What is towing your pod?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10441
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 9:41pm
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Topic: What is towing your pod?
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: What is towing your pod?
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 9:04pm
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Got some great info about the Chevy Colorado for a truck to tow. Got the z71 crew cab tow package Ratings which I have yet to put to the test but it has muscle. I pulled before with a Jeep Unlimited which did okay.
Thanks for the info Tennessee podder. Do not remember your name. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2017 at 9:31pm
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I think the wheelbase makes almost as much difference as the power. Jeeps are often really short wheelbase vehicles (I know not all). Wranglers being fun to drive is a different story when you're trying to pull something. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: brrrett
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 1:27am
| Towing with a 2016 Ram 1500 Ecodeisel 4wd crew cab. Getting 18mpg while towing. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 9:57am
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Still here rawest50, I'm happy with my 2016 Colorado, and if I feel anxiety and tow with the 2006 Silverado 4X4. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 10:03am
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you guys have it all wrong, FORD is the only way to go......just kidding!!!! actually I just wanted to say that the 18mpg is quite impressive. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 5:18pm
My Jeep unlimited pulls great as long as the hills are not 2 miles long and steep. I think the new Colorado crew cab z71 off road package will definitely get it done. More HP and more torque. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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Posted By: spydie
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2017 at 11:21pm
I was actually disappointed to see that diesel is only getting 18 mpg when it can get 30 mpg without towing (according to some owners). that's quite a drop. One guy on here is getting 16-18 mpg with a 5.7 hemi in a fairly new RAM 1500 but he has 3.55 gears. I have the 3.92 gears and only get about 12-13. I'd like to know the rear-end ratio of that diesel that's only getting 18 pulling the R-pod? ------------- 2018 R-pod 176 2017 RAM 1500 5.7L Hemi 
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Posted By: Oharley
Date Posted: 11 Aug 2017 at 8:12am
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I get about 14 mpg with 3:21 gears towing our 179. 2016 Ram 1500 5.7 hemi. ------------- RP 179 2016 Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 4x4 |
Posted By: SqueakyToy17
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2017 at 10:55pm
| 2014 Ford Expedition V8. Smooth ride and gas is close to what I use everyday to work - unless running A/C...then eats through it a bit... |
Posted By: tsherv
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 10:03am
| 2008 Honda Ridgeline. Handles really nice. I would like a bit more power though. I just finished a 4,000 mile trip out west. Bighorn mountains were a bit of a challenge (from a power standpoint). |
Posted By: flat6s
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 3:13pm
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Tsherv... My 2009 Ridgeline is struggling from a handling standpoint. Rear end droop is making steering very light and sway is an issue. I use a friction sway bar, which helps, if I install it very tight. I am wondering if you are using a wdh and if so, what brand or style ? From a horse power stand point I feel the Ridgeline is average, as long as you do not mind high rpm... I have found, like the guys on the Ridgeline forum state, that switching to 93 octane makes a huge difference, gas mileage is way better and the performance increase is well worth it. Transmission stays locked in gear much better. I just need to get the front end planted. Thanks for any help you can give me. Joe and Bessie the Bassett
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Posted By: tsherv
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 3:40pm
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Hi Joe,
I do use a WDH. I use the this hitch: Fastway 94-00-0600 Round Bar Weight Distribution Hitch. I bought it on Amazon. There is a long history of discussion around the use of a WDH on a Ridgeline. Some people feel you shouldn't use one. If you do a web search you can read up on it and come to your own conclusion. Honda recommends not using a WDH because an improperly adjusted hitch can make the vehicle unsafe. Isn't that the case with any WDH? I have close to 6,000 miles on it just this Summer with the WDH. It works great for me. Besides wind resistance I can hardly tell the camper is behind me. I also you high octane and have better results. I also always pull it with my water tanks empty, unless I'm going shorter distances. Let me know if you have questions! |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2017 at 5:26pm
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: flat6s
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2017 at 6:32pm
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Hey tsherv, Based on your recommendations, I made an appointment and had a round bar Fastaway wdh installed today. They only had the 8000 lb model, but said it is a little overkill but won't hurt anything. On the 25 mile drive home, it is a wonderful improvement. Truck front end feels planted now. Rear end ag is now gone. Absolutely no sway. Actually got it up to 65 mph, something I would never do before because of sway and buffeting. So thank you for your reply. I learn so much from this forum and want to thank everyone that participates. What agreat forum Joe, and of course, Bessie the bassett
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Posted By: Wayword1
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 10:42am
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Hi,
I am confused about WDH for a Ridgeline. I had a 2006 and pulled a 5000# boat through mountains and at highway speeds with no issues. I now have a 2017 Ridgeline and a 182G on order. It just seems difficult to see the need for weight distribution or sway. As I am writing this a thought comes to mind. Trailer suspension. I guess if the rpod does not have a very ridged suspension then sway could be a problem. Any thoughts on this? What about the added weight on the tongue - don't want that either. ------------- Anne, Joe and Quinn our Cairn Terrier 2017 182G 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 12:00pm
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The other issue is wind. Your boat is likely more streamlined tan a trailer. You may want to consider anti sway at least.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Wayword1
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2017 at 1:38pm
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Thanks
I did a quick read on wind and side forces of a trailer. I see that sway is a mathematical calculation of the side surface area of each vehicle. Unless they are equal sway occurs. Maybe because a lot of the side area of the boat is not strictly vertical it has less effect. Since I no longer have the boat I can't have fun measuring it. Either way better safe, so I will get one and with both. Now to wade through all the manufacturer's hype. Husky center control looks good at this point. Thank you for your quick response. ------------- Anne, Joe and Quinn our Cairn Terrier 2017 182G 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E |
Posted By: tsherv
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 8:21am
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I think the big difference is the wind resistance in comparison to a boat.
I could have easily pulled my R-pod using my Ridgeline without a WDH. But, the WDH made towing so much nicer. The trailer and Ridgeline felt incredibly stable using the WDH. When I tow without it, the front end feels a bit light. |
Posted By: Wayword1
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2017 at 10:24am
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Thanks tsherv,
I've elected to go with the Fastway 92-00-0600 trunnion weight distribution hitch that promises to reduce sway. Seems like a good application for my Ridgeline with its lower ground clearance. ------------- Anne, Joe and Quinn our Cairn Terrier 2017 182G 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E |