R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Camping Adventures
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Whats pulling your RPod
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Whats pulling your RPod
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 3940414243 46>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Whats pulling your RPod
    Posted: 13 Jul 2009 at 2:43am
We have a '07 Chev Trailblazer with the 6cyl.  If it is windy out, which seems like it is always, we have problems.  Just made a trip from Iowa to Twin Cities,  the Chevy wants to down shift all the time.  And once it shifts down, it just doesn't go.  It in the Chevy shop now, but they can not find a problem with it.  I love it, but I guess if it will not pull, I will have to purchase something else.  Been looking at Ford F150 with a V8.     Anyone have any suggections on how to fix the Trailblazer?  Bill   
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jul 2009 at 6:31pm

I pulling a 172 with a Nissian 2006 frontier 4 cycler manual trans.  Drove from San Antonio to Junction Texas (which is texas hill country).  I stay about 60  which is about as fast as I wish to go.  I do down shift on steep upgrades and I don't over rev (i think thats the would) the engine I keep it between the 2 and 3 (2.5 mostly).  On the very first trip out I did hit wind, and that kept me at about 45-50. The Next time I hit wind like that I think I'll just pull over.
So far I lovin' It.
Lee
Back to Top
HuronSailor View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Owosso MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704 		Post Options Post Options   Quote HuronSailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jul 2009 at 10:21am
We use a 2008 Chevy Siverado 1/2 ton 4WD extended cab, with a 5.3L V8 engine. We tow using overdrive, and don't use the transmission towing mode because according to the manual the Rpod's low weight doesn't require it. Transmission temp is normal during towing, according to the onboard computer. It can be a little tricky keeping the overdrive from kicking out sometimes while on gentle Xway upgrades, but it can usually be done if you keep a light foot on the gas. The truck seems much more "comfortable" going around 65 than 70, so that's what I usually drive. Gas mileage drops from about 17 MPG to around 11 MPG.
Back to Top
yizit View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wis. Dells, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 663 		Post Options Post Options   Quote yizit Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jul 2009 at 10:06pm
Welcome to the forum.  Be sure to post some pic's.

Former owner of 2009 172
Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa
Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular


Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2009 at 9:50pm
Hello fellow rpoders,
 
Just got our rpod 171 about a week ago. I'm pulling with a Mazda 4000 pickup with a 4L engine (same as a Ranger pickup) and I must say that over 55 mph and uphill the small pickup is under considerable strain. The weight of the rpod is not an issue....I think the issue is the wind factor. The fact that the rpod is over 9 feet tall with the AC...there is a lot of drag......I'm looking to buy a bigger pickup like the Ford 150....that will do the trick I'm more than sure.
 
My rpod was built in April and after 2 weeks of tryouts....haven't had any issues yet.
 
I think quality control starts at the manufacture and continues with the dealer...
 
Lou
 
 
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2009 at 9:39pm
Well we had a 2002 Jeep Liberty with a 9030 Brake controller in it.  It pulled the R-pod 2 times before my wife total the jeep.  (Wife and Daughter was able to walk away) We replaced the Jeep with a 2002 Chevy TrailBlazer with a 4.2l 6-Cylinder engine and I installed a prodigy Brake controller in it.  Did not even feel the camper behind me.  The prodigy is far better than then the 9030 Brake controller and cheap to pickup at etrailer.com  
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jul 2009 at 6:04pm
We have a 2005 Ford Escape, and we had no trouble driving ours 300 miles home yesterday!  (It's rated 3500 pounds)  No sway with passing semis or anything.  It did have to work a bit to get up hills, but really no different than when towing our tent trailer in the past.  The most difficult thing for me was getting used to the brake control! 
 
I had to laugh last night.... We had gotten off the freeway to get gas, and a lady in a truck pulled up next to us and yelled, "you're going to need to come see me soon!" I couldn't figure out what she was talking about, and then I realized she had transmission repair on the side of her truck!  I thought it was really funny!  I yelled back that it was only 2300 pounds, and she was shocked! Star
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Jul 2009 at 11:19am
We have a Saturn VUE V6 2005. It's doing god. Don't know yet about fuel performance....
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 6:32pm
We pull our 172 with a 2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4x4 V6 with Class III Hitch and Prodigy P3 brake controller.  It's got a 4.0 V6 rated at 265 HP, however, I wish I have a small 4.5L V8 instead.  That, IMO, would be ideal.
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2009 at 4:38pm
I have been told that our 5 speed, 2007 Toyota Tacoma 4 cylinder truck will do fine pulling the R-pod. It is rated at 3500 lbs but after reading the posts, I only see 6 & 8 cylinder vehicles and some of these are talking about some strain. Any insights? We are on our way to the dealership....
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 3940414243 46>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz