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Topic ClosedTow vehicles - Event Date: 03 Feb 2015
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fwunder View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Oct 2013
Location: New Jersey
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Posts: 1676 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Tow vehicles
    Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 3:25pm
Just to throw in one more data point. We tow our 2014 178 with an 08 4Runner Limited. Very comfortably. We just returned from a ten day trip to Florida and back (New Jersey) and this past summer did a 8,000 mile journey to The Pacific coast and back. The Pod and 4Runner have done both east and west coasts and points between. Have had no problems at all, including an "interesting" westward drive across Wyoming with 55 mph headwinds. We normally cruise about 60-65 and get 12-15 mpg depending on wind and terrain. 

-fred
2014 RPod 178 => MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!
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Newsguy12 View Drop Down
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Posts: 54 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 6:48pm
My original TV with our 2015 179 was a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the 3.2 Pentstar V6.  We averaged about 16 MPG towing throughout the summer.  But I can't recommend the Cherokee even though the R179 loaded is well under the new Jeep's tow rating of 4500 lbs.  I was extremely happy with it until the tranny blew last month driving solo!  I've since discovered that a lot of these trannys have gone south in this new model Jeep.  So, after the warranty replaced the tranny, traded it in for a 2014 Ram 1500, 5.7 Hemi.  I pulled the 179 on a 130 mile round trip from Cincinnati to Lexington to see what the MPG would be.  12.0.
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ShellDave View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jan 2015
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Posts: 38 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Apr 2015 at 8:01pm
I tow my 178 with a Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner V6 and avg 10/12 mpg. I don't have many issues with the trailer moving around behind me.
Dave
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Posts: 27 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 2015 at 10:27pm
Thanks for the info, much appreciated! Local dealer is setting me up with a brake controller and I am going to test drive the 171 this week, I want to make sure before I purchase. 
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Posts: 27 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Apr 2015 at 7:36pm
Test drive went pretty well, except for the lack of overdrive off button. Transmission jumped between overdrive and 4th (4 speed 03' 4Runner V6) and was disappointing that I could not just stay in 4th. 

There was a slight rear end sway, so I plan to get a WDH. The dealer has two options, one the Equalizer (~$600) and the other a newer Husky model (~$400). Other postings have shown the Equalizer to be a good choice, has anyone had experience with the Husky version? 
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Apr 2015 at 9:52pm
Originally posted by WIRpodder

Test drive went pretty well, except for the lack of overdrive off button. Transmission jumped between overdrive and 4th (4 speed 03' 4Runner V6) and was disappointing that I could not just stay in 4th. 

There was a slight rear end sway, so I plan to get a WDH. The dealer has two options, one the Equalizer (~$600) and the other a newer Husky model (~$400). Other postings have shown the Equalizer to be a good choice, has anyone had experience with the Husky version? 


 I was right about the 4 speed transmission. Hunting 3rd, 4th... It is not all the the transmissions fault though, it's the torque (286 ft/lb if I remember correctly). Leave it in 3rd gear so it doesn't hunt, and you have a decent 3 speed. 

 My bicycling pal has a 2004 SR5 4Runner, 5 speed, same 4.0 V6, and he tows a T@B trailer. Not the same as a POD in weight , BUT he cannot tow in 5th either at 65mph, and his T@B weighs UNDER 2000 pounds. So the 4Runner V6 just doesn't have tons of torque, that's all. No speed records to break when towing anyway.

 When I towed with the 4Runner through Mass and Vermont, it was 60-65 in 3rd all the way (240 miles each way). If I remember, about 3100 rpm at those speeds on the flats, 10-13 MPG. Transmission temps were good, but I installed a B&M cooler inline with the transmission radiator anyway.


Edited by ToolmanJohn - 11 Apr 2015 at 9:56pm
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2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD)
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Sleepless View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Jun 2013
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Posts: 556 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2015 at 11:02am
I have used the same Husky WDH on my last 3 trailers.  Absolutely no problems and the price is right.  I am also still using the same sway control, an inexpensive friction model, and, again, the price is right.
2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD)
2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
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Joined: 28 Jan 2015
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 2015 at 10:04pm
 My 171   sways a little bit when empty put a little bit a water in it and it goes away 
Love to camp
2014 171
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Hecklertravel View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Jul 2015
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Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 2:36pm
We bought a new tow vehicle last year at the end of summer. And this will be our first year out with it. We will be pulling our 182g with a 2014 ram 2500 cummins. I am waiting to see what we get for fuel economy. Oh I can't wait.  Star
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jul 2015 at 11:03pm
Welcome.  You should get a decent mpg with that rig.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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