4 Tongue mods on 178

Thank you for the response. The tongue weight I listed was incorrect--it should have been 270 lbs. I weighed it at the dealer. Without water and what you have on your tongue assuming a 178 with the water tank in the rear, your weight seems about what it should be. Adding a full tank of water will reduce the tongue weight by almost 100 lbs. (in a 178).
The reason I am asking these questions is that I already have a trailer (non Pod) and the weight certificate in the trailer says that the tongue is 270 but it is actually 340 and that is without propane. The certified weights are supposed to include the gas bottle with propane, no options, no battery and no fresh water. The particular trailer I have has the water heater and tank in the front and when I add just water I am well over the tongue weight I wish to carry. My goal is about 400 lbs of tongue weight. The certificate in my present trailer also states that it can be pulled with a vehicle with a Class II hitch (3500 lbs and 350 lb tongue weight). The tow vehicle I bought to use with this trailer is a Ford Edge and it has a Class II hitch on it. I trusted the manufacturers certification when buying my tow vehicle and no find out that it is incorrect. I believe the 49CFR requires certification of the trailer's weight, but tongue weight is not mentioned. Still the maker of my present trailer, has minimally made and error in advertising. This is why I am looking at the PODs and specifically the 178 as it will meet my goal of 400. lbs tongue weight and 3500 lbs. total. I presently use an Andersen hitch with the Ford Edge and while it levels the trailer, it leaves the nose of the tow vehicle slightly up. The factory hitch may be "torqueing" because of the load. These comments are made based on my present trailer having a tongue weight of 500 lbs., which is how it comes out when loaded for a trip, fresh water included.

Forest River specs the Hitch weight of a 178 at 257lbs. I have not a clue if that includes a LPG tank and battery or even how accurate that number is. My hitch weighed about 500lbs with 2 full tanks, 2 batteries, power hitch, spare tire, misc gear stored under dinette and bed, empty fresh water and a full water heater tank and no bike carrier or bikes on the rear receiver. And I'll also add that I have not a clue how accurate my friends scale is - full disclosure. 

Bobditch,
 Great mods.
Specially like your double tank setup.
Before you travel very far w/ those bikes on the rear, follow your rig w/ the bikes on.
I have observed much shacking.
There is discussion on this site about rack breaking from the shacking.
Therefor I went w/ the Arvika Rack on the front, about the tanks. ( very smooth ride & you can see them)
Just my 2 cents,

IP Pod

Holy trunnion bar Doug! That's a great write up. And I thought I was obsessing on this!

Originally posted by fwunder   Any tidbits on "the right way" would be appreciated. Thanks, Fred

This is as close as I can find to how I was taught to do it that I could find after watching a half dozen videos.. I like no more than 1/2" of "settle in the rear. Keeps the headlights happy..

Setup

EDIT: This one is good too..