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Topic ClosedHi, potential R-Pod owner but...
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SiberD View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Oct 2014
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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hi, potential R-Pod owner but...
    Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 12:58pm
am worried whether our vehicle is up to the job. We're looking at getting the lightest R-pod that supposedly weighs 2205lbs. Our proposed TV is a 2005 Mazda Tribute S that is 6ft wide, 5'10" tall, 3.0L six cylinder, 200HP, all wheel drive, 3,500lb towing capacity,  and103in wheel base. Be brutally honest with me. Should I only consider a pop-up or Casita type camper or will this lil SUV be up to the task of pulling a model 171? I want to be safe and not have have to clean any stains off of the passenger or driver's seat LOL
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Joined: 19 Nov 2009
Location: Oshawa, Ontario
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Posts: 767 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 2:50pm
Well, I've got a 2008 Tribute - 3.0L 2WD and I've been using it to tow my r-pod for the past 5 years.

I run full synthetic oil, synthetic transmission fluid and have an add-on transmission cooler (which was surprisingly inexpensive).  At the end of the season, the tranny fluid is pitch black and I change it.

Frankly, I don't recommend the setup and I'm definitely pushing the limits.  The Tribute is underpowered to pull my 2100 pound RP-171 (2600 pounds loaded).  I tend to limit travel to 55mph, which keeps the RPMs about 2500 and the transmission fluid temperature below 220C.  It'll go 65, but its definitely a short-term effort for passing only.
Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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SiberD View Drop Down
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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 4:30pm
Thanks for the input. Where did you find room for the transmission cooler???  I don't see any room up front.
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Oct 2014 at 8:28pm
Welcome.  I started off with a similar vehicle - about the same wheel base and HP.  It was fine for trips on back roads, and most highway trips, but its limits were evident in bad conditions.  Before tackling the Rockies I moved up.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2014 at 11:30am
Well, I've decided against doing this for now. I talked to the place that put my hitch and wiring on for my small landscape trailer. I explained what I wanted to do giving him the specs on both the Tribute and the R-pod and he recommended not doing it.

I just may give the Tribute to my Son who is graduating college in May and go get a used F-150 with a V8 Big smile
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Oct 2014 at 1:16pm
That will be a great present  - for him, and you!
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Oct 2014 at 6:47pm
Ok, I couldn't find a F150 at a reasonable price and I'm impulsive so instead I bought a 2001 Toyota Tundra SR5 that has a 4.7L V8, 128 in wheel base, and best of all, only 88,000 miles on it!

Time to start looking for an Rpod Big smile
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Oct 2014 at 6:22pm
That will do it.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 1:34pm
Welllll, pulled the trigger on a new 2014 model 179! Will be picking it up the second week of Novembe. The bigger kitchen area along with a ton more storage space inside swayed me from getting a 177 Smile
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Joined: 30 Aug 2014
Location: Central TX
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Posts: 309 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Oct 2014 at 4:23pm
Congrats!  .. on both the Tundra as well as the 179.  You should be ready to rock 'n roll!
John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3
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