Author |
Share Topic Topic Search Topic Options
|
PFinney
Newbie
Joined: 17 Jun 2019
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
Topic: New Member Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 9:44am |
Hi all.New to forum.I have been researching the R Pod for several mo.now.Recently visited Couch's RV.I got a quote on a 178 of $16.1.Question is can I tow this with a chevy Equinox-v6 witth tow capacity of 3500 lbs? Wt.of 178 is 2603.Hitch wt.165.My husband and I have never towed before so I am seeking advice? Couch's will use blu ox wt.dist.hitch.
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 10:50am |
Welcome!
Hitch weight empty of the 178 is 268 lbs. You never want to tow with a hitch weight less than 10% of the total trailer weight, that can result in sway.
The problem you're facing is that that unloaded trailer weight of 2600 lbs is very misleading to new owners. That number includes no options, batteries, water, gear, or supplies. In reality you will be very near, at, or over 3500 lbs once you load that trailer. And over 350 on the tongue weight.
On the tow vehicle side, the 3500 lb rating generally assumes nothing in the vehicle except one skinny driver.
So, can you do it with your Equinox? Most folks would probably say not safely, and that you should have a minimum 5000 lb tow rated vehicle to tow an rPod. That would be my recommendation.
There is another thread active on the forum right now you can read for more detail. Topic is dry weight.
Good luck!
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 11:21am |
Welcome, and Wow...16 dollars is a better deal than I got!
Yeah a vehicle with a 3500 pound tow rating is not recommended, and could be unsafe. You need a smaller trailer or a larger tow vehicle.
Hitch weight on these trailers with propane, battery, and a lot of your stuff in the front of the trailer brings the tongue weight up around 350 to 500 pounds or so.
Total loaded weight ready-to-roll will be around 3000-3500 pounds, leaving you with no room for error.
|
r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
|
|
PFinney
Newbie
Joined: 17 Jun 2019
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 11:50am |
Thanks for the info.I knew this was the place to come to for realistic answers.We have a silverado.It is older but I know we can tow with it.
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 11:54am |
If you like SUV's, with such a great deal on your rPod, why not trade your Equinox "compact" SUV for a "midsize" SUV like the Traverse/Highlander/Santa Fe/Explorer?
Get something with factory tow package with a min 5000 lb trailer/500 tongue rating, AWD (NOT FWD), and at least an 18-20 gal fuel tank so you're not having to stop to refuel every 100 miles. You will be getting 13-14 mpg no matter what you're towing the trailer with.
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
PFinney
Newbie
Joined: 17 Jun 2019
Location: Ohio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 12:19pm |
Figure I will use the silverado.Won't part with the Equinox.Might step up to 179 or 180 r pod if I use the truck.Still checking out options.R pod offers so much in a small package.This forum is great.I have been following it for a while.I am in ohio so not many options for r pods.They leave the lots quickly.
|
|
offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5290
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 1:13pm |
The difference in weight between the bigger rpods is not that significant, so get what you like. Except the 195, that is a much larger trailer.
|
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
|
podwerkz
Senior Member
Joined: 11 Mar 2019
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 966
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 1:44pm |
The Silverado should have no problem pulling (and stopping) the r-pod, and of course the assumption is made that you have a brake controller in that pickup.
Also, after you take delivery, take the trailer on a short trip for two or three days at a local campground, and check out everything, make sure it all works, figure out what you need and don't need.
Then you will be much more comfortable and prepared when you take a longer trip for a week or two.
|
r・pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
|
|
lostagain
Senior Member
Joined: 06 Sep 2016
Location: Quaker Hill, CT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2588
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 4:54pm |
Welcome to the forum and best of luck with your new purchase.
|
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
|
|
GlueGuy
Senior Member
Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2631
|
Posted: 18 Jun 2019 at 6:00pm |
+1 (or 2). Offgrid & Podwerks are spot on with the vehicle capability. 5000 lbs is a good starting point for all of the larger R-pods (excepting the 195; it will need a little more).
|
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
|
|