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Towing an r-pod

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: r-pod Reviews and Information
Forum Description: We will be reviewing each of the 7 r-pod floorplans in great detail, including photography
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Topic: Towing an r-pod
Posted By: miksons
Subject: Towing an r-pod
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 10:38am
My wife and I are not new to camping, but we are new to travel trailers. We sold our Motorhome because it had gotten to be too much trouble (and too expensive) to use and maintain and have been looking at some of the r-pods as a good replacement. We love camping, but since we have not had a camper trailer before there are some things we don't know and I am not sure the dealer will be completely open with me about. I am hoping that people out there can answer some questions.

1) If we buy an r-pod (we have been looking at the 176 and 177 floor plans) should we also plan to get sway control bars for the hitch? Are they helpful with the r-pod? Are they needed?

2) What highways speeds are safe for towing? The dealer says normal highway speeds, but we live in Arizona and highway speeds here are 75. Is it safe to pull an r-pod at those kinds of speeds?

3) What is the cost, in mpg, of towing an r-pod? We have a Jeep Liberty and typically get about 21-23 on the highway if we don't try to break the sound barrier on the highway. What kind of drop should we expect towing an r-pod?

4) How good are the air-conditioner and heater?

5) And anything else you can tell us. I would really appreciate any information you have.

Thanks so much...



-------------
MikeFromMesa



Replies:
Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 12:12pm
Welcome aboard miksons !!!

We are proud owners of the 177. We luv it !
There are Pod flrplans that seem to suit everyone.
My suggestion would be to compare your tow vehicles towing
ability to the specs of the Pod you choose.
Some use stability, some don't.
There are numerous posts concerning towing, perhaps to many
to read in a days time, and there are alot of opinions and alot of
facts.
Safety is #1 !!!! pulling a TT @ 75mph sounds scary to me !
In most cases when a 6cyl tow vehicle is involved, you may experience
a mpg drop as much as 50%. Yours may vary !
Other than the noise level, the AC has gotten good reviews.
The furnace has been known to work just fine.

I believe that most owners agree the "riser" option is recommended.
This lifts the body of the Pod appx 3" more than the delivery height.
Great way to avoid clearance issues.

Browse around the forum and don't hesitate using the search function here.

Enjoy !!!!



Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 12:50pm
Thanks for the information.

Our Jeep has a tow capacity of 5600 pounds which is about twice what the r-pod weighs dry, so I am not so concerned about towing ability. But the r-pod is light enough that I would think passing trucks would tend to sway the trailer. I assumed sway bars would be useful, but I have not talked to anyone who has used them so I don't know.

I completely agree that safety is of the highest importance and I never assumed that it would be OK to tow at 75 or 80. I don't even drive that fast with my car under normal circumstances, but hoped that I could safely tow at 60 or 65. I just don't know.

A 50% drop in mpg is much more than I had assumed. Of course without having towed one on a trip it is impossible to know, but I had thought more in the range of 10-20%. Is 50% your experience?

And thanks again for the response.


-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 1:15pm
Glad to help !!!

Everyones mileage is totally dependant on several factors.
Tow vehicle specs ( I believe your good to go there)
weight of loaded tow vehicle (people, cargo)
weight of r-Pod (specs)
weight of loaded r-Pod (r u towing with water tank full?)
and what your putting inside the Pod.

These are just a few of the issues you may want to address
when your considering mpg.

We are getting around 10 to 12 mpg when towing.
We have a Honda Ridgeline that claims to get 20mpg
unloaded. It's a '06 6cyl w/250hp and is rated at 5000lbs towing
capacity. Alot of 6cyl TVs are experiencing a 50% drop in mpg
when towing an r-Pod. We use "Premium" gasoline when towing
as recommended by Honda.

Hope this helps, but this is "our" situation, and yours may vary!





Posted By: Blademaker
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 4:58pm
We have a Ford Sport trac with a V-6.
This model was rated at a pull capacity of only about 3800 lbs, and we could sure tell it when we pulled out R-pod. 11 miles to the gallon, tops.
It all worked out, though.
My wife liked driving the Sport trac a lot, so she asked me if I would mind her driving it to work, so I could trade in her Pontiac G-6 for something a little bigger to pull the R-pod with. 
That Pontiac was gone in less than a week for a 2006 Ford F-150, King Cab with a small (302) V-8 in it. Rated at pulling 6800 lbs. Not much better on gas mileage, but it pulls a helluva lot better than the Sport trac.
And, in the future, if I wanna bigger camper.......LOL
 


-------------
Wandering life's backroads with my wife, our 2 four legged children; Chloe the odd Pug, and Tia Maria, the smallest Chihuahua I'm aware of.
Life is good.


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 10:03pm
LOL 
 
One thing leads to another !!! Cindy and I are also already thinking bigger in the near future !!
 
LOL


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 10:54pm
Speaking of risers, any good place you guys recommend to have them installed after delivery? I have them in a box in the POD waiting to be installed.


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2010 at 11:23pm
I would attempt a dealer first. If that doesnt go well there are some posts about installing them yourself (if your of a mechanical nature) or other possible alternatives. Wish I could be more help, but we had them installed at the factory.


Posted By: joe&carol
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 9:37am

The one thing that was asked here that no one has really addressed yet had to do with sway bars - - -  A year ago this month, we were coming across Kansas when a stong cross wind came up and it was 20 some miles before we could get off the highway. (By strong, I mean you could barely stand up in it when we finally got parked and tried to walk into a hotel.)  At the time, we had a sway bar on the unit, which we think saved the day in driving that last 20 miles and off the road.  In time, we abandonded the sway bar and went with a load leveler, something we've been thankful for a number of times in going through Wyoming with some of their winds.  At the end of the day, I'd be curious as to what others have experienced in winds, with or without sway bars or load levelers.  Thanks.  Joe  Smile



Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 10:30am
In the one instance we towed from OH to IL we hit rain from East IN till we
got home. Got passed alot (interstate) by some big rigs and noticed the Pod
was abit bouncy but nothing extreme. We didn't have it loaded but we were
carrying nearly 3/4 of a tank of water, which may or may not have helped.
We'll need more towing time to make an educated guess as to the need for
additional towing assistance.


Posted By: gepaine
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 10:40am
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.


-------------
Gene & Linda - 2007 Escalade - 24-Foot Keystone Cougar TT- Life is not just about gas mileage!


Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 11:28am
First, again, thank you all for your info. I found it very, very helpful. Clap

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 ...  Smile








-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 11:58am
Originally posted by miksons miksons wrote:

First, again, thank you all for your info. I found it very, very helpful. Clap

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 ...  Smile






Ok.  Another dumb question  Embarrassed  What is a load leveler and what purpose does it serve?  I know it probably levels the load. LOL

-------------
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


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 1:06pm
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 .......


