towing

I bought my pod and did not even drive it home. I went to the highway weigh station. I pulled on the side and went to talk to the weigh master.

I asked him if he would weigh my trailer separately, and print out the results. He said ok, get back in line and watch the lights.

I pulled up until I got the red light. He then motioned me forward. Again I pulled on the side and he gave me the printout. I don't have it in front of me but the trailer axle was around 2750#

Story continues...

I then went home and unhitched the pod, I took a bathroom scale with 350# capacity and put it under the jack pole, I leveled the rig. It showed the tongue weight of 270#

So that put me a tad over 3000#. That was before any food, water, clothes, chairs, tables, were loaded. It also did not count for the passengers in the TV or all the extra stuff I piled in there.

Totally loaded, I was probably 3800# (I weigh 250++) DW is 125

All of this means is that you have a TV with 5000# rating, you are safe, if you have proper hitch connection and brake controller.

For those of you who have a 3500# rating, you can rationalize all you want, repair your transmission as often as you want, but the bottom line is that you are overloaded.

And if you go slow enough for short distances, you will probably have a great time, but if anything happens that involves an accident, you will be charged with contributory negligence if you are overloaded.

What matters is true weight... not what is printed on the screen door, or listed in specifications.

Originally posted by Camper Bob Call me what you like but for me my safety and safety of others should be first and foremost in all of our towing situations.

I also disagree with Camper Bob's and Thinker's comments.  I also have a 173 and I know that it's weight, even with the battery, propane and partial tank of fresh water, is considerable less than what his weighed.  Based on his "findings" no pod should be towed with a vehicle having a tow rating of only 3500#.  I chose the 173 because of its light weight.  trading in my old trailer weighing 800# more. 

I am always irritated when members make disparaging remarks about our smaller, but more than adequate, tow vehicles.  Like the big boys, I can tow at 75mph if I so choose, but I don't unless I don't keep an eye on my speedometer.  As for possible transmission damage, Hyundai guarantees the entire drive train for  100,000 miles, and my dealer has assured me that towing any trailer up to the tow limit will not void my warranty. 

I fully agree with the  comments made by the other posters.  I will refrain from adding any more of my thoughts for fear of sounding pompous and all-knowing.

Bob
(towing for 40 years)






















3

Ha, we're starting to sound like RV.Net--If you don't have a 3/4 ton diesel, then you shouldn't be towing anything. There are tons of smaller tow rigs that can do well towing a Pod. Will many of them struggle, yes, but if set up well, then they can do the job. Owners may have to be a little careful where they choose to tow--pulling elevation @ 35 mph on a 2 lane pass isn't just a problem for you , but also for the line of cars you're holding up. 3500lb tow rating? Set it up well, load it correctly, make sure your wheelbase is not overly short, and if you're satisfied, then OK.

The most important consideration is if you are towing with a FRONT WHEEL DRIVE you must use a WDH. Putting a trailer on the back removes weight from the TRACTION wheels. A WDH shifts the weight back to the front wheel drive axles. And of course water is about 8 lbs. per gallon so if you can do not tow water.