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Tetoncamper View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Feb 2016
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Posts: 14 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New owner
    Posted: 20 Feb 2016 at 8:33pm
New owner of a 178.  My tow vehicle is a Jeep Grand Cheeroke Eco-diesel with a tow package.  I have absolutely no towing (much less backing) experience.  Question is do I need to get sway bars???  I live at the base of the Tetons in eastern Idaho and will be doing a lot of traveling in the Idaho/Wyoming/Montana/Utah areas.  In addition to mountains some of the areas are subject to gusty winds. Thanks for the input
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Feb 2016 at 10:56pm
My opinion is that you should get a weight distribution hitch with sway control. What is the tow rating for your Grand Cherokee?

I have a 179 and use an Equal-i-zer 4-way sway control hitch rated at 6,000 lbs. We went from NC to NV and AZ and back to NC in December/January. I'm glad I had the hitch because it would have been a very different experience if I had tried with a normal hitch. We hit some high, gusty winds both on the way out and on the way back.

As I mentioned in another thread, it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 6:07am
   Yes! I think you will be much happier and feel safer. Even with a full size truck the difference in towing with a WDH is better. I don't think you will regret buying one after towing with it and noticing the difference.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 7:37am
Welcome to the group!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 7:57am
Yes, you should get a combination WDH + Sway control hitch. Two popular options are the 6000/600 pound E2 from Fastway and the Andersen hitch. WDH will greatly smooth out the bumps and dips while the sway control will help with crosswinds and passing trucks. Both will go a long way to reducing driver anxiety and fatigue. Fewer white knuckles Smile.
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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DaveC3 View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Location: Georgetown, TX
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Posts: 48 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 9:39am
Welcome to the forum.  I am also a new owner, we will take delivery of our 180 this coming Saturday.  My wife will do most of the driving.  She has never towed anything before.  We are having the dealer install a Equal-i-zer 4-way sway control hitch.  My opinion error on the safe side.

Good luck.
Dave
2016 R-Pod 180
2015 Ford Explorer Limited
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Tetoncamper View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Feb 2016
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Posts: 14 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 11:11am
Thanks for the input and great advice.  My diesel Grand Cheerokee has a 7200 lb tow weight so should have the muscle for the mountains but issue of sway control is a concern.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Feb 2016 at 11:20am
Your Jeep GC has the muscle, but will still benefit from weight distribution. WD is separate from, but often combined with, sway control. I recommend both. 
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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Carlos&Alicia View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Charles Town WV
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Posts: 17 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2016 at 9:54pm
Welcome.  We too are owners of a 178 - 2015.  
Carlos & Alicia
2015 RPod-178
1999 Cadillac Escalade
2005 Suzuki Boulevard C50
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Shih-Tzu (Mia)
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jato View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posts: 3221 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Feb 2016 at 12:39pm
Go with the WDH.  We pull with an Explorer with only a sway-bar and have had no problems even with cross winds that have exceeded 30 mph.  However the wdh will give a smoother ride and when we upgrade to a newer Explorer will probably get one ourselves.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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