Posted By: Larry
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 2:48pm

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.



Posted By: Larry
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 2:55pm

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.



Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 3:34pm
I guess I have to show my ignorance and ask exactly what is WDH? I have never heard the term before.

-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 3:55pm
/wiki/Tow_hitch - Weight Distribution Hitch  
 
A system of springs and levers that transfers part of the tow ball weight onto the front wheels of the towing vehicle and, to a lesser extent, the RV trailer.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/hitches/towing-weight-distribution-systems.htm - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/hitches/towing-weight-distribution-systems.htm



Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 7:09pm
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.



-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 10:40pm
Originally posted by miksons miksons wrote:

First, again, thank you all for your info. I found it very, very helpful. Clap

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 ...  Smile

How much your mpg drops depends on your tow vehicle and your right foot. We will be towing with a Ford Escape 6 cyl and I expect a 35 - 40% drop. Towing I rarely exceed 100 km an hour. ( about
60mph) Now, on some occasions I will tow with our sons Dodge 1 ton diesel, that vehicle won't even know that the trailer is there and it will not take any measurable amount of extra fuel.
 
Same goes for a load leveling hitch, the Dodge won't know that the trailer is even there so there is no need for one.
 
With the Escape I won't even think of towing without one. Hitch weight of the 171 is 181 lbs empty. I have 2 bottles on the toung and probably will have 2 batteries as well. After loading the trailer
with the rest of camping pharaphenelia I estimate that there will be over 300 lbs on the tongue.
 
Let's assume that it is 300 lbs, (which is the max for the Escape) if I adjust the load leveling hitch correctly it will transfer 100 lbs back onto the trailer axle, 100 lbs to the front axle of the Escape and 100 lbs stays on the hitch. That will keep everything nice and level.
 
Whether I'll need sway control I'll determin after the first time out with the trailer. It depends on how the whole combination works. In the past I needed one for a small 17 ft travel trailer but another larger trailer did not need one.





-------------
Heinrich and Elly

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab
Prime Time Tracer 205 M


Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 7:55am
My wife and I are retired and we are generally not in any big hurry to get any place. When I drove the motor home my typical speed was between 55 and 60 and I was rewarded by what I considered exceptional gas mileage - between 8 and 9 mpg. Perhaps 7 when the drive was pretty much all up hill (for example, going from Phoenix to Flagstaff). 

When you consider that I was also pulling a 4000+ pound car (my Jeep Liberty), I think that was great mileage. My neighbors who had similar units were getting 4-6, but driving much faster. I had assumed that I would drive much as before, so driving 55-60 is what I would have expected to do in any case.

I assume the Jeep Liberty is much like the Ford Escape. The car size is about the same and I believe that the engines are similar, so I would expect similar results. And it is quite a bit different from what the sales person at the dealership told me (Oh, you can expect your gas mileage to drop about 10%).

I had assumed I would get a sway bar, but, based on your comments, now believe that I will get a load leveling hitch also. I assume you can get them combined???




-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 9:38am
Wow oh Wow.  We have a possible deal on a 2009 Nissan Frontier.  It was a repo and looks to be in excellent condition with factory warranty still running.  6500 lbs towing capacity in a v6!Approve

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In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: David
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 3:42pm
Good  luck sylviablue!  Sound great. Smile

-------------
Hope to see you "out there"

David - weird guy with a wolf
Dixie - German Shepherd
RP173 - "Campground Assault Vehicle 1"
2009 Silverado 5.3L V8


Posted By: Ned
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 4:28pm
We purchased a RP-173 last Spring and have never used a sway bar or load leveler. I drove in some very windy days with no problem. I find the trailer is very smooth and I am very happy with it.


-------------
Ned
Rocket Pod RP-173
Miramichi, NB
2005 Ford Escape


Posted By: K9Equine
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 8:15pm
Started out with a 6 cyl Toyota Tacoma V6 sr5 Prerunner. Added a WDH with built in sway control. That did OK but still got sway if around semi's on the interstate. Traded up to a V8 Dodge 1500 Quad last month. MUCH better towing...regular hitch, no sway control. I kept the sway control set up, but it did not have an adequate drop for the height of the truck. I plan on researching a drop hitch shank that will be low enough to use the sway control with the big truck. I dont Have to have it, but I still sometimes think I feel a tiny bit of sway. The toyota was definately scared of the pod.....the Dodge has enough weight to barely feel it. Getting 14mpg on highway, 12 on secondary roads with the Dodge.
K9Equine
RP175
08 Dodge 1500 Quad
Franklin, KY


Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 11:00pm
Originally posted by miksons miksons wrote:

My wife and I are retired and we are generally not in any big hurry to get any place. When I drove the motor home my typical speed was between 55 and 60 and I was rewarded by what I considered exceptional gas mileage - between 8 and 9 mpg. Perhaps 7 when the drive was pretty much all up hill (for example, going from Phoenix to Flagstaff). 

When you consider that I was also pulling a 4000+ pound car (my Jeep Liberty), I think that was great mileage. My neighbors who had similar units were getting 4-6, but driving much faster. I had assumed that I would drive much as before, so driving 55-60 is what I would have expected to do in any case.

I assume the Jeep Liberty is much like the Ford Escape. The car size is about the same and I believe that the engines are similar, so I would expect similar results. And it is quite a bit different from what the sales person at the dealership told me (Oh, you can expect your gas mileage to drop about 10%).

I had assumed I would get a sway bar, but, based on your comments, now believe that I will get a load leveling hitch also. I assume you can get them combined???


 
Yes, it's at most a 30 minute installation
 


-------------
Heinrich and Elly

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab
Prime Time Tracer 205 M


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2010 at 11:29pm
We use an Equal-i-zer WDH which is a combination of both.  We had it from our previous TT and is a 600/6000 (600#hitch/6000# TT weight).  When we purchased our pod I contacted Equal-i-zer inquiring if it is ok for the pod.  They said yes, but they do have a new one now for the smaller TT...400/4000.  They told us we would be fine with our 600/6000.  Do we need it?  Don't know.  It is more of a peace of mind and safety issue for us.  Better to be safe then sorry.

-------------
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2010 at 1:03am
We got axle risers installed today and it made a HUGE difference in towing. The POD now sits more level when we're towing it. It feels lighter and easier to tow now. Just thought I'd share this tid bit with you guys.


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2010 at 3:46am
I believe ya look for a "level" tow. The more "level" the pod is the more control you have with it.
Some have said a "little" dip toward the Tow Vehicle will actually help.
But If the rear of the Pod is dipping, then it might start dancing around on ya.
If I were to get one, and since my TV is 5000lbs towing and a 500lb tongue weight, I'd go with a 600/6000 too !!!


