How many don't use WD hitch?
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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=9792
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Topic: How many don't use WD hitch?
Posted By: Danielw1
Subject: How many don't use WD hitch?
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 11:29pm
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I just bought a 2015 178 and was just wondering how many of you tow without a wd or sway bars. I am towing with a 2015 f150 and this trailer seems light enough that regular old hitch will do just fine. I mainly don't want a bunch of extra stuff to mess with when hooking up the trailer and really don't want to unhook anything when backing up.
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Replies:
Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 11:33pm
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And I just found out that the f150 has intergrated sway control that can brake certain wheels and reduce speed if necessary. Not that I would rely on that but could be useful.
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 12:20am
That built in sway control is for the truck only not the trailer
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If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.
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Posted By: Shazza
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 4:28am
I don't use a wdh or sway, towing my 179 with a 2014 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. I don't think a wdh is needed due to size of truck and camper, but I am considering sway control for those windy days for some peace of mind. Like your original post, I don't like the idea of having to unhook something before backing up.
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John & Shaz
2016 Rpod 179
2014 Ram 1500
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 5:12am
We tow a 177, originally with an '08 Explorer and now with a '13 Explorer. Used a sway control bar on both, neither had WDH. Never have felt the need to have WDH even after towing our pod 25,000 plus miles
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 7:03am
I tow up and down the east coast and do not use a WDH or sway bars. Tow with a Grand Caravan.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 7:29am
Originally posted by marwayne
That built in sway control is for the truck only not the trailer
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The ford sway control system, while controlling sway from the "truck end" is specifically for towing.
From the Factory Towing Guide:
"Trailer Sway Control –
works in conjunction with the
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll
Stability Control™) system to
expand the vehicles dynamic
stability control capabilities,
adding an additional layer of
confidence and control while
towing a trailer"
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 8:13am
I have a 2015 178, tow with a 4X4 Silverado K1500, I have a sway control, no WD. My tongue weight in current config is 377 lbs. I do disconnect my trailer sway bar if backing up. I'm at roughly 50% of the towing capacity of the vehicle. I use the trailer sway control because it makes me feel better. I also have D rated tires and I do not tow with a tank of fresh water, never more than 10 gals.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 10:38am
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I have a Chevy 2500 diesel that I got when I had a 5th wheel. I don't feel I need a WDH wihen pulling the 179 but I do use a friction sway control.
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Posted By: gunny
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 3:45pm
I have a 2016 nissan frontier V6 4x4 pulling a 2016 r-pod 177. I do have a sway bar but no W/D.
Last year going up the santiam pass in the passing lane i ran it up to 80 mpg passing a truck and trailer just to see what my truck would do, Had no problem, But won't do that again.
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Posted By: TigerPawd
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 4:09pm
We have a Ford Expedition and have pulled our 2015 179 without a WD hitch for over two years without problems . We do use a friction sway control though. For a year or so, we did bring the WD bars along too, just in case. Never expected to need them and have not put them on.
Now, I leave them at home. With a big tow vehicle, the Pod tows almost like nothing was back there.
Maybe the bars would be needed with a minivan...?
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Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs
2015 R-Pod 179
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Posted By: craigwood
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 4:16pm
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We tow our 2015 179 with a 2017 F150 3.5L Ecoboost - no sway control or WD. Not a lot of tow miles on this vehicle yet but the old '92 F250 diesel pulled the Rpod with no problems and no WD or sway control
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 4:35pm
Originally posted by TigerPawd
We have a Ford Expedition and have pulled our 2015 179 without a WD hitch for over two years without problems . We do use a friction sway control though. For a year or so, we did bring the WD bars along too, just in case. Never expected to need them and have not put them on.
Now, I leave them at home. With a big tow vehicle, the Pod tows almost like nothing was back there.
Maybe the bars would be needed with a minivan...?
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You should try them, our 2 Expys rode much better with the WDH set up.
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Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 4:57pm
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I pull with both a F150 eco-boost supercrew, and a F250 superduty, supercab. I added the inexpensive friction sway control to see if it would help when towing in the high winds and bumpy roads around Wy and Mt. that tend to bounce the Hood River 177 around, especially at highway speeds. It helps a lot IMO and I always use it. Prior to the install I received some pretty big sway a couple of times. None since.
Easy cheap fix for me but if I pulled with "lesser" tow vehicles I'm sure I'd go for the WDH.
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Posted By: rkreeves
Date Posted: 01 May 2017 at 10:41pm
Going out first trip loaded tomorrow morning (new 2017 #179), no weight distribution, ONLY A Hayes electronic sway control. Loaded I'm about 55% of tow capacity. Front end of truck looks a wee bit higher than I'd like but it's only 3 hours to destination so not too worried. I will micromanage tongue weight next trip. If I end up peeing myself I'll reconsider my strategy. Hauling the pod home from the dealer with 2/3full H2O tank was a piece of cake. This from someone who has never towed a trailer before. Bodes well methinks.
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2017.5 RPOD 179
2017 Tacoma 6,400# tow limit
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 9:40am
Please let us know how the Hayes No-Sway works for you. I bought one after our accident last December, but have not been able to really try it out since we have not been able to make any trips. Our 179 is at the factory for repair and the Hayes No-Sway is in a box at home waiting for us to go to pick up the R-Pod when repairs are complete.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 9:09pm
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I tow our 2017 RP-179 with a 2005 Dodge Dakota, 4.7L V8. We are using the Fastway E2 WDH. We made 4 trips for a total of about 1,400 miles. One trip was in crosswinds up to 40 mph. Never a hint of sway, even when passing the big rigs, going down steep downhill grades, or on some of the uneven mountain roads we've driven. I thought the WDH might be unnecessary and an unneeded cost when the dealer included it in the package with the 179, but I'm now a believer. I don't need to remove the Fastway E2 when backing up, and it takes just a minute or two to assemble it before towing. The portion with the hitch ball that goes into the receiver on the TV is pretty heavy, much heavier than a standard stem with a ball, and I wouldn't want to carry it very far. It also sticks out pretty far behind the vehicle, so I remove it from the TV after parking the 179. My brother-in-law tows with a RAM 1500 without a WDH and has no issues, but that is a much bigger and heavier vehicle than my Dakota. You will have to judge your needs based on your TV and tolerance for risk.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 9:32pm
Consider getting a https://smile.amazon.com/HitchGrip-HG712-Orange-Hitch-Coupling/dp/B00HSO37B0/ - HitchGrip . It will help you maneuver that heavy hitch head. I use it with our Equal-i-zer hitch head which is similar to the one on the E2. It is worth the money.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: Danielw1
Date Posted: 02 May 2017 at 10:23pm
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I think I'm just gonna try towing without sway control. I am not wild about not being able to back up without disconnecting or breaking something. I may try a wdh if one came up for cheap. That was the only thing I noticed when I towed it home, a little bouncey
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 7:40am
The Equalizer WDH has integrated sway control and you can back up without undoing anything. I agree, not being able to back up would be a significant inconvenience.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 8:24am
Originally posted by Danielw1
I think I'm just gonna try towing without sway control. I am not wild about not being able to back up without disconnecting or breaking something. I may try a wdh if one came up for cheap. That was the only thing I noticed when I towed it home, a little bouncey |
It is a little pricey, but consider the Hayes No-Sway electronic sway control. You don't need to disconnect it when backing. When it comes to sway control, I go with the adage: It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If you do decide to get the Hayes No-Sway, shop around. eTrailer.com has their low price policy where they will match to 110% a lower delivered price if you find it cheaper elsewhere. That would include RV places and Amazon. I don't think it would include auction sites like ebay or close-outs.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 03 May 2017 at 8:24am
The same is true for the Fastway E2. It's easy to back, even with sharp turns, is easy to hook up and unhook, and really improves the ride. Our Dodge Dakota is well balanced and rides flat with the hitch. The only bad thing is that the hitch head is heavy and it's a bit of a pain to take off and on the receiver.
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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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