Towing tips
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
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=3568
Printed Date: 29 Apr 2024 at 9:17am
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Topic: Towing tips
Posted By: JCMoran
Subject: Towing tips
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:37pm
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Hey there, I took the Hawg pod to the rest area to dump the tanks this passed weekend to see what that was all about and it created a question in my head. Is it better to tow with a full fresh water tank, empty fresh water tank, or somewhere in between? ------------- John & Stevie Bella & Emma (Fur babies) 2014 RP178HRE "Hawg Pod" 2001 Silverado 1500 |
Replies:
Posted By: 2Peas-n-Rpod
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:45pm
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We usually keep only 5 gallons or so in the fresh water tank, only for those times we need to stop along the road and use the facilities. We try to run on that bare minimum because water is very heavy (8 pounds per gallon) and can put you over the Pod's GVWR very quickly. ------------- 2011 R-Pod 182G Hood River Edition "Ribbitt" Pod (now sold) 2000 Ford F150 5.4L V8 TV |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2013 at 11:52pm
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We just bought our 174 and towed it home with empty fresh water tank towed perfect then tried it with a full tank of water and we got some sway so it's tow with just 5-10 gal and fill near destination . Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 12:11am
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We pull generally with 5 or 6 gallons in the tank, we have pulled with a full tank not very far so we did not stop on the way into the campsite and fill up. One time we started to come home from Arizona with somewhere between 1/3rd and a half a tank of water, I did not like the extra sway that it created from the water sloshing in the tank so I pulled over on an off ramp and drained the tank down to under 1/3rd. Had plenty of water for the 3 day ride home and the POD trailed much better. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 8:08am
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Same as all the above ... with the exception that since we don't boondock it (yet) and haven't traveled far away from home we tow with it completely empty. I took it up to the dealer this spring to have some warranty work done and they filled it for me out of courtesy but didn't tell me. I was 30 minutes down the road feeling like something was wrong with how it was towing, pulled over and figured it out. Like Goose I drained it on the spot and then was fine. Since I don't have a big TV it really can make an impact on how mine performs ... 30 gallons x 8.45 lbs per gallon = 253.5 extra pounds of weight to pull. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 9:32am
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Depends on where the fresh tank is located. Mine is in front of the axle so it is no big deal if I leave some water in it. Other than the cost of hauling the extra weight. But if you tank is behind the axle then you are better running with as little water in the tank as possible so that yoiu do not take weight off of the tongue. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 9:36am
Doesn't sound very courteous to me. That's like putting a couple lead bars in your backpack
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Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 12:03pm
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Here is a tip for towing: turn off your overdrive. It will save a lot of wear on your tranny. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 3:14pm
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I usually take a few gallons if the drive will be long, for rest stops, if we'll have full hookups at the campground. If we are dry camping it goes full. I've read too many stories of people trying to find water once they get to the campground only to find dry pumps, nasty rangers that say you can only use portable containers (no hoses or water thiefs), etc.
As for the 2 other tanks, make sure you only dump the black tank if it is at least 2/3 full, it doesn't matter how full the gray tank is. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: JCMoran
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 3:20pm
Great advice from all. Thanks a bunch. 
------------- John & Stevie Bella & Emma (Fur babies) 2014 RP178HRE "Hawg Pod" 2001 Silverado 1500 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2013 at 3:52pm
^Exactly what I was going to say I try to leave 10 gallons or so (just under 1/3 tank) in the fresh tank when travelling. Being able to use the toilet, wash up dishes after lunch or having a quick shower after stopping somewhere for a swim are some of the benefits of having a travel trailer that I like to take advantage of. I do find that the trailer behaves a little bit better with water in the fresh tank, but its not such a great enhancement that I'd fill the tank for the sole purpose of improving handling. Proper hitch height, keeping the speed under 60 and adding sway control to combat sidewinds and passing trucks are much more effective. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |