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les olvera View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Jan 2016
Location: fresno ca
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Posts: 34 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Weight distributing hitch
    Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 8:15am
I have a Rpod 171 with a tongue weight of 700lbs, When I have the the Rpod attached to my Toyota Tundra it drops the level less than an 1" and it tows great.  The question I have, is it necessary to have a weight distributing hitch? I have told by a veteran RVer that I need it, and I have been told by another Veteran RVer not necessary.  Who ever has a Rpod 171 please advise.
Les
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 8:49am
First I'd question the 700# tongue weight. The whole trailer plus batteries and propane only weighs less than 2500#. Even with all three tanks + WH full, an unlikely condition, it's still under 3500#. 700 pounds TW seem way high.

Second, the Tundra should not need the WDH. However, adding the WDH will greatly improve the ride by eliminating the porpoising when going over bumps and dips. So it comes down to this: though you may not need it, you may want it.
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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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 1:54pm
Agree with Charlie.  Maybe you meant 700 pound tongue weight capacity of the Tundra?
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3345 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 2:57pm
I believe the  tongue weight on our 177 is around 300 lbs and that is with 2 full propane tanks and 2 deep cycle marine batteries.
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Luv2Q View Drop Down
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Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 6:59pm
We towed a 171 with our Tundra.  Didn't "need" the WDH but sure loved having it.  Much steadier ride in windy conditions or when the semis blow by.  Nary a wiggle.  The Fastway E2 gets my vote. (Though there are several good choices)
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 7:09pm
  Not sure of the weight limit of the tongue on a 171 but I think 700 lbs. may be near the limit.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Feb 2016 at 7:15pm
As others have alluded to.. How do you know your trailer's tongue weight is 700lbs? I have dual 30 pound tanks, dual T-105 batteries, and a power tongue jack. 177 also has a fair amount of forward storage. We last weighed at 385lbs tongue weight. Ready to camp.
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Commander203 View Drop Down
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Posts: 87 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Feb 2016 at 4:03pm
Originally posted by Luv2Q

We towed a 171 with our Tundra.  Didn't "need" the WDH but sure loved having it.  Much steadier ride in windy conditions or when the semis blow by.  Nary a wiggle.  The Fastway E2 gets my vote. (Though there are several good choices)


My exact setup with our 179. I don't know if I needed it or not but sure do love having it. I've never tried towing without it. When we towed from Hamilton, Ohio back to Texas in September, no issues with wind or anything. Well I won't say anything, traffic around Dallas was a nightmare. Angry
Mike & Erin
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2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800
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Appocalexx View Drop Down
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Posts: 77 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 6:30am
Originally posted by furpod

As others have alluded to.. How do you know your trailer's tongue weight is 700lbs? I have dual 30 pound tanks, dual T-105 batteries, and a power tongue jack. 177 also has a fair amount of forward storage. We last weighed at 385lbs tongue weight. Ready to camp.
 
Dang 385 lbs huh? with all these numbers I can prolly guestamate my tongue weight right now lol ill have 1 deep cycle battery 1 30 lb tank and no storage. What you say? 200ish lb tongue weight.
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jstrenn View Drop Down
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Posts: 71 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Feb 2016 at 10:30am
Originally posted by Appocalexx

Originally posted by furpod

As others have alluded to.. How do you know your trailer's tongue weight is 700lbs? I have dual 30 pound tanks, dual T-105 batteries, and a power tongue jack. 177 also has a fair amount of forward storage. We last weighed at 385lbs tongue weight. Ready to camp.
 
Dang 385 lbs huh? with all these numbers I can prolly guestamate my tongue weight right now lol ill have 1 deep cycle battery 1 30 lb tank and no storage. What you say? 200ish lb tongue weight.

I would think your tongue weight is probably between 250 & 300 Lbs.  It's always a good practice to have at least 10% of your total trailer weight as tongue weight to prevent trailer sway.
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