Trailer camping newbie - R-pod Owners Forum

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Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518

Topic: Trailer camping newbie
Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 2:47pm

Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 179!!

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2025 Ford Transit Camper van
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

britboy

Newbie

Joined: 21 Aug 2015
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3

Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 12:40pm

Just collect a new RP-179 three weeks ago, not a newbie to this size of trailer with originating from the UK .
I had a larger Noman trailer and found it very cumbersome for towing and it didn't lend itself to a few days here and there while touring.
The pod tows very well with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was glad to get rid of the sway bars that are needed on longer and heavier campers.
The recommendation in the UK is the trailer to be 80% of the towing vehicle curbside weight to be safe so that the tail doesn't wag the dog!
The secret in all lightweight trailers is distribution of payload, once that is realized then the unit will tow smooth and straight.
A newbie to rpod forum but not to this type of camping, I wanted to share some of my insight of years of Lightweight camping without sound to overbearing.
The 179 tows very well and I'm sure will prove to be an excellent tourer.

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 8:07pm

You'll be fine, but make sure you get a weight distribution hitch, the minivans are designed for comfortable rides and not towing.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

hartlej

Newbie

Joined: 02 Sep 2014
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 6:27pm

Yes. Thanks. We have an 08 odyssey and have been considering an R pod. Have concerns it will adequately tow to pod. Nice to know someone thinks it is at least ok!

Pod4Two

Senior Member

Joined: 04 Dec 2014
Location: DFW Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 120

Posted: 09 Aug 2015 at 9:56pm

Welcome

Ina & Philip Kennedy
2011 -177
2014 GMC Z71 4x4

2P$InAPod

Newbie

Joined: 29 Mar 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 15

Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 10:38pm

Our 2002 Honda Odyssey with over 150k miles is performing quite well. No issue pulling our 179 so far (knock on wood). We had the towing package installed at a Honda dealership early on. Keep in mind that the gas mileage is not so great when pulling, give or take 12 miles per gallon or so. Hope this help.

David and Kris
2015 RPod 179
2002 Honda Odyssey LX

hartlej

Newbie

Joined: 02 Sep 2014
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4

Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 8:22pm

How is the Honda odyssey doing towing your 179?

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 7:20pm

Definitely different for each rig, as Kickstart said. All with the same brake controller: with our popup I preferred b1 and 6.9, with the pod b0 and 6.5, with our Salem b1 and 8.5.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

danmarkian View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 14 Apr 2015
Location: NC Coast
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 5:09pm

Hi David and Kris,

We just picked up our 179 in Ohio at Jeff Couchs RV Nation last weekend, we love it! One bit of advice, make sure they show you that everything is working, we didn't check the fridge until we were half way back to NC and it won't turn on, and now we are trying to get a call back from their warranty department.

We towed it with a 2006 Xterra, had the big sway hitch and brake controller. We had to play with the adjustment on the controller to get it just right but it wasn't hard. We started out with too hi a setting

and it locked up and skidded (in the parking lot) We started at the lowest setting and added a bit at a time to where I could just feel it assisting.

It pulled great until we ran into some check engine problems with the Xterra, previous to our trip we took it to Firestone for a tune-up and they suggested fuel injection cleaning, the next day the check engine light came on so we took it back.. they said that it indicated the Cat Converter had stuff in it from the cleaning and it would burn away in a few hundred miles, it didn't and the performance got worse all the way home! It's at a dealer shop so we will see what the damage is.

Good luck and have fun, it really is easy to pull, just watch the tracking of the wheels in your side mirrors to keep it in the lane, and if you go through toll booths, watch the wheels and the curb!

Kickstart

Senior Member

Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Location: Ocean Shores, W
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 267

Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 12:47pm

The P2 is a fine quality brake control, but the adjustment will be some different for each trailer tow vehicle combination.

This is what works for me, and I'm a little anal about it, as I'm a guy who once wrecked his trailer/tow rig. Each time I begin towing I bring the trailer up to about 20 mph, and hit the P2's manual control, adjusting the tension on it, if needed, so that the trailer brakes bring us to a stop without grabbing or skidding/locking. This way you always know that your trailer brakes are working, and as long as it doesn't pull to one side or the other, you know that one brake is not adjusted poorly. Once you set your adjustment, you'll seldom have to change the P2's controls, but I always check. Once burned---

Edited by Kickstart - 14 Apr 2015 at 5:45pm

'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL
'12 Toyota Tundra
'05 Sportster (half a Harley)
Retired-We're on Beach Time!

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Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Topic: Trailer camping newbie Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 2:47pm
	Welcome to the group!! Congrats on your 179!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

britboy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Aug 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 21 Aug 2015 at 12:40pm
	Just collect a new RP-179 three weeks ago, not a newbie to this size of trailer with originating from the UK . I had a larger Noman trailer and found it very cumbersome for towing and it didn't lend itself to a few days here and there while touring. The pod tows very well with my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I was glad to get rid of the sway bars that are needed on longer and heavier campers. The recommendation in the UK is the trailer to be 80% of the towing vehicle curbside weight to be safe so that the tail doesn't wag the dog! The secret in all lightweight trailers is distribution of payload, once that is realized then the unit will tow smooth and straight. A newbie to rpod forum but not to this type of camping, I wanted to share some of my insight of years of Lightweight camping without sound to overbearing. The 179 tows very well and I'm sure will prove to be an excellent tourer.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 8:07pm
	You'll be fine, but make sure you get a weight distribution hitch, the minivans are designed for comfortable rides and not towing.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

hartlej Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 Sep 2014 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 10 Aug 2015 at 6:27pm
	Yes. Thanks. We have an 08 odyssey and have been considering an R pod. Have concerns it will adequately tow to pod. Nice to know someone thinks it is at least ok!

Pod4Two Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Dec 2014 Location: DFW Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 120	Posted: 09 Aug 2015 at 9:56pm
	Welcome
	Ina & Philip Kennedy 2011 -177 2014 GMC Z71 4x4

2P$InAPod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2015 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 10:38pm
	Our 2002 Honda Odyssey with over 150k miles is performing quite well. No issue pulling our 179 so far (knock on wood). We had the towing package installed at a Honda dealership early on. Keep in mind that the gas mileage is not so great when pulling, give or take 12 miles per gallon or so. Hope this help.
	David and Kris 2015 RPod 179 2002 Honda Odyssey LX

hartlej Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 Sep 2014 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Posted: 05 Aug 2015 at 8:22pm
	How is the Honda odyssey doing towing your 179?

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 15 Apr 2015 at 7:20pm
	Definitely different for each rig, as Kickstart said. All with the same brake controller: with our popup I preferred b1 and 6.9, with the pod b0 and 6.5, with our Salem b1 and 8.5.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

danmarkian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Location: NC Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 5:09pm
	Hi David and Kris, We just picked up our 179 in Ohio at Jeff Couchs RV Nation last weekend, we love it! One bit of advice, make sure they show you that everything is working, we didn't check the fridge until we were half way back to NC and it won't turn on, and now we are trying to get a call back from their warranty department. We towed it with a 2006 Xterra, had the big sway hitch and brake controller. We had to play with the adjustment on the controller to get it just right but it wasn't hard. We started out with too hi a setting and it locked up and skidded (in the parking lot) We started at the lowest setting and added a bit at a time to where I could just feel it assisting. It pulled great until we ran into some check engine problems with the Xterra, previous to our trip we took it to Firestone for a tune-up and they suggested fuel injection cleaning, the next day the check engine light came on so we took it back.. they said that it indicated the Cat Converter had stuff in it from the cleaning and it would burn away in a few hundred miles, it didn't and the performance got worse all the way home! It's at a dealer shop so we will see what the damage is. Good luck and have fun, it really is easy to pull, just watch the tracking of the wheels in your side mirrors to keep it in the lane, and if you go through toll booths, watch the wheels and the curb!

Kickstart Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Ocean Shores, W Online Status: Offline Posts: 267	Posted: 14 Apr 2015 at 12:47pm
	The P2 is a fine quality brake control, but the adjustment will be some different for each trailer tow vehicle combination. This is what works for me, and I'm a little anal about it, as I'm a guy who once wrecked his trailer/tow rig. Each time I begin towing I bring the trailer up to about 20 mph, and hit the P2's manual control, adjusting the tension on it, if needed, so that the trailer brakes bring us to a stop without grabbing or skidding/locking. This way you always know that your trailer brakes are working, and as long as it doesn't pull to one side or the other, you know that one brake is not adjusted poorly. Once you set your adjustment, you'll seldom have to change the P2's controls, but I always check. Once burned--- Edited by Kickstart - 14 Apr 2015 at 5:45pm
	'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time!