tow vehiicle Choice
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Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 10:53pm
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Topic: tow vehiicle Choice
Posted By: wcbnpb
Subject: tow vehiicle Choice
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 7:26am
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So, we have now purchased a 2016 179. Our subaru Forester won't do. We are in search of input for SUV types (not truck types) that folks have used successfully in towing this rig. We are former class A motorhome folks, so towing is a new adventure. Been looking at Highlanders V-6's and Pilots as well. Other suggestions or 'go ahead with these' comments are welcomed. Many thanks, Billy ------------- Billy |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 8:03am
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Welcome, congrats
on your 179!! A lot of it is personal preference, we tow with our Dodge Grand Caravan, we have towed up and down the east coast numerous time. We like the power (283 horsepower) and the storage we have with the minivan to carry out equipment/stuff.
I have seen numerous other here using the pilots etc, and they are happy with it performance. Good Luck! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: jalong
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 8:14am
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Very happy with a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 with the base V6 engine and towing package. A new Laredo model is in the low $30s. ------------- John & Sue 2016 179 - built in April 2015 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L 13-16mpg with 179 - 21-28mpg without |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 11:22am
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We towed our 179 with a Honda on the flat and up hills. Worked fine except the gas mileage went say down. Down to around 10.5 mpg on the flat level at 55 mph. If you don't mind putting up with the mileage it works great. When we tow, most of the time now, with our 1 ton Dodge 3500 Mega Cab diesel we get the same mpg as not towing. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 12:05pm
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We towed with 2 different Ford Expeditions, loved the ride and ability.
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Posted By: 182GOR
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2017 at 3:30pm
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Anybody using a Toyota 4-Runner V6, Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited(6cyl) or a Ford F-150 2.7L/3.5L V6 to tow a 182G?
I am looking to buying one of these and would welcome any feedback. Thanks, Shawn ------------- Thanks!! 182G-Oregon |
Posted By: goof2014
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2018 at 11:33am
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We just bought a 2016 4 runner, 6cyl, 4wd, automatic and a 2016- M179. Towed about 200 miles to and from the Oregon coast for the first trip. I felt the 4-runner seemed a bit weak, it handled the job....it made her work up the coastal range hills of Oregon. I feel the gearing is not exactly matched/ sufficient for towing. Fuel mileage was about 13 mpg. Will be adding a trans cooler for sure, soon!. Now saying all that, Our previous rig was a Dodge 3500 Cummins diesel, automatic, dually pulling a 37' fifth wheel. That Cummins has spoiled me for ever more and it's fuel mileage was incredible, it may have done even better than the runner with the r-pod. I'll need a few more trips with the 4-runner to evaluate more. I'm pretty sure right now that we will not be venturing into 10k plus hills/mtns and passes with this combination, staying away from the Rockies with it. Eventually the runner will be passed on to my wife for the daily driver/ commuter and I will get another cummins diesel for our ultimate TV, and then later in life another 5th wheeler so we can travel the country full time. ------------- Live in Full Color ! Tom & Mary |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2018 at 11:54am
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Our 2012 V6 FWD Highlander handles up to 9% grades pretty well. It does bog down a little, but not so much as to be a safety hazard. My wife has commented that the HL pulling our 179 feels very similar to her 2008 I4 Mazda Tribute in acceleration.
