Newby with questions

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   Hello all. Last fall we bought a newly new 182G. I had been looking for a pod with the garage in the back for some time and happened to find one in Bozeman, about 90 miles from our home. Needless to say we were super excited. Drove down, made the deal, and headed straight to Yellowsone Park for 3 days. It was the first time in 40+ years of camping where we actually slept in a bed; I'll never sleep on the ground again. In the morning it was pretty cold but all we had to do was turn on the heater for a few minutes. Awesome! We cooked in the garage and generally had a great time.

We have a 2015 Tacoma with the tow package and it seemed to tow to trailer just fine. The truck downshifted on even slight inclines, but afterall it is only a 6 cylinder. I noticed that the trailer pushed down on the hitch to the point where the front of the truck was elevated just a little. This didn't seem to affect the steering. However, before we head to Utah I would like to reduce the weight on the trailer tongue and level out the truck. According to the specs, the hitch weight is about 380 pounds. Questions:

1. Can I reduce the tongue weight enough to level out the truck by loading all my heavier stuff (camping gear, propane, spare tire, firewood, etc) behind the axle of the pod?
2. Any idea what the minimum tongue weight can or should be?

Thanks for your help.

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mario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2017 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Topic: Newby with questions Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 5:55pm
	Hello all. Last fall we bought a newly new 182G. I had been looking for a pod with the garage in the back for some time and happened to find one in Bozeman, about 90 miles from our home. Needless to say we were super excited. Drove down, made the deal, and headed straight to Yellowsone Park for 3 days. It was the first time in 40+ years of camping where we actually slept in a bed; I'll never sleep on the ground again. In the morning it was pretty cold but all we had to do was turn on the heater for a few minutes. Awesome! We cooked in the garage and generally had a great time. We have a 2015 Tacoma with the tow package and it seemed to tow to trailer just fine. The truck downshifted on even slight inclines, but afterall it is only a 6 cylinder. I noticed that the trailer pushed down on the hitch to the point where the front of the truck was elevated just a little. This didn't seem to affect the steering. However, before we head to Utah I would like to reduce the weight on the trailer tongue and level out the truck. According to the specs, the hitch weight is about 380 pounds. Questions: 1. Can I reduce the tongue weight enough to level out the truck by loading all my heavier stuff (camping gear, propane, spare tire, firewood, etc) behind the axle of the pod? 2. Any idea what the minimum tongue weight can or should be? Thanks for your help.

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: 20 Apr 2017 at 6:19pm
	The short answer is no. Full disclosure: I tow with a 2013 4.0L Tacoma, 4WD with a TRD supercharger. Any weight on the hitch will cause the Taco to droop. This is simple physics on any tow vehicle. Moving weight aft of the trailer axle in an attempt to reduce this is just asking for sway problems, a very dangerous situation. The trailer should be loaded for 10-15% of it's total weight on the tongue. Don't count on the advertised or yellow label weight. It is very unreliable and always optimistic. My experience, and that of most others, says you should use a WDH similar to the Fastway E2. It gives you weight distribution, sway control, and a greatly improved ride.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 6:26pm
	Best to let the Tacoma and 182 folks weigh in. The empty tongue weight is 380. Everything you add to the rear of the TT reduces tongue weight, like a teeter totter. But you need to be careful, a light tongue could lead to swaying. You may be a good candidate for a WDH, because your concern is hitch related and picking up the front end. I work on principle that tongue weight should be 10-15% of TT weight, not to exceed capacity. My 178 has a capacity of 3768 and my tongue weight is 377. Water in the fresh water tank is part of capacity.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

mario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2017 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 7:01pm
	Great information. Sounds like the outfit would benefit from a WDH. So you know, the yellow tag on this unit says the dry weight is 3071 lbs. I estimate that Ill be carrying maybe 300 lbs of gear, which would be a total of about 3371 lbs. I weighed the tongue today and it was 370 lbs, which is about 11 % of the total weight of the trailer (dry). So it looks that it's within the 10-15% range.

mario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2017 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 7:05pm
	PS. I plan to weigh the pod on a scale so that I know for certain its weight.

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 7:11pm
	I think you are on the right track, you will be an expert soon.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 20 Apr 2017 at 9:09pm
	Welcome to the group!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

texman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446	Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 9:20am
	Mario I have a 2015 182g, they are the pick of the litter (i think) Anyway, i tow with a Tundra crew max 5.7ltr and i am looking at getting a WDH with sway control. I have made many trips with a normal hitch and no problems. I really think that when added the lift to the pod, it did contribute to sway. But, I live and travel in the windiest, gustiest part of the world i think. I just dont like getting a wiggle at 70mph, no matter how small. sure i could slow down, and i do. But the wind and the trucks on interstates are not enjoyable, especially crossing winds and wind shadows. fwiw.
	TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia TexManMods

mario Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2017 Location: MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 10:08am
	Thanks Tracy. I am thinking of upgrading to a full size truck for more towing power and less down-shifting of the Tacoma. Maybe a late model Tundra or Silverado. I'll just have to see how the Tacoma does this summer. You said "I really think that when added the lift to the pod, it did contribute to sway." Can you clarify?

texman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446	Posted: 21 Apr 2017 at 10:15am
	i added a lift kit to the pod. The kit raises the pod at the axle giving the pod more ground clearance and less likely to drag the jacks or sewer drains on something. The kit is a piece of steel that fits between the frame and axle of the pod. I like the lift it gave, but i think it does cause the pod to be a bit more of a wind catcher and it does raise the center of gravity as well. If you have an HRE edition, it is already lifted. dont have a pic of the actual lift kit, just of the pod after the lift.
	TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia TexManMods