Reviews and General Information: new owner tow setup questions

Print Page | Close Window

new owner tow setup questions

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
Forum Discription: Find r-pod reviews and new product announcements here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12245
Printed Date: 12 May 2024 at 2:31pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: new owner tow setup questions

Posted By: arrowhand
Subject: new owner tow setup questions
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 6:29am

wife and I left a deposit for a 2018 180 this last sunday

pickup and walk thru is 10-4-18

I have all ready ordered the trailer brake controller and will get that installed asap

have been towing boats in the 17' to 23' upto about 5k in weight for over 30yrs, but this will be the first camping trailer

have a 2011 Ram 1500 4x4 with the tow package---have allready added airbags a few years back

will i need a weight distribution setup and or sway control

thanks for the replys

Stacy

Replies:

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:30am

You will know when you hook up. A WDH will assist if the rear of TV is low and front is high, basically a droop at the hitch. I always recommend a sway control, but that's me.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:34am

Arrowhead,

Informative link:

http://www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/ask-expert-need-weight-distribution-hitch/

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:37am

With that truck you technically "don't need" WDH, but many like the altered dynamics with one. We use one with our F-150, and I prefer it when on the road. If I'm making a short haul, I will sometimes not use it. The setup is similar for most weight distribution hitches, and is primarily estimating the amount of weight shifted by measuring fender height at the front and rear of the truck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNmcYI2Pp9w - This is a good video on setup of the E2 WDH .

-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 8:47am

Consider also how you will end up loading the rPod and the pickup bed. A wd hitch will partially redistribute the load that's behind the rear axle of the tow vehicle as well as the tongue weight.

The tongue weight on a new empty dry rPod will likely be significantly lower than what you're going to see ready for a road trip. My tongue weight doubled, but I boondock mostly.

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2018 at 11:35am

My F150 came with the heavy duty tow package, and I have never used a WDH. It also says it has sway protection but I have never experienced anything like sway so either it works well or our combo works well. we never load the trailer down in the rear so that may help.

Some folks like the ride in the TV better with a WDH. You can't hurt anything by using one.

-------------
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: arrowhand
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 7:18am

little follow up.

So we picked up our 180 and towed home about 2hrs, put the air bags to about 30psi and very little sag in the rear. Dont think i have any reason to get sway control or a WDH. Cruised down the freeway at about 70mph and it did just fine. For the 2hr drive (50-70mph and flat terrain) the Hemi averaged about 14mpg on the dash display, pretty happy about that.

Posted By: OldNeumanntapr
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2018 at 3:14pm

You probably don’t need weight distribution but sway control is a good investment. My 180 shashayed side to side with only the ball hitch but once I added my Equalizer it was solid and steady.