E2 or Equalizer WDH for 179?
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Topic: E2 or Equalizer WDH for 179?
Posted By: fonseca179
Subject: E2 or Equalizer WDH for 179?
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2016 at 11:29am
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Hi, I am looking into purchasing a WDH for my 179 and have narrowed it down to the E2 or the Equalizer systems. The E2 is less money but it will also provide less sway control. If anyone has either of these two systems I would like to hear their feedback. I am towing with a Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel with a 7,200 lb towing capacity and currently only use a friction sway control. The Jeep tows the 179 very well but from what I have read a WDH will significantly improve the towing experience. Thanks,
Mike |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2016 at 11:44am
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From my experience with two different TV/TT pairs, both using the E2, my conclusion is: E2 adequate and effective; Equalizer just a little bit better. If I were starting over I might consider the Equalizer for the heavier Camplite, but the E2 is quite adequate for the Pods. I've had no sway problems with either of my two rigs using the E2.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2016 at 1:16pm
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I use the E2 towing my 179 with a 2014 Ford Explorer. No sway problems. Also don't have to un-hook anything in order to back up. My only issue with the E2 is that I had to get a longer drop hitch in order to get the 179 tilted slightly down to the front. ------------- Rob & Becky 2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6 2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod "Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!" |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Feb 2016 at 7:50pm
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I used the E2 with my pod and with my prior Sienna and then a Suburban. Loved the ride improvement and sway control. ------------- 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: fonseca179
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2016 at 8:48am
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Thanks for the feedback. If I go with the E2 I will no longer need my friction anti sway bar, correct? Also, is the E2 noisy especially when backing up? I do notice that some TV/TT have WDH that make a ton of noise when parking at a campground.
The E2 setup that is being recommended to me is: Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ 2-Point Sway Control - Round - 6,000 lbs GTW, 600 lbs TWI just want to make sure that this is the proper one for the Pod and not too heavy duty for it.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2016 at 8:58am
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The E2 provides weight distribution and sway control so you no longer need the friction device. The E2 does make some noise, but I like it. It's not objectionable and I know it's working. The E2 won't buckle like friction devices so there's no need to disconnect it before backing if properly installed.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2016 at 9:07am
Yes, that's the one. Very popular with the RPOD crowd. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: jimqbaum
Date Posted: 04 Feb 2016 at 10:25am
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The dealer recommended the E2 for my configuration. Jeep Wrangle Sport pulling Pod 171. On my trip from Ohio to Virginia I had several big rigs blow by me like I was standing still and not once did I feel a sway. I actually was not paying attention to what was behind me one time and that's when a big rig just sort of appeared in the side window. I did not feel his approach, so that is probably the best gauge of apparent vrs. perceived sway. I had two really long downhills and also did not feel sway. ------------- Have A Blessed Day Pod 171 Ram Hemi tow truck. Got rid of the Jeep Wrangler. It was puny and girly |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2016 at 1:58pm
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As I understand it, the sway control on the E2 is still friction, it's just friction between the WD bar and the bracket rather than a separate unit.
The website says that the friction is metal against metal. Is there any sort of metallic friction pad on either the bar or the bracket, or does the metal of the bar and bracket rub together directly? At what point would you need to replace the bars or brackets due to wear? My standalone sway bar uses brake pads. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Apr 2016 at 2:52pm
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You are correct that the friction surfaces are metal to metal. That make for some noise that bothers some folks, but it tells me it's working and only occurs when making very sharp turns! I've used the same E2 for thousands of miles with no sign of wearing out.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Apr 2016 at 11:31am
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Rarely had noise from ours except in odd configurations (hard turn). We put over 15,000 miles on ours with little wear. Even if the L brackets wore out in 10-15 years it would take $20 and 20 minutes to replace them. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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