Home Stretch ...Weigh Distribution/Sway Hitches
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697
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Topic: Home Stretch ...Weigh Distribution/Sway Hitches
Posted By: Footslogger03
Subject: Home Stretch ...Weigh Distribution/Sway Hitches
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2012 at 11:31am
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For those of you have added a Weight Distribution/Sway Control Hitch to your system ...I have a question. I've boiled my choices down to the Equal-i-zer 600/6,000lb model and the Fastway E2 600/6,000lb. I can get the Equal-i-zer for $575 and the E2 for $400. Only difference I see in the printed specs is the 2 point versus the 4 point stabilization. Anybody out there know of any other differences? Right now, for the difference in price, I am leaning toward the Equal-i-zer.
Thanks in advance for any and all feedback, MJ ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2012 at 11:06pm
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I had the same decision to make when I bought mine. The reduced sway control is the only difference. I read somewhere the E2 has something like 75% less friction. There is still a lot of friction since the weight of the rig forces the spring bars to rub on the L brackets attached to the camper's tongue. Since I didn't have a problem with sway w/o one I decided to save a few bucks and get the E2. Works great. I also got the 600/6000 version - so if I move up to something larger in the future I won't have to change the WDH too. The manufacturer confirmed its ok to use a heavier-duty model with a lighter camper. Make sure you use the online tool available on the Equalizer site which tells you which shank you need, and which holes to use. It will save you a lot of time in making adjustments. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2012 at 11:14pm
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I agree with techyntrek I got the E2 because the sway I had without it was minimal and I was looking for something to level out the bounce. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2012 at 11:18pm
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Well ...time will tell. But the order is placed and I'll be installing (or having installed) the Equalizer. Not sure what the range of sway will be in the future ...but if there's sway to be had, Wyoming is where to have it.
MJ ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2012 at 11:26pm
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I don't think you can go wrong with either one and you are right. I think it gets windy in Wyoming so sway might be more of an issue there. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2012 at 12:43pm
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Sounds good, even if more right now doesn't add anything, you may need it with a future camper. More is better!
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: bc matell
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2012 at 5:38pm
| Hi, I talked to the install tech at the RV dealer ship in B.C he said r-pods did not need a weight distribution and sway control hitch. What do you think? Over or under kill? |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2012 at 7:31pm
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'bc matell': It all depends on the tow vehicle. I have twin batteries and twin LP tanks on the Pod's tongue. When I first towed with my Jeep Liberty...the Jeep sank about 3 inches in the rear. I could tell immediately on the highway that towing would be close to white knuckle. Putting on a WDH/sway combo hitch made a world of difference. The Pod was a pleasure to tow...good balance, no up-down porpoising, and when an 18-wheeler went by...very little sideways push. I now tow with a 3/4 ton Chevy Silverado PU (for the extra pulling power). The Pod's tongue barely changes the truck's pitch. However, I still use the WDH...it prevents the Pod from rocking up and down and spilling Wheaties out of the cupboard. I also still use the sway control. With both...the rig acts like one solid unit. I guess you 'really' don't have to used a WDH...but for the minor cost...a safer tow. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2012 at 7:34pm
================================= I would base your decision on personal experience ...not necessarily on anything I or the others here have said. We've owned our 177 since last October and just added the Equalizer hitch a week ago. Our decision was based in large part, if not totally on some fishtailing episodes while towing our Pod, which were very unsettling. Could we have gotten away without investing in the Equalizer ? ...maybe, probably - - but we are darned glad we have it and if this week's experience is any indication of what the future holds we stand by our decision. 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2012 at 9:03pm
I am with slogger. I have had my 173 for almost a year. The first time I took it out I knew that I wanted something. It was not bad but it swayed a little and when I hit a bump it bounced up and down. Not enough to make it a safety hazzard but enough to make it uncomfortable. So I would take your 177 on a short trip ( My first trip was 3 hours) to see what you think. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2012 at 3:58pm
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Even with our full size truck the ride improvement with a wdh is well worth it.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: bc matell
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2012 at 5:09pm
| O.K. thanks a lot for all the imput. It's great to have this forum. I am picking up my 177 this thur but the shake down trip will be about 8 hrs,lol wish me luck. Thanks again |