Joining the Pod

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   We are about to order the new 2017 Rpod 176T for our family of five!  The new floor plan sold us immediately!  Bigger bunks for the kids and a pantry 😀.  Luckily, one of our three prefers to sleep outdoors, so he will get the R-dome to himself!  We are totally new to this and navigating the waters the best we can...lots of reading and asking questions.  
We have a 2012 Nissan Armada, which from everything we've read is plenty to tow the rpod.  We are sold on the WDH and sway bar...also a brake controller?  Are we overdoing it?  Seems most people on the forum wouldn't tow without these things.  One dealer agreed with us, another told us we were overdoing it and would be fine towing "without all the bells and whistles".  We want to tow as safely as possible!

Looking forward to getting out on the road, seeing different places with the kids, and learning all we can about our new rpod, and just enjoying the outdoors (with much more luxury than our previous life as tent campers!)

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Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Topic: Joining the Pod Posted: 16 Mar 2016 at 9:32pm
	We are about to order the new 2017 Rpod 176T for our family of five! The new floor plan sold us immediately! Bigger bunks for the kids and a pantry 😀. Luckily, one of our three prefers to sleep outdoors, so he will get the R-dome to himself! We are totally new to this and navigating the waters the best we can...lots of reading and asking questions. We have a 2012 Nissan Armada, which from everything we've read is plenty to tow the rpod. We are sold on the WDH and sway bar...also a brake controller? Are we overdoing it? Seems most people on the forum wouldn't tow without these things. One dealer agreed with us, another told us we were overdoing it and would be fine towing "without all the bells and whistles". We want to tow as safely as possible! Looking forward to getting out on the road, seeing different places with the kids, and learning all we can about our new rpod, and just enjoying the outdoors (with much more luxury than our previous life as tent campers!)

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 16 Mar 2016 at 10:07pm
	That Armada with the 5.6L will be a beautiful TV. A brake controller is not an option; it's an absolute requirement. You can get some argument on the WDH/Sway control but those who have tried with and without never leave home without it. The E2 and Equalizer are good combo devices, but there are others.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 5:50pm
	Welcome!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 6:23pm
	Thanks for the great information and welcome! Looking forward to learning alot from everyone on the forum.

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 7:41pm
	Hi Espo, nice purchase and welcome. I agree with Charlie, must have the brake controller. We tow with an Explorer. We recently sold our '08 Explorer and have towed our 177 with that since March of 2011 w/o any problems using just the sway bar. Will see if anything changes (which I doubt) with our '13 Explorer. We have been out west 3x, south once and back and forth throughout Michigan a lot with ours and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Even with strong cross-winds of 30 + MPH the sway bar proved to be sufficient for us. Another good test of the sway bar has been when we cross the 5 mile long Mackinaw Bridge, which we do quite a bit. Often the winds are pretty strong while crossing, no problems encountered there either. For the most part we camp in the shoulder seasons, mainly because of my job and often get into a lot of wind, rain, sleet, snow during those times. Don't miss the wet canvas while opening/closing the pop-up. Nice to have total enclosure out of the elements. Enjoy with your family and be ready to show off your 176 T. We have been giving tours of our 177 for 5 years now, would like to see Warren Buffett give all us pod owners a little kick-back for the the advertising and pr we do for him and FR
	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."

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 17 Mar 2016 at 8:36pm
	Welcome. All good advice, above.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

youngphotons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 30 Mar 2016 at 3:23pm
	which sway bar do you use?