Tow Vehicle
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10700
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 5:26pm
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Topic: Tow Vehicle
Posted By: podderfj
Subject: Tow Vehicle
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 8:43am
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I now have a Dodge Aspen that I use to tow my R Pod. I am 70 years old and ride an adult tricycle. With that set up, I cannot take my trike camping. Been thinking about selling the Aspen and getting a truck to haul R Pod. That way, I can put my trike in the back of the truck. Trying to decide between a Crew Cab Tundra with Hemi engine or a Chevy Silverado, 4X4, double cab with the 5.3 engine. Would like to get some feedback if I can. Thank you fellow Podders
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Replies:
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 9:50am
The 5.3L Ecotech engine on the Silverado uses cylinder deactivation to achieve fuel economy when the load is light. Although this works, there have been ongoing issues with the side effects of the cylinder deactivation. Do a search on the net about ecotech and cylinder deactivation, and you will see issues going back several years. This is one of those things that looks great on paper, but the implementation leaves something to be desired. I still like the Ecoboost engines on the F-150. Take your pick, either the 2.7L or the 3.5L. Ford has made millions of them, and there may have been some issues in the early days, but for the last 3 years, they have been great. We've had our 3.5L Ecoboost for 2-1/2 years, and it has been flawless. Way more power than a previous Tundra we had (with the 5.7L V8), and way, way better gas mileage. The best we ever got on the Tundra was ~~ 17-18 MPG empty, and the F-150 gets 21-22 empty. Pulling the R-pod we get around 14, but that would be the case almost regardless of engine. The only way to get significantly better mileage pulling a trailer would be to use a diesel. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2017 at 11:58am
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We have a 2011 F 150 with the 3.5 eco boost 20-21 mpg , 12-14 mpg towing. Been happy with it!! Jo and Gary ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2017 at 10:49am
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Most likely will get many opinions. Biggest complaint against Tundras is mileage, but very good tow vehicles. I tow with a 5.3 Silverado 4X4 and have no complaints. My son has a 2013 3.5 4X4 Ford and it is an excellent truck. GM has used the EcoTec motor since 2014, and I don't see any sudden changes in future. My Silverado has the Vortec motor. Really a personal choice, you got Ford people, GM likers and Tundra followers. Nobody thinks their TV is worse than anothers, end of the day it will come down to what you decide. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: wooleeman
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 7:06pm
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This is one request that you are going to get a lot of disagreement on. I just purchased a Pod and am using a 2014 Silverado much as you describe and a truck that I think is great. Towed 500 miles on first trip without WDH or sway bar and worked great. I got up to 23 mpg highway mileage without the pod on back but it was substantially reduced to 12.7 mpg with pod in tow haul mode. I found due to the light weight of a pod I really do not need the tow haul mode so I expect a substantial improvement in mileage next time out. Don't want to offend any Ford owners. I am an ex GM/Diesel truck mechanic and and I like my Chevrolets. ------------- 2022 RP-202 2016 RP-179 (Sold 9/2020) 2014 Silverado Crew Cab. 6-1/2' Bed Golden Retriever (DOB 6/16/2020) English Bulldog (RIP 6/15/2020) |
Posted By: Live2Camp
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2017 at 7:19pm
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A consideration too, is where one's mountain driving is. My personal motto is that all mountains are beautiful, and (and, not but :-) some are higher than others. Which is to say that the road elevations you're driving in the mountains are also a factor when considering tow vehicles (or vehicles at all, towing or not, for those of us who drive at elevations above 6000 ft.).
------------- 2017 R-Pod 179 HRE (the green one) His:Ford F150 double cab 4WD; Hers/mine:Tacoma V6 double cab 4WD Still love rugged, diggin' comfy too |
Posted By: HeyCampers
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2017 at 2:25pm
| We towed our 178 with a 2013 Toyota Highlander in the Colorado mountains. It was underpowered and got poor gas mileage. We bought a 2017 Chevy Colorado diesel. It has a crew cab and the short box. The fuel efficiency is great (minimum of 18 mpg up and down between Denver and Summit County). The truck has all the power we need to pull the trailer up and over the Eisenhower Tunnel approaches without strain. |