Introduce Yourself: Towing tips

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Towing tips

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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6588
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Topic: Towing tips

Posted By: Derek
Subject: Towing tips
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 10:37am

Hi my name is Derek, my wife Alison and I recently bought a new 179 and are going away with it for the first time this coming Saturday. We are towing with a 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo with a 4 litre straight 6 engine, we also have a blue ox weight distribution hitch.

I'm just a bit concerned about towing as this is the first time and I would gladly appreciate any tips or advise you guys / gals could give me.

What are your experiences and whats the best way to control a sway situation etc. Is it best to fill up the water tank before setting off or should I wait until we arrive at the campsite, I'm thinking the extra weight of the water might make it more stable to tow.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Derek.

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Derek H

Replies:

Posted By: papabear
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 11:13am

I have a 179 and it follows my Tahoe great. I put a sway control on it and I do not have a sway problem. Most weight hitches are set up to attach a sway bar so I assume you may already have one. I would fill up my tank when you get there. If your site has water hookups then you do not need to fill the tank at all.

Posted By: JohnBG
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2015 at 11:26am

Do you have a trailer brake controller? If not, I highly recommend the Teknosha Prodigy P3.

I plan to keep a few gallons in the fresh tank just in case I need water during a stop to flush the toilet. You also want to keep a few gallons in the black tank with the enzyme chemicals or packs so that you don't have a bunch of crud building up in the bottom of the tank.

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2010 R-Pod RP-171
2010 Honda Ridgeline TV

Posted By: papabear
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 8:43am

JohnBG is right if you plan to use the toilet while traveling. I would not fill the tanks and drag all that extra weight around.

Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 9:33am

We tow our 179 with our Grand Caravan, have had no problem. We usually put 5 gallons in the water tank and keep the speed around 60 on the highway , seems to get us our best mileage.

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

Posted By: johnmaci
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2015 at 12:39pm

Originally posted by Derek

Is it best to fill up the water tank before setting off or should I wait until we arrive at the campsite, I'm thinking the extra weight of the water might make it more stable to tow.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Derek.

- Depending on the location of your fresh water tank, a full tank may make your ride unstable rather than add stability.

- I usually call ahead and ask if they have a place I can fill up; or stop at the nearest service station to the site and fill there if the campsite has no hookups.