Advice on Towing Vehicles for R-pod 178

[HONDAMAN174]

70-75 mph towing!!! EEK!!!
Try to remember that trailer tires are only rated to 65!

I used to tow my high wall pop up (4000 lbs) with my Honda Pilot no problem. I have a customer that tows her rpod with a ridgeline- and she bought the rpod because I said it was a good choice for her truck. Just be sure to get a pilot wit 4wd as it will make life easier in the rain and taking off from stoplights.


2014 Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra "Clifford"

[dratcliff]

Get a Dodge Durango - Everybody is happy

[bikendan]

[QUOTE=KVA;1099756]

Originally Posted by thegarrs

We bought an R-Pod 178 a few months ago & have towed it over 2000 miles with a Honda Pilot 2016 (we had to have a trailer package added) from Arkansas to the Dakotas. Speed 70-75 MPH.
KVA

PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

For your family's safety and for everyone else's.
Those trailer tires are rated for a max of 65mph

[asquared]

Originally Posted by KVA

We bought an R-Pod 178 a few months ago & have towed it over 2000 miles with a Honda Pilot 2016 (we had to have a trailer package added) from Arkansas to the Dakotas. Speed 70-75 MPH. Gas 8-11 MPG. We have had 2 other Pilots (2013;2014--which already had a trailer package) which we have used to pull a horse trailer & 14' boat; gas mileage about the same. We love the R-Pod & have spent up to 10 days in it. A sway bar we added was worth its wait in gold.
KVA

As stated before please slow down. That is not a safe trailer speed. Most ST (trailer tires) are only rated to 65. A few are rated to 75 but still not advisable to go that fast. It's way too easy to lose control of the sail behind you at those speeds.

[mike.t]

When the OP has a situation he will blame it everything but his driving habits.

[Big Red and 30WR]

Can`t go wrong with a one ton diesel dually

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by howie70

In my opinion there is nothing more versatile than a 4 door crew cab pick-up. Unless you want 3rd row seating, I can think of nothing that an SUV can do that a pick-up couldn't. The fact that the truck has a bed for hauling stuff is what makes it much more versatile for me. Your wife may not like it now, but test drive a new(er) 1/2 ton crew cab and she may change her mind. I'm a rather avid DIY'er around the house so it seems I am constantly hauling "stuff". If that isn't beneficial to you, then there seems to be some good advice on SUV's already posted.
Good luck!

I can get some longer stuff into my wife's Traverse that I can't fit into my Silverado's 6.5ft bed. And it's out of the weather.

On the other hand, can't get a queen mattress in the Traverse.

Pluses and minuses with both.

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I can get some longer stuff into my wife's Traverse that I can't fit into my Silverado's 6.5ft bed. And it's out of the weather.

On the other hand, can't get a queen mattress in the Traverse.

Pluses and minuses with both.

Longer? Interesting. What was it?

[Kels4g]

Originally Posted by Justice12t

I think they need a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to pull that... Sorry I couldn't help myself that is usually how these type of threads go...ok back to reality

Family friends tow an R-pod with a newer F150 and love it. They had the truck before the camper. I think several people have given great advice already. If possible weigh it and go from there, otherwise drive a few things and see what you guys like driving. X2 on the tow package. IMO the only other suggestion I could make is maybe find something that is above the capacity of what you need...it never hurts and hey you never know what camper you might have in the future...might seem kinda silly having to buy a new TV every time you get a new camper...Other than that make sure you are safe and enjoy the fun it brings!!

A 1 ton? Be serious. They at least need a full tractor to pull this beast

Seriously though, one of the advantages of the R-Pod is supposed to be that it can be towed by a myriad of cars. If you want an SUV, I would just look for one that you like with a higher capacity that what you need and a payload that gives you lots of wiggle room (in case you accidentally eat too much one day )

Personally, I love a pick-up with a bed cover. Best of both worlds.

[howie70]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I can get some longer stuff into my wife's Traverse that I can't fit into my Silverado's 6.5ft bed. And it's out of the weather.

On the other hand, can't get a queen mattress in the Traverse.

Pluses and minuses with both.

