New Rpod Owners in Bozeman MT!
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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=4441
Printed Date: 18 May 2025 at 8:41am
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Topic: New Rpod Owners in Bozeman MT!
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Subject: New Rpod Owners in Bozeman MT!
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 11:38am
 My girlfriend and I have been wanting to purchase a travel trailer after years of tent camping. We weren't planning on making the purchase this summer, but I saw a Craigslist deal in my area that I couldn't refuse. Last week we purchased a 2013 rpod 177! The picture is from when I brought it home last week, through a portion of Yellowstone. Can't wait for summer now! I'm eager to learn about these trailers and any events that the Rpod community may be having. I already have a short list of modifications I'd like to do to the trailer. Especially lift blocks since Moab will be the first week of May! Looking forward to interacting with all of you. Cheers! Austin ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Replies:
Posted By: Bred Flink
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 12:46pm
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We spend our summers at Lake Koocanusa, north of you on Hwy 93. KOO - Kootenay River CAN - Canada's portion of the river runs south across the border into USA where KOOCANUSA is dammed at Libby Dam. All we know about RPods is what we read here. we've been tenting for years and camping on sailboats, so this is going to be luxury camping for us. We havent picked our RPod up yet but we've had a lot of fun shopping for all the stuff we think we're going to need. If you're ever 1 mile north of the Border, stop in a go sailing with us. There's lots of great camping along the shore. ------------- Sailing and camping Western Canada and US-NW |
Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 2:13pm
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We are from Whitehall and are to pick up ours from Idaho within a couple of weeks. After getting familiar with our outfits, perhaps we can get together compare notes and ideas. Globetrotter ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 2:46pm
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Hey, MontanaPodder (and GlobeTrotter from Whitehall): Welcome aboard from another Bozeman Podder and a 177 owner. Headcold (Bozeman) |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 3:05pm
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Welcome ti the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 8:59pm
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Welcome! Love the pic, proof that Pods can levitate!! ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 9:40pm
| That's not levitation, Travis. That's a barrel roll. I can do that with my 177 when its airborne, but I have to pull in the slider first. |
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2014 at 11:07pm
Thanks for all the welcomes! Must not be in the loop on the levitation joke?  Any who, we'd love to get to know some fellow podders in this area. And if anyone else is passing though and needs anything feel free to let us know! It may be fun to have a small gathering of us during a shoulder season when things are quieter around here. Bakers Hole is a pretty great spot near West Yellowstone... Also, do any of you know of a spot on this forum where I could see a photo of a tan rpod like mine with the vinyl decals removed? I think that could be a nice look. I've seen some tan Sportsmobiles with black trim and windows and they look great. This is probably going to be my second "mod" after the lift blocks. ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 1:37am
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We are viewing your picture upside down. I first thought it was from a pod owner in the southern hemisphere. Now I think it is a good way to keep snow off of the roof! We pull our 177 with a similar F150. It works great and only drops the MPG to 15 or so if you keep it to 55-60. At 75 it drops down to 10. I hope you enjoy your 177 as much as we do ours! ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 8:54am
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Ah ha. Strange. On my iPhone, iPad and computer it is showing right side up! Wierd.
Yeah the TV is a 2013 F150 Lariat with the 5.0 liter v8. It's a crew cab with a 6 ft bed so it's the longer wheel base. I have tow pack too. Can't even tell the trailer is back there. Onboard brake controller is great. Part of the reason the trailer was such a quick, no brainer purchase was because I already had the TV, and didn't have to think about a new rig too. ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 9:19am
That is odd.  ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 11:14am
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It inverted on my laptop and correct on my iPad. Truely wired.
