R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Introduce Yourself
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: towing
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic Closedtowing
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 23456 12>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
wingnut2312 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Location: MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 231 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: towing
    Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 8:54am
Tech, definitely! We are only looking to rent the Uhaul for one trip this year. Outside of Lansing, Sleepy Hollow state park is surrounded by cider mills. They are really cool and the kids love them. The pod would let us stay warm and dry at night. It would only be for the weekend.
If I can connect the brake controller I will. I dont think you can mod the Uhauls, but plug and play could probably pass.
As I've said, I do appreciate all of the advice. I joined because you all know more about this than I do. I just don't appreciate demeaning statements when I'm trying to learn.
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 8:36am
Whether or not it is required, I've been towing trailers (4000 pounds of mulch in a utility trailer, 3500 pound popups, pod) since 1988 and there is only one setup where I don't plug in my brake controller.  That's when the utility trailer is empty where it weighs about 500 pounds.  My TV is rated for 8000 pounds and I still plug in the brake controller if the utility trailer is only half-full.
 
Why?  Sway.  Engaging the brake controller is the only safe way to negate sway once anti-sway devices can't control it.  One of the contributing factors for sway is how a trailer is loaded and it's very easy to load a utility trailer or camper in a way which will induce sway.
 
Going with a U-haul pickup sounds like a good option for now - and depending on how many trips a year maybe cheaper than upgrading your current TV.  A quick cost-to-benefit analysis will tell you where your break-even is.  Look at the wireless Prodigy http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90250.html
 
Then figure out how to make it work with the U-haul pickup.  From the factory it is designed to just have the camper plug into the Prodigy control module mounted on the camper tongue.  Then the Prodigy plugs into the Bargeman outlet on the back of the TV.  Logically the Prodigy will need brake and turn signal inputs, ground, +12.  The 4-pin connector provides brake, turn, and ground, which is why I think you'll need to create a long wire you can plug into the vehicle's accessory outlet/lighter to provide the +12 (and an additional ground, which won't hurt).  The output of the 4-pin plug on the pickup and the wires from the outlet will need to be combined into a Bargeman outlet you can dangle from the rear of the pickup.  The Prodigy will then plug into that.  Oh, and the wireless control module that goes in the pickup will also need to plug in so you'll need a Y-splitter for the 12 volt accessory outlet.
 
This will give you a system you can plug in within 2 minutes once you get home and hitch up.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Pod-a-terre View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 16 Aug 2013
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 59 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 8:16am
A couple of points. Most of the recent Ford F 150's come with a brake controller built in. More importantly is to see what your State requires towed vehicles to have a braking system....these are generally based on weight. It is also important from an insurance perspective as I am sure the sales person will not cover you in an accident when the insurance company refuses to pay because you did not have the required equipment or were overweight. JMO
John Kris "Lady Sarah" our Golden
Aiken SC
Back to Top
GA_RPOD_178 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Location: Newborn, GA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 118 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 8:05am
Originally posted by wingnut2312

So you've missed the section on we're going to rent a vehicle instead of using the Jeep? I stated that I believe the Jeep isn't going to work and we will be looking for a proper TV. I also stated that it's not worth risking it with the kids. The brake controller would not be necessary when towing it with a full size F-150 is what the dealer said.
In the future, please read the entire thread before questioning a persons intelligence. It's probably easier to realize that there is a lot of bad informationn out there clouding up the good. Asking questions is the way people wade through the b.s. and make the best decision.
Thanks for the help everyone!

Even with the F-150, I think that many of us would recommend you get familiar with the vehicle handling characteristics without your children, if you are going to go without a controller.  One of the common factors in many of your comments is that "the dealer said....".  While many dealers are good folks, one of the common factors on that side of the equation is that want to sell you a trailer, rent you a tv, etc.

I have found that this forum, on my time here, is very safety focused, especially in the area of towing, where many mishaps often occur with new campers.  It could be that that's why they are still around to make such suggestions.

There are a lot of good suggestions here from those who "have been there, done that".
[/URL]
Back to Top
Pod-a-terre View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 16 Aug 2013
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 59 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 7:22am
State regulations generally state what towed vehicle must have a brake controller and it is controlled by weight. Just go to the State DMV site or FMCA has a state booklet.
John Kris "Lady Sarah" our Golden
Aiken SC
Back to Top
wingnut2312 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Location: MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 231 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 6:23am
So you've missed the section on we're going to rent a vehicle instead of using the Jeep? I stated that I believe the Jeep isn't going to work and we will be looking for a proper TV. I also stated that it's not worth risking it with the kids. The brake controller would not be necessary when towing it with a full size F-150 is what the dealer said.
In the future, please read the entire thread before questioning a persons intelligence. It's probably easier to realize that there is a lot of bad informationn out there clouding up the good. Asking questions is the way people wade through the b.s. and make the best decision.
Thanks for the help everyone!
Back to Top
Camper Bob View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp


Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Aug 2013 at 1:29am
TT. You got it.  Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
Back to Top
Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2013 at 11:41pm
Originally posted by wingnut2312

Is it a necessity to have a brake controller? Dealer didnt specify that.


I suppose it depends on how you define necessary.  With your tow vehicle and the trailer you're talking about, a brake controller is as close to essential equipment as it gets.  I don't know if it's true, but I've heard brake controllers are required in some states for trailers over certain weights.  Maybe you are in a state that doesn't have that requirement and maybe that's why your dealer said it wasn't necessary.  Whether or not they are legally necessary, they are necessary for your safety and peace of mind.

I've towed trailers way over my tow capacity and done it without brakes.  It's doable.  There are also people who juggle running chainsaws.  Neither is something you want to do with your kids.  When I've towed overweight vehicles it was with extreme caution, a whole lot of stress, and for less than 20 miles.  Going down the interstate or in any kind of traffic the risks you are taking involve more liability and anxiety than most people would think wise. 

It seems like you are looking for a rationalization that will let you feel comfortable towing a pod with your Wrangler.  It really isn't meant to be.  Best I can see your Wrangler is rated 2000 pounds only when properly equipped.   Adding a weight distributing hitch doesn't help at all when you are driving up a long hill, and I don't understand how it adds, what are you saying, 1200 extra pounds of towing capacity?  You know the weight of the WDH itself counts against your towing capacity. 

It bothers me that you don't seem to understand the difference between towing capacity and tongue weight.  It makes me think you may not be asking the right questions or you may not understand the answers you are getting.  Your front wheels would be 4 feet off the ground if you put 2000 pounds on your hitch.

With the tv/trailer combination you are talking about, I'm confident that the safety issues and the potential liability and the extra attention you will be absolutely required to pay while driving will quickly be so stressful that you will not enjoy the experience.

TT
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
Back to Top
wingnut2312 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Location: MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 231 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2013 at 6:03pm
That sounds like Swahili to me!! Lol.
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Aug 2013 at 5:59pm
Ok, so they have the standard 4-pin connection.  That may almost be enough to cobble the wireless Prodigy to work - you'll just have to run a 12 volt line from the lighter/outlet to the rear and wire up a Bargeman to plug into the 4-pin connection and the 12 volt line.  Wouldn't be hard.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 23456 12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz