Crashed on the interstate while towing the R-Pod
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Topic: Crashed on the interstate while towing the R-Pod
Posted By: thadd
Subject: Crashed on the interstate while towing the R-Pod
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 7:47am
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We were on day two of our first big adventure with our new R-Pod 177 and the afternoon ended badly. Everyone is unhurt, but the R-Pod and car are both in need of some significant repairs. The short story is that we were trucking along I-40 in Tennessee en route to our next stopover in Nashville. About 30 miles west of Knoxville, we were going down a big right hand bend, sway started, wouldn't stop (we have WDH and sway control, but it wasn't enough). We ended up hitting the guardrail, jack-knifed the wrong way on the Interstate. Considering what the accident might have been, we actually got pretty lucky. The damage is significant, but the TV and R-Pod were both still drivable. State troopers and sheriffs both arrived quickly and helped us get off the highway. They escorted us to the next exit, then did the accident report while we surveyed the damage. The car has some bad scrapes where it hit the guardrail, but the bad spot is on the back panel where the R-Pod folded into it. We're a little wary of trying to open the back door since we're not convinced it'll close again, but hopefully it's just cosmetic work. The biggest problem with the R-Pod is that the hitch got badly twisted. Our sway hitch ball is also bent beyond recognition. There's some trim damage where it punched into the car and the sheriff had fun picking blue paint chips from the car out of the R-Pod. The door seems to be sticking a little too so we have to make sure the frame didn't get bent or something else serious like that. We were lucky enough to have the accident just 10 miles from a really big RV center with service department (Boat 'n RV in Rockwood, TN). The sheriff escorted us the rest of the way down the interstate to show us where the RV place was and made introductions with the manager on our behalf. (The only injury was a skinned knee that happened when I had to chase our cat across the parking lot. He apparently didn't like being in the R-Pod during the accident and busted right through the screen door while we were filling out paperwork). Major thanks to the Tennessee troopers and sheriffs. They did a ton to help us get safely off the road and to the RV center. Big thanks also to the staff here at Boat n' RV. They gave us a campsite for the night free of change while we wait for the service department to open this morning. Today it's talking to service, working with the insurance adjuster, and seeing how long before we can get back on the road. Here's some pictures of the damage. Twisted hitch:  Where the R-Pod folded into the car:  Trim damage on the R-Pod  I'll let you know what the service department here says about the damage to the R-Pod. Hopefully it's a quick fix and we're back on the road soon!
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Replies:
Posted By: wildflowerz
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 9:53am
| I am so glad everyone is safe. Sending positive thoughts and prayers that all goes well during the rest of your travels! |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 10:15am
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Thank goodness everyone is safe! On the bright side, Nashville is one of my favorite places to camp, so enjoy your time there, if you can. Hopefully the RV place can fix your hitch without it costing too much. ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 12:34pm
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First, let me also say how fortunate it is, (and how grateful we are), that there were no serious injuries. Somebody was watching over you. It is very disconcerting, however, to find out that even with a WD hitch and anti-sway bar such a bad accident could occur. We are both glad for your safety and sorry for your damage. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 12:41pm
Agreed on all of that. I'm wondering if I had the sway bar adjusted wrong or maybe it was just inexperience since we haven't driven much with trailers at all. |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 1:15pm
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Glad everyone, including the cat, is ok. Things could have been much worse. I hope you don't mind a question about the accident (it's ok if you do)- when the sway started did you press the brake pedal or the accelerator? From experience, everything I've read and classes I've taken (required by job) anytime you start to sway or have a blowout on the TV or RV you should accelerate to maintain speed until you regain control. I know it sounds counter intuitive but the forces generated by the sway or blowout are trying to push you to the side. By accelerating you stop the sideways force then you can start to slow down and stop. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 2:07pm
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I'm happy to answer any and all questions, anything I can do to help prevent this from happening to other rpodders.
My wife was driving at the time and she definitely didn't hit the brakes. When I felt the sway start I advised her not to over correct and she did well just trying to keep it steady. When the sway got worse I told her to stomp on the gas and she did. By that time I think we were already skidding a bit and heading down around the curve, the acceleration wasn't effective. All-in-all, we might have been able to prevent it earlier by gassing right when it started but going down around the curve that might have been more dangerous. Of course I'm sure we'll be analyzing what happened for weeks. |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 2:18pm
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I am glad that no one was hurt. I hope the cat recovers it's wits. I think you experienced a perfect storm of trailer sway. you were going down and hill and turning add to that the fact that you have a light weight TV and and trailer with a single axle and you have a recipe for a jackknife. First the Trailer was pushing the TV because you were going down hill. Next the trailer and TV were not inline because you were going around a corner. The trailer was pushing the TV sideways which started the sway. Sometimes when I am going downhill I will have my hand on the break controller. Hitting the breaks on the trailer will take the push off of the TV allowing it to recover control. Breaking the TV wont work because if your TV breaks grab first it will increase the problem. Don't know if that help but I thought I would share. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 3:55pm
This is a habit I've developed: I always put my left hand on the brake controller manual lever going downhill. I haven't had any problems with sway, but something about having the trailer push me downhill is disturbing. This only seems to happen at medium to slow speeds since the wind at high speeds seems to cancel out any downhill forces. Some related questions for thadd: How fast were you going at the time the sway began? How heavily loaded was the trailer and where was the majority of the mass? What were your tank levels? Glad to hear nobody was hurt.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 4:00pm
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All, This is a terrible experience for Thadd and a rotten happening on his early outing, but perhaps we can all learn from it. The guy who set up my trailer told me to just touch the brakes when a sway starts, but not hard enough to engage the TV brakes. This should engage the trailer brakes like putting a chain on the back end of the rig. I have my brake controller set so that I can fell the trailer brakes begin to act as soon as the brake pedal switch actuates. It's a comforting feeling during a stop. Feels like the trailer is actually stopping the rig. Any thoughts? ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 4:10pm
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The hand on the trailer brake control button is a great idea. I've always thought I could accelerate faster than I could reach the button but from now on I will keep a hand on the button going downhill. CharlieM - I would not recommend taping the TV brakes. Things can get out of control much to quickly. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: wildflowerz
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 4:10pm
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Being a very green newbie I appreciate Seanl's explanation of what happened. It had to be very scary and I'm sure you all will be shaken for a bit. Thanks for being willing to share what happened so we can learn from it also. I am finding that there is a lot that my husband and I don't know. Hope you can relax tonight before you hit the road tomorrow. |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 4:34pm
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First things first. I'm glad that everyone is OK. Life it too short to begin with to have it altered by an accident such as this. That being said, something doesn't sound right to me. With all things being equal (not speeding, no mechanical failures, etc), I just don't understand how this could happen, especially since you had a WDH installed. ------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: tsunami123
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 6:00pm
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I wonder if the length of the wheel base of your tow vehicle had something to do with the jack-knife? A friend of mine used to tow a sailboat behind his pickup truck and never had a sway problem even in a strong side wind. He traded the PU for a Jeep Grand Cherokee which had almost the same engine horsepower and tow capacity as the old PU. But a much shorter wheelbase. Coming home one day they encountered a sidewind coming down a fairly steep hill...they found that the boat-trailer began to jack-knife. They couldn't counteract it. Luckily before the boat and trailer could pull them off the road...the trailer hitch twisted and snapped along with the safety chain. The boat & trailer proceeded to roll down the embankment, leaving the Jeep on the side of the road. My friend had a lot of experience on hauling long heavy trailers and said that he never had a trailer act like that before. |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 8:23pm
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First a few more answers to questions: Speed: We were probably going between 55-60 when the sway started. In retrospect it was probably too fast, but had felt fine at those speeds through a day and a half of mountain driving up until then. Weight: We had both our fresh tank full and grey almost full, black nearly empty. This meant we were tongue-light which probably contributed to the sway. As for equipment, etc. we were pretty evenly loaded. As of now, the trailer has been deemed road worthy. Our insurance will cover the rest of the cosmetic repairs and a detailed inspection once we get to our interim destination in Houston and have a few weeks of down time. I'm a little concerned that things are a bit out of alignment since the driver's side fender seems off-center from where it's supposed to be, but it should be okay for a few more days on the road. We're actually tossing around the idea of trading in the Highlander to get a bigger TV, especially since my wife is really gun shy about it now and we've got our 9-month old in the car with us. We'll see how we feel leaving camp tomorrow morning and keep you all posted.
