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Topic Closedowner-to-be - Event Date: 27 Jan 2013
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: owner-to-be
    Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 2:46pm
janice, usually class II hitches come with 1 1/4 inch receiver openings.  Most aftermarket accessories like bike racks, WDHs, cargo trays, etc, require the 2 inch receiver opening that comes with the class III and IV hitches.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 26 Aug 2012
Location: Cedar Key, FL
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Posts: 457 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 6:53am
Our friends, Forum members Gypsy Edie and Kona Joe, had a Class II factory hitch on a Mazda van, and our selling dealer,
Lazy Days in Tampa, basically refused to deliver the R 177 without upgrading to a Class III.  We had no
factory hitch, so it was an easy call for us to order a Class III from Amazon for our local mechanic to
install.

We then ordered, again from Amazon, a WDH and have had zero problems.

You will, of course, be installing a trailer brake controller, right?
Bob and Joyce
Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels
RP 177 "Key Pod"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:53pm
I took a look on the Ford site and recommemded Maximums for your Edge to tow are 3,500 pounds and a 350 pound toung weight.  Shipping weight for the Pod is less than that, but when you add your accesories (air, battery, propane), and supplies you are going to be near the max.  You may even be over if you tow with a full water tanks.  I would get weight distribution and sway protection.  I think you will need it.  And dont tow with water tanks full if you can help it. 
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:19pm
Thanks for the detailed explanation of the equalizer vs the sway bar.  I was unclear at first how it all fit together.  What is your opinion about the Class II hitch that was factory installed?  Some have said I need a Class III.  I'll be calling my Ford dealer as well.
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:04pm
I checked my paperwork which says it's a Class II hitch; an R-Pod serviceman called today and said he could install the E2 stabilizer (6000 lbs) to use with my current receiver, if I want that.  Why is it important to have a Class III?
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 7:40pm

+1 on the class III hitch.

Is your factory installed hitch a receiver (the hitch ball can be removed leaving a square opening on the TV), or a permanently installed ball?  If you have a class III hitch you just need to buy the WDH for use with the existing receiver.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Joined: 26 Aug 2012
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Posts: 457 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 4:55pm
Please insure that your factory installed hitch is at least a Class III.  Many are not.
Bob and Joyce
Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels
RP 177 "Key Pod"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 1:15pm
Thank you all for your advice.  I forgot to mention in my original post that I already have a factory-installed hitch on my Edge which I'm sure is not a WDH.  So, majority opinion seems to be get the sway bar.  I live in the beautiful NW so many of my trips will be on secondary, probably curvy mountain roads thus doubt I will have any trouble keeping it at and below 60mph tops.
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Joined: 26 Aug 2012
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Posts: 457 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 12:18pm
I was about to add my .02, until I realized it had all been said!  Good advice here.
 
I will make quick note of the difference between anti sway and load distribution.  They both have
the objective of reducing, (but never totally eliminating) the tendency for the trailer to depart from
the center line track of the tow vehicle.
 
Anti sway devices add a shock absorber-like device in the horizontal plane to discourage horizontal
deviation.  Load distribution devices add bars or trunions between the tow vehicle's frame, (via the
hitch), and the trailer frame to force the front wheels of the TV back down to their unweighted
position.  (A vertical correction, if you will.)
 
Although I am not personally familiar with the E2 hitch, it appears to offer both horizontal and vertical
correction forces simultaneously.  I wish I had known about it prior to installing my WDH, although
we have never had a problem with our 177 and our Grand Cherokee.
  
Bob and Joyce
Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels
RP 177 "Key Pod"
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 10:36am
Janice,

As you see, there are many pro and con arguments here. Personally, I highly recommend the E2 hitch from Progress Mfg. It combines weight distribution and sway control in one hitch. You may not "need it", but you will definitely want it, especially with your small and light weight tow vehicle. I tow my RP-172 with a 2010 Honda 4WD Pilot. With the E2 hitch I hardly know the Pod is back there, except for the decreased acceleration and gas mileage. I spent lots of brain time sweating with and without, but finally decided to get the E2. I didn't want my first experience to be disaster.
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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