R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Introduce Yourself
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Tow vehicle?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedTow vehicle?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Iain m View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 02 Apr 2012
Location: Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tow vehicle?
    Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 4:20pm
I'm looking for advice on the suitability of a Toyota RAV4 V6 front wheel drive for towing  a171 or 177 rpod.  It just seems too small despite it's rated towing capacity of 3500 lbs.  Do I really need a larger vehicle?   Thanks.  Iain
Iain m
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 4:31pm
Welcome! Smile
 
IMHO......I would be thinking of something with a longer wheelbase and more horsepower - if that is within your means.  I towed my Pod with a 2008 GMC Canyon with a 3200lbs tow rating.  It was miserable towing and I'm sure the truck would not have lasted long.
Back to Top
Goose View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 672 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 4:32pm
   Welcome. It depends on the type of terrain that you we be driving in, fairly flat you maybe happy with the Rav4. If you are going to be in the mountains you may find that with the V6 the going is a little slower. We started out with a 3.3L V6 Caravan an found it to be to light on power for the hills in the southwest and for winds over 20 MPH. Hope that this helps.   Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
Back to Top
Swift-Pod View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 29 Dec 2011
Location: Presque Isle WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 18 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 6:03pm
In the process of towing mine about 1500 miles from WI to the Gulf Coast with my Tacoma. Glad to have the extra towing capacity yesterday when we hit 70 mph headwinds and driving rain in MS. I would opt for something heavier then the RAV if it were possible. Duanne
Duanne & Ann
2011 177 R-Pod
2007 Toyota Tacoma
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 8:37pm
Welcome.  Our Toyota Sienna is rated for 3500 pounds, and it was fine with our much heavier popup.  However, the pod has a very large wind load at highway speeds and I'll be looking to move to a Suburban in about a year.  When we hit a headwind its a real battle.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Rabbit View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 9:04pm
I would say you are on the light side.  What is the RAV weight compared to the Pod.  This is the explanation I was given.  The closer the two are in weight the more dangerous it is to tow.  I tow with a 2004 Avalanche and had a semi pull in real close to me today.  The effect on me was rather pronounced.
Back to Top
Outbound View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 9:41pm
Does your owner's manual say anything about frontal area of the trailer in addition to the tow capacity?
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
Back to Top
Rabbit View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Apr 2012 at 10:57pm
For the avalanche it does not.  The most interesting point driving today was weather to use tow/haul or not.  Hills yes, flat road no.  We averaged 11.3 mpg on a 250 mile trip. 
We had the master mechanic do our run through.  His job during the season is spent on the road repairing units.
I read these post everyday looking for advice.  Works well.  Hope to see some of you on the road.
Ray & Lois
Back to Top
pmjensen View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 17 Aug 2010
Location: South Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 179 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2012 at 12:22pm
I had a Equinox that we used to pull our Pod. It had a 3500 lb rating.  Here in So. Tx it's pretty flat but we tend to have a lot of wind.  We never had any problems pull it, but I was always a little concerned.  We now put with a 2011 Nissan Frontier SV. It really is a lot better pulling with it. If it were me I it was affordable I would get something with more power and a higher tow rating.
2011 R-176 Nuestro Pod
2014 Silverado
Back to Top
CinRan View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie
Avatar

Joined: 10 Apr 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2012 at 7:47pm
We just bought our 171 and are going to pull with a Hyundai Santa Fe with factory tow package. That was the factor we used to say ok.. The factory tow package on cars is much more detailed than just putting a hitch on your car.
Cindy
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz