Reasonable hitch costs? |
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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227 |
Topic: Reasonable hitch costs? Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 12:23pm |
Last year we upgraded our 2008 Explorer to a 2013 Explorer. Both have pulled our 2011 r-pod 177. One big plus on the newer Explorer is how much better it pulls the pod. With the older one if we went above 35-40 mph the pod would sway quite severely. With the newer one I have gone 55 mph with no sway. I wouldn't recommend doing that, I did it on a country road w/no traffic as a test. Use the anti-sway bar whenever towing the pod with any smaller vehicle. I think full size trucks probably wouldn't need it with their much longer wheel base for better stability. Also the increase in HP on the newer Explorer is a welcome factor as well.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 10:02am |
Tow vehicle structure also plays an important role in how much weight the tow vehicle can take. Transmission design, coolant system design,and the suspension design and dynamic with a load that the engineers have taken time to consider as what is safe at legal speeds. It's NOT all about engine power.
The hitch mounting design, where it's mounted, how strong the bolt points are, can the unit body take it?? You could move-tow 10,000 pounds with a Civic, but things would get ugly rather quickly. This is why sometime people will recommend not towing more than 80% of a vehicle rated tow capability, it just stresses things out to the max. If only doing the occasional tow, and not epic distances, then going to the max end once in a while wouldn't be harmful.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
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Sidewinder
Newbie Joined: 21 Jan 2017 Location: Western PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 9:55am |
Thanks all for the information and advice.
The Pod choice for us is between the 171 and 177, both in the neighborhood of 2500 lbs dry. I intend to travel with just a few gallons in the fresh water (for bathroom stops if necessary), empty grey and black tanks, and DW and I pack and travel light. At least we did when we had a Class A, so I expect we would with a pod. Maybe a couple hundred pounds of cargo - week worth of clothes, couple of folding camp chairs, 3 or 4 days of groceries, tool kit, drain and fresh water hoses, electrical system protector. No kids or pets. So I'm anticipating loaded weight around 2700-2800 lbs. I agree that a TV with higher tow capacity would be preferred, but is not in the cards just yet. Our second vehicle will be due for replacement in about 3 years, so that could be when I get a more capable vehicle. The Ford Explorer seems like a good upgrade, and according to Edmunds it has a tow capacity of 5000 lbs, a nice increase over the KIA minivan's 3500. Please help me understand why the capacity is so much higher. According to Edmunds, its engine is only slightly bigger than the KIA (3.5L vs. 3.3L), with slightly more HP (290 vs. 276), is essentially the same weight (4443 lbs vs. 4414 lbs), and it is also front wheel drive like the KIA, so I'm not sure why it has a much higher tow rating. Beefier frame and suspension, maybe? Some of you must use the Explorer as the TV, so maybe you could help out here. Not looking for an argument here, just looking to get a better understanding. |
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bigbearcraig
Newbie Joined: 10 Dec 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36 |
Posted: 04 Feb 2017 at 8:37am |
You're not going to like my answer, but at 3500 lbs you're going to be just about maxed out when your trailer is ready to go. Your max hitch weight with an equalizer hitch will be close to 350 lbs. If you're driving flat roads and not traveling long distances you probably could get by, but just barely. I think a tow vehicle with a tow rating of at least 5000 lbs with a factory tow package would be much more desirable.
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 03 Feb 2017 at 10:06am |
Grounds for a new TV. Can't beat a factory tow setup. And a vehicle that can pull a bill board sideways down the high way. Sounds like KIA was intending you to pull a boat or a utility trailer. Just my thoughts.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 03 Feb 2017 at 9:40am |
Yes, I should have mentioned the transmission cooler. In spite of what Kia claims, I don't think the minivan is the best vehicle for the task. It may not even be adequate for the task. If you have the ability to do so, go for a vehicle that has a factory tow package. That would be much better.
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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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jato
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3227 |
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 9:45pm |
And, after all that expense, don't forget a transmission cooler. A must for every vehicle towing a TT. It is even more critical for a mini van, since you will be pushing it to the limits. I agree with Bugout, buy a new or different used tv that already has a tow package included.
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God's pod
'11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
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Bugout
Senior Member Joined: 01 Jan 2017 Location: S caroline Online Status: Offline Posts: 117 |
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:48pm |
Agree with stephenH.And buy a new tv
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Jk Aiken South Carolina 2016 178 Toyota Tundra 2017 4.6
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Bugout
Senior Member Joined: 01 Jan 2017 Location: S caroline Online Status: Offline Posts: 117 |
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:46pm |
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Jk Aiken South Carolina 2016 178 Toyota Tundra 2017 4.6
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 02 Feb 2017 at 7:37pm |
Okay, it sounds to me like your Kia did not come with a hitch receiver. I am assuming you are talking about a Kia Sedona. Look on etrailer.com and you will see the price for the hitch receiver (about $140-150). On top of that, you will need the wiring and brake controller. Then on top of that, you will need the weight distribution hitch. What the Kia dealer is likely pricing for you is the basic hitch receiver and wiring for (probably) a 4-pole wiring harness. While that would be good for a utility trailer, for an R-Pod, you would need to add in the additional wiring for the 7-pole Bargman (round) connector and the brake controller. That is not included in the price your dealer is likely quoting to you. Also, your dealer's hitch receiver does not cover the cost of the weight distribution hitch. You will likely be paying double the price you mentioned by the time all is done. I think you would be best served by checking with your Pod dealer. They may be able to get a package deal going for you that will be more attractive than having the Kia dealer install the hitch receiver and wiring and then still having to purchase the WDH, the brake controller, and the wiring for that. |
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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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