I'm horribly sensitive to diesel fumes (they give me an instant headache), so I don't think I could drive a diesel. I often have to change my vents to recirculating when I'm in the vicinity of a diesel vehicle. ------------- Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 23 Feb 2018 at 4:00pm
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Just get something with a high enough towing capacity that you have a decent margin of error. Remember that the Pod and the stuff you put in the back of your car will end up weighing a lot more than you anticipate, so give your self at least about 4,400 pounds. For gas engines V-8's probably will be more satisfactory than a 6, but it depends on the torque output of the engine and how slow you will tolerate going up hills and in a headwind. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2018 at 6:31am
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I have towed with a Honda Pilot and a Ford Expedition. The Honda will do the job, but is marginal for longer trips in my opinion. The engine, transmission and brakes are not quite what I wanted to be towing on our cross country trips. We bouqht the Expediton and I love it. We have put over 30,000miles on it so far. We have had zero problems.It has plenty of power, came with the factory tow package which includes 3.73rear axles, extra transmission cooler, larger altenator, oversize radiator and full hitch and wiring and probably more that I don’t remember. It is comfortable, drives well, has plenty of weight capacity, plenty of storage and the milage is acceptable for it’s size and weight. I would buy another Expediton immediately if mine was damaged or stolen. However, in all fairness, I have to say that we tow for long distance, multi-week trips. So the expedition is great. If I were towing for short, weekend trips, the Honda would be sufficient, but barely so. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2018 at 6:33am
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I should have added that we have sold the 173in our picture. We currently have a 179,but haven’t changed the picture. I think the op asked about towing a 179, Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2018 at 6:37am
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Here's a payload Capacity spreadsheet that will work in Excel (windows) or Numbers (Mac). Works pretty well and hits all the right questions. It's on you to gather your info and enter it. Also, pretty good YouTube channel to follow if your so inclined. http://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/ - http://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/ ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2018 at 8:37am
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I just purchased a 2016 Dodge Durango Limited with the V6 and think it will work great. Have not towed with it yet but have several trips planned in the near future and will report on how the Dodge handles things. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2018 at 11:51am
Out of curiosity only. Try running the spreadsheet and see where it lands. I would love to hear how others rate it. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: Rodncerita
Date Posted: 27 Mar 2018 at 8:19pm
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We bought a 179 last year and tow it with a 2016 Ford Explorer V6. Last September we pulled it from Illinois to Custer State Park in western South Dakota. Pulled fine and was a comfortable ride. We did use the tow/haul feature on the Explorer while in the hills. The Explorer is rated for towing 5000 lbs with factory Reese style hitch. We did not use a distribution hitch but did add an adapter that allowed the use of a sway bar. As with any vehicle, the gas mileage suffered while towing trailer but was not worse than expected - around 10 mpg in hilly areas. ------------- Rodncerita 2017 R-Pod 179 2016 Ford Explorer |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2018 at 11:10am
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Made a short trip with the new Dodge Durango two days ago towing my 179. 60 mph flat level ground no winds got 15 mpg. I am pleased. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: TheFornstars
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2018 at 9:07am
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I have only towed my from the dealer to the house. About 40 miles with very slight inclines here and there. My TV is 2004 Chevy Tahoe. I got 12.8 mpg on the tow home. I was quite happy with this number. Towed it just fine, but I knew it would. Have towed a trailer twice as heavy as the R-Pod 179 with no issues. I did not have the WDH bars installed or the anti sway. Pulled just fine with out them, but will be added because I have them and better safe than sorry. Trailer was a tad bouncy on certain parts of the road, but to be expected with a single axle trailer. WD bars should alleviate that a little. IMO, if you are in the market for a TV, I would go with something with a tow capacity a lot higher than the pod. Just makes life easier.
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Posted By: PilotPodder
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 5:37am
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I've towed with both a Honda Pilot and a Toyota Tundra. IMO the Honda while a great SUV was not ideal as a tow vehicle. Unless the pod was empty, the tran would gear up much more frequently than I liked. Highway rated mpg is 24 on the Pilot and I usually got 10-11 mpg at 60 mph. With the Tundra, as expected, you don't really feel like you are towing anything. Highway rated mpg for the Tundra is a stellar 17 and I just averaged about 12 to and from FL with many hills in KY & TN at about 60 mph. I know that sounds abysmal, but I was pleased. ------------- Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — https://johnmarucci.com/r-pod-video-list/ - My RPod YouTube Videos |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 8:37am
 I agree. That's actually good towing fuel economy from the Tundra and even the Pilot seems about right. No one should expect much above 10 mpg when there are hills involved. Anything above 10 mpg is just a gift.The fast simple rule when towing with a gas non-turbo engine is to take the normal (not towing) highway fuel economy of the vehicle and divided it by TWO when towing an R-Pod. The answer will be very close to reality. And if people try for 65+ MPH, even on flat terrain, all bets are off, and fuel economy WILL plummet and be abysmal!! I did all the experiments, and 55-60 seems to be the sweet spot, every 5 mph above that and start subtracting one mpg per each increase.
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 9:24am
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+1 to toolmanJohn. Our 94 F-150 with 316,000 miles we average 10-11 mpg. With both our '08 and '13 Explorers the average is right around 12 mpg. Lower in the Rockies but better on the flats in the midwest. Most importantly, I agree, the 60 mph range is our sweet spot. Have to get used to getting passed all the time on the expressway, but, I am on vacation, I will take my time. Better to get there a bit later than not get there at all.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 10:46am
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So when I am towing the RPod with my 3500 Dodge 1 ton turbo diesel I get 13 to 14 mpg at 60. Same mileage I get when not towing. Granted I am towing with way overkill and 4:10 gears. I don't even know the Pod is back there. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 10:54am
You are on the end of the scale where you have superb towing overkill. If you hook up a Pod to a diesel tractor the fuel economy will also be the same. it really is all about torque. I'm guessing your truck has north of 450 pound-ft, at least? You truck is underwhelmed by a 2500-3000 pound R-Pod.
