New Kid on the Block Here

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Hi, all...
Thank you for having a look at my first post since joining the R-pod Owners Forum.

With retirement approaching, my significant other and I are making tentative plans to buy a small travel trailer around the spring to summer timeframe next year. We'd be using it to see more of the country, visit children (as well as the one grandchild on the way) who live out of state, and possibly do some snowbirding to escape the New England winter for a couple of months each year.

Some friends of ours own an R-pod and love not only the trailer, but the community. We have done plenty of our own research, too, and after doing walk-throughs at four RV dealerships and watching plenty of helpful YouTube videos, we feel Forest River packs a lot of bang for the buck into R-pods and are leaning toward the 195. 

But first, we need to settle on a tow vehicle. This would replace my current everyday Honda CR-V. I don't envision myself driving a pickup, so I am hoping to stick with an SUV. I've seen people posting here that they use vehicles with 5,000-pound towing capacities - such as the Honda Pilot and the Subaru Ascent - to tow their 195s, but even though there will only be two of us and we know how to travel light, 5,000 pounds just doesn't seem to me like it would allow enough of a margin for safety.

There aren't a lot of alternatives in my target budget that can handle more, but the Nissan Pathfinder, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, would appear to be a good match for the 195, not to mention a solid choice for everyday comfort, features, and safety. Having previously owned an Xterra, I know Nissan builds for performance.

Does anyone here use a Pathfinder for towing, or have thoughts on something else that might be a better choice and not break the bank? I obviously want to be able to afford both the TV and the R-pod payments! 

Thank you ahead of time for whatever advice you can offer up.

...NewEnglandah

P.S. I assume that should we want to go bigger (an R-pod 202), we'd be looking at a situation similar to towing a 195 with a 5,000 pound-rated SUV; namely, a narrow margin for safety.

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NewEnglandah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Topic: New Kid on the Block Here Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 7:52pm
	Hi, all... Thank you for having a look at my first post since joining the R-pod Owners Forum. With retirement approaching, my significant other and I are making tentative plans to buy a small travel trailer around the spring to summer timeframe next year. We'd be using it to see more of the country, visit children (as well as the one grandchild on the way) who live out of state, and possibly do some snowbirding to escape the New England winter for a couple of months each year. Some friends of ours own an R-pod and love not only the trailer, but the community. We have done plenty of our own research, too, and after doing walk-throughs at four RV dealerships and watching plenty of helpful YouTube videos, we feel Forest River packs a lot of bang for the buck into R-pods and are leaning toward the 195. But first, we need to settle on a tow vehicle. This would replace my current everyday Honda CR-V. I don't envision myself driving a pickup, so I am hoping to stick with an SUV. I've seen people posting here that they use vehicles with 5,000-pound towing capacities - such as the Honda Pilot and the Subaru Ascent - to tow their 195s, but even though there will only be two of us and we know how to travel light, 5,000 pounds just doesn't seem to me like it would allow enough of a margin for safety. There aren't a lot of alternatives in my target budget that can handle more, but the Nissan Pathfinder, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, would appear to be a good match for the 195, not to mention a solid choice for everyday comfort, features, and safety. Having previously owned an Xterra, I know Nissan builds for performance. Does anyone here use a Pathfinder for towing, or have thoughts on something else that might be a better choice and not break the bank? I obviously want to be able to afford both the TV and the R-pod payments! Thank you ahead of time for whatever advice you can offer up. ...NewEnglandah P.S. I assume that should we want to go bigger (an R-pod 202), we'd be looking at a situation similar to towing a 195 with a 5,000 pound-rated SUV; namely, a narrow margin for safety.
	Tom Wannabe R-pod 195 Owner 2020 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3342	Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 9:28pm
	Welcome and hopefully you will be given the necessary wisdom to help decide on the pod and tow vehicle of your choosing. For us we have a lighter weight 177 (2430 lb empty) that had been mainly towed by an '08 Explorer 4.0L V-6 5000 lb tow rating and a '13 Explorer 3.5L V-6 with a 5500 tow rating. For the 8 years we used these two vehicles for 28,000 miles with a Curt anti-sway bar and a host of road/wind conditions I never felt we were in a dangerous position while towing. The only times I felt these vehicles were 'marginal' was while towing some of the steeper grades while in the Rockies while in Colorado or Montana. The last 2 years we have towed with a couple different F-150's but that is something we won't discuss about as you aren't interested in those.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

NewEnglandah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 09 Dec 2020 at 9:33pm
	Thank you, jato. Every bit of knowledge that good folks like you pass along will make me a better and smarter Podder, so I really appreciate your taking the time to reply.
	Tom Wannabe R-pod 195 Owner 2020 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD

JR Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 31 Aug 2018 Location: Manistee, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 376	Posted: 10 Dec 2020 at 9:56am
	I am towing my 179 with a 08 Pathfinder. The newer Pathfinders have CVT transmissions and I wanted to stay with a conventional transmission therefore did not go with a newer model Pathfinder. Mine is a 4.0L 6c and has a towing capacity of 6000 Lbs. We have taken long trips from Michigan to New Mexico and the trailer pulls find with a WDH an E2 600/6000 square bar setup. Hope this helps.
	Jay 179/2019

NewEnglandah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 10 Dec 2020 at 10:13am
	Thanks, Jay. Every speck of knowledge I gain from people with experience is a great help.
	Tom Wannabe R-pod 195 Owner 2020 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1221	Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 7:19am
	Welcome, I am also in Mass. I have a 195 and I tow with a Frontier. I would think the pathfinder will work just fine, but I personally like having the bed of the truck to carry my stuff. I tend to pack heavy. You don't start out intending to pack a lot, but as time goes by.....
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1088	Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 7:27am
	I think you are being wise and careful. Many times we have seen new podders try to use a tow vehicle that was not quite capable of the job. Personally, we originally had a Chevy Astro van and it was very marginal. Ultimately, the transmission failed. Save a little longer and spend a little more to get the right vehicle, set it up properly with a wdh and you will be happier and safer. Best of luck Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

NewEnglandah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 9:18am
	mjlrpod, I appreciate your thoughts and am glad to make the acquaintance of another Bay Stater. Whereabouts are you? I'm in Attleboro. As for packing heavy, I'm a former historical reenactor and primitive camper, so am used to making do with what I can carry in on my back. Vann, thank you for the welcome and words of reassurance. I agree that a WDH is a must.
	Tom Wannabe R-pod 195 Owner 2020 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1221	Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 10:33am
	I'm well north of you, bout 30 minutes north of Worcester. Hope you end up happy which ever way you go.
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

NewEnglandah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Dec 2020 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Posted: 11 Dec 2020 at 11:02am
	I lived and worked in Fitchburg back in the early '80s, so am familiar with the territory. Did you buy your R-pod from DuFour's or used? My only option around here is Pete's and I'm not sold on them yet.
	Tom Wannabe R-pod 195 Owner 2020 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum AWD