New R-Pod 179. Question about trailer brakes - Event Date: 29 Jul 2016

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   Hi all!  Yet another new R-Pod owner. We just picked our 179 up today and are looking forward to lots of adventures with the hubby and two great mutts. I spent a lot of time researching, but know our education will require hands on time. I do have a question about brakes though.  Somewhere I read that you really need to have trailer brakes installed.  At the dealership, the salesman said, not necessary, but the service tech who was checking us out said, "I know he said you don't need them, but you really do."   But here's the deal, we tow with a Dodge RAM 1500 with a Hemi engine, and as we towed the R-Pod through the Apppalacian mountains, the truck appeared to gear down and almost seemed to be braking downhill.  Now, we were driving slow in the right lane, but had no trouble.  So do we need to install trailer brakes?
Appreciate any and all advice,

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Luv2travel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2016 Location: Chapin, sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Calendar Event: New R-Pod 179. Question about trailer brakes Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 10:21pm
	Hi all! Yet another new R-Pod owner. We just picked our 179 up today and are looking forward to lots of adventures with the hubby and two great mutts. I spent a lot of time researching, but know our education will require hands on time. I do have a question about brakes though. Somewhere I read that you really need to have trailer brakes installed. At the dealership, the salesman said, not necessary, but the service tech who was checking us out said, "I know he said you don't need them, but you really do." But here's the deal, we tow with a Dodge RAM 1500 with a Hemi engine, and as we towed the R-Pod through the Apppalacian mountains, the truck appeared to gear down and almost seemed to be braking downhill. Now, we were driving slow in the right lane, but had no trouble. So do we need to install trailer brakes? Appreciate any and all advice,
	R-Pod 179, Gone With the Wind.

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 29 Jul 2016 at 10:29pm
	In a word, Yes. You do need trailer brakes for you safety and the safety of others. Your tech was right; your salesman was wrong; no surprise there! Most states require brakes on trailers 1500# GVWR and higher. All Pods fall into this category. Buy and install a good proportional brake controller such as the Tekonsha P3 and enjoy piece of mind..
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

sailor323 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Jun 2015 Location: S Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 281	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 8:24am
	Yes, and the Pod is already equipped with trailer brakes. You need to install a brake controller on your tow vehicle

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 12:48pm
	Ditto what sailor323 said. Sounds like there's some confusion on your part about brakes vs. brake controller. By law, R-pods must have brakes because of their weight (at least in most states). Therefore, Forest River equips them with self-adjusting electric brakes. If you don't have a brake controller installed (as well as the proper wiring), the brakes on your trailer will not be functional. I can't believe a dealer would have let you purchase an RV and drive off the lot without explaining this to you, and hopefully, installing the proper equipment (or making sure that you know what to install yourself). This is a dangerous situation. That salesman should be given both a tongue-lashing as well as an education. I would complain, and complain loudly, to the dealer about this. And I probably wouldn't give them any more of my business, but would have another competent auto repair or RV dealer install a good brake controller on my tow vehicle.
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

Luv2travel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2016 Location: Chapin, sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 1:24pm
	Thank you both for your responses. There was confusion on our part, but that's now cleared up. We will have the proportional break controller installed Monday. And I've also shared your information with our friends who also have recently purchased small campers. The dealer is not to blame. Unfortunately our tow vehicle cannot accept an aftermarket brake controller, it must be dealer installed, so they could not install it before we left the dealership. But all is well and we won't be towing it again without the break controller installed. Thanks again!
	R-Pod 179, Gone With the Wind.

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 2:28pm
	I've never heard of a tow vehicle that cannot accept an after-market brake controller. That doesn't sound right at all. Some pickups come with built-in factory-installed brake controllers. Does yours? If so, then you already have what you need (unless you want to upgrade to a better brake controller). If it doesn't, then I'm quite certain you can install any after-market controller you choose. Not a bad idea to have the dealer do it if you're not comfortable working on cars, crawling around under dash boards, etc., however.
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 2:54pm
	+1
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

john in idaho Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 613	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 4:03pm
	IF your Dodge has the factory trailer tow pkg, it has the wiring plug right there for the controller.

Luv2travel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2016 Location: Chapin, sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 5:48pm
	Well, I THOUGHT I understood. Look what I found on the internet; a warning bulletin. Looks like the salesman might have been right..... So the question is whether or not I can find an aftermarket controller or if I have to go to the dealer. Needs more research I guess. Meantime our RPod 179 is safely home in our driveway.
	R-Pod 179, Gone With the Wind.

Luv2travel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2016 Location: Chapin, sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Posted: 30 Jul 2016 at 5:50pm
	In case that bulletin doesn't display as a .pdf, let me try again with a copy paste function: The electrical system on the 2013 Ram trucks has changed. Though the brake control connector is the same as the 2010-2012, the wire functions have changed. The terminal that used to be the stop light signal, now has battery voltage, whenever the ignition is in the run position. According to Dodge, it is not possible to install an aftermarket electric trailer brake control into these trucks. Dodge says, that “the 2013 Ram has “Powernet” and utilizes multiplex wiring that is different from any previous design’s, therefore, your aftermarket trailer brake control is not compatible”
	R-Pod 179, Gone With the Wind.