Posted By: photog
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 1:04am
Originally posted by PodPatrol PodPatrol wrote:

I believe ya look for a "level" tow. The more "level" the pod is the more control you have with it.
Some have said a "little" dip toward the Tow Vehicle will actually help.
But If the rear of the Pod is dipping, then it might start dancing around on ya.
If I were to get one, and since my TV is 5000lbs towing and a 500lb tongue weight, I'd go with a 600/6000 too !!!
 
That is way too heavy a hitch for any of the R-pods, the size needed for a WDH is determined by the tongue weight of the trailer. If you use too heavy a hitch you might have a problem getting it adjusted properly for a level tow. 


-------------
Heinrich and Elly

2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab
Prime Time Tracer 205 M


Posted By: David
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 5:59am
Originally posted by Ned Ned wrote:

We purchased a RP-173 last Spring and have never used a sway bar or load leveler. I drove in some very windy days with no problem. I find the trailer is very smooth and I am very happy with it.
The same here.

-------------
Hope to see you "out there"

David - weird guy with a wolf
Dixie - German Shepherd
RP173 - "Campground Assault Vehicle 1"
2009 Silverado 5.3L V8


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 10:57am
I encourage anyone who's considering a sway bar/WDH and not yet taken an r-pod out for a tow to wait before investing.  Take the r-pod for a test drive.  Take it for a 2-4 hour short trip and see how it behaves.  Then make your decision.

Personally, I don't have sway control nor WDH, and I don't need it.  It wouldn't improve my towing experience.  My vehicle/R-Pod combination tows like a dream.


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: Ned
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 11:56am
I agree. It tws like a dream

-------------
Ned
Rocket Pod RP-173
Miramichi, NB
2005 Ford Escape


Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 12:03pm
I don't have sway control nor WDH, and I don't need it.  It wouldn't improve my towing experience.  My vehicle/R-Pod combination tows like a dream.

First of all, I completely agree with your suggestion that it is a good idea to try towing before investing in equipment. Based on what I have read here I guess a weight-distribution hitch is a good idea if the setup does not look reasonably flat when first put together.

Also I assume people's towing experience varies based on a number of items including what their tow vehicle is. Can you tell me what you are using to tow? Perhaps I could get some information on what to expect with my Jeep if I knew what vehicle-rpod combinations towed well and which ones needed sway bars or the like.

Thanks.


-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: miksons
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 12:05pm
Oops. Missed the signature line at the bottom of the post. Sorry.

-------------
MikeFromMesa


Posted By: R&T's Pod
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 12:11pm
I would have to agree also to try out your rig without the Sway Bar/WDH.  When we are looking at our pod, the dealer was pretty insistant we buy the WDH, that is until I showed him our Tow Vehicle, (see signature) then to his credit he did say while he'd be glad to sell us WDH/swaybar, he'd be really surprised if we ever had any issues towing where we would need them.  The only trip so far we've had (due to lots of rain and two snow storms) has been to bring the pod home.  This was only about 35 miles, mostly interstate driving, and everything behaved like it should.  Rob

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2010 R-Pod 175 2007 F-150 Super Cab http://www.rtspod.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow - R&T's Podding Blog



Posted By: K9Equine
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 12:53pm
Totally agree that it depends on the vehicle. Seems like the bigger pickups do just fine, while the 6 cyl vehicles might need the WDH. That was my experience. Just drove 12 hours up from the Gulf Coast and no problems at all with the Dodge and no WDH. Wouldnt have wanted to do that with the Toyota and no WDH!
2010 RP175
08 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad


Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 1:21pm
The model of your r-pod may also have an impact on your decision to buy a WDH.  The tongue weight (dry) of my RP-171 is 181 pounds.  This light tongue weight was a factor (one of many) in my decision to go with this model over the others available at the time.  There is a good deal of variation across the models:
  • RP-151 - 241 pounds
  • RP-171 - 181 pounds
  • RP-172 - 179 pounds
  • RP-173 - 184 pounds
  • RP-174 - 234 pounds
  • RP-175 - 235 pounds
  • RP-176 - 240 pounds
  • RP-177 - 232 pounds
  • RP-172T - 260 pounds
  • RP-173T - 282 pounds
  • RP-176T - 288 pounds
Don't forget: the numbers above are dry weight.  By the time you add a battery, fill the propane tank, put water in the fresh water tank, and load all your camping gear in the trailer, you'll add a good deal of weight.  Mine went up 45 pounds, but I can see some increasing 100-150 pounds depending on the number of propane tanks, batteries and how they load their camping gear in  trailer.

With my vehicle, I could definitely see a need for a WDH in order to tow some of the heftier models.


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: Larry
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 1:53pm

I’m having a sway bar installed because I’d rather be safe than sorry. The investment is $115 parts and labor; for me that is certainly not a lot of money. I live in a wind corridor; lots of people move here to Fairfield, California, like myself, which have never had any allergies until they live here. The wind blows all sorts of stuff into the air, and while it is good for the wind turbines it is horrible for allergies.

I have never really experienced any fish-tailing with my 171 but on occasion when a big 18- wheel truck passed me on the freeway at high speed my pod would wobble. But that is not the reason I am getting sway bars; for me the investment is minimal and in my opinion an ounce of prevention is worth ten pounds of cure. In short; I agree with everything that has been said here about it being a personal decision.

It’s like insurance; something you pay for that you hope you never need, and if sway bars gives me even the slightest edge than it’s’ worth the investment. How much money do people waste on lottery tickets and other things which give them little to no return? But again; I want to emphasize, its’ a personal decision.

 



Posted By: Larry
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 1:56pm

P.S. Because of the light weight of my 171 tongue I was advised against getting a WDH, by the RV service department I use, but sway bars were suggested as optional.



Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 6:19pm
No sway bar, axle riser, no problems.  We seen to be in good shape.  

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In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2010 at 8:45pm
I agree it is a personal choice.  Maybe if you are going just a short distance you may not be as concerned.  But for those who plan to travel several thousand miles, it may be cheap insurance and peace of mind.

-------------
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2010 at 9:18am
Yep, we are going to kentucky in June and will see how it shakes out.

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In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2010 at 1:53pm
If anyone is experiencing sag problems, or if they're overloading their vehicle's tongue weight, they should seriously consider a WDH.  For me, it would be manditory, but I won't impose my choices on others.

Sway, on the other hand, is a different beast: sway bars, by their nature, mask a problem.  They add resistance in an attempt to lessen sway.  Before anyone gets riled up by that statement, I agree that in some cases they are the only solution to dealing with sway.  I also agree that sway bars do offer assistance when dealing with strong, gusty winds or wash from tractor trailers.

But, I strongly encourage anyone with sway problems to look at their vehicle and trailer carefully.  Make sure that the tongue weight is between 10% and 15% of their trailer's total weight.  Make sure that all tires are inflated properly.  Make sure that weight is distributed evenly from side-to-side in the trailer.  Have a second look at any mods you've done (bicycle racks, dual tanks, etc) and make sure that they aren't contributing to your sway problem.  In other words: do all you can to minimize sway without the use of sway bars.  I sincerely hope that those who use sway bars use them as a preventative measure, as opposed to masking an existing, correctable, problem.


-------------
Craig :: 2008 Mazda Tribute :: 2009 r-pod 171, The Johnnie Ray


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2010 at 1:54pm
I got a sway bar on mine.  The main reason, first time towing anything in my life and wanted every help I could get.  I did not get a WDH nor do I think I need it.   I have a Honda Pilot and the 173T, so I already have a heavier tongue weight.  With the sway bar I have not had a problem with few times I have towed it.

-------------
R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: Linda Faust
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2010 at 11:30pm
We have a 6 cyl. RAV 4 with all wheel drive.  We have a sway bar and have no problem.  We tried towing at 65 or 70 and it was too hard on the car.  We cut down to 55 to 60 and we don't get speeding tickets.  I like that speed because it is relaxing.  The car does very well as the capacity is around 3500 lbs.  Our gas milage went up to around 12 to 13 mpg.  We also don't use cruise control and put it in drive 4 rather than the overdrive 4.  My husband likes to drive 60 to 65 but it is too fast for the car.  Linda 

-------------
RPod 171 Rav 4
Happy Camping, Ted, Linda & our labradorable Gracie


Posted By: dospinacoladas
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2010 at 2:16pm
When I bought my '09 173 I had a 2002 Suzuki XL-7 with a 3000 lb towing capacity.  It towed OK but I wouldn't want it to go on longer trips.  Plus, there was no room for a transmission cooler.

After a month of towing with the Suzuki, I purchased a 2007 Jeep Liberty Sport.  It's got a towing capacity of 5000 lbs.  What a difference!  I do use the sway bars and I haven't had a problem on really windy days or when I am passed by larger vehicles.


-------------


'09 RPT-173 & '07 Jeep Liberty Sport


Posted By: sylviablue
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2010 at 7:39pm
Looking good dospinacoladas and by the way, make one for me too.Smile

-------------
In the end there's just a song comes cryin up the night



Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2010 at 9:12am
Make it cuatropinacoladas, por favor.

-------------
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: "arrrr"Pod 172 :: http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.a.mowery - My Albums :: http://ourrpod.blogspot.com/ - OurPod Blog ::


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 07 May 2010 at 7:47pm
We're thinking about an F-750 for a TV. Would this thing be enough to tow the POD?


-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 07 May 2010 at 8:24pm
Are you going to tow the POD or carry it.  LOL


LeeClap


-------------
Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 07 May 2010 at 9:18pm
I dunno...it might be close to max payload if I carried it...LOL Would I need a WDH hitch for this to eliminate sway and stuff?
 
I figured we'd have some fun with this Tongue


-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Brin
Date Posted: 07 May 2010 at 9:49pm

Good Lord.  Don't give my husband any ideas.  We went from a Tacoma to a diesel F250 and he loves that for towing.  He jokingly says we need something bigger every time we go by a 350 or something like that.  Wacko



-------------
Terri and Craig and Panzer
R-pod 175, 2009
2000 F250 XLT Extended Cab, Diesel


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 07 May 2010 at 10:13pm
Hey, you can't go wrong with a 750...LOL

-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Billy Bob
Date Posted: 16 May 2010 at 1:41pm
For those looking for a WDH and sway control, go to the Hensley site, http://www.HensleyMfg.com - www.HensleyMfg.com and check out their towing video. They make a Cub model that only has one bar for smaller trailers. They are guaranteed to eliminate sway all-together. There are three Cub models, depending on trailer length. The down side is they are pricey, but how much value does one put on being safe.

-------------
2011 Visa 23RBK pulled with 2010 Nissan Titan. 12.5 MPG when towing.
The Most Beautiful Thing In Life Is The Ability To love.
www.BillyAdeliza.homestead.com


Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 16 May 2010 at 1:56pm
Originally posted by Billy Bob Billy Bob wrote:

For those looking for a WDH and sway control, go to the Hensley site, http://www.HensleyMfg.com - www.HensleyMfg.com and check out their towing video. They make a Cub model that only has one bar for smaller trailers. They are guaranteed to eliminate sway all-together. There are three Cub models, depending on trailer length. The down side is they are pricey, but how much value does one put on being safe.
I think the sway problem is relative to the size of your tow vehicle.  We drove 2000+ miles in March using our Ford F 150 as a tow vehicle.  We had some sway but we were in VERY high winds most of the time we were on the interstates.  Passing trucks did not seem to cause any sway.  I must admit that we were very careful while driving in those high winds.  They were the worst we have experienced in our 25 years of camping.


-------------
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


Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 16 May 2010 at 10:45pm
Originally posted by Billy Bob Billy Bob wrote:

The down side is they are pricey, but how much value does one put on being safe.


Couldn't agree with you more.  Another brand to check out is the Equal-i-zer.  They have one for trailers weighing less then 4000#'s and hitch less then 400#'s.


-------------
Former owner of 2009 Rpod 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek 190P Conversion Van


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 17 May 2010 at 6:17am
I agree that if you have a 150 or even a 750 that you wont need a WDH. The longer and heavier the TV, the more stable it is. Now, there's no price for safety, but there comes a point where you're just throwing money away.

-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 17 May 2010 at 8:13pm
 


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 17 May 2010 at 10:09pm
gmandual...your advice is priceless...we did have a partially filled black water tank...no fresh water and no gray...but a bike rack and one bike (on a rack built to hold 4) on the back of the pod!  I'll check the placement of the tanks under the 173 and load more stuff inside the pod towards the front (close to the hitch) next time to see how that works.  I'm still working on setting the electric brake controller so the trailer doesn't grab so much but knowing about the manual stoppage is a good emergency trick.

-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 17 May 2010 at 10:37pm
 


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 7:16am
Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

gmandual...your advice is priceless...we did have a partially filled black water tank...no fresh water and no gray...but a bike rack and one bike (on a rack built to hold 4) on the back of the pod!  I'll check the placement of the tanks under the 173 and load more stuff inside the pod towards the front (close to the hitch) next time to see how that works.  I'm still working on setting the electric brake controller so the trailer doesn't grab so much but knowing about the manual stoppage is a good emergency trick.


On my 173T, the same layout as y our 173, just with the Tent end on the back, the Fresh water tank is in front of the axle.  The Grey water is just in front of the axle, almost above it and the black water is near the back.

jon



-------------
R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: jjbescher
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 7:18am
Originally posted by jjbescher jjbescher wrote:

Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

gmandual...your advice is priceless...we did have a partially filled black water tank...no fresh water and no gray...but a bike rack and one bike (on a rack built to hold 4) on the back of the pod!  I'll check the placement of the tanks under the 173 and load more stuff inside the pod towards the front (close to the hitch) next time to see how that works.  I'm still working on setting the electric brake controller so the trailer doesn't grab so much but knowing about the manual stoppage is a good emergency trick.