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Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 11:43am
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MontanaPodder. Never stayed at Baker' hole. Sounds great. Right on the Madison River. Another good one is also on HWY 191 -- Red Cliff. It is on the the Gallatin river. Great Fly Fishing. it is just south of the turn off to Big Sky. In the summer they have wonderful FREE concerts in their park. Like your idea of trying to get up an informal local group for some outings. Have fun Podding in Montana. ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 4:27pm
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MTPodder: Yes, a gathering in the Northern Rockies of Podsters would be great. Never camped at the Bakers Hole Campground, but I have passed the turnoff to it numerous times on my to Jackson Hole. On the Madison River, it looks like a wonderful place for a Pod-rally. I don't know much about stripping decals off the Pod. I struggle to keep them on by not using the high pressure hose in car washes to clean the Pods that I have had. I did notice that, when I accidentally left some Gorilla tape on the back edge of my old 172, the paint came off with the decal when I pulled it away. If yours 177 is a Hood River edition, you don't need risers because your Pod comes with them. I've had both my old 172 (an HRE's) in some gnarly backcountry trails and roads in Southern Utah and haven't come close to high-centering the Pod. The one drawback on the 177 when compared with the 172 is that the former lacks the interior storage space my 172, which had the monster storage under the bottom bunk. I also removed the microwave and installed rev-a-shelf steel pull-outs to make a pantry. To make more storage space, my first mod on the 2013 177 this spring will be to add storage space by modifying the electrical break box bench in the dinette, as per the mods posted here. Then, some shelving over the dinette and the bed - also as illustrated here in several posts. Good podding and keep in touch. Headcold |
Posted By: CasaJack
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 6:50pm
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Congratulations Austin. My wife and I just bought the 182G last this last Sat. I pick it up next week after I return from a business trip. We can't wait to start using it with our 4 year old son. We too have tent camped for years so this a nice upgrade for us. We live in CA so we will be camping mostly in our state but at some point I want to head to Montana and Wyoming to do some fly fishing and river rafting. Have fun and I will post a pick when I pick up our R-POD!! Steve, Lisa and son Eli ------------- Jackdaddy |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 7:26pm
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Yesterday the pic was upside down, today right side up. Musta levitated around!
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2014 at 8:37pm
| Baker's hole is a nice campground that has a lot to offer nearby. We will be there with our 2013 HR 177 in June on a weekend or two, hope to see you there. |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2014 at 9:58am
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Welcome! We may be asking for future travel ideas in your area. Summers bring us to the Rockies, and MT Gold Country and the Glacier NP area are on our list. Enjoy the adventure. It is nice to graduate from a tent and have hard walls in stormy weather:) ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: LN22
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2014 at 9:08am
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Welcome Aboard! I've got a 2013 178, located on the Yellowstone on the Eat River Rd. Will be there sometime in Jun and look forward to using it around Yellowstone. In the meantime, my friends store it for me at their home. Dick ------------- "Smart folk learn from their own experiences, wise ones from other peoples" |
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2014 at 8:19pm
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Thanks for all the friendly replies! We took ours over to the Madison River Friday night for the maiden voyage! All went very well dry camping. Stayed plenty warm. Loved waking up after a restful sleep next to the river. Bone dry over there right now and free camping on blm land. Mine is not a hood river, just the same color scheme. I have already dragged the rear jacks 2 times, so the risers are on the docket. Yes Bakers hole is awesome. I fly fish there all the time. Very good. Maybe a mini gathering in late September or early October? Or along the Yellowstone in paradise valley could be fun too. I'll post up some pics soon! Austin ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2014 at 10:14pm
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We are in! We love to fly fish and would like to get together. Let us know when. Whitehall Rpodders Jerry and Nita ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2014 at 11:25pm
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Welcome. I have scheduled what is known as a roundup in Sept. in Charleston, OR. I have reserved 40 full hookups for a three day weekend. So far we have registered 15 Rpods. Marwayne is coming from Alberta, with, in my opinion, the most fabulously modded pod around. Check out the Events and Campouts for all the details. There are about 20 sites left. Hopefully you will join us. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2014 at 9:41am
| Count me in. August and September are dicey months for me, but, if I am in town, I'll make it to Bakers Hole. |
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 12:43am
  ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 7:01am
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Congratulations. Looks like a nice place to start with your new Pod. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 2:24pm
| Hey, MT Podder. Is that Bakers Hole or the Madison River below Warm Springs? Given that I don't see Red Mountain downstream, I assume that it's Bakers Hole. But, where's all the snow that has been piling on us the past few weeks? How was the wind? Usually, the Madison is a wind tunnel this time of the year; but, I don't see any whitecaps on the River. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 8:41pm
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Nice shot.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 9:17pm
| Heck, MT Podder has given me the incentive to head for Bakers Hole sooner than later. No snow! Clear campsite. And, the wind is just what you have to put up with this time of the year. Tough on fly casting, but the pod always has a leeward side. |
Posted By: MontanaPodder
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2014 at 11:28pm
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That's the. Maddy below Warm Springs. Red Mountain blm. Bakers is gated off and doesn't open for a long while. I wish Norris hot springs allowed camping during the off season. That's one of our favorite spots. But this spot is only 10 min from Norris. ------------- Just Purchased a 2013 Rpod 177! -Austin |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 1:08pm
| Oh, I didn't see Red Mountain itself so I assumed that it was Bakers Hole. So, it is the lower Madison. Have you considered camping this month at the Yellowstone NP campsite at Mammoth? Yes, as you know, it's still winter there, but they keep it open all winter and there are heated bathrooms there. It is a great base for spring X-country skiing in the Park. Now, you should call before you go because you can never entirely sure that it is open, because the Parks and other public lands are always the first casualties of Washington's budget battles. |
Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2014 at 5:05pm
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I'm a close neighbor in Butte, and have also just purchased my first RPod, a 2011 172, I'll be pulling it with my Subaru Outback, which I just put a tow package on. Sway bars will be a requirement, I'm sure.
New to the single world after being married for 37 years, so my collies Blue and Takoda will be accompanying me wherever I go.
I believe I'm going to call it the "colliePod"
My Ex and have have camped at many of those locations, Mammoth is awesome in the fall when the elk are bugling, however I'll probably stay close by in the Big Hole Valley my first year, util I get used to being sola with a RV.
Can't wait to start podding!!!!!
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Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2014 at 6:29pm
| Butte, U.S.A! Welcome aboard. |
Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 10:02am
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ColliePod here in Butte, MT again. Hope to get my Pod this weekend, yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, for all of you who want to travel to Montana, don't forget our Montana Folk Festival the weekend of July 11-13th.
Awesome "FREE" music for the weekend!!!!
Also the An Ri Ra Irish Fetival is in Butte Aug 8-10th, another incredible musical event!!!
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Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 10:32am
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Welcome Collie-Pod lover. Its wonderful to have a growing number of podders in our beautiful part of the country. There are so many opportunities for great outings and get togethers. Enjoy the experience. Your Whitehall neighbor, Globetrotter ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2014 at 1:22pm
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Glad to see that ColliePod survived St. Paddies Day in Butte. Not a festival for the timid.
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Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2014 at 10:33am
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Survived St Paddy's Day just fine, by staying home where it is warm. Terrible weather that night, and I have experienced the holiday event in "uptown Butte", and it's not always a pleasant experience. More of a college drunk!
Red Mtn on the Madison is open all year, this I know, since I work for the BLM in Butte. The BLM has a different approach to campgrounds than the Forest Service (I also worked for them for 24 years), in that we don't lock them up in the winter. There are a few that we do, but not many. You can always call our main desk at 406 533 7600 to inquire.
There are a few VERY nice campgrounds on the Big Hole River that are smaller in scope and the fishing on the Big Hole is AWESOME. I believe they are fishing there now, from what the guys told me.
I don't believe I'll get out on my "maiden" voyage until mid April, since I have a business trip the first two weeks of April. Bummer.....
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Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2014 at 12:12pm
| We use BLM campgrounds when in So. Utah, particularly the one in Escalante, which we have found to be incredibly well administered and cared for. Bathrooms clean, grounds well cared for, personnel - the campground hosts, maintenance people, managers, and law enforcement - all friendly, seemingly efficient, and really dedicated to a healthy land ethic. The BLM has assumed a role in recreation land management that could well be emulated by other land management agencies. I also like the fact that they don't appear to farm out their campgrounds to private contractors like the Forest Service, which usually results in uneven standards of care for the resource. |
Posted By: Norsk1
Date Posted: 22 Mar 2014 at 8:17pm
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Nice to see Montana has a few Rpoders. I'm new with my 2010 171. I'm just getting familiar with it. May or June in Paradise valley would be great. I won't be camping but will be at a branding at the West Creek Ranch the end of April. I'm located in Plains on the west side of Montana. Hope to see some of you on the road this year.
Ron |
Posted By: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2014 at 9:58am
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Ron, It looks like we have a significant group of Montana Podders. We need to get together this summer. Paradise Valley would be great. Good luck with the branding. ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: hartlej
Date Posted: 02 Sep 2014 at 4:47pm
| Curious to know how the Subaru is pulling your R pod? I'm debating 2 purchases... 1) Buying a new 2015 Outback and 2) buying an R pod. Before I get the Subaru, I'd trying to figure out if it will pull the R pod without too many issues. Any thoughts? |
Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 9:45am
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I'm glad you asked before making the Subaru Purchase! As much as I absolutely LOVED my 2014 Subaru Outback, it just didn't cut it for pulling the Pod. You can't put an equalizer bar on the Subaru (nothing to hook it to), and I found the hard way that pulling (pushing) down the passes was an unpleasant experience with the swaying of the Pod. I admit I may not have loaded it as well as I could have, but decided after that trip to trade in the Subaru for a 2014 GMC Acadia, which has 5000 pound towing capacity. Must better towing experience. Althought I am still a nervous wreck when I tow, since it is pretty new to me. So bottom line, get something bigger than the subaru to tow you Pod with. I LOVE my pod, it is perfect for my two collies and I.
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Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 3:38pm
| Run in an opposite direction from that Subaru. They are, in the main, pieces of crap. You can expect serious problems at about 70K; their head gaskets leak (which is a problem that most Subaru owners grudgingly accept as the price of owning one.); they are prone to catastrophic transmission failures before 100K, the power steering boots are prone to tear and leak ruing the power steering (as much as a 1K bill), etc, etc. My daughter unfortunately owns one with some of the above mentioned problems at sub 100K; my mechanic says that repairing them is a real cash cow for him, but he wouldn't recommend buying one. A historian of technology that I know claims that Subaru hasn't changed much in the design of the engine since the time that they were building engines for the Japanese Imperial Army and Air Force before and during WWII - I haven't confirmed that allegation, however. I am sure that you can dig up a number of anecdotes about the longevity and low maintenance of Subarus that some people own, but check out the repair stats on them before you buy. Look at a Honda, a Toyota, and, if necessary, a Ford or a Chevy. The Subaru's have a lot of cachet in South Central Montana where I live (Bozeman) |
Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 3:39pm
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My final sentence should have read: The Subaru's have a lot of cachet in South Central Montana where I live (Bozeman), but you are going to pay the piper in repair bills.
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Posted By: hartlej
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 4:52pm
| Thanks for the feedback. I think the Subaru is out for pulling an R pod. Also, you all are not the first folks to say that about Subaru. I have a friend who has a 100K+ miles with no issues... maybe he is the exception? Other current options for towing are '08 Honda Odyssey with V6. Already has a tow package with transmission cooler on it or my '96 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4cylinder. Any thoughts there? |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 5:16pm
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I owned an '87 Subaru GL-10 from '92-'96. Loved the car, but I had nothing but problems the whole time. In the last 6 months I went through 3 engines after the original blew - the shop that replaced the engine finally said they refused to cover any more engines under warranty. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: headcold
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2014 at 5:39pm
| I would go with the Honda if the engine is larger and more powerful than your Taco. I pulled my Pod for a number of years with a v-6 4-Runner with a tow package. Worked well, but the hills and the head winds slowed it down considerably. I recall that, when I went over Soldiers Pass in UT, I had it down into second gear and the 4-Runner had a larger engine than your 96 Tacoma. But people pull the Pods with the Taco, quite well; however, I think that those are the more recent ones with a larger engine than the 2.7. And, yes some folks have good luck with the Subarus, but then they might have been built on a good day. Oh, did I mention the problem with piston slap on the Subarus? You might check out the tow ratings at: http://rvbonus.com/ |