New owner of used '09 152 |
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Zag
Groupie Joined: 29 Apr 2013 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 57 |
Topic: New owner of used '09 152 Posted: 30 May 2013 at 11:17am |
A quick update. After much deliberating I found a well-loved 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 with a 3.5L V6 so we are one big step closer to being able to tow our R-Pod which we've dubbed Cuty-Pod.
Question? The TV has a 4-pin trailer connector, can I get that adapter to work with a 7-pin connector or am I looking at putting in a new 7-pin kit?
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2009 RP-152 (Cutie-Pod)
2001 Nissan Pathfinder |
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sailo25
Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2013 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
Posted: 05 May 2013 at 4:56pm |
Just finished our first trip out with our 151 behind 2011 outback 4cyl. NEED a bigger TV handled ok but 60 mph is about top speed comfortable without working engine and tran. to hard and that was on fairly flat roads. Weighed it after packing for the trip tongue weight 320lbs and total weight of 2720 lbs.
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g4royce
Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Location: PortStLucie FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 335 |
Posted: 05 May 2013 at 3:31pm |
On another note, on the '09 152: get your back window checked for leaks as it was the earlier models that had the back window problems and had to be replaced. Also check that you've had the factory running lights done
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ChaiPod
2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
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g4royce
Senior Member Joined: 20 Nov 2010 Location: PortStLucie FL Online Status: Offline Posts: 335 |
Posted: 05 May 2013 at 3:27pm |
Welcome to the forum!
We're towing with a 6 cylinder Subaru Outback mostly over gentle terrain here in the NE in decent weather. However, when we tried to tow up and down scenic hills in the finger lakes (the wrong way) during a heat wave, we definitely stressed the car. We have a standard class 2 hitch and also added a tranny-cooler. We pack quite lightly but are slowly accumulating "pod things". We still decant our shampoo and toiletries into just what we need instead of going for those in-stall dispensers. Every little bit counts when you're that close to your limit
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ChaiPod
2009 RP152 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.5L V6 |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 03 May 2013 at 11:32pm |
Welcome. Hills and highway speeds will not mix with a 3500 pound rating on a TV and the pod. The wind resistance at highway speeds is the deciding factor - not weight - although the slightly lighter weight of the 152 can only help. Ironically you'll be ok on back roads since wind resistance never kicks in. We towed with a Sienna for years and didn't have a problem with our popup which was heavier than the pod, but trips to Maine and Florida with the pod quickly showed me that it wasn't up to 55 mph+ and head winds or hills.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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P&M
Senior Member Joined: 13 Aug 2012 Location: Spokane, WA Online Status: Offline Posts: 454 |
Posted: 02 May 2013 at 7:59pm |
I currently live in NC, and I am fine with my TV rated at 3500# for this area. I am from and grew up in Washington State and Alaska, have spent a lot of time in BC and Alberta, and wouldn't even think of towing my Pod in those areas with my current TV. Minimum I'd go with is 5000#.
Hope that helps.
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P & M ... and Comet too!
2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
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Racer|X|
Senior Member Joined: 21 Mar 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 237 |
Posted: 02 May 2013 at 7:34pm |
Welcome....ditto on the 5000 tow min.
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Kickstart
Senior Member Joined: 20 Sep 2010 Location: Ocean Shores, W Online Status: Offline Posts: 267 |
Posted: 02 May 2013 at 7:17pm |
Zag, good thinkin'. It's very easy to choose a tow vehicle that's too small, and it'll really cost you in the long run--the voice of experience talking here. I've learned the hard way to not sweat the additional expenses for an adequate tow rig, verses saving some bucks and dealing with towing at 4000+ rpms on hills and against winds with nothing in reserve. Plus, you won't be frustrated holding up traffic on the many two lane pulls we have in the Northwest areas of Canada and the U.S. Most of us don't consider that if we have to ask whether our vehicle is adquate to tow our Pod, then we will probably find times when it really isn't.
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'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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Zag
Groupie Joined: 29 Apr 2013 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 57 |
Posted: 02 May 2013 at 5:49pm |
Thanks for the warm welcomes and great feedback regarding tow capacity.
Given my lack of experience and the terrain I hope to travel I am now focusing my attention on finding a good used SUV to act as my tv (and second car). Then in a few years once I've paid down the trailer I can look at upgrading to something newer. I've lined up some Ford Explorers to look and they all have 5000lb+ tow capacity. The one is an 02 with a Class 3 hitch and 7K tow capacity. Plenty of room for the family and should be able to get up the hills (since I'm at sea level). Hope to share some pics soon!
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2009 RP-152 (Cutie-Pod)
2001 Nissan Pathfinder |
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Meriflower
Newbie Joined: 18 Feb 2013 Location: Minnesota Online Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
Posted: 02 May 2013 at 5:33pm |
Welcome and congrats on your new-to-you Pod!
Personally I wouldn't go any less than 5000# tow rating. You might do ok with a TV rated at 3500# but I would use extra caution if hilly, windy conditions, and/or passing semis. Must haves is a good weight distribution hitch, sway control, and brake controller. We use an Equalizer hitch which does both weight distribution and sway together. For the brake controller, we like Prodigy. If you get a vehicle with the trailer tow package, make sure is has a class III hitch, with a 7-plug in, and also a tranny cooler.
As others already stated, there are people out there with different TV/trailer combinations. Some tow close to capacity and feel comfortable in doing so. I am not one of those people.
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