New Member
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=6810
Printed Date: 21 May 2025 at 9:29am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Member
Posted By: Twoblung
Subject: New Member
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 1:56pm
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Just a quick stop in to say Hello. I am in the process of retiring and getting everything organized. Plan on buying a vehicle and R-Pond 178 around the first of the year then hitting the road as soon as it warms up to the north of us. (We live outside Tampa Florida) While I know exactly what I want in a RV - still not sure of the pull vehicle. Have been thinking about the new 2015 Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma to try and hold down costs and mpg but after reading some of the posts here starting to think maybe I better go with a full size vehicle. Would appreciate any input. BOB & Betty
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Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 2:34pm
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Welcome to the group! The 18 is a great floor plan! The tow vehicle boils down to what you are comfortable with. We tow with our Grand Caravan and have towed up and down the East Coast with no problems. A full size truck would be a great tow vehicle!. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: CoastalCal
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 4:10pm
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Welcome! We love our 2015 178! ------------- 2015 178 R-Pod Ford F-250 4x4 Diesel 2014 Indian Vintage 2010 HD Ultra Classic |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 5:49pm
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We have an 07 Colorado with the 5 cyl 3.7 Liter. (240 hp, about the same # for torque) It works fine around here (NW Wis, Northern MN with some big hlls) but I would want more to cross the Rocky Mts. We made it out to the Black Hills South Dakota and back last fall.  For what it's worth, the new 2015 Colorado's have the 1500 frame under them. ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2015 at 10:19pm
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Welcome. We used a Sienna for years but I knew from trips to Maine and Florida we needed more torque for trips we planned to do over the Rockies. 3 years with it and I'm mostly happy with our Suburban. ------------- 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: Robopod
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2015 at 11:32am
| New member as well. Just purchased a 2015 178 myself and took our maiden voyage with the kids up to Yosemite. Love it. Nice thing about R-Pods is that most midsize SUVs will do the job. One thing to keep in mind is what you use your vehicle for when your not towing. However, having plenty of extra payload in the back is a nice benefit when you're out on the road. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2015 at 2:08pm
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 178!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: kindell
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2015 at 7:46pm
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Welcome Twoblung. We love our 2015 179. We drive and pull with a 2015 Nissan Frontier. No BIG hills yet but so far a nice ride. Kindell, Art and Cooper the super dog ------------- Art & Kindell Cooper the Super Dog 2017 Keystone Bullet 265 2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton Former 2015 RPod 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2015 at 8:49pm
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Welcome. ------------- 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: Twoblung
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 9:15am
| Thanks for the input gang---- have decided on the 179-----but still unsure of the tow vehicle---this will be our only vehicle so it has tobe multi purpose. Think for what I want the 305 hp v6 in the Colorado with tow package may be the answer but a Silverado is still on the table if I can find one at a price I can afford. |
Posted By: Robopod
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 10:31am
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305 V6 will do the job. Having a back up cam is a big help when hitching up too. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 11:14am
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305 HP is at 6800 RPM. Screeeaaam'n! Consider the Tacoma with the 4.0L V6. It'll work fine.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 7:40pm
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Ouch, I think the 5.3 V8 in mine won't even go over 6000. That is screamin'! ------------- 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: Twoblung
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 7:55pm
| I am a hands on type of guy when it comes to wood working and electrical but have never been a motor person so I have to ask are those high Rpms a good thing or a bad thing😆 |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2015 at 11:08pm
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I have briefly looked for a used Colorado with a V8 a couple times. I know they made them but I don't find them...................... ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: filmalaska
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 12:53am
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Welcome ------------- Morgan |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 6:43am
High engine speeds equals high engine noise and high engine wear. If you were in the truck at that engine speed you'd be very uncomfortable and so would your engine. This is really an example of Marketing overruling Engineering. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 10:40am
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I've read arguments that with modern engine design high RPMs really don't affect the longevity. You don't hold them for long, and computer-designed tolerances and balance keep abnormal wear to a minimum.
However, I'll agree that you won't want to hear or feel that for very long! Most people don't do it, but when you are shopping for a TV you really should look at the torque and horsepower curves and not just the maximum ratings. More torque at a lower RPM and a max torque at a lower RPM will get you off the line easier and let you pass that slow semi on the big hill. Trucks built for towing all have this (F-150, Silverado, Tundra, and related SUVs), vehicles like minivans need to rev higher to hit their peak and that peak is much lower (although V6 engines have caught up in recent years). The day they can put an all-electric drivetrain into the trucks mentioned above, will be a great day for those that tow. Electric motors get full torque from a dead stop and maintain it across most of their RPM range, so you can actually get away with a lower peak but get similar performance since you get more where you need it. This is why locomotives have diesel-electric drivetrains - electric motors actually drive the wheels so they can get all of that weight moving (with the side benefit that the motors become brakes on the downhills). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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