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Topic ClosedCan I tow an R-POD 171 with a 2012 MKX?
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sonamc View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Can I tow an R-POD 171 with a 2012 MKX?
    Posted: 03 Jul 2012 at 10:18pm
I am also a concerned driver. I have been pricing and looking to buy a small camper, hopefully one I can pull with my Equinox 2012.  The dealership says I can haul up to a 3500 lb weight, but I am worried my little 4 cylinder cannot pull that.  I have looked at an Outdoorsman 19 foot, single axle and the saleswoman told me her husband pulled one with a 4 cylinder....but still a little shy at a salesman!
Tamera McLemore
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Posts: 165 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jun 2012 at 3:22pm
I'm not sure if you made up your mind yet, but I thought it might make you feel a little bit better that we pull our 171 with a Subaru Outback. They're similarly sized, but you've got twice the power (we only have a 4-cylinder). We've gone half way across the country without any issues. We usually cruise around 55-60mph though. We added a class III hitch, transmission cooler, brake controller, and a friction sway control. Keep in mind that not all hitches will allow weight distribution systems (ours didn't). It bounces a bit when you go over bumps, but the friction sway control keeps it perfectly stable when the wind picks up or trucks go by. Based on the specs that I saw I think you'd be fine, but pack lightly and drive carefully.
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Posts: 1215 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2012 at 7:53pm
     The MKX, isn't that about the same as a Ford Edge? There is a member I believe his name is Larry that towed his 171 to Alaska with a Ford Edge. The trouble I had with the class 2 hitch was the limited tongue weight. We felt safer changing to a class 3 with more tongue weight capacity. I went back and rechecked on the Rpod nation forum. Larry traded his Ford Edge and Rpod 171 in on a 5th. wheel and Ford truck. He did do a lot of camping with the Ford Edge and did tow the Rpod to Achorage Alaska with the Edge. Its been along time but I believe I remember he had a class 2 hitch. And he had said the Edge towed The Rpod well with Good MPG.     David
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jun 2012 at 9:53am

The wheel base of your TV is one factor - longer wheel base is more stable.  Lack of a sway bar or weight distribution system which includes sway control is another.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 10:32pm
Originally posted by Kickstart

Semi suck and sway is not usually much of a problem for a properly set up towing combination. Again, good luck with a decision that works for you.

Preface by saying I'm a newbie at campers and towing a trailer. This is really the only thing about towing my Pod that makes me a little nervous. What are the biggest factors of the "suck and sway"?... TV weight? Or combined weight? Weight dist? Or tightening of the sway bar? Or whatever? I'm good with most types of big trucks.... But the standard big boxed rigs suck and sway me more than I'd like. I typically hug the white line so if one sneaks up on me, i dont get moved to much. My TB is rated at 5200lbs... My 182G came in at 2930 dry... And i havent towed with a full water tank... So I don't think I'm even close to capacity.
So... I guess I'd just like some more advice on this... Considering upgrading my TV but that won't be until next summer at the earliest.
Mark, Beth, Nolan & Madeline
2012 182G... "NoMad"
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2012 at 5:16pm
Originally posted by PDX97229

Thank you again, ALL:

Well, the MKX came with the tow package so antisway is included. It also has a class II hitch. So, are you saying that I can get the class II taken off and add a class III? If so, doesn't the MKX still have the 3500 lb. max as recommended by Ford/Lincoln?

We are going to go to a few dealers today and one of them has the R-PODS. We will have the MKX with us so it will be great to see what they say. It is where another person on this forum bought his 171 and from the same salesman.
 
So, are you saying that I can get the class II taken off and add a class III?    If it were me, I would. (Though I'm not sure what is available for your particular vehicle)
 
If so, doesn't the MKX still have the 3500 lb. max as recommended by Ford/Lincoln?  Yes, this will not change.
We will have the MKX with us so it will be great to see what they say.  I'm going to go way out on a limb and guess that they will tell you it's OK ....and hope you sign on the dotted line. LOL 
 
You CAN tow a Pod with a 3500lbs capacity vehicle, but it will work very hard in doing so (I towed my Pod with a 3200lbs capacity vehicle).  In regards to the Class II vs the Class III....
The actual weight of your Pod will be a few hundred pounds more than the advertized unloaded vehicle weight.  The tongue weight will be more once you add 1 battery, 1 propane tank, camping stuff in the storage bays, etc.  I fear you would be reaching the overall limit of 3500lbs and the tongue limit of 350lbs.  If you like dry camping and add a second battery and tank, things get worse.  Also, as mentioned, the Pod is over the frontal area in the 3500lbs rating of the vehicle.
 
