4-Runner TV - R-pod Owners Forum

Has anyone towed a RP178 or 179 with a Toyota 4-Runner? If so, was it a v-6 or v-8, and how did it do? Thanks for the help.

Tim

Thanks, Fred. Your experience speaks for itself. On your trips out west i.e. the Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver how much did your Runner slow down? Have a great evening. Smile

Tiim

Tim

We pull with a 2008 Toyota 4 runner v6. We have a 2016 model 179. Did 21 days of camping in Colorado since purchasing in July of 2015. Slows down uphill, but overall did fine. We live at 10000 feet, so we begin going downhill, and return uphill Tongue

Mitch & Cindy
2008 Toyota 4 Runner
Rpod 179

Hi coloradokid,

This is my typical towing arrangement:

It's a Reese WHD w/friction sway and Swagman bike rack. Has served us very well. I can't speak to Eisenhower Tunnel on I70. I can say that traveling west in I80 through Wyoming with 50+mph headwinds put a hurting to our gas mileage!! Our 4Runner is a Limited with factory tow package (5,000 lb). My observations have been that wind is a bigger strain than incline. We always tow in "4" (not overdrive). I have experimented with shifting to overdrive on long level straights or down hill, but doesn't seem to really effect mileage. We get the "normal" 10-12 mpg unless we are carrying kayaks. The kayaks seem to help adding 1-3 mpg. Long steep inclines may slow us down a little, but I haven't ever really felt like we were struggling.

For us, the 4Runner has been a great TV. Henry, the RVing cat, likes the space to wander while on the road, it's a comfortable ride and economical (22 mpg) without pod.

Oh, I should mention that we did upgrade to the Tekonsha P3 brake controller from the Voyager which made a huge difference. We are also very careful with balancing load.

Hope that helps.

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!

Very nice setup Fred...

Mike & Erin
2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK)
2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800
2005 Honda VTX 1800N

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coloradokid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2016 Location: Boulder, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Topic: 4-Runner TV Posted: 04 Jan 2016 at 8:11pm
	Has anyone towed a RP178 or 179 with a Toyota 4-Runner? If so, was it a v-6 or v-8, and how did it do? Thanks for the help.
	Tim

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 04 Jan 2016 at 8:35pm
	Yep. A little. New Jersey to California, up to Washington and back. Several New England trips and down to Florida and back. 10K+ miles or so. No problems. Specs in signature. 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!

coloradokid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2016 Location: Boulder, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 05 Jan 2016 at 8:01pm
	Thanks, Fred. Your experience speaks for itself. On your trips out west i.e. the Eisenhower Tunnel west of Denver how much did your Runner slow down? Have a great evening. Tiim
	Tim

frogpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, M Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Posted: 05 Jan 2016 at 9:15pm
	We use a Tacoma full cab Prerunner TRD with a V6 to pull a 171. I believe it is the same basic vehicle as a 4Runner. We have a sway bar but no weight distribution hitch. Works fine except that "porpoising" is sometimes noticeable. I suspect that a WDH would help this but don't really see it as a big problem. Need a 5 inch drop on the hitch because the vehicle is high. This also may contribute to the roller coaster ride. We don't use overdrive and also can't use cruise control except in flat terrain otherwise it downshifts too often. The thing is comfortable at 55 to 65 mph. Faster and it doesn't feel right and the gas mileage drops like a rock. I did add a transmission oil cooler...a good idea for it regardless of whether you tow or not. We love our Taco.
	Leo and Tami with Coltrane the Jack Russell Terrier 2010 Rpod 171 2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD

Mountainpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2015 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 8	Posted: 05 Jan 2016 at 10:39pm
	We pull with a 2008 Toyota 4 runner v6. We have a 2016 model 179. Did 21 days of camping in Colorado since purchasing in July of 2015. Slows down uphill, but overall did fine. We live at 10000 feet, so we begin going downhill, and return uphill
	Mitch & Cindy 2008 Toyota 4 Runner Rpod 179

coloradokid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 03 Jan 2016 Location: Boulder, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 11:57am
	Fred, A couple more things. Does your 4-Runner have the factory installed tow package, and did you have to add anything special like a sway bar, etc.? Thanks again for your help. Tim
	Tim

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 3:23pm
	Hi coloradokid, This is my typical towing arrangement: It's a Reese WHD w/friction sway and Swagman bike rack. Has served us very well. I can't speak to Eisenhower Tunnel on I70. I can say that traveling west in I80 through Wyoming with 50+mph headwinds put a hurting to our gas mileage!! Our 4Runner is a Limited with factory tow package (5,000 lb). My observations have been that wind is a bigger strain than incline. We always tow in "4" (not overdrive). I have experimented with shifting to overdrive on long level straights or down hill, but doesn't seem to really effect mileage. We get the "normal" 10-12 mpg unless we are carrying kayaks. The kayaks seem to help adding 1-3 mpg. Long steep inclines may slow us down a little, but I haven't ever really felt like we were struggling. For us, the 4Runner has been a great TV. Henry, the RVing cat, likes the space to wander while on the road, it's a comfortable ride and economical (22 mpg) without pod. Oh, I should mention that we did upgrade to the Tekonsha P3 brake controller from the Voyager which made a huge difference. We are also very careful with balancing load. Hope that helps. 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!

fwunder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 Oct 2013 Location: New Jersey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1676	Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 3:30pm
	Toy hauler configuration... 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!

Commander203 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 19 Feb 2015 Location: Central Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 87	Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 4:42pm
	Very nice setup Fred...
	Mike & Erin 2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK) 2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800 2005 Honda VTX 1800N

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4508	Posted: 06 Jan 2016 at 5:24pm
	Fred, Looks like you are ready for action!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171