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Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 8:37pm
That's an extra 500lbs
 Just out of curiosity where are these tanks on your model? Are they in front or behind the axle? |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 8:47pm
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Thank goodness that everyone is alright and that the guardrail was there to keep you from going down into the ditch. Traveling over the road for most of my life this happens more often than you think, it's all Weight and Momentum. The trailer has the Weight and your speed sets the Momentum, after just 7 degrees of deflection from a straight course at highway speeds a lose of control is going to happen and is not recoverable, a jackknife most likely will happen because it is the trailer that is now in control. 7 degrees is not much of an angle at highway speeds. Seanl is right that the trailer brake only should have been applied as soon as the sway started and a slowing of speed ahead of the curve would have helped. Thadd if your wife never pulls the trailer again that is to be expected, this was a very traumatic experience that may not hit her for a few days. My wife has seen several major accidents involving people pulling flatbed or box trailers behind their cars on mountain roads as we have traveled over the years that made her very worried when we first got our trailer and headed off west. She is much more comfortable on curvey roads now but it really took awhile, she only co-pilots. Your honesty in what happened is to be admired and your wanting to share your disaster with us so that it might help someone else in the future really stand out. Safe travels for the rest of your journey. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 9:15pm
The biggest contributors to sway, in this order: 1. Not enough tongue weight 2. Speed 3. Short wheelbase vehicle 4. Not enough pressure in the TV and trailer tires (they should be at or near their max sidewall rating) 5. Lack of sway control 6. Outside forces like side winds, etc. ------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 9:26pm
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Danthoman, The idea is not to tap the TV brakes, but to only lightly touch the brake pedal, just enought to actuate the stop light switch. This engages the trailer brakes, but not the TV brakes. This is the same thing as manually using the brake controller control, but maybe not as aggressively. The idea is to let the trailer put some drag on the TV, thereby straightening out the rig. I can easily feel this point when I touch the brake pedal, albeit, I'm not in a panic situation. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 9:41pm
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As others have mentioned already and I want to stress, when sway starts ... ... never touch the accelerator, this adds energy to the equation right when you need to be removing it. ... never touch the TV's brakes, this magnifies the problem even though you are removing energy. ... never try to steer opposite of the the wobbling feeling, there is a 90% chance you'll increase the wobble, and increase it significantly. ... ALWAYS apply the brake controller aggressively, even if it means temporarily locking up the trailer brakes. You may have to keep applying some trailer brake all the way down the hill. This forces the TV to pull on the hitch which negates the sway. One exception to the accelerator rule - if you are pulling a trailer without trailer brakes, and you are within 100 feet of the bottom of the hill, and nobody is in front of you, then mash on the accelerator. It has the same effect as applying trailer brakes by forcing the TV to pull the trailer straight. But this is a rare exception to the rule. ------------- 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: Iteach5th
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 9:48pm
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Thank goodness no one got hurt and everything seems repairable. Just wondering how tight your anti sway bar was. Also wondering if the fact that your tanks were full contributed to the sway. ------------- "Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way you are right"- Henry Ford 2011 RP-177 2009 Jeep Cherokee 1982 Coleman Redwood pup |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 10:43pm
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techntrek - Have to disagree with you about the acceleration. The physics dictates that it does work. Accelerating the TV is much the same as applying the RV brakes. It allows you, the TV, to remain in control. Michelin has (or had) several good videos as to how and why this works. I'll see if I can find the links again.
------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 10:54pm
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Glad everyone, cat and all, is OK. I think the mash the accelerator working/not working may have to do with the TV's engine some.. I bet when I mash my accelerator, I get a whole lot more "pull" out of it then someone in a smaller TV. Specially in the Excursion. Course.. I can't pour water out of a boot faster than I am burning gas at that point.. lol ------------- |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 10 Dec 2012 at 11:02pm
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Thadd, thank God you all are safe, that is paramont. A lot of information is flying around here, I think Seanl is dead on, downhill, increasing radius, braking. I have a Prodigy wireless brake controller, the hand unit plugs into the cigar lighter and communicates with the brake controller on the Pod, it is a litte larger than a microphone on a c b unit, it has a push button that allows you to apply the pods brakes first. I keep it in my lap. I hope I never have to use it. They make cars and campers every day they can be replaced but not you guys, again Thank God your family is safe. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: g4royce
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 12:28am
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Glad you were all safe and that you managed to catch your cat before it got away. ------------- ChaiPod 2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 12:30am
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I agree with everyone here that the best part of your story is that all the living beings are still living and well. Next best thing is the good treatment you got from everyone nearby. You are getting advice in several different directions, but one common thread that just makes good sense is to keep the trailer from pushing you - there's nobody steering the trailer. I'll add my vote to those who recommend manually engaging your trailer brakes and staying off the TV brakes as long as possible. I do think your hind sight that you entered the curve too aggressively is spot on.
I strongly disagree with a couple suggestions here that keep coming up on this site. I DO NOT think you need a larger tow vehicle, and I DO NOT believe your weight distrubution hitch and anti-sway bar helped your towing a lick. Neither are necessary or even appropriate for such a light, single axle camper.
