Soon to be new Rpod Owners

This from my personal experience: I towed a 172 with a Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD rated at #4500. My last trip was 5000+ miles including  the Colorado mountains. The Pilot was adequate on the flat lands but struggled up the mountains. OK if you go slow; 10-20 MPH on some grades. Note the 4WD version of the Pilot includes the towing package with transmission oil cooler so it is rated #1000  higher than the 2WD model. My new Camplite trailer is about #1000 heavier than the Pod so I moved up to a 4.0L Tacoma. My preference was a small V8, but that was not available in a small pickup. Bottom line, a #3500 rated vehicle would be marginal even on flat terrain. Your 178 starts at #2500 plus some options. By the time you add people, battery(s), full propane tank(s) and "stuff" you'll easily exceed #3500.Since you have the luxury of selecting a new TV my suggestion would be at least a #5000 rated 4.0L vehicle.

Well, since you've selected the trailer you're half way there and used to the back and forth decision process . AWD is really full time 4WD under the control of the car's computer. It's fine for the majority  of road conditions. The Pilot was really AWD under normal conditions, but can be locked up with a switch. I may be a control freak and an engineer, but I like to have some options. If you're stuck in sand or snow (think Canada ) you want the option of firmly engaging all wheels and limiting all slip. For me, I've always had 4WD vehicles. I live in Florida but I call Colorado home. Lots of snow. Try buying a 4WD in Florida .

Selectable 4WD is an advantage if you can buy it. Good luck and keep us posted.

I guess I'll throw in my two cents worth. Currently we tow with a 2005 Chev. Tahoe with a tow capacity of 6,800 lbs. Perfect except the age and mileage. I like the handling up hills and lots of stopping power. I recently received the Trailer Life guide to towing for 2014 listing all the vehicles and their towing capacity. After reading lots of posts, I've decided for us to look at vehicles with 4WD and a minimum towing capacity of 5K lbs. I find that at the 5K mark, all the vehicles provide AWD only. I like the Tahoe's 4WD selectivity but alas, it's is not available in the 5K range. So what to buy? After a lot of research, I have selected the Toyota Highlander with 5K towing capacity. Far better city mileage than our Tahoe but with adequate towing capacity for those big hills we seem to have here in Oregon. There are three versions of the Highlander depending on your wants and checkbook. Hope that helps. We are having a Roundup this September at Charleston, Oregon. Have reserved 40 full hookup spaces and after only a week have about 20 left. So far we have 12 Rpods registered. Marwayne, who I consider personally to be truly the master modder of Rpods, is joining us from Alberta. Being able to see his mod's is reason enough to come and join us. We are right on the beach and a great time should be had by all. Hopefully you can join us. All the details can be seen under the Camping Adventures forum. Safe Travels.