been very helpful. After talking to the techs at Camping World we have decided to go with the E2. After waiting 3 years the 179 is sitting in our driveway. We sat in it last night checking every thing out (except the water features) and it all checks out. I think Forest River and the dealer could have done a little better job cleaning it out and prepping it but that's not that big of a deal. Can't wait till the snow melts and spring gets hers to take it on it's maiden voyage! Thanks again.RnR

We're running the same setup on our 2012 Highlander and 179 and it tows beautifully.

When we left the dealer's lot the first time, we had only a sway bar. Once we looked at how much sag we had and got some opinions from the FB group, we decided to go to a WDH. We started out with an Eaz-Lift bar and chain hitch and continued using the same sway bar. After the sway bar ball ripped off the Pod's A-frame (probably from backing up at too sharp of an angle while the sway bar was attached), we decided to switch to the E2 and have never looked back. My wife has a much easier time setting up the E2 than she did the old setup.

Thank You everyone. The responses have been very helpful. After talking to the techs at Camping World we have decided to go with the E2. After waiting 3 years the 179 is sitting in our driveway. We sat in it last night checking every thing out (except the water features) and it all checks out. I think Forest River and the dealer could have done a little better job cleaning it out and prepping it but that's not that big of a deal. Can't wait till the snow melts and spring gets hers to take it on it's maiden voyage!

Thanks again.
RnR

Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!

The two main differences between the pop-up and the pod are going to be weight, and wind resistance. You can make a reasonable assessment of the weight issue when you hook it up & observe the stance of the TV and the TT; both should be close to level. The other is what percent of the capability of your TV you are at. If you are less than 75% of the capacity of your TV, you will e good. If you are in the 90%-100% range, you should reconsider your situation.

The wind resistance is tougher to judge, because you won't really know until you are out on the road. If the TT "feels" like it is pushing the TV around, then you should apply whatever anti-sway and/or balance remedies you can.

Congrats!  Moved out to Idaho from Chitown in 2004.  Bought a '17 179 that we tow with our '10 Highlander limited.  At first only had a sway bar.  But after a trip to Zions last spring, I got an e2.  Best decision I made.  Takes the bounce out and brings my front end down.