New member Introduction
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=5423
Printed Date: 18 May 2025 at 3:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New member Introduction
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Subject: New member Introduction
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 12:20pm
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Hi all, Joe and Terri here from NW Florida. Enjoying the forum and wealth of information. After a year of searching, deciding and weighing factors between TV's and RV's we decided on a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country w/ factory tow Pkg. and a 171 for weight. We got the TV and are just about to pull the trigger on the 171 but after reading several Post and noticing some pulling 178's & 179's with similar vehicles I am thinking I could safely go to a 177. I think I have plenty of power and the numbers say its doable, I just worry about wind and how much mileage will suffer. Sure would like the slide. Thanks in advance, any advice or shared experiences will be greatly appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 1:14pm
Howdy from San Antonio, home of the World Champion SPURS!  The dry weight difference between the 171 and 177 is 213 lbs, I doubt you would even be able to tell the difference in towable performance. If you really want the slide and your TV can otherwise handle it, I say go for it. You can make up most of the 213 lbs just by keeping the load light. Good luck! Have Fun!
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 1:43pm
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Thats what it shows in my 2014 brochure but Couch's website is showing the 2015 177 at 2521lbs which is 316 lbs difference. Your right though its not that much that lightening the load wouldn't cure. I assume you have a 6 cylinder Ranger, how does it handle the load? Does wind affect it much? Thanks, Joe |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 1:59pm
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Welcome to the group! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 5:28pm
Hmm, I wonder why its heavier...maybe they are accounting for the weight of propane and the battery? Yes I have the Super Cab V6 4.0 with a factory tow package and it pulls it just fine. 65 mph at 2,800 rpm at about 12 MPG and it holds the momentum up hill at 60 mph. I should be good with just about anything East of the Rockies. It's a comfortable and solid tow with the double friction sway bar and WDH set up. The drag is somewhat minimized b/c I have a camper shell over the bed of the pickup. It dose have a fair amount of drag but that is true with any RV. I think the POD is a little better than most unless you go to a low profile setup like the A-Liner. This particular Ranger is, in fact. a ½ ton pickup so it has a decent TW rating. What's the TW rating on the Van? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 6:17pm
Just got back from our local dealer and he had 2 identical 178's and 2 identical 179's all with different weights from each other +- 100 lbs, he said he can't figure it out  . We are going with a 177 to get a slide yet err on the lighter side. We actually like the dinette better than a 178 although the extra storage under the front would be nice it will help limit over weighting it. My TV GCWR is 8750 and is rated at 3600lbs w/360 lb tongue with 2 adults and luggage, - 100 lbs for stow n go seats. (just got interrupted by Scott from Couch's, their prices are hard to beat)Vehicle Curb is 4650 so I think I am good. We were looking at Aliners as we rented one and got 21 mpg towing it. I think the extra space, storage and conveniences of the Rpod will out weigh the extra mileage. Also the 177 is about $5k less than an Aliner expedition. I can afford a lot of trips for $5k.
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 6:38pm
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So true, I did the exact same assessment. Well for comparison the Ranger has a 5,800 lb tow capacity and a 600 lb TW rating with the WDH. It gets the job done, but I can't say it's effortless, it definitely is working, but not to the point that it's being overloaded. I'm sure I have seen some other Podders in here that are towing with the same vehicle you have. It would be nice to hear from them. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 6:58pm
| Thanks for the welcome, LeoB, I noticed your TV is a Dodge Caravan. Do you mind if I ask how it performs pulling the Pod? |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 9:54am
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Welcome. If you go with a heavier model like the 178 you will be at your weight limits, or beyond, when it is fully loaded. I wouldn't recommend filling the water tank more than a gallon or two for on-the-road stops. The 177 is a bit better but I still would be careful in how you load it. ------------- 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: Budward
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 10:27am
The weights posted on the units themselves are actual weights measured on a scale- I can see how they will vary some depending on density of wood, excess wiring (or pulled tight), quality of welding on the frame (beads piled up or flat), how much grease was shot into the wheel bearings, etc. I do think 100lb difference seems a bit much though.. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 11:57am
| Thanks for the welcome. I think we will be ok with a 177, I would not plan on towing with full tanks, that being said there may be those times you can't dump or something. My back up TV is an 05 Ram 1500 which will handle the job fine but we want the option of the van for extended stay trips after retirement when we have the dogs with us. The Ram is only a single cab and she is getting a few miles on her. |
Posted By: Joe-n-Terri
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 12:00pm
| Local dealer thought maybe they weigh them sometimes with someone still inside working or cleaning. |