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First Time Towing!

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15701
Printed Date: 21 May 2026 at 12:31am
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Topic: First Time Towing!
Posted By: DD08
Subject: First Time Towing!
Date Posted: 12 May 2023 at 12:13pm
Hey All,

New to the forum here and signed up very intrigued with a dedicated R POD only forum.. really cool! My wife and I have been camping for years but alas with a young one on the way and a 70LB dog in a tent we just couldn't bear the thought of doing that one more summer. So we got an opportunity from a friend to purchase a 2015 R Pod 171 and picked it up just yesterday!! 

However.. I really haven't towed a single axle trailer before (typically just double axle dump trailers) and was quite surprised with the uneasy feeling I had on the road on this thing. I wouldn't say it was extreme.. but the jolting back and forth (slightly) and the continuous bouncing I was really in for a treat. I towed the trailer home on just a ball/hitch but really want to go overkill and get the E2 Fastway. I'm being told it really isn't necessary. Beyond being unable to back the darn thing in our driveway because my skills are just awful we had a few issues I'm hoping I can get some input on!

1) see attached picture with our current setup. I had a 2" ball with a 2" drop and it didn't appear to be enough. The trailer has a slight rise at the front which didn't look extreme.. but didn't look correct either. Could I benefit from a different assembly? I really felt like the bouncing was something out of the ordinary where I could see the trailer kind of tumbling around but not swaying at all. 


2) Our driveway is the next issue. It's a ramp curb to start, then a flat peice and then immediate incline to the end as you can see attached. We get about 2 feet onto the driveway with the back end until the stabilizer jacks scratch the concrete.. even with these taken off I think we'd still get some bumper scrape. Is my only option here to build a ramp? 


Any help is greatly appreciated, and maybe there are some things I'm completely unaware of? Maybe when I get the cargo and trailer loaded for actual travel it will get some more weight on the tongue? 

 Looking forward to chatting with you all. 

https://ibb.co/3hgjrDk">
https://ibb.co/Wvh0B33">



Replies:
Posted By: pedwards2932
Date Posted: 12 May 2023 at 5:49pm
What is your tongue weight?  Needs to be at least 11% of what your trailers total weight.


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 12 May 2023 at 7:42pm
+1 on tongue weight.

We've been using a Fastway e2 since we bought ourPod in 2016 and kept it when we replaced ourPod with our Sonoma.  We've always found towing with the WDH to be much more stable and comfortable.  Backing with an e2 has never been a problem for us except in the most extreme situation of uneven ground and a need for a very sharp turn.  DD08, the driveway in your picture is nothing compared to the rolled curb and uneven ground I had to back over to park our trailer on the side of our house when we lived in NV, and now it's even steeper and more abrupt at our home in CT.  Backing is just not a significant issue.  Cruising with a WDH is much more relaxing as you hardly notice the trailer is there even with high cross winds.  I can't speak for other WDH's but many on this board have their favorites.  Check out the options on e-trailer for the different brands and configurations that are available and the archives for discussions about which are preferred brands.


-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 13 May 2023 at 6:26pm
+2 on the tongue weight and WDH.

Also, you may want to look at replacing the rear stabilizers with https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Save-A-Jack-p/saj-u.htm - SaveAJack . 


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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 May 2023 at 7:49pm
Your driveway is quite a bit sunken. You need to look into getting it lifted either by cutting the bad section out and pouring new concrete or by seeing if you can get it raised by concrete pumping or the alternative, foam pumping. As cracked as it is, removing and pouring new is probably the better solution.

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 May 2023 at 8:06pm
I know, I know. . . broken record +3 on tongue weight.

Have towed a 177 for 12 years, 8 with a '08 and '13 Explorer's, the last 4 with a '11 and '17 F-150.  Have towed over 43,000+ miles using a simple Curt friction bar over snow, sleet, hail and 25+ mph cross winds and have not seen a need for a WDH.  Regardless of that, we also go with a 1" drop having the front of the 177 one inch lower than the rear.  The fully loaded 177 with 36 gallons of water (tank is behind axle) and ready to go for a 30 day excursion weighs in at 2940 lbs.  11% x 2940 = 323 lbs. needed on the tongue to reduce/eliminate sway.  With two 12v batteries and two 20# propane tanks on the a-frame, the tongue weight is 340, as a result sway is never an issue. 

Our driveway makes yours look flat as a pancake by comparison, we were always dragging the rear stab's going up or down our asphalt driveway until we got smart and installed a 3.5" lift kit from FR, totally cured that problem.

Finally - tires.  The first 2 sets were "C" rated tires, set at 50 psi.  The last set purchased are Carlisle Radial Trail HD, are "D" load rated tires, set at 60 psi.  Makes for a more stable and smooth ride, especially noted on windy days.


-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 14 May 2023 at 9:59am
Lots of good advice so far. I will third/fourth/fifth??? the above as to wdh usage.  It will make a world of difference in your towing experience.  We have used the Equalizer 4 point sway system on 2 different tow vehicles and 2 different R Pods.  Love it and would definitely buy it again.

