Towing Rpod 178

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   Hello.  I am new to the forum and am looking for ideas of a small to midsize suv that might be able to tow my 2016 Rpod 178.  It's dry weight is 2600 lbs.
I wondered if the Ford Escape or Toyota Rav4 (2023 or later on either with 3500 lb tow rating) would be sufficient to pull this camper.  We are in Texas and have a 20+ year old Chevy 1/2 ton we pull it with right now.  We generally go to State Parks in Texas and mostly flat to small hilly trips.  Nothing crazy.  Could use the truck if we did otherwise.

If not one of these vehicles any suggestions.  Need 30+ mpg (when not pulling) and $35,000 budget roughly.

Thanks!

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wunderlong88 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2024 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote wunderlong88 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Towing Rpod 178 Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 3:17pm
	Hello. I am new to the forum and am looking for ideas of a small to midsize suv that might be able to tow my 2016 Rpod 178. It's dry weight is 2600 lbs. I wondered if the Ford Escape or Toyota Rav4 (2023 or later on either with 3500 lb tow rating) would be sufficient to pull this camper. We are in Texas and have a 20+ year old Chevy 1/2 ton we pull it with right now. We generally go to State Parks in Texas and mostly flat to small hilly trips. Nothing crazy. Could use the truck if we did otherwise. If not one of these vehicles any suggestions. Need 30+ mpg (when not pulling) and $35,000 budget roughly. Thanks!

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2587	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostagain Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 4:05pm
	There are tons of threads in this forum about the needed towing capacity for your trailer. Don't be fooled by the "dry weight." To get a real idea of what you will be towing, add the dry weight to the load capacity the trailer can carry; the gross vehicle weight rating. Your trailer comes in at about 3,800 lbs. Towing at the ragged edge of your vehicle's capacity will really stress the suspension and drive train and can lead to some control issues in windy conditions. You also need to consider the combined gross weight rating for your tow vehicle. You need to be below the gcvwr which includes the tow vehicle and contents and the total weight of the trailer. There are lots of SUV's and small trucks with towing capacities that are greater about 4,500 lbs out there, but the mileage when not towing ain't so hot. Good luck finding something that will work.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

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: 343	Post Options Post Reply Quote JR Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 7:07am
	+1 lostagain Well said
	Jay 179/2019

wunderlong88 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Jan 2024 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote wunderlong88 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 7:10am
	Thank you. I had read some of the threads here and I suspected neither of those were going to be enough. TY

EchoGale Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Mar 2019 Location: FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 461	Post Options Post Reply Quote EchoGale Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 1:23pm
	The BMW X3 30i (2018 and newer) has a tow rating of 4400 lbs and even one as new as a 2020 would be well within the price range you indicated. I get about 30 mpg with mine (a 2020) when not towing and 15-17 when towing. I'm VERY happy with it both as a tow vehicle and my everyday car.
	Julie

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 9:18pm
	Having used a 2016 Escape to tow a 2016 RPod 179, I would advise you to go for something with a higher tow rating. Make sure it is rear-wheel or all-wheel drive as when the front end is lifted from the trailer weight, front wheel drive vehicles have diminished traction and steering capability. I speak from experience that you would not be happy with it.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS