I need HELP!!!: Best vehicle to pull with

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Best vehicle to pull with

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11826
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Topic: Best vehicle to pull with

Posted By: kwaters
Subject: Best vehicle to pull with
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 10:17am

We are new owners. Our old Toyota truck has trouble pulling the pod uphill and that is where I want to go. What, in your opinions, would be the smallest SUV or truck I could have that would pull the pod comfortably?? I am getting push back from my guy. He isn't sure at this point that he wants to pull a trailer and I want to be able to keep it even if I have to go on my own or with girlfriends. HELP!!

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River Waters

Replies:

Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 10:23am

Would recommend getting an SUV with at least 4500 lb towing capacity. We used a Jeep Cherokee with the towing package and it was great taking it over mountains. Plenty to power and small enough to handle around town when not pulling a trailer. Now we have a RAM truck and although its great pulling a 4800 lb trailer its too big to park on urban streets

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OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 11:30am

Agree with Richand Cindy above; at least 4500 lb tow capacity. That being said, 2 of the 3 vehicles I have towed my 177 (2400 lb empty) with are: '08 Explorer and '13 Explorer. Both can tow 5000 lbs. Only have used a sway bar (no wdh) to haul with, have been in the Rockies 4x with these vehicles, no issues or problems towing.

I am not saying this is the Best vehicle to tow with, but it does work for the 177 and my driving style, which is speed limit or a bit below, after all, I am not in a hurry and want to enjoy the roses along the journey.

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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: mcarter
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 12:08pm

Kwaters,

Not sure if you are looking for new or used. I am a truck guy. I like the crew cab and bed availability versus a SUV. Also the longer wheelbase. I tow with a 2016 Chevy Colorado L71, V6, crew cab and a 2006 Silverado K1500, V8, 4WD. One is a 30 plus grand new truck, the other is a 12 grand used truck. Just in trucks you have so many choices. Both are over 6K in towing capacity. Both easily tow a Pod. I do not have a WDH, sway bar only. The scope of whats available is huge in trucks and SUVs. Ford and Dodge also make very good tow vehicles as well as some of the foreign makes.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 12:19pm

We really like our F-150. Never a worry. Lots of power to climb mountains; even over 10,000 feet elevation. It weighs more than 2,000 lbs more than the R-pod, so we never have the "tail wagging the dog". The only downside is the size; it's over 20 feet long, and we have to phone ahead to make a U-turn.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2018 at 1:06pm

Originally posted by kwaters

We are new owners. Our old Toyota truck has trouble pulling the pod uphill and that is where I want to go. What, in your opinions, would be the smallest SUV or truck I could have that would pull the pod comfortably?? I am getting push back from my guy. He isn't sure at this point that he wants to pull a trailer and I want to be able to keep it even if I have to go on my own or with girlfriends. HELP!!

Tacoma? Tundra? Trouble pulling uphill defined as what? Keeping 65 to 70 mph? Headwind also? So many factors that are not known.

We tow with a Nissan Frontier which is similar to the Tacoma. Ours is a 4L V6. What engine is in your truck? What speed are you trying to maintain going uphill? The only time I have problems are if I get stuck behind a tractor-trailer and have to slow down because I can't pass. Then it is slow going to try to gain speed back once I can pass. The engine makes its strongest torque (the ability to apply the horsepower to the ground) at higher engine RPMs. Putting your truck in a tow/haul mode (if available) or turning off overdrive (my option in the Frontier) helps. Deciding that I don't have to be the first one up the hill also helps. As long as you can maintain an adequate speed up the hill (greater than 45 mph), you are probably okay.

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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: OldNeumanntapr
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2018 at 2:34pm

I like my 4.0 Tacoma. Plenty of power to to the pod at a comfortable speed

Posted By: DenisP
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2018 at 4:30pm

I have a 2013 Tundra with a 5.7L with tow package and have no problem pulling our 171. Hardly know it is there except for the steepest grades.

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T@b 400 with solar
Formerly 2010 171
2013 Tundra TRD

Posted By: rawellman
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2018 at 8:43am

Tow Vehicles ?

Anyone towing with a latest model Chrysler Pacifica of most recent Honda Odyssey ?

I have been towing my 2013 R-177 with my 14 yo, 210 k miles Toyota Sienna but it's time to buy something new. I don't want a truck or an SUV, SUVs don't have the storage space a van does. My Sienna has 225 hp and works hard to pull the Pod and mileage is horrific, 9-10 mpg but I can live with that while towing because when not towing the Sienna gets 24 mpg on the highway.

Given my preference to avoid trucks and SUVs what suggestions does anyone have?

Ron

Midland, MI

Posted By: crankster78
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2018 at 8:48am

Greetings

Just make sure whatever you buy has at least a 4500 pound tow rating, the longer the wheel base the better.

Crankster78

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Crankster 78 R-179 2015

Posted By: rawellman
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2018 at 1:15am

Crankster78,

Good advice, thank you.

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2018 at 9:13am

Maybe the old toyota is a 4 cyl ?? really not enough info to determine anything. I wouldn't recommend a vehicle with a minimum of 4000 pounds tow capacity, when the vehicle she is talking about "should" be a 6500 pound capacity. Something isnt making sense.

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Posted By: Marchhall
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:32pm

We tow with Kia Sorento SXL V6. with WHD/Anti Sway. No issues, and 17mpg towing, but we keep cargo light and never put water in fresh water tank when driving. Nice feature of Kia is self leveling HID headlights. Much better night vision and my lights never blind oncoming drivers. We know how annoying that is...folks!!

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Outdoorsy Marc
2016 Rpod 179
2017 Kia Sorento SXL

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:46pm

Thera's a point where the limit of your tow vehicle demands a WDH. Personally I went higher in tow capacity to eliminate the need for other equipment and for other tasks. Personal decision.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."