http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : New member Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 04 May 2026 01:58:05 +0000 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:55:34 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=7242 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=7242&PID=69238#69238 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7242
Posted: 19 Jan 2016 at 11:55am

Congrats. Only downside to that model year is the 4-speed transmission was standard until around 2009. Virtually no difference in the final ratios in 3rd and 4th, but the newer 6-speeds (and 8-speeds) go a lot deeper in 1st and 2nd which is good for heavy loads off the line. Really a nitpick for something like the pods.]]> Tue, 19 Jan 2016 11:55:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=69238#69238 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=69218#69218 Author: Rupert
Subject: 7242
Posted: 18 Jan 2016 at 5:59pm

Thanks for help! Landed with a 2006 Suburban 1500, 3.42 rear end, 5.3L, V-8. Ready to pack the fiddle, banjo, and wifey and head West on I-10!
Fun starts in March after a short shake-down cruise! ]]> Mon, 18 Jan 2016 17:59:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=69218#69218 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68590#68590 Author: Rupert
Subject: 7242
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 9:58am

Thank you. Your input is really appreciated. I'm taking notes.
Tom
Rupert the I-Pod]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 09:58:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68590#68590 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68587#68587 Author: Guests
Subject: 7242
Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 7:52am

Originally posted by Rupert Help.... Have a RP-177 (3,500 pounds fully loaded) and I'm ready to upgrade from a V-6, 4.2L Chevy Trailblazer to an 8 cylinder. The Trailblazer does ok in flat Florida and I pulled the RP out of Tenn. but I'm nervous about the rpm's I pulled to maintain 50 to 55mph up 8% grades. I'm new to towing anything bigger than a pop-up trailer and am planning a two month trip across SW to California, up to Oregon or Washington then back through Colorado to the SW and home to North FL. Any favorite V-8 vehicles? Any other thoughts? Moderator post just appeared and is very helpful.

If you are a "Chevy person", I like my 5.3L V8. This is coupled to a 6speed transmission and 3.42 gears. It has handled anything that I have asked of it. I would avoid the smaller Chevy V8 (4.8L ?). It's numbers are much lower and what power it does develop is way up in the RPM range. ]]> Tue, 29 Dec 2015 07:52:59 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68587#68587 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68574#68574 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7242
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 9:47pm

Any of the modern 8 cylinder full-sized trucks that are designed for towing will be fine.  One key for towing is to get the longest wheel base you can.  That gives you more stability and it is less affected by sway.  In our case we preferred an SUV since we carry people a lot, and use a utility trailer to carry the messy loads.]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:47:01 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68574#68574 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68556#68556 Author: Rupert
Subject: 7242
Posted: 28 Dec 2015 at 7:38am

Help.... Have a RP-177 (3,500 pounds fully loaded) and I'm ready to upgrade from a V-6, 4.2L Chevy Trailblazer to an 8 cylinder. The Trailblazer does ok in flat Florida and I pulled the RP out of Tenn. but I'm nervous about the rpm's I pulled to maintain 50 to 55mph up 8% grades. I'm new to towing anything bigger than a pop-up trailer and am planning a two month trip across SW to California, up to Oregon or Washington then back through Colorado to the SW and home to North FL.
Any favorite V-8 vehicles?
Any other thoughts?
Moderator post just appeared and is very helpful. ]]> Mon, 28 Dec 2015 07:38:40 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68556#68556 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68100#68100 Author: Guests
Subject: 7242
Posted: 26 Nov 2015 at 4:15am

My take on the matter, speaking in generalities, is that there is no ideal vehicle. If there were, we would all own one.

Capable towing verses economical everyday driving is comparing apples to oranges. They are 2 different tools, for 2 different jobs. It is like saying I want a saw that will cut wood well but, I also want it to behave like a hammer, when I need that. A vehicle that will tow reasonably well isn't going to be particularly fuel efficient. A fuel efficient vehicle isn't going tow particularly well.

A compromise usually yields something that does not excel at either goal, in this case. A number of the old timers that tow, actually have 2 vehicles:

One (economical) for everyday driving and
Another (powerful), usually a big truck, for towing (parked most of the time).

One approach would be to keep the truck for towing and hauling (only) and purchase a Prius or Civic (for example) for daily driving - if this is feasible.

In my personal situation, the math doesn't work. I don't do enough "other" driving to warrant the 2nd vehicle. It is less expensive for me to just pay the extra at the pump while driving my bigger, less fuel efficient truck.

PS-Welcome to the forum!]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2015 04:15:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68100#68100 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68099#68099 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 9:17pm

One point on MPG: The gas mileage while towing is almost entirely determined by the trailer, not the tow vehicle. That's because the trailer is like a parachute and it takes a predetermined amount of horsepower to tow it. The smaller engines will get better mileage when NOT towing, but all engines will be in the 10-13 MPG range when towing an RPOD at 60MPH. Speed has a big effect so you will see a difference between 55 and 60MPH. Above 65MPH you'll need a tanker following you. ]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 21:17:56 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68099#68099 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68093#68093 Author: codycountry
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 6:50pm

Check out the Dodge 1500 diesel.  The guys I know that have them are getting 30 plus mpg running empty, and above 18mpg   towing.  They have the 4x4 versions.]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:50:53 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68093#68093 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68091#68091 Author: MNFrBrit
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 6:14pm

Thanks for the info. We did really like the Pilot, still don't know but might get that. It sounds like we'll need a WDH though. We haven't driven the Tacoma yet so we'll see. Thanks!
]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 18:14:30 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68091#68091 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68090#68090 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 4:16pm

Sue,

I presently tow a Camplite 21RBS with a 2013 Tacoma and I really like the Taco. The Camplite is 1000# heavier than the 172. I added a supercharger because I tow a lot in the Colorado mountains. I notice the supercharger is no longer available for the Taco and Toyota has scaled back to a 3.5L engine, the same as the Pilot. Either the Pilot or the Tacoma will do well with your 172, but they will be slow climbing mountain passes.
]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 16:16:00 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68090#68090 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68087#68087 Author: MNFrBrit
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 2:56pm

Thanks to all who responded. I meant to say the other option we're looking at for a TV is a 2016 Tacoma. We'd like a TV with better gas mileage when we aren't towing. The Tundra goes down to about 11mpg towing the 172.

Thanks again. Sue
]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 14:56:22 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68087#68087 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68075#68075 Author: Commander203
Subject: 7242
Posted: 25 Nov 2015 at 8:22am

Welcome. I tow our 179 with a 2013 Tundra double cab and love the way it tows. I do use an E2 WDH also and have read many opinions on the forum about whether it is needed. I think it all depends on what you feel safe with. To me the key word is safe, I'm paranoid about safety.

I didn't buy our Tundra specifically for towing, I had the vehicle prior to buying the trailer. Once we decided to buy a trailer, I didn't want to go buy a new truck so we matched the trailer to the already owned tow vehicle. Couldn't be happier with the current setup.

Retirement is on the horizon for April so have to be careful with buying new toys. I think you'll be fine with your decision.]]> Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:22:14 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68075#68075 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68060#68060 Author: techntrek
Subject: 7242
Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 3:42pm

Welcome. For a single big trip, if your existing vehicle is doing fine for the shorter trips, I wouldn't worry about it.]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:42:37 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68060#68060 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68059#68059 Author: CharlieM
Subject: 7242
Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 3:28pm

I used to tow a 172 with a 2010 Pilot. Worked fine. Even climbing Colorado passes it worked fine, but you won't be first to the top. Be sure you get the 4WD Pilot as they are considerabley different than the 2WD versions. I used an E2 WDH which I consider essential. I also used a ScanGauge to monitor transmission temperature, but never had a problem.

We still have and love our Pilot, but it's been retired from towing.
]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:28:34 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68059#68059 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68058#68058 Author: Leo B
Subject: 7242
Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 3:09pm

Welcome to the group!!]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2015 15:09:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68058#68058 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68054#68054 Author: MNFrBrit
Subject: 7242
Posted: 24 Nov 2015 at 10:54am

Hi - my husband and I recently bought a 2010 R-Pod 172. We've used it a couple of times so far hunting. Works great, love the large bunks and big dinette. We have 4 dogs so need the room! We're looking forward to trips out west. We live in Minnesota. Hoping we can get info on this site for trips, camping, etc.

One question we have is regarding a tow vehicle. We currently have a 2007 Tundra 4X4, double cab. We'd like to get something that has better gas mileage when not towing. We've looked at a Honda Pilot and like it but don't know if it would handle towing the 172. We do plan a trip through the Rockies, but a one time thing. Usually would be traveling just around the Midwest. The other option is a 2016 Tundra double cab.

Any suggestions, recommendations, comments? Thanks for any help.

]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:54:55 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7242&PID=68054#68054