New Tow Vehicle
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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=7511
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 11:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Tow Vehicle
Posted By: Shelpod
Subject: New Tow Vehicle
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 12:42pm
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I'm not new to the forum but we just purchased a new tow vehicle. Traded in our 2011 Ford Edge and went with a 2014 Ford Explorer with the towing package - 5000 lbs. Excited to do our first camping in 2016 with our new setup. Does anyone have a recommendation for a brake controller? Thinking about a proportional controller rather than the timed one we had on the Edge. Rpod 2013 178 ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 1:52pm
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Go with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3.
------------- 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: Shelpod
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 2:25pm
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Thanks for the input. Been looking at that one but it seems a bit pricey and somewhat overkill, but I may go there. Anyone have experience or thoughts on the Tekonsha Primus IQ or P2 and why to go with the P3 instead? Thx ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: Commander203
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 4:18pm
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I use the P2 with my setup, works great. I too looked at the P3 and felt there was no need with the Pods. But its a matter of preference. Either controller will do the job.
------------- Mike & Erin 2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK) 2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800 2005 Honda VTX 1800N |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:11pm
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Am curious as to your new TV, did it come with 4 WD? We just sold our '08 Explorer, back then it seemed like all of them came with 4 WD. We just got a '13 Explorer in 2 WD but has the tow package which was the main thing we were after. Rarely used 4 WD anyway, probably 1 or 2x / year and for the added expense figured we could do without. And the fact that we have always had 2 WD except for my 1994 Ford F-150 with 300,000 + miles.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:31pm
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Jato. Our Explorer only has 2WD. We don't normally get off road much at all and Arizona where we live almost never has snow so we don't think we will miss not having it. We did get a Limited edition so it has just about every bell and whistle other than the 4WD. Like you, our biggest concern was the factory tow package but this came up at the right price point so we jumped on it. Very low mileage and one owner. Hopefully my wife will get use to the slightly bigger vehicle than the Edge, mostly in length. Good luck with your new (to you) Explorer. Have you put a brake controller in yet? What did you decide on? ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: DaveC3
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:32pm
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We have a 2015 Explorer with tow package. Our RV dealer installed a Prodigy P2. We took delivery of our new 180 last Saturday, went camping that night. We had no issues with the controller. The trailer did not push us while braking.
------------- 2016 R-Pod 180 2015 Ford Explorer Limited |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:37pm
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Great to hear about the P2. On my old TV, the timed delay worked fine when driving but while parking or crawling through a campground, it would grab to much. The proportional should take care of that. I have been reading reviews and there are a few people that don't like the brightness of the display (nor the color) on the P2. The P3 is only $15 more at Amazon and has a brightness adjustment. May just go that way for the small incremental $$s. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:49pm
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The main difference between P2 and P3 is convenience. The P3 digital display speaks to you in actual English. The P2 uses codes due to the limited display and you have to look up or remember the codes. I started with the Takonsha Voyager and was very glad to upgrade to the P3.
------------- 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: Shelpod
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:54pm
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Thanks for all the input everyone. I just ordered the P3 with the wiring harness for Ford Explorers with tow packages. Wish me luck putting it in. Shouldn't be too hard and I always have this group to turn to. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 5:57pm
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Our 2013 Explorer came equipped with a Tekonsha Primus IQ totally proportional brake controller. Didn't get any info about it when we got the Explorer but did some searching on the 'net' and all the reviews look good. Looking forward to trying it out, BUT will have to wait for the 14" of solid snow to melt before we can even get to it as it is in the back 20 parked inside the horse barn.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 9:05pm
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We were considering a explorer with a tow package and the salesman said when they have the factory tow package it had a electric brake controller built in. .....?????????Like our F150 Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 9:10pm
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That is interesting. I know when we got our '08 Explorer it had to have a brake controller added to it, and that came with the tow package. Just last week we traded up to a '13 Explorer and I was not aware of any built in brake controller, just that someone added the one to it that I mentioned in the above post. Maybe that is something that is on the newer vehicles. We don't buy new vehicles. I let someone else take the hit on depreciation and get the bugs worked out. Works for us and save us a lot of $$$$$.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 10:16am
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I think the salesman "misspoke". If you get an explorer with the tow package, the 7 and 4 wire plugs are both included along with a class III hitch and a oil cooler for the transmission. There should also be a plug and play port under the dash somewhere to plug a controller into. They seem to have moved the port around depending on year of the Explorer. The manual says the same thing, that you need to add your own brake controller. Good hunting for a TV. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 11:20am
The newest Explorer may come factory with a built in controller, the F150 and Expedition do, I know for a fact. I also know for a fact, the Expedition still has the plug/port for an aftermarket controller, and you can choose in the menu to use it OR the factory controller. I have had no issue with the factory controller vs the IQ we had mounted in the old Ex.. ------------- |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 1:41pm
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That would be nice but the Integrated TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) option is not available for the Explorer even in the Sport and Platinum which come standard with the towing package. All other models have the towing package as an option but the TBC is not available. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: Irish Tom
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2016 at 1:46pm
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I too have a 2014 Explorer Limited AWD with tow package. Have a 2015 178 Rpod. Use a P2 brake controller with anti-sway bar. Works just fine. My only issue with the 178 is that it is so light. Not much tongue weight. Cannot haul water because a full fresh water tank makes the tongue weight even worse. Would like to know if a WDH set up would help. Irish Tom |
Posted By: jstrenn
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2016 at 5:22pm
I have a 2015 RP178 and use a WDH with sway bar. Last summer we filled the fresh water tank and towed 3 different times around 150 miles each time with no issues at highway speeds of 60mph. I really thought it may handle differently the way the fresh water tank is so far back, but didn't seem to make a difference. I did try to keep most of my stuff that we bring along in the front storage area though. That may have helped some. But didn't have any swaying issues or anything. Is that because of the WDH? I don't know for sure.... I also have a dual batteries in the battery tray, that may make a little difference too.
