Towing an r-pod |
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gepaine
Senior Member Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Location: Carnation, WA Status: Offline Points: 202 |
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We experience a 40% drop in gas mileage when towing our 175 with a Sienna. I think we get this "good" mileage because I take it really easy - I tow in 4th gear and almost never let it drop into 3rd. That means I am limited to 55-60 on flat roads, about 50 on slight inclines, and about 45 on steep hills.
I use both a sway bar and a load leveler. I'm not sure the sway bar is actually needed, based on postings here. (I have never towed without the sway bar. I bought it on advice from others rather than tow without it to see if I needed it.)
The load leveler definitely makes a big difference with our setup and I wouldn't tow without it. However, I don't think a load leveler would be of much help when driving in side winds.
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Gene & Linda - 2007 Escalade - 24-Foot Keystone Cougar TT- Life is not just about gas mileage!
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miksons
Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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First, again, thank you all for your info. I found it very, very helpful.
I have to admit that I am surprised to hear that towing an r-pod costs 40-50% in terms of mpg. We haven't towed because we don't yet have a unit, but it is good to be prepared. I suppose I would have had a big shock when I filled up if you hadn't let me know. A 40% drop, at 55-60mph, would give us about 12 mpg. That is low, but considerably higher than I was getting with my motor home, so perhaps not so bad. And, given your comment about the load-leveler, I suppose we should get both. My view is that a little bit of prevention is probably better than a lot of cure. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. Look forward to hearing more ... |
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MikeFromMesa
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pepperpod
Senior Member Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Location: Central KY Status: Offline Points: 1420 |
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Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172 The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown |
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PodPatrol
Moderator Group Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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I've read a bunch of posts at a Honda forum about WDH.
There is alot more to this subject than meets the eye. I believe that if there is a science to towing, WD could be declared as a Major studies. In essences, it helps distribute tongue weight to the TT & TV. There is a calculation involving weights at different points along the TT & TV. Before determining if one is in your future please read about them and try to understand the application and it's effectiveness. I will try to come up with some generic links concerning this application. More later ....... |
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Larry
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Location: Fairfield, CA Status: Offline Points: 344 |
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I am currently having sway control installed on my R-Pod 171 by a local dealer, and it is my understanding that you can combine sway control with a load leveler but a load leveler is only recommended for tongue weights 350 lbs and over, according to my dealer, and the tongue weight of my R-171 is 181 lbs with and additional 40 lbs estimated for the batteries and LP Tank. My point is that I don’t think I need a Load Leveler with this light weight trailer but the sway control will be of great benefit. I just got my pod this year on the 19th of January so I don’t have much experience towing it; driving it back about 700 miles from where I picked it up it seemed to handle very well coming across mountain passes and on the windy open plains; but I’m installing sway control just for the sake of caution.. The R-176 has a dry tongue weight of 240 and the R-177 tongue weight is 232. In California if you are towing anything you’re not suppose to exceed 55 mph; that includes big trucks (18 wheelers) and people towing travel trailers, etc. They will ticket you if you are towing and exceed 55 even if the speed limit for other vehicles is 65 mph or more. In Nevada they don’t care; all vehicles can travel at the posted speed limit, which on the open interstate is 75 mph; still when towing I will not exceed 60 mph. |
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Larry
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Location: Fairfield, CA Status: Offline Points: 344 |
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P.S. My gas mileage also dropped about 45% to 50% when towing the r-pod; it all depends if you’re driving over mountain passes, hilly terrain, or flat open road. Stop and go traffic also effects gas mileage. I get about 400 miles to a full tank of gas but when towing the r-pod that is cut down to about 200 to 250 miles. |
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miksons
Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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I guess I have to show my ignorance and ask exactly what is WDH? I have never heard the term before.
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MikeFromMesa
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PodPatrol
Moderator Group Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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miksons
Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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OK. Thanks again. I have browsed the web site and will re-read it in detail.
I guess there are a lot of things to know about pulling a trailer that I never had to consider when I was just driving a motor home. Thanks to all of you I will be much more prepared to make good equipment decisions than I would have been. |
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MikeFromMesa
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photog
Senior Member Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Location: Alberta Canada Status: Offline Points: 142 |
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Heinrich and Elly
2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Prime Time Tracer 205 M |
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