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Topic Closed4 Tongue mods on 178
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 4 Tongue mods on 178
    Posted: 11 May 2015 at 9:49am
I would measure your new tongue weight.  You likely need to add some counterweight to the rear to get back to the 10-15% tongue weight goal, plus you are probably over the tongue weight rating of your WDH which means it will be unable to redistribute the weight.  Counterweight will fix that too.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 10:32am
Originally posted by techntrek

I would measure your new tongue weight.  You likely need to add some counterweight to the rear to get back to the 10-15% tongue weight goal, plus you are probably over the tongue weight rating of your WDH which means it will be unable to redistribute the weight.  Counterweight will fix that too.

I did speak with the service dept where I bought the trailer and they said the added weight was still within tolerance and if I felt it being a little "bouncy" to bring it in for readjustment.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 1:31pm
Originally posted by bobditch

Originally posted by techntrek

I would measure your new tongue weight.  You likely need to add some counterweight to the rear to get back to the 10-15% tongue weight goal, plus you are probably over the tongue weight rating of your WDH which means it will be unable to redistribute the weight.  Counterweight will fix that too.

I did speak with the service dept where I bought the trailer and they said the added weight was still within tolerance and if I felt it being a little "bouncy" to bring it in for readjustment.



Without weighing it directly (the actual tongue weight), they are full of BS.

Now, you may be within the design tolerance of the WDH bars, but I have seen pods set up with 1000 pound bars.. LOL.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 2:31pm
Originally posted by techntrek

I would measure your new tongue weight.  You likely need to add some counterweight to the rear to get back to the 10-15% tongue weight goal, plus you are probably over the tongue weight rating of your WDH which means it will be unable to redistribute the weight.  Counterweight will fix that too.

Ok... So my new hitch weight is 509 lbs (that is without the bike rack and 2 bikes on the rear which would certainly add some counter weight) and 15% of the of the 3,700 GVWR is 555 lbs. sounds like I'm within tolerance. Am I figuring everything correctly?
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 3:45pm
The tongue should be 10-15% of the actual weight of the entire rig (tires and tongue on the scale).  According to the FR website the 178 has a factory weight of about 2500 pounds.  Add A/C, propane, battery, clothes, water, bikes, etc. and you are at least 3300 pounds, which is 495 pounds max.  So you might be right on the upper edge of ok at 509.

That leaves your WDH.  What is the tongue weight rating for it?  If it is rated for 400 pounds you need new spring bars, if it is rated for 600 pounds you are ok.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 3:47pm
Originally posted by techntrek

.
That leaves your WDH.  What is the tongue weight rating for it?  If it is rated for 400 pounds you need new spring bars, if it is rated for 600 pounds you are ok.

600 lbs
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 4:43pm
Nice mods.

So, how did you measure your tongue weight?

Thanks!

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
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Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 4:49pm
Originally posted by fwunder

Nice mods.
So, how did you measure your tongue weight?

Crane scale at a friends metal shop.
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 4:52pm
Nice. I just ordered a bathroom scale to play around with. Was gonna use my DW's, then thought better of it. Star

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 May 2015 at 6:26pm
Originally posted by furpod

Without weighing it directly (the actual tongue weight), they are full of BS.

Now, you may be within the design tolerance of the WDH bars, but I have seen pods set up with 1000 pound bars.. LOL.

Furpod, help me out here. I'm tweaking my wdh.

The Reese that my Pod came with has 800 lb. spring bars. I haven't measured tongue weight yet. Actually will for the first time this week. I've dragged the pod from here in NJ to CA, OR, back to here, to New England, to Florida and back to here - 10K+ miles. Haven't had any problems, but not sure I would know if I did? What would be the signs of too stiff spring bars or incorrectly setup WDH? I just kinda assumed it was setup right from the get go.


A 178 w/3300 Gross Trailer Weight
500 lb. Tongue Weight
200lb. Weight of cargo loaded behind the rear axle of your tow vehicle (probably pretty close to the crap we carry)

They call for equalizer 90-00-1000.

Seems kinda stiff, no?

Thanks!

fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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