Oversized load distribution hitch?
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 10:20am
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Topic: Oversized load distribution hitch?
Posted By: LuckyLindy
Subject: Oversized load distribution hitch?
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2025 at 6:38pm
| I'm learning just enough to be dangerous. Was told by 3 RV veterans that the load distribution/ anti-sway hitch was WAY oversized for a 191 which weighs in at just over 4000 pounds if I'm reading the specs correctly. This system is designed for much heavier trailers and these guys think my bound up door problem may be related; that the rig is TOO rigid, not allowing the frame to flex at all. They think all I need is a simple anti-sway friction bar system. I'm going blind looking at all the product options and opinions. Please comment and thank you! |
Replies:
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 8:26am
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Your 3 RV veterans may be right, however you are posing this problem/question on a forum, I think seeking answers. When you do this you have to supply all the needed information to allow the forum's RV veterans the information they need to assist you. What I am getting at is for example; what is your tow vehicle, along with what is the tongue weight limit of that vehicle, also what is the to vehicle's towing capacity; what is the loaded weight of your 191? All these variables will help determine your need for a weight distribution hitch. Your other option is to visit a local reputable RV dealer and have them evaluate your hitch needs/setup. Hope this helps you. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 8:42am
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You will get lots of varying opinions on this. Personally, when we towed our 179 with a 2016 Nissan Frontier, we started off with just an anti-sway bar at the recommendation of the RV dealership. After a couple of trips, we switched to a properly sized, full WDH with anti-sway (Fastway E2) plus updated the rear suspension of the Frontier with Sumo Springs. Once we dialed everything in by loading the truck and trailer as if we were going camping, we towed for over 50K trouble free miles. I'm a fan of the WDH as long as it is sized correctly, setup correctly, and the tow vehicle can accommodate a WDH. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 11:43am
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There have been lots of questions/comments over the years regarding weight distribution hitch (WDH) usage. The main issue usually comes down to—do I need a wdh and/or does a wdh make it a better tow situation. Every rv’er has an opinion. Some opinions are based on experience and some are based on “I think” from other people’s knowledge or readings.
Personally, I tow with a 2022 Ford F150 eco boost. We probably don’t NEED a wdh for our 179, but we use an Equalizer 4 point with anti sway bars. The hitch is rated for 600# tongue weight and the spring bars are similar. I think the Equalizer makes the tow experience smoother and safer. I have accurately weighed our rig with and without the spring bars attached. I can easily see the effect of the wdh as it definitely helps distribute some of the weight much better than not using the wdh.
In the end, it comes down to a personal decision. Larger trucks with smaller trailers probably do not NEED or REQUIRE a wdh, smaller tow vehicles add more questions. The overall safety and tow experience seem much better when they are used in my opinion based on 13 years of experience.
Travel often and safe Vann
------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 1:38pm
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We have towed our RP179 both with and without our Fastway E2 (600# rating), and I can tell you, yes, we can tow without the WDH. However, the tongue weight alone puts enough rear-load on the truck (Ford F150 supercrew with the tow package) that it makes driving at night hazardous to all on-coming traffic. Going forward, we will only tow with the WDH. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: LuckyLindy
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 9:01pm
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Thanks to one and all. Apologies for not supplying adequate information and photo. Which I will do hoping you good folks will hang in there with me. I'm pulling the 191 w/ a Chevy 1500 (half ton) regular cab with tow package. Will get specs and post. JR, I did make an appointment with what seems to be a qualified RV dealer for next week. Really appreciate all of you and hope I can share experience with another newbie some day! |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2025 at 9:03am
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Your Chev pickup is stout enough to handle your rpod both towing and tongue weight without any additional equipment. It is simply a matter of what you prefer like GlueGuy has indicated. I have a 22 Blazer with a 3.6l engine and I have a safeway e2 equalizing hitch with 600 load rated bars on it. The bars of the hitch work as the sway control for this setup. This setup works well for me and I feel confidant in it. So the minimum that I feel that you need would be a sway control bar but using a 600 load rated e2 equalizing hitch would not be out of the question or do any damage if set up properly. The sway control either from a equalizing hitch or sway control bar helps to mitigate the wind/vacuum effect of a 18 wheeler passing you on the expressway which tends to make your rig wonder while driving at 60 mph down the expressway. Just get something that gives you peace of mind. Happy camping. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: LuckyLindy
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 2:18pm
| Thank you ALL. Will report back. Mighty helpful. |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 10:45am
| then there is the subject of tires. When I went to load range E tires all of the little tiny side-to-side movement that you see in the rear view mirrors went away |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 3:11pm
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You have been given excellent advice from the above 'seasoned' podders. In my case, a fully loaded 177 with 36 gallons of water (usually boondock and tank is behind the axle) weighs in at 2940 lbs. The tongue weight is 340. The first 8 years of towing was accomplished with an '08 or '13 front wheel drive Explorer and much of the miles covered with either going across the midwest or traveling in the Rockies. The last 6 years we have towed with an '11 and '17 F-150. In all cases a simple friction bar was utilized with no issues encountered. Weather conditions over the last 14 years have included: blizzards, heavy snow, hail, sleet, heavy rain and cross winds in excess of 20 mph. To date we have driven our 177 over 51,000 miles.
------------- 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: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2025 at 3:21pm
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I do not believe a 191 weights anywhere near 4000 pounds. What is your weight distribution hitch recommended for? You should have a max of 6000 / 600 model. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2025 at 11:17am
An empty 191 weighs 2,932 lbs with a max capacity of 863 lbs for a total of 3,795 lbs. So if it's empty, you're right. I would plan for a weight of ~~ 3,800 lbs to be safe. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: LuckyLindy
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 8:28pm
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Thanks to all! I went to a trailer shop to have wheel bearings inspected and repacked. He declared them in great shape and simply added fresh grease and replaced seals. My Enduro tires are in great shape as well. While there, we talked and did a ton of research on the tow rig I'd inherited in the sale. We considered adding a a simple sway bar to the A frame. Nope. Took it on the highway w/ standard 2 inch drop hitch and I did not like the feel. Yes, the rig that came with the sale is rated for a heavier trailer but after much discussion (and the test run w/o it), I decided to keep the rig. Shakedown cruise at highway speed proved to be the right decision. Even in high crosswinds on Sunday, I felt safe.
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Posted By: Mystical_Mama
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:48pm
I know nothing about a Frontier...is it a V6 or V8? What is its max tow capacity? And how heavy was your 179 dry? ps: I am planning on "dialing in" my Tacoma plus RPod 192. My trailer came used with the same hitch the previous owners used. It is a monster WD hitch and we had to adjust it up for my Tacoma but we didn't adjust the WD bars yet... ------------- "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." - Marianne Williamson |
Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:58pm
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The Nissan Frontier is Nissan's answer to the Tacoma. It is a mid-sized truck with a V6 motor. I believe ours has a 6500lb towing capacity and our 179 was about 3200lbs dry. ------------- Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Kawasaki KLR650 |