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Topic ClosedNew Tow Vehicle
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New Tow Vehicle
    Posted: 28 May 2013 at 6:10pm
Jackpod,

Which engine did you get in the Pathfinder?
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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JACKPOD View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Feb 2013
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 May 2013 at 6:39pm
Charlie - it's a 3.6L 260 hp, V-6.
Pam and Jack
Abby the Bichon
RP 176 towed with 2013
Nissan Pathfinder
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2013 at 7:51am
Originally posted by Anthony Valenzano

Can you define a long wheel base?  The r-pod is short is compared to a lot of 30' trailers, and a F-150 or Suburban is fine for those, so if an F-150 is fine for a 30' TT, what does the wheel base need to be for a r-pod?  I can see a RAV4 or wrangler being on the too short side.
 
Hard to say what number is the cutoff between short and long, but most truck chassis come in short and long versions.  The longer the wheelbase the more stability you get when towing, because the trailer is less able to push the TV around.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2013 at 9:03am
One thing that contributes to sway with the Rpod is that it is a short single axle trailer. The trailer rotates on the axle with little resistance. With a tandom axle trailer there is some rotational resistance caused by the fact that the wheels follow different arcs creating reistance to turning. Thats why an F150 can tow a 30 footer but will get sway with an Rpod. The distance that the trailer wheels are from the TV also makes a difference. It's all geometry and physics. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2013 at 11:28am
    I was told if the trailer is able to rock from side to side that could lead to sway. That is a good reason to have tires designed for trailers with stiffer sidewalls. And the RPods having the wheels on the outside helps in keeping it stable from rocking.    David
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2013 at 10:17pm
Which is also why the pod's tires should be filled to their max sidewall rating.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Colorado Travler View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2013 at 11:03am
We just towed our new 178 over 1800 miles including Colorado mountain passes at 45 mph and long stretches of interstate at 65 to 70 mph. Although the 6 cylinder Wrangler has a towing capacity of 3500, it is slightly under powered unless shifting often (we have a 6 speed manual) but with a stabilizer/anti sway hitch all is good. It certainly tracks well, even in high wind conditions. We do intend to add the axle riser to get another 3 inches of clearance to help in steeper campsites.  
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2013 at 12:39pm
Welcome.  You can definitely see the extra length of the 178 in your shot. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2013 at 12:49pm
I like the idea of the storage front and rear with outside hatches. How is that working for you?
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
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Colorado Travler View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Sep 2013 at 1:36pm
There is a bit more room under the R Pod than I expected and it is very cool to have access from both sides in the rear and the door side in the front as well as from under the front seats inside. I actually opened the front inside access hinged panels under the side seats, removed them and cut off about 1.25 inches on the side toward the front cushion. I then placed in an additional wooden cross brace for the support under the cut off portion and replaced the panels. It made it easy to open the side seat panels while the front one is still in place and not scrape against the front cushion. 
Colorado Travler
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