newbie question
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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=4593
Printed Date: 17 May 2025 at 8:27am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: newbie question
Posted By: tcairney
Subject: newbie question
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2014 at 7:25pm
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We are looking at getting our first r-pod and driving with two dogs to Nova Scotia from Georgia. We have a Toyota Highlander, 6 cylinder, two wheel drive. Will we be OK? Also, we would like a hybrid. If it is cold and we do not lift up the back door and pull out the bed area, is there enough room for two people in the bed area with the back door down (ie all shut up)? I know there are bunks but what about the main bed area? Thanks! ------------- tcairney |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2014 at 8:30pm
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Welcome. If I remember right the Highlander has a 3500 pound towing capacity so it will work. I can't answer your other question (sometimes referred to as "turtling") but others here will. ------------- 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: Boomertype
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2014 at 10:45pm
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You can look up your tow vehicle here: http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/ Each year they redo it, but the basic info is in the 2014 Guide. |
Posted By: tcairney
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 6:50am
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Thank you. I know the capacity is fine, I was just hoping to get an idea of the general handling. We slept in one day and the hybrid was sold. So we are searching for another! ------------- tcairney |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 9:44pm
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I don't think the hybrid has the same towing capacity as the 6Cyl. |
Posted By: outermostpod
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 9:59pm
| I think the OP means hybrid pod not hybrid Highlander. The towing capacity of the hybrid highlander is 3,500 lbs though. Depending on the year, the regular (6 cyl) Higlander is 5,000 lbs. |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2014 at 10:56pm
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Any pod when loaded with, clothes, food, etc. brings weight very close to 3500lb. I wouldn't pull it with any tv that is rated lower than 5000lb. Its a safety margin thing, not only for yourself but for others that you meet on the road. ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 9:41am
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Thread drift. I don't know about a tent pod with the tent closed, but Nova Scotia, especially Cape Breton, is one of the most beautiful places I've been. I think you'll be fine with two people and two well-behaved dogs though. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 12:08pm
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OP, our original tow vehicle was a Hyundai Veracruz with a 3500# capacity. We went with the 171 model since it was one of, if not the, lowest weighted Pods available ... that, and we actually like the floor plan layout. We used it for 1 1/2 years with the Veracruz camping around NC, SC, GA and TN. For the area around these parts we had no problems with towing it, as it is mostly flat with some rolling hills. We always packed light, kept speed down, were very cautious and conscious about other vehicles around us, and generally took it easy. We always said though that if we moved or wanted to take trips into larger mountain areas we would need to get a larger capacity TV, which is exactly what we have done this spring in anticipation of heading west to WA. So, can you tow with a 3500# capacity ... yes, if you are smart about it. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 2:27pm
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Ditto. Our Sienna was rated for 3500 pounds, which was fine for more local trips. Even on most hills it wasn't a problem. But a long trip to Florida with an unusually strong head wind convinced me that I needed something more substantial for long distance trips. ------------- 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: GlobeTrotter
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2014 at 7:27pm
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We pull our 'ScapePod with a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that is rated for 3500#. Handles very well with an e2 weight distribution hitch. Some rental rpod sites require this WDS for vehicles rated for 5000# or less. We got the 177 because of the lighter weight. Otherwise we probably would have opted for the 179. Thanks to the limited storage space in the 177, it is hard to overload it! ------------- Podding from Montana and loving it! |
Posted By: CasaJack
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 2:06pm
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The hybrid pod, according to the Forest River Website, weighs about 2700
lbs and has a storage capacity of of 1140 lbs for a total weight of
3840 lbs. You can tow with your Highlander but you will have to keep the storage weight down. ------------- Jackdaddy |