Towing nervousness
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
Forum Discription: Find r-pod reviews and new product announcements here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849
Printed Date: 25 Apr 2024 at 7:28am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Towing nervousness
Posted By: DAKIBBS
Subject: Towing nervousness
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 4:47am
|
Hello all, I am extremely new at this and I am getting mixed information that is actually starting to worry me a little. I am renting a 2018 190 next month for a weekend getaway, I have a 2011 Ford Escape with the factory tow package on it. I will be traveling only about 50 miles with the trailer. The door sticker on my Escape says I am able to pull 3500 lbs with a 350 hitch weight according to the owners manual. The 190 says it weighs about 2766 lbs. with 336 lbs. hitch weight, can I tow this trailer with my vehicle? I am planing on adding a brake control system before the rental. Mostly everything I have read leaves me to believe I should be able to pull it, but I am just trying to get some expert advise. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you so very much.
-------------
Sincerely,
David Kibitlewski
Round Lake Beach, IL
|
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 5:52am
That 2766 and 336 lbs are empty weights, none of the normal options installed, no water in the tanks or water heater, no battery, no gear or supplies. The 3500/350 lb tow vehicle rating is the equivalent, probably only assumes one person in the tow vehicle and no other gear. Even if you leave both the trailer and the tow vehicle completely unloaded you will still certainly be well over the 350 lb tongue weight, just having a battery on the tongue and a water heater full of water will do that.
So, can you tow it for one 50 mile trip safely? Yes, probably, if its an easy 50 miles and you leave it and your tow vehicle empty and unloaded for the trip, and drive very conservatively. Maybe bring a second vehicle with all your supplies and people in it?
Should you do it as a regular thing with normal gear? Absolutely not.
If the reason for installing a brake controllers is to be able to use that vehicle for towing one of the larger rPods like the 190 or another similar travel trailer in the future, then maybe hold off, and use the money to rent a heavier tow vehicle for the weekend instead? Some of the rental companies will rent you a full size pickup set up for towing.
Or, rent a smaller trailer that is properly sized for a 3500/350 lb tow vehicle. Like on of these:
https://nucamprv.com/tab-camper/lineup/ - https://nucamprv.com/tab-camper/lineup/
-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
|
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 7:56am
|
If the rental outfit is reputable they wont rent that trailer to you with that small of a tow vehicle.
That vehicle will be overloaded.
-------------
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
|
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 8:32am
|
+1 to the above comments. The simple reality is the trailer will weigh at least 900 pounds heavier, and likely more, by the time you put batteries, gas, water, and all your stuff in it. You will be overweight enough that you put your vehicle at risk for damage. If the road to the camping destination is flat and you are able to drive very slowly, you would probably be able to make it to and from, but that doesn't mean that your car won't experience excessive wear and tear that will affect it over its service life.
If you are going to all the trouble to rent the trailer, do yourself a favor and rent a tow vehicle that has the capacity to mange the weight of the trailer with all the stuff you'll need to enjoy your holiday. It isn't all that expensive, especially for such a short trip.
-------------
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: 16 May 2019 at 9:07am
|
+1 to the above. You might get away with it for a short, easy, no hills (or mountains) type of weekend, but your tow vehicle will be on the hairy edge. You should really have a tow vehicle with a 5,000 lb tow rating.
And the trailer brake controller is pretty much a mandatory thing for any trailer over 3000 lbs (which your 190 will be).
-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
|
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 11:53am
You could probably tow one of the smaller Pods, but I agree with the above comments that a 190 will likely overload the tow vehicle.
-------------
Alan
2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod"
2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4
Three cats
|
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 16 May 2019 at 8:08pm
I agree with everything said by the others. We have a 190 and I have pulled it with a 3500 lbs vehicle after being advised by the Car dealer, the service manager, the RV dealer and the hitch dealer! If you are nervous now you're in for an eye opening experience. Any amount of wind, bumps, dips, curves, hills, and other vehicles and you're in for a white knuckle experience. You can do it..........but I won't ever do it again.
-------------
Chuck & Lyn
Izzy, Morkie. RIP
Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie
2018 R Pod 190
2019 Traverse
In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck.
|
Posted By: DAKIBBS
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 1:11pm
Thank you so very much to each and everyone of you that gave me your input and thoughts. I feel so much better about the entire situation. We have decided not to go forward with this rental, my vehicle just cannot handle it. Hopefully down the road a bit, we will join the R-Pod community full time when we purchase our own trailer and tow vehicle that will be able to handle it. Hope you have a great day, take care.
-------------
Sincerely,
David Kibitlewski
Round Lake Beach, IL
|
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 May 2019 at 1:32pm
As I understand it, many rental agreements include the option to have the owner tow it and even set it up for you.
-------------
|
|