Scary event
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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=4213
Printed Date: 07 Jun 2025 at 3:52pm
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Topic: Scary event
Posted By: Dawg Pod
Subject: Scary event
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 9:43am
We were on our way out of town with the Dawgpod and stopped to get lunch. While circling the parking lot, my husband drove over a small curb with one wheel of the pod. Then went we went over a small speed bump (slowly) and the hitch released and dropped the rPod.! We were stunned! We had both checked the hitch lever. Not only was it in the down position but it was secured in that position with a pin lock! So... What happened? Was going over a curb or speed bump sufficient torque to pop the ball out of the socket? We rehitched it and proceeded and had no more problems but are now very nervous. Any words of wisdoms? 
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Replies:
Posted By: sandlapper
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 11:04am
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I never heard of this happening for no reason. The only thing I can think of is are you sure you have the correct size ball for your R Pod? Otherwise that baffles me. ------------- sandlapper StarPod |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 12:24pm
| Do you have a 2" ball? Was it fully on the ball before you left? I normally will hook up to the ball and crank back up slightly to make sure it is seated correctly. |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 12:31pm
Yup this is one of the best ways to make sure you are actually locked. Set it and then jack back up until you see your TV raise slightly. Only then can you 100% be sure it's locked securely. This is not the first time owners have had this happening, lots of stories like this over the years here. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 2:52pm
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I would not be nervous, I agree with the above posts you most likely did not have it hitched properly or you could have a 17/8 ball. I to have never known this to happen where it was not human error. The good thing is that no harm was done and you now know to make sure the hitch is secured properly before traveling. Happy camping! David ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 2:55pm
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+1 to all the above. ------------- 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: Thinker
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 4:28pm
Totally agree... cannot happen when all is done correctly. As stated, look first at the ball size. To the untrained eye it is difficult to tell the difference in 1 7/8 vs 2 inch balls unless they are side by side. There should be markings on the ball. If the ball is correct, then the hitch was not latched and locked. Put the latch down until it clicks Insert locking pin horizontally through the latch. After the "bump" with the trailer bouncing off, the latch could have fallen into the down position thus giving the false impression that it had been down during the event. ------------- Tow Vehicle: 2013 Pathfinder 4WD R-POD Model 171 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 7:45pm
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It sounds like it was in fact latched with the pin in place. What happens is it appears the ball is all the way in the socket but instead it is sitting on the bottom of the latch. Visually there is little difference. As mentioned already, lifting the rear of the TV higher than its non-towing position confirms it is properly latched. Remember it sags when the pod is attached so just lifting it back to where it started doesn't prove anything. ------------- 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: Sleepless
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 10:11pm
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That is one of the side benefits of using a standard WDH. You have to raise the tongue and the hitch considerably higher than normal to properly attach the bars.
------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 10:39pm
The same thing happened to us also, we thought the trailer was down on the ball. At the time I thought the locking lever closed to "easily" . Now I look for some resistance when pushing the lever down to insert the pin through the hole. But I will now also after closing lever and inserting pin, try to crank up the TV to see if the tongue slides off the ball. That is a good way to tell if you are really locked onto the hitch. We were very lucky there was no damage at all to anything. Thanks fellow podders. ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 20 Nov 2013 at 11:35pm
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I have learned that when the top of the hitch is seated on the ball properly and the locking lever is locked, the distance from the bottom of the hitch to the base where the ball is mounted is approx. the "width of my index finger". This is a quick check I ALWAYS do after the lever is locked. Works for me. ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: Bill-GA
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 9:12am
Always look for the most simplistic solution to a problem - Occam'sRazor ------------- Bill & Bev 13 yr old dachshund 'Elsa' 2010 RP-176T (tent & slide-out) 2011 Toyota Tundra 2WD TV |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2013 at 10:02am
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I had a load of firewood pop up like that once. After reattaching I lifted the rear wheel almost off the ground testing. Had to have been my fault. Now, when I hook up, I physically reach under with my finger and make sure the little part that holds the ball from below, is in fact, below the ball. it should be loose until you put the locking lever down, then it should pull up snug against the bottom of the ball. ------------- |