What are you towing your R-Pod with

[PDFT-T4R]

Originally Posted by PDFT-T4R

Our '17 Toyota 4runner towed our '17 171 approx. 9000 miles to and from Alaska last July / August. Both did very well. I think the WDH, once it was lubed and adjusted, made a huge difference. But, it did need a "wiggle" to straighten it every time we entered the highway.
The 4runner easily managed highway towing, dirt/gravel roads with stream crossings, and two jeep trails('til turning around became prudent).
Attachment 163139

I posted this a while ago, and I got a PM asking what I meant by 'WDH'. This was my reply:

I'm referring to the Weight Distributing Hitch. Since we planned to tow long distances, I felt a WDH is as essential as trailer brakes to towing safely.
Because the hitch is well behind the rear axle, the tongue weight reduces weight on the front wheels, and puts even more on the rear wheels of the car. The WDH changes how the weight is distributed, taking weight off the car's rear axle and putting that weight on both the front axle and the trailer axle.
Most WDH's also have a sway control feature.
Ours is an Equal-i-zer, not sure but, I think it's the smallest version.
Google 'WDH hitch' for lots of info, etc.
I like that I can just barely see behind me with the stock mirrors while towing our R-Pod.

[Dirt Sifter]

Using a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with 3.5 V6 towing package. I use a WDH for our Hood River 2015 RP 179. The hitch was left over from our 30' TT pulled with a Tundra. After pulling over 400 miles we added a stabilizer for the single axle set up. From sea level to 4K plus elevation we averaged 14 mpg on two lanes and 12 mpg on freeway. We bought the trailer to match the versatility of the TV, no disappointments yet.

[AZ Pete]

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

Using a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with 3.5 V6 towing package. I use a WDH for our Hood River 2015 RP 179. The hitch was left over from our 30' TT pulled with a Tundra. After pulling over 400 miles we added a stabilizer for the single axle set up. From sea level to 4K plus elevation we averaged 14 mpg on two lanes and 12 mpg on freeway. We bought the trailer to match the versatility of the TV, no disappointments yet.

I tow an RP180 with a '18 Tacoma TRD extra cab, long bed. I have a WDH, from our old Tundra/28' TT, but don't find it necessary for the RP. I do have sumosprings and sway control though...just because. I did initially tow w/o the sumosprings, but like the ride height better with them. My mpg mirrors yours.

[blackjeep54304]

2010 Jeep Wrangler unlimited.

[Dirt Sifter]

Wanted to follow up our towing experience with the '17 Tacoma (refer #142.) On a 1600 mi trip thru part of MT, we had no issues - until we caught a strong head wind. The 35 mph wind with gusts to 50+ had an effect. We thought we had to get to a certain destination that day so kept going 55 mph at 5K rpm. Then hit Idaho's freeway truck speed limit at 70 and cars at 80. We realized we were a hazard, changed plans and took the rest of the day off the road. Got about 8.7 mpg. The next early morning with winds 15 - 20 with higher gusts we came right along, but with gas mpg around 9.4. Still like the vehicle combination.

[Dengle]

Just purchased a 2015 R-POD 179. Tow vehicle is 2014 Grand Cherokee without tow package rated at 350 tongue weight and 3500 pounds loaded trailer. Should be okay, but have not experienced full load, only dry weight. Temp gauge creeped up slightly, but not significant. Pushing near the limit, according to Jeep instruction manual, but Jeep is likely somewhat conservative with their recommendation, rightly so. Any thoughts?

[Capt Kidd]

I tow my 2015 179 behind a Dodge Durango with a V6. I have had no problems going over mountain passes of 7000 feet. No over heating in 90 degree temps. I have found that if I use my paddle shifters instead of just letting the car shift itself that I get about 2 mpg better mileage. I just finished a trip to Ione, NV over Donner summit about 900 miles and averaged 15 mpg overall. If I drive 60 mph and let the car shift it wants to run in 6th gear about 2400 rpm but if I use the paddle shifters i will run just fine in 7th gear about 1900 rpm. I try to keep the rpms at no more than 3,000 rpm by shifting manually. Yeah I go slower over grades but so what I'm retired.

[Dirt Sifter]

Dengle, just an observation here because I don't know your TV set up. The last trip we took I ran across an ODOT scale (nothing scientific) and had about 600 lbs tongue weight. We had some extra gear in the bed of the TV which was part of that, but I was surprised at how quickly the weight increased with the stuff we carried in our RP179.

