Buying a M 179
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Topic: Buying a M 179
Posted By: DonnaH
Subject: Buying a M 179
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 9:04am
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Good Morning R Poders!.....We gave been pulling a Rockwood Freedom 2318G for years now and have had great mileage results when pulling it with our Jeep Grand Cherekee....now we will be pulling a new m 179 and the question is what can we expect with the higher profile trailer....the r.pod is about the same weight as the pop-up....how does the nigher profile affect overall mileage? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated! DonnaH ------------- DonnaH |
Replies:
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 9:37am
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I lost about 2 mpg going from an Aliner to an r-pod towed with a V6 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Aliner=15mpg
rp-pod=13
Bare 18-19
Since the higher profile is an aerodynamic drag thing, you'll find the faster you go the more the taller trailer drops mpg. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 2:10pm
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Welcome. Yes, drag is the defining factor, especially when you go above 55 mph.
I can give you a direct comparison from our old TV (tow vehicle). It got about 23 mpg in daily use. Our popup was much heavier than the pod, around its limit at 3500 pounds when loaded, and we always got 16 mpg when towing it (using 93 octane gas). Our pod is below 3000 loaded and I usually got 12 mpg, even as low as 8 on a really bad windy/stormy day.
Since the popup was long gone before we bought our current TV I can't give you a comparison there, but it gets around 18 in daily use and very roughly 10 when towing the pod. On a 5000 mile trip last year it got 9, and a few much shorter trips I've seen it as high as 12.
Forest River implies that you'll get great mpg with the pod, but the truth is you'll get about 10-12 mpg with any full-height camper. Most people on this forum get around 12. ------------- 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: retireclose
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 3:09pm
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DonnaH -- We have a model 179 and pulled it to Cades Cove in the Smokies over Memorial Week-end from Michigan. We got 13.7 mpg on the way down and 12.3 mpg home. Our TV is a new 2014 Silverado truck with new engine and transmission technology which i believe helped our case. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD) 
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Posted By: DonnaH
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 3:57pm
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May I ask what you are pulling the 179 with and what kind of regular highway mileage do you get when not towing? Please and Thank you! ------------- DonnaH |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 4:31pm
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2014 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3l engine. Highway driving w/o R-pod ~ 20 - 21 mpg. City driving w/o R-Pod ~ 15 - 16. We use to have a 5th wheel pulled by a 2004 Silverado 2500 HD. With that set-up we use to get ~ 8 - 9.5 mpg. We are very pleased with the truck/trailer set-up that we have now. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
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Posted By: DonnaH
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 5:41pm
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Thanks again....very helpful! ------------- DonnaH |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 7:32pm
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Hi Donna, we pull our 'pod with a 2013 Grand Cherokee, equipped with a V8. We load it pretty heavy, so it's close to it's 3800 pound limit. Last year traveling to the NC rally we got 11 mpg, I would guess it will be closer to 12 in a state that's a little "flatter". Last time I traveled across PA without the 'pod, on Interstate 80, I got 23. I drive (and tow) with the cruise control on, at or near the posted limit. ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: DonnaH
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2014 at 7:34pm
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Thank you so much for the info!!! ------------- DonnaH |