E2 WDH model recommendation
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7972
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Topic: E2 WDH model recommendation
Posted By: Island Rider
Subject: E2 WDH model recommendation
Date Posted: 18 May 2016 at 8:33pm
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I'm about to buy a E2 WDH for our new 179 and have a question about which model. They sell a 450/4500 lb and 600/6000 lb. I've seen a number of posts from owners who are very happy with the 600 model. However, when I do the math it seems that the 450 model would be more suitable based on the tongue weight fully loaded and the trailers GVWR. What are the benefits and drawbacks, if any, to going with the greater capacity of the 600? Our TV is a Tundra. Thanks.
------------- Dan Vancouver Island 2016 179, 2016 Tundra |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 18 May 2016 at 8:59pm
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Everyone uses the 600/6000. No advantage to the 450/4500, except saving a few dollars, and they are much harder to find. The 600/6000 rating is a maximum. It will work fine and can still be used if you upgrade trailers later.
------------- 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: 18 May 2016 at 10:22pm
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The manufacturer confirmed to me years ago that it is ok to use a heavier-rated model, so I've always recommended the 600/6000. As Charlie said, you can transfer it to another camper. ------------- 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: Retroactive
Date Posted: 19 May 2016 at 11:01am
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I recently contacted Fastway tech support. Since my 171 weights are approx 2,500/3,500 I asked whether I should use the "trunnion" 4,500 hitch. He said there would be very little difference going up to the 6,000 lb unit, and then you can use the "round bar" model which is up to $100 cheaper. The E2 is on my short list before I go on any long hauls, for my current 100 mile runs I can deal with the driver fatigue for 90 minutes. ------------- |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 19 May 2016 at 1:14pm
One possible exception is a unibody vehicle. Heavier rating means less flex, which may end up damaging body panels. My Highlander is unibody and is rated to 5000 pounds; I figure 600/6000 is close enough. I think the round bar models flex more than the trunnion models, which may be something to consider if your TV is a unibody. |
Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 19 May 2016 at 6:18pm
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I just picked up a 6,000 E2 round bar off Craigslist. Supposedly the guy only used it 4 times, and everything except the hitch was still in the original box. He had a TT for a year or so, and went seasonal with a fifth wheel. Like new for $125...my lucky day. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 May 2016 at 8:40pm
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I've never heard of anyone with body damage. ------------- 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: Island Rider
Date Posted: 20 May 2016 at 6:00pm
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Thanks everyone for the responses. I will be getting the 600/6000. ------------- Dan Vancouver Island 2016 179, 2016 Tundra |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 20 May 2016 at 10:55pm
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We also use the 600/6000. Read and follow the owners manual for setting up your wd hitch. I found the people at Equalizer to be very helpful. I had to add an additional washer to my setup and they really helped me get it dialed in properly. We have towed with it for 5 years on several cross country trips. It works. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Retroactive
Date Posted: 21 May 2016 at 10:05am
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Exactly how level does the pavement need to be, when setting up the E2 for the first time? ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 21 May 2016 at 10:31am
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The closer to level the better. Just a few degrees or inches of tilt front to back will affect the settings. Take your wrenches, pad, and tape measure to a schoolyard on a weekend or a churchyard on a week day. Proper setup will take several iterations. A PITA but it's worth it.
------------- 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: Retroactive
Date Posted: 21 May 2016 at 10:52am
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I might have to take it to a local mall etc. Our high school is only 3 miles from my house, but it seems to have a game or practice going nearly 24/7... ------------- |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 21 May 2016 at 4:47pm
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What is the best location to check for tow level? I have a bubble T level that I set in the middle of the floor for set-up, but I find that varies from level on the tongue portion of the frame for towing. AND that is also slightly off from checking level on the frame toward the rear of the pod. AND and I find that if I adjust for frame level at the tongue it just "looks" a bit off. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 11:41am
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I bumping my last question. I'd really love some input. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 11:50am
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In fact, it makes no difference in the real world. If it's level at any place (floor, counter, tongue) it will be close enough for you and the fridge. The only time you might want to be more selective is if you're running a calibration on tank levels for a SeeLevel gauge system. Even then, replicating that degree of levelness at a campsite is of marginal value. I usually check on the floor or counter top for side to side level, then with a bubble on the tongue for front to back. For towing aspect, anywhere is adequate.
------------- 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: 27 May 2016 at 1:05pm
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I've noticed slight variations from the tongue to the floor. When leveling for comfort I use the floor as my measuring point. When setting up the WDH I used the tongue. ------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 May 2016 at 1:33pm
Yes, there can be slight side-to-side differences between tongue and floor due to frame twist and/or bubble sensitivity. Worse on two axle trailers so I use the floor for initial cross leveling, then use the bubble on the tongue after uncoupling. That said, final leveling should always be done with Fred's frozen peas  .------------- 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: 27 May 2016 at 9:58pm
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With butter. ------------- 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: Island Rider
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2016 at 6:33pm
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Update - I bought and installed the E2 600. After I got it set up I went back to the dealer where I bought it to have the shank bolts torqued to 250 ft lbs. No way could I do that with my tools. Have only tested it out with short runs locally but it seems to working fine. I'll see how it works when we take our next trip. ------------- Dan Vancouver Island 2016 179, 2016 Tundra |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2016 at 1:16pm
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Should be a nice improvement. ------------- 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: stevei54
Date Posted: 11 Jul 2016 at 10:23pm
| did you install it? wondered as reference how many spacers you used on your Tundra? |
Posted By: Island Rider
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2016 at 1:25am
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I did install it on our stock Tundra and 179. I used 4 spacers and installed the L brackets on the tongue in the lowest position. I also bolted the head of the hitch in the lowest position on the stock shank. Having the hitch higher and/or more spacers and/or having the the L brackets higher resulted in the Tundra being a bit nose down from the instructions provided by Fastway. With this set up when sitting on flat ground the stance of the TV is good and the Rpod is slightly nose down (about 1 inch measuring from the front and back of the frame to the ground). I know that Fastway indicates that 5 spacers are the minimum but that didn't seem to work for me. I can't see any problem with 4 spacers. One caveat. I did this shortly after we bought the trailer and it wasn't fully loaded. I will check the setup again later this year and adjust if necessary. I'm happy with the results. ------------- Dan Vancouver Island 2016 179, 2016 Tundra |
Posted By: stevei54
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2016 at 8:36pm
| Island Rider, any clearance problems? I had the brackets in the lowest position and was worried if the ground clearance was to low and might cause problems? Not sure I saw whether you had the round or the trunion version? |
Posted By: Island Rider
Date Posted: 04 Aug 2016 at 10:06pm
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I have the round bar version which sits lower on the standard shank than the trunnion version when mounted in the lowest position. This means setup will differ between the two versions.
I haven’t had any clearance issues. The brackets look low but haven't dragged. I had a good test of clearance recently when loading onto a small ferry during a very low tide. There was quite an angle between the ramp and the ferry deck. Nothing dragged. I think the fact that the brackets are about 2'+ aft of the coupler helps. ------------- Dan Vancouver Island 2016 179, 2016 Tundra |