http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : wanna be podder Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 03 May 2026 13:07:46 +0000 Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:29:51 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=5840 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56847#56847 Author: brewstercrew
Subject: 5840
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 8:29am

Thank you all for the input. I'm not in a big rush to purchase. Next month there is a camper show near us. We may go over and check out a new one. The savings between old and new is only about $2000 dollars.
 I love my pilot its a good fit for a family car because we need the third row. I would like to make it work. I have to admit The design of the rpod caught my eye because it looked aerodynamic and my two daughters loved the bunks!


Thank you again
Tom
]]> Wed, 18 Feb 2015 08:29:51 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56847#56847 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56838#56838 Author: techntrek
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 10:15pm

Welcome.  I agree that you'll be fine.  As for wind resistance, it is king as Mountainrev said.  We pulled our popup with a Sienna and it got 23 mpg for daily driving.  When pulling the popup, which weighed close to 3500 pounds loaded, it got 16.  Pulling the pod, which was below 3000 loaded, it got 12.  Less weight on the pod, but lower mpg.]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:15:42 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56838#56838 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56824#56824 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 6:19pm

Having towed a 172 with a 2010 4WD Pilot I can speak from some experience.
As far as safety and vehicle life you will be OK. Fortunately you have the 4WD Pilot with the 4500# rating which includes the transmission oil cooler. You will have some problems going up the mountain passes, but that just means you go slower. I would suggest you outfit the Pilot with a ScanGauge or equivalent to monitor transmission temperature. I pulled my 172 over the highest Colorado passes with only minor strain. You just won't be the first to the top. Go ahead with the 176T, but plan for a beefier TV in the future.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:19:20 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56824#56824 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56823#56823 Author: Leo B
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 6:05pm

Well said, I agree.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:05:52 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56823#56823 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56822#56822 Author: Mountainrev
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 6:03pm

By the way, the biggest difference you'll notice pulling a travel trailer like an R-pod and your former popup is the wind resistance, not the weight difference.  MUCH, MUCH more surface area behind you. ]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:03:25 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56822#56822 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56821#56821 Author: Mountainrev
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 5:57pm

It's always a hot-button topic when someone asks if their tow vehicle will be able to handle an R-pod.  On the one extreme will be those who say, "You could pull a Pod with a four cylinder rated at 3,000 lbs."  On the other extreme are those who say, "Don't pull with anything less than 6,000 lb. tow capability."  (I'm assuming, by the way, that your Pilot has the towing package.)

You certainly would be within the limits of your Pilot's 4,500 lb. tow capacity with an R-pod.  But I believe you'll be pushing its limits when it's loaded with everything (battery/propane/food/utensils/etc.), plus your family and all your gear in the vehicle.  You definitely will struggle in the mountains.

So, can you?  I believe you can.  Will you wish you had a different vehicle, one with greater towing capacity?  Probably.  Will you ruin your car?  I doubt it.  Will your family be in danger?  Again, I doubt it.  But you will likely be a bit frustrated by the lack of power.  You definitely will need to be patient with driving at speeds lower than you're used to.

That's my $.02/worth.  Worth every penny, I'm sure.
]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:57:05 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56821#56821 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56820#56820 Author: brewstercrew
Subject: 5840
Posted: 17 Feb 2015 at 4:56pm

 Hello Everyone.


I'm a wannabe podder.   I have a 2012 honda Pilot with a 4500 pound towing capacity. We have a Forest River popup camper that the Pilot has towed with out issue (2700 pounds loaded). We are planing a big New York to the Grand Teaton trip.  (aprox 5500 miles). We found a used R-pod 176T that we love.  My big concern is can the Pilot tow this camper  through the mountains with out ruining the car or putting us in danger.
 We have had the pilot less than a year and aren't in a position to trade it in.

The salesman says no problem but I'm going to be putting my family in this combination.   What do you think. Should I wait until a new tow vehicle  is possible?
]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:56:23 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5840&PID=56820#56820