New Sport 189

[Hawkeyes]

We picked up our new 189 Friday morning. Came home and loaded everything up then took off for a weekend of camping. We bought our first camper last year. It was an Rpod, which we loved, but it was just too small. One thing we learned this weekend is that we are going to lose the table. It's nice but it takes up too much room. Maybe throw a tv tray under the bed for the occasional time we need a table. We sure do love the many features this camper has that the Rpod did not. No problems with the camper, can't wait until our next outing.

[Lpboy]

We just picked up the exact trailer yesterday as well. Coming fom a pop up, this is luxury! We contemplated an rpod but thought it might be a bit small.

It appears yours has an outside tv mount. We have one in the trailer in the box but not mounted. I am wondering if I use the screws that comes with it to mount. They look too long. 2 inch or so. Looks like maybe the are mounting in one of the aluminum studs coming down from the window???

[Happy Campers 79]

Congrats! We picked up our 220 a week ago. It's our upgrade from a 17ft hybrid. It hasn't left the backyard yet but we are so excited!. No more putting out beds and getting one made upon arrival at the campground! It's done before we leave home! Enjoy!

[Hawkeyes]

I wish I could tell you about the mount, but we didn't install it. Pretty excited about that option though. We also enjoyed the outside speakers this weekend.

[Bakka323]

Hello Everyone,

My wife and I are thinking about purchasing the 189 however, I own a 2006 Nissan Xterra 4.0V6 with a 5000lbs tow capacity. How do you think this will do? What vehicles is everyone using to tow the 189? Also we are in the same dilema as you guys were... we are also thinking about an R-Pod... Basically, if our Xterra can't handle the 189 we will resort to the R-Pod... Thanks for your help!

Brad

[Hawkeyes]

I would think you could pull with that as long as you were not going very far or into the mountains. We started out with an rpod 177 and a Trailblazer. Then we bought a Siverado. The Trailblazer could tow but the Siverado did it effortlessly. That, of course led to us buying a little bit more camper. We really enjoyed the rpod except for the times you are forced inside in the cold or rain. Then we did not like the tv over the bed or no place to sit and relax. I really like the different layout the rpod has now with the outdoor kitchen, the bed by the door, a closet and the tv NOT over the bed. We did consider trading for another rpod but since towing was not an issue and the milage is bad no matter what we decided on a surveyor.

[vp22er]

We have a 2011 Surveyor 189 and tv is a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder with a tow rating of 6000 lbs. It tows just fine, 10-12 mpg. We tow mostly in the flat lands of Florida and Georgia so I'm not sure how it would do in the mountains. When loaded I feel we are close to the limit, so with a 5000 lbs tow rating on the Xterra, I think you would have some issues.

[Bakka323]

Thanks a lot for your insight! We went back to the dealer yesterday afternoon to once again compare the 189 and the R-pod 177. The liveable space difference has a huge between the two and that is starting to sway our decision. I agree with you that the Xterra will be able to handle small trips and we probably wouldn't go any more than 200 miles...i hope that is considered small for our dainty SUV. Did you happen to use an equalizing hitch and a anti-sway bar when you were driving the trailblazer? Thanks again for your insight!

Brad

[Bakka323]

Hello There in Florida! Thanks for your reply!!! I am now very curious to the differences between the Pathfinder and the Xterra. I know that Nissan rated the towing capacity different for a good reason but i am wondering if they will handle towing in a similar fashion. The reason i am thinking this is b/c both vehicles have a similar setup as far as engine... I guess just wishful thinking! Thanks again for your reply!

Brad

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Hawkeyes

We picked up our new 189 Friday morning. Came home and loaded everything up then took off for a weekend of camping. We bought our first camper last year. It was an Rpod, which we loved, but it was just too small. One thing we learned this weekend is that we are going to lose the table. It's nice but it takes up too much room. Maybe throw a tv tray under the bed for the occasional time we need a table. We sure do love the many features this camper has that the Rpod did not. No problems with the camper, can't wait until our next outing.

I like those colors and wheels on these units...very nice, enjoy

[vp22er]

Biggest diff is wheelbase and overall length.

xterra wheelbase=106.3 pathfinder=112.2
overall=178.7 overall=192.3

[vp22er]

Also of note: the 2011 Surveyor 189 is only 84" wide, and starting in 2012 it went to 96" wide. Big diff in wind resistance.

[Borwick]

About the table, we also first found it annoying, but I also found a solution.

The table will stand on end, on the wall which is between the end of the couch, and bathroom. You need a little hook to keep it in place, but it allows you have it handy, but out of the way until dinner time.

Maybe not pretty, but a workable solution. Just remember to lay it back down on the couch before closing the slide-out.

[bikendan]

plus the xterra's higher center of gravity over the pathfinder, also factors in the lower tow capacity.

the 189's actual weight, from the factory will be at least 3600lbs.
add the weights of water, propane, battery and cargo, plus subtracting anything other than a 150lb. driver in the xterra, will put you near the xterra's max.
most on rv forums, swear by the 80% rule. don't tow anything over 80% of the TV's max.
if you were only going to tow on flat terrain, then you can get by. but if you plan on mountains/hills, you'll be hating it.

i absolutely love the xterra, but when we were shopping for a new TV, it just had too many negatives to be a viable tow vehicle for a full height TT.

[Hawkeyes]

Good idea for the table. I don't like to take it because it is in the way in my opinion. However I wonder if the weather is bad, if we would miss having it to eat on.

[vp22er]

Small light weight tv trays that can fit in outside in outside storage area may be an option

[MN_Outdoors]

I'm looking at getting a used sp189 and thought about using the tv trays too.

BTW, I have a 2008 Pathfinder with a V6. How does it pull with yours? I see you now have a Coachman Apex, but had the Surveyor SP189 before that.

[vp22er]

Towed great. However we only towed in the flatlands of Florida and south Georgia. You probably will need to add a transmission cooler if you take it to major hill country. WDH with sway control a must.

[rmdrifter]

Cannot tow with the Nissan xTerra--I would not even try as it could lead to potentially dangerous situation. Go down in weight or up in horsepower. And remember it's not just what the vehicle is rated to tow: You need to add up all the weight in trailer, vehicle, hitch, etc. And also factor in that you lose 2% of tow capacity for every 1000' of elevation. Hope this helps.