Prospective r-pod owner

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   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.
This is a great resource.  Thanks to everyone responding.  

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Jules Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2015 Location: WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 38	Topic: Prospective r-pod owner Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 5:56pm
	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. This is a great resource. Thanks to everyone responding.

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 5:45pm
	Assuming the Highlander SUV with factory towing package or equivalent, and not the hybrid model, the 172/Highlander will be an excellent combination. Even better if it's the AWD version. We towed a 172 with a Honda 4WD Pilot for a year, including the highest and steepest mountain passes in Colorado, with no problems. You won't be the first to the top of the hill, but you'll get there. You will also want a ScanGuage or equivalent to monitor transmission temperature and a weight distributing hitch (WDH) such as Equalizer or E2. The bunks in the 172 are wider than you'd think. Length can be an issue if you're over 6' tall, but I'm 5'9" and had more than enough room. You have to watch your head getting up from the bottom bunk, but you learn.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Mountainrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193	Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 4:41pm
	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.
	2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills."

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518	Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 3:25pm
	Welcome! You should have no problem towing with a Highlander.
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

Jules Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2015 Location: WI Online Status: Offline Posts: 38	Posted: 12 Mar 2015 at 3:15pm
	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.