Newbie has a Question - R-pod Owners Forum

Author

Share Topic

Topic Search

Topic Options

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Topic: Newbie has a Question
Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 8:35pm

A stock Highlander will be fine.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

wagnert

Newbie

Joined: 09 Jan 2012
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 21

Posted: 28 Jan 2012 at 7:07pm

My regular mechanic installed an additional transmission cooler on my Toyota 2003 Sienna for under $200. My understanding is that the vehicle comes with a small cooler, and that for towing the additional cooler is a good investment. Cheaper by far than a new tranny. My guy ordered four different coolers from his parts (non-dealer) supplier, installed the largest one that fit well, returned the others.

Tom Wagner
2012 R-Pod 177
2003 Toyota Sienna

David and Danette View Drop Down

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 24 Nov 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1222

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 at 7:56pm

Check with a Toyota dealer, it may be that the your Highlander has a built in transmission cooler. We had a Saturn Vue That had the cooler built in. When I checked out the Highlander last year the dealer said the Highlander came with the trasmission cooler and that no other cooler was needed. It may depend upon the year Highlander you have. You may be safe to tow.

2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

pmjensen

Senior Member

Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Location: South Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 179

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 at 2:58pm

I looked at the specs for your Highlander (5000 lb towing capacity) and in my opinion you should be able to pull a 171. I would have a transmission cooler installed. For awhile I pulled our 176 with an 2009 Equinox (we did have a transmission cooler install) only a 3500 lb towing capacity. It was marginal but we did make many trips of 150-200 miles with it on relatively flat ground. Biggest problem was headwinds. We now have a 2011 Frontier which pulls very nicely.

Happy Podding

2011 R-176 Nuestro Pod
2014 Silverado

Dice

Newbie

Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:57pm

Forgot to mention I am in Southern California. I am mainly planning to go on weekend excursions with it with my wife and 5 year old son. 2 hour or so trips each way.

marwayne

Senior Member

Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Location: Edmonton AB Can
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1003

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:46pm

I am thinking of putting a hitch on my venza v6, asked my toyota dealer about a towing package, they told me all you need is a hitch and your good to go. I would use the car going east, ( flat ) going west in to the mountians I use the truck.

If you want something done right, do it yourself.
2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

Dice

Newbie

Joined: 17 Jan 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:35pm

Greetings everyone. I have been researching small lightweight travel trailers with a shower (is a must for the wife) over the past week or so and have read about the r-pod, MPG, and the chinese made icamp. I have made my mind up that I am definitely getting an r-pod 171 HRE. Now I have run into another problem/issue. I was hoping to find something that my wife's 2008 Toyota Highlander (3.5 V-6) could pull, but seeing that it does not have a tow package on it I am thinking that I am out of luck Unhappy

I am wondering is there anyway to get a transmission cooler installed or other things so that it can pull the r-pod or do I basically have to face the fact that I need to buy another vehicle? I have read about minivans and such pulling r-pods so I was thinking the Highlander could do it but now I am doubtful.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Topic: Newbie has a Question Posted: 29 Jan 2012 at 8:35pm
	A stock Highlander will be fine.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

wagnert Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2012 Location: Gig Harbor, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 28 Jan 2012 at 7:07pm
	My regular mechanic installed an additional transmission cooler on my Toyota 2003 Sienna for under $200. My understanding is that the vehicle comes with a small cooler, and that for towing the additional cooler is a good investment. Cheaper by far than a new tranny. My guy ordered four different coolers from his parts (non-dealer) supplier, installed the largest one that fit well, returned the others.
	Tom Wagner 2012 R-Pod 177 2003 Toyota Sienna

David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1222	Posted: 19 Jan 2012 at 7:56pm
	Check with a Toyota dealer, it may be that the your Highlander has a built in transmission cooler. We had a Saturn Vue That had the cooler built in. When I checked out the Highlander last year the dealer said the Highlander came with the trasmission cooler and that no other cooler was needed. It may depend upon the year Highlander you have. You may be safe to tow.
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

pmjensen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2010 Location: South Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 179	Posted: 19 Jan 2012 at 2:58pm
	I looked at the specs for your Highlander (5000 lb towing capacity) and in my opinion you should be able to pull a 171. I would have a transmission cooler installed. For awhile I pulled our 176 with an 2009 Equinox (we did have a transmission cooler install) only a 3500 lb towing capacity. It was marginal but we did make many trips of 150-200 miles with it on relatively flat ground. Biggest problem was headwinds. We now have a 2011 Frontier which pulls very nicely. Happy Podding
	2011 R-176 Nuestro Pod 2014 Silverado

Dice Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:57pm
	Forgot to mention I am in Southern California. I am mainly planning to go on weekend excursions with it with my wife and 5 year old son. 2 hour or so trips each way.

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1003	Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:46pm
	I am thinking of putting a hitch on my venza v6, asked my toyota dealer about a towing package, they told me all you need is a hitch and your good to go. I would use the car going east, ( flat ) going west in to the mountians I use the truck.
	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

Dice Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 17 Jan 2012 at 9:35pm
	Greetings everyone. I have been researching small lightweight travel trailers with a shower (is a must for the wife) over the past week or so and have read about the r-pod, MPG, and the chinese made icamp. I have made my mind up that I am definitely getting an r-pod 171 HRE. Now I have run into another problem/issue. I was hoping to find something that my wife's 2008 Toyota Highlander (3.5 V-6) could pull, but seeing that it does not have a tow package on it I am thinking that I am out of luck I am wondering is there anyway to get a transmission cooler installed or other things so that it can pull the r-pod or do I basically have to face the fact that I need to buy another vehicle? I have read about minivans and such pulling r-pods so I was thinking the Highlander could do it but now I am doubtful.