owner-to-be
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3202
Printed Date: 04 May 2024 at 4:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: owner-to-be
Posted By: janice
Subject: owner-to-be
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2013 at 7:09pm
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Hi, I have a 177 on order which will be delivered sometime end of Feb. or March. I'll be pulling it with 2013 Ford Edge. Since I've never owned my own trailer (although I grew up camping in one), nor have I pulled one, I think I should err on the side of safety and get a sway bar despite the service man saying he didn't think I'd need one. He suggested taking it out a couple of times before making a decision. Any thoughts? I'm very excited to get it and my friend who bought a Casita in Texas and drove through Salt Lake City in a blizzard getting it home is totally jealous. |
Replies:
Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2013 at 7:11pm
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Yes....get one. ------------- |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2013 at 7:44pm
Lots of pros and cons WDH versus friction antisway. to each his own. I use a single adjustable friction antisway that goes on the passengers side between the pod and the hitch, I have never had any sway problem with or without the anti sway bar. I know it has a lot to do with the tow vehicle, wheel base, ball height. I tow with a Chevrolet Trailblazer and it pulls it great. I have been in 30 mph right cross winds and then had a semi blow past me on the left at 75 plus, a little side motion but nothing scary. I keep my speed at 60 mph or lower period. I can pull at 70 I have pulled at 80, but why am I going out with the pod. To slow down and enjoy the day, not hurry. When we get to the check in area I pop out and remove the single arm friction antisway bar so as to not forget and try to back up with it on and bend it in two. Anyway a bad day Podding is better than a good day at work  ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2013 at 7:55pm
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Welcome. I pulled mine without for a while, happy to not have to use one anymore (my popup was suicide without a sway bar). Eventually I ran into a long haul with crosswinds which changed my mind. I got a weight distribution hitch which includes sway control and have enjoyed no sway and a much more comfortable ride, because the WDH acts as an extra suspension system to dampen bumps in the road.
------------- 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: 27 Jan 2013 at 8:26pm
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My experience is like that of techntrek. The E2 hitch (a weight distribution hitch which includes sway control) dampens the bumps in the road making a much more comfortable ride. Without it the Pod would bounce hard. For me it was worth the extra money. ------------- 2012 R Pod 177 2006 Toyota Tundra Access Cab 4.7 Liter V8 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 8:11am
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I also would recommend an anti-sway bar for the hitch. We have one on ours and it makes a huge difference, especially compared to what I remember it was like towing a tent trailer w/o one back in the 80's. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Our-pod
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 8:40am
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Read through the owner's manual for your car - I tow my 182G with an Acura MDX. The owner's manual specifically recommends not using a sway control. According to the manual, the sway control logic is built into the AWD system of the MDX.It's the biggest of the Rpods and it tows very nicely. I only felt movement when a huge Charter bus passed me doing about 85 when I was doing 65.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 10:36am
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Janice, As you see, there are many pro and con arguments here. Personally, I highly recommend the E2 hitch from Progress Mfg. It combines weight distribution and sway control in one hitch. You may not "need it", but you will definitely want it, especially with your small and light weight tow vehicle. I tow my RP-172 with a 2010 Honda 4WD Pilot. With the E2 hitch I hardly know the Pod is back there, except for the decreased acceleration and gas mileage. I spent lots of brain time sweating with and without, but finally decided to get the E2. I didn't want my first experience to be disaster. ------------- 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: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 12:18pm
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I was about to add my .02, until I realized it had all been said! Good advice here. I will make quick note of the difference between anti sway and load distribution. They both have the objective of reducing, (but never totally eliminating) the tendency for the trailer to depart from the center line track of the tow vehicle. Anti sway devices add a shock absorber-like device in the horizontal plane to discourage horizontal deviation. Load distribution devices add bars or trunions between the tow vehicle's frame, (via the hitch), and the trailer frame to force the front wheels of the TV back down to their unweighted position. (A vertical correction, if you will.) Although I am not personally familiar with the E2 hitch, it appears to offer both horizontal and vertical correction forces simultaneously. I wish I had known about it prior to installing my WDH, although we have never had a problem with our 177 and our Grand Cherokee. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: janice
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 1:15pm
