Purchase suggestions

Originally posted by TheBum The manual says not to exceed 60mph with the AeroPlus. That would be a deal breaker for me.

I considered that. I recently made a trip from home to Louisville, KY and back. Yes, I thought 60 mph was slow at times. Yes, I think that 60 mph is conservative, meaning that it probably has the capability of being used at faster speeds, but with an increased risk of it breaking. All in all, 60 mph is a pleasant speed at which to drive. It also contributes to the fuel savings as faster driving means more air resistance, thus lower mileage. Limiting the speed to 60 mph makes the drive more enjoyable. That is a big plus.

Whether one decides to get one or not is a personal choice. I found it helpful. I am not sure whether the AeroShield by Icon Direct has a similar limitation on speed. I could not find a manual on their web site to check. It is another option but I did not see the Pilot listed in the applications guide. It also did not have the Escape listed. That is another reason I went with the AeroPlus.

Originally posted by StephenH One thing I found to be helpful was to install a wind deflector. I chose the PurpleLine USA's AeroPlus. It helped with the aerodynamics and has helped me to get better mileage. Not only that, it helps when encountering head/cross wind situations. I am towing with a 2016 Ford Escape SE with factory tow package and 2L Ecoboost engine. It too has a 3500 lb towing limit.

The manual says not to exceed 60mph with the AeroPlus. That would be a deal breaker for me.

Thank you all for your great suggestions. Especially about towing. Has anyone had experience with helper springs or transmission cooler installed on the car?

I'm looking at purchasing the 177 or 178.

Thanks again
Christy

Your Pilot will tow it just fine except for the mileage. Expect to only get about 11 mpg. We have towed our 179 behind my sisters Pilot and it worked just fine without any special hitch just trailer brakes,

Hello Christy,

Welcome to the forum.

First, your tow vehicle. Is it equipped for towing? What are the specifications. From what I can gather, your towing limit is 3500 lbs. While you should be able to tow up to and including an R-Pod 179, that would be pushing it. One of the lighter models might be better for your Pilot.

Other than that, go on Forest River's web site and check out the various floor plans. You are the one who knows what you want or don't want. Once you decide on the floor plan, all else are accessories. Any R-Pod you purchase should come with a power cord, a propane tank and a battery. If you don't plan on doing any dry (no hook-ups) camping, then the stock battery should be adequate.

You will need hoses (fresh water (only used for that purpose), utility hose for things like flushing the black water tank, sewage hose and connectors, chocks, leveling blocks or system such as the BAL leveler or Andersen leveler), sheets, blankets, dishes, cups, food, toilet paper, towels, and anything else you might need on a trip. You would have limited space, so you should make choices on what is really needed and what can stay home.

Read the forum topics. There are lots of suggestions which you may find helpful. I know I did.