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Topic ClosedProud Owners of a 2017 Rpod 176T!
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Espo05 View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Mar 2016
Location: CT
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Proud Owners of a 2017 Rpod 176T!
    Posted: 21 Apr 2016 at 8:35am
We took delivery of our RPod yesterday...very fitting for Earth Day Smile. Love the new layout...bigger bunks were definitely a hit with our children and the pantry space  is great to have as well.  We had a good drive home...we did have the Fastway Hitch installed, but I was still a nervous wreck...our install tech had never installed this particular hitch.  He seemed to extensive knowledge on hitches, just never installed the Fastway.  Didn't make me feel 100% confident Confused. I mentioned something about having to reconfiguration the bars and the like once we add weight to the trailer and he said no, it's all set .....?????ummmm...perhaps I am not fully understanding how the WDH works, but pretty sure you have to take measurements and realign once you add weight to the trailer...right?

Biggest issue was getting into our driveway...we live on gravel road, up a hill in a culdesac...add in a driveway which is on a hill...luckily flat on top for storing it (for now).  Thanks to some reading we did here...we managed to pull up into our neighbors driveway than back it up and swing it up ours...took a few times, but my husband did a a great job!  Was a little nervous with the popping soundsthe angles at times,  and the low hanging cable line, but it's currently sitting next to our garage...phew!

Now to the fun part (after we learn more/double check the WDH and sway)...getting it all set up and ready to camp!
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2016 at 8:49am
Congrats on your new pod!
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2016 at 9:22am

Congratulations!

I would recommend checking the set up of the hitch, that was done by the dealer. Here is the manual/instructions, in case you did not get them:

Fastway E2

Getting it set up properly is key.

I have the 600/6000 round bar model. As stated in the instructions, there is no "perfect" set up. I adjusted mine based upon typical loading. Sometimes the trailer is lighter or heavier but, not so much so as to drastically change how it tows. I've not felt a need to re-adjust it.

You'll likely hear some noises from time to time. Anti-sway is achieved by the friction between the bars and brackets. You may also hear an occasional "clunk" as the hitch head moves around in the receiver.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2016 at 10:44am
+1 on David's comments. My advice on E2s, or any WDH, is Read, Understand, Setup. When the dealer says "no problem", you may have a problem. The final setup should be made and checked with the trailer loaded for camping including batteries and full propane tanks. Normally there's no need to disconnect the bars when backing up, but your case it might be beneficial entering you driveway. Bending the TV/TT combination that occurs when you back up or enter a steep incline puts a lot of stress on the bars, associated brackets, and trailer frame.  It doesn't hurt to disconnect the bars before entering the dip at the bottom of a steep driveway. 
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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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Apr 2016 at 2:28pm
Originally posted by David


You'll likely hear some noises from time to time. Anti-sway is achieved by the friction between the bars and brackets. You may also hear an occasional "clunk" as the hitch head moves around in the receiver.


I recommend a hitch tightener such as the StowAway.
http://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Cargo-Carriers-20-6-Tightener/dp/B0001CMUV4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

There are other options, but something that tightens the connection between the hitch shank and the receiver will eliminate the "clunk." I found it to be quieter overall as well.

I also recommend the HitchGrip. It makes moving the heavy hitch head easier.
http://www.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG712-Orange-Hitch-Coupling/dp/B00HSO37B0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2016 at 5:49pm
This is the best WDH-adjustment tutorial I've seen. I used it to dial in my Dual Cam: http://www.rv.net/FORUM/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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