Is this weight distribution system overkill? |
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Steve in Montana
Newbie Joined: 25 May 2016 Location: Montana Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Topic: Is this weight distribution system overkill? Posted: 25 May 2016 at 4:20pm |
I just purchased a R-Pod 179, scheduled to pick it up tomorrow. My towing vehicle is a 1998 Toyota T100. The dealership says their insurance won't let me tow it away without a weight distribution hitch. And they say the only system that will work for this towing vehicle and trailer is the Blue Ox Sway Pro. The cost for this is $1000 installed. I don't have much experience with towing systems, but this seems a hefty price for a light trailer with 285-pound hitch weight. Is the dealership giving me the straight story here?
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:08pm |
Welcome to the group! We are on our second pod and have not used a width or sway bars on either of our trailers.I think they are are full of it, but that could just be me.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:27pm |
Absolute dealer BS! Find another dealer. That said, you will want a WDH for comfort and increased safety. A popular and very adequate WDH is the Fastway E2.
http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Fastway/FA94-00-0600.html It combines WD and sway control. As long as you have a 2 inch Class III receiver and a 7 pin Bargman connector you're good to go. You will also need a good brake controller such as the Tekonsha Prodigy P3. Most states require trailer brakes for trailers of 1500# or more. http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Tekonsha/90195.html |
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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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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:29pm |
Congratulations and welcome to the group! This sounds like the same kind of BS that Camping Wally (name changed to avoid being sued) tried on me, when I purchased my last camper. I just HATE it when dealers do that sort of thing. Bottom line - I told them to bring the camper around to the front lot and I would hitch it up to my vehicle - OR GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK! Then I would buy elsewhere. They brought it around to the front. You may decide, at some point, that you want a WD/anti-sway hitch. The Fastway E2 is popular and can be had for about $300 (self install). |
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Camper Bob
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Location: Portland Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 913 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:29pm |
Sounds to me like your dealer is looking to increase his profit margin. I do not believe for one minute that his insurance states what he suggested. I think a weight dist. hitch is a fine investment, and we use one whenever we are towing our 171. They can be purchased at half the price on Amazon or at another dealer. If the dealer insists on your, purchasing the hitch, I would tell him to cancel the deal and look for a more accomodating dealer. Next he will insist on a winter undercoating. What BS. Hope this helps. Safe Travels.
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Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 5:34pm |
I think you get our drift.
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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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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 6:02pm |
Unless you already signed on the bottom line. Find another dealer.
Really. |
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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 6:06pm |
Ditto! What "got" me in my situation is that they waited until all the paper work was done, money changed hands, the walk thru was done and, they even took the keys to my truck to pull it around and hitch up. After too long of a wait, an arse of a service manager comes out and tells me he refuses to hitch up the camper and would not allow me to leave with it! "Oh yeh?" Well, after a number of exchanges, a crowd began to form and cheer me on. Had it happened in the beginning, I would have walked out and not done business with them. If they will pull this kind of stuff now, what will they do for later warranty work, etc.? |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 9:41pm |
+100 to everything said above.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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fwunder
Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676 |
Posted: 25 May 2016 at 10:19pm |
It's easy really. Ask them if they are aware of the NHTA, Takata air bags lawsuits and the recent study regarding frozen peas and Weight Distribution Systems. I'm pretty sure that will slow them down.
Hope that helps! fred |
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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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