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2016 at 5:27pm
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We have towed our 177 out west 3 times, down south and a lot of places in between, usually with a full or nearly full tank and only have an anti-sway bar with our (ex) 08 Explorer, no issues encountered.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2016 at 8:29pm
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A WDH will shift weight to the axles so it won't help with a light tongue. One thing you can do is move the spare tire to the tongue, and add a 2nd battery if it will be useful to you. ------------- 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: TheBum
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2016 at 12:53pm
| I haven't filled mine with water yet, but I'm getting a WDH anyway. With an empty tank, the back end of my 2012 Highlander sags. However, I'm moving from the dealer-supplied 12V deep cycle to two 6V deep cycle golf cart batteries to get a lot more capacity and adding a Stromberg-Carlson CC-255 platform over the propane tank to place my two Ryobi 2200W generators on, so I'm sure the WDH will be a big help. I thought about putting the generators in the 'Pod, but I'm afraid they'd stink up everything. |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 2:12pm
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You can change the display color of the Tekonsha P3. It's in the options menu under display color. Universally, car salespeople almost never understand exactly what they sell. Very few vehicles except pick up trucks come with a factory installed brake controller. For all other vehicles, you have to buy one. Factory installed tow package means you get a hitch and wiring for the trailer plug. It doesn't guarantee a brake controller or upgraded alternator or transmission cooling or even different rear differential ratios. The Tekonsha is very easy to wire and comes with the adapter plug. The most difficult part will be finding the location for you brake controller wiring and finding a suitable spot for mounting where it isn't in your way , but is also accessible if you need to use the manual trailer brake lever, ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 3:22pm
Be careful with your tongue weight....I assume it is around 500 lbs total for a Highlander. The two batteries should weigh around 65 each x 2=130 lbs, the CC-285 another 90, the two generators about 65 each x2=130 lbs, propane tank another +-50 lbs, thats already close to 400 lbs! |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 10:37pm
I'll definitely weigh the trailer at the tongue jack with everything loaded before I decide whether the generators need to move back. The one thing about the batteries is they're fairly far back, so the hitch won't feel their full weight.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2016 at 3:43pm
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Instead of the Tekonsha, consider the Hopkins inSIGHT Flex-Mount Trailer Brake Controller. The advantages are that one can place the parts in places that make sense, having the display visible, the manual control reachable, and the control box out of the way. This is a link to a description: http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Hopkins/HM47297.html?feed=npn&gclid=CILMyI_0rMsCFUQjgQodcS0C0w - http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Controller/Hopkins/HM47297.html?feed=npn&gclid=CILMyI_0rMsCFUQjgQodcS0C0w If you look under Photos, (you may need to select the "more photos" option), you will see a picture of the installed controller in our 2016 Ford Escape SE. Unfortunately, while the Escape came with factory tow, there was no wiring harness connector, so I had to use the generic package. Your vehicle is more likely to have a specific wiring harness available, which would greatly simplify and speed up installation. ------------- 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: ladykay64
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2016 at 3:36am
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Hello!
I've just purchased the Tekonsha P3 from Amazon, but I don't know which wiring harness to get. I am also unsure of who to have install it for me. I'm open to suggestions... My tow vehicle is a 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, for my 2016 R Pod 180. ------------- Pam & Marty 2016 R Pod 180... "Wits End" 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport .....You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 07 Mar 2016 at 10:07am
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Look on eTrailer.com. That is a good source for information about controllers. I did a quick lookup for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and you will need to get the ETB7 kit, and possibly a 4 way connector if your Jeep does not already have one. See the web site linked below. As for installation, if you do not feel confident to do it yourself, you would need to take it somewhere like an RV dealer's service department or your favorite mechanic. It is not too difficult. The hardest parts are getting underneath to mount the connector and run the wire from back to front and getting under the dash to hook up the connector. You might consider going to the dealer from which you purchased your R-Pod and have them install the controller. They might be reluctant though since you purchased it from Amazon and not from them. If that is the case, your favorite mechanic (or shade tree mechanic) might be the better bet. http://www.etrailer.com/bc-2016_Jeep_Wrangler+Unlimited.htm - http://www.etrailer.com/bc-2016_Jeep_Wrangler+Unlimited.htm On my 2016 Ford Escape SE (with factory tow package), I had to use the ETB7 kit also. I installed it my self. ------------- 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 |