I need HELP!!!: Like a pig on a leash

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Like a pig on a leash

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16239
Printed Date: 20 May 2026 at 8:23pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Like a pig on a leash

Posted By: GraniteStateGrands
Subject: Like a pig on a leash
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2025 at 12:57pm

We bought a 2025 Rpod 206 and it sways a lot at anything over 60 on a calm day. Semi-trucks passing us suck the rig over. Cross winds are a nightmare.

Tow vehicle is 2019 Canyon AT, 7000# tow capacity.

Installed Andersen 3350 WDH, three threads showing on tensioning bolts as per manual.

Last trip out I lowered the hitch ball one notch and filled front mounted fresh water tank 30 gal- = 250# of water way ahead of the axles. It helped a little.

Dry weight 4710 & dry hitch weight 415, gross weight 6230

Hitch weight w/ fresh water full, tools but no food or waste water is 500#

Truck tires at 33 psi. Falken WildPeak AT3W

Trailer tires at 65 psi. Goodyear Endurance, load range D

Add a battery on tongue (it has one)?

Add a second propane tank?

I do not want to get a bigger truck, I really like the Canyon!

Thanks for any ideas!

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Leave It Better Than You Found It

Replies:

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2025 at 2:17pm

Unfortunately, the RP 206 has a lot of surface area to be affected by wind, trucks, etc. The Canyon is a mid-sized pickup, so it doesn't have quite the heft of a quarter-ton pickup like the F-150. There are some things that might help. One is to make sure your hitch is properly adjusted. The trailer should sit level or with the front slightly lower than the back when hitched. If the front is higher, lower the ball more if you can.

What is the weight of the trailer fully loaded for travel? 10-15% of that should be your tongue weight. What do you carry in the back of your Canyon? If the bed is empty, you may wish to put some items there to get a bit more weight over the rear axle. Just be sure that between the load in the truck and the trailer that you don't exceed the GVWR of the Canyon.

One more thing you could do is to add electronic sway control. Tuson (Tuson Sway Control) makes one as does Curt (True Course Advanced). In conjunction with the Andersen hitch, that may be sufficient to manage the sway.Check etrailer.com for information on both.

PS. I also get that with our F-150. I do have the Hayes Sway-Master, which appears to no longer be available, but which is similar to the Curt True course Advanced except that it lacks the Bluetooth capability.

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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: 18 Jul 2025 at 2:41pm

Thank you for all the information you provided Granite. Your loaded rpod is stated at 6230 lbs. Hitch weight is critical to reduce/eliminate sway. As StephenH pointed out above you want 11%-15% of the total weight of the trailer on the tongue, so using 11% as a guide you want 685# tongue weight . . . and you are far short of that so the result is - - - -trailer sway.

My case with a 177 and the FW tank is behind the axle. Fully loaded for a 30 day journey with 36 gallons of water weight is 2940 lbs. I do carry two 12v batteries and two 20# propane tanks on the a-frame (tongue). Using the 11% rule I need a minimum of 323 lbs on the tongue. My scale shows 340 so I am good to go and have zero issues with sway, even when cross winds exceed 20 mph. I only use a friction bar, no wdh.

By getting your hitch weight to 11% or more of your total loaded trailer weight your issues will be totally solved. I have towed our 177 for over 14 years and 51,000+ miles and haven't had the issue of sway. First eight years towed with an '08 and '13 front wheel drive Explorers and the last six years with '11 and '17 F-150. Friction bar only with all vehicles.

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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: GraniteStateGrands
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2025 at 11:31am

Stephen H - I carry my wife's 4 wheel scooter, camp chairs, tools, Weber grill and such in the truck, maybe 150-175# total. The rear axle of the Canyon is LIGHT. I usually put 200# of sand in back for winter driving.

jato - The 6230 is gross weight and I am not near that. Probably 5000-5200 so 500 on the hitch still light. I may fashion a narrow tool bin on the tongue to hold a jack, impact wrench, tools, even a suitcase weight off the winter snowblower to see how it handles!

Thanks for the replies!

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Leave It Better Than You Found It

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2025 at 12:15pm

Jato is right about the tongue weight. A little too much is better than just enough. I use 12% as my planning number for tongue weight. So if your trailer is 5200 lbs, I would plan to get ~~ 625 lbs on the tongue. That by itself will solve 90% of your trailer sway issues.

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

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2025 at 4:08pm

GlueGuy is spot on. We have all read that 10% is good, however, if there are strong cross winds then the answer from my experience is 'NO' - not enough. In actual numbers my tongue weight stands between 11.5-11.6% and as FW is consumed on my 177 (tank behind axle) the weight on the tongue continues to climb.

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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."