Prospective r-pod owner

We are shopping R-pods and need advice.  This will be our first RV, having been tent campers all our lives.  Looking for a 172 with the two bigger bunks because we don't want to have to climb over each other to get into or out of bed and because it is one of the lighter models.  We plan to tow with a Toyota Highlander rated at 5000lb.  Does anyone have advice on models to consider?  Has anyone used a Highlander as a tow vehicle through the mountains?  Any advice or suggestions are welcome!  Also, if there are any used 172's out there for sale, let me know.  Thanks.

Best advice is always to spend a little time inside the models you are interested in before making any decision.  Try out the bunks in a 172 as well as the dedicated queen in the non-bunk models (such as our 177).  Personally, I can't imagine sleeping in the bunks as an adult.  I'd consider that if we had kids, but I want to a) sleep in an adult bed, and b) sleep next to my wife.  Another option for you, however, would be to get a dedicated queen model, and set the dinette down for a second bed.  That way, each of you would have a grown-up bed to sleep in.  Our preference, however, is to have a table set up at all times, rather than having to take it down each night.

The highlander is AWD and does have the towing package which is supposed to include transmission cooling, engine oil cooler, and heavy duty radiator.  We have just read so many contradictory posts, it is making it harder to decide.  Thanks for your advise because the pilot and highlander are pretty similar overall.  Do you have a 172 and like it???  Any problems with buying a used one versus a new one?  We really want to do this and want to be ready to take off this fall to go to as many national parks as possible.

Sounds like we are following in your footsteps.  The only thing I am not thrilled about with the pod is the bathroom but we really don't want a bigger vehicle at this point.  All the campers we have looked at with the walk around bed and full shower weigh a lot more although both items are appealing.  As newbies moving from a tent, I am thinking it will be quite luxurious at first.  And you are right, this is a great forum!  I am learning a lot. 

Originally posted by CharlieM Note the National Forest sign, 10114 feet, in the picture.

I know where that is!  Were you camping at Silverjack?  We did that (in our popup) a few years back.  A bear ran down the road ahead of us as we coming down Owl Creek Pass to Ridgway.  Neat place. 

(Sorry for the thread hijack!)