New Podders deciding btwn tow vehicles - R-pod Owners Forum

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Leo B

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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Topic: New Podders deciding btwn tow vehicles
Posted: 24 Dec 2016 at 8:25am

Ah deer rifles Thumbs Up

I like my Browning 30-06 left handed bolt action with a monarch scope...........

Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171

Happy Tripping View Drop Down

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Posted: 24 Dec 2016 at 8:17am

Originally posted by OurPodJourneys

Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango (6,200 lbs) would work. Anyone have experience with either of those ...?.

'Best TV', like 'best' deer rifle, is in the eye of the beholder. That said, I had an V-8 Jeep GC, beautiful tv, and reasonably handy around town, very capable off road, just too big. Now I have a 'trail hawk' Cherokee, 4500 lb rating - works for me. With a 171, it slows in steep mountains to 60 mph or so, but that is my trade-off for a good combined around town and off road vehicle.

I'm retired, can't afford a specialized tv, and feel that pick-ups are TOO specialized, but that's just me.

ronahue

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Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: 24 Dec 2016 at 6:21am

These are the numbers for our 2015 Nissan Frontier King Cab 4x4 SV V6 with tow package:

GVWR 5690 lbs.

Max Payload 1381 lbs.

Curb Weight 4309 lbs.

GCWR (combined gross weight rating) 10,409 lbs.

Max Trailer Weight 6,100

Calculate Max trailer Weights with safety margins:

Trailer Weight = 4567 lbs.

Tongue Weight = 457 lbs.

We have towed our 179 over 20,000 miles including 2 trips from Boston to Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We are very happy with this TV it has adequate power and will maintain highway speeds even in the mountains. We never tow faster than 65 mph and I generally have the overdrive off when towing. MPG average with trailer 10-14 without 22-24.

Ron & Sharon
2015 R-Pod 179
2022 Nissan Frontier

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StephenH

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Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 11:22pm

If you plan on carrying things like a generator with a gas can and/or an extra propane tank, the pickup would be a better choice. We have been towing with an SUV up until the accident we had a few days ago. We now have the pickup truck. I think we will be much more satisfied with it. I did like the Ecoboost engine in our Escape. It had plenty of power. The Frontier will struggle a bit more on climbs, even though it is a V6 since it isn't turbocharged.

Edit: I checked Nissan's towing guide. The 4wd option lowers the mileage rating by 1 mpg on both city and highway. 15 mpg city with 2wd, 14 mpg city with 4wd and 20 mpg highway with 2wd and 19 mpg highway with 4wd. For the Crew Cab LE with the 4L V6, 6300 with 2wd and 6100 with 4wd. Corresponding differences for the other variants as well.

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

OurPodJourneys View Drop Down

Newbie

Joined: 01 May 2016
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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 11:16pm

Thank you, all, for your helpful replies! Because we'll be towing the 179 long term, including mountainous areas with some elevation, we're thinking now that the Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer (5,000 lb tow capacity for both) would be stretch, endurance-wise, but that Jeep Grand Cherokee or Dodge Durango (6,200 lbs) would work. Anyone have experience with either of those, or TV of equal or better tow capacity? We'd like something that'll do the job, but not a lot more than necessary. We would still prefer SUV, but are open to considering pickup, so we're interested in that question as well.

StephenH

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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 11:15pm

It also has to do with the version. We just purchased a used Frontier LE with Crew Cab. It is rated for 6100 lbs. The King Cab model was rated for 6500 lbs (if I remember what I read correctly).

StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

ToolmanJohn View Drop Down

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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 10:36pm

Is the tow rating difference for the Frontier due to 2WD and 4WD having different tow ratings? Usually the 4WD is slightly derated.

I remember when the 4th gen Toyota 4Runners came out in 2003, the 2WD versions had higher tow ratings by a couple hundred pounds.

2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
2013 VW Touareg TDI

ricon

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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 10:16pm

All Frontiers are tow capacity ready. S version doesn't have hitch but it has all wiring ready. I have S version I added hitch and 7 pins plug for $150. Mine has tranny cooler.It doesn't have better alternator.

I f you have any questions let me know

mjlrpod

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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 8:46pm

Anybody an expert on nissan frontier? i looked at some and they tend to be a few thousand lower than tacomas. A little plain to the eye, but it seems they all come with a V6 and 6100 - 6500 tow capacity. I just cant seem to get straight answers on if rated at 6500 pounds means they come equipped with tranny and oil coolers, or higher 130 amp alt. I hear the 130 amp alt isnt a big deal, the electric brakes will still work no problem. Anybody have any insight on this?? The dealership seems kinda useless on this, they repeat the " its rated for 6500 pounds" comment, but no idea if it has a tow package.

2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

john in idaho View Drop Down

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Posted: 23 Dec 2016 at 6:58pm

4 door full size pickup with a bed cover the height of the cab in V8 or diesel -- the only time you won't like it is when you have to park out at the back of the parking lot at the grocery store. The newer ones-since about 2005 or so - ride like a Cadillac with hardly any road noise. It is nice looking down on traffic.