Whats pulling your RPod

Originally posted by Sailor John I normally pull the "Dutch Pod" (2015 179) with my 2006 Jeep liberty, it was so so.  A very good friend let me use his 2017 ford F-150, extended cab short bed 4X4, with the 5.0 V8, and a 36 gal gas tank. I got 11.9 mpg, on a 11 day trip from central Idaho to Portland OR and back to Cascade ID,  with a side trip to Crater Lake, so nice to stay at the speed limit and even pass going uphill.  I may never go back to a small V6.

Thanks! Sometimes the "tow vehicle" discussions can get lively. You demonstrate a good point. There are at least 3 answers to the tow vehicle question:

1. There is what is physically possible
2. There is what ya got
3. There is what I would recommend

From my viewpoint the 3 answers are completely different.

Glad to hear a F 150 is worth some thing. I have small Rpod 172 and put Cushman scooter in the back of 95 f150 5speed manual. Took trip from Charleston SC to KS and as I crossed the OK,KS line, 1st and 3rd went goofy on me. Came back using 2nd and 4th. As we speak looking for another truck to go to another Cushman rally in GA. (Why is every thing up hill ) Im looking for a truck. Ok, I understand the turbo boost, V8, and Transmission.
Please tell me about the trans. can it be 6 speed or doesn't come that way.
Please tell about the rear-end. Does that mean the Drive shave turns 4 time for ever wheel rotation?    An no body has talked 4 wheel, If we are all Prepers, (maybe not) do we need 4 wheel Drive?
Thanks for any help, have to get it by the mid of the month and have tow put on.
Best to everyone, and happy outings

I tow with a 2010 Frontier. Like you, we get around 12 mpg, sometimes a little better. I limit my towing speed to 60 mph or lower. I don't use the cruise control except on relatively flat terrain at low altitudes so I limit the engine RPMs to 3,000 or lower, which helps with the mileage.
For descents, you have an option you do not mention. You can downshift and let the engine help with controlling your speed of descent. You will still need brakes, but not as much. From your description, it sounds like the brake's boost was set too high. That should be turned down a bit so it doesn't lock the trailer brakes when you just want to slow down.

I use an Equal-i-zer hitch. While the Frontier specs out as not needing one, it does help as the back end of our Frontier sags quite a bit when I hitch up our 179 until I get the bars on. It will also help with making sure enough weight is transferred to help with the steering.

Originally posted by dianab We're towing with a 2014 Nissan Frontier, V6. Gas mileage is really disappointing ~ 12 mpg. But what concerns me is the brakes. We live in CO and most trips include a mountain pass - going up is doable, but last time we came down a pass the TV brakes (I think) were heating up and smelling. Husband "turned up" the trailer brakes and she skidded around on the wet road when he applied brakes. So we stopped for 15 mins to cool her down before finishing the descent. Technically, the Frontier exceeds all the specs on paper for towing the Pod, but how do we know that our TV in the real world is the right vehicle for towing in the mountains?!