This is all info I would have loved to have while preparing to start traveling with our camper. Maybe it will help someone.
Equipment:
2018 R-Pod 171, Weight 2500 lbs.
Husky Distribution Hitch and Sway control.
Prodigy P2 Trailer Brake, set at 3.5 (Didn't really have this dialed in)
05 TB 4.2, 3.42 Gears, 153K, Mark MC Lift, 1.5" Mark MC Spacer Adapters, Transmission Cooler
Travel:
We towed it from Tampa back to Orlando (1.5 Hours). We stayed at 55 to 60mph.
Performance:
MPG 12MPG at 60, 13.5MPG at 55.
RPM at 55 (2k), RPM at 60 (2,200K)
Towed in 3rd WITH Cruise Control.
TB Towing Overview:
1. Control, I am a newbie, and this felt very stable and in control. Towed level even with the lift, no sway at all even with semi's passing.
2. TB Power, There was more power to give, but based on RPM and acceleration, you would be running at 3.5k rpm to 4k up hills depending on the speed you were trying to maintain. You will for sure know that you will have a trailer, even one this light.
3. Visibility, Excellent no extra mirrors of any kind needed with this small of a trailer.
4. TB Temp, Clocked at at 210, EXCEPT at one point which makes me nervous. At 55 with cruise on, a long incline caused the trans to shift down into maybe 3rd or second and rpm when up to about 3.5 to 4k as it tried to maintain speed. As soon as that happened, temp shot up about 10 to 15 degrees. After 5 minutes, of normal driving, the temp was back down. You might have seen my previous thread in trip prep I replaced all coolant, thermostat and coolant temp sensor.
5. Braking, I didn't even set the brake controller before we left, we were in a rush. I just braked very slow and it stopped just fine. I will dial it in on our next trip.
Possible cause 1: The Water Pump blades are maybe work down, and it could not deliver the flow it needed at that RPM. (Any thoughts are much appreciated).
Possible cause 2: The cat is clogged. Though I do not feel any actual power issues. When it went down to 3.5 k, it sounded good, and pulled very strong.