The tongue of the Rpod

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   Maybe they put helium in the tires of the 179's??  
In all seriousness, the GVW difference doesn't appear to make any sense.  Looks like there is no margin of safety in the capacity of the 179; indeed its axle capacity is exceeded.  Makes me glad I have a feather light 172, with more things removed than added.  At least there is a pretty good margin of safety with the stock axle.

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lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587	Topic: The tongue of the Rpod Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:36pm
	Maybe they put helium in the tires of the 179's?? In all seriousness, the GVW difference doesn't appear to make any sense. Looks like there is no margin of safety in the capacity of the 179; indeed its axle capacity is exceeded. Makes me glad I have a feather light 172, with more things removed than added. At least there is a pretty good margin of safety with the stock axle.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Bradywan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 2018 Location: Lebanon Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:15pm
	Marwayne, Truly impressive mods. Some of the best I’ve ever seen.

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:12pm
	I'm running about 3600#. The thing I don't understand is this. I have a 2011 172 dry weight 2113# load capacity 1066# total weight = 3179# The 179 - 2017 -- 2018 dry weight 2756# load capacity 1036# = total weight 3792#, and both trailers have the same axle rated at 3500#.
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 11:37am
	Good question. You definitely need to change the charging algorithm. Li ion batteries cannot be allowed to overcharge, in fact its better never to fully charge them or do so only rarely, while of course lead acid batteries need some overcharging frequently. OTOH Li batts don't need a complex multistage charge process, just a bulk charge to a preset max voltage. Lithium batteries instead need a battery management system (BMS) to balance the charge on each group of series cells. I believe the Battleborn battery comes with that built in so you don't have to worry about it. anmam did a great post on this forum earlier this year on his conversion. I believe he bought a Li Ion charger board from Progressive Dynamics and used it to modify his WFCO. He also used the Battleborn battery IIRC.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2630	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 10:01am
	Would the WFCO or PD converter be able to charge the LI batteries properly? Or would you also need to replace that to accommodate?
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 7:29am
	Oh, one other thought, the Li batteries do not outgas so they really don't need to be on the tongue. Besides, as expensive as they are you might not want them out there. And they don't like to operate below freezing so keeping them in the heated space would be good as well. You could mount them in one of the many unused spaces under the bed or settee. That would help with the tongue weight and space. That is my plan when I convert over the Lithium this winter on my trailer.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 7:04am
	I think you'll be OK on tongue weight on that TV with a weight distribution hitch. It looks from etrailer like you can get up to a 1000 lb tongue weight with the right hitch and vehicle selection. You won't need that much. The Battleborn Li 100AH 12V batteries many people buy only weigh 29 lbs so two of those would still weigh less than what one golf cart battery weighs. Cost is about $950 each so for sure spendy but considering you can use all their capacity and they ought to last the life of the trailer maybe not so bad. You will need to change or modify your charger too. I currently have dual golf cart batts and a single propane tank on my 179 and with full loading and fresh water I'm at 570 lbs tongue weight. With dual tanks and two lithium batts on the 190 (which looks like it is a little heavier up front) you should still be about the same as I am. That leaves the generator. A question on that. What were you planning to get and why permanently mount it? You will almost certainly have significant noise and vibration that way. If you get something like a Honda EU2200I or equivalent you can run everything in the trailer (but not all at once). You would need an easy start device in the air conditioner, not a big deal to install. The Honda only weighs about 50 lbs. I just keep mine in the TV with a 100ft extension cord and move it to where it will be the least noisy for myself and my neighbors. If you're planning to do all those power system mods you must be planning a lot of boondocking trips. May I suggest you also consider adding some solar to your setup? It wouldn't run the air conditioner but it would reduce or maybe even eliminate the generator run time in cooler conditions. If you're going this far you might also consider a 12V to 120Vac inverter to run any other ac loads you might want from the lithium batteries. Saves having to crank up the genny to microwave some evening popcorn! A 2kw inverter should probably do it. Have fun!
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Bradywan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 2018 Location: Lebanon Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 12:46am
	Incredible replies, thanks so much. I’m still in the research phase. Tow vehicle will be a Chevy Colorado diesel.

OldNeumanntapr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 May 2018 Location: CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 204	Posted: 21 Sep 2018 at 11:46pm
	Wow! That's quite impressive. How much weight did that add? Any problems with hitching up?

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 21 Sep 2018 at 9:03pm
	In my opinion anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I have 2 batteries, 2 LP tanks, spare tire, electrical cords, water hoses, tools and other odds and ends up front. Generator rides in the back. screenshot program windows
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.