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WVCamper
Newbie
Joined: 16 Feb 2021
Location: WV
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5
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Topic: R Pod 195 Tow Vehicle Suggestions Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 5:36pm |
Thank you! This is really helpful. I am using a friends truck to bring it home so I can have some time to car shop. I have looked into the Armadas a bit and that might be the way to go. Any other tips are welcome!
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offgrid
Senior Member
Joined: 23 Jul 2018
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Posts: 5290
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 5:32pm |
+1 to mcarter. Look for something bigger than what you’re thinking. 5000 lb tow rating is insufficient for a 195. I have a 5000 lb tow rated Highlander and a 179 and that’s the most I’d tow with it.
I live right down the road in SWVA and our “hills” can be pretty steep and big. Our Western forum members will probably disagree but having experienced both I’ll put crossing the 10 plus Appalachian ridges up against the Sierras any day, Plus, there are so many great places to boon dock/dry camp in our area. You will I think really want to be able to carry water, dual batteries, maybe a generator, and not have to worry about every pound. You will want a solid tow vehicle for all that weight. Sounds like you like SUVs so you might want to look at Durangos/Tahoes/Sequoias/Armadas, all of which properly equipped and should be able to handle the 195 and your gear.
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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4518
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 5:23pm |
+1 With Tars and Mike a lot to be said for piece of mind.
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2025 Ford Transit Camper van
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp
Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 4:15pm |
Always a forum discussion topic. I was just commenting to another member on a different forum - same subject. For a 195 - I would look for a tow vehicle in the 7000 lb range. The camper will get heavier fast with camping stuff, batteries and propane, etc. The camper is going to weigh around 5K with a tongue weight of 400 plus. That's a mild guess. I buy tow vehicles for worst case scenario, the tow. I could buy a smart car to drive around.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1455
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 4:01pm |
It would probably work but apparently you can't use a weight distributing hitch with an Atlas, so that's a minus. The dry weight of 3500 lbs doesn't include propane, battery, it may not include the air conditioner and probably a few other things that might surprise you. Certainly it doesn't include fresh or waste water, your food, clothes, gear, etc. If you haven't bought the Atlas yet, it would be really good to look around for something with a higher towing capacity. To an extent, the more room you have between the weight of your trailer and the towing capacity of your vehicle, the greater the margin of safety and peace of mind while driving. Both are worth a lot.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Pod_Geek
Senior Member
Joined: 04 Dec 2019
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 261
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 3:33pm |
Too bad this site is down for maintenance:
https://www.vwatlasforum.com/threads/towing-a-trailer.2050/
I have a 195. No way I would tow it with much less than my RAM. I want that safety margin.
Others will surely chime in soon...
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2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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WVCamper
Newbie
Joined: 16 Feb 2021
Location: WV
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5
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Posted: 16 Feb 2021 at 3:01pm |
Hi everyone! I am new here and new to the R-Pod world. I have just put my deposit on the 195. I am looking to trade in my small SUV for something larger that can tow my travel trailer but also not be excessive when I am not traveling. I have been looking at something like the VW Atlas with a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs. The r pod dry weight is about 3,500 lbs. Do you think this would be sufficient? I am in WV so of course leaving I will be going through some hills. This is my first experience with a pull behind so feeling a little lost. I was tempted to go for the semi lighter 179 but I enjoy the dry bathroom and need to make sure there is room for my 145 lb mastiff :) Thank you for any input!
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