Introduce Yourself: Towing Rpod 178

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Towing Rpod 178

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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=15924
Printed Date: 02 May 2025 at 7:52pm
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Topic: Towing Rpod 178

Posted By: wunderlong88
Subject: Towing Rpod 178
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 3:17pm

Hello. I am new to the forum and am looking for ideas of a small to midsize suv that might be able to tow my 2016 Rpod 178. It's dry weight is 2600 lbs.

I wondered if the Ford Escape or Toyota Rav4 (2023 or later on either with 3500 lb tow rating) would be sufficient to pull this camper. We are in Texas and have a 20+ year old Chevy 1/2 ton we pull it with right now. We generally go to State Parks in Texas and mostly flat to small hilly trips. Nothing crazy. Could use the truck if we did otherwise.

If not one of these vehicles any suggestions. Need 30+ mpg (when not pulling) and $35,000 budget roughly.

Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2024 at 4:05pm

There are tons of threads in this forum about the needed towing capacity for your trailer. Don't be fooled by the "dry weight." To get a real idea of what you will be towing, add the dry weight to the load capacity the trailer can carry; the gross vehicle weight rating. Your trailer comes in at about 3,800 lbs. Towing at the ragged edge of your vehicle's capacity will really stress the suspension and drive train and can lead to some control issues in windy conditions. You also need to consider the combined gross weight rating for your tow vehicle. You need to be below the gcvwr which includes the tow vehicle and contents and the total weight of the trailer. There are lots of SUV's and small trucks with towing capacities that are greater about 4,500 lbs out there, but the mileage when not towing ain't so hot. Good luck finding something that will work.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 7:07am

+1 lostagain Well said

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Jay

179/2019

Posted By: wunderlong88
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 7:10am

Thank you. I had read some of the threads here and I suspected neither of those were going to be enough.

Posted By: EchoGale
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 1:23pm

The BMW X3 30i (2018 and newer) has a tow rating of 4400 lbs and even one as new as a 2020 would be well within the price range you indicated. I get about 30 mpg with mine (a 2020) when not towing and 15-17 when towing. I'm VERY happy with it both as a tow vehicle and my everyday car.

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Julie

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2024 at 9:18pm

Having used a 2016 Escape to tow a 2016 RPod 179, I would advise you to go for something with a higher tow rating. Make sure it is rear-wheel or all-wheel drive as when the front end is lifted from the trailer weight, front wheel drive vehicles have diminished traction and steering capability. I speak from experience that you would not be happy with it.

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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