I have been towing campers and boats for nearly 30 years, and the largest tow vehicle I've had is the 6-cyl Trailblazer that we have now. I towed a 19-foot sailboat with a cabin that slept 4 people from San Diego, CA to Rochester, MN with a 4-cyl Isuzu Trooper (we slept in the boat at Grand Canyon National Park) and I towed the rig through Vegas, where we spent a night in a hotel. Just before our rPod 173, we were towing a camper that weighed a thousand pounds more with a Honda Pilot and then the 2008 Trailblazer we have now. I did not use a WDH with the Pilot, because the Honda owner's manual recommended against it. The Pilot was max'd, but did fine. I did use a WDH for the body-on-frame Trailblazer when we pulled that travel trailer; but, that trailer had tandem axels and the WDH could balance the weight on the trailer axles. That was the max that either the Pilot or the Trailblazer could pull safely, and I stayed within about a 300-mile radius for the 6 years we towed it. The rPod 173 is an easy pull for the Trailblazer. I think I'd pull it practically anywhere.
Using a WDH with such a light single-axle trailer as an rPod, especially with the tanks full and lifting weight off the tongue, can cause more troublesome dynamics than it remedies. A WDH tends to numb any normal sensation of towing, and that probably contributed to the over-confident speed you were going as you entered the curve. I highly recommend traveling with your fresh and gray water tanks empty for anything but short hauls. I also encourage you to hitch up without all that WDH and anti-sway crap. Go ahead and feel your tow! You will have a much better tendancy to do your best intuitive driving.
Please: Hook up your camper directly to a basic hitch in your TV receiver (making sure the ball is at the right height to keep your camper level). Go to the biggest, emptiest nearby parking lot you can find, and drive around until you are comfortable with things. Then do some driving around a few blocks in relatively flat areas. Then try some hills; then some curves; then some hilly curves. Graduate slowly, deliberately, and cautously while the 9-month old is safe in a crib back home with the grandparents - just you, your wife, your tow vehicle, and your rig. Feel what you're towing. It's not a bad thing. It's a nice little pod. I'll bet you bought the rPod partly due to the fact that you wanted something small enough to tow behind the Highlander, because the Highlander is what you have and it serves your little family's needs nicely. Well, you were right in the first place.
Practice this until you don't have to listen to fools like me. Practice towing your rig raw until you enjoy the tug you feel behind you. Practice manually engaging the trailer brakes until it's almost as impulsive as pushing the brake pedal or accelerator. Pretty soon you'll know the difference between a tug and a push, and you'll know what to do to get the tug back. BUT, your chances of feeling that difference with a damn WDH and anti-sway on an undersized single-axle trailer are next to zip.
At that point, you'll be ready to bring the 9-month old along for a great family adventure.
Sam
------------- 2012 rPod 173 2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 10:34am
I agree with most of what sammycamper has to say. I use a WDH with sway control for comfort not because it is needed. I towed my trailer without it and I did not feel unsafe just uncomfortable. First off a WDH has nothing to do with sway. As a matter of fact if it is adjusted wrong it can contribute to sway in a push situation. If you set your bars to tight you take weight off of the rear of the TV decreasing the traction on the rear of your TV which could lead to more sway especially In the situation we are talking about here where the trailer is pushing the rear of the TV sideways. When I set my WDH up I made sure that there was still a little sag in the rear of my TV when the bars were engaged. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 4:24pm
------------- 2012 rPod 173 2008 Trailblazer 4WD V6 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 8:22pm
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I agree, as I said at the end of my post, but only in a very limited instance (no brakes or failed trailer brakes and near the bottom of the hill). If the trailer has brakes it is far, far safer and effective to mash on the brake controller than to mash on the accelerator. And you can only use the accelerator towards the bottom of the hill anyway. If you mash on the accelerator at the top of a 1/4 mile hill you will end up in a pile of flaming wreakage at the bottom. If you use the trailer brakes you will bring the rig under control while you are still at the top of the hill - and all the way down. ------------- 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: rex
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2012 at 10:24pm
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Glad to hear all is ok,I cant give you any advice this is new to me also,but would like to thank all the replies you received from the experenced podders,your info helped me to.Happy trails to you on the rest of your trip. rex pHp stuart fla. ------------- jrr |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2012 at 6:42am
