creating an instruction & maintenance manual - R-pod Owners Forum

Some notes on weight distribution hitch (WDH) types.

There are 4 types of sway and/or weight distribution, with the sway bar being the lowest level. It doesn't do any WD and only attempts to stop sway after it has started. However, I always recommend the next level for pods, a full WDH that includes sway control. The lowest level here is a combined WD with friction control, like the Equalizer or E2. Above that is the cam type like the Reese Dual Cam, which actively prevents sway before it starts. The highest level is the Hensley Arrow which actually guarantees no sway period.

If the dealer installs your WDH, it likely isn't installed right. Often because they do it when you buy it so the pod is still empty. It must be loaded up like you are ready for a camping trip (including water in the fresh water tank if you usually travel like that, battery, propane). Some go as far as having their family sit in the truck, or adding weight to simulate them. You may need to adjust your WDH at home, and this is the most comprehensive instructional on how to set up a WDH I've ever seen. I used it to tweak my current WDH. http://www.rv.net/FORUM/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17730894.cfm

Some vehicles now come with "sway control" built in as an active anti-sway system. This is really an extention of the traction control system, which uses an on-board gyroscope to detect unusual yaw and applies individual brakes (while temporarily reducing the throttle) to straighten out the vehicle. This is secondary to the products mentioned above. With improper loading or other conditions (see the write-up on contributors to sway) you could go all day with a constant sway problem. The TV's sway control system will end up putting lots of additional wear and heating on the brakes, possibly even reducing your effective power when you need it. That is fine as an occasional backup to the primary sway prevention on the hitch but shouldn't be used as the primary system.

Doug ~ '98 Coleman ('05-'09) ~ '10 171 ('09-'15) ~ 2008 Salem ('14-'23) ~ 2019 Keystone ('23-now) ~

Click on Doug's instruction manual in blue print.

If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

Added a link to an antenna discussion.

Doug ~ '98 Coleman ('05-'09) ~ '10 171 ('09-'15) ~ 2008 Salem ('14-'23) ~ 2019 Keystone ('23-now) ~

Added links for generators and LEDs.

Doug ~ '98 Coleman ('05-'09) ~ '10 171 ('09-'15) ~ 2008 Salem ('14-'23) ~ 2019 Keystone ('23-now) ~

Added a link to Podster's bearing maintenance tutorial. Thanks Podster!

Doug ~ '98 Coleman ('05-'09) ~ '10 171 ('09-'15) ~ 2008 Salem ('14-'23) ~ 2019 Keystone ('23-now) ~