Tow Vehicles, Keep what you have or Upgrade?

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.

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.

F-150 5,0 v-8 

Late addition to this thread, actually haven't been on forum much since the FB group got going, thought everyone had moved. Anyways we decided on a 2014 Town and Country with factory tow package and 2015 179. Like the others it did ok for local (Florida), stuff and I would get between 12 and 15 mpg towing and 29 highway not towing. Took a trip out west, not camping and while driving my sister Arcadia through the mountains around Phoenix I thought no way will I be comfortable out here in the T&C. A few months later we run across a good deal on a 15 Ram Crewcab Eco diesel so we upgraded. We just got back from a 2000 mile round trip from Florida to Tennessee to Michigan and back and I averaged 15.5 pulling the 179 and I get 30 highway not towing with all the torque in the world. Now that we have extra towing capabilities we're thinking of upgrading the camper as well. 

Search the forum for Ridgeline and you'll find several entries and I think most are happy with it's performance. Just don't expect high performance. We tow our 179 with a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with 290HP and a 5000lb tow rating. It does very well, I can maintain 60-65 uphill and it feels very stable with the Equalizer hitch. We have a situation that limits us to an SUV otherwise I would have a 1/2 ton pickup at minimum. I've only been on 100 mile or less trips but am confident I could travel with my setup, I think it would be meager in the mountains. Don't believe the faction that says the truck is the only way but they have a point, a truck is a better option if possible. I've only checked the mileage once and got 13-14mpg.