R Pod 195 Tow Vehicle Suggestions

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   We have had our 179 fr about 3 years.  We bought a 2015 model in 2017.  We love it for lots of reasons.  there is plenty of room for 2 of us and plenty of storage. We think it has the best kitchen layout of any of the pods because it has a large countertop space, a 2 door pantry and plenty of drawers and lower cabinets. There is an adequate wardrobe with drawers below.. There are 3 overhead cabinets above the slide out couch/table area. There is also storage inside both of the hassocks and under the bed.
the negative that turns most people off is the wet bath and the side to side bed.  If you are solo, that is not an issue.
We have traveled extensively, going from coast to coast and Florida to Michigan.  We have been out as long a 3 continuous months and loved it.
I think the 179 is a great trailer.  I'm happy to answer specific questions if you need answers.
Good luck with your choice.
Vann

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Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1088	Topic: R Pod 195 Tow Vehicle Suggestions Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 10:19pm
	We have had our 179 fr about 3 years. We bought a 2015 model in 2017. We love it for lots of reasons. there is plenty of room for 2 of us and plenty of storage. We think it has the best kitchen layout of any of the pods because it has a large countertop space, a 2 door pantry and plenty of drawers and lower cabinets. There is an adequate wardrobe with drawers below.. There are 3 overhead cabinets above the slide out couch/table area. There is also storage inside both of the hassocks and under the bed. the negative that turns most people off is the wet bath and the side to side bed. If you are solo, that is not an issue. We have traveled extensively, going from coast to coast and Florida to Michigan. We have been out as long a 3 continuous months and loved it. I think the 179 is a great trailer. I'm happy to answer specific questions if you need answers. Good luck with your choice. Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 7:09pm
	Ha ha. I’ve owned much larger RV’s and don’t consider them an “upgrade”. I like getting in and out of smaller more remote campsites and use my Highlander as my daily driver the other 90% of the time. Don’t want a pickup truck or a full size SUV. Like Goldilocks, not too big or too small. IMO. Everyone has different needs and objectives for sure.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 6:21pm
	+1, no need for a 7000 lb and a 179, still on 195 topic here. BTW don't upgrade your TT. because your 5 G TV will then be inadequate. My point is buy an adequate TV that allows flexibility to upgrade the TT, like so many of us do. IMO.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 5:40pm
	To be clear there is no need for a 6-7000 lb rated tow vehicle for a 179. The folks running into problems towing 179’s are trying to do it with 3500 lb rated vehicles. That is marginal at best and not possible if you boon dock. A 5000 lb rated SUV and a 179 are a great all around combination IMO. The mid sized SUV is comfortable and not oversized as a daily driver and adequate for the towing mission, even boon docking which is all my wife and I do. The 179 has a very nice large kitchen and all the features of a larger trailer, you only give up the larger dry bathroom and walk around bed. The latter isn’t an issue for a single person and the bath is a personal preference. For myself and my wife, we spend at most a few minutes a day in the bathroom so it’s any easy decision to give up space there.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 4:17pm
	The 179s are one of if not the most popular 170 series Pods. There are some on dealer's lots but are discontinued. I have a 178 that I towed with a Z71 Colorado (7000 lbs), it was adequate. There are a multitude of 7000 rated vehicles, especially in the mid size PU market. IMHO folks buy a RV to fit a vehicle, thus the tow option becomes a secondary function, when in fact that is the most arduous use of your vehicle. Towing should be the primary function and other uses secondary. BTW we have an 80lb English Bulldog that travels with the wife and I in the 178.
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1221	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 3:50pm
	I would recommend a midsize truck, and even more specifically, a Frontier. I have a 195 and I tow with a Frontier. It works out perfectly for me. I do a little camping in the white mountains, and I have no problems there. The new Frontier actually has improved it's tow capacity to 6700 pounds now, with a new 3.8 L motor, putting out 310 H.P. (vs. 261 H.P. mine has) and a 9 speed transmission (vs my 5 speed). I think you would pull the 195 with ease. It's also one of the most affordable midsize trucks.
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 10:57am
	I think the 179 would be plenty big enough for you and your dog. My wife and I are fine with ours. You would have to find a used one because they have been discontinued, which is really the most cost effective way to get one anyway. If you go that way then a 5000 lb tow vehicle with a 500 lb hitch rating will work as long as you don’t go crazy with extra stuff. I wouldn’t go any less than 500 though, if you load up with water and batteries you will right about 500 lbs. Be sure to get a vehicle which allows use of a weight distribution hitch, that will make quite a bit of difference in ride and handling. My Highlander does allow use of a wdh, some makes don’t.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

WVCamper Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2021 Location: WV Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 9:05am
	Thanks! I guess the more I am reading I am wondering if the 195 is more than I need. It is going to be just me and my dog traveling. I originally wanted more space because we will be on the road for a number of weeks, I will be working from there, and my dog is 130 lbs and needs room haha I have looked at the 179 and it is lighter and still has what I like. Any suggestions or experience between these models?

Pod_Geek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Dec 2019 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 261	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 8:56am
	Site back up: https://www.vwatlasforum.com/threads/towing-a-trailer.2050/
	2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3340	Posted: 17 Feb 2021 at 6:23am
	+2 to the above advice. For 8 of the 10 years of owning and towing our 177 all over this country with an emphasis of travel in the Rocky Mountains we have used either an '08 or '13 Explorer with a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. Our 177 fully loaded with 2 batteries, 2 propane tanks and full FW tank and supplies weighs in at 2900 lbs. We do not have A/C, microwave/convection oven or entertainment system so that helps in the weight dept. That being said, you have a total different animal hauling a 195. Gone are the days of SAFELY hauling an r-pod with a small SUV like an Explorer unless you purchase a 171 or any of the other discontinued models that are no longer built like the 151, 152, 172, 173, 175, 177, 178 models. As mcarter wisely states, look for something in the 7000 + range. Unless you are minimalist when you camp you will be amazed at how much weight you are carrying with you once you load up and go. Good idea will be to get your 195 weighed in once you load it up with water, batteries, propane, bakeware, food, ect to get an actual number of what you are working with.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."