Tow vehicle
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=8752
Printed Date: 26 Jun 2025 at 3:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Tow vehicle
Posted By: puzzleman
Subject: Tow vehicle
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 11:44am
|
I'll try again. I don't own an Rpod, but I'm seriously considering buying one. My question is what do others use to tow it? We have a 2009 Kia Sedona minivan with a V-6 engine with 250 horsepower. Can we safely tow an Rpod with that vehicle without damaging the van? I don't want to buy another vehicle if I can avoid it. |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 12:12pm
|
We tow with a Dodge Grand Caravan with a pentastar engine, puts out 283 horsepower. We have towed through the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire and some in Pennsylvania. We have towed From Vermont to the Florida keys and multiple times back and forth to North Carolina.We have had plenty of power on hills, interstate etc. We average 13 mpg around Vermont and New Hampshire and 14.5-16 once we get down to Massachusetts and below. We usually travel with 5 gallons of water in the tank and usually drive between 60-68 mph. I am quite happy with our vans performance. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: puzzleman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 12:29pm
| Thanks, Leo! Have you done any mods like a transmission cooler or beefed up brakes and suspension? Your van has more power than ours too, so I still have doubts about towing with our Sedona. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 12:47pm
|
Our van is all stock. We also do not use a weigh distribution hitch or sway bars etc. The trailer has it's own brakes so we have been getting 45,000 out of our rear pads and 60,000 out of our first set of front pads. Prior to this Grand Caravan we had a 2005 that engine put out 181 horse, we towed our 171 with that twice to the Florida Keys and twice to North Carolina. The mileage was a little less per gallon and a little less power, but still not to bad. I would want to tow our 179 with the old van. 250 horse is still pretty powerful. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: puzzleman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 12:54pm
|
Thanks, Leo. That's good information. We might try towing the Rpod with the Sedona. I have a trailer brake controller in my Dodge Dakota that I don't use. I could put that in the Sedona and use the Rpod brakes. Still concerned about the transmission, though. I had a small camper before that I towed with the Dakota to Vermont a few years back and I had a harrowing experience when the camper started swaying and I almost lost control. Scared the you know what out of me. I think I would want a sway control and maybe a WDH. Any suggestions? |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 1:10pm
|
I am not well versed on the hitches,I am confident that one of the podders that know about the can answer any questions you might have. It could not hurt to add an after market transmission cooler, many people have. Some on the forum can describe some gauges they add so they can monitor the transmission temps etc. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: JGMM_BC
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 1:19pm
|
Hey Puzzleman...
I have a 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander which tows safely with no problems. I use a weight distribution hitch (WDH) and anti-sway bar. The thing is to make sure that your vehicle is rated to tow the trailer. Horse power does play a role, but it's the total package that matters. Ours comes with a transmission cooler which is important. If your vehicle is rated to tow 3500 lbs or more then you are safe. 5000 and up, your vehicle won't even know the trailer is there. Check out this site... https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2009_Kia_Sedona.htm - Here ------------- Jean-Guy & Jennifer 2017 RP-180 "Lilly" 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Posted By: Q7-retired
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 4:50pm
|
One time, I damaged the engine of a minivan towing a motorcycle/ trailer combo that was close to the rating of the minivan. It had no transmission or oil coolers apart from stock. I strongly recommend you do not approach the max rating of the tow vehicle; leave yourself some safety room in both pull weight and tongue weight. If the TV is rated for 3500 pounds, and the R-pod weighs 2500 and you add 250 pounds of gear and 100 pounds of liquids, you're at 81% capacity. That's a light load, by the way. For comparison, many electronics and mechanical assemblies are derated about 50% from their max capacity. I tow with an Audi Q7 TDI rated at 6600 pounds, with a WDH, and it has a full tow package. I definitely DO know the R-pod is there. I get 14-17mpg at 60mph, depending on hills. "Your mileage may vary." Just my opinion, worth what you paid for it. ------------- Best regards, Jim 2015-RP178 TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150 At home in "Our Pod" |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 7:54pm
| I tow a RP171 with a ford flex (162 hp) AWD with a wdh of the friction type. I use top synthetic oil in engine and transmission. Good brake controller and keep to the speed limit. Works for me, not a ball of fire but I and supposed to be on vacation!!!! |
Posted By: ribet
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 8:02pm
| I am a car mechanic (60) years and in heavy towing up hills I turn my AC to higher temperatures to reduce the load on the cooling system. New type lubricants and fluids are the life blood of any auto. Also I use oil filters made for extended service ( fast oil change shops use the cheapest filter and bulk oil) ENOUGH SAID |
Posted By: JHoffman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 8:12pm
|
Puzzleman, I tow with a Tundra with the 5.7L and even I know the pod is back there and I'm rated to tow 10,000 lbs. it's not so much the weight of the pod or any camper for that matter, it's the frontal area of the camper. It's like dragging a big sail behind you. Many people on this forum tow with small SUV's and mini vans without any immediate problems but I personally would'nt use anything less then a 1/2 ton truck. It puts a lot of strain on a small engine, I certainly would not use a vehicle without a transmission cooler, your just asking for trouble in the long run. I would suggest if you know someone that has a small camper, see if they would let you take it for a test tow. There have been several people that upgraded their tow vehicle after just a couple of trips. ------------- 2016 176t Rpod the "Hoffpod" 2010 Toyota Tundra 5.7L |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 10:55pm
|
And then there are the ones like me. While I would like to upgrade to a larger TV with more towing capacity, for now we must stay with our 2016 Escape. We can't afford to upgrade right now. Even though it is towing at the upper limit of its capacity, it does quite well. The only area where I have had problems, I am pretty sure most vehicles would have similar problems. That was on a Virginia Scenic Byway, VA 606/56 through Steele's Tavern and Vesuvius heading up to catch the last section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was a constant steep uphill climb with many curves. This kept our speed quite low. Without adequate airflow over the transmission cooler, the temps (OBDII sensor and Torque app) were climbing as were the engine temps. I finally remembered to turn the AC off after getting a warning to stop because the engine was overheating. I had gotten messages previously about power being reduced to keep from overheating. Once I turned the AC off, temps came down, and we completed the climb to the BRP. Once we got on it and could increase speed, coupled with the lower temperatures at that altitude, temperatures for both engine and transmission were fine. We have now towed our R-Pod about 10,000 miles or more (I'll have to total up the miles we have towed to get a more exact figure) with our Escape. When we can, I will upgrade, preferably to something with a Diesel engine. In the meantime, I'm satisfied with the Escape's performance. I would not recommend someone go out and buy one to tow any of the heavier R-Pods. If I had known we would be towing one, I would have gone for something bigger. It was purchased with something like a Casita in mind. I'm happy we got the R-Pod instead. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2016 at 4:03pm
|
Sounds like a good case for adding an additional tranny cooler. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|