tow wiring and hitch |
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rpoders2
Senior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Delafield, WI Status: Offline Points: 330 |
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Posted: 18 Jan 2010 at 8:40am |
Hi...hoping someone can help us rpoders2b.
We have been in and out of rpods this last year visiting shows and dealers.
As far as a tow vehicle, we've decided on a Rav4 V6.
But as I speak with the dealer about the factory installed tow package,
I'm not sure what to ask about the wiring and what kind of hitch I need.
Thanks for any help and we hope to see you rpoding soon.
Ellen
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GrandPod
Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Location: Southwest Fl. Status: Offline Points: 158 |
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Hello and welcome to the forum. I just checked a towing capacity chart and the Rav 4 only has a 1500 pound towing capacity.The R-Pod towing weight is around 1900- 2400 lbs.depending on which model you have. Your tow vehicle choice is to small to tow the R-Pod.
Tom
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Tom And Linda
Rpod 177 Southwest florida |
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Pie_Pod
Moderator Group Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Location: Springfield, IL Status: Offline Points: 434 |
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Hello!
Welcome to the foum, Ellen.
You are planning on the V-6 cylinder...I just looked it up and the towing capasity of the V6 is 3500 pounds...the V4 is 1500 pounds.
We have a Honda Ridgeline which has a towing capasity of 5000 pounds. We wanted to be way under our vehicle's maximun tow weight so that towing was a breeze..and it is. Have you already purchased your tow vehicle or is that still flexible?
My other half arranged the tow package...he's sleeping or I would ask him..I am sure he (or someone else) will be along to answer your question about the tow package and hitch...
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~cindy (Pod_Patrol's Girl)
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Sandpiper
Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Location: IL Status: Offline Points: 763 |
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That is what I found too that the V6 with the factory tow package has a capacity of 3500 lb with a 300 lb tongue max.
Check the GVWR ( Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ) of the R Pod you are looking at. These can go as high as 3732 for my RP 177 so be aware of the MAXIMUM the R Pod is capable of carrying. Also check the UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) R Pod empty. Your actual towing weight will be some where in between UVW and GVWR just depends on how much stuff you put into the R Pod. Next ask the dealer if the tow package has a 7 way wiring harness with a 7 pin connector. You will need that to match up with the R Pod connector. This is not absolutely necessary since it can be wired as after market but sure is nice. Next ask the dealer if the towing package has a plug in the RAV4 to connect the Electric Brake Controller to. You will need a Controller since the R Pod has electric brakes. This in not absolutely necessary in the tow package either since it can be wired later but it sure is nice too. I think that is about all. Hope I haven't confused you. |
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Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
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rpoders2
Senior Member Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Delafield, WI Status: Offline Points: 330 |
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Thank you all for your very helpful responses. The V6 does have the 3500 lbs towing capacity. I would prefer a truck or larger suv but my taller half won't be convinced...mpg and stuff like that. I will have him take a look at your replies however :) The 7 way wiring harness was what I needed to know and I appreciate the EBC info as well. We have not purchased a vehicle yet but did test drive the V6 Rav4 Sat. How to estimate the actual towing weight is invaluable. We would like to avoid mistakes...or at least avoid the avoidable mistakes...thanks again!
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Sandpiper
Senior Member Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Location: IL Status: Offline Points: 763 |
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Just one more suggestion. If you go looking for a brake controller check out the teknosha "Prodigy".
It is highly rated, relatively inexpensive and several folks on the forum have one including me. |
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Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S] |
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pepperpod
Senior Member Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Location: Central KY Status: Offline Points: 1420 |
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Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172 The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown |
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PodPatrol
Moderator Group Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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I was steared to the teknosha as well. Ive heard great things about the Prodigy. We went with the "P3" unit. I had visited many RV sites and "teknosha" always was recommended by campers.
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GrandPod
Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Location: Southwest Fl. Status: Offline Points: 158 |
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OOP!! I checked but the chart I used only listed a Rav 4. Thanks to everyone for correcting this mistake. Tom
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Tom And Linda
Rpod 177 Southwest florida |
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photog
Senior Member Joined: 06 Nov 2009 Location: Alberta Canada Status: Offline Points: 142 |
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You have had good answers to the wiring question but let me elaborate on the 3500 lbs towing capability because it is not what most people think that it is.
I'll use our Ford Escape as an example, you'll have to substitute numbers for whatever vehicle your looking at.
Curb weight: 3547 lbs
GVRW: 4641 lbs
GCVWR: 7240 lbs.
In our case: 2 people, tank of gas and 400 lbs of cargo added to the curb weight brings the vehicle weight to about 4320 lbs. That is just 321 lbs short of GVRW and 200 lbs of that you need for hitch weight.
Deduct 4320 lbs (total vehicle weight) from the 7240 (GCVWR) and that leaves you with trailer weight of 2920 lbs. Deduct from that a very conservative 10% safety margin and your 3500 lbs towing capacity is in reality 2638 lbs.
So , if you are buying a new vehicle my advise would be to get something with a 5000 lbs towing capability.
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Heinrich and Elly
2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Prime Time Tracer 205 M |
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