Hi   I am currently wanting to purchase an r pod and am getting mixed messages on whether or not I can tow with my 6 cylinder 4 runner.  The manual says I can pull 5,000  pounds but I have been told that trying to pull a r pod would tax the engine too  much.    I live in Colorado and tow in the mountains mostly.

Is anyone currently towing with a 4 runner and give me any guidance on making this decision?  I really want to get one but can't afford to change cars.

Thank you !!!

I have a 3.5 L Tacoma so skip what I have to contribute, if you want. First make sure your 4 Runner has a tow package, has been maintained pretty well, and you'll want to add a trailer braking device of some sort, dash mount, app, etc. Then it will depend on the size, model of Rpod you want. We towed a 179 and I felt very comfortable with the performance - except in really strong headwinds. The 195 makes the Taco work harder in the mountains and the cruising speed sweet spot is about 3 mph slower than with the 179, 62 vs 65. If you don't have to be the first one to the camp spot, and your rig has been maintained properly for the most part, I think you'll be ok. Have fun!

Even though I do not tow with a 4 runner I have for 8 years towed a 177 (loaded weight with full FW tank - 2940 lbs) with either an '08 or '13 Explorer.  They were both 6 cylinder the '08 was a 4.0 litre with tow capacity of 5000 lbs, the '13 was a 3.5 litre with tow capacity of 5500 lbs.  In both cases we spent a lot of time in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana in other words a lot of driving through the Rockies.  We were not the first up the mountain passes, we took our time, but always felt safe and didn't have any issues towing with our vehicles.  I did utilize a $40 Curt anti-sway bar with both and never had issues with sway.  

Still own the 177 but tow with a F-150 now, nice to have a little more power, a longer wheel base and more storage as the 177 has very little.

Thank you for the information.   My 4 runner is a 2017 with the tow package.  I now tow a 1967 Roadrunner and am needed more comforts...It tows really really well but I'm ready to move on.   I go up with the roadrunner with no problems.  Just the weight issue I suppose on a rpod.  I am looking at getting the lightest smallest one I can find

Thank you again.

Your lightest r-pods are no longer in production but you may still find used, they are the 151 and 152 - 15 foot long and no slide.

The next lightest are the 170 series (except for the 178 and 179) which also are no longer in production but many more of these are available on the used market which include the 171, 172, 175, 176, and 177 - 18 feet long some have slides while others do not.  Our 2011 177 has an empty weight of 2415 but when fully loaded with 36 gallons of water, 2 batteries, 2 20# propane tanks and camping gear it tops out at 2940.

Next is the 20 ft. long 178, also no longer in production but does have a slide.

After that comes the most popular of all the rpods made, the 179, longer but again, no longer in production.  It seems as time goes on the rpods have grown in size and weight to meet the demand of what campers want in today's market.