Whats pulling your RPod

I had a similar set up with the 2016 171 I owned and a Honda Pilot. It worked really well towing. The E2 was easy to deal with and provided that extra bit of peace when towing with an SUV. 

2007 half ton Silverado.  Runs great but the dam thing is rusting...makes me sick.  Looking into a mid sized SUV in the spring.  Pulling a 2010 173T on our first trip in it tomorrow. 

Toyota Tundra 4 wheel dr.

Originally posted by dianab We're towing with a 2014 Nissan Frontier, V6. Gas mileage is really disappointing ~ 12 mpg. But what concerns me is the brakes. We live in CO and most trips include a mountain pass - going up is doable, but last time we came down a pass the TV brakes (I think) were heating up and smelling. Husband "turned up" the trailer brakes and she skidded around on the wet road when he applied brakes. So we stopped for 15 mins to cool her down before finishing the descent. Technically, the Frontier exceeds all the specs on paper for towing the Pod, but how do we know that our TV in the real world is the right vehicle for towing in the mountains?!

I tow with a 2010 Frontier. Like you, we get around 12 mpg, sometimes a little better. I limit my towing speed to 60 mph or lower. I don't use the cruise control except on relatively flat terrain at low altitudes so I limit the engine RPMs to 3,000 or lower, which helps with the mileage.
For descents, you have an option you do not mention. You can downshift and let the engine help with controlling your speed of descent. You will still need brakes, but not as much. From your description, it sounds like the brake's boost was set too high. That should be turned down a bit so it doesn't lock the trailer brakes when you just want to slow down.

I use an Equal-i-zer hitch. While the Frontier specs out as not needing one, it does help as the back end of our Frontier sags quite a bit when I hitch up our 179 until I get the bars on. It will also help with making sure enough weight is transferred to help with the steering.