The Highlander Brakes, Frame and suspension are built to handle 5000 lbs of towing on ALL models.  The limiting factor is the fact that the Hybrid system adds weight to the car (about 500-700 lbs) depending on trim level.  The rear suspension on the Hybrid is stiffer and upgraded to account for this.  

1305 - 300 lbs = 1005 lbs (taking into account 2 of us)

1005 - (17 gallons x 8 lbs/gallon) = 869 lbs

So subtract the hitch weight (60 lbs) and tongue weight (350 lbs) = 459 lbs

I have 459 lbs margin before adding gear to the car.  So if I have 100 lbs of gear that is 359 lbs left ... so I am good there.

Tongue weight of the R-Pod 190 is 336 lbs (so I am good there unless I add additional load).  I plan on using a weight-distributing hitch with sway control.  That will add some tongue weight but also reduce tongue weight depending on how it is adjusted.

The RPods I am looking at show a dry weight of 2900 lbs (maybe less if I do the RDome instead of the Thule awning.)

So I have 600 lbs do deal with --> (battery 50-80 lbs), 36 lbs for a full propane tank, bike rack (30 lbs with 2-30lb bikes) - lets take 200 lbs for these items which leaves about 400 lbs max. 

I am still not at the limit of my vehicle and from a handling standpoint the Highlander will pull and brake a 5000 lbs camper in the regular gas version 

Mine puts out the following (gas engine 231 HP and and 215 ft lbs torque alone).  Add in the Hybrid system (Front motors put out 167 HP and 247 ft lbs torque) and (Rear motor puts out 68 HP and 103 ft lbs torque).  Overall I will not be having HP/Torque issues on flat ground - climbing a mountain would be much different.  I am on the east coast and intend to travel within 3-4 hours from our house, so not climbing mountains with this setup.  

I will also never carry water in the camper on the highway (never have).  

The true test is how it actually performs - not too many examples of Highlanders as towing vehicles, but from a warranty standpoint I am not exceeding ANY of the capacities.  Coming from a 2005 Duramax 1 ton I am fully aware of what a truck towing vehicle gives you versus a modified minivan (Highlander).

This combination is meant for weekend trips with my wife, not month long cross-country travel like we used to do.

Vann, 

Can you send me more information on which Renogy suitcase solar panel you use along with the charge controller details too?  And only 1 solar panel?  Thanks,

Welcome to the forum! Just in case the bath thing is negotiable - and I'm not saying it should be - we're really happy with the roominess of our 179. With the slide-out in you can still access everything but one below-counter cupboard so we use that for excess items that replenish reachable stuff. We can also relax at our dinette (or in bed) while watching DVDs because of the swivel contraption that holds the tv. In any case, good luck with your decision and know you're going to love it. Everyone chooses what works best for them and that's exactly as it should be. Keep us posted! 

The hybrid battery pack sits nicely under the 3rd row seats - ordinarily there is a storage space there, so the structure is the same as the gas version.  I won't get a camper that weighs dry over 3000 lbs dry and I never tow distance with water tanks or septic tank full (too many stories of the tanks falling down due to bad bracket attachments ...) 

I agree about no bike rack for the rear - I was looking at the ones that fit on the jack at the front of the camper .... R-Pod now offers that option and E-Trailer sells the Jack-It model.

I wil look at other lighter models (my wife is insisting on a dry-bath, so the 180, 189 and 190 are the only R-Pods that have these).  Personally I don't care if the bath is wet or dry .... but I don't spend much time in there.