From Pop-Up to hardside

Congratulations and Welcome! We got our 179 in December, 2015. We have had a number of trips with it including extended ones across the US. We have more planned.

If you can hitch it to the Highlander and it does not cause too much sag in the back and raising the front, perhaps a sway bar would be okay. Better is a hitch that combines sway control with weight distribution. That is what I use. Some people use the E2 hitch. When I bought mine, the dealer installed an Equal-i-zer 4-point stabilization hitch. Others use the Andersen No-Sway. Any of those would do.

The 179 is likely much heavier than your pop-up. In addition, when fully loaded, the tongue weight is likely to be significantly higher than that of the pop-up also. Please check your Highlander's manual for towing information. It may specify use of a weight distribution hitch for best stability and towing capacity.

Edit: I hope you have lots of great adventures and make many wonderful memories in doing so.

Congrats!  Moved out to Idaho from Chitown in 2004.  Bought a '17 179 that we tow with our '10 Highlander limited.  At first only had a sway bar.  But after a trip to Zions last spring, I got an e2.  Best decision I made.  Takes the bounce out and brings my front end down. 

The two main differences between the pop-up and the pod are going to be weight, and wind resistance. You can make a reasonable assessment of the weight issue when you hook it up & observe the stance of the TV and the TT; both should be close to level. The other is what percent of the capability of your TV you are at. If you are less than 75% of the capacity of your TV, you will e good. If you are in the 90%-100% range, you should reconsider your situation.

The wind resistance is tougher to judge, because you won't really know until you are out on the road. If the TT "feels" like it is pushing the TV around, then you should apply whatever anti-sway and/or balance remedies you can.

Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!

Thank You everyone. The responses have been very helpful. After talking to the techs at Camping World we have decided to go with the E2. After waiting 3 years the 179 is sitting in our driveway. We sat in it last night checking every thing out (except the water features) and it all checks out. I think Forest River and the dealer could have done a little better job cleaning it out and prepping it but that's not that big of a deal. Can't wait till the snow melts and spring gets hers to take it on it's maiden voyage!

Thanks again.
RnR