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Thanks to everyone for the kind words and advice and analysis. We just did our first day after getting the trailer roadworthy and things felt pretty good. That being said, I think that we going to upgrade our TV when we get to our destination. The HiHy is a good car for driving around, but it hasn't been great for towing. On the mountains I worry about the CVT running so high without the ability to put a transmission cooler on it. It feels like it strains going up hills and the gas mileage is abysmal (7mpg with a 14 gallon tank means really frequent stops). On an emotional level, I think we'd also just be more comfortable in something bigger and better suited to towing. We don't want to run the risk of not using our R-Pod because we don't like trailering it. When we bought the HiHy we had no plans to tow and now that we know that going to be part of our lifestyle, we need to reevaluate. On an unrelated topic, I also have to give a huge thank you to GEICO during this ordeal. They handle both our TV and R-Pod insurance and have been extremely helpful, available, accommodating, and sympathetic. Based on our experience now, I don't expect we'll ever switch to another insurance company. |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 12 Dec 2012 at 7:02am
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Sorry for your accident, thankfully your family is safe and no other vehicles were involved. I think that you would feel safer in a larger heavier TV. From our own experience towing our 171, we started with a 2007 Saturn Vue. We changed the Saturn for a 2010 Jeep Liberty, with both of these TV's we felt unsafe and that it felt like the Rpod had too much control over the TV. We now have a 2012 RAM 1500 reg cab and now towing the Rpod we feel safe in that we feel the TV has the more control rather than the Rpod. This is our own personal experience but even with a heavier and longer wheel base TV, we need to use caution. Something I often tell myself never get to over confident while driving towing or not towing. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2012 at 8:09pm
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Just wanted to post a quick update as we continue making progress on getting things resolved. First of all, we bought a new TV: a 2007 Yukon XL Denali. Obviously it's way more than enough for the R-Pod, but it'll be more comfortable towing and have more room for our 3 podding pups too. I put a Prodigy P3 brake controller in it and am using the factory tow package. Anyone have any thoughts on whether I should consider not using the WDH (but keeping the sway control on) since that truck has got such a hefty suspension compared to our HiHy? Our Highlander that was in the accident so far has over $4,000 worth of damage, possibly including damage to the hybrid system (which would push us over $10,000 in repairs). GEICO has decided to fix it rather than total it, which is a bit of a nuisance to us since it means we have to have the HiHy shipped to CA, but we don't really get a say in it. We also got our R-Pod back from the shop today. They replaced the tire that had the sidewall damaged in the accident and fixed the fender light that broke too. They said that the axle needs to be replaced but it's perfectly safe to make it from TX to CA (same story we heard from the shop in TN). We'll find a place once we're settled in Sacramento to replace the axle and redo the seal and trim where the R-Pod hit the car. We'll also need to add risers since the Yukon's hitch is so much higher. We're scheduled to hit the road for the final trip to CA this Saturday, planning on taking 6 days to get there along the southern route from Houston. We'll be crowding our entire household of 3 dogs, 4 cats, and a 10-month old baby in so it should be quite the adventure!
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Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2012 at 11:31pm
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Glad to hear that you just about have everything sorted out. The Yukon is way more TV that you will need so whether you need a WDH or not is a mater of comfort not safety. (IMHO) Also you could get a drop hitch instead of axle risers but If you are going to get the axle changed anyway might as well get them to put on the risers. I really like the risers on mine. Saves on replacing the stableizer jacks. I wrecked two before I put the lifts on. Good Luck on the trip. that is quite the crew to fit into a pod. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2012 at 3:03pm
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I like the POD without risers as it is easier for Mama to get in and out, so to tow we have to use a 12 inch drop to hitch the trailer to the Jeep. Towing as far as you are I would use what ever drop hitch it would require to keep your trailer level, it would make for better handling as you drive along. Safe travels. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2012 at 4:22pm
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Risers are ok.. although I think they make the pod look a bit funny.. but remember, when you add that 3-4 inches, that step goes up... we don't have them because big dog couldn't get in if we did.
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Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2012 at 4:31pm
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If I didn't have risers I'm sure I would have ripper of a stabilizer or two already. I usually carry a low stool (3-4 inches) for those times I find the step to high. thadd - 3 dogs and 4 cats...wow. How do you move. Glad to hear you're back on the road. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2012 at 6:50pm
We'll let you know! That's not going to be our normal contingent, the cats are only with us because we're using the R-Pod to facilitate moving across the country. Two of the dogs sleep in a crate on the lowered dinette, next to our daughter's pack-n-play. The third will just be on the floor so hopefully we won't trip over him too much during nighttime diaper changes. We only had two cats and two dogs on the trip down here to Houston from PA; the others were staying at my in-laws while the house was on the market. It was cramped, but workable. We'll see how that changes with 3 more in the mix!
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Posted By: joe & vickie
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 3:59pm
If that starts to happen again, When the R-Pod starts to sway, put pressure on your brake while increasing your throttle speed.That may help to get the sway under control. I'm just glad that no one got hurt. The vehicles can be repaired or replaced. ------------- R-POD 177- Gitty up go FORD-F 150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 8:12pm
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You have the same TV as me, just a different name. You will need the axle risers and a very long drop hitch. Mine is still slightly nose-up which isn't preferred for sway control. I actually found the step height to be more even with the risers - the same height from the ground to the step as from the step to the pod. My first trip with my Suburban I went to the campground without my WDH E2's spring arms installed and didn't like the ride. Put them on for the return trip and never looked back, the ride comfort was much improved. ------------- 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: LarryK
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2012 at 9:54pm
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I love the E2 hitch. The ride is so much smoother than without it. No bouncing and the trailer tracks beautifully. I don't think it is necessary with my TV, which is a 2006 Toyota Tundra, but it is preferable.
------------- 2012 R Pod 177 2006 Toyota Tundra Access Cab 4.7 Liter V8 |
Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2013 at 1:55pm
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We made it to our new home in Sacramento! The Yukon did *really* well towing. We definitely need risers (and to get the axle fixed), but it was rock steady on the highways and having a proper tow-haul mode made an enormous difference on the mountains. It was so good that my wife was even comfortable towing some, though still handed back to me for the hilly or windy sections. Our pod is now safely in storage while I figure out the insurance and repair issues. It was a bit cozy spending a total of almost 3 weeks in it with a 10-month-old baby and all the dogs and cats, but it worked really well. We're looking forward to using it for vacations rather than logistics from here on out (already have our first trip planned: Monterrey Bay and the aquarium). Thanks to all for the support and suggestions!
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2013 at 9:02pm
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Congrats on finishing the 40-year exodus. Hopefully you didn't have to part any water on the way. I've tried the tow-haul mode and I've tried without. At first I really liked it, especially the automatic downshifting and modified shift points on big hills. Since the manual says you don't need to use it unless the trailer weight is above 50% of your max (I think that is how it is worded) and the pod is well below that, I haven't used it in a while and instead manually downshift when necessary. I get slightly better mpgs due to the shift points. Speaking of mpgs, what did you get on the plains and in the mountains? ------------- 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: danthoman
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 8:25am
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Glad you (and the rest of the family) made it safe and sound. Pod-ing should be much more fun with just the wife and baby. I can't imagine rv-ing with a cat; though, I have a friend that does it occasionally. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 10:31am
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It certainly has been interesting reading about your adventure. You will have much to see on the Calif. coast. Try Big Sur and Jules Pfeifer State Park there. Right down the road from Monterey Aquarium. Spent 38 years in L.A. before moving to Portland, OR. and took our sons on many camping trips up the Calif. coast. Fabulous. Don't forget to also visit Nepenthe while up in Big Sur. Also, Sacramento, has a world class railroad musuem that shouldn't be missed. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 12:30pm
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+1 on the railroad museum. One of the best I have seen. They have a good display of the special trains that helped to move people around the mountain west. We happened to be there on Flag Day, and those celebrating fired a cannon on the grounds that set off all the car alarms in the parking garage. After the second time I thought the guy in the booth was going to abandon ship! ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 06 Jan 2013 at 11:00am
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Also at the southern end of Highway 1 is Hearst's Castle. A must see. Do get tickets before visiting. A fascinating omage to a very wealthy man. Try all three tours of the estate. Many fine campgrounds in Calif. Too many to mention. Get a guide book and start planning. Be careful of bears in some of the campgrounds and heed the warnings of the Rangers. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: Tri-Pod
Date Posted: 12 Jan 2013 at 12:41pm
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We are all happy that you guys are safe. . Those live and learn moments can always be hard on us, but luckily you guys are having a good time. Don't let it spoil your travels and time with your family that is what is important. Best of 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 |
Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2013 at 12:15pm
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Thank goodness everyone was ok. I remember well driving in those mountains and having to TAKE a rest.
 
I my TV was a 4cyl Nissan for three years, and I too up'd to a Yukon XL (2004 ). When I changed TV I took my ez wdh to camping world and they readjusted the bolts to make it work correctly. I also have three pups (a lab mix and two little dogs), I put up a metal barrier and fold down the third seat. Much more comfortable for everyone. Lee  P.S. You might think about putting the cat in a carrier while traveling, he might be happier weather he is in the TV or the Pod. ------------- Still a work in progress, lots of pictures. http://podterfly.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: Snowbound
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 11:14am
So glad to hear you are all safe and sound in yor new home and recovering well from your recent "adventure". I am going to remind my husband of your trek everytime he trips over our dog. ------------- Tom and Bette in our 177 "The Gastropod" |
Posted By: PodPal
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2013 at 1:59pm
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Very grateful that you shared so much of your experience. I am also new to "trailering" and have learned a great deal (I hope). For this I am also thankful for all the past knowledge the senior folks have shared. Best of luck in all your travels. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2013 at 9:19pm
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Welcome.
