Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Pulling small trailer

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Pulling small trailer

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10675
Printed Date: 30 Jun 2025 at 7:47am
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Topic: Pulling small trailer

Posted By: podderfj
Subject: Pulling small trailer
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 7:01am

I have a r pod 172 that I pull with a Chrysler Aspen. I also have a 3 wheel trike that I ride for exercise, which is long, wide and bulky. My problem is: When we go camping, I have no where for storage for my trike, so it stays at home. Would love to take my trike with me. Is it legal, safe, or not very wise to pull a small trailer behind the pod with my trike on it. I would try and find a very small trailer that would just fit my trike. I thought about removing the spare tire and take it in the back of the Aspen, but I am afraid that my receiver hitch on the back of the pod may fail, or, worse, it could damage the channel iron support under the pod. Any advice would be appreciated.

Replies:

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 11:03am

Does your state allow two trailers? We call that an "Idaho Parade" in Idaho, and typically consists of a pickup, 5th wheel and either a boat or a horse trailer.

I would worry about the back chassis support on the POD, and the axle attachments. two single axle trailers would be a lot of up and down movement. Sort of like watching a snake.

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 11:17am

The states that allow double towing, state that the "1st" tow, must be a 5th wheel.

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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 1:42pm

You can't double tow safely with a bumper coupler ball like the R-Pod. The first tow MUST be a 5th wheel. And it is not legal everywhere either. Some states don't allow it.

It would be exciting to see how much sway would happen though!! From a safe distance behind of course.

Drive safe!!

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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2017 at 2:37pm

The other factor is the hitch on the back of the R-Pod is not sturdy enough to support that type of load. It is meant for a load of up to 150 lbs, and that close in to the body of the trailer. The dynamic loads of a second trailer would likely exceed the capacity of the hitch and would also void your frame warranty. Your fears are justified. In short: Don't do it!

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: podderfj
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 9:16pm

Another question on r pod hitch attachment: If I place one of the aluminum platform carriers on the r pod hitch with my trike, would it be feasible to attach 2 wide straps, one on each outer end of the platform and run the straps over the top of the pod and secure straps to frame on front of hitch close to TV hitch. I would put padding between the straps and the top of the pod to prevent scratching. Would this be feasible or a bad idea. Straps attached in this manner would relieve some of the weight on the r pod receiver hitch, but, am I compromising the top structure by doing this? I hope this is clear to everyone what I am suggesting

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2017 at 10:21pm

I think it is a bad idea. Even with padding, you are putting stress on the fiberglass roof which is not meant to take that kind of stress. Transferring some weight that way does not change that you are talking about grossly overloading the rear hitch for a purpose for which it was not designed. It will void your warranty if you have one. It may also get you or someone else hurt should the welds on the small cross-member that support the hitch and the default spare tire break, dumping your trike.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 6:04am

+1

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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 8:27am

The force on the hitch when you carry things that it was not designed to carry are magnified by the fulcrum effect. If you were to attach your straps to the aluminum wall frames instead of open space on the roof, you may be able to counter that additional force, but the risk is that you will develop leaks as the attachment screws move from the irregular force applied.

Maybe you should consider a roof mounted bike rack for your trike. I'm sure you can easily adapt a 2 bike roof rack by moving the wheel support in the front rack to the middle of the rack. The only drawback is that it is a lot of windage that will further reduce your mileage.

If your frame warranty doesn't matter to you, another possibility would be to figure out a way to extend the two frame rails beyond the end of the trailer and build a platform big enough to hold the trike. But doing something like that changes the all of the weight distribution designed into the trailer and you'd need to make sure that you keeping things in balance. A consult with an engineer would be advisable.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2017 at 9:43am

Yeah, the strap thing is highly questionable.

You probably could extend the frame to hold a platform, but it would depend a lot on how big & heavy the trike is. Have we defined that yet? IOW, how "big" is this trike in the first place? How long, how wide, how heavy?

Perhaps it would be easier to trade your Aspen in on a Tacoma, or Colorado? Then just pop the trike in the bed of the truck. That's what we do with our bikes.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: Wendell
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2017 at 2:23pm

Check out the HitchRider trike carrier: http://www.hitchrider.com/hrt1-2t.htm - http://www.hitchrider.com/hrt1-2t.htm . Something like that may serve your needs.

Your question caught my eye because I want to put my 1UP bike rack on my RP171. The rack is 2", so I'm going to try a 1-1/4" to 2" adapter. I'm hoping it won't overstress the pod's hitch since it withstood a whole lot of severe bouncing with the spare on it during our last trip.

I'll probably "stress-test" it by standing on it (200+ lbs), maybe bounce a bit. If it doesn't hold up, I think I'll ask someone to make a "bumper" with a 2" receiver similar to http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10242&KW=rpod+bumper&PID=95593&title=installed-a-rear-bumper-sewer-line-holder#95593 - this .

Follow-up addendum:

I tried putting my bike rack on the trailer using the adapter. I put my weight on it, and 'bounced' a little. Lots of torque on the hitch(noticeable deflection), but no damage I could see. The adapter puts the rack another 6-8 in behind the trailer and the bikes will obstruct the lights somewhat(just like on my vehicle). Also, I need to relocate the spare tire.

I shouldn't need to say that I'm only describing what I expect will work for me.

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R-Pod 171
'17 Toyota 4Runner Off-road
https://ourr-pod.blogspot.com/ - Our R-Pod