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GA_RPOD_178 View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Location: Newborn, GA
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Posts: 118 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: New from West Virginia without an r-pod
    Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 8:18am
Originally posted by The West Virginians

techntrek - The Ridgeline packs a 5000 pound tow limit, and we have never traveled with anything in the freshwater tank in the Westlake. I am still leery, however, of the weight of the 178. Of the two models I am considering it is my favorite, but saving 500 pounds by going with the 172 may be the better option for now.

I have had no issues pulling a 178 with my Ridgeline.  I use WDH and trailer brake package and of course no extra water weight.
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The West Virginians View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Aug 2013
Location: Ripley, WV
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 8:15am
techntrek - The Ridgeline packs a 5000 pound tow limit, and we have never traveled with anything in the freshwater tank in the Westlake. I am still leery, however, of the weight of the 178. Of the two models I am considering it is my favorite, but saving 500 pounds by going with the 172 may be the better option for now.
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The West Virginians View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Aug 2013
Location: Ripley, WV
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 8:10am
kymooses - I am really torn between the 172 and 178. The bunks are pretty neat on the 172 and DD really wants them. Also, the 172 comes in just over 500 pounds less than the 178. That's pretty significant. The 178, however, has the permanent bed and big front dinette. Slides tend to worry me due to possible mechanical issues, but there is no doubt it really opens up the living space. Also, the price difference between the two models seems to be fairly minimal. With all that being said I am no closer to making a decision. Sigh. I just sent a join request to the Facebook page.    
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The West Virginians View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Aug 2013
Location: Ripley, WV
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 8:10am
Good morning, all.

I apologize for not replying to your posts. It has been quite hectic lately.

First and foremost thank you all for the salutations. This seems to be a very welcoming and helpful community and has helped galvanize my belief that an r-pod is a solid option for our family.   
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Camper Bob View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Sep 2011
Location: Portland Oregon
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Posts: 913 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Aug 2013 at 12:10am
I have to agree with Techntrek.  Minimum of 5 K towing capacity.  I know many pull with less capacity but for me a much larger concern is safety in maneuvering and stopping.  But thats's me.  I ordered ours with out and antenna.  Happy camping and Safe Travels.
Camper Bob and Camper Sue
Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund)
2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod)
2016 Lance 1685
2015 Nissan Pathfinder
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Thredbende View Drop Down
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Joined: 17 May 2013
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Posts: 9 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2013 at 11:13pm
We have put on 10,000 miles towing our 171 with a Ridgeline over the last year. We can pass other vehicles if necessary at 70 on flat road, although that speed is 15 miles faster than the owner's manual recommendation. We weigh 350 pounds live weight. Our Pod weighed 2750 pounds loaded with food, no water, with propane and 2 batteries at the Goshen rally. So perhaps this is of use in comparing different options. I believe a slide out weighs about 250 pounds.
I love being able to have dinner started in a 36 degree bleak November rain 2 hours after dark at a deserted campsite 15 minutes after pulling in. And being warm, dry and well fed.

Thredbende
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2013 at 10:39pm
It isn't the altitude its the grade.  We were just in WV a few weeks ago including Spruce Knob at 4863 feet.  We were over 7000 feet in Albuquerque but the grade wasn't too bad.  It was in the East in KY and WV where we hit spots of over 10% grade which were grinds to get up.  That's where the horsepower and torque are needed.  Granted, there are some big grades in the Rockies too, but there are some in the Appalachians too. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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P&M View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Location: Spokane, WA
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Posts: 454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Aug 2013 at 9:12am
Welcome.  It is nice to see that you are doing a thorough research on all of your options before making a decision.  There is a lot of really great information to be found in the forums here on the Pods.
 
I do have a question out of pure curiosity though ... why does your wife hate the antenna so much? 
P & M ... and Comet too!
2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod
2018 Ram 2500
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2013 at 10:04pm
RPods can and are being towed by Hondas. We tow our 172 with a 2010 4WD Pilot, the same power train as the Ridgeline. The Hondas have an advantage with their 4.375 differential. So far it works very well in the mountains of Florida and Alabama Big smile, but next month will be the test. Weight was the prime factor in our selection of the 172 since we will spend a lot of time in Colorado. Mountain passes are rough on tow vehicles, but altitude saps an engine's performance. Most of WV is below 3000 feet; all except one point is below 4500 feet. So if you plan to spend most of your time in the East you should be fine with the 172. On flat roads you can't even tell the Pod is back there unless you look at the gas gauge Unhappy. The 178 is bigger and roomier, but also heavier, so consider where you will drive and camp. Regardless of which model you chose you should include a weight distributing hitch (WDH) and a ScanGauge to monitor transmission temperature.

Hope to hear soon that you have joined us in Podding,
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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GA_RPOD_178 View Drop Down
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Joined: 06 Jun 2013
Location: Newborn, GA
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Posts: 118 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Aug 2013 at 8:23pm
I tow a 178 with a Ridgeline.  It has a 5000 lb rating.  Granted the Georgia mountains don't compare with WV, but we get there.  Mileage sucks, but it does with most TV's.
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