------------- 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: thadd
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2013 at 5:33pm
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Finally got the R-Pod back from the shop today! (The Highlander is *still* in the body shop in Houston). I took the pod to a local place that had good reviews on Yelp rather than schlep it and hour and a half down the interstate to the closest R-Pod dealer. It took a while for the service to get done, mostly on the shop waiting for parts delivery from Forest River. All said and done, the repairs look fantastic. Where the trim was damaged, you can't tell anything was ever wrong; it looks straight from the factory. I also had them put the axle risers on when they replaced the axle so that the pod rides level with my Yukon and it made a huge difference. No more scraping the leveling jacks on every driveway  !The R-Pod is safely tucked away back in the storage unit. With about 6 more inches in height since we rented the place (risers plus replacing the drooping, damaged axle) we were a little worried that it wouldn't make it through the door, but we had a whole two inches to spare. We're now looking forward to our first R-Podding vacation this spring! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2013 at 9:39pm
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Glad to hear things are getting back to normal.
------------- 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: danthoman
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2013 at 9:23am
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Nice to hear that things are getting back to the way they should be and that you're going to continue podding. Safe travels. ------------- Linda and Dan Calley the golden retriever R-pod 177 and a Tundra 8 cyl |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2013 at 11:01pm
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I've been following your story since the beginning. I travel that section of road fairly frequently. With my new (used) rpod for the first time today. My trailer brakes weren't working. (I resolved that since.) I was sure thinking of you! TT |
Posted By: Anthony Valenzano
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 1:33pm
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I found this looking around online: “Insufficient weight distribution is obviously undesirable. Too much weight distribution is also detrimental. With too much weight distribution the rear tires of the tow vehicle can lose traction allowing the trailer to push or pull the back of the tow vehicle around creating a possible "jack knife" scenario. Too much weight distribution can also overload the hitch, receiver, or trailer frame/coupler.” Found it on this forum: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?11564-Weight-Distribution-amp-WD-Hitches-In-General - http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?11564-Weight-Distribution-amp-WD-Hitches-In-General It's quite hearsay at this point but it makes sense. This is why I didn't add WDH to my rig. I have all I can do to put enough weight on the rear of my pathfinder. I usually fill the fresh water tank and throw everything I can on the front bed. I'm 200lbs, and the one time I plopped down on the rear bed with no stabilizers down and the tongue of the R-pod lifted up. So my thoughts are, could you crank up a WDH hitch enough that you actually remove weight from the rear tires (compared to empty)? This would be a really bad thing, as once you are going downhill, and turn one way or another, that tongue of the R-pod would be pushing the rear end of the TV around like its on a swivel. This kind of thing is a big worry with car carriers - place the car to far back and you're in big trouble - Jack knife city. My understanding is that you are suppose to always have at least 13% of the travel trailers weight on the tongue of the TV. For my 171 that should be something like 350 lbs. Well I don't weight that much, so I know it doesn't have enough weight on the front, which is dangerous by itself. Hence the adding water. Now if that 350lbs is actually on the tongue, and that number is over what your vehicle can handle, then it's time to use a WDH. In my case neither of which is true. Now none of this has anything to do with sway control. I do use sway control. What I'm afraid of is that dealers sell you WDH because they either also act as sway control or they have the nice spot for sway control. It's also a nice extra $350, and every other trailer they sell needs it - so why not. When you buy the sway control it actually comes with a bracket that you can weld onto your regular draw bar to mount the sway ball. That's what I did.
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Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 2:06pm
Yes to much weight distribution is just a bad as to little. With no WDH I get 3 1/2 inches of sag in the rear of my TV. I adjust my WDH so that I still have a little sag. About 1 1/2 inches if I remember. This way I don't take weight off of the rear wheals. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: thadd
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 2:07pm
| Agreed. With my new TV (Yukon XL) I don't use my WDH at all, just sway control. |
Posted By: Thinker
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 2:21pm
I don't have either and have had no sway. For weight distribution, I load the FRONT of my pod, not the rear. A tail heavy trailer is a recipe for sway. ------------- Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171 
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Posted By: Anthony Valenzano
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 2:26pm
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You can get away without sway - I made it from PA to FL an back without it, but I wished I had it. Going through DC, I really wanted to get above 70mph to keep up with flow, but things get a little iffy at that speed without anti-sway. So I went out and got it for that reason. |
Posted By: Thinker
Date Posted: 13 May 2013 at 3:19pm
If I do get it, it will be without WDH. I have never seen a sway bar cause problems, but an improperly tensioned WDH can be a disaster. I have had sway on other rigs. Early on, I towed a large popup with a short wheelbase TV. That too is a recipe for sway. Other factors are tire types (truck tires have more lateral stability) and tire pressure on the TV and the trailer. ------------- Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171
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Posted By: Ivinest
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 11:12am
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Were you carrying water in your fresh water tank?