On my 173T, the same layout as y our 173, just with the Tent end on the back, the Fresh water tank is in front of the axle.  The Grey water is just in front of the axle, almost above it and the black water is near the back.

jon



I will have to double check, I may have the black and grey switched.  I definitely know the fresh in in front of the other two.


-------------
R-Pod 173T towed by a 2003 Honda Pilot
Site # 164 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 8:08am
Originally posted by jjbescher jjbescher wrote:

Originally posted by jjbescher jjbescher wrote:

Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

gmandual...your advice is priceless...we did have a partially filled black water tank...no fresh water and no gray...but a bike rack and one bike (on a rack built to hold 4) on the back of the pod!  I'll check the placement of the tanks under the 173 and load more stuff inside the pod towards the front (close to the hitch) next time to see how that works.  I'm still working on setting the electric brake controller so the trailer doesn't grab so much but knowing about the manual stoppage is a good emergency trick.


On my 173T, the same layout as y our 173, just with the Tent end on the back, the Fresh water tank is in front of the axle.  The Grey water is just in front of the axle, almost above it and the black water is near the back.

jon



I will have to double check, I may have the black and grey switched.  I definitely know the fresh in in front of the other two.
jon...thanks for this.  It will save me from crawling around the ground peeking under the pod...that way I don't embarass her  Embarrassed

-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 9:01am
On the 177 it's (from front to back) Black / Gray / Fresh


Posted By: gepaine
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 2:59pm
gmandual,
 
Let's say I use the eTrailer.com / bathroom scale to measure my hitch weight, and I am in the recommended 10% to 15% of trailer weight. Then I install my WDH. Since the WDH will shift some weight off the hitch, does adding the WDH invalidate my calculations? If I use a WDH, should I still have 10% to 15% of the weight on the hitch?


-------------
Gene & Linda - 2007 Escalade - 24-Foot Keystone Cougar TT- Life is not just about gas mileage!


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 5:57pm
  


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 6:13pm
Originally posted by gmandual gmandual wrote:

gepaine,

What a WDH  does is balance how the tongue weight is distributed onto the tow vehicles chassis.   Without a WDH the majority of the weight on the trailer tongue is bore by the back axle of your tow vehicle.   A WDH uses one or more spring bar(s) as a lever to help evenly distribute the trailer tongue weight across the front and back axles of your tow vehicle.   So the WDH shouldn't effect your calculations at all.   A WDH just makes your vehicle safer as it helps keep your front wheels down and in contact with the pavement.   Which gives you better response and control when steering and braking and can lessen trailer sway to some extent but not as much as a sway control system.

gmandual...this makes sense to me so why would my 2007 Honda Pilot manual tell me a WDH is NOT recommended???????????

-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 6:21pm
 


Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 8:11pm
    I just finished reading some information on tires and tire air preasure relating to trailer sway. Make sure you have proper tire preasure or a little more is better not to go over maximum tire preasure. This is with trailer and tow vehicle. If you have tires on your tow vehicle or your trailer that have soft sidewalls this will add to trailer sway. I was told by the service technician at Jeep that a larger rim size with a low profile tire and a wider tread would help to prevent sway. But the biggest reason is a trailer not properly loaded, need to keep the tongue weight 10% or more of the total trailer weight.      David and Danette

-------------
SWFL   171
2010 Jeep Liberty


Posted By: gepaine
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 8:11pm
gmandual,
 
Thanks for providing the distinction between tongue weight and hitch weight. Makes perfect sense now that you have explained it.
 
My scenario was a hypothetical one as I have not actually used the bathroom scale method. I got my numbers from weighing at a public scale. My fully loaded trailer weight was 3160 and my tongue weight was 260. So I am at about 8.2%. Not much I can do about this as I don't carry cargo inside the trailer so there is nothing to redistribute.
 
FYI: I am using a WDH and anti-sway bars, and have had no problem with swaying yet.


-------------
Gene & Linda - 2007 Escalade - 24-Foot Keystone Cougar TT- Life is not just about gas mileage!


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 18 May 2010 at 11:32pm
I visited the Honda Ridgeline forum and read up on its towing situation. Honda does not recommend the WDH, and as mentioned before, it could be due to the Uni-body construction.
Our "set-up" is very level, and we experienced little to no sway during our return to Illinois from Ohio.
(We hit alot of rain from Indiana to Illinois). In certain situations it did sway alittle, but that was during worse case senerios, such as being passed by two Semis while crossing an over-pass in a rain storm. (wind currents everywhere). Otherwise it handled very well, just under-powered abit for my taste. 
 
STANDARD TOWING FEATURES:
• Integrated closed-box frame with unit-body construction
• Integrated class III trailer hitch
• 5,000-lb. towing capacity[Premium fuel fuel recommended when towing]
• Trailer harness (RTS and RTL; RT is pre-wired for a trailer harness)
• Pre-wired for trailer brake controller
• Heavy-duty radiator with dual 160-watt fans
• Heavy-duty power-steering fluid cooler
• Heavy-duty automatic transmission fluid cooler
• Power-assisted ventilated front disc/solid rear disc brakes
 
The Ridgeline has an ultra-rigid unit body that’s reinforced with an integrated closed-boxed frame. This tow-friendly approach gives the Ridgeline extraordinary torsional rigidity.
 


Posted By: mustangcamper
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 8:33pm
I have a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V6, towing capacity of 3500. I plan on getting the sway bar also. I am interested in getting the 175. Anybody out there tow with a similar vehicle and have any good info to offer? I do live near mountains and plan to camp there lots. Thanks.

Sharon


Posted By: AllGood
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 10:28am
We have a Nissan Pathfinder with 265 HP and a tow capacity of 6500 it handles our 172 just fine.  I would highly recommend the sway control, I have found it make a huge difference and its a cheap addition, I installed mine by myself in about a half hour, total cost for sway control and hitch adapter about $70.  As for gas mileage we get 22mpg without the trailer and 12mpg with.  As for speed I did about 70mph all the way accross Minnesota and South Dakota with no problem. 
I have found the AC will freeze you out if you have it set below 70 and the heater works so well we had to open the windows while it was snowing outside.
 
Good luck


-------------
R-Pod 172 2010
2010 Nissan Pathfinder


Posted By: rrpdrs
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 10:30am
We are newbies also.  Is a Blazer with Vortec v6 going to be satisfactory as a tow vehicle?  Don't want to blow the transmission on the first time out.  Please advise.  Dealing on a 177.  Love it, but want to make sure the tow capacity is right on the Blazer.  Thanks for any input!  New   pdrs. 


