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Topic Closeddry weight of R-pod 172

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Direct Link To This Post Topic: dry weight of R-pod 172
    Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 10:19pm

Back in July of 2017 we purchased a brand new 2018 R-pod 172, Hood River Edition.  We really enjoyed it this camping season and are looking forward to many more seasons with it.


During our shopping research, for a travel trailer, the dry weight of the unit was a significant factor and one of the reasons for choosing an R-pod 172 was it's ‘light weight’ as stated in the Forest River R-pod brochure; Unloaded Vehicle Weight of 2338 lbs (the typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory) and a Cargo Carrying Capacity of 905 lbs. Once we purchased our R-pod the unit’s weight labels stated a dry weight of 2700 lbs with a cargo capacity of only 526 lbs.

 

I've attempted, unsuccessfully, to obtain an explanation from Forest River in regards to the discrepancy between their advertised weight and the actual weight of the R-pod. Has anybody else come across such a weight discrepancy in their new R-pod? Can anyone provide an explanation for the discrepancies in the weights? I realize that the dry weight, from unit to unit, may vary slightly; however there is a significant difference in the weights I've noted above. The only options on our unit are the microwave and the Hood River Edition. 


Cheers,


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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Oct 2017 at 11:04pm
On the front left side of the trailer there should be a weight sticker indicating for that specific trailer (by VIN) it's weight and capacity.  Our 172, for example, has a UVW of 2259 lbs. and a cargo capacity of 960.  But each trailer is different, depending on how it is equipped and whether extras, like microwave ovens, are counted in the UVW.  A heavier suspension, larger rims and tires, AC, etc. can all affect the UVW.  

We've lightened our trailer by removing the stock table, the upper bunk, and the TV (nothing worth watching anyway)and probably gained an additional 40 lbs. in capacity.   We don't use microwaves at home so we don't miss not having one in our trailer.   On the other hand, we swapped out our 12v battery for 2 6 volt, which more than doubles the battery weight, probably about 40 lbs. by coincidence.

The most significant weight that is cargo is, of course, what's in the three tanks.  The Pods come with 30 gallon tanks and that can add 750 lbs. of cargo weight when all are at capacity.  That doesn't leave much for anything else and may put you well over the rated capacity.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 8:15am
Dry weight, UVW, is a game trailer manufactures play. They all want to advertise the lowest weight to entice customers towing with a VW Bug, and they all play by different rules. The advertised weight does not include battery, propane, or 6 gallons of water in the WH. It also probably does not include microwave, A/C, and maybe the spare tire. It may not even include a propane tank. The 172 is still your best choice for minimum weight but the real truth is on the yellow "as built" label. Welcome to the world of "light weight trailers". 

Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 8:19am
Sure. The listed dry weight is before all options etc. Says so right in the brochure AND on the web page, and they give you a list of what the options weigh. 

from the specs page:

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)* – is the typical weight of the unit as manufactured at the factory. It includes all weight at the unit’s axle(s) and tongue or pin and LP Gas. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh potable water, additional optional equipment or dealer installed accessories.
*Estimated Average based on standard build optional equipment.


These are options...

Options

  • 13.5K BTU air conditioner (95 lbs)
  • Convection Microwave Oven (51 lbs)
  • 24" LED Flat Screen TV (std RP182G) (15 lbs)
  • R-Dome awning with screen room (20 lbs)
  • Thule Box awning (N/A RP171, RP172, RP177) (RP176, RP176T, RP178, RP182G - 8', 39 lbs) (RP179, RP180 - 10', 49 lbs)
  • Bike carrier (2 bikes) (13 lbs)
  • Power tongue jack (24 lbs)
  • Hood River Edition (Advanced ground clearance, X-Treme 15" Off Road tires, aluminum rims, double entry step and MaxxAir® vent cover) (West Coast production only)


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lostagain View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 9:35am
Does the as built weight sticker with the VIN number state the UVW with a battery, empty propane tank, and all accessories installed at the factory, such as the microwave?  

 Seems to me, as a matter of safety, the manufacturer should be required to give the true dry UVW of the unit as is designed to use, sans liquids in tanks.  If the factory installs stuff like TV's and other stuff as builtins in the trailer, that should be included in the actual UVW.  
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Fred & Maria Kearney
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Our Pod 172
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 10:06am
So here's my SWAG. The yellow sticker shows "as built weight", not necessarily "UVW". It will include all options as installed at the factory such as A/C, microwave,TV, and propane tank tray. It does not include propane and battery. It also may not include the empty propane tank. My guess without all the facts.
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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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 10:19am
I have a first generation blue roof, 2017 RP172. The sticker says the dry weight of mine is 2433 #'s.  The max cargo says 794 #'s. I do not have a hood river edition, and I have all the options that they offer. A/c, convection/microwave, power hitch, 24 inch t.v. and every other option they offered. That's my 2 cents

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2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 3:21pm
Based on the UVW and capacity of mjlr's 2017 172, it would appear that they count the appliances and such they add it in the UVW.  Our Pod came without a micro, power hitch, and I suspect the TV was added by the way the antenna was wired.  Our gross vehicle weight is 3219 (2259+960) while his/hers is 3227 (2433+794), leaving a total difference of 8 pounds, or about a 4 bottles of good wine for the trip.  I'm taking the wine anyway!

I wonder if anyone has contacted FR to find out what they include in the as built UVW?  Seems they'd have no problem letting everyone know since it helps avoid overloaded trailers and resulting safety concerns.  If I was their corporate counsel or their insurer, I'd make darn sure that they were very clear about what is included in the UVW so as to avoid overloading.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 8:03pm
I have a 2011 172 dry weight 2113 # cargo 1066 #, total of 3179 #, but then in 2014 I found out that my axle was only 3000 #.
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2017 at 8:28pm
  The yellow tag on our 177 shows a dry weight of 2440, the only additional weight would be the r-dome and the 2  12volt batteries that we added.  So I feel we are pretty close to actual weight as we ordered ours without the following: no A/C, no convection/microwave, no entertainment system. 
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