R-pod Owners Forum : From Pop-Up to hardside http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : From Pop-Up to hardside Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sat, 02 May 2026 19:30:23 +0000 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 10:46:39 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=11114 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ From Pop-Up to hardside : Originally posted by rnrplayhrdThank... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104223#104223 Author: TheBum
Subject: 11114
Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 10:46am

Originally posted by rnrplayhrd

Thank You everyone. The responses have been very helpful. After talking to the techs at Camping World we have decided to go with the E2. After waiting 3 years the 179 is sitting in our driveway. We sat in it last night checking every thing out (except the water features) and it all checks out. I think Forest River and the dealer could have done a little better job cleaning it out and prepping it but that's not that big of a deal. Can't wait till the snow melts and spring gets hers to take it on it's maiden voyage! Thanks again.RnR


We're running the same setup on our 2012 Highlander and 179 and it tows beautifully.

When we left the dealer's lot the first time, we had only a sway bar. Once we looked at how much sag we had and got some opinions from the FB group, we decided to go to a WDH. We started out with an Eaz-Lift bar and chain hitch and continued using the same sway bar. After the sway bar ball ripped off the Pod's A-frame (probably from backing up at too sharp of an angle while the sway bar was attached), we decided to switch to the E2 and have never looked back. My wife has a much easier time setting up the E2 than she did the old setup.]]> Mon, 05 Feb 2018 10:46:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104223#104223 From Pop-Up to hardside : Congrats on the 179! We've... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104218#104218 Author: Suds' 179
Subject: 11114
Posted: 05 Feb 2018 at 7:46am

Congrats on the 179! We've had ours for a year now - WDH made tremendous difference in towing comfort when we went from Downers Grove to Banff this past summer. You will definitely enjoy your choice! Can't wait for Spring!]]> Mon, 05 Feb 2018 07:46:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104218#104218 From Pop-Up to hardside : Thank You everyone. The responses... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104201#104201 Author: rnrplayhrd
Subject: 11114
Posted: 04 Feb 2018 at 9:56am

Thank You everyone. The responses have been very helpful. After talking to the techs at Camping World we have decided to go with the E2. After waiting 3 years the 179 is sitting in our driveway. We sat in it last night checking every thing out (except the water features) and it all checks out. I think Forest River and the dealer could have done a little better job cleaning it out and prepping it but that's not that big of a deal. Can't wait till the snow melts and spring gets hers to take it on it's maiden voyage!

Thanks again.
RnR

]]> Sun, 04 Feb 2018 09:56:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104201#104201 From Pop-Up to hardside : As others have recommended, a... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104194#104194 Author: ToolmanJohn
Subject: 11114
Posted: 04 Feb 2018 at 8:01am

 As others have recommended, a light duty WD hitch with sway control is great when set up correctly. It certainly smooths the ride, especially at highway speeds.]]> Sun, 04 Feb 2018 08:01:17 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104194#104194 From Pop-Up to hardside : Welcome to the group! Congrats... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104181#104181 Author: Leo B
Subject: 11114
Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 5:42pm

Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!]]> Sat, 03 Feb 2018 17:42:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104181#104181 From Pop-Up to hardside : Congrats and welcome. I have... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104165#104165 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 11114
Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 4:05pm

Congrats and welcome. I have a 172, the lightest of the bunch, and I tow with a Frontier, which has a tow capacity of 6100 - 6500 pounds, depending who you ask. I automatically got a WDH system without wondering IF it was needed. I say, err on the side of caution. I didn't even want to try the sway bar alone, especially knowing you have to adjust them, and you can't back up with it, Etc.. I just want to get in and go, and know that I've taken the advised precaution. It's the same thought process that prompted me to immediately install an EMS system in my pod BEFORE I found out " I should've" . 
Btw, I just completed my first season going from my Starcraft popup, that I loved, to my R-pod 172 which I adore. You've made a great decision so far, I'm sure you'll continue with that.
]]> Sat, 03 Feb 2018 16:05:10 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104165#104165 From Pop-Up to hardside : The two main differences between... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104157#104157 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 11114
Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 10:29am

The two main differences between the pop-up and the pod are going to be weight, and wind resistance. You can make a reasonable assessment of the weight issue when you hook it up & observe the stance of the TV and the TT; both should be close to level. The other is what percent of the capability of your TV you are at. If you are less than 75% of the capacity of your TV, you will e good. If you are in the 90%-100% range, you should reconsider your situation.

