P-pod for dry camping? - R-pod Owners Forum

I would say all good points to make sure that your weights are within specs, but I think it's a mistake to think that if you have sufficient 'reserve capacity' under your towing limits you're good to go. To me, trailer balance and sway control seem to be the things to worry about most. Here's an argument that 'short wheelbase' trailers (which I think we all have here) are particularly prone to instability:

https://rv.org/blogs/news/short-wheelbases-and-accidents-go-hand-in-hand

Originally posted by MarkW

I would say all good points to make sure that your weights are within specs, but I think it's a mistake to think that if you have sufficient 'reserve capacity' under your towing limits you're good to go. To me, trailer balance and sway control seem to be the things to worry about most. Here's an argument that 'short wheelbase' trailers (which I think we all have here) are particularly prone to instability:

https://rv.org/blogs/news/short-wheelbases-and-accidents-go-hand-in-hand

So does that mean you will go weigh your rig (not just the trailer and tongue) and report the results here relative to your limits?

1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Thanks for the interesting article MarkW. I agree that TV capacity is only one of many elements to be considered in safely towing a trailer.

Here is another trailer weight calculator that may be of use:

https://www.engineersedge.com/calculators/trailer-weight-balance.htm

Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Originally posted by lostagain

Thanks for the interesting article MarkW. I agree that TV capacity is only one of many elements to be considered in safely towing a trailer.

Here is another trailer weight calculator that may be of use:

https://www.engineersedge.com/calculators/trailer-weight-balance.htm

That happens to be one the calculators used for axle placement in the builder's forum.It'sused quite a bit!

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Originally posted by MarkW

I would say all good points to make sure that your weights are within specs, but I think it's a mistake to think that if you have sufficient 'reserve capacity' under your towing limits you're good to go. To me, trailer balance and sway control seem to be the things to worry about most.

First you say "to make sure that your weights are within specs", yet then "I think it's a mistake to think that if you have sufficient 'reserve capacity' ".

Dude your going both ways here.. You're either with factory spec's or your not. The mistake is believing you can go beyond 'comfortably'. There's a reason for those 'spec's'!

Take the time and hit the scales. My town on Saturdays has no issues at all. Free if they don't print a ticket. They had fun with me and what I was doing! I know what my dry weight is of trailer alone (not stated, actual) telling me how much I can load. I know what the trailer hitched is and combined weight. No guessing, no "it works for me", no BS, actual weights.

It's worth the time..

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander