R-pod Owners Forum : Towing nervousness https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Reviews and General Information : Towing nervousness Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:15:40 +0000 Mon, 20 May 2019 13:32:30 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=12849 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Towing nervousness : As I understand it, many rental... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=124038#124038 Author: furpod
Subject: 12849
Posted: 20 May 2019 at 1:32pm

As I understand it, many rental agreements include the option to have the owner tow it and even set it up for you.]]> Mon, 20 May 2019 13:32:30 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=124038#124038 Towing nervousness : Thank you so very much to each... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=124037#124037 Author: DAKIBBS
Subject: 12849
Posted: 20 May 2019 at 1:11pm

Thank you so very much to each and everyone of you that gave me your input and thoughts. I feel so much better about the entire situation. We have decided not to go forward with this rental, my vehicle just cannot handle it. Hopefully down the road a bit, we will join the R-Pod community full time when we purchase our own trailer and tow vehicle that will be able to handle it. Hope you have a great day, take care.]]> Mon, 20 May 2019 13:11:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=124037#124037 Towing nervousness : I agree with everything said by... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123920#123920 Author: crw8sr
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 8:08pm

I agree with everything said by the others.  We have a 190 and I have pulled it with a 3500 lbs vehicle after being advised by the Car dealer, the service manager, the RV dealer and the hitch dealer!  If you are nervous now you're in for an eye opening experience.  Any amount of wind, bumps, dips, curves, hills, and other vehicles and you're in for a white knuckle experience.  You can do it..........but I won't ever do it again.     ]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 20:08:49 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123920#123920 Towing nervousness : You could probably tow one of... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123914#123914 Author: TheBum
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 11:53am

You could probably tow one of the smaller Pods, but I agree with the above comments that a 190 will likely overload the tow vehicle.]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 11:53:16 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123914#123914 Towing nervousness : +1 to the above. You might get... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123901#123901 Author: GlueGuy
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 9:07am

+1 to the above. You might get away with it for a short, easy, no hills (or mountains) type of weekend, but your tow vehicle will be on the hairy edge. You should really have a tow vehicle with a 5,000 lb tow rating.

And the trailer brake controller is pretty much a mandatory thing for any trailer over 3000 lbs (which your 190 will be).
]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 09:07:53 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123901#123901 Towing nervousness : +1 to the above comments. The... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123900#123900 Author: lostagain
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 8:32am

+1 to the above comments.  The simple reality is the trailer will weigh at least 900 pounds heavier, and likely more, by the time you put batteries, gas, water, and all your stuff in it.  You will be overweight enough that you put your vehicle at risk for damage.  If the road to the camping destination is flat and you are able to drive very slowly, you would probably be able to make it to and from, but that doesn't mean that your car won't experience excessive wear and tear that will affect it over its service life.  

If you are going to all the trouble to rent the trailer, do yourself a favor and rent a tow vehicle that has the capacity to mange the weight of the trailer with all the stuff you'll need to enjoy your holiday.  It isn't all that expensive, especially for such a short trip.  
]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 08:32:30 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123900#123900 Towing nervousness : If the rental outfit is reputable... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123898#123898 Author: podwerkz
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 7:56am

If the rental outfit is reputable they wont rent that trailer to you with that small of a tow vehicle.

That vehicle will be overloaded.
]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 07:56:18 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123898#123898 Towing nervousness : That 2766 and 336 lbs are empty... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123895#123895 Author: offgrid
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 5:52am

That 2766 and 336 lbs are empty weights, none of the normal options installed, no water in the tanks or water heater, no battery, no gear or supplies. The 3500/350 lb tow vehicle rating is the equivalent, probably only assumes one person in the tow vehicle and no other gear. Even if you leave both the trailer and the tow vehicle completely unloaded you will still certainly be well over the 350 lb tongue weight, just having a battery on the tongue and a water heater full of water will do that. 

So, can you tow it for one 50 mile trip safely? Yes, probably, if its an easy 50 miles and you leave it and your tow vehicle empty and unloaded for the trip, and drive very conservatively.  Maybe bring a second vehicle with all your supplies and people in it? 

Should you do it as a regular thing with normal gear? Absolutely not. 

If the reason for installing a brake controllers is to be able to use that vehicle for towing one of the larger rPods like the 190 or another similar travel trailer in the future, then maybe hold off, and use the money to rent a heavier tow vehicle for the weekend instead? Some of the rental companies will rent you a full size pickup set up for towing. 

Or, rent a smaller trailer that is properly sized for a 3500/350 lb tow vehicle. Like on of these:

]]> Thu, 16 May 2019 05:52:55 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123895#123895 Towing nervousness : Hello all, I am extremely new... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12849&PID=123894#123894 Author: DAKIBBS
Subject: 12849
Posted: 16 May 2019 at 4:47am

Hello all, I am extremely new at this and I am getting mixed information that is actually starting to worry me a little. I am renting a 2018 190 next month for a weekend getaway, I have a 2011 Ford Escape with the factory tow package on it. I will be traveling only about 50 miles with the trailer. The door sticker on my Escape says I am able to pull 3500 lbs with a 350 hitch weight according to the owners manual. The 190 says it weighs about 2766 lbs. with 336 lbs. hitch weight, can I tow this trailer with my vehicle? I am planing on adding a brake control system before the rental. Mostly everything I have read leaves me to believe I should be able to pull it, but I am just trying to get some expert advise. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you so very much. 


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