R-pod Owners Forum : Breakaway 171 https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Breakaway 171 Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 14:14:27 +0000 Wed, 19 May 2021 11:42:16 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14627 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Breakaway 171 : The Fast Lane Truck has done a... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142641#142641 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 14627
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 11:42am

The Fast Lane Truck has done a number of tests towing with an EV. At present it's not pretty. Here is just one of several looks at what they've learned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjklex38lkQ
]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 11:42:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142641#142641 Breakaway 171 : Thanks for reporting back. Glad... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142637#142637 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14627
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 11:25am

Thanks for reporting back. Glad things are getting sorted.

Actually 500w is very good. That's encouraging. What were the conditions (speed, wind speed and direction, climbing or descending hills, or flat ground)?

]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 11:25:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142637#142637 Breakaway 171 : Thank you all for your input.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142635#142635 Author: Nvan 171
Subject: 14627
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 10:23am

Thank you all for your input. (Except the one ass).

Brakes and bearings were serviced. Nothing destroyed. Brakes needed to be adjusted. Tried towing again locally to see how the range was. Still over 500W. Slightly better but not enough to do a long trip. Was worth testing out. We have an alternate vehicle made for towing and will be using this moving forward. Might still use the Tesla for weekend get-a-ways. ]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 10:23:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142635#142635 Breakaway 171 : Well aren’t you just a ray of... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142634#142634 Author: Nvan 171
Subject: 14627
Posted: 19 May 2021 at 10:15am

Well aren’t you just a ray of sunshine. Thought these forums were for constructive conversations. ]]> Wed, 19 May 2021 10:15:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142634#142634 Breakaway 171 : Very short range depends on what... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142476#142476 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 12:17pm

Very short range depends on what the expectations are. No one should be expecting more than around 100 miles at best.

Nvan 171 is saying he's using 3.5 to 4x the energy he would be not towing. That's on the high side of what's being reported and we all know speed matters a lot. So it could be that the brakes aren't dragging at all or they could be bringing the range down somewhat. We'll have to wait and see.

I do give Nvan 171 lots of credit for trying. AFAIK this is the first time an EV tow of an rpod has been reported on this forum. I'm sure it won't be the last. Nvan 171, please keep us posted. ]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 12:17:31 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142476#142476 Breakaway 171 : What I'm sayin that I'm... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142474#142474 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 11:25am

What I'm sayin that I'm not buying is: that dragging brakes is the reason for VERY short towing range with the Tesla. 

The rest of it yeah....stuff happens.
]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 11:25:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142474#142474 Breakaway 171 : From what is being described both... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142473#142473 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 11:01am

From what is being described both things are likely true.

The brakes were engaged and disengaged when the pin was replaced, as they should.

The brakes obviously weren't working properly, at most dragging a bit, we don't know how long that had been going on or the status of the battery providing current to them.

We also know that the Tesla Y is going to have a max range of at most around 100 miles towing an rpod at highway speeds. 75 kwh battery, about 700 wh/mile towing has been reported numerous times by owners.

So once the brakes and bearings are fixed and the rig and brake controller set up correctly I'm looking forward to hearing what the results are.]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 11:01:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142473#142473 Breakaway 171 : I'm not 'buyin it'....Not... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142472#142472 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 10:09am

I'm not 'buyin it'....

Not once did you see smoke coming from the wheels? Not once did the r-pod skid or scratch it's tires on loose gravel or dirt? During the entire 5 hour (approx) return trip, not ONCE did you smell overheating brakes? Not once did you notice the entire rig slowing down rapidly when you released the throttle approaching stop signs?(regen braking can be set to minimal, I'm assuming you did this) 

You can't drag these trailers with electric brakes for a couple hundred miles with the brakes fully or nearly fully applied without some bad stuff happening.

Now maybe...just maybe....the r-pod battery was so dead that only a couple of volts were being fed to the brakes for a little while...not enough to apply them fully....just enough to cause a wee bit of drag...could be that happened. Maybe. But you still should have been able to smell overheating brakes and/or see some smoke from the wheels.

I fall back on this: What a POS that any all-electric vehicle is for towing in the real world.

Sorry...call em like I see em.
]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 10:09:56 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142472#142472 Breakaway 171 : Originally posted by Pod_GeekMy... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142470#142470 Author: poston
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 9:20am

Originally posted by Pod_Geek

My take:  Hope there are a lot of charging stations along whatever route one decides to take towing with a Y...

And you're not in any big hurry ...
]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 09:20:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142470#142470 Breakaway 171 : Originally posted by offgrid...Once... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142469#142469 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 8:15am

Originally posted by offgrid

...Once you get things working correctly it would be interesting to hear how much range you're getting with your Tesla towing the rpod.

From a towing test of the Y with a 3000 lb trailer:

700 Wh/mile at 65 mph, 103 miles of range
938 Wh/mile at 70 mph, 76 miles of range

https://insideevs.com/news/454286/video-tesla-model-y-tow-travel-trailer/

Another interesting take:

https://insideevs.com/news/487873/video-tesla-model-y-why-not-to-tow/

My take:  Hope there are a lot of charging stations along whatever route one decides to take towing with a Y...
]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 08:15:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142469#142469 Breakaway 171 : Wow interesting story. And an... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142468#142468 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14627
Posted: 12 May 2021 at 7:57am

Wow interesting story. And an interesting tow vehicle. Just a dumb question, you do have a brake controller in the Tesla, right?

