R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Introduce Yourself
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: prospective 178 owner
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic Closedprospective 178 owner
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Streamr View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 30 Apr 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: prospective 178 owner
    Posted: 01 May 2016 at 9:01am
Hello R-pod owners. I am close to buying a new 178, and have a towing question. The 178 is shown as having a hitch weight of 257Lbs, plus batteries and two propane tanks (I will dealer option for an additional propane tank and battery)which should increase the hitch weight into the 360lbs range. Have any 178 owners found that the hitch weight becomes to light when the fresh water tank is full and the rear pass through storage is utilized. I an concerned about poor towing characteristics caused by to much weight behind the axle, and not enough on the hitch.

Thank you

Streamr

Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3331 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2016 at 5:07pm
We have owned a 177 since March 2011.  The tongue weight of the 177 is 12 lbs. less than the 178 you are looking at.  We also carry 2 12V deep cycle marine batteries since we often camp where no electricity is available and 2 20# propane tanks.  We nearly always leave with a full 30 gallon tank of our well water as we are fussy about the water we drink.  No problems towing although we do use a anti-sway bar, wouldn't travel w/o it.  And yes, the rear pass through storage area is well packed, so shouldn't be much different from the scenario you present.  It will be important, however, that you purchase the right bar for your towing ball so on the level, the pod will slightly point nose down when hitched to your towing vehicle.
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."
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2016 at 5:54pm
Welcome!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 6:52am

Welcome to the forum !
Back to Top
Cordon View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 01 May 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 11:22am
Thanks for advising. How and where does an RPodder wannabe like myself get the "right bar"? 
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 11:32am
Cordon Welcome to the group!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
DavidW View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jun 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 129 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 12:26pm
Welcome! We have a 178 and have a 2nd battery which is quite useful. Haven't yet found a need for a 2nd propane tank (after 3 yrs).
You shouldn't have any particular trouble. However you did not indicate what type of vehicle you are using to pull the R-Pod. That will make a difference. Our Traverse is rated at 5200 lbs and we use a sway bar and keep our speed to 60 mph max. That meets my comfort level.
David & Liz
2014 R-Pod 178
2019 Chevy Traverse
And Lily (our 8 yr old Golden)
Back to Top
Podster View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Location: San Antonio
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1108 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 7:10pm
3rd season in our 178, still on a single group 24 batter and 1 20gal LP tank. I don't tow with a full fresh water tank ever, but would rather fill near my final destination. 
Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)
Back to Top
Streamr View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 30 Apr 2016
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 8:37pm
Thanks for all the replies.

Jato, is the fresh water tank on the 177 located behind the axle? When I was looking at all of the models I noticed that some of the fresh water tanks are forward of the axle.

Podster, I would tow with an empty tank as well but there typically is no place to fill where I camp.

Again thanks for the feed back

Streamr

Back to Top
jato View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Feb 2012
Location: Kewadin, MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3331 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2016 at 8:54pm
Yes, on our 2011 model 177 the fresh water tank is located behind the axle.  Would be good to check the tanks location on the 178 you are looking at.  It could be in a different location. 
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."
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz