Weight distribution and sway control

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   Hi all...our new 2017 Rpod 176t has arrived at the dealership!  WooHoo!  We have a 2102 Nissan Armada and do not want to take any chances, so we are planning to have a weight destruction and sway control installed (want to be as safe as possible and have an enjoyable towing experience) 
That said, we are newbies and we're hoping someone could give us some advice as to brand/type (we'd prefer the all in one, no chains) and idea on cost.  We are waiting on the dealer for a quote, but we swung into an RV repair place the other day and they quoted us $1000.  Thought that was high. Any help or advice welcomed!

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Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Topic: Weight distribution and sway control Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 9:57am
	Hi all...our new 2017 Rpod 176t has arrived at the dealership! WooHoo! We have a 2102 Nissan Armada and do not want to take any chances, so we are planning to have a weight destruction and sway control installed (want to be as safe as possible and have an enjoyable towing experience) That said, we are newbies and we're hoping someone could give us some advice as to brand/type (we'd prefer the all in one, no chains) and idea on cost. We are waiting on the dealer for a quote, but we swung into an RV repair place the other day and they quoted us $1000. Thought that was high. Any help or advice welcomed!

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: 14 Apr 2016 at 10:20am
	Looks like you're going about it in the right way. The Armada should be an excellent TV with the V8. Good combo. I recommend the E2 600/6000 WDH from Fastway. http://www.amazon.com/Fastway-94-00-0600-Round-Weight-Distribution/dp/B0071L3H2E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1460642925&sr=8-4&keywords=e2+hitch $268 from Amazon, Etrailer, etc. Combined WD and sway control. Easy to install, but you MUST read and understand the instructions. A knowledgeable and competent dealer can aid in this, but such are few and far between. A bad dealer can do lots of harm as I found out. $1000 is way out of line if your Armada is already wired for trailer towing. Be sure to add a brake controller such as the Tekonsha P3. BTW, please post pix of the 2102 Armada. Way in the future..
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 11:56am
	Thanks Charlie! Will figure out how to post pics and do that. My husband is installing the Tekonsha brake controller as we speak. Our dealer only has the Reese weight distribution and sway bar in stock. I believe it is the one with chains, which we were hoping not to have...I think I read those need to be unhitched before backing up, where the E2 system does not? Wondering if they will just do the install if we purchase and provide them with our E2? Will have to call and ask...

furpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 12:30pm
	We have the Reese 600/6000, we have never unhooked or disconnected to back up, and we have done some pretty serious backing/turning in many of the small parks we frequent. We don't use sway control, but if you have that and it's stand alone/friction, it WILL need to be disconnected to back in, takes 5 seconds.

Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 1:35pm
	Guess I should have caught the 2102 vs 2012 Armada typo 😂 Thanks Furpod! It's a Reese Pro Series combo with weight distribution and sway control. If it's not a big deal to unlock the sway control bars than we might just go with it. I did see it was for tongue weights of 750-1000 which is far more than we need. Not sure if more is better or dangerous? Not feeling 100% confident in our dealer..seems they are looking to sell what is in stock, not what might be best for us. I like the Fastway E2, but not sure how safe it is to leave the dealership without the weight distribution/sway bar...husband says we are fine and can have the Fastaway e2 installed elsewhere if that is the one we want.

johnmaci Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 2:55pm
	If you are just picking it up empty, and are not travelling several hours back home, IMHO you should be fine w/o the WDH or sway control; Just keep to the speed limit or a bit below. You will want it when you are laden with gear, food, water, and closer to the tongue weight limit. Even with the WDH and sway control, it is also advisable to travel with as little fresh water in the tank as possible, and fill closer to your destination. Water weighs a little over 8 lbs. a gallon, and likes to slosh around :(

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 3:00pm
	Count me as another vote for the Fastway E2. If you are at all handy with tools, it really isn't that bad to install. Many here have done it (myself included). You'll want the 600/6000, round bar or trunnion - your choice. Take the $700 you save and buy goodies for your Pod and/or camping fees! I agree that you should be OK taking it home without the WD hitch. When I had my Pod, I never used one.

Espo05 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2016 Location: CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 14 Apr 2016 at 4:28pm
	Many thanks to all of you! We were able to get the dealer to order the Fastway E2 hitch for us and they will install while we do our paperwork.