Tow Vehicles, Keep what you have or Upgrade? - R-pod Owners Forum

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Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Topic: Tow Vehicles, Keep what you have or Upgrade?
Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:38am

F-150 5,0 v-8

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

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
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Posts: 1014

Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:34am

Great info Folks! Please keep it coming!

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:33am

Originally posted by shroomer

We had our R-pod for 4 years and towed it with a V6 std. shift Chevy pickup. It got 12 mpg and handled the R-pod pretty well but lacked all creature comforts. Most trips were within 150 miles of home. One reason we picked the R-pod was because our tow vehicle could handle it (3,800 capacity due to std. trans).

This past year we decided to upgrade our camper and in so doing had to upgrade our truck. Once you get any larger than an R-pod you pretty much go to two axles and a loaded trailer of 5,000 or 6,000 pounds. If you think you may want to upgrade in the future, then consider a 1/2 ton pickup and a V8. You'll need the extra carrying capacity since you'll be putting 800 - 900 lbs of tongue weight (or more) on your vehicle.

This I totally agree with! Always think ahead! Never know where life will bring you.

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:25am

Originally posted by Leo B

We had the same issue with our Caravan it had a 20 gall tank, I really didn't like travelling with it much below half a tank so we were stopping all the time. Was hoping for a bigger tank with our F-150, but it has a 23 gallon tank oh well. Will still have plenty of stops to get out and stretch!

The F-150, V6 or V8? Eco or not?

I like the V6 Eco, but that whole turbo-charger thing hits me as equal when it comes to MPG to a straight V8.

A friend has one, gets great mpg, but he doesn't tow...

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Olddawgsrule View Drop Down

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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:21am

Originally posted by ParPod

We started out with a 2012 Toyota Rav 4 Sport to pull our 179. It did alright for local stuff but in addition to other things was the small gas tank. We got 12 - 15 mpg depending on conditions but the tank always needed re-filling. I had a sweet deal lined up on a loaded 2013 Ford F150 with an eco-boost engine but we live in a bungalow condo with a small attached garage. Needed another 18" to be able to fit the truck in. Being a Toyota family we went to the 4Runner with a 4L V6, full tow package and rated for 5000 lbs. which fits in the garage. I kept our E2 WD/AS hitch and what a difference between the 2 vehicles. Gas milage is about the same but the tank is a lot bigger.

I don't see much difference in the 4Runner vs. the Highlander. Both cost about the same and capacity is equal. Only difference I see so far is the 4Runner comes ready to tow, Highlander it's a additional package.

Curious why the choice of the 4Runner over the Highlander?

Byways no Highways
2017 Tacoma
Truck Camper Build
2004 F150 My Overlander

Leo B

podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508

Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 9:41am

We had the same issue with our Caravan it had a 20 gall tank, I really didn't like travelling with it much below half a tank so we were stopping all the time. Was hoping for a bigger tank with our F-150, but it has a 23 gallon tank oh well. Will still have plenty of stops to get out and stretch!

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

ParPod

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Joined: 28 Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 105

Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 8:45am

We started out with a 2012 Toyota Rav 4 Sport to pull our 179. It did alright for local stuff but in addition to other things was the small gas tank. We got 12 - 15 mpg depending on conditions but the tank always needed re-filling. I had a sweet deal lined up on a loaded 2013 Ford F150 with an eco-boost engine but we live in a bungalow condo with a small attached garage. Needed another 18" to be able to fit the truck in. Being a Toyota family we went to the 4Runner with a 4L V6, full tow package and rated for 5000 lbs. which fits in the garage. I kept our E2 WD/AS hitch and what a difference between the 2 vehicles. Gas milage is about the same but the tank is a lot bigger.

Bob&Margaret
2017 179
2016 Toyota 4Runner
2 sets of Golf Clubs

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Joined: 22 Sep 2011
Location: Chapel Hill,NC
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Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 11:49pm

We have a 173 model annd have towed it for 6 years with 2 very different vehicles. We started with a Chevy Astro van, 6 cyl with tow package. We towed from Florida to Michigan several times. It was adequate, but we aways felt like we were on the edge. We were waiting for something to break.Finally, the transmission gave out.

We bought a Ford Expedition EL and love it. Plenty of power, plenty of brakes, transmission and suspension. We got approximately the same gas milage (10-12)with both vehicles. The comfort and safety factor is worth a lot. Both vehicles used the same Equalizer 4 point wd/anti sway system. Our pod weighed 3350 when we left on our current trip.the Expedition has the same features as the f150 .

Vann

Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

shroomer

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Location: New Haven, CT
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Posts: 236

Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 8:08pm

We had our R-pod for 4 years and towed it with a V6 std. shift Chevy pickup. It got 12 mpg and handled the R-pod pretty well but lacked all creature comforts. Most trips were within 150 miles of home. One reason we picked the R-pod was because our tow vehicle could handle it (3,800 capacity due to std. trans).

This past year we decided to upgrade our camper and in so doing had to upgrade our truck. Once you get any larger than an R-pod you pretty much go to two axles and a loaded trailer of 5,000 or 6,000 pounds. If you think you may want to upgrade in the future, then consider a 1/2 ton pickup and a V8. You'll need the extra carrying capacity since you'll be putting 800 - 900 lbs of tongue weight (or more) on your vehicle.

Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8

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Posted: 22 Sep 2017 at 5:30am

I have been retired since January of 2014. Below, you can see what I purchased about 6 months prior. No regrets. It does anything I ask of it.

Expect about 10-12 mpg when towing, regardless of vehicle. The bigger engine does not have to work as hard to do the job. I don't plan to replace vehicles frequently so, having something that would do the task easily is/was important.

Personally, my experience with V6 engines is that they don't get THAT much better mileage than a V8. I'd rather pay a few extra pennies at the pump and have a capable vehicle.

Here is my real life mpgs (all are + or - a little):
City = 16
Highway = 20-21
Towing = 10-12

Yes, I do use an E2 w/d, anti-sway hitch.

IMHO, if you are a Ford guy, (if it were me) I'd go with the F-150 with the 5.0. By all accounts, it seems to be a "darling" among the blue oval fans.