Rookie nerves

This is for first time trailer haulers. When you get out on the highways and things don't feel comfortable when you're towing, be sure to take your Pod to the dealer and have things checked out. I have gone on 6 trips around my area, and with each trip I experienced a few "white knuckle" moments when I felt like I was fighting with my trailer, especially when it was windy. I thought it was just my inexperience, and figured I was just being a baby about towing, as I have equalizer bars on my trailer. I've never gone over 85-90kms an hour while traveling, because there was too much movement from my trailer. My last trip was the point where I thought "Ok, something has to change, this isn't right." I wondered if towing wasn't for me, and if I would have to get rid of my RPod and get a motorhome. When I took into my dealer here in Kamloops (South Thompson RV) I gave them the keys and told them to take it out. They returned very shortly, and informed my that there was something wrong, that was NOT what towing should feel like, and why had I not come to them sooner. I was in big trouble with them. I explained I didn't know something was wrong, I thought it was my problem, not the trailer. Needless to say, they spent quite a bit of time adjusting the ball and equalizer bars, and after a few more test drives added a sway bar. Things seem better now, and I'll be trying it out again in a couple of weeks. So please don't hesitate to go in and have things checked if it seems like something isn't right, you don't want to be an accident waiting to happen like I was!!

Makes me wonder if the axle wasn't installed correctly.  Slim chance but something is wrong some where.  What are you towing with?

Terry

  A longer wheel base does help as does having a TV that is a little heavier than the Escape.  Goose

For a year and a half I towed my pod with a Toyota Sienna (short wheelbase), and I pulled a much heavier popup for years before that.  My popup absolutely required sway control and I still had white knuckles all the time.  As I mentioned above, I didn't use anything at all during that year and a half.  Like Terry I think something else is going on.  Did you often tow with the water tank full?  Make sure your pod's tires were inflated to their maximum sidewall pressure?  Same with your truck's tires while towing (personally I leave mine several pounds lower for ride comfort, but only a few)?  Did you load a bunch of stuff in the front of the pod - or in the rear?

Wow, lots to know and think about! Yes, sometimes I traveled with full water because we were going somewhere in the bush so no hookups available. I've been really conscious about weight so I don't load too much in either the trailer or my suv. I haven't checked the tire pressure on the trailer ever, I'll have to see if the recommended pressure is written down somewhere. My SUV is rated for 3500 lbs, and the dry weight of the pod was 2410, so I thought I would be ok. I know a full water tank would add 250lbs, and that's why I try and not add a lot of weight, cause I don't have much wiggle room. Puts getting a generator out of the question I think.