sway control and weight distribution

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tomfrech

Newbie

Joined: 12 Jul 2016
Location: IL - Illinois
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Posts: 9

Topic: sway control and weight distribution
Posted: 20 Jul 2016 at 2:46pm

Glad we purchased it also.

Tom

CharlieM

Senior Member

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797

Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 8:26pm

Tom,

Smart move. Better safe and you'll never be sorry. I always recommend the E2 or Equal-i-zer type hitch that combines WD and sway control.

Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

tomfrech

Newbie

Joined: 12 Jul 2016
Location: IL - Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 6:19pm

Thanks for all the information. Since we have never pulled a trailer we decided to go ahead and get the sway control and leveling control. Maybe it's overkill but the pod pulled fine.

Tom

Jazz trumpet View Drop Down

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Joined: 28 Jun 2016
Location: Hobart, IN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 55

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 8:24pm

This year I just bought a brand new r-pod 180. I decided to wait until I towed my camper without the sway control. I have a Suburban 1500 and it pulled just fine. You'd be surprised how easily it tows.

I'm not buying a sway bar at all

John and Marilyn
2016 Rpod 180
2001 Chevrolet Suburban

Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 1:45pm

Welcome to the group!

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Guests

Guest Group

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 12:55pm

Welcome to the forum!

You can try it without one and see what you think. Opinions are varied on the subject. I have the Fastway E2 and am pleased with it. While not super concerned with sway issues, tongue weight adds up quickly. With the E2, you get both and it can be had for about $300 on the internet (self install).

Mountainrev View Drop Down

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Joined: 22 Jul 2014
Location: Eagle, Colorado
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Posts: 193

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 12:16pm

I tow with a previous generation Grand Cherokee (WK), which has a slightly shorter wheelbase than your WK2 Grand Cherokee. Yours is also slightly heavier. Therefore, your Grand Cherokee should be as capable or more capable than mine. Which engine do you have? The 4.7 V-8 will do the job. The Hemi would be even better.

As far as WDH and/or anti-sway, I am towing with just a friction anti-sway bar, rather than a WDH. After towing about 3,000 miles a couple of months ago (towing through the Rockies as well as across windy plains), I can't say that I feel the need for WDH. Those who use them say once you get one, you'll never look back. But in my experience, it would be an overstatement to say that you will need WDH. I'm content without it. My Jeep (with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine) handle's the R-pod quite well.

Good luck!

2014 177
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel

"I lift my eyes to the hills."

TheBum

Senior Member

Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1407

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 11:40am

Welcome to the forum!

The Grand Cherokee is designed as a touring vehicle mostly, so the suspension isn't as stiff as on a vehicle designed for heavy hauling. It'll do a fine job pulling an R-Pod, but you will likely need both a WDH and a sway bar.

Whether it's an all-in-one unit like a Fastway E2 or a separate chain-style WDH and friction sway bar is your choice. The one thing the separate sway bar gives you is adjustability of sway control, but it's also one extra thing to set up and won't handle sharp angles when backing up.

tomfrech

Newbie

Joined: 12 Jul 2016
Location: IL - Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 9:20am

This is my first time on the forum so I hope I am doing this right.

We are almost at the point of buying a new rpod and have several, no many questions.

Q1 We will be pulling the pod with a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an aftermarket tow package. Will we need weight distribution equipment and a sway bar on the unit?

Tom

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tomfrech Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Location: IL - Illinois Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Topic: sway control and weight distribution Posted: 20 Jul 2016 at 2:46pm
	Glad we purchased it also.
	Tom

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 8:26pm
	Tom, Smart move. Better safe and you'll never be sorry. I always recommend the E2 or Equal-i-zer type hitch that combines WD and sway control.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

tomfrech Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Location: IL - Illinois Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 17 Jul 2016 at 6:19pm
	Thanks for all the information. Since we have never pulled a trailer we decided to go ahead and get the sway control and leveling control. Maybe it's overkill but the pod pulled fine.
	Tom

Jazz trumpet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 28 Jun 2016 Location: Hobart, IN Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 8:24pm
	This year I just bought a brand new r-pod 180. I decided to wait until I towed my camper without the sway control. I have a Suburban 1500 and it pulled just fine. You'd be surprised how easily it tows. I'm not buying a sway bar at all
	John and Marilyn 2016 Rpod 180 2001 Chevrolet Suburban

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 1:45pm
	Welcome to the group!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 12:55pm
	Welcome to the forum! You can try it without one and see what you think. Opinions are varied on the subject. I have the Fastway E2 and am pleased with it. While not super concerned with sway issues, tongue weight adds up quickly. With the E2, you get both and it can be had for about $300 on the internet (self install).

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 12:16pm
	I tow with a previous generation Grand Cherokee (WK), which has a slightly shorter wheelbase than your WK2 Grand Cherokee. Yours is also slightly heavier. Therefore, your Grand Cherokee should be as capable or more capable than mine. Which engine do you have? The 4.7 V-8 will do the job. The Hemi would be even better. As far as WDH and/or anti-sway, I am towing with just a friction anti-sway bar, rather than a WDH. After towing about 3,000 miles a couple of months ago (towing through the Rockies as well as across windy plains), I can't say that I feel the need for WDH. Those who use them say once you get one, you'll never look back. But in my experience, it would be an overstatement to say that you will need WDH. I'm content without it. My Jeep (with a Mercedes Benz diesel engine) handle's the R-pod quite well. Good luck!
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 11:40am
	Welcome to the forum! The Grand Cherokee is designed as a touring vehicle mostly, so the suspension isn't as stiff as on a vehicle designed for heavy hauling. It'll do a fine job pulling an R-Pod, but you will likely need both a WDH and a sway bar. Whether it's an all-in-one unit like a Fastway E2 or a separate chain-style WDH and friction sway bar is your choice. The one thing the separate sway bar gives you is adjustability of sway control, but it's also one extra thing to set up and won't handle sharp angles when backing up.

tomfrech Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Jul 2016 Location: IL - Illinois Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 13 Jul 2016 at 9:20am
	This is my first time on the forum so I hope I am doing this right. We are almost at the point of buying a new rpod and have several, no many questions. Q1 We will be pulling the pod with a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an aftermarket tow package. Will we need weight distribution equipment and a sway bar on the unit?
	Tom