Investigating RVing
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
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=12293
Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 8:08pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Investigating RVing
Posted By: abqdan
Subject: Investigating RVing
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 11:20am
|
Hi everyone! We have long been tent campers, but age is creeping up, and we're beginning to get to the point where that all seems a little too rustic! We've looked at pop-ups, but since our aim is to investigate cooler regions of the country, something with cloth sides doesn't appeal. The R-pod seems to us to be a great option, because we're only going to be using it infrequently, and we don't need much space. We'd also like to see if we can find a towable that our trusty Hyundai Santa Fe Limited can tow - it has a Class 2 hitch, a V6 engine, and according to the specs a 3500 pound towing capacity. I'm hoping to discover if anyone with the same vehicle has towed an R-pod. |
Replies:
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 12:16pm
Hi and welcome - you might try an search on this forum, this topic has come up many times and the consensus is that a vehicle with a capacity of 3500# is not up to the task of towing an Rpod. We started our adventures of trailering for the same reason as you did - tenting no longer cut it for our aging bodies. We initially towed with a vehicle with a V6 aqnd closer to 5,000# capacity and it still seemed underpowered. Keep in mind that by the time you load up a trailer with all of your gear, water, food, etc you add considerably to the gross weight. Not sure where you live or wish to travel (i'm in Colorado) so hill-climbing is another factor. We traded in our vehicle for an older Lexus GX470 with a V8 and much higher towing capacity and its a much better experience all around. Good luck with your search!
|
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 1:01pm
|
abqdan,
I'm sure you know this: Class II hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 3500 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 300 lbs. That would not safely tow a Pod. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: abqdan
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 2:16pm
| Thanks! We don't have experience with towing anything, so I wasn't sure where to start - the information online is confusing (for me at least). A lot of experienced people assume you know things you don't, so advice I've received before wasn't helpful. Anyway, good to know that what I can't do. Now to figure out what I can! |
Posted By: abqdan
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 2:20pm
I'm afraid I didn't - but I do now! I've never towed anything - the vehicle came with the hitch, but I've only used it for a bike rack  All the different 'weights' on specs for trailers were confusing, and I asked at a dealership and they acted like I was a moron and shouldn't bother them with questions. Now I know I can't tow with this vehicle, I'll have to find one that can tow. So do I need a class 3 or something else to tow an RV like the Rpod?
|
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 4:20pm
|
I would recommend a Class III hitch, of course there is more than that and many here can advise, you are in the best place to ask with this group. Best to start with success. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 4:36pm
|
Welcome to the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 5:13pm
|
Just because you have a V6 doesn't necessarily mean it doesn't have enough oomph for towing an R-Pod. In addition to the number of cylinders, you need to look at displacement, horsepower, torque, and the transmission. Our 2012 Highlander has a 3.5L V6 rated to around 280 HP and it does an admirable job of towing our 179, even through mountains. It has a tow rating of 5000 lbs though; 3500 would probably suffice for some of the smaller model R-Pods, but I wouldn't want to risk it on the larger ones. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: crw8sr
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2018 at 6:01pm
|
We're pulling ours with a 2017 Santa Fe; it's not enough and we're going to replace it. We need more power and I think a longer wheel base will give a better ride. It's just ok on the near by rolling hills but it'll never make it in the mountains. ------------- Chuck & Lyn Izzy, Morkie. RIP Zoe Joy & Gracie, Yorkie 2018 R Pod 190 2019 Traverse In moments of adversity;when life's a total wreck, I think of those worse off than me and really feel like heck. |
Posted By: broncoman_2000
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:50am
|
I have an R-176 and I tow with a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. It has a 3.6L V6 and 33 inch tires. The Pod pulls great with only a sway bar attachment. The Santa Fe is close in size, but not in weight to the Wrangler. I'd try pulling a couple trips to see how it tows. If you feel it's not well balanced, you can upgrade the TV. DWW
|
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:52am
|
I agree with the others. A 3500 lb tow rating is too low for an R-pod. 5000 lb would be better, and maybe enough if you don't have mountains are steep hill climbs. 6000 lb or higher would be better still; especially if you think you're going to be pulling in the mountains or steep climbs.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 11:24am
I agree with this, BUT, ... This is probably the #1 topic of this forum. We have a 171 and a 4500 lb tow vehicle that has gone across country once and up to the Yellowstone area twice, with no problems. Now, we didn't go thru the highest western mountain passes, the 171 is light, and we pack light, change any of these and the result might well be very different. ?The bottom line? In my opinion, get the highest tow rating vehicle you can afford, at least 4500 pounds if any mountains are in your future, lower than that ONLY if you are going to be driving on a table top, and then only with the lighter r-pods, and then get out there and have fun! |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 4:27pm
|
Yah. HappyTripping. The 171 is a lot lighter than our 179, or any of the 18x/19x models. You might be able to get by with a TV with 3500 lb rating. So I was speaking a bit too generically.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: abqdan
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2018 at 10:33pm
| Thanks for all the replies! We figure we need to get a car with a higher towing capacity even if we MIGHT skate by with the 171, so that'll be our first decision. |
Posted By: Shane
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2018 at 9:30am
|
I believe a class III hitch is required for pulling a fully loaded R-Pod. ------------- ENGINE 55,TRUCK 44,BATALLION 12 |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2018 at 12:00pm
|
Personally, i would ignore the empty weight of the trailer, that's a totally dry weight with no battery on the tongue and no propane in the tank and is IMHO more for marketing purposes than anything else. Instead look at the trailer gross vehicle weight. Depending on how you camp (boondocking vs hookups) you could be close to that. And your tongue weight might end up as high as 15% of that figure if you fill your water tank and add either an extra battery or propane tank or both. Mine is. Do also consider the use of a weight distribution hitch and anti sway system for towing an rPod with any relatively lightweight tow vehicle. I wouldn't tow my 179 with my Highlander (5000 lbs rating) without one. Not because of trailer weight but because of tongue weight. Results in too much weight on the rear axle and too light in front. With it I'm comfortable. Your receiver and TV also need to be rated for use with a WD hitch. Also take a look at the gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVW) for any current or prospective tow vehicle you choose. A lot of the max tow ratings assume an empty tow vehicle, so it depends on how you plan to have the TV loaded. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |