R-pod Owners Forum : Shopping for a new TV http://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Introduce Yourself : Shopping for a new TV Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 03 May 2026 20:14:52 +0000 Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:46:35 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=9078 R-pod Owners Forum http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png http://www.rpod-owners.com/ Shopping for a new TV : I can give you personal experiences... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85358#85358 Author: Pod People
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 10:46pm

I can give you personal experiences with 3 different tow vehicles.

We started off towing our R Pod 173 with a Chevy Astro Van.  It would definitely tow it-but it was marginal.  It was a strain on the engine, the transmission, the cooling system and the brakes. I felt that if we kept it, we would surely kill our van. So, we sold it and bought a Ford Expedition EL (extended).  It has the factory installed tow package and  has all of the qualities to tow safely and comfortably.  Plus, it carries a lot of gear in an enclosed, conditioned space.  We love it and would recommend it. If you look for one, pay attention to the factory installed  tow package and rear axle ratio.

Also, due to an unexpected medical problem, I had to drive my friend's Honda Pilot and tow his MPG(which is very similar to the Pod) from New York to Atlanta.  I don't know the specs of the Pilot except that it was a 2015 Touring model.  It was better than the van, but still struggled a little on the hills and seemed under powered and did not have adequate brakes.  I can't comment on the transmission wear or cooling system performance.

all 3 vehicles got between 10-12 mpg.  No tow vehicle will give you any gas mileage even close to normal driving ranges.

The tow vehicle makes a huge difference in the overall towing experience. There is a lot of frontal resistance to the Pods.  they are not as aerodynamic as they look.  You need power, strong transmission, adequate cooling system and adequate brakes. Most people need to acceapt a compromise on the new vehicle for a lot of reasons-cost, size, daily driver needs, payload, etc.  Choose what works for you after careful research.  There is everything available from turbo charged 4 cylinders to v-10s.  Expensive mistakes can last several years. 

Vann
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:46:35 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85358#85358 Shopping for a new TV : What Furpod said.If you KNOW that... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85350#85350 Author: shroomer
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 9:00pm

What Furpod said.

If you KNOW that you'll always be happy towing a single axle r-pod, then go midsize. If there's a chance that you're going to want to go bigger, then plan ahead with the tow vehicle. After looking around at slightly larger campers, I found that you move to tandem axles and weights in the 5,000 - 7,000 pound range. This is at the top or beyond the midsize towing vehicles.

It's a tough call. Bigger is better for towing, but you have to live with the vehicle the rest of the year as well. Good luck.
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 21:00:46 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85350#85350 Shopping for a new TV : We have a Honda Pilot which tows... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85327#85327 Author: kansasfrogs
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 6:07pm

We have a Honda Pilot which tows a 182G, we get around fine on relatively flat ground, but haven't taken it to the mountains because it doesn't feel like it would have enough pulling power.  It's rated for 4500# but don't want to max it out.  Our Pod weighs around 3100 carefully loaded!]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:07:54 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85327#85327 Shopping for a new TV : Of those, I would choose the... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85325#85325 Author: furpod
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 6:05pm

Of those, I would choose the Expedition.. ;)

But not just for the obvious reason of having had and towed with 3 of them.. It's also pretty future proof. There is at least some chance that, in the future, you may decide on more camper.. easier to take the camper hit $$$ wise, if you don't also have to buck up for a new truck too...

(he says as he is taking a break from prepping the big eX for just such a thing Wink )
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:05:47 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85325#85325 Shopping for a new TV : Well said David!! http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85321#85321 Author: Leo B
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 3:20pm

Well said David!!]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 15:20:08 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85321#85321 Shopping for a new TV : Something else to consider is... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85320#85320 Author: TheBum
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 3:14pm

Something else to consider is how many gears the transmission has. More is generally better because the transmission may not have to downshift as far when going up grades, thereby saving some fuel.]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 15:14:43 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85320#85320 Shopping for a new TV : We have a 179 and have towed it... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85311#85311 Author: Capt Kidd
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 12:55pm

We have a 179 and have towed it behind my sisters Honda Pilot and it worked OK except the mileage went from 24 mpg not towing to less than 11 towing.

We also have a Dodge 3500 turbo diesel that we use to tow our Montana 5th wheel (15,000 lbs). When I tow the 179 behind it I still get the same mileage as when I am not towing.

Bigger is better.
]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:55:39 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85311#85311 Shopping for a new TV : We towed our 179 several times... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85310#85310 Author: IL-Podders
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 12:12pm

We towed our 179 several times with our 2002 GMC Envoy.  It did OK.  We recently replaced the Envoy with a 2016 Tahoe with the towing package.   We have towed twice with the new vehicle.  It did very well.  In fact, the V8 got better mpg than the 6 in the Envoy did.  11-12 in the Envoy and 14-15 with the Tahoe.  I agree with David.  I prefer having more towing capacity than less.]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:12:18 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85310#85310 Shopping for a new TV : Pulling most any travel trailer... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85305#85305 Author: Guests
Subject: 9078
Posted: 28 Nov 2016 at 6:13am


Pulling most any travel trailer is a big job for the vehicle. Let's say, for example, you are considering another/different big job:

You want to install a swimming pool in your back yard and need to dig a big hole to do so. You can dig the hole with:
1. A spoon from your kitchen drawer
2. A hand shovel from your garden shed
3. A backhoe

The job CAN be done with any of the three. Myself...I'm using the backhoe. I'll be sipping beverage, while floating on my rubber duck - while those using methods #1 & #2 are still digging.

Full size, V8, tow capacity of at least twice the actual anticipated load..........you'll do fine.]]> Mon, 28 Nov 2016 06:13:21 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85305#85305 Shopping for a new TV : Hi!We are looking for a new towing... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85303#85303 Author: 2P$InAPod
Subject: 9078
Posted: 27 Nov 2016 at 11:27pm

Hi!
We are looking for a new towing vehicle for our R179. We want to replace our 2002 Honda Odyssey.
We would like to purchase a TV that can potentially tow a heavier TT if we replace our R179 with a larger TT.

The TVs on our list are:
Chevy Traverse
Honda Pilot
Chevy Tahoe
Ford Expedition
Nissan Pathfinder
Dodge Durango

We are looking for advice on which direction to go...a full SUV or a midsize.

We are thinking thar a full SUV maybe a overkill also, it's difficult getting in and out of the vehicle. We are not big people.
]]> Sun, 27 Nov 2016 23:27:15 +0000 http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9078&PID=85303#85303