Many (most?) Of us find the rpod brakes will not lock up the wheels even with full brake controller output. But they should stop the rig from 15-20 mph in a flat parking lot without using the tow vehicle brakes

If they were dragging for hours the shoes should be replaced and the drums turned or replaced. The bearings most likely overheated too. You can get full kits (brake assemblies, drums, and bearings) and just replace everything from the axle out. That's what I did. Not very expensive and less labor. Also. If the pin is pulled the brakes will draw current from the rpod battery so check the status of that as well.


Once you get things working correctly it would be interesting to hear how much range you're getting with your Tesla towing the rpod. ]]> Wed, 12 May 2021 07:57:49 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142468#142468 Breakaway 171 : Sooooo problem solved. Backstory....... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142467#142467 Author: Nvan 171
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 7:45pm

Sooooo problem solved.  Backstory.... I think you'll all like.

Drove 5 hours to purchase this Pod. Used my Tesla Y. Why not... I was on a road system that had the super chargers.  

Shortly into the way home I saw the 'Gas' dropping like crazy. Doing the math in my head.... I was going through 3.5 to 4 times the power I would without towing.  Thinking to myself..... what a piece of garbage car. Plus then realized.... there is no way I'm going to make it to the next charge station. Had to drop the trailer and drive, fingers crossed that I'd make it. Still had 20km to go when the car hit "0%" I know it had a reserve but 20km and a big hill right at the end where the charger is? Coasted into a VW dealer right near the end to top up for a fee minutes. Lucky I did. I wouldn't have made it. Anyway full charge, then back to get the trailer, back to the same charger to top up and on my way home. Had to stop at EVERY super charger along the way.  Again, all the way thinking what a pile of garbage vehicle.

Fast forward to today. With your input etc, I had a new breakaway controller in my hand, ready to install. I decided to try the pin first. As soon as I put it in I heard the whole trailer release.....  Got my neighbour out to listen as i tried with and without the pin. Yup. Brakes were ON the entire 5 hour journey home. Not enough to lock them up fully.  Just enough to cause me a near heart attack. 

I take back all the #%$ I said about the towing capabilities. HA HA. 

Got an appointment for tomorrow to get the brakes redone!       
]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 19:45:28 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142467#142467 Breakaway 171 : Originally posted by offgridSounds... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142466#142466 Author: Pod_Geek
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 2:34pm

Originally posted by offgrid

Sounds like maybe the breakaway plug got pulled out and someone dragged the trailer with the brakes engaged....

That can't be a good thing.  Wonder how far the OP towed the unit home.
]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 14:34:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142466#142466 Breakaway 171 : When you pull out the little... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142463#142463 Author: marwayne
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 1:54pm

When you pull out the little pug it will activate the brakes when your trailer gets disconnected while driving. There is a cable that is attached to the plug the other side of the cable is attached to the TV just a little tighter then the brake away chains.

]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 13:54:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142463#142463 Breakaway 171 : Thanks Marwayne! Would you be... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142461#142461 Author: Nvan 171
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 11:42am

Thanks Marwayne!  Would you be able to post a picture of where those wires go to? (under the trailer).  It's this part that doesn't look right. If I'm tracing the wires correctly, they both connect to the same terminal..... that can't be right!

offgrid: the wheel seems to turn freely BUT I do have an appointment to have the breaks etc looked at. 

Thank you both!  
]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 11:42:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142461#142461 Breakaway 171 : Sounds like maybe the breakaway... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142458#142458 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 11:17am

Sounds like maybe the breakaway plug got pulled out and someone dragged the trailer with the brakes engaged. Are the drums hot after you tow? Do they stop the rig when you manually engage your brake controller?

Either way I'd suggest pulling the wheels and doing a brake inspection. You have an older trailer so it needs to be done anyway. Repack the bearings while you're in there.]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 11:17:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142458#142458 Breakaway 171 : https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142456#142456 Author: marwayne
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 11:08am

]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 11:08:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142456#142456 Breakaway 171 : Hi Everyone!Recently purchased... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142454#142454 Author: Nvan 171
Subject: 14627
Posted: 11 May 2021 at 10:56am

Hi Everyone!
Recently purchased a 2013 171. I towed the Pod home from the previous Owner with no problems. Being new to trailers, I watched the previous Owner hook up the trailer to my vehicle. Only after I got home did I realize that there was no breakaway hooked to the vehicle. So I took a closer look. There is no plug in the break away! Looking under the Pod and following the wires, it definitely doesn't look right. The wheels do obviously turn as I had no problems towing. 

I'm trying to find a photo of how the wiring should look. Wondering if someone could share a couple photos of the wiring (or provide a resource link).

Side note: There definitely is a power drain as well. Wondering if the brake system is electrified. (I'll worry about this after!)

Thank you.  

 NorthVan Pod Owner!  
]]> Tue, 11 May 2021 10:56:45 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14627&PID=142454#142454