R-Pod 177HRE & Quadralift TV

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   Greetings, everyone! We're new to the forum and looking forward to getting cyber-acquainted.
We just purchased a 2012 R-Pod 177 HRE and Spring is on its way in central Oregon—67 degrees as I write this! But before we head out, I already have a question:

Our 2011 Grand Cherokee V6 Overland is rated to tow 5,000 lbs, although the manual specifies that a WDH be installed if towing over 3,500, perhaps because it has an independent rear suspension. In the very short trip to get the trailer home, Quadralift did a fine job of load leveling and I didn't notice any sway at 55 mph with no wind and few large trucks around. It seems there are conflicting reports as to actual dry weight of the 177 HRE, ranging from about 2400 lbs to 2700 lbs, but loaded I believe I will be hovering very close around 3,500. My question is this: Do any of you have a similar combo (i.e., 177 HRE and 2011 or 12 Grand Cherokee with Quadralift); and, if so, have you installed a WDH and/or sway control bar? I'm leaning toward installing a Reese SC hitch, but that just adds more weight. I want to be as safe as possible, but I also want to avoid overkill. Your experience will be gratefully received.

Thanks and happy "podding."

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merleg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Location: Redmond, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Topic: R-Pod 177HRE & Quadralift TV Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 5:20pm
	Greetings, everyone! We're new to the forum and looking forward to getting cyber-acquainted. We just purchased a 2012 R-Pod 177 HRE and Spring is on its way in central Oregon—67 degrees as I write this! But before we head out, I already have a question: Our 2011 Grand Cherokee V6 Overland is rated to tow 5,000 lbs, although the manual specifies that a WDH be installed if towing over 3,500, perhaps because it has an independent rear suspension. In the very short trip to get the trailer home, Quadralift did a fine job of load leveling and I didn't notice any sway at 55 mph with no wind and few large trucks around. It seems there are conflicting reports as to actual dry weight of the 177 HRE, ranging from about 2400 lbs to 2700 lbs, but loaded I believe I will be hovering very close around 3,500. My question is this: Do any of you have a similar combo (i.e., 177 HRE and 2011 or 12 Grand Cherokee with Quadralift); and, if so, have you installed a WDH and/or sway control bar? I'm leaning toward installing a Reese SC hitch, but that just adds more weight. I want to be as safe as possible, but I also want to avoid overkill. Your experience will be gratefully received. Thanks and happy "podding."
	Merle & Ruth '12 R-Pod 177 HRE '11 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland "There's joy in the journey!"

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 8:03pm
	Welcome to the podding world Merleg. Weight: Your 177 dryweight is 2418#, by the time you add batteries propane(tanks) AC, fridge, furnace, microwave, hotwater tank etc. you can add another 400 to 500#, because this items are not included in the dry weight. than you add all your stuf you put in the trailer and in your TV plus yourself and passengers, you will end up way over 4000#. I pull my 172 with a 3/4 ton HD silverado, would not think of leaving whithout my EQUAL-I-ZER HITCH. My 1 cent worth.
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

merleg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Location: Redmond, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 08 Mar 2012 at 8:57pm
	Thanks for the explanation. I was under the impression, apparently a mistaken one, that the dry weight published by manufacturers included all standard equipment, but not optional stuff, so the fridge and furnace would be included in this case, but a microwave or AC would not. Sounds like I need to move ahead with the WDH.
	Merle & Ruth '12 R-Pod 177 HRE '11 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland "There's joy in the journey!"

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: 08 Mar 2012 at 9:44pm
	Welcome. The dry weight will include the items listed as standard, yes.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

kymooses Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 01 Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky Online Status: Offline Posts: 1807	Posted: 09 Mar 2012 at 3:07pm
	We tow with a '04 Grand Cherokee also rated @ 5000lbs, and have the E2 equalizer WDH and sway control on our pod. We have a 181g.
	RPod Rallies RPod Owner Map

Goose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 672	Posted: 10 Mar 2012 at 9:46am
	Welcome merleg. We pull our POD with a 07 Gande Cherokee and it does great without any additional type of hitch. I do wish that I had the Quadralift but it was not offered in 07. We tow ours out to Arizona and back without any issues, although I will say that in winds of 45 to 50 mph sustained it is a bit tougher going. Happy camping. Goose
	Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee

Goose Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Online Status: Offline Posts: 672	Posted: 10 Mar 2012 at 9:55am
	Just a PS. Weigh all of your additional stuff that you are going to put in the trailer and the Jeep on the bathroom scale, keep a running total to know how much weight that you do put in. I was surprized with all the food, clothes, dishes R-Dome chairs, cooler and a few othe things it only came to just under 400 lbs. Then add what ever water that you put in the tank at 8 lbs per gallon., 1/3 tank of water figure about 80 lbs. hope that this helps. Goose
	Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee

merleg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Location: Redmond, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 10 Mar 2012 at 10:34am
	Thanks, everyone, for your replies. Good food for thought—and action!

Tri-Pod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 May 2011 Location: Liberty Hill Online Status: Offline Posts: 112	Posted: 16 Mar 2012 at 12:07pm
	We tow or 176 with a 2003 v6 Tundra with regular hitch. It will go 70 at 3200 Rome but I like the mileage at 61 mph and 2800 elms. The only problem we have had is a headwind of anything over 12 mph will reduce our speed. Good luck.
	2010 PR 176 sold 2012 replaced with 2013 SP 240 w outside kitchen 2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max 4x2 5.7L V8 Me, My Honey, and Max our GSP

Podsible Dream Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Location: Hightstown, NJ Online Status: Offline Posts: 571	Posted: 16 Mar 2012 at 9:18pm
	Welcome! We use our Dakota with the 3.7 L V6 and get 10-12 mpg. The most comfortable speed is 61-61 w/o OD at 2700 rpm. We can do 65-67 on real flat with no headwind. And we load the truck with 'stuff'. Enjoy!!
	Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8