Friction sway control OR weight distribution |
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GA_RPOD_178
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Location: Newborn, GA Online Status: Offline Posts: 118 |
Topic: Friction sway control OR weight distribution Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 11:29am |
Charlie, I pull a 178 with a 2013 Honda Ridgeline, which I understand is based on the Pilot footprint. I looked at getting a weight distribution hitch but the owner's manual has a recommendation against it, saying it could impact vehicle performance etc. Did your Pilot have the same warning, since both are 4WD, or is this just Honda's lawyers covering themselves? No problems towing the 178 with the Ridgeline, which is rated at 5K pounds. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 12:18pm |
Jim,
My 2010 Pilot book has a similar statement, but it says"A weight distributing hitch is not recommended ...as an improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch may reduce..." The key here is improperly adjusted and I completely agree. Proper adjustment is essential as I noted in my original reply. With a properly adjusted WDH and brake controller towing with the Honda is a breeze. Your Ridgeline should be similar. The hitch really makes a difference in the TV ride and control. Try one, you'll like it! And yes, Honda does have their lawyers on staff. Charlie |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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GA_RPOD_178
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Location: Newborn, GA Online Status: Offline Posts: 118 |
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 1:25pm |
Thanks. Is there a particular WDH that you would recommend?
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CharlieM
Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 1:54pm |
Yes. Many of us Podders use the E2 hitch from Progress Mfg., although their Equalizer hitch, a bit more expensive, will also be fine. These are available at many trailer/RV dealers.
http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2/ Both provide weight distribution AND sway control in a single unit. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 at 11:54pm |
+1 on the E2. I've had mine about 3 years now and still use it with my newer TV even though it isn't necessary from a weight distribution standpoint. It still makes the ride much more comfortable, acting as an additional spring between the TV and pod.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 5:22am |
My TV is a Toyota FJ Cruiser, and after pulling several thousand miles over all kinds of roads, I think it does quite well without a WDH or swaybars with my 176. I've never felt the slightest sway although the Pod certainly puts some weight on the ball. I've never used a WDH, so I don't know what I'm missing. But here's my question: WDHs come rated for trailer and tongue weights. The smallest E2 seems to be rated for 600 pounds of tongue weight and a 6000 pound trailer. That's roughly two rpods. I have to assume you wouldn't want anything heavier-duty, but isn't even the smallest E2 way overkill for an rpod?
TT |
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Sleepless
Senior Member Joined: 07 Jun 2013 Location: Titusville, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 556 |
Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 7:56am |
Before I moved from the Midwest, I was pulling a 6800# trailer using a 10,000# capacity WDH. I kept that hitch and now use it on my R-Pod, although it is larger than recommended. Buy a 6000# capacity hitch instead.
Bob |
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2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 18 Jul 2013 at 11:57pm |
The manufacturer confirmed that it is ok to use a heavier-rated WDH. I use the 6000 pound version.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Posted: 19 Jul 2013 at 8:09am |
I'd like to try a WDH sometime to see if I notice a difference, but here's what I infer from the fact that I'm not seeing a problem without a WDH,the pod weighs roughly 3500 pounds, and that at least the E2 WDH starts with a hitch rated for 6000 pounds and goes up from there: I don't need a WDH and it seems like the WDH manufacturers don't think they are necessary for lighter-weight trailers like the pod. Why don't they make models for 4000 and 5000 pound trailers? I would think a WDH might really make sense for a light trailer behind a TV rated to pull a 3500 pound trailer. Maybe not so much for a pod behind a TV rated to pull 5000 pounds.
I used to think trailer brakes were sort of a luxury for careless people. Having used them with the pod I'm totally convinced they are almost an absolute necessity, aside from the fact that they are almost universally legally required. I have an open mind about WDHs, but remain unconvinced, at least in my case with an FJ Cruiser rated to pull 5000 lbs and with WDH manufacturers implying rather clearly that they don't see a need, or at least they don't see a market, for WDHs for trailers under 6000 pounds. Convincing me to spend $400 just to check it out is so far a no-go. TT |
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GA_RPOD_178
Senior Member Joined: 06 Jun 2013 Location: Newborn, GA Online Status: Offline Posts: 118 |
Posted: 19 Jul 2013 at 8:14am |
Decided to get one installed. (This Tuesday) Lots of opinions on this board and thanks for the feedback. I'll add my opinion once its up and going. Have a great weekend!
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