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Sway control bar |
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Islandranger ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Sep 2024 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Hey there, I am in the market for a friction sway control bar for my 2014 rPod177. TV is a 2018 Chevy Colorado. Looking for a bolt on adapter so I do not have to drill into the frame. I've only seen them for 2-3" frames not the 4-in frame that I have. Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks Paul |
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Islandranger
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6417 |
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Why a sway bar and not a sway-control hitch like the Equal-i-zer, the Progress E2, or the Andersen No-Sway? With those, you can back up without having to get out and release the tension like you would need to do with a friction sway control bar. That or risk bending things if you forget. The additional cost of a proper sway control hitch is worth it in my opinion, especially for a Colorado which would benefit from the weight distribution of one of the above hitches also.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Islandranger ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Sep 2024 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Thanks for the reply. Based on what I've read, I thought a sway bar was really all I needed and that a weight distribution hitch was nice to have but more than I really needed. I can appreciate the convenience of not having to release the tension on a sway bar with the upgrade to a sway control hitch. Also need to consider the additional cost.
Thanks I appreciate your comments. |
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Islandranger
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StephenH ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6417 |
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Am I correct in thinking you just purchased this RPod? When you get it fully loaded, make sure that 10-15% of the total weight is tongue weight for stability. If you can easily lift the front end, then it is likely too light and will be prone to sway. There is a Youtube video from U-Haul that demonstrates this. The dry weight can give you an approximation, but once you get the trailer ready for travel with everything needed, you need to confirm the weight and make sure you have the right amount of tongue weight.
You could go with electronic sway control, but that would be as expensive as a weight distribution/sway control hitch. Curt True Course or Tuson Sway Control are two such devices. Hayes Sway-Master can be found on ebay for less, but it is apparently discontinued as I couldn't find reference to it in a search except for there. That is what I have in addition to the Equal-i-zer hitch. (belt and suspenders approach)
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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GlueGuy ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2702 |
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+1
Highly recommend getting a weight distribution hitch (AKA "WDH"). We have towed with and without it with our RP179 and F150, and the WDH makes a massive difference for the better.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
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Islandranger ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Sep 2024 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Purchased it last year and made a few trips without any sway control.It did ok but did notice a bit of sway. Would definitely want some support. Just trying to figure out a safe yet most economical way. trying not to have to drill into the frame.
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Islandranger
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gpokluda ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: NM Online Status: Offline Posts: 393 |
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I also highly recommend a weight distribution hitch with built in sway control. We used the Fastway E2 on our Rpod. We started off with a sway control bar, but after one trip, decided a WDH would be better and safer.
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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650 |
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mjlrpod ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1221 |
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I am also on the WDH bandwagon. I don't think it's a good idea to maybe consider it. I think there no doubt about it, you need a WDH. Do it right the first time.
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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
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jato ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3325 |
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Looking at this from the other side of the fence: Having towed our 177 fully loaded with 36 gallons of water (tank behind axle) - weight is 2940 lbs. Have towed over 51,000 miles over the past 14 years in all sorts of weather: blizzards, heavy snow, sleet, hail, heavy rainstorms with cross-winds in excess of 20 mph and flooded roads with no issues. Tow vehicles over the years have included: '08 and '13 front wheel drive Explorer's for 8 years and '94, '11, and '17 F-150's for the past 4 years - no issues with any of these vehicles using a simple $40 Curt friction bar. I believe the clincher as to why no issues is this: keeping the weight on the a-frame at least 10% or more of the total weight of the loaded trailer. I keep an a-frame scale handy and we are usually within a few pounds of 340 which is nearly 12% of total trailer weight. My case rests.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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Islandranger ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 07 Sep 2024 Location: Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Thanks for your comments.
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Islandranger
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