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Joe-n-Terri View Drop Down
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Joined: 12 Oct 2014
Location: Navarre Florida
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Maiden Voyage
    Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 9:08pm
Well it only took 4-1/2 months but we got in our maiden voyage this weekend to East Bank Army COE park on Lake Seminole on the Florida/Georgia line. I am extremely happy with this forum as I put to use a lot of the things I have been reading about during the winter. Some of the more important lessons learned are;
1. Windy as all get out the day we left, am definitely investing in WDH with anti sway. Sway wasn't bad but wasn't comfortable either.
2. Pretty chilly the first nut so I think the heater buddy or some other electric heater is in our future.
3. As previously posted definitely taste the water before it goes in anything.
All in all it was a good trip that answered a lot of questions as well as raised a lot of ideas. Got a lot of looks and compliments on the pod. Standing on the hill overlooking the sea of white RV's it kind of stood out. Thanks everyone for all the informative posts it made the trip a big success. We will try to give our positive input as much as possible as well.
Was going to post a pic but after a couple hours of trying to upload a pic to the forum from this new dreaded windows 8.1 the forum decided to deny access to do such a thing so I give up. The dang computer wins again!
Joe & Terri
2015 179
2015 Ram 1500 crew cab/ eco diesel
2005 Ram 1500/ Tekonsha Controller
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 9:18pm
Congrats on the trip.  A small electric cube heater is the way to go if you have electric hookups.  Are you sure your pictures weren't too big?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Mar 2015 at 9:46pm
Yes they were to big and it was taking a while to figure out how to make them smaller and I think maybe I timed out or something. I think I have figured it out though so I am trying again. I must say I am really struggling to figure out Windows 8. My DW captured the 2 Honkers.
Joe & Terri
2015 179
2015 Ram 1500 crew cab/ eco diesel
2005 Ram 1500/ Tekonsha Controller
Lovestarved Pom/Demanding Chihuahua
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2015 at 6:42am
Nice photos!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2015 at 6:51pm
Thanks, it was a really nice campground.
Joe & Terri
2015 179
2015 Ram 1500 crew cab/ eco diesel
2005 Ram 1500/ Tekonsha Controller
Lovestarved Pom/Demanding Chihuahua
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2015 at 9:18pm
Leo B, I notice your tow vehicle is a Caravan, I am also planning on using my Town and Country with tow pkg to pull the 179. Do you use a WDH and if so do you recommend one over another? I am looking at the new Anderson no sway for the weight and the ability to back up with it but it looks like it could be a pain if you have to disconnect when the plate is not straight with the trailer. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Joe & Terri
2015 179
2015 Ram 1500 crew cab/ eco diesel
2005 Ram 1500/ Tekonsha Controller
Lovestarved Pom/Demanding Chihuahua
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2015 at 8:35am
As far as I know all WDHs don't need to be disconnected to back up (sway bars do).  Defintely true for the friction types (Equalizer, E2) and cam types (Reese Dual Cam).
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2015 at 8:43am
Joe & Terri 
We tow with our 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan, we have a regular Reese hitch. no WDH or sway bars. We have towed from Vermont to Florida/ North Carolina multiple times and have not had any handling or sway problems. We travel with 5 gallons of water in the tank and clothes, pots&pans and all in the camper. WE usually get between 13.5 and 15.5 mpg depending on the wind. We usually drive between 50-65.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2015 at 8:46am
Definitely concur with Techntrek. I have towed two trailers, including a 172 Pod, with two different TVs using the same E2 WDH and never disconnected for backing. As far as I know only the friction type sway bars are troublesome when backing. The Equalizer and E2  hitches have the advantage of not requiring any special alignment when hooking up. If you can get the ball under the coupler you can hook up. 
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2015 at 8:51pm
Thanks everyone for the replies, After a lot of googling last night I am starting to understand the whole wdh sway bar concepts. That said after looking at the several installation videos of the wdh units I was interested in they advised to disconnect or deflate the load leveling suspension prior to use. After my maiden voyage I was convinced I needed a wdh for my T&C but I think since LeoB's setup is as mine I am going to try a few short trips giving the Mopar factory tow package a chance. The day that wasn't comfortable in my Ram 1500 was pretty windy so I think at minimum I may need an anti sway bar for the truck. Just curious LeoB, do you have a factory tow package on your Caravan? Thanks again all.
Joe & Terri
2015 179
2015 Ram 1500 crew cab/ eco diesel
2005 Ram 1500/ Tekonsha Controller
Lovestarved Pom/Demanding Chihuahua
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