towing with or without sway/weight distribution
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Topic: towing with or without sway/weight distribution
Posted By: zappapod
Subject: towing with or without sway/weight distribution
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 5:49pm
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I am towing my 2017.5 178 with a Toyota double cab Tundra with tow package. I was told by multiple people that I would not need a hitch sway/weight distribution package. I've towed two long trips and have found no problem. I have not gone out on gale force days and tried to cross long bridges over water, but under average, daily use, I have had no problems. No problems from tractor trailers going by or from little hitches in the road surface or abrupt curves. I'd be interested in hearing other people's experience. ------------- 2017.5 178 (Blue Bell) 2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 5:55pm
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Towing with our 94 F-150 4WD pickup, we are like you no sway/weight distribution needed. However our shorter wheelbase Explorer's (we had an '08 and currently a '13) needs the sway bar and we are glad we have had it, some of the cross-winds we have encountered in the Rockies as well as the mid-west have been scary to say the least. Some other trailers we have observed under those conditions have been all over the road, while our pod tracked very nicely. I am quite convinced that it was due to the sway bar holding it in line. ------------- 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." |
Posted By: rda54
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 6:00pm
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We have a 2016 Chevy 1500 pulling a 2014 r178 with a wdh and last year when in Texas I was glad we had it with side winds. ------------- Ronald & Lonna 2014 178 2016 Chevy 1500 |
Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2017 at 6:05pm
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thanks. the tundra with the double cab extends the chassis length to 19 feet plus, so minimizes the sway. If I decide to do a cross country trip with lots of weather I might upgrade just for the peace of mind (although with more hassle hooking up). ------------- 2017.5 178 (Blue Bell) 2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
Posted By: geewizard
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 9:46am
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I tried towing our 177 without an anti-sway system. It was ok but when I looked in the mirror, I saw the Pod oscillating more than I was comfortable with. So, we got the Andersen system. The sway is noticeably better. The weight distribution portion seems pretty minimal. I'd buy an anti-sway system again. ------------- 2021 Winnebago Micro Minnie 1708FB 2017 R-Pod 177 (Blue) HRE SOLD 2004 Outfitter Apex 8 camper 2014 Toyota Tundra DC |
Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 10:37am
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thanks. I checked out the Anderson system, looks pretty simple to use. Like that. Anyone else got one of these care to comment? ------------- 2017.5 178 (Blue Bell) 2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 10:48am
| Once you get west of the Mississippi, wind will not be your friend. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 10:53am
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We tow our 179 with both our Grand Caravan and the Ford F-150, no sway/wdh. Have been up and down the coast, without any problems so far. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 11:14am
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I have only towed WITH wdh. I am one of those better to have and not need, than need and not have guys. I figure the cost of having it is minimal, and the potential cost of property or life without it is great. Anything that improves my safety and is affordable, is a win. I'll never know if i didnt need it, cause i'll always have it. Some may one day find out they DID need it, i hope not. I liken it to, i could probably close my eyes and cross my street everyday, and maybe i'll never get hurt. But Is it worth the risk? That's everyones decision to make. Some will say yes, others will say no. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 11:22am
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tlhanks for all the input. I researched the Anderson system and it looks great and with great reviews. A couple of possible quirks, but that may be poor installation or bad parts. Overall it looks lightweight, easy to set up, quiet, and greaseless. No bars to break legs. Pod is in hibernation at the moment, but before I go for any longer trip again, I'll prob install this system. Better safe than sorry is right. ------------- 2017.5 178 (Blue Bell) 2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 11:32am
I figure that if the wind is bad enough that I don't want to drive in it.................then I will stay a day or two extra and fish ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 12:28pm
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We have a Toyota Highlander with the tow package. When we originally got our 179 we only opted for a sway bar only. We made several long trips including one down to Zion's NP for a 10 day spring break trip. No problems and the sway bar did it's job. Logging all of that highway time I came to not like the raised front end of the car from the weight of the pod on the rear end/hitch. Found us with unsure footing on gravel or other loose road. Then I followed the wife and son home from a trip up in Salmon, ID. I watched the pod bounce down the road on narrow two lane road along the Salmon River with no shoulders or real pull-offs. Ended up doing lots of research here and other places and end up with the Fastway e2 Trunnion. What a difference. Easy to set up and it makes a huge difference. Levels the car out and takes the bounce out of the pod. If you have concerns, I'd highly recommend. Thanks Jeff ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 12:46pm
We sat for three hours this June just outside of Salt Lake City when we were heading west. Strong crosswinds, and the state police had the road closed to high profile vehicles. The guy just in front of us in a class c was having a tantrum about having to wait. When we were allowed to go nine semis were blown over and off the road over the next twenty miles. Two conclusiions: 1. A WDH wouldn't have helped 2. waiting was a good thing. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: zappapod
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 1:03pm
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absolutely. Waiting is always the safe way to go when weather gets crazy (e.g. downburst thunderstorms or major frontal movements). Why I thought I wouldn't need swd systems. I'm retired, so can wait and go when best weather is available. But, there can always be surprise weather or just gotta get home or to site thinking when that weather does pop up and if something less than extreme, then you're better covered. If extreme, then no matter what stop and wait. Be safe. ------------- 2017.5 178 (Blue Bell) 2005 Tundra Double Cab Outer Banks Bound |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2017 at 3:16pm
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This is one of those "to each their own" kind of decisions. I for one would not tow, especially a single axle trailer, without a anti-sway bar. I also opted for safety reasons (better handling) since I'm using a pickup truck as my tow vehicle which is light in the rear end a weight distribution hitch. As for crazy weather on the road camping, for us its flip a coin, wait it out or bug out before the weather turns bad.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |