R-pod Owners Forum : Oversized load distribution hitch? http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : Oversized load distribution hitch? Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 20 May 2026 20:48:05 +0000 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:58:07 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=16122 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Oversized load distribution hitch? : The Nissan Frontier is Nissan's... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154345#154345 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 16122
Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:58pm

The Nissan Frontier is Nissan's answer to the Tacoma. It is a mid-sized truck with a V6 motor. I believe ours has a 6500lb towing capacity and our 179 was about 3200lbs dry.]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:58:07 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154345#154345 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Originally posted by gpokludaYou... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154344#154344 Author: Mystical_Mama
Subject: 16122
Posted: 06 Mar 2025 at 12:48pm

Originally posted by gpokluda

You will get lots of varying opinions on this. Personally, when we towed our 179 with a 2016 Nissan Frontier, we started off with just an anti-sway bar at the recommendation of the RV dealership. After a couple of trips, we switched to a properly sized, full WDH with anti-sway (Fastway E2) plus updated the rear suspension of the Frontier with Sumo Springs. Once we dialed everything in by loading the truck and trailer as if we were going camping, we towed for over 50K trouble free miles. I'm a fan of the WDH as long as it is sized correctly, setup correctly, and the tow vehicle can accommodate a WDH.

I know nothing about a Frontier...is it a V6 or V8?  What is its max tow capacity?  And how heavy was your 179 dry?

ps:  I am planning on "dialing in" my Tacoma plus RPod 192. My trailer came used with the same hitch the previous owners used.  It is a monster WD hitch and we had to adjust it up for my Tacoma but we didn't adjust the WD bars yet...




]]> Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:48:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154344#154344 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Thanks to all!I went to a trailer... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154330#154330 Author: LuckyLindy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 04 Mar 2025 at 8:28pm

Thanks to all! 

I went to a trailer shop to have wheel bearings inspected and repacked. He declared them in great shape and simply added fresh grease and replaced seals. My Enduro tires are in great shape as well. While there, we talked and did a ton of research on the tow rig I'd inherited in the sale. We considered adding a a simple sway bar to the A frame. Nope. Took it on the highway w/ standard 2 inch drop hitch and I did not like the feel. 

Yes, the rig that came with the sale is rated for a heavier trailer but after much discussion (and the test run w/o it), I decided to keep the rig. Shakedown cruise at highway speed proved to be the right decision. Even in high crosswinds on Sunday, I felt safe. 
]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:28:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154330#154330 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Originally posted by mjlrpodI... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154319#154319 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Mar 2025 at 11:17am

Originally posted by mjlrpod

I do not believe a 191 weights anywhere near 4000 pounds. What is your weight distribution hitch recommended for? You should have a max of 6000 / 600 model. 

An empty 191 weighs 2,932 lbs with a max capacity of 863 lbs for a total of 3,795 lbs. 

So if it's empty, you're right. I would plan for a weight of ~~ 3,800 lbs to be safe.
]]> Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:17:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154319#154319 Oversized load distribution hitch? : I do not believe a 191 weights... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154317#154317 Author: mjlrpod
Subject: 16122
Posted: 02 Mar 2025 at 3:21pm

I do not believe a 191 weights anywhere near 4000 pounds. What is your weight distribution hitch recommended for? You should have a max of 6000 / 600 model. 

]]> Sun, 02 Mar 2025 15:21:11 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154317#154317 Oversized load distribution hitch? : You have been given excellent... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154297#154297 Author: jato
Subject: 16122
Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 3:11pm

You have been given excellent advice from the above 'seasoned' podders.  In my case, a fully loaded 177 with 36 gallons of water (usually boondock and tank is behind the axle) weighs in at 2940 lbs.  The tongue weight is 340.  The first 8 years of towing was accomplished with an '08 or '13 front wheel drive Explorer and much of the miles covered with either going across the midwest or traveling in the Rockies.  The last 6 years we have towed with an '11 and '17 F-150.  In all cases a simple friction bar was utilized with no issues encountered.  Weather conditions over the last 14 years have included: blizzards, heavy snow, hail, sleet, heavy rain and cross winds in excess of 20 mph.  To date we have driven our 177 over 51,000 miles.

Edited by jato - 25 Feb 2025 at 3:12pm]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:11:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154297#154297 Oversized load distribution hitch? : then there is the subject of tires.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154295#154295 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 16122
Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 10:45am

then there is the subject of tires.  When I went to load range E tires all of the little tiny side-to-side movement that you see in the rear view mirrors went away]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:45:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154295#154295 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Thank you ALL. Will report back.... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154208#154208 Author: LuckyLindy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 2:18pm

Thank you ALL. Will report back. Mighty helpful. ]]> Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:18:09 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154208#154208 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Your Chev pickup is stout enough... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154206#154206 Author: JR
Subject: 16122
Posted: 04 Feb 2025 at 9:03am

Your Chev pickup is stout enough to handle your rpod both towing and tongue weight without any additional equipment.  It is simply a matter of what you prefer like GlueGuy has indicated. I have a 22 Blazer with a 3.6l engine and I have a safeway e2 equalizing hitch with 600 load rated bars on it. The bars of the hitch work as the sway control for this setup. This setup works well for me and I feel confidant in it.  So the minimum that I feel that you need would be a sway control bar but using a 600 load rated e2 equalizing hitch would not be out of the question or do any damage if set up properly. The sway control either from a equalizing hitch or sway control bar helps to mitigate the wind/vacuum effect of a 18 wheeler passing you on the expressway which tends to make your rig wonder while driving at 60 mph down the expressway. Just get something that gives you peace of mind. Happy camping.]]> Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:03:12 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154206#154206 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Thanks to one and all. Apologies... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154205#154205 Author: LuckyLindy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 9:01pm

Thanks to one and all. Apologies for not supplying adequate information and photo. Which I will do hoping you good folks will hang in there with me. I'm pulling the 191 w/ a Chevy 1500 (half ton) regular cab with tow package. Will get specs and post. 

JR, I did make an appointment with what seems to be a qualified RV dealer for next week. Really appreciate all of you and hope I can share experience with another newbie some day! 
]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 21:01:03 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154205#154205 Oversized load distribution hitch? : We have towed our RP179 both with... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154204#154204 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 1:38pm

We have towed our RP179 both with and without our Fastway E2 (600# rating), and I can tell you, yes, we can tow without the WDH. However, the tongue weight alone puts enough rear-load on the truck (Ford F150 supercrew with the tow package) that it makes driving at night hazardous to all on-coming traffic. 

Going forward, we will only tow with the WDH.
]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:38:45 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154204#154204 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Normal 0 ... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154203#154203 Author: Pod People
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 11:43am

There have been lots of questions/comments over the yearsregarding weight distribution hitch (WDH) usage.

The main issue usually comes down to—do I need a wdh and/ordoes a wdh make it a better tow situation.

Every rv’er has an opinion. Some opinions are based onexperience and some are based on “I think” from other people’s knowledge orreadings.

 

Personally, I tow with a 2022 Ford F150 eco boost.  We probably don’t NEED a wdh for our 179, butwe use an Equalizer 4 point with anti sway bars. The hitch is rated for 600#tongue weight and the spring bars are similar.

I think the Equalizer makes the tow experience smoother and safer.I have accurately weighed our rig with and without the spring bars attached. I caneasily see the effect of the wdh as it  definitely helps distribute some of the weightmuch better than not using the wdh.

 

In the end, it comes down to a personal decision. Largertrucks with smaller trailers probably do not NEED or REQUIRE a wdh, smaller towvehicles add more questions. The overall safety and tow experience seem muchbetter when they are used in my opinion based on 13 years of experience.

 

Travel often and safe

Vann

 

]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:43:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154203#154203 Oversized load distribution hitch? : You will get lots of varying opinions... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154202#154202 Author: gpokluda
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 8:42am

You will get lots of varying opinions on this. Personally, when we towed our 179 with a 2016 Nissan Frontier, we started off with just an anti-sway bar at the recommendation of the RV dealership. After a couple of trips, we switched to a properly sized, full WDH with anti-sway (Fastway E2) plus updated the rear suspension of the Frontier with Sumo Springs. Once we dialed everything in by loading the truck and trailer as if we were going camping, we towed for over 50K trouble free miles. I'm a fan of the WDH as long as it is sized correctly, setup correctly, and the tow vehicle can accommodate a WDH.]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:42:36 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154202#154202 Oversized load distribution hitch? : Your 3 RV veterans may be right,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154201#154201 Author: JR
Subject: 16122
Posted: 03 Feb 2025 at 8:26am

Your 3 RV veterans may be right, however you are posing this problem/question on a forum, I think seeking answers. When you do this you have to supply all the needed information to allow the forum's RV veterans the information they need to assist you. What I am getting at is for example; what is your tow vehicle, along with what is the tongue weight limit of that vehicle, also what is the to vehicle's towing capacity; what is the loaded weight of your 191? All these variables will help determine your need for a weight distribution hitch. Your other option is to visit a local reputable RV dealer and have them evaluate your hitch needs/setup. Hope this helps you.]]> Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:26:06 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154201#154201 Oversized load distribution hitch? : I'm learning just enough... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154200#154200 Author: LuckyLindy
Subject: 16122
Posted: 02 Feb 2025 at 6:38pm

I'm learning just enough to be dangerous. Was told by 3 RV veterans that the load distribution/ anti-sway hitch was WAY oversized for a 191 which weighs in at just over 4000 pounds if I'm reading the specs correctly. This system is designed for much heavier trailers and these guys think my bound up door problem may be related; that the rig is TOO rigid, not allowing the frame to flex at all. They think all I need is a simple anti-sway friction bar system. I'm going blind looking at all the product options and opinions. Please comment and thank you! ]]> Sun, 02 Feb 2025 18:38:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16122&PID=154200#154200