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Whats pulling your RPod

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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Flydaddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Whats pulling your RPod
    Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 5:24pm
Update:
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

Recently pulled tan R177, from Mi to FL, then to NM Here’s the skinny on pulling a 2600 lb Rpod with a Pacifica. Bottom line…. on the flat or a low grade (2% or so) it’s just fine; with only an anti sway bar. It will get about 14 mpg at about 65 mph with no wind.

Steep grades are a pain in the neck. It will pull up a 7% grade but I don’t like high rpm’s so I limit it to 3500-4000 RPM, it does prox 45 mph. To slow for me. Not having complete control over the downshifts, like older model Pacificas, exaserbates the issue.

MPG’s - Its hard to average less than 12 or more than 15! I believe the weight is not the major issue but exceeding the Chrysler spec of 40 sq ft of frontal area is. Going from memory, I think the Rpod’s are about 56 sq ft.

Hope this helps others thinking of pulling with a Pacifica.

Frank
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BH Podder View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote BH Podder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 4:02pm
I mean 177 rpodEmbarrassed
Jamie Harris & Mary Brehm of Wisconsin
2018.5 Rpod 177, 2019 Subaru Ascent
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BH Podder View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote BH Podder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2023 at 3:19pm
We have a 2018.5 171 rpod and have towed it since we got it new with our subaru ascent.  We've found it has more than enough power to tow it even in the mountains and it drives well even in cross winds.  In a couple years we would like to get an EV and are hoping battery development (and coverage of charging stations) will be a bit further along by then.  
J.
Jamie Harris & Mary Brehm of Wisconsin
2018.5 Rpod 177, 2019 Subaru Ascent
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Nov 2023 at 10:45am
Originally posted by Gail

There is more than just dry weight of your R-pod to consider when choosing a tow vehicle and package to tow with, which I learned the hard and expensive way. You need to calculate the dry weight of the R-Pod and everything that goes into the R-pod ( ie: fresh water, grey water, black water, food, clothes, camp gear and the like) and everyone and everything that you have in the tow vehicle. You can find the manufactures specs for the towing compacity of your tow vehicle on-line
I highly recommend doing the research and the math to have a safe and enjoyable tow vehicle experience on the road with your R-pod.

Yep. It's best to use the GVW of the trailer when calculating the towing requirements. That, and the GVWR of the tow vehicle is usually the limiting factor. Out here in California, we also need to consider altitude, because some of the passes we go over run close to 10,000 feet, and normally aspirated engines have a hard time up there. For example, both our Tacoma and our F150 can pull our Rpod just fine, until you get to one of those mountain passes, then the turbo-charged F150 leaves the Tacoma in the dust.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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Gail View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Gail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2023 at 2:43pm
I have an R-pod 195 2020, I did not do enough research when I bought it and discovered that my 2006 GMC Arcida was not the best choice to pull the R-pod 195. I then bought a 2018 Chevy Colardo v6 with factory tow package and have been very pleased with it. We did get a weight distribution hitch with sway bars and break assist installed and it works beautifully.
There is more than just dry weight of your R-pod to consider when choosing a tow vehicle and package to tow with, which I learned the hard and expensive way. You need to calculate the dry weight of the R-Pod and everything that goes into the R-pod ( ie: fresh water, grey water, black water, food, clothes, camp gear and the like) and everyone and everything that you have in the tow vehicle. You can find the manufactures specs for the towing compacity of your tow vehicle on-line
I highly recommend doing the research and the math to have a safe and enjoyable tow vehicle experience on the road with your R-pod.
Good Luck and happy trails with your R-pod or any towing adventures.    
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Ally Cat View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ally Cat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Nov 2023 at 7:07am
Use a weight distribution hitch, it does wonders for towability.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote malkbean2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2023 at 5:55pm
yes the grand caravan 3.6L can pull a 176 Rpod up a mountain . Only place it ever was heavily challenged was approaching the Eisenhower tunnel on I70 going east at 11000 feet.
rpod 178
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Post Options Post Options   Quote DD08 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2023 at 4:31pm
I had the first drive yesterday in a 2021 F150 with the 6 CYL 2.7L Engine. 3.55 Axel. 

I see some also discussing some pricing on R Pods. I'm from Canada so we got the 2015 used about 5 times per year since for $15,000.00 

I couldn't find a single travel trailer in Canada of the same year and condition for under $20k 
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Flydaddy View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Flydaddy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Sep 2022 at 7:47am
How does the Caravan do pulling up hills/mountains etc? MPG?
Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Aug 2022 at 11:28am
Originally posted by CaliAL

2021 RP-196 towed with 2017 F150, 3.5L, 6 cyl, 6.5 bed, 2wd, 3.73 axle ratio.

Pictures or it didn't happen!

bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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