Explorer?
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Miscellaneous / Off-topic
Forum Discription: Pull a chair up to the campfire and chat. No religious, political or weapons talk, please.
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5583
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 10:56am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Explorer?
Posted By: rpodbend
Subject: Explorer?
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 10:24am
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I have a question for friends here..... I am considering purchasing an Explorer with the bigger engine in it next spring. I am just wondering if there are other owners out there with this vehicle as their tow? I like buying US made vehicles and Ford is my favorite for a lot of years. My guess is that it will tow this 178 Rpod just fine. Any comments?  Thanks a lot......can't wait till spring to get this trailer out and camp! thanks Loren and Sally and Bear Bend Oregon ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |
Replies:
Posted By: MoPod
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 10:46am
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We currently are pulling our 176 with a 2014 Explorer Sport (4x4 & Ecoboost) that we purchased with summer with the factory Class III tow package. It pulls with much less effort than our F150 and much more smoothly. Hubby says he swears the Explorer could pull Rpod at 90 miles an hour, however even with gas at $2.50 I don't think we can afford to try. Overall gas mileage on the Explorer is not that impressive 10 - 11 mpg when towing Pod. We use a sway bar, but not WDH as we were recommended not to use with factory package which includes something similar (not I'm not a techie) ------------- Bill & Nancy 2015 RPod 179 Previously 2010 RPod 176 2014 Explorer Sport |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 3:41pm
| I just came in from running errands and I was stopped behind one at a light. You might want to look at the ground clearance for the rear axle. There are shock brackets that look like they are only 4 or 6 " off the ground which might be a problem if you go off road. |
Posted By: rpodbend
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 6:36pm
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Thank you !
Loren ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 6:50pm
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hogone always recommends the top puller and most versatile camping addition.......F150!!!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 7:04pm
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I will say this...having a pickup with or without a camper top does have it's advantages when it comes to additional storage and/or cargo options.
I guess if I were concerned about additional space and comfort for people, I would be more inclined to get a big ole SUV. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 7:15pm
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definately a camper shell; no matter how trashed it gets (depending on conditions) you can just hose it out. i am considering a box van as my next tv for asher(my retriever) so he can stay warm and cool with us while traveling. i think it would make a great tv (e350!!!!), but still researching pros/cons. go ford!!!!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 7:34pm
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SUV? Pickup? Van? Best of all possible worlds (IMHO): 4-door pickup with a tonneau cover. Space for people and/or critters inside. Cargo outside. And it's a truck so no worries about getting it dirty when you go camping. Plus, being a truck, it's just so much cooler than an SUV or (gulp) van. I'm just kiddin' around. Don't everybody get excited!  ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2014 at 7:46pm
Hey, SUVs are trucks!  My 'burban is the same drivetrain as the Silverado. I can just carry 8 people at one time... or a stack of 4 X 8 plywood. And hook a utility trailer to it and carry 2 tons of mulch.  Just keep the hose away from the interior. ------------- 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: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 6:21am
hey luv2q, don't be gulping at my van idea!!! always dreaming!! just thinking it would be very versatile. a couple weeks ago i inquired if there was anyone pulling with a box van; very little response. actually i see little if anyone towing with a box van so either just not popular or not a good choice. only thing i can suggest for you is trade that tundra in for a f150, then you would be really cool like me! hogone (yes, i'm just joking and having fun)------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 7:02am
LOL! Don't let him harsh your buzz...although they may not be in vogue, from what I have read on towing capabilities and safety and performance, box van's are actually an excellent TV. Remember, this is TEXAS, everybody has a VAN.  What? Oh man, that just doesn't sound right. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 7:21am
and he's probably a cowboys fan too............oh my what have i started now!!!! go pack hogone------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 9:01am
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Actually I did consider a box van when I was looking at my options 2 years ago. Obviously having the enclosed space was important to me, including a large passenger capacity which knocked pickups with covered beds out of the running. I think ulimately my problem was there were too few vans on the used market with 4-wheel drive. I wanted someone else to take the big depreciation hit, and we had put off buying a 4-wheel drive vehicle too long. I wasn't going to special order a new van, ouch! So that left used full-sized SUVs.
------------- 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: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 9:09am
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to me that's the biggest downer about vans; no 4 wheel drive (at least i don't think unless you get it modified like someone had posted pics of somewhere up north, which were really cool looking by the way); i see ford is replacing the classic e series with a new box version. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 9:46am
Haven't been a Cowboys fan since that Arkansas hillbilly bought the team & fired Tom Landry. And have always been a Packers fan! Even made a pilgrimage to Lambeau Field a year or so ago. My hero as a kid was The Golden Boy, Paul Hornung. And Fords? They're probably the fave truck down here. I just bought the Tundra to be an outlaw.  ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 11:17am
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the pack is looking good, just hope the "d" keeps it up. lambeau is a great place!!!! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 12:12pm
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Truck, van, or a suv, good discussion, let me throw in my $.02 worth. Four wheel trucks are a little higher than two wheel drive, admittedly a fraction of an inch in most cases. Add a cap, and they just won't fit in some garages with a garage door opener. The four wheel drive vans, that I've seen, are much higher than their two wheel drive counterparts. (admittedly they were all after market conversions) Box vans are even higher, that makes storage a real problem, especially where there is severe weather. (Think Buffalo!) All that said, a suv would make a good compromise, truck drivetrains with automobile comforts, factory enclosed storage. I'm not defending my personal choice, I made my decision based on many factors. P.S. Never cared much for the Pack or the Cowboys, even though they are (or were in the case of the Landry era) class acts. I live in "Steeler Country", so you know where my heart is! ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 1:12pm
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all a friendly discussion with all good opinions; well with the exception of being a steelers fan that is!!!! kidding, great franchise. very true on the height of p/u's, mine doesn't fit in garage, but then neither does the pod! hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 25 Nov 2014 at 4:02pm
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I owned a SUV for about 25 years and the large enclosed space is very nice to have. My neighbor talked me into getting a pick up truck so I did and very happy with it. It is the first pick up truck I ever owned. It has been great for large tall cargo and loading up trash if you are going to a dump. I often wish though I bought a 4 door instead of a two door. Both have advantages but when traveling a four door would be nice to have. I would recommend a rear wheel drive instead of a only front wheel drive vehicle if looking for a SUV, four wheel drive would be nice if you live where there is snow. In South Florida no snow thankfully! ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 10:13am
Chevy did when I was looking... just checked again and they still offer all-wheel-drive as an option. No thanks, I'll take true 4x4 with locking diff. ------------- 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: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 10:13am
ditto! Go Ravens!  ------------- 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: hogone
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 1:10pm
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luv2q: been meaning to tell you i have a sports illustrated (august 1966) right here in my office with hornung and taylor on the cover; also have an october 66 with starr and a january 67 with mcgee; very cool. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: rpodbend
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 1:46pm
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Ok. Do ya think Hornimg or Taylor would pull an r pod with an Explorer? ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 2:19pm
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nope, they both had f100's and they loved there pods hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 2:32pm
Ha, great way to pull it back on topic.  ------------- 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: Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2014 at 11:46pm
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Hornung and Taylor didn't use TVs ------------- Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
Posted By: Luv2Q
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 1:42am
Here's a link that might help:
So, the 4 cylinder.. no. The v-6s .. yes. ------------- John & Teri Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180 E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3 |
Posted By: rpodbend
Date Posted: 27 Nov 2014 at 11:06am
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Thank you ------------- Loren and Sally and Bear Rpod 178 2015 Bend Oregon |