Made a private purchase on a 09 152 yesterday. My very first travel trailer and am very excited to get into the lifestyle with my wife, newborn girl and our dog. It will be snug but that's what we wanted!

I may have put the cart before the horse though as my current vehicle can't tow even this light weight. The decal on the trailer says the GVRW is approx 3150 lbs.

I have been trolling the discussion board on tv and get the impression many of you are okay with using a tv that can handle 3500 tow capacity. I'm on the West Coast Canada (Vancouver Island for those geographically inclined) and expect to see some hills. So my first priority is getting a tv that can meet the GVWR and terrain. I am thinking I should be looking at a tv that has a tow capacity of 4500+, but that puts me into a larger vehicle than I care for (even if its only used for towing).

So my question for all those with experience is am I going to be okay with a tv that has 3500 tow capacity (+ proper tow package) or do I need to go larger?

Looking forward to learning from all the members and sharing in my family's new adventure!

ZAG

2009 RP-152

To be towed with...?

 

People are pulling trailers with all kinds of TVs.  I suggest you go as big as you can, with proper equipment (hitches, coolers, suspention upgrades etc).  And don't be in a hurry.  You are on vacation!

 

Personally I wouldn't go any less than 5000# tow rating.  You might do ok with a TV rated at 3500# but I would use extra caution if hilly, windy conditions, and/or passing semis.  Must haves is a good weight distribution hitch, sway control, and brake controller.  We use an Equalizer hitch which does both weight distribution and sway together.  For the brake controller, we like Prodigy.  If you get a vehicle with the trailer tow package, make sure is has a class III hitch, with a 7-plug in, and also a tranny cooler.

 

As others already stated, there are people out there with different TV/trailer combinations.  Some tow close to capacity and feel comfortable in doing so.  I am not one of those people.

Given my lack of experience and the terrain I hope to travel I am now focusing my attention on finding a good used SUV to act as my tv (and second car). Then in a few years once I've paid down the trailer I can look at upgrading to something newer.  I've lined up some Ford Explorers to look and they all have 5000lb+ tow capacity. The one is an 02 with a Class 3 hitch and 7K tow capacity. Plenty of room for the family and should be able to get up the hills (since I'm at sea level).

Hope to share some pics soon! 

I am from and grew up in Washington State and Alaska, have spent a lot of time in BC and Alberta, and wouldn't even think of towing my Pod in those areas with my current TV.  Minimum I'd go with is 5000#.

 

Hope that helps.

We're towing with a 6 cylinder Subaru Outback mostly over gentle terrain here in the NE in decent weather.  However, when we tried to tow up and down scenic hills in the finger lakes (the wrong way) during a heat wave, we definitely stressed the car.  We have a standard class 2 hitch and also added a tranny-cooler.  

We pack quite lightly but are slowly accumulating "pod things".  We still decant our shampoo and toiletries into just what we need instead of going for those in-stall dispensers.  Every little bit counts when you're that close to your limit  

Question? The TV has a 4-pin trailer connector, can I get that adapter to work with a 7-pin connector or am I looking at putting in a new 7-pin kit?

I had all the windows resealed when I bought the RV so I should be okay there?

The running lights haven't been put on yet (original owner wasn't aware of the recall). Once I get all my TV fixed up with a 7-pin connector I'll reach out to the local dealership to get the lights added. Hopefully I won't have any issues with the trailer being from the US orginally (and currently migrated to Canada).

Seanl,

The original owner imported the trailer into Canada just prior to me buying it. Apparently I was the first person to mention the recall when I first looked at it. Somebody wasn't being thorough in their job I guess...

As for the rear window leak, it was a frame-design problem  on the first batch of rpods.  The original frame installed did not have proper weeping/drainage holes and the water would be forced into the frame and then drain into the interior of the pod.  Technically this is a design and manufacturing defect that was corrected in later models so FR should in theory give you an entire new replacement window for free. However the cost of installation is not included if you are not the original owner/pod is still under warranty etc.  The labour should be around $100-200 from a FR dealer.  Check to see if you have the new frame installed. it should not be curved or flush with the window but look a little awkward upon close inspection.  Basically a flat window installed in a very curved wall....   It seems that the leak was much more severe on the 151s and the 152s because of the curve on the back wall. On the earliest 17x series it was also a problem but not that noticeable.

Thanks g4royce for the info. I started by contacting the local dealer and they also redirected me to Susan at FR. I emailed her my proof of ownership; just waiting to hear back.

I think I will follow up on my original email and look at having the back window addressed at the same time. I've heard mixed reviews regarding the local dealer so I'll have to see how it goes.

I bought my Rpod used from a non Rpod dealer and took it to a local Rpod dealer to have the lights put on. They did it no Questions asked. Now maybe that was because 1. The Rpod had been purchased originally at that dealer and 2. The Rpod was a Canadian Rpod. The Canadian Recall came about a year before the US one did. 

Great to meet another islander! Are you using a brake controller? I know a number of other members are towing with 3500# capacity but notice it when having to tackle the bigger hills or higher speeds.

I now have the light kit installed courtesy of FR and the local dealership. It took a bit of time to get the process going and the dealership has only been carrying the line for a couple of years so the recall work was new to them. All in all it looks pretty good and I'm happy to have that off the to do list.

FR has also agreed to cover the rear window leak repair. Interestingly, the dealership explained (or tried to) that the leak is a result of the window glaze and not the seal. FR is still okay with covering the costs but as a result, the dealership has to have the window sent out to be re-glazed locally.

I had to google what window glaze meant as my first thought was glaze as in the icing on a doughnut but it's not like that... It's the way the window is mounted into it's frame. 

This might be a different way of explaining the known issue of the leak, or something different. Either way I am happy that FR stepped up and offered to support their product even though I am a) not the original owner b) the camper was imported from the US to Canada and c) the camper is now 4 years old. Now that's great customer service!

Let us know how the install turns out 

Cutie-Pod is home from the RV doctor with a reglazed window. I was told there was approx a 2 inch gap in the glazing. 

It's the same window and to me all I see differently is the rubber trim has been changed out. No drain holes but I'm hopeful the fix is final and does the trick. Still thoroughly impressed that FR agreed to cover the costs.

Here's the window post installation.