Posted By: brownd
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 2:06pm

I purchased my R Pod 171 3 weeks ago. Overall I am very happy with everything except the mileage I get towing it. Before the Rpod I had a Jayco popup and got 17-18 mpg. Towing nothing I easily get 22 mpg. Due to the specs of the R.Pod, I figured I would get maybe at the worst 15. Actual mileage on 2 trips in areas of some but not a lot of hills was 11-12 mpg. My vehicle is a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee with trailer tow package and the 3.7 liter six. I did as the car manual said and auto shifted into 4th instead of drive to ensure that the overdrive did not try to kick in. The car stayed in 3rd almost the entire trip, would not shift into 4th except on dead level pavement with no wind or downhill and my RPMs were 2800 at 55 mph.

The Jeep is rated to pull 3500 pounds on a trailer with a frontal area of 40 sq ft. The R.Pod is well under the 3500 pounds with my added gear and options and according to Forest River the frontal area is between 12 and 25 sq ft. I have read all of the miles per gallon posts on this site and the R.Pod user group site and most six cylinder engines are getting about the same as me. The most interesting posts were the ones that seemed to show through computer simulation that there may be quite a vacuum forming behind the Pod that really hurts performance and mileage.

My questions are as follows:

Has anyone actually used air deflectors or foils on their vehicle or on the R.Pod and if so, did they help performance or mileage?

Has anyone successfully tried any other devices or techniques to improve performance or mileage?

Thanks



-------------
Dave


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 2:34pm
Slowing down is one proven theory, and weight another.
I have noticed via posts and towing a few thousand mile myself that the 6cyl are getting the widest difference in MPG between towing and not towing. 8cyl have a much smaller difference.
Of course weather/road conditions, and ones driving style will effect mileage too.


Posted By: R&T's Pod
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 2:53pm
I have noticed with my set up the biggest factor affecting my gas mileage is my right foot!!  If I drive a steady 65 mph on the interstate, fuel mileage is 10-11, if I ease off to a steady 60 mph, fuel  mileage is 12-13.  Rob

-------------
2010 R-Pod 175 2007 F-150 Super Cab http://www.rtspod.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow - R&T's Podding Blog



Posted By: ss76
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 8:16pm
My wife and I have been looking at the 171, 172, and172T. We are planning on pulling with our 2007 Colorado. Anyone tow there unit with a Colorado?

-------------
2007 Chevy Colorado


Posted By: gmandual
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 9:28pm
 


Posted By: ss76
Date Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 10:13pm
Thanks Gman. We have the 3.7L. I dont have the Z71 package or towing package. I am lucky enough to have been an RV tech for a few years and understand RV towing. I have pulled more weight with this truck than I did with my 1/2 ton. But an RV is different towing. Thanks for the input, Garland.

-------------
2007 Chevy Colorado


Posted By: Neil57
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 12:05am
We have a 177 that we tow with a Jeep Grand Cherokee.  The Cherokee has the 5.7 liter Hemi so it tows the Pod just fine.  Our first trip from Idaho to Minnesota was a little hair raising when the Pod swayed several times.  The first time was in a thunderstorm with wet pavement and high winds.  I added a sway bar and haven't had any problems since.  I don't think I'll try to tow without a sway bar again.  I also added a lift on the Pod since it was sitting too low in the back when towed.  This helped to level out the trailer with the TV.

-------------
Neil & Mary - RP 175 - Jeep Grand Cherokee


Posted By: Neil57
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 12:06am
Sorry 175 Pod, fat fingers.

-------------
Neil & Mary - RP 175 - Jeep Grand Cherokee


Posted By: Tamms
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2010 at 7:00am
We will be towing our 174 with an '07 Dodge Ram 1500 w/towing pkg  (4.7 L, V8). We have only towed it 50 mi but so far, so good. We were told that we will probably only need to use the towing function when we are going through mountains (hopefully).

-------------
Tammy, Robert, and Linus the morkie (Two & a Half Nerds)
'10 RP-174 (Nerd Pod)
'07 Dodge Ram 1500 quadcab


Posted By: jem
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2010 at 10:06am
     I pull a 172 with a dodge Nitro 3.7l.  my Nitro is based on an extended Jeep Liberty frame.  I tow at 60 mph in tow mode at about 2700 rpm.  I have a single friction style sway bar.  This works well up to 65mph, when no trucks are around.  At 60mph it is much more stable around trucks.
     Let's talk tires.  I replaced the Goodyear Wrangler OEM with 6 ply light truck tires. After some research I became uncomfortable with the OEM's due to the added weight. Tire pressure is critical for sway control.  I run 65 psi for towing and 50 psi everyday, as recommended by Uniroyal.  I'm thinking of adding air bags to the rear springs to prevent bottoming out on harsh bumps.
     MPG Sucks : 11mpg  Range Aprox. 180 miles  So far I have limited my trips to 250 mile from home, I don't like the high RPMS on the V6.  I will most likely use my dad's GMC 2500 diesel.  It will get 17MPG and won't even know that TREK-Pod is attached.


-------------





Posted By: argh6
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2010 at 7:57pm
Originally posted by PodPatrol PodPatrol wrote:

I visited the Honda Ridgeline forum and read up on its towing situation. Honda does not recommend the WDH, and as mentioned before, it could be due to the Uni-body construction.
Our "set-up" is very level, and we experienced little to no sway during our return to Illinois from Ohio.
(We hit alot of rain from Indiana to Illinois). In certain situations it did sway alittle, but that was during worse case senerios, such as being passed by two Semis while crossing an over-pass in a rain storm. (wind currents everywhere). Otherwise it handled very well, just under-powered abit for my taste. 
 
STANDARD TOWING FEATURES:
• Integrated closed-box frame with unit-body construction
• Integrated class III trailer hitch
• 5,000-lb. towing capacity[Premium fuel fuel recommended when towing]
• Trailer harness (RTS and RTL; RT is pre-wired for a trailer harness)
• Pre-wired for trailer brake controller
• Heavy-duty radiator with dual 160-watt fans
• Heavy-duty power-steering fluid cooler
• Heavy-duty automatic transmission fluid cooler
• Power-assisted ventilated front disc/solid rear disc brakes
 
The Ridgeline has an ultra-rigid unit body that’s reinforced with an integrated closed-boxed frame. This tow-friendly approach gives the Ridgeline extraordinary torsional rigidity.
 
 
I am slightly biased as I have only owned Honda vehicles my entire life, but I have found Honda's to be excellent vehicles built to last whatever they are being used for.  When we were researching TT's, I investigated our MDX's towing capacity and looked for all relevant information possible.  I stumbled across this on the official HONDA website and found it interesting...
 