I can carry 10' conduit or lumber on the 6.5' bed of my truck. Granted, 3.5' sticks out, but you're not limited to just the 6.5'. I also have a topper on my bed so what I have in there is also out of the weather. (other than the 3.5' of conduit if that is what I'm carrying at the time)

[howie70]

Originally Posted by mike.t

When the OP has a situation he will blame it everything but his driving habits.

Why do you say that? The OP is on here asking advice on a tow vehicle. Exactly what do you know about his driving habits?

[Face Palm]

Another consideration is the frontal area of the trailer with the smaller SUVs and such. Our previous TV, a 2010 Escape pulled our 2250# popup ok, but the 35 sq foot surface area limited us for similar weighted small TTs. Our solution, in anticipation of upgrading to a 21-23' TT was to upgrade to a Crew Cab Ram 1500 first. It will more than cover us even with its limited payload of 1790#

[tony5oh]

Originally Posted by howie70

Why do you say that? The OP is on here asking advice on a tow vehicle. Exactly what do you know about his driving habits?

He misread. His comment should be directed to KVA, not the OP.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by Face Palm

Another consideration is the frontal area of the trailer with the smaller SUVs and such. Our previous TV, a 2010 Escape pulled our 2250# popup ok, but the 35 sq foot surface area limited us for similar weighted small TTs. Our solution, in anticipation of upgrading to a 21-23' TT was to upgrade to a Crew Cab Ram 1500 first. It will more than cover us even with its limited payload of 1790#

Excellent point, many SUV's have a Surface area limitation for trailer towing that excludes most non pop up trailers

[Maineguy]

I have an R.pod 179 (great layout and quality) which I tow with a Toyota Highlander. In spite of published towing capacity, the Highlander just doesn't have it: suspension too light, transmission and engine really not beefy enough. Toyota service mgr advised that smallest Toyota suitably built and equipped is the 4-Runner. Sooo, suggest you consider a "real" SUV with construction and equipment capable of towing without strain and struggle in the steepest and windiest conditions. Good luck and come to Maine, it's great.

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by DebbieHM

We tow our 2013 R pod 178 with a Chrysler Town and Country or a Jeep Liberty. We have a weight distribution hitch and sway bar. Both work well but personally, I like the longer wheel base of the mini van for towing.

Yes!!! I've often said, a minivan is the best all-around vehicle, as long as you don't need/want more towing capacity.

Unfortunately, these folks want more towing capacity for the mountains. So unless they find an old Astro/Safari in good condition, the minivan probably won't happen here.

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by howie70

In my opinion there is nothing more versatile than a 4 door crew cab pick-up. Unless you want 3rd row seating, I can think of nothing that an SUV can do that a pick-up couldn't. The fact that the truck has a bed for hauling stuff is what makes it much more versatile for me. Your wife may not like it now, but test drive a new(er) 1/2 ton crew cab and she may change her mind. I'm a rather avid DIY'er around the house so it seems I am constantly hauling "stuff". If that isn't beneficial to you, then there seems to be some good advice on SUV's already posted.
Good luck!

Things that an SUV can do, that a 4-door crew cab pickup can't:
1. You already mentioned the 3rd row seating (aka, greater than 5 people)
2. 4 door crew cab pick-up would not fit in my garage. That was a necessity for us.
3. Haul delicate items in a climate controlled environment (like a bunch of flowers for a wedding). We regularly bring our SUV when helping friends move, for things like mirrors, and flat screen TVs, that they dont' want in a pickup for Uhaul.
4. I'm sure there are more.

As far as the benefits of a pickup:
1. Tow capacity (typically). More sheet metal on the same structure/drivetrain usually means less payload & TW capacity.
2. Instant capacity in the bed for dirty stuff. But...I've always been able to get a small open trailer for hauling gravel, mulch, etc. This is easily overcome, but requires planning.
3. Bragging rights on chat sites. :-)
4. I'm sure there are more.

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Longer? Interesting. What was it?

Yeah, our Chrysler minivans would swallow 4x8 plywood and drywall, and still close the hatch.

[dustman_stx]

I would take a look at a Ford Explorer Sport. 3.5L Ecoboost and AWD are standard. 3rd row seating- which many small SUV's it's size lack. And you'd have way more power than your typical SUV that size with an NA 4 or 6 cylinder.

[thebrakeman]

Mmmmmmm...tuuuuurrrrrbo!!