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Joined: 06 Jul 2013
Location: IL
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: towing
    Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 9:55pm
we tow a 178 with a honda odyssey. No problems but we did make some modifications to make towing easier on the Ody. FYI the dry weight on the door was 2926 I believe.... 
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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
Location: Titusville, FL
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 7:40pm
Originally posted by HuronSailor


The weight printed on the screen door sticker is the weight of that individual camper as it leaves the factory door.


I had my doubts, but this checks out.  My pod's specification weight is 133 pounds less than shown on the screen door.  That should be about right.
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Owosso MI
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Posts: 704 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 4:15pm
Just an FYI here as to camper weight. I recently took a tour of FR's rpod/Surveyor factory, and as a final step every camper is weighed. The weight includes every factory installed option as well as the empty propane tank. rPods don't ship with batteries, so that weight is not included. Air conditioners and microwaves are normally installed at the factory, so that weight is in fact included. 

The weight printed on the screen door sticker is the weight of that individual camper as it leaves the factory door.
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
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Joined: 26 Feb 2013
Location: Southwest WY
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Posts: 113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 2:55pm

By the way, ours had the full tow package!  Obviously the full tow package was a wee bit lacking.
2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k
2013 Premier 19FBPR
Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE
2011 Dodge Durango
Love a good road trip
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Joined: 26 Feb 2013
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Posts: 113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 2:53pm
Oh, if only!  We called Chrysler the first time it happened last October, they said NO!  When it happened this time we called Chrysler.  They said NO.  The mechanic at our Chrysler dealer called - NO!
2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k
2013 Premier 19FBPR
Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE
2011 Dodge Durango
Love a good road trip
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Joined: 19 Sep 2011
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 10:10am
Originally posted by Kokopod

Yesterday we traded in our 2012 Jeep Liberty Arctic, because when we pulled our pod in extreme conditions (heat, wind) the transmission would overheat. Jeep does not make a Mopar transmission cooler for the Liberty, and installing an aftermarket would have voided our lifetime warranty.

We loved our Liberty; but when we purchased it, we owned an Aliner that was 1,000 pounds lighter than the Rpod. Add cargo, etc. and we were at just about max capacity (we use the Equalizer 4-point sway control and never felt unsafe about the actual tow, although SLOW was the word). We were in denial from last November (the first two times we overheated) until last month in Nevada with temps of 110 (two more overheats). When we took it into the dealer, they had to change the transmission fluid after only 30,000 because it was already dark. If we weren't overheating and if we could have added a transmission cooler, we would have the vehicle today, but you have to do what you have to do to be an Rpod owner.    

I have a 2009 Liberty and it came with a stock transmission cooler. I wonder if you could have just put in another stock cooler as an auxiliary . The only time I have overheated the transmission, here in the great white north, was when I was jockeying  the trailer around my yard in 4x4 one day. The Trany cooler is not in line with the fan so if you are not moving fast enough to get air over the cooler it heats up. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 23 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2013 at 11:53am
I also tow with the tanks dry, FWIW.
Jay

2014 R-Pod RP178
2015 Toyota Tundra SR5 Crewman
2008 Honda Odyssey
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Posts: 23 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Aug 2013 at 11:50am
We are towing a 178 with an '08 Honda Odyssey.  No problems whatsoever.  I realized from day one that we were at or exceeding our towing capacity and I drive accordingly.  It tows like a dream.  However, I will be upping the frequency of transmission fluid changes since our Odyssey just passed 100k miles. 
Jay

2014 R-Pod RP178
2015 Toyota Tundra SR5 Crewman
2008 Honda Odyssey
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 1:44pm
All good comments.  Pod weight was a big consideration when we were shopping for a used one.  We chose the 173 (now discontinued) because of its floor plan which is ideal for 2 people and because of its comparative light weight.  It is wlll below the towing capacity of our Santa Fe and the Santa Fe has a 100,000 warranty on its drive train, which eliminates any concerns about transmission problems. 

The 178 has a great floor plan, but is much heavier to tow. 

Bob
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Location: Newborn, GA
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Posts: 118 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Aug 2013 at 1:27pm
Have have a 178 and are pulling it with a v6 Honda Ridgeline.  The Ridgeline is rated to tow 5000 lbs and has all the bells and whistles (tran cooler) as standard. 

Having said that, we have to pull some pretty steep rpms at times with the v6.  If you go over to the Ridgeline Owners Forum, they all say the Honda engine can handle it, but there are certain times where some more torque would have helped. But since I drive a whole lot more than I tow, the great ride I get in the Ridgeline 90 percent of the time is just fine.  You have to take your time, understand limitations on passing while towing and you'll get there.  And have a WDH.  It does make a difference.
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