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Topic Closed4 Tongue mods on 178
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Oct 2013
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 4 Tongue mods on 178
    Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 12:49pm
High Podski,

It's pretty easy to accurately measure your your tongue weight with an inexpensive bathroom scale.

This was my experiment and results.


fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Posts: 34 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 12:25pm
Hello again Techntrec,
Please disregard my request for information on the standard. I searched for it and found SAE J2807. So far voluntary and while for all tow vehicles, it looks like the Big Three are only doing it for trucks thus far. Still this is a step in the right direction, but I doubt it will give impetus to US manufacturers applying it to all vehicles they build at least not in the US. Why bother rating a car for towing, when you can sell a more expensive truck or suv.
My opinion of course,
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Posts: 34 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 12:03pm
Hello Techntrek,
I was wondering when you would jump in on this one. What you have stated is not quite accurate. The weight on the trailer as shipped from the factory is reflected in the weight sticker on each trailer. The one I am considering has a weight posted of 2632 which is unique to that trailer an unlike the other ones on the dealer's lot. I made it a point to check this as I my present trailer is over the certified weight. This weight sticker is required by 49CFR and includes the options from the factory but not any dealer installed items. Of course the trailer is dry no water.   I believe that this weight is also to include the full load (20 lbs.) of propane, but there seems to be some confusion on that issue. In the comments to the proposed rules in 49CFR the RV industry seemed to indicate that the propane should be included. Whatever the propane is only 20 lbs.
As far as the tongue weight, that is not mentioned. I weighed the tongue on an alike equipped 178 on the dealers lot and it weighed in at 271 lbs and the weight sticker was 2638. These weights are without battery, propane, water, or owners gear but do include options which were AC, TV, Microwave.
I don't know about other folks, but in my experience we carry with water in the tank and heater (300 lbs.), about 900 lbs. That puts my total weight just over 3500 lbs for the trailer.   I have calculated where I plan to put weight and conservatively estimate that my tongue weight will be about 350 lbs. Without any fresh water that tongue weight would rise to more than 450 lbs because all of the fresh water would be located behind the axle. As we would use water enroute to our destination (we dry camp at WalMart enroute)we would transfer water to just behind the axle (grey tank) and just in front of the axle (black tank). This is all assuming a 178. So as we travel our tongue weight would increase slightly over our approximate 350 lbs assuming most of the solids would go into the black tank and the liquids into the grey.
Anyway, that is my story so far and I am sticking to it.
Can you enlighten me on the new tow rating standards? Are these federal or RVIA. Any links to this info?
Thanks for your input and the forum. It has helped me make a decision and I will soon own an RPOD 178.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 9:44am
I've said here before, if you have a TV with a 3500 pound tow rating the heavier pods like the 178 are extremely marginal.  Don't carry water in any of the tanks (maybe a gallon or two for on-the-road bathroom use) and keep heavier stuff like antigravity chairs in the TV.
 
Remember that the actual weight (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) shown on the pod is the weight at the factory before add-ons - for the 178 that is 2535 pounds.  A/C, propane tank, battery, Dome, sewer hose, water hose aren't included and add several hundred pounds.  Then add  clothes, food, drinks, camping accessories like chairs and you have hundreds more.  With your typical camper you can expect to add 800-1000 pounds above the UVW.  Which is why carrying tanks full of water can never happen with a 3500 tow rating.
 
I agree that US tow ratings (and even the ratings in other countries) are much too low compared to actual capability and safety.  Hopefully the new tow rating standards that just went into effect for all manufacturers will fix that.  Until then, loading above your listed ratings can leave you with no insurance payout and lawsuits if you get into an accident.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 34 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 8:56am
Podders,
And as the debate rages on, I add this link. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008/02/the-great-american-anti-towing-conspiracy/
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Posts: 32 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 7:08am
looking great. pictures very helpful
Deb and Kathy
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Posts: 103 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 6:53am
A good inspiration for me, thanks!
2014 R-POD 177
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Posts: 34 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 7:46pm
BobDitch,
An interesting calculator and fun to use. I don't agree with the safety factor entry as I believe the ratings provided for both TT's and TV's already have a safety factor built in. A class II hitch therefore is rated at 3500 max and 350 tongue.   As far as the weight capacity of the trailer goes it does not matter if that exceeds the tow capacity of the TV as long as the trailer is only loaded to the TV's capacity considering both tongue weight and pulling weight.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:28pm

This may help:


Travel Trailer Weight Calculator



The primary purpose of this calculator is to answer the question: "How heavy a travel trailer can I tow?"


http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Jun 2015 at 5:19pm
My concern would be your tow capacity of 3500 lbs and the GVWR of the 178 is 3745 lbs.
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