New Member

[Kamehameha]

Hi everyone. I am Vincent. My wife and I love to go camp and we decided to upgrade from a ground tent to a travel trailer.
I have been doing some research and looking at trailers, particularly R Pod 192 and NO BO 19.2.

However, first I need to decide on a tow car. My daily driver broke recently so it is a perfect opportunity to get something that can easily tow a travel trailer.

So, I am going to need your advice. I need a comfortable SUV or pick up truck that gets good mileage (I commute to work in Queens, NY) and can easily tow a travel trailer like R Pod 192/UVW 3379.

What are your recommendations?

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin.

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

Welcome and best of luck!

Just a couple of observations on my part. I am sure you will get better advice soon.

Most SUVs and Pick Up Trucks do not compute when it comes to "good mileage". Especially commuting in NYC. Been there done that.

I would recommend you definitely pick your trailer first, then buy the appropriate Tow Vehicle. Keeping in mind that if you begin to love the RV Camping world you may want to upgrade your trailer soon. Then you are needing a bigger TV. We upgraded after 2 years.

From personal experience. Dinette seating is not conducive to anything but eating. If you have no where else to sit in your trailer. You will tire of it easily.

Again Best of Luck and have fun!

[CurtPutnam]

Welcome from SoCal!
You are going to want a pickup. Not only will it be safer than an SUV when towing but it will give you room to grow in trailer size (inevitable.)

Staart your truck search by looking at a Ford F150 but make sure ut has the towing package and a high payload number. The payload sticker is the 1st thing you should look at whether looking at new or used vehicles.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by U.S.ArmyVeteran

Most SUVs and Pick Up Trucks do not compute when it comes to "good mileage". Especially commuting in NYC. Been there done that.

This is so true.
And PLEASE don't make the #1 newbie mistake by using fictional dry weights. They are fantasy numbers.
The minimum tow vehicle would be a Tacoma truck. Loaded tongue weights will easily be over 500lbs and closer to 600lbs. That eliminates mid-sized SUVs, like the Explorer, which has a hitch max of 500lbs.

[aceinspp]

Welcome to the forum and good luck on your search for a camper. Later RJD

[Kamehameha]

Originally Posted by U.S.ArmyVeteran

Welcome and best of luck!



From personal experience. Dinette seating is not conducive to anything but eating. If you have no where else to sit in your trailer. You will tire of it easily.

Again Best of Luck and have fun!

Are you referring to RP 192 with dinette seating and a north-south murphy bed? I sort of assumed that in these small travel trailers the dinette seating might be the only seating inside the trailer. However, RP 192 has a murphy bed that converts to a sofa.

[U.S.ArmyVeteran]

Originally Posted by Kamehameha

Are you referring to RP 192 with dinette seating and a north-south murphy bed? I sort of assumed that in these small travel trailers the dinette seating might be the only seating inside the trailer. However, RP 192 has a murphy bed that converts to a sofa.

No, just a general statement. The other consideration is TV placement. If it's not directly across from your seating, it gets uncomfortable. Of course if TV watching is not important. Cancel that :-)

Have fun

[Hoomi]

Welcome from Baja Arizona!

When we bought our '99 Coleman Nevada popup back in 2012, we pulled it with a V6 Nissan Pathfinder. While the weight of the trailer (about 2100 pounds listed dry weight) was within the manufacturer's tow rating for the vehicle, there were way too many hills where that Pathfinder was kind of, "I think I can, I think I can," all the way up the grade. We eventually upgraded to a V8 Toyota Sequoia. Not only does the Sequoia have over a 6000 pound tow rating, it has the auto-leveling rear suspension. We chose our new Wolf Pup to stay well below the rating on the Sequoia, and so far, it feels pretty good pulling the heavier hard-side trailer.

As said above, take the weight ratings, and give yourself some margin for slack. The closer you get to the rating on your tow vehicle with the weight of the trailer, the more likely you are to encounter problems.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

I have a Durango hemi with a 7200 tow limit, towing a Clipper 17Bh.
It’s a great vehicle for towing and for city driving but mileage definitely isn’t as good as something less powerful.