I also agree about good tires. The factory tires usually are the cheapest available. Better tires will have stronger sidewalls which will help limit the bouncing and swaying.  Higher load range(D is preferable) is also helpful.

so far, nobody has mentioned 2 of you questions-level trailer and jolting back and forth

the trailer should be level for several reasons.  being level will help remove any tendency for sway and could also help raise the rear end to stop dragging the jacks. There are lots of different shanks available with 2"-10" of drop.  get the trailer level while parked and then measure from the top of the ball receiver to the ground.  then measure the tow vehicle from the top of the ball to the ground. the difference is the amount of drop that needs to be used on the shank to keep the trailer level. this assumes that a wdh is installed to keep the rear end of the tow vehicle from sagging under the tongue weight of the trailer. this is another good reason for using a wdh system.

Another issue you mentioned is jolting back and forth.  this usually occurs when the shank is not tight in the receiver.  It can be from extensive wear , different sized shank or wrong mating of the h=shank to the receiver.  the 2" ball is correct.  We use a hitch tightener similar to this
https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Anti-Rattle/Roadmaster/RM-061.html
It keeps the shank tight in the receiver and will stop a lot of the back/forth and side /side movement of the shank which will make for a smoother tow. this is what it looks like installed
https://postimg.cc/SJvdtcyT">

Good luck with your new R Pod

Travel often and safe
Vann



-------------

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179
https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 14 May 2023 at 10:02am
One more thing. Backing up a trailer needs some practice, and do it with a spotter with a handheld radio if you can. Steer from the bottom of the steering wheel (if you want the trailer to go left, move the bottom of the steering wheel to the left). as soon as it starts moving the direction you want, follow it (straighten the turn a bit so you're following in the same arc). If it gets too far out of whack, do not be afraid to pull forward and try again.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: James07
Date Posted: 14 May 2023 at 12:44pm
I have almost same set up.  2015 R pod 178 and new Ranger.  No problems towing with E2 WDH on 7,500 mile round trip California to Alaska last summer.  I added a second battery to give more weight to the front and carry very little water (since tank in back).  Only recommendation is that you get E2 with 450 or 600# trunnion bars.  Trunnion because of your driveway and 450/600# because the R pod is very lightweight and you want some bending.  Don't want it too stiff.


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 14 May 2023 at 2:29pm
Surprisingly no one has mentioned adding a lift kit to the camper. They sell a 3 1/2 or 4 inch lift kit for the pods. It will make a huge difference on your ground clearance. 



-------------
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 9:44am
Good point. A lift kit, and maybe switching to 15" wheels/tires (LRD) would both help.

-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 11:19am
The lift kit more than the 15" wheels. 

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: DD08
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 12:38pm
Wow! All I can say is I'm grateful and amazed at the responses I've gotten on here. Honestly great solutions and I'm kind of relieved my situation is a little more in need of just using a bunch of wood ramps to try and get it up there. 

+1 on the level kit honestly. We took another crack this weekend trying to take the driveway at an angle etc and no luck. If it wasn't the jacks, it was the spare tire, the bumper, the water drains.. it just wasn't going to happen. I couldn't believe how little clearance this trailer really does have. 

Anyways a little update.. My uncle who tows a bunch of trailers daily came over and took a look. He had a hitch with a little more drop, but it appears it needed even more.. perhaps with some cargo in the bed and trailer it will level out the trailer a little more. Admittedly also that driveway is my parents, with my house next door. We eventually just took a path across my lawn onto my driveway for the time being as I don't have as severe as a dip. So finally we are off the street. 

I went to the local trailer place around here and although it's pricey I'm going to go for the E2 hitch anyways, not only will it make the ride a bit better but I think it will be a requirement for my wifes jeep should we ever want to take the trailer with that. So it'll get some good use. 

All in all I think it's just been a while towing a trailer and I wasn't used to the feeling behind the truck. I think it's just the nature of towing 3000 LBS and will eventually get used to it. I think I was silly to assume I'd feel absolutely nothing back there.

Thank you all again and will continue to participate in some threads on here!! 


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 2:50pm
DDo8, if you get a WDH and plan to use it on different vehicles, you'll probably need to adjust it to fit and balance.  I can't speak for brands other than the Fastway e2, but they have a setup guide in their manual that should be helpful.

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 15 May 2023 at 5:24pm
+1 on different set-up needed for different vehicles. Unless both the Jeep and the truck have exactly the same hitch heights, you will need to do some adjusting. Get a torque wrench to assist in making sure the bolts are properly tightened.

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 16 May 2023 at 9:37am
Originally posted by StephenH

The lift kit more than the 15" wheels. 
For sure. The lift kit can get you an additional 2 or 3 inches, depending. The larger wheel only a 1/2 inch. Every little bit helps.


-------------
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 16 May 2023 at 2:51pm
To re-iterate on my earlier post about adding the 3.5" lift kit from FR:  It was an easy job, took me 1 hour to do the whole job using simple hand tools and torque wrench (6 years ago).  Since then we have taken some very steep back roads and inclines with no dragging of the rear stabilizers, it also helps that we have the nose of 177 1" low in the front than the rear - which also assists in keeping the tongue weight at 11% or better to reduce/eliminate sway.


-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."



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