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Topic ClosedTowing tips

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JCMoran View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Towing tips
    Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:37pm
Hey there,
   I took the Hawg pod to the rest area to dump the tanks this passed weekend to see what that was all about and it created a question in my head.
   Is it better to tow with a full fresh water tank, empty fresh water tank, or somewhere in between?

John & Stevie
Bella & Emma (Fur babies)
2014 RP178HRE "Hawg Pod"
2001 Silverado 1500
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2Peas-n-Rpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:45pm
We usually keep only 5 gallons or so in the fresh water tank, only for those times we need to stop along the road and use the facilities. We try to run on that bare minimum because water is very heavy (8 pounds per gallon) and can put you over the Pod's GVWR very quickly.
2011 R-Pod 182G Hood River Edition
"Ribbitt" Pod (now sold)
2000 Ford F150 5.4L V8 TV
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Craneman View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:52pm
We just bought our 174 and towed it home with empty fresh water tank towed perfect then tried it with a full tank of water and we got some sway so it's tow with just 5-10 gal and fill near destination
.           Moe
Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150



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Goose View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 12:11am
We pull generally with 5 or 6 gallons in the tank, we have pulled with a full tank not very far so we did not stop on the way into the campsite and fill up. One time we started to come home from Arizona with somewhere between 1/3rd and a half a tank of water, I did not like the extra sway that it created from the water sloshing in the tank so I pulled over on an off ramp and drained the tank down to under 1/3rd. Had plenty of water for the 3 day ride home and the POD trailed much better.   Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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P&M View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 8:08am
Same as all the above ... with the exception that since we don't boondock it (yet) and haven't traveled far away from home we tow with it completely empty.  I took it up to the dealer this spring to have some warranty work done and they filled it for me out of courtesy but didn't tell me.  I was 30 minutes down the road feeling like something was wrong with how it was towing, pulled over and figured it out.  Like Goose I drained it on the spot and then was fine.  Since I don't have a big TV it really can make an impact on how mine performs ... 30 gallons x 8.45 lbs per gallon = 253.5 extra pounds of weight to pull.
P & M ... and Comet too!
2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 9:32am
Depends on where the fresh tank is located. Mine is in front of the axle so it is no big deal if I leave some water in it. Other than the cost of hauling the extra weight. But if you tank is behind the axle then you are better running with as little water in the tank as possible so that yoiu do not take weight off of the tongue.  
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 9:36am
Originally posted by P&M

they filled it for me out of courtesy but didn't tell me

Doesn't sound very courteous to me. That's like putting a couple lead bars in your backpack Confused
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TerryM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 12:03pm
Here is a tip for towing:  turn off your overdrive.  It will save a lot of wear on your tranny.

Terry 
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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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 3:14pm
I usually take a few gallons if the drive will be long, for rest stops, if we'll have full hookups at the campground.  If we are dry camping it goes full.  I've read too many stories of people trying to find water once they get to the campground only to find dry pumps, nasty rangers that say you can only use portable containers (no hoses or water thiefs), etc.
 
As for the 2 other tanks, make sure you only dump the black tank if it is at least 2/3 full, it doesn't matter how full the gray tank is.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 3:20pm
Great advice from all.  Thanks a bunch.  Big smile
John & Stevie
Bella & Emma (Fur babies)
2014 RP178HRE "Hawg Pod"
2001 Silverado 1500
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