Originally posted by HONDA.com HONDA.com wrote:

TOWING

The ability to haul pop-up campers, medium-sized boats, and recreational vehicle trailers is high on the priority list for many SUV owners. To understand this aspect of the MDX's makeup, MDX engineers polled focus groups and studied survey results that tapped 200,000 households. Their findings offered the insights needed to properly outfit the MDX to surpass the towing expectations of most customers. Engineers learned that roughly one third of the six-cylinder-powered-SUV owners expect to tow something at one time or another. In addition, 18-percent tow more than four times per year. Approximately 10 percent of the miles accumulated on six-cylinder SUVs are with a trailer in tow.

Another notable discovery was that many customers aren't particularly knowledgeable about towing technicalities. Terms like "gross axle weight" may be germane to the engineering process but such language can leave average customers in a state of bewilderment. This realization convinced engineers that customers' interests are best served by load ratings that are both realistic and easy to comprehend. Ultimately, the engineers concluded that a casual or weekend towing capability was most appropriate for MDX. Customer feedback helped set the towing limit at 4500 pounds.

Industry practice is to boast a high maximum tow rating, even though some sacrifice of passengers and cargo may be necessary to suitably accommodate such a trailer load - in some cases limiting the vehicle to one passenger to accommodate the maximum specified towing capacity. The Acura MDX's 4500-pound rating is calculated to include up to four passengers and their cargo...

Originally posted by EDMUNDS.com EDMUNDS.com wrote:

From 2001-2006, the MDX was rated to tow a max weight of 4,500 lbs. That weight also allowed for up to four passengers (600 lbs) and enough luggage for a weekend (200 lbs). Most all other manufactuers publish the towing caacity with only the driver (150 lbs) and absolutely no cargo.
 
I was plesantly suprised that Honda factors the TV's GVW into the tow rating.  Our towing experiences have all been fantastic, even on some less than perfect roads!


-------------
Jerry, Julie, Kaiti, & Abbi ~ Phoenix, AZ ~ 2010 172T ~ 2004 Acura MDX


Posted By: Weeble
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 9:22am
We tow our 176 with a 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 6 cyl, tow pkg TRD, extended cab - rated to tow 5000.   Definitely a 50% reduction in gas mileage from when we're not towing.   Same thing when we tow our boat.   
We typically tow with near empty water tanks and fill when we get closer to where ever we going, if water's not available at the site.
Hoping to upgrade to F-150 sometime in near future, but not this year.  :)

We do use a sway bar that our dealer installed at the time of sale.   We think it helps.


-------------
Weeble
"I just wanna live while I'm alive" - Bon Jovi


Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 10:38am
Originally posted by Weeble Weeble wrote:

Hoping to upgrade to F-150 sometime in near future, but not this year.  :)


I've been told to be careful if I get a F-150, (just passing on what I've been told).  If I were to get one be sure it has the heavier back end for towing and that it has a dealer towing package (whatever that includes).  

For my next TV I'm looking at a Nissan Titan.  I don't think I'll get any better gas mileage, but I think I'll be happier with the power.  As I hope to be semi retired, travel more and higher elevations. 

Generalization:

No matter what gasoline vehicle you drive the reduction is gas mileage in gong to be there.  Four and six cyl vehicles average about 50%, and 8 cyl  more in the 25% to 35% reduction range.  Either way the average seems to be 10-14 mpg.  

Diesels are a different story and I don't know enough about them.  Other then their mileage is the same with or without something in tow and fuel is more costly.  At the end of the day I don't know if it's a better deal.  Hopefully someone will gives us the 411.

For me at this point I enjoy the travel and camping experience,  and r-pod makes it possible.  

LeeClap
 



-------------
Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/


Posted By: R&T's Pod
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 11:10am
To echo Butterfly_Lee about the Ford F-150.  I've owned Ford trucks since the F-150 was the F-100 with "three on the tree" gear shifting and the amount of power steering available depended on how strong  your arms were.  Big smile  Ford tends to build the F-150 in a light duty variant (only tows about 5000 lbs)  and then more heavier duty variants (tows up to 10,000+) lbs.  Having owned both types, and currently owning the heavier duty variant, the difference is night and day in fuel mileage, towing, etc.  When looking at the F-150 for a tow vehicle, just make sure you get the heavier duty one.  Towing the r-pod is not an issue with our current truck.  Sway has not been a  problem with nearly 3000 miles of towing the r-pod behind us.  I don't use a WDH or sway control at all, but do use the Prodigy brake controller.  Fuel mileage runs in the 10-11 mpg range.  This seems to be true for up-hills, down-hills, tail-winds, cross-winds, etc.  Fuel mileage empty runs about 17 highway and 13 around town.  As you can most likely tell from the post, I am a Ford fan.  Rob

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2010 R-Pod 175 2007 F-150 Super Cab http://www.rtspod.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow - R&T's Podding Blog



Posted By: Brin
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 11:16am
We tow with a  2000 F250 diesel and it is a vast improvement over the 2002 Toyota Tacoma.  Craig was afraid of damaging the tacoma but with the 250 he doesn't even know he is towing anything.  He keeps having to look back and make sure it is there.   I think the mpg decreased by 25% but I don't think we have measured it.   Sure, the truck uses more fuel even when it is not towing, but we don't drive it too much otherwise.  The tacoma mpg's, while towing, did decrease by 50%.    We went with diesel because he liked that particular truck in that particular year and engine and got a good deal on it used.  Since he is a diesel mechanic, it is something that he can work on. 
Hopefully, this means both vehicles will last us another 20 years.

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Terri and Craig and Panzer
R-pod 175, 2009
2000 F250 XLT Extended Cab, Diesel


Posted By: Weeble
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2010 at 11:21am
Thanks Butterfly Lee and R&T's Pod for the heads-up!   We kinda knew and agree with you about getting the factory tow package - but did not know about the different Light v. Heavy duty versions available.
Appreciate those words of wisdom!



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Weeble
"I just wanna live while I'm alive" - Bon Jovi


Posted By: peachpod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2010 at 10:10pm

We're pulling our 173 R-Pod with a 2010 Toyota Tacoma.  The gas mileage stinks!  We're getting around 10-10.5 mpg .  It doesn't seem to matter if I slow down or not (I've gone 60 and 65 mph); nor does it matter if I'm on totally level ground.  I think it has to do with the air flow design flaw I've seen on the site.  The Tacoma's rated to pull 6500 pounds, so I should be getting better mileage.  IMO, I should be getting 12-13 mpg.  I've got plenty of power.  I also have the tow package.  

I use a sway control bar - 1 of them, located on the passenger side of the hitch.  It seems to do the trick.  I can feel a truck approaching  and passing, but there's no danger of getting sucked into it.  I wouldn't tow w/out it.