The wind resistance is tougher to judge, because you won't really know until you are out on the road. If the TT "feels" like it is pushing the TV around, then you should apply whatever anti-sway and/or balance remedies you can.
]]> Sat, 03 Feb 2018 10:29:13 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104157#104157 From Pop-Up to hardside : We tow a 172 with a Jeep 4dr Wrangler.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104151#104151 Author: Larry-D
Subject: 11114
Posted: 03 Feb 2018 at 9:07am

We tow a 172 with a Jeep 4dr Wrangler.  When we bought the pod the Jeep and pod sat level without a WD hitch.  Since our first pull was to TN from FL the more I though about it (we have a larger TT we pull with a RAM 3500 diesel dually) the more I thought it would be a good idea to go ahead and get the WD hitch and sway bar.  Pulling back from FL it pulled great, never swayed.  Pulls great every time and I don't worry about.]]> Sat, 03 Feb 2018 09:07:24 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104151#104151 From Pop-Up to hardside : Congrats! Moved out to Idaho from... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104146#104146 Author: Wood River Pod
Subject: 11114
Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 11:18pm

Congrats!  Moved out to Idaho from Chitown in 2004.  Bought a '17 179 that we tow with our '10 Highlander limited.  At first only had a sway bar.  But after a trip to Zions last spring, I got an e2.  Best decision I made.  Takes the bounce out and brings my front end down. 
Swing by the Brat Stop and have one for me.  
Safe travels!
Jeff
]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 23:18:28 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104146#104146 From Pop-Up to hardside : Thanks for the great reply. I’ll... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104145#104145 Author: rnrplayhrd
Subject: 11114
Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 10:41pm

Thanks for the great reply. I’ll definitely look into combo hitch. It’s still deep winter here (NW of Chicago about 15 miles south of the Wis boarder) so we have a month or so before camping season starts. ]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:41:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104145#104145 From Pop-Up to hardside : Congratulations and Welcome!... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104144#104144 Author: StephenH
Subject: 11114
Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 10:22pm

Congratulations and Welcome! We got our 179 in December, 2015. We have had a number of trips with it including extended ones across the US. We have more planned.

If you can hitch it to the Highlander and it does not cause too much sag in the back and raising the front, perhaps a sway bar would be okay. Better is a hitch that combines sway control with weight distribution. That is what I use. Some people use the E2 hitch. When I bought mine, the dealer installed an Equal-i-zer 4-point stabilization hitch. Others use the Andersen No-Sway. Any of those would do.

The 179 is likely much heavier than your pop-up. In addition, when fully loaded, the tongue weight is likely to be significantly higher than that of the pop-up also. Please check your Highlander's manual for towing information. It may specify use of a weight distribution hitch for best stability and towing capacity.

Edit: I hope you have lots of great adventures and make many wonderful memories in doing so.
]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 22:22:29 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104144#104144 From Pop-Up to hardside : Hello Everyone,We just got our... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104143#104143 Author: rnrplayhrd
Subject: 11114
Posted: 02 Feb 2018 at 9:37pm

Hello Everyone,

We just got our 179. After years of popup camping we're excited to move to a hard side. Saw the first R Pod 3 years ago at the RV show and were finally able to buy one at the RV show 2 weeks ago. 

One question I have is do we need to use sway bars on the hitch? I know the Highlander can handle the weight and we didn't need it with the popup.

Thanks and happy camping.

RnR
]]> Fri, 02 Feb 2018 21:37:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11114&PID=104143#104143