Can I tow an R-POD 171 with a 2012 MKX?

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.

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.

     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

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!

I know there are some worthy posters here that advocate weight distribution hitches; but I'm not a fan of a weight distribution hitch for a single axle trailer unless the rear end sag in your TV makes it obvious that you need one. A WDH makes a lot more sense when the trailer has two axles. Double axle trailers are typically heavier, of course; but they also have a rear axle that a WDH can torque weight onto for better distribution. I used one for our previous trailer that weighed about 800# more than the R-Pod 173 that we just bought. That camper had two axles and it did tow nicely with the WDH. But, WDHs are very heavy to handle and they add a serious extra step to hitching up. I was glad to eliminate all that with our new R-Pod, and it towed like a dream. The loss of 800 pounds was very noticable for our Trailblazer's performance and mileage, too.