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Beth and Joe
2010 R-Pod 173
2010 Toyota Tacoma


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 9:23am
Originally posted by Butterfly_Lee Butterfly_Lee wrote:

Originally posted by Weeble Weeble wrote:

Hoping to upgrade to F-150 sometime in near future, but not this year.  :)


I've been told to be careful if I get a F-150, (just passing on what I've been told).  If I were to get one be sure it has the heavier back end for towing and that it has a dealer towing package (whatever that includes).  
That would be an awesome choice of truck! Be sure to get at least an '09. From '09 and up, the truck could come with factory installed brake controller, trailer sway control, and much more. This would eliminate you using a sway control or a WDH. It is also rated to tow up to 11,300 lbs with the max trailer tow package. You should go to the Ford website and watch some test videos they have on towing and such. I get between 14-16 while towing, but again I don't really care because I got the truck for towing and not complain about gas milage.
 
By the way, rebates for the F-150 could be up to $6500 for you depending on the model you get.


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2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 10:16am
Kenn  
Amazing how one changes there view on things.  I agree with you on MPG.  As I look forward to more and more road trips and what I spend on gas to get there isn't as important as getting there comfortable.  

I brought the R-pod because the price was good, and my 4cyl truck could pull it (9-12mpg depending on terrain).  Which is OK because for day to day i get over 20mpg going to work.  (Which I only plan to do another year or two).  I plan to keep my Nissan and buy maybe f150 (crew cab and enclosed back), or SUV.   So I'm going to be collecting data on all of them and then nov/dec 2011 really look for the deals, because my trip to yellowstone isn't until Spring 2012. 

Mpg won't be as important as room for child, friends and 4 legged friends and being able to enjoy traveling in this beautiful country.

LeeClap 
  


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Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/


Posted By: turncoat3
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 11:10am
a lot of great answers and suggestions to your questions.
We pull a 177 with a sport trac and class 3 hitch and get about 12 mpg at 55-60.
Not comfortable above 60 either for me or the truck. It kicks out of overdrive above 55.
Risers are almost a must from the horror stories I hear from owners I have met.
I purchased a Robbins small sway bar for lighter weights that attahces to the side of the hitch ball and the hitch bar.  It seems to work well on the interstates I have been on (about 1500 miles) 
Best wishes and good luck.  You will love the compactness and comfort.
 


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Ben & Lorrie
2010 RP177


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 12:39pm
Originally posted by peachpod peachpod wrote:

We're pulling our 173 R-Pod with a 2010 Toyota Tacoma.  The gas mileage stinks!  We're getting around 10-10.5 mpg .  It doesn't seem to matter if I slow down or not (I've gone 60 and 65 mph); nor does it matter if I'm on totally level ground.  I think it has to do with the air flow design flaw I've seen on the site.  The Tacoma's rated to pull 6500 pounds, so I should be getting better mileage.  IMO, I should be getting 12-13 mpg.  I've got plenty of power.  I also have the tow package.  

I use a sway control bar - 1 of them, located on the passenger side of the hitch.  It seems to do the trick.  I can feel a truck approaching  and passing, but there's no danger of getting sucked into it.  I wouldn't tow w/out it.
 
I know it's not much of a consolation but your big drop in gas mileage is typical. So you're not alone. If you look around at what others are experiencing, you'll see that a drop in mpg of around 50% seems to be pretty typical.
 
The speed you drive seems to be the biggest factor in improving or worsening mpg when towing. Our hybrid gets around 30 mpg at 70 mph when not towing. That's with premium fuel, Low Rolling Resistance tires, and synthetic oil driving on Interstate highways in flat terrain with no wind. When pulling the pod under the same circumstances, our mileage drops to 13-14 mpg at 55 mph and 8-9 mpg at 65 mph.
 
We've resigned ourselves to the fact that we will always get bad gas mileage when towing the Pod. It is what it is and we don't worry about it. I figure whatever extra money we spend on gasoline when we tow is more than offset by the money we save on motel and restaurant bills. And it's a nice bonus to own a tow vehicle that that can get 30 mpg when the pod is unhitched.
 
-- Steve


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Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: R&T's Pod
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 2:02pm
We have the '07 F-150 extended cab with tow package.  While it doesn't have the build in brake controller or sway control, the controller instillation is a snap, (almost plug and play) and sway really hasn't been an issue with the r-pod.  Yup gas mileage isn't the best, 10-11 when towing, but that is what I expected having driven trucks most of my adult life (ok I'll admit my first car was a 1976 Caprice Classic 4dr hard-top with a 400 cid V8. Now wouldn't that have been a tow monster.)  The trade off on the gas mileage is hands down a winner as far as we are concerned. Our own bed, our own bathroom, which happens to be where ever we are at the moment.  Not to mention a refridgerator and stove which follow us around too.  Before the r-pod we had a 8ft pop-up camper.  We put nearly 10,000 miles on it the first summer we  had it and fuel milage was 13-15 mpg.  So the drop in mileage for the r-pod wasn't as nearly as bad as I was expecting.  While the pop-up was easy to tow, it wasn't as nearly as functional while en-route as the r-pod.  The pod has been perfect for us, and we just factor in the increased fuel costs when planning for a trip.  Rob

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2010 R-Pod 175 2007 F-150 Super Cab http://www.rtspod.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow - R&T's Podding Blog



Posted By: Whiskeyjack
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 2:09pm
Many people find it difficult to accept what compromises must be made to tow a trailer. There is no perfect combination of power, stability, and operating expenses available to us. If we choose a small tow rig, we have to compromise lots in all three areas while towing. I've been there, and it takes all of the fun out of towing. If we choose a large tow rig, we get power and stability. The towing mpg may be pretty fair, but the every day operating expenses suffer. Some of the newer pickups have good everyday mpg ratings, but most full size trucks with high mpg ratings don't have a deep enough rear end to tow well in all situations. Their 5 and 6 speed transmissions do help alleviate the rear end problem some.
 
I would love to try one of the new series of Ford towing engines that are arriving soon. They sound like they're really gonna be some kinda tow engines. Unfortunately for me, my last new truck was bought in the past. The best tow rig I've ever had? It was a '78 F250 with a granny gear. I didn't have to compromise on operating expenses back then. Gas was cheap!
 
My current compromise is an '06 Toyota Tacoma V/6--very decent towing the 175, fair towing mpg (10-13 mpg) and good daily economy (18-23 mpg).   


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33 years in the classroom was enough. I miss kids, coaching, and some of the adults. Grading papers? Forget it!


Posted By: psaman
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 2:30pm
Perhaps, just a thought, might we do a survey to see how everyone pulls their POD? For example, with WDH, swaybar or none of the above. Might be interesting. I did a search, but could not find where it had been done before.

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2011 RP177 "Sponge Pod"
2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition"
P2 Brake Controller


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 7:06pm

Straight up with the truck and sway bar with the SUV.

On a side note: I ride a motorcycle to work...cheap - $12/fill-up/week. The wife drives the car and the truck is garage kept for towing.


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2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP



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