You may want to consider a different tow vehicle now--something with more than 3500 towing capacity. |
Posted By: Bulldogpod
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2014 at 12:55pm
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So glad everyone is safe! |
Posted By: LStark
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 2:24pm
| Hi, I am curious how was your tongue weight when you had the swaying problem? I want to tell of my experience and see if others have had similar. When I picked up my Rpod 177 from the dealer, I pulled it 150 miles home with no WD hitch or sway bar and it towed great. On my first time out camping I had a lot of swaying, fortunately I was camping close to home that weekend so limped it to the campground. I was shocked when I went to unhook the trailer and the hitch rose of the ball by itself, I had negative tongue weight. Now in evaluating this, I had taken off the spare in back and added a bike rack with two average bikes and had the water tank full. once I emptied the water tank I was OK on the way home. I spent a lot of time weighing the tongue weight in different scenarios, IE. full water , 1/2 water , empty water, 1 bike , 2 bikes, no bikes. I found that with no bikes and the water tank full I had about 80 lbs tongue weight. It should be 250 - 300 for this trailer, there was the sway problem. I added 150 lbs of flat steel under the seats in front and never travel with more than 1/2 tank of water, this gives me about 250 lbs. tongue weight. I also added an anti sway bar for extra protection. It travels like a dream since. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 3:00pm
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This seems like a good place to post something borrowed from my Camplite friends. This video really shows effect of trailer loading and tongue weight on sway: http://i.imgur.com/dYz2tCE.mp4 - http://i.imgur.com/dYz2tCE.mp4 ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 3:11pm
This is 4 year old thread, and the OP has not logged in for over 18 months. (just so you know, he may not answer) ------------- |
Posted By: Ivinest
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 3:43pm
| Of course I'm still around, but I don't have a Pod anymore. When I did I found out anything you do to shift the dry weight as from the factory, you affect towability. Simply filling the fresh water tank will give you sway. Add something at the rear-end like a bicycle, now you're really asking for trouble. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 3:54pm
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Glad your still around! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 6:19pm
| When I saw this pop up I didn't see the date. Thankful you were all okay and that this happened several years ago. |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 6:21pm
Excellent video! I can see the answer to a question I asked a bit ago about loading. The answer to is to load closest to your tow vehicle (or maybe even in your tow vehicle, when possible). |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2016 at 8:33pm
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One caveat is to not put so much in the front that it lifts the front end of the vehicle. If that happens, the ability to steer is lessened. Also, if it is a front wheel drive tow vehicle, traction for towing is decreased. The rule of thumb is 10% to 15% of the trailer's weight should be on the tongue. For example, if the loaded weight is 3500 lbs, the tongue weight should be 350 lbs to 525 lbs. One should consult the TV's manual to see what is specified as the maximum tongue weight for the vehicle. Weight distribution hitches help. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 11:35am
Where is that "Like" button when you need it? Thanks for the information! I still am not sure about weight in the TV. Is it better to drive the R-Pod virtually empty (just the hoses connectors, etc. ) in it and most of the things you need in the tow vehicle? Moderation makes the most sense to me, but having never towed anything, I know what makes sense isn't always what is correct. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 1:01pm
I don't believe there is one quick or right answer. Each owner has to pay attention to their vehicles GVWR, their pods layout, and the gear they bring. We carry no camping gear in the truck. The back seats are all down, and two big dogs ride back there. As loaded for a 9 day trip, weighed with a tongue weight scale, dual 6v batteries and dual 20 pound propane tanks, we sit right at 375lbs tongue weight.  ------------- |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 2:11pm
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+1` It depends on your model R-Pod and your tow vehicle. We have an RP-179 and tow with it loaded. We carry excess in the back of our Escape.the tongue weight on ours is a bit higher due to the generator rack. Moreso if I have the generator on it. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Neserk
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2016 at 8:52pm
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Thank you for the info, StephenH and FurPod. |