To put it bluntly, I am advising upgrading the hitch because; it is one thing to work the vehicle to it's maximum performance, it's another to have a light hitch break and have your Pod become a "rolling SCUD missile".  A side benefit would be that with the Class III, you could add weight distribution and sway control if you wanted.  As much as I like Pods, I wouldn't want to look through my windshield and see one crossing the median - in my direction - at highway speeds. 
 
 

 
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PDX97229 View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2012 at 2:21pm
Thank you again, ALL:

Well, the MKX came with the tow package so antisway is included. It also has a class II hitch. So, are you saying that I can get the class II taken off and add a class III? If so, doesn't the MKX still have the 3500 lb. max as recommended by Ford/Lincoln?

We are going to go to a few dealers today and one of them has the R-PODS. We will have the MKX with us so it will be great to see what they say. It is where another person on this forum bought his 171 and from the same salesman.
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TIDALWAVE View Drop Down
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Posts: 315 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2012 at 12:38pm
Just because the Pod's front is curved...there doesn't seem to be much efficiency from the shape.
The Pod's frontal area is approximated 45 square feet.
That is one of the reasons most people only get 12-13 mpg regardless of the tow vehicle.
TIDALWAVE
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2012 at 5:23am
Originally posted by Kickstart

To the best of my knowledge, you can't get a WDH for a class 2, but you can upgrade to a class 3 or heavier hitch for not an unreasonable amount of cash. Then if your class 2 wasn't stable enough for your towing setup you can add a WDH. Towing, adjusting, and upgrading can be so frustrating. Many of us have found that the closer you come to your tow rig's limits, the more frustrating it becomes. There are no definitive answers, just semi-tenable decisions to be made. Again, many of us have been down this road!
 
Well spoken!  May I suggest looking at this:
 
 
Many tow with and many tow without WDHand/or anti-sway and both are satisfied.  Personally, I've always towed without and been satisfied.  With that said however, I am considering an E2 WDH ONLY because I am at or over my tongue limit spec of 500lbs (without WDH)....though the total trailer weight is well under spec. and the truck's suspension hardly "notices" the trailer weight.
 
Here is what I look like fully loaded:
 
 
The tongue weight of the trailer is 280lbs.  Add in 2 batteries (100lbs approx), 2 propane tanks (40lbs), misc. stuff forward of the axles, and, in the picture, a full (20 gal) fresh water tank (@ 8lbs per gal - also forward of the axles) and I am clearly above what I should be.  With that said, I've towed this way for two years without a hint of a problem (and I usually don't travel with a full fresh water tank).
 
Personally, if I were in your situation, I would at minimum install a class 3 hitch with a 6000lbs ball.  I would try this a trip or two and check my "comfort level"and then decide.  Anti-sway and/or WDH can always be added - if needed or desired.  Your tongue weight may "mandate" that you upgrade to the class 3, regardless.  I hope this helps. 
 
For the record my hitch is rated at 5000lbs without WDH, 10,500 with WDH (class IV).  The camper weighs 3018lbs with all of the accessories - plus about 600lbs (for the above stuff)....or about 36-3700lbs total.
 
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Posts: 267 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jun 2012 at 9:06pm
To the best of my knowledge, you can't get a WDH for a class 2, but you can upgrade to a class 3 or heavier hitch for not an unreasonable amount of cash. Then if your class 2 wasn't stable enough for your towing setup you can add a WDH. Towing, adjusting, and upgrading can be so frustrating. Many of us have found that the closer you come to your tow rig's limits, the more frustrating it becomes. There are no definitive answers, just semi-tenable decisions to be made. Again, many of us have been down this road!
'10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL
'12 Toyota Tundra
'05 Sportster (half a Harley)
Retired-We're on Beach Time!
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