| Thank you all for your advice. I forgot to mention in my original post that I already have a factory-installed hitch on my Edge which I'm sure is not a WDH. So, majority opinion seems to be get the sway bar. I live in the beautiful NW so many of my trips will be on secondary, probably curvy mountain roads thus doubt I will have any trouble keeping it at and below 60mph tops. |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 4:55pm
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Please insure that your factory installed hitch is at least a Class III. Many are not. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 7:40pm
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+1 on the class III hitch. Is your factory installed hitch a receiver (the hitch ball can be removed leaving a square opening on the TV), or a permanently installed ball? If you have a class III hitch you just need to buy the WDH for use with the existing receiver. ------------- 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: janice
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:04pm
| I checked my paperwork which says it's a Class II hitch; an R-Pod serviceman called today and said he could install the E2 stabilizer (6000 lbs) to use with my current receiver, if I want that. Why is it important to have a Class III? |
Posted By: janice
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:19pm
| Thanks for the detailed explanation of the equalizer vs the sway bar. I was unclear at first how it all fit together. What is your opinion about the Class II hitch that was factory installed? Some have said I need a Class III. I'll be calling my Ford dealer as well. |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2013 at 9:53pm
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I took a look on the Ford site and recommemded Maximums for your Edge to tow are 3,500 pounds and a 350 pound toung weight. Shipping weight for the Pod is less than that, but when you add your accesories (air, battery, propane), and supplies you are going to be near the max. You may even be over if you tow with a full water tanks. I would get weight distribution and sway protection. I think you will need it. And dont tow with water tanks full if you can help it. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 6:53am
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Our friends, Forum members Gypsy Edie and Kona Joe, had a Class II factory hitch on a Mazda van, and our selling dealer, Lazy Days in Tampa, basically refused to deliver the R 177 without upgrading to a Class III. We had no factory hitch, so it was an easy call for us to order a Class III from Amazon for our local mechanic to install. We then ordered, again from Amazon, a WDH and have had zero problems. You will, of course, be installing a trailer brake controller, right? ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 2:46pm
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janice, usually class II hitches come with 1 1/4 inch receiver openings. Most aftermarket accessories like bike racks, WDHs, cargo trays, etc, require the 2 inch receiver opening that comes with the class III and IV hitches.
------------- 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: janice
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 5:00pm
| I guess I got lucky; my receiver is 2" and the Ford dealer said the E2 equalizer hitch would be a good idea. Is there any one place to get the entire forum pod manual? I have been finding pieces of it in various places. |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 5:05pm
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"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" We tried- she doesn't want to listen. My conscience is clear. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: janice
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 5:14pm
Just now reading post about a dealer who wouldn't allow r-pod to be used w/Class II. I'll call the service dept. at the dealer. And yes, I am having a digital brake controller installed. Will from now on read posts in the order I receive them so as not to incur  .
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 7:47pm
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With a 2" receiver you are technically OK with a class II since its maximum rating is 3500 pounds. But, you will be pushing its limits with a fully loaded pod. I wouldn't worry too much, but make sure in the future you get a class III. The "manual" we have on this forum is here: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual - http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723&title=creating-an-instruction-maintanence-manual ------------- 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: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 8:13pm
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I really hate to stir the pot But what size enginge does the 2013 Ford Edge have? 3.5-liter V6 - 3,500 lbs. 3.7-liter V6 - 2,000 lbs.. 2.0-liter I-4 EcoBoost - 1,500 lbs http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2013_Edge_Specs.pdf - http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2013_Edge_Specs.pdf
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Posted By: janice
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2013 at 8:23pm
| It's a 3.5L V6 |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2013 at 4:36pm
| Ok I will stop stirring the pot. Just wanted to make sure. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2013 at 8:06pm
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Odd that the larger engine only has the 2000 pound towing spec.
------------- 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: janice
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2013 at 10:58pm
| I wondered about that too. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2013 at 7:22am
The Trailer Life 2012 towing guide indicates the 3.7L engine rating of 2000 lbs is for the Sport model with 22 inch wheels. That's barely bigger than the Pod wheels 
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |