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darjay View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 May 2018
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: almost new 179 podder
    Posted: 07 May 2018 at 10:26am
This is all new and foreign to me. I'm a 60 year old 5' women, who never camped or pulled a trailer before.   I am getting ready to buy a 179 and take it to dog shows, just for me and my dogs.
My husband and I plan on modifying the dinette to put 3 wire crates when we are in the pod. The dogs will NOT be in the pod while driving

I drive a 2017 Toyota Sienna 6 cyl.   It is able to tow 3500lbs.   

I have a tow hitch I used for a bike rack and am now looking to add the wiring for the pod. Can someone tell me what kind of Wiring kit I need to buy to work with the pod?   
Thanks in advance.
darjay
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 11:13am
Welcome to the group!! We used to tow with our Dodge Grand Caravan, which is also rated for 3500 lbs. We did it, up and down the east coast, through the White Mountains of NH, Green Mountains of Vermont, it always did the job and we travelled comfortably. We then upgraded to our F-150 and admittedly there is quite a bit of difference in power, handling etc.
So basically you can do it, but a larger more powerful tow vehicle might give you more peace of mind. 
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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darjay View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 11:22am
Thanks for the reply.   This is just the beginning of my new adventure.    Can you recommend the type of wiring package I need to add to my Sienna hitch to be able to tow the 179?

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texman View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Jul 2014
Location: TeXas
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Posts: 446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 11:50am
i would recommend that the dealer install the 7 pin bargman connector that you need. 
TexMan 2015 182g
2018 Sequoia
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darjay View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 11:52am
Thanks!

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texman View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Jul 2014
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Posts: 446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 12:01pm
does you sienna have trailer connections already installed?  also, i am not sure if you are intending to use the bike hitch you mentioned to tow your trailer or not? 
TexMan 2015 182g
2018 Sequoia
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darjay View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 12:04pm
No trailer connections at this time. The hitch was originally installed for a bike rack that my husband adds/removes when I need it. So no wiring was needed at the time. Now looking to get a 179, will need to add the wiring.

Thanks for the reply
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 12:11pm
Originally posted by darjay

Thanks for the reply.   This is just the beginning of my new adventure.    Can you recommend the type of wiring package I need to add to my Sienna hitch to be able to tow the 179?


Look on etrailer.com. Enter your vehicle type and you will be able to look at what is available for your Sienna. If your Sienna is equipped with the factory tow package, you will need to purchase not only a brake controller, but also item ETBC7 Universal Installation Kit in order to install it. I had to do that with a Ford Escape. There is a video available for trailer brake controller installation for a 2005 Toyota Sienna that may or may not be of assistance depending on what is different between that model and yours.

For the brake controller, I chose the Hopkins InSIGHT Flex-Mount Trailer Brake Controller as it let me decide where I wanted the control box, the manual control, and the display to best suit my needs and preferences. Since then, the Redarc Brake Controller has come to the market. It also allows flexibility in mounting the control knob and the main unit, but lacks the display of the Hopkins unit and is about twice the price of the Hopkins controller.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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darjay View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 12:20pm
Thanks for your reply.   My sienna does not have the tow package, but since I'm mostly going to be local/no mountain driving, I'm going to be taking it easy.   

I'll check out etrailer for the items you are recommending.

Thanks again!

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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 May 2018 at 3:16pm
See also about getting a transmission cooler installed. It will really help, even if you will not be doing mountain driving.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

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