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 11:50am
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In California, the state-wide speed limit for vehicles pulling trailers is 55. Because of the delta between the generic speed limit and the otherwise speed limit of 65, 70, or 75, I will usually bump it up to 57 or 58, but I'm not going to push my luck. It's interesting to the MPG ranges people get. I suspect that most of it is due to the speeds that people drive. Our F-150 will get as good as 21-22 MPG on the freeway and not towing. When we're pulling the pod, we get between 12 and 15 MPG. 15 is we're on the freeway and it's relatively flat. 12 if there are hills and/or stop and go. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 12:49pm
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Our Dakota usually gets between 10 and 14 mpg while towing, depending on how mountainous it is and the force of the tail/headwind. From the from home to Sacramento, via Echo summit, we get about 12 mpg, we have about a 3000 foot climb over the summit, then it's mostly down hill from there to near sea level. I just got D range tires (65 instead of 50 lbs inflation) and in the one short trip I took, it felt like there was noticeable reduction in rolling resistance. But it could be wishful thinking or the placebo effect. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 4:19pm
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I go from 22 no trailer to around 11, depending upon terrain, our speed limit is 70 for vehicles with trailers, I set the cruise on 60 or just above. My D rated tires have a positive effect but not with gas mileage. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2018 at 10:01pm
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Mike, you mean I'm engaging in wishful thinking again? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 10:07am
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I think gas mileage is illusive to nail down to a significant constant number. I know it is worse with trailer on back, and I know an average. Then the variables weigh in, traffic, speed, terrain, climate, AC on, octane rating, cargo and the beat goes on. I know the tow ability of my Pod seems better with D rated tires. One example is - with C rates I would go over speed bumps in campgrounds and as I watched the Pod tires, I would swear they were low on pressure, they seemed to flatten. Not so at least not as noticeable with D rates. IMHO ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2018 at 10:33am
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Stiffer sidewalls on tires are superior on trailers. Less sway better handling. I also add 5 psi to my rear SUV tires for towing. BUT never exceed the max cold air pressure of any tire.
------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: Ninjamini
Date Posted: 12 Apr 2018 at 9:44am
| I have a 2017 Highlander V6. Does anyone use a Highlander? Does it have enough for a 189 in the mountains? |
Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2018 at 7:04am
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Well we bought our tow vehicle last night. 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado with some 80,000 miles on it. Like new, lots of room in the back, comfortable up front. What really tipped the deal for me was when I was looking at the hitch. Saw 2 factory wiring connection covers. Open one and find 7 pin connector, other is 4. I go "Someone was planning ahead". Spent a couple thousand more than I really wanted but really happy with our choice. And I think we are going to invest in a 4 year/48,000 extended service protection plan. Just so if stuff goes wrong on the road we can just say fix it and send them the bill. Peace of mind is worth a few dollars sometimes. |
Posted By: Richand Cindy
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2018 at 8:06am
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See if you can still buy a Mopar extended warranty. There are a few dealers on the internet that sell them at a discount so you do not have to pay full retail at a local Jeep/Chrysler dealer. They are much better than third party service contracts. You go in for service with a Mopar plan and its in the computer and covered. Go in with a third party and you or the dealer have to call the company to get authorization first and many companies find any excuse not to pay. Or they stall giving you an answer so you get impatient and make the repairs and then try to get reimbursed. Good luck doing that. Be careful out there..
------------- OLD 2017.5 RPOD 180 + 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk NEW: 2018 Passport Elite 23RB + 2017 Ram 1500 Diesel |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2018 at 9:00am
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Hey Richard, I looked up that Mopar warranty to see if I could get it for my 2004 Dakota with 143K miles and, what the heck!, they won't offer me one. It just isn't fair! 🤨 But I got around to calculating the mileage on our last trip. It wasn't too bad for a trip that required 2 3,000 foot climbs over two 7,500+ ft. mountain passes, with lots of intermediate climbs and descents. We got 12 mpg overall and made it back and forth on a single tank of gas. I think the "D" range tires likely added a couple tenths or so, but I could be wrong. We'll see when we drive down US 95 (not I-95) to AZ next month. [I suspect wind resistance is a much bigger factor in mileage than tire pressure.] ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2018 at 9:47am
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+1 on the wind and mpg!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Capt Kidd
Date Posted: 13 Apr 2018 at 10:33am
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Congrats, hope you like it as much as I do the 2016 Dodge Durango I bought a month or so ago. I will be looking to see how much mileage you get with your new rig. I have only had a short drive towing with the Durango but got 15 mpg at 60. I am leaving on a longer trip this Sunday and will report on my findings. I do not have a WD hitch or sway bars, don't thing they are necessary but will see after this trip. ------------- The Pirate's Pod |