[Dengle]

Captain Kidd & Dirt Sifter: Appreciate your replies. Yes, my Grand Cherokee is a V6, no frills Laredo model, simply having had Mopar receiver with wiring harness hooked in. Of course I have equalizing hitch assembly. Reference remarks of Dirt Sifter, I will watch tongue weight. Was planning to carry two bikes on trailer rear bumper with spare tire forward under bed or in tow vehicle. Kidd's Durango is a somewhat bigger vehicle than the Grand Cherokee, yet both are V6's. I will assume Kidd's Durango "does not" have the manufacturers tow package. Yes, I have those paddle shifters. I am optimistic towing the 179 will be fine, though this is my first RV and also being retired I remain patient sometimes. Just put Goodyear Endurance tires on trailer, as 65 mph max on Chinese tires don't cut it. Dengle

[Capt Kidd]

Yes I do not have the factory tow package just a class 3 hitch no sway bars or anything and no problems with sway. I have two 12 volt batteries and one propane tank on the front. I have a BAL spare tire carrier that goes between the frame rails. It rides just behind the door of the 179. I also have a Yamaha 2400 generator that I carry on a carrier that goes into the trailer hitch receiver on the rear.

[mpmeza]

I have a 2018 rpod 189 and I want to tow it with a 2009 jeep wrangler w/automatic transmission. Has anyone done this or this can not be done. The car manual reads that I can only tow 2000 lbs. I have seen pictures of jeeps towing an rpod. please advise.

[Dirt Sifter]

My two cents - don't do it. The listed dry wt on the 189 is 2700 lbs. so that's the lightest it'll be. Your rig will be under powered and you'll be frustrated some time before you break down. Then there's the issue of your Wrangler having the tow package on it. I do not have your TV, but mine works pretty hard some times with my 179. Just an observation - hopefully some with your setup will reply soonest.

[Big-Foot]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

Towing so far with my 2017 Ford Raptor and our 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.
The Raptor has no issues.
The Jeep knows it’s back there but handles it quite well on the highway with no heavy terrain (mountains).
The Jeep. Is equipped with 3.73 gears and stock tires inflated to 40 PSI.
I put AirLift AirBags in the Jeep and maintain them at 7 PSI.
We managed 13 MPG and never go over 65 MPH (most trailer tires are limited to 65 anyway).
The brake controller is a Hopkins remote mount in the Jeep.
The hitch is an Equal-I-Zer which does a pretty good job of weight distribution and sway control for crosswinds and 18 Wheelers..

Update - We towed through some mountain passes in TX, AZ, UT and found that the Jeep struggled waaaaaay too much with this load of ~3500#. At altitudes over 3500’, it would not get out of 4th gear except when going down hill. I even tried a SuperChips Trail Dash 2 tuner and had an ECU unlocked - which was supposed to give us 30+ more HP and TQ. Well, the Butt-Dyno told me there was little to no difference in power - however - the TD2 did do a nice job of reprogramming the transmission with its “Tow Tune”.
Mpgs suffered and we were under 10mpg with our top speed being 65 (most of the time 55)
Ultimately, I threw in the towel on towing the RPod with the Jeep and I bought a small Class-A motorhome with a V10 to tow the Jeep with....
Much better all the way around.

[YukonCaper]

Iam using a 2007 Ford sport track. V8 engine. No issues so far. The sporttrak is basically a ford explorer chasis which is a small truck.

[fifer1812]

Pulling with a 2018 Honda Pilot AWD, My 2019 190. I'm still quite the newbie. When I had the dealership add the tow package, I did include the transmission cooler.

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by fifer1812

Pulling with a 2018 Honda Pilot AWD, My 2019 190. I'm still quite the newbie. When I had the dealership add the tow package, I did include the transmission cooler. Attachment 212506Attachment 212507

Looks good. Should be more than enough for your unit. Don’t be afraid of letting it rev to 4500- 5000 if climbing a mountain. BUT I recommend changing transmission and rear diff fluid every 15k miles.

[fifer1812]

Thank you for the advice! I need to keep Wilbur happy. My 2005 went 205,000 miles when I retired Bessie. Yes, I name my vehicles. I'm surprised about about letting Wilbur rev up to 5000 rpm. I went to Southern VT last month, and going over Hogback, I was quite nervous when the rpm was around 3800. Yes, I'm stilling how to drive Wilbur with "Bite Size" rolling behind.

[TheWolfPaq82]

My next Tow Rig setup.

[Craig and Carol]

Decided that, while the 4 Runner could pull the POD, a vehicle with more capability would pull it better; so...bit the bullet and joined the truckers: F150 XLT 5.0 4X4. I'd post a picture, but I'm clueless how...

[podster]

Have made a few trips towing new RPod 178 into the Sierras with 2019 Subaru Ascent with factory tow package and self installed Redarc Tow-Pro Elite trailer brake. Plenty of power going up hills. Biggest impact seems to be load distribution in the trailer and pre/post camping weight of H20, black and gray water tanks. I've learned that too much rear weight in the trailer leads to some sway and tongue bounce at higher speeds.