The Motherpod Has Landed! |
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dacolson
Groupie Joined: 26 Apr 2015 Location: Farmington, MN Online Status: Offline Posts: 46 |
Topic: The Motherpod Has Landed! Posted: 26 Mar 2016 at 4:58pm |
Looks great! So much fun getting to know the new setup! Serious Pod-envy!
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Dave - 2016 Silverado 2500HD LML - 2010 RP172T
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Retroactive
Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2016 Location: Bolton, MA Online Status: Offline Posts: 270 |
Posted: 26 Mar 2016 at 5:28pm |
It went great. They did a great job all around. They even washed my truck when the fitted the ball. And they didn't try to oversell the accessories, he gave me honest advice on the half dozen items I would definitely need for the short term. I never drove with anything in tow, backing up was an interesting experience!
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 9:01am |
I had the advantage of towing a utility trailer with a garden tractor as a child. I learned about backing up with that. Plenty of jackknifes for sure! I also had a utility trailer that I towed with a Honda Civic CVCC Wagon. I used it to do everything from haul firewood to helping take part of our possessions to my in-law's house just before I entered the Army. In the Army, I towed a trailer with a deuce-and-a-half. Now, I am towing an R-Pod with a Ford Escape.
Backing is still tricky. I don't jackknife, but it sometimes takes a few tries before i get the R-Pod in our driveway where I want it to be. It gets better each time though. It will get easier for you also. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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JohnBG
Senior Member Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Location: Deltona, FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 190 |
Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 9:47am |
Same here when I got mine. A friend of mine gave me a piece of useful advice. Grab the bottom of the steering wheel and turn it in the direction you want the trailer to go.
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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV |
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Retroactive
Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2016 Location: Bolton, MA Online Status: Offline Posts: 270 |
Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 10:43am |
Yes, the bottom of the steering wheel technique is working good for this noob. An acquaintance gave me that tip. Another guy who drove semis also said to try using mirrors only while teaching yourself, and only use spotters if the space is dangerously tight.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 28 Mar 2016 at 9:23pm |
I disagree on spotters, they are required in my book. And if I can't see them I stop until I can.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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TheBum
Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 12:24pm |
I used my BAL leveler for the first time this past weekend. My first suggestion after getting it is to toss the wrench that comes with it and use a good socket wrench. The stock wrench kept flipping the ratchet the opposite direction on its own, which made it pretty much worthless. I ended up using my 300-ft-lb torque wrench because it's what I had with me with a big enough socket (3/4"). I had to raise it pretty high, with only about 4" of thread remaining at the top. |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:03pm |
I would suggest you contact BAL and let them know you got a defective wrench. Mine works great! I also use it to tighten and loosen the nuts on the hitch tightener. Both the nuts and the BAL jackscrew are 3/4" in size.
I end up having to raise mine up even a bit more when it is in my driveway. I think I have about 2" of thread left. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Retroactive
Senior Member Joined: 15 Mar 2016 Location: Bolton, MA Online Status: Offline Posts: 270 |
Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:11pm |
Thanks for giving the thumbs up on the BAL. I was looking at one back while I was still researching the Rpod. Some of the reviews were bad saying the thing failed to hold the full rating, but I figure my 171 is less than 2,300 unloaded. I will definitely give it a try.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 29 Mar 2016 at 9:54pm |
I put a little lithium grease on the threads. I figured it can't hurt. It does no tmake it easier to crank up. However, even that cranking is easier than the blocks. The Andersen leveler (curved ramp with chock) was not too bad. It did take a few tries to stop the trailer at the right place so it would be level. With the BAL, it is simple to stop and then just crank up the low side. I need to find or make a carrying case for it though.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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