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WillG View Drop Down
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Joined: 28 May 2016
Location: Oregon
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Posts: 22 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Too new for description
    Posted: 29 May 2016 at 11:32am
We are backpackers and hikers jumping into the r-pod realm. We've been talking about getting a pop up for several years & on our way home from a day hike we decided to stop at an RV store to start actually looking at them. It was not an exclusive F.R. r-pod dealer. They only had one or two used popups and many trailers of other types but a customer that had barely used their 2014 179 traded it in for a unit that would also haul a small 4 wheeler. After a brief discussion in the parking lot we surprised the salesman by walking back in and making an offer they accepted. We mailed the check yesterday & now I have to buy something to pull it with as the only vehicles we have are a mid size car & my main ride is a Surly Long Haul Trucker. (a bicycle). This is a great resource...  like many things it sounds like there may be some hick ups but I decided since I'm quite handy that I'll bi-pass the shop "checkup" for $500 and just do the regular walk through. I read many of the nightmarish or unhappy posts about issues and decided since I'll likely tinker & upgrade things as we go along the $500 could go a long way.  My main - question if you would all be kind enough to chime in is what to tow with? Due to my various experiences I'm erring on bigger is better for this job & want to steer far from stressing out a vehicle. Also currently don't have a truck so something with a bed will be handy (again).
I have 3 things I'm looking at all used vehicles. All 4WD....  likely a quad cab, not a standard cab, or at least a cab & 1/2, tow package that includes break or will install third party break for trailer.

Toyota Tacoma - supposedly there is a v6 or v8 that has a towing capacity of 6500? I like the idea of a smaller truck when not towing....
A Chevy Avalanche - nice cab, short bed that converts to longer if needed... v8 they are 4 or 6 speed automatic   OR
A Ford or Dodge 1500  -  likely a v8 again 
(my dream truck would be a diesel but I'm going to get what I can for under 20k...
I don't want to start a Ford is better than Dodge debate mainly looking for things like - "yes definitely get a full size truck if you can - a Tacoma will do it but will struggle on hills and you'll appreciate the beefier brakes on full size truck....)  & get at least an anti sway bar...  

Again Thank You! for your generous forum - I suspect I will be here often 
R-Podder by process of elimination
2014 RP179
2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 3:44pm
Congrats on your 179! We really like ours.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 4:31pm
The Tacoma with the V6 will work fine, especially if it's the somewhat older 4.0L version. New ones dropped back to 3.5L. No V8s in Tacos. All of the other trucks will be fine also. You will eventually want a WDH, even with the full sized 1/2Ts
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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bjk View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 May 2016
Location: Hillsboro, OR
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 4:55pm
I have a 2016 R-179 with a 2011 F-150 XLT 3.7L long bed.   I'm curious what the WDH provide for a 1/2T?  The R-Pod seems so light that the problem wasn't the weight on the hitch as much as the drag on the engine (especially hill climbing or pulling into a head wind).
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:17pm
On the 1/2Ts it's mainly an issue of comfort and driver fatigue. The WDH controls porpoising and bounce on bumps and dips. Many members have tried without and with and experienced notable improvement. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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J&Jcf View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 Aug 2014
Location: central Florida
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Posts: 90 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:44pm
The Tacoma is a great truck but you will suffer the comfort factor. It also depends on your height. The Tacoma & tundra did not allow me the the leg room l needed. I bought the f150 super cab that could pull our previous trailer (5 k lbs). If buying used f150 l would stay away from 5.4 v8 unless plugs have been changed.they had plug breakage issues & possible expensive fix. If l was to buy another truck it would be f150 super cab 6.5 ft.bed with 5 liter v8 or 6 standard with at least 5k tow package. The tow package includes heavier suspension,trans cooler,heavy duty alternator and presset-up for brake controller for trailer brakes. I am not a fan of turbos because of additional expense up front & additional hardware to maintain (high heat ,more oil changes & possible expensive repairs in future). With a full size truck with towing suspension you probably will not need weight distribution system or sway controller. I don't need them with my current f150 but would probably need them with lighter duty vehicle. Just my opinion. You should check out consumer report for additional information.
J. - 2011 rpod 171
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bjk View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 May 2016
Location: Hillsboro, OR
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Posts: 65 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:57pm
Thanks for the explanation!
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ChinookPod View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Jun 2014
Location: Alberta
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Posts: 49 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:59pm
We originally bought a pod thinking we could pull it with our Rav4 (3500 lb capacity).  However, we bought a used truck, and decided we can always use a truck as our second vehicle.  It is a super-cab which gives plenty of comfort in the second row seat.  5.4 L V-8, tow package.  We drive it conservatively so gas consumption is not horrible.  We use a WDH for most trips, sometimes use mirror extensions.  We have high winds and are close to the mountains - it's nice to know that the truck will control the trailer in all conditions.  Good luck and enjoy.
2014 RP171 HRE
2010 F150
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jstrenn View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 May 2015
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Posts: 71 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 6:09pm
Originally posted by CharlieM

The Tacoma with the V6 will work fine, especially if it's the somewhat older 4.0L version. New ones dropped back to 3.5L. No V8s in Tacos. All of the other trucks will be fine also. You will eventually want a WDH, even with the full sized 1/2Ts

Even though the new Tacoma's went to a 3.5L, the horsepower and torque rating went up a bit with the 3.5L  
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 May 2016 at 7:15pm
True, but they are rated at higher RPM. HP is now rated at 6000 RPM vs 5200 RPM previously. Who likes to listen to a 6000 RPM engine? What does that do to engine longevity?
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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