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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Joined: 18 Aug 2020
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 189 Weight distribution question
    Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 9:20am
Hello Everyone,

I’m about to purchase a 2019 189 and have concerns about keeping enough weight over the hitch. Can anyone tell me where the freshwater tank is located in relationship to the axle? Anyone had any sway issues due to too much weight aft of the axle?

Most of the storage is under the rear couch and I intend to put a heavy electric bikes (ttl prox 200 lbs) on the rear hitch!

Thank you much!
Flydaddy
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 2:33pm
Hello and welcome! Please re-think the electric bikes on the rear hitch unless that is the hitch of your tow vehicle. For one thing, it would far outweigh the capacity of the hitch on the 189 which is at best made to hold a very light-weight bicycle carrier if the spare tire is not being carried there. Not only is the weight an issue, but the distance from the hitch where the weight would be located. Hitting a bump would likely result in your electric bikes landing on the highway shortly after the welds for the hitch cross-bar broke. The hitch is technically rated for 150 lbs, but that is held in very close to the trailer like the spare tire. You would need to do a lot of modifying to be able to safely carry those electric bikes there.

As for sway, I haven't since I have a 179. I think the 189 is similar in that the fresh water tank is forward of the axle. I have read in this forum of people with RPods with the fresh water tank behind the axle having sway problems. You need 10-15% of the trailer's weight on the tongue to avoid sway. If you can pick up the front of the RPod, it is way too light. Let's say that the loaded weight of the 189 is 3500 lbs. The tongue weight should then be 350 to 525 lbs.

Other than that, I hope you have many fun adventures and make many great memories with your RPod, but please do so safely.
StephenH
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Buffalohunter View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 2:46pm
Ditto what StephenH said above...I have a 2020 189...the fresh water tank is the forward most tank just below the bed. I don’t think it is a good idea to load the tank down with water...that’s about 250 extra pounds for the ride. Do re thinks putting anything where the spare tire is located...not going to end happily for you.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 3:01pm
+2. First, your FWT won’t always be full. What happens when you’ve used and transferred that water to the gray tank? Second, not only could you damage the rear hitch but the trailer frame itself will be overloaded. It is at risk of bending just behind the trailer axle already, an extra 200!lbs hanging off the back will greatly increase that risk. Find somewhere on your TV to carry the ebikes. If there isn’t one, leave them at home, the rpod isn’t designed to handle that much additional weight.
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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 3:47pm
Great advice! Thanks to everyone who responded. I can move the bike to truck bed.... just getting a little too old to lift them.
Kindest Regards,
Frank
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 7:18pm
Originally posted by Flydaddy

Great advice! Thanks to everyone who responded. I can move the bike to truck bed.... just getting a little too old to lift them.
Kindest Regards,
Frank

i get the age thing, but at least its better the alternative....

How about getting a light motorcycle ramp and letting the bikes haul themselves up to the truck bed? 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 2020 at 8:02pm
+1 to the ramp. Alternative is a hoist in the truck bed. That would work if you wanted to lift a generator up there also.
StephenH
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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Aug 2020 at 6:50am
I think the ramp will work fine. I was trying to keep the bed of the truck open for storage. Planning on a 2 month trip this winter. But like most any RV...... no set up is perfect.
Thank again to everyone for you input.

Regards,
Frank
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