Tow Vehicles - Event Date: 11 Feb 2018 - 11 Apr 2018

Bully, recommend a WDH with that tow vehicle, last time I weighed my 178, hitch weight was 372. Both my tow vehicles are rated at over 6000.

fwiw- i just completed a 750 mile round trip in our 2018 sequoia with WDH and anti sway and our 182g.  this is the first trip that i have had the hitch and previously towed the trailer with a Tundra and no special hitch at all.  I am really amazed at all the folks that manage with the smaller vehicles to tow the pods.  I know highway speeds and winds are the biggest factors that influence the highway experience to me.  i was fortunate to have a tail wind coming and going(never happened before).  actually more of a diagonal crossing wind on I40 witch is mostly east/west where i am.  The sway and WDH made all the difference in the world.  Even with the new hitch, i still noticed some sway from wind shadows and passing semi trucks.  i blame some of that on the factory tires(just ordered some carlisle tires to fix that)  So, my 2 cents is get the WDH for full size and all others as well. 

Texman

Originally posted by gaw0728 is w weight distribution hitch necessary     we would not be towing in an extreme weather

With that low of a tow rating, I would recommend a WDH, but it may not be absolutely mandatory. You would like the stability that it would provide.

I used to tow with a 2016 Ford Escape SE with tow package and 3,500 lb tow rating. I would likely still be towing with it  except we encountered ice with a strong cross-wind in Wyoming in December 2016. I don't know if a larger tow vehicle with a higher tow rating would have made any difference. We now tow with a 2010 Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab 4x4 with 6,100 lb tow rating.

Escape's advantages:
1. The 2 Liter Ecoboost engine is remarkable, especially at higher elevations where it is able to keep going at top power because of the turbocharger. The 4 Liter V6 in the Frontier loses 4% power for every thousand feet in elevation.
2. The short distance between the center of the rear axle and the hitch ball means less force can be exerted by the trailer. Trucks passing were like a gentle nudge, but no problems.

Escape's disadvantages:
1. It (and similar vehicles with a 3,500 lb tow rating) have problems with wind resistance. Look in the owner's manual for towing guidelines. You will find that the R-Pods have a frontal area that is quite large and probably exceed manufacturer's recommendations for maximum frontal area. This can be mitigated a little by using a wind deflector such as Purpleline's AeroPlus or Icon's AeroShield. Still, limiting tow speed to 60 mph or lower will be a great help with mileage. Anything faster than 60 mph, you are looking at single-digit mileage, even on level ground.
2. Stowage: The Escape or Edge or any other SUV will not give you a good place to carry extra propane or, if you have a generator, extra fuel. Neither are really that good to carry inside the SUV with family.
3. Unless you get an All Wheel Drive version, expect traction issues. We had the FWD Escape. Even with a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch, starting out on anything other than dry pavement could have issues. AWD would help. Don't think you can climb hills on dirt roads. If you have to start from a stop on a hill, expect to spin the wheels at least. Snow and ice are to be avoided! I know from experience.

We have the same set-up as jimandclare except only anti-sway and ditto everything he/she/they posted. It even did well through the Ozarks and NW Arkansas.