tow vehicle
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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11215
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 10:50pm
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Topic: tow vehicle
Posted By: peas in a pod
Subject: tow vehicle
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 7:40am
 hello, I am bob and wife is sherri. we are looking for an R-Pod 180 and have purchased the towing equipment (tow bar, sway bar, brake package, and tranny cooler), for our 2011 3.5L ford edge. it seems that we are on the edge of gvwt limits and we were wondering if the hook up stuff I have will keep us safe? should we move to perhaps a R-pod 171? What say ya'll?peas in a pod. 9
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 8:23am
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Welcome to the Group!! We have a 179 that we used to tow with our Dodge Grand Caravan with the 6 cyl penstar engine 283 horse power. We towed up and down the east coast, always felt safe but were always on the edge of the limits. We also previously had a 171 and loved it, but like the extra room/slide out of the large pods. That towed a bit easier. We then upgraded our tow vehicle to a F-150 with the 5.0 v-8 and really love it. The mpg is 1-2 mpg lower but the power and ease of towing makes it well worth while. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 8:36am
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Welcome to the group. Hope you enjoy your new Pod. As for tow vehicles, towing on the edge of the capacity of your Edge will work for a bit, but eventually you will be frustrated, and the wear and tear on your car will become more and more noticeable. If you are going to use your Pod a lot and travel in any areas with steep climbs and descents, you would probably be much more satisfied with a tow vehicle that has a capacity greater than the loaded weight of your Pod and all the stuff you will be carrying in your car. The gas mileage savings will be cost effective only if you drive your tow vehicle with the trailer attached a lot more than you use it just as regular transportation. But, that being said, when you are on a long upgrade and the tractor trailer are passing you and your engine heat is rising, you may wish for a little more towing capacity. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 4:18pm
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Have to agree with lostagain. It is no fun being on the precipice of towing capacity and also the fact that the Edge has a relatively short wheel base. As Fred noted above, mountainous and/or steep climbs and descents will take its toll on you as well as your Edge. We have towed our 177 (empty weight 2450 lbs.) with two different Explorers and have had relatively good experiences with both. IF you only plan on traveling where it is relatively flat or close to home down yonder in Georgia, you should be ok. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 6:32pm
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Hello and welcome! If you decide to get the 'Pod, I hope you have many fine adventures and make many great memories doing so. Now, I am going to take a contrary position. We towed about 10,000 miles with your 2016 Ford Escape SE which also had a 3500 lb tow rating. Due to an accident, we had to change and now tow with a 2010 Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab. My observations may help. 1st. A longer tow vehicle does not necessarily guarantee a better towing experience. The distance between the center of the rear axle and the hitch ball affect the towing experience more than vehicle length alone. With the Escape, the distance was about 3-1/2 feet. With the Frontier, it is more like 5-1/2 feet. That extra 2 feet means the R-Pod can exert more force on the tow vehicle. We certainly notice it more with the Frontier than we did with the Escape when a tractor-trailer passes, even though the Frontier has a 6100 lb tow rating. 2nd, what counts more is whether your Edge is FWD or AWD/4WD. If it is FWD, then you will absolutely need a well-adjusted Weight Distribution Hitch with sway control provided by the hitch (Equal-i-zer, Fastway E2, or Andersen No-Sway or equivalent). or a separate sway bar. The issue is the traction you need. Without a WDH, too much weight will be taken off the front end which affects both your traction and steering. Even with AWD/4WD, steering would be affected, even if the rear wheels are providing traction. The Edge would require a WDH in any case. Check Ford's Towing Guide for the Edge for just what is needed. A longer, heavier vehicle with a higher tow rating is desirable, but if it is not a current option, you could use your Edge. The lightest R-Pod that will meet your needs would be a better choice than the heavier ones that are close to the capacity of your Edge. Last is engine size. My Frontier has a 4L naturally aspirated engine. I believe the 3.5L in your Edge is also naturally aspirated (not turbocharged, or Ecoboost as Ford calls it). That means for every 1000 feet you increase in elevation, you should expect to lose 4% in power. As long as you stay at lower elevations, you will be okay. Don't count on a trip to the Rockies with it. The Appalachians will be more than enough of a challenge to that engine. Mountains are a challenge for the Frontier as well. Turbocharged engines do much better as they don't lose power at higher elevations. They do require premium fuel though. Bottom line is that while you may be able to use the Edge, you would want to change out for a vehicle with a higher tow rating when you are able. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: peas in a pod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 6:52am
Posted By: peas in a pod
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 7:00am
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jato and Stephen H, Thanks for your input, we see the logic in having an HP edge to make your travels safer, which is the prime directive in hauling a camper. we are pod-less now and have been enamored with them. however, I've been seeing the reports as to the inflation of prices on behalf of profit seekers and retailers. that brings some other camper models into consideration. We are seriously working toward your suggestions. A Ford 150 pu may be in our future. thanks a bunch Mr. & Mrs Pea
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 8:07am
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Torque matters even more than horsepower when towing. You can have a lot of horsepower, but unless you can get that power to the wheels (torque) and get that torque to the ground (traction), you won't have much success in towing. Think a sports car (lots of horsepower but not as much torque) vs. a tractor (lots of torque but not much horsepower). 2011 Edge 3.5L had 285 hp at 6500 rpm and 253 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm when it was new. At 6+ years old, performance may not be as good due to wear. The 2L Ecoboost engine in the Escape had 240 hp at 5500 rpm and 270 lb-ft at 3000 rpm. A Ford F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine develops 375 hp and 470 lb-ft torque and the Raptor High Output 3.5L engine develops 450 hp and 510 lb-ft torque. The higher torque number with more than adequate horsepower means a better towing experience. As for purchasing an R-Pod, not all dealers try to jack up the prices. Are you considering new or used? Check http://www.rvtrader.com - RV Trader to see what kind of deal you can find. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 9:37am
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And keep in mind that with torque, it increases up to a point with increased engine rpm, but then starts a rapid decline despite the fact that the engine is going faster and faster. Once you hit your maximum torque, there is little point in trying to go faster or make the engine turn faster because you'll only lose relative motive force. When you hit your maximum torque, stick with that speed if you can. If you can't sustain your speed, it's time to downshift. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 11:02am
The graph below shows the torque curves for 4 engines, a 6.2L V8, a 5.0L V8, and an early version of the 3.5L EcoBoost, and the 3.7L (NA) V6. On the face of it, you might think that the 6.2L V8 is the stronger engine with 438 ft-lbs, but that torque happens at ~~ 4800 RPM. By contrast, the 3.5L EcoBoost "only" produces 420 ft-lbs of torque, but that torque happens at ~~ 2400 RPM, and it stays there all the way up to ~~ 4500 RPM. This is what is called a "flat torque curve", and it is a feature of many/most diesel engines. It is very desirable for vehicles that have to tow. For example, if the speed you're going requires the engine to run at 2000 RPM, the 6.2L V8 is producing a little under 300 ft-lbs, the 5.0L V8 is producing slightly over 200 ft-lbs, but the 3.5L is already producing just a shade over 400 ft-lbs. If you were cruising along and came upon a big uphill grade, which engine would be able to maintain 2000 RPM? We've been driving our EcoBoost F-150 now for almost 3 years, and it is really a stump puller. That flat torque curve is amazing when it's at work.  ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 8:32pm
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Interesting. That illustrates why the 2L Ecoboost engine in our former Escape outperformed the 4L NA engine in our current Frontier, even with 2 less cylinders. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 9:08pm
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Based on the EcoBoost engines I have seen, you can almost double the effective "displacement" of an EcoBoost engine. IOW, the 2.7L EcoBoost performs like a 5.4L engine, and the 3.5L EcoBoost performs like a 7L engine. The second generation of the 3.5L EcoBoost is now producing ~~ 470 ft-lbs of torque, and it's still a flat curve.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2018 at 9:37pm
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Thanks GlueGuy ! Next question is how long can one expect an ecoboost engine to last in miles, such as the 3.5L? Curious as my 94 F-150 with a 5.0L V8 is beginning to get a bit tired and rusty with 315,000 Michigan salt miles on it. Also the 31 deer kills have not helped either, nor all the other "hits" (I haven't kept track of those) where they only got maimed and limped off the road.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 12:45am
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 8:39am
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Boy I would love to get 315,000 out of our F-150!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 6:48pm
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Leo, the engine is still very strong as well as the clutch and throw out bearing. Main issue is with the deteriorating body, getting a fair amount of rust, especially in those areas where deer have met their doom.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: crazycoyote
Date Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 7:25pm
| I have a 2013 F-150 Ecoboost Ford 4 door truck, bought it new in 2013 and so far have 1004 thousand miles on it, still like new, changed out the front rotors when I bought it, due to a Ford front end shake, cheep stock Rotors, other than that, runs like new. I'll keep until it dies. |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 9:16pm
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Thanks coyote, that is good info to know. Think I will start casually looking at used Fords with ecoboost, was 2013 one of the first years they installed them in the F-150?
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 10:11pm
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We have a 2011 f150 with the eco boost and love it Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2018 at 8:32am
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If I could afford to buy a new Ford 150, I'd do it. But in the meantime, I'll manage with our Dakota. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: peas in a pod
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 12:40pm
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mr and mrs pea have become owners of a 2005 F-150 5.4L triton pu. was a wondering if we will have to install a trany cooler. we have the bumper hook up 7 way plug and a 4 way plug but no module under the dash. I am assuming that the plug receptacle under the dash is a diagnostic port? we still haven't found our Rpod but maybe somebody out there would provide us with one. any concerns about the f150? mr pea
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 1:20pm
The OBD port looks like this:  You "probably" have a TBC (Trailer Brake Controller) connector buried somewhere under the dash as well. I think on that vintage of F-150, there might be a cutout somewhere above the driver's right knee for the TBC, and the connector plug would be right behind that. If you install the TBC (and I recommend that you do), then you will probably also need to install a small relay to provide power to the TBC and trailer brakes. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: disputin
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 2:39pm
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I purchased a 2002 F150 5.4 Triton 2 years ago. It doesn't have a tow package or tranny cooler installed. In January we drove it from Portland, OR to LA to pick up a 179, that came with a WBH. We towed the 179 (empty) back to Portland, in a rush to get back to work, so our speed was 70 for most of the way back on US395. We went over Deadman summit at 8000+ feet. I watched and I never saw a temperature gauge move or change for the entire trip. The F150 was more than adequate to pull the 179. You shouldn't have any problems. Sean & Christine Whitney 2002 F150 2016 179
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 3:22pm
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Most states require a TBC for trailers over 3,000 lbs. It differs by state about the exact requirement, but the gross weight of an RP-179 is close to 3,800 lbs, so you would expect to have to have the TBC with an RP-179. https://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/trailer-brakes/ - Trailer Brakes by State ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: peas in a pod
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 4:13pm
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2018 at 4:20pm
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The 2005 F150 has the harness built in for the brake controller, etrailer.com has a You Tube video on installation of a P3 brake controller and they have the harness required. The connector is up under the dash and usually covered with a grey cover. If you GOOGLE brake controller for a 2005 Ford F150 you will get all the pertinent info. No relays are required. Nothing is required but the brake controller, the harness and time.
The FAQ section of etrailer.com is also a valuable resource. Here's a link to the video: https://www.etrailer.com/tv-install-tekonsha-prodigy-p3-brake-controller-2005-ford-f150-90195.aspx I GOOGLED Brake Controller Install - 2005 F150. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Bully
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2018 at 9:06pm
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Hey Peas in a pod......... we just bought a new 178 and are towing it with a 2014 Edge 3.5 with factory tow equipment. I pull in S and stay around 60-65. The last trip I got 12.8 mpg and have no problem pulling our trailer. We love our new pod. ------------- BB |