Tongue Weight |
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1216 |
Topic: Tongue Weight Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 7:36am |
My main concern was the tongue weight. Going to a class 3 hitch was able to increase the tongue weight capacity. We have the V6 3,500 LB. tow capacity, the class 2 hitch would have been fine with that but with the 300 Lb. tongue weight capacity of the class 2 , I wanted more to be safe. With trailer fully loaded at times we may be near 3,000 LBs. With the rule 10 % of trailer weight should be on the tongue we will feel safer with the class 3. Does anyone need a class 2 hitch for a saturn vue or chevrolet equinox . David and Danette
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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
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 10:15am |
The class 3 will at least give you the ability to go up to your vehicle's 350 lbs max tongue weight, so it wasn't a bad purchase. Try the tongue-down configuration before you add a sway bar, if you can easily swap your tow bar around or borrow someone else's. Mine can either go 2" up or 2" down by flipping it (and then moving the ball), which in my case took me from slightly tongue-up to slightly down. No sway bar necessary.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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rpodcamper.com
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990 |
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 2:09pm |
I'm towing a 171 and started with a jeep liberty and had sway with that. I did not get much chance to play with the what options to try as my wife totaled that vehicle. I replaced it with a Chevy Trail Blazer and the sway did go away. I did have to drop the trailer lower on the ball so try that.
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TerryM
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Location: Saint Augustine Online Status: Offline Posts: 1950 |
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 3:52pm |
I have towed my 175 all over with my Liberty. No problems at all. Terry |
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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 5:04pm |
IMHO going with the class 3 was a good move. Experience has taught me that there are two areas in life where one should refrain from practicing excessive "thriftyness":
1. Your spouse's birthday
2. Your towing equipment
To do so might result in, what I refer to as - "heap plenty problems". I'll define "heap plenty problems" as: Your spouse and/or your trailer may want to separate from you in, what I'll refer to as - "an unpleasant manner". I'll leave the words "an unpleasant manner" open to your interpritation.
The tongue down and sway bars are both good suggestions.
Hope to see you "out there"
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rpodcamper.com
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990 |
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 8:43pm |
what i was meaning to say about the Liberty was that The hookup I had did sway but I'm thinking it was that the trailer was sitting higher.
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1216 |
Posted: 22 Jan 2010 at 8:40am |
Thankyou for all your help, and we feel safe with our marriage no need for stronger wedding rings. David and Danette
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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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TrinityTurret
Groupie Joined: 26 Sep 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 58 |
Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 10:28pm |
Does the tongue weight of the 171 as listed on Forest River specs (225lbs) INCLUDE the battery and propane tank?
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There's only one way...
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 8:25am |
My understanding from talking to them at the Indiana factory is it is with them.
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retiredtraveler
Newbie Joined: 30 Sep 2013 Location: Chicago burbs Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 9:35am |
Unless FR is different from other manufacturers, tongue weight is always given with nothing on it. That's due to a simple reason --- people load different size batteries (with different weights) on their trailer and ditto on propane --- one tank or two. A battery and propane will easily add another 70+ pounds to the tongue weight. A common mistake for newbies is that they don't realize how much weight is added to an RV once 'stuff' is packed into it, including the tongue.
Now, because propane tank is standard on that unit, it's possible that is included. But battery is not a factory option. That comes from the dealer. |
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Looking hard at a pod
2006 Jayco 1206 (pup) with slideout, shower,solar 2005 Nissan Xterra (probably going to new Nissan Frontier) Into hard-core hiking and biking |
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