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lhamblin View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Sep 2018
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Posts: 11 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Weight Distribution Towing
    Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 3:16pm
I purchased a used 2017 R-Pod 180 and had an RV dealer install a Husky 300/600 Weight Distribution Hitch on my 2014 Ford Flex Limited.  My Flex has a 4,500 hitch capacity with 450 lb tongue weight.  The R-Pod 180 is listed at 2662 unloaded weight with a 295 lb tongue weight.  After the RV dealer installed the Husky weight distribution hitch I said it looked a little low at the tongue but he said that was fine.  He said that you should have 4 chain links free at the top.  I was speaking with a friend and after looking at my picture he suggested that I should have at least 6 free chain links.  Can anyone weigh in on this as I really burned through the fuel bringing the trailer home.  I have attached a picture of the car and trailer.
LHamblin
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 3:27pm

I'll leave the hitch question for those who have a Husky hitch.

Fuel mileage wise, 10-12 mpg is what most everyone gets, regardless of the tow vehicle. Was your mileage worse than this?

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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 5:03pm
The true answer, regardless of the number of links is the amount of weight that is transferred. The WDH should transfer some of the tongue weight to the front wheels of your Tow Vehicle (TV), and a little weight to the axle of the Travel Trailer (TT).

The 295 lb number is probably a fantasy. Once you put some gear in the RP180, the hitch weight is probably going to be close to your 450 lb limit, if not a bit over.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 6:22pm
Mileage is highly dependent on what the speed is at which you are towing. Wind resistance does not increase linearly with speed, but exponentially. Towing at 65 mph will have much more wind resistance than towing at 55 mph. Towing at 70 mph is going to take a lot more energy to overcome wind resistance than towing at 60 mph.

It looks like your Flex has a roof rack. Consider looking into a wind deflector such as PurpleLine's AeroPlus or Icon's AeroShield. Either one will help guide the airflow and reduce the wind resistance, thus improving your mileage. The best way to improve it though is to limit your towing speed to 60 mph or less. A side benefit is that you will arrive at your destination a bit more relaxed.

I have the AeroPlus. It worked well when we were towing with the Escape as it sat farther back. I am using it with our Frontier. I don't think it benefits as much, but the front of the 'Pod does stay a bit cleaner.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 6:57pm
I have a 2018 180 and pull it with a 2011 Tacoma V6 PreRunner and get 10 to 12 mpg.
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Nov 2018 at 7:01pm
Our. Assured tongue weight was 549 lbs with a full propane tank and a group 27 marine battery, so I agree, 295lbs is a fantasy.
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2018 at 11:23am
FR specs show the hitch weight of a 180 at 332 lbs. That's no cargo or add ons.
Mike Carter
2015 178
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2628 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2018 at 12:22pm
Originally posted by mcarter

FR specs show the hitch weight of a 180 at 332 lbs. That's no cargo or add ons.
See? I said the 295 lbs was a fantasy!
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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OldNeumanntapr View Drop Down
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Posts: 204 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2018 at 12:52pm
Originally posted by OldNeumanntapr

Our. Assured tongue weight ....


AGGGG. Stupid iPhone auto correct.

That was supposed to be 'Our MEASURED Tongue Weight'.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2018 at 1:59pm
Looks like iPhone auto mistake works like Android auto mistake.
The last time I measured the tongue weight for our RP179 using the scale and beam method, I came up with about 600 lbs. That was before I added the Hensley Cub hitch though. I'm not sure how that figures into the calculations as the main part of the hitch stays attached to the trailer. I'm not sure if all the weight is measured with the trailer or whether part of it should be measured with the truck. I haven't found anything in print to say one way or the other.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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