Diving in to travel trailers with a 179

Hello from glorious Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

My wife and I are less-frequent-than-we'd-like-to-be tent and portage campers. We're just not built/up to it as much anymore, but do like to travel.

About 2 years ago we selected our latest vehicle (Audi Q5 TDI) with the hope of one day getting a trailer. That day was yesterday. (Well, yesterday we put down the deposit on a 2015 179; it was on the lot, in the colour we liked, had all the options she wanted [and I didn't], so it was a done deal).

The tow package is being installed by the Audi dealer next week, and we'll probably do PDI and take delivery of the trailer early May. A Tekonsha 90250 Prodigy RF Electronic Brake Control is on the way to help make things stop :)

I have no experience with trailers. I'm not particularly looking forward to driving it. I've got a hunch we'll probably want a weight distribution/anti-sway thingy before we go cross-country, but I figure we'll make it through the first few in-province trips without issue.

This site has been a great resource (and also great for buyers remorse, reading about all the issues/shortcomings of the product line, but that's true for every consumer forum). One thing I haven't seen in terms of a checklist yet is a "beginners guide" for things to buy. Would rather get advice here than from the dealer so I can get the essentials online in advance. E.g. is it going to come with chalks?

Another quick question: We're browsing parks/sites to plan our summer. Some of the sites fit for an 18' trailer don't really seem to be feasible, e.g. if you back in, you're going to have the door on the wrong side. I've seen a picture or two of people setup on site here where it looks almost like they hand-positioned the trailer. Is that feasible?

Thanks! Dan and Anik.

Welcome.  You must be very careful when moving a trailer by hand.  The surface needs to be perfectly level or it will quickly get away from you.

Dan, we are from Ottawa, congrats and welcome you'll love this forum. We went from tent/canoeing to podding/canoeing. Also first time travel trailer. I know where your coming from. Don't use the 4 stablerizers to level the pod, these are only for keeping the trailer from rocking. We started with the lego blocks for leveling, and this year I have bought the BAL leveler, some folks use the Anderson leveling system. Go online, ask here or the facebook page what folks use and the pros and cons then decide for yourself, that's what I did.
Also there is a FROG rally at Ferris Prov park near Cambellford On. Check it out and come visit us. David Wray is hosting you can get in touch with him. Most of the pods are in the valleyview campground, but there are 2 of us in the bedrock campground.. come visit. :)

Originally posted by ron_whitt Don't use the 4 stablerizers to level the pod, these are only for keeping the trailer from rocking. We started with the lego blocks for leveling, and this year I have bought the BAL leveler, some folks use the Anderson leveling system.

Ah, because if you're using the stabilizers to level you're just compressing the axel springs. Which probably isn't good. Thanks, I'll look into this, and the rally!

Hello DataSquid,

As Ron mentioned, we are having a FROG Rendez-vous at Ferris Prov. Pk. nr. Brighton ON from June 4-7th. It's a relatively easy and shortish drive from Waterloo and would be a great opportunity for you to meet other R-Podders and other Forest River Owners. Of the 43 campsites about 14 are filled by R-Podders.

If you hurry, you should be able to snag an electrical site #12 which just became free and which is for "under 25 ft" trailers. That's why some of the bigger RVs on the waiting list have been unable to book it.

I think that you will find that the back-in sites at campgrounds actually are properly oriented for your door. It's usually the drive-through sites that cause difficulty when you pull in from the wrong direction.

Hope to meet you in June. For more information check out the Events/Campout page or email me at rpod@wray-canada.com]

Cheers and welcome,

David