PILOTing the RP-178

Note: Also posted this at Pod Nation.  Sorry about cross posting but this info might help someone.

In September we bought a 2014 RP-178 from the Shober brothers at Bison RV in Clovis NM. Great guys, with a great group of folks to deal with. Highly recommended:

http://www.bisonrv.com/Default.asp 

We have a 2012 Honda Pilot for our tow vehicle. 4WD, 3.5L V-6 (250 hp), with 5-sp OD tranny. It came with the factory transmission oil cooler, 7-pin hitch connector, and 2" hitch receiver. Honda rates it with an ample 4,500 lbs GVWR tow capacity.

Until we found the R-Pod line, GVRW of other travel trailers (even the so-called "ultra-lite" ones) ended up at the too-high - or over - end of our Pilot's tow rating. Even fully loaded with water and our [too much] stuff, I am confident that the RP-178 is no more than 3,500 lbs.

Bison RV installed a Prodigy 2 in the Pilot to control the electric brakes on the RP-178. These worked beautifully and transparently ove our 1,500 mile first outing.

I was concerned that the Pilot/RP178 combo might need a Load Leveling Hitch and/or an Anti-Sway Bar to achieve level and stable performance at highway speeds. No reason to worry as we discovered.

You can see from the picture below that the pair stands absolutely level - using a 3 1/2" drop hitch insert.  The Pilot does not squat from the tongue weight (look at the rqual wheel wells):

We towed at 75 mph for 5-10 miles and there was no hint of sway. Sometimes wind gusts would blow the 'Pod to the side, but it always quickly came back in line without any hint of wanting to oscillate.

The Pilot usually gets 22 mpg in town. Pretty good for a 4,500 lb 4WD SUV.

Pulling our little 'Pod, it fell to only 10 mpg - into the wind and over mountain passes.

Provided we pulled the 'Pod at 60 mph or less, and on level ground, the Pilot gave 13-15 mpg. Uphill, even 2-3% grades, we had to lock it in 3rd gear to to keep the tranny from hunting among the gears. 3rd gear at 60 mph with the Pilot is about 4,000 rpm. 75 mph in 3rd is 5,300 rpm. Redline is 6,300 rpm.

Acceleration ability of the Pilot/Pod combo was basically that of a loaded school bus. Slow but steady. Ride was very stable and there was no doubt that the Honda Pilot was very much in control of the whole rig the whole time. Highly recommended.

Overall we were quite pleased. The slide on the RP-178 provided an amazing improvement to the living space within. I can not imagine RVing in a Pod without one.

Welcome Aboard!! Goose