Introduce Yourself: newbie- looking to purchase 198 or 205

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newbie- looking to purchase 198 or 205

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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16108
Printed Date: 25 Aug 2025 at 10:00pm
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Topic: newbie- looking to purchase 198 or 205

Posted By: yanbkeept
Subject: newbie- looking to purchase 198 or 205
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2024 at 9:04pm

Hello,

First time post- looking to purchase 198 or 205 for me & my wife. We'll be towing with a Dodge Durango. Any tips or things to look for when making a purchase would be greatly appreciated. We're upgrading from a pop-up camper. We're leaning towards these models b/c of dinette & ablity to close off room with bed. Any must-haves if we end up purchasing new from dealer? Thanks, Brian

Replies:

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 10:27pm

Hello Brian,

First thing: What is the tow rating of the Durango? Does it have a factory tow package or aftermarket? Since you have experience towing, it won't be totally unfamiliar. However, it will be more intense since you won't have the same visibility. If the Durango does not have towing mirrors already, get a set. You will appreciate them.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 11:29am

Both of those trailers are about 6,000 lbs. fully laden, so your Durango should be rated to tow at 7,000 lbs. (plus) to have a safety margin.

That weight also means your Durango will need to be able to deal with a roughly 900 lb. tongue weight.

The other thing is that both of those trailers are 8' wide, so you will most assuredly need tow mirrors in most states (as StephenH mentions).

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: yanbkeept
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 4:52pm

Thanks for the advice. It has the factory tow package, officially rated for 6200lbs.

Posted By: yanbkeept
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 4:54pm

I'll probably look to add a weight distributing hitch just to help a little. I do not expect to go off grid for the moment, so I won't be carrying water. That should help with the total weight. I'll definitely get the added mirrors. Thanks again for teh advice.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 10:23pm

Welcome to the forum. Two things: I would avoid any extended warranty plan the dealer will try to get you to purchase - not a good deal, except for the dealer. Two - IF your Durango is rated at 6200 and the trailers you are looking at are 6000 dry, you are going to be way over the limit, so either you will need to look at a lighter R-Pod or look at getting a more stout vehicle that will be able to tow a 6000+ lb. trailer. Rule of thumb is not to go above 75% trailer to tow vehicle so in your case the Durango can safely tow a trailer that (fully loaded for a trip) weighs no more than 4650 lbs. Looking at it the other way a 6000 lb. trailer (fully loaded) needs a vehicle that is rated to tow 8000 lbs or more. Please consider safety, that is a lot of weight behind you and in a panic stop, your setup won't cut the mustard.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: yanbkeept
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 11:04pm

The trailers are 4600 dry, so I was thinking the Durango rated for 6200lbs should be OK, assuming I don't fill up the water tanks.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 11:46am

Originally posted by yanbkeept

The trailers are 4600 dry, so I was thinking the Durango rated for 6200lbs should be OK, assuming I don't fill up the water tanks.

No one ever tows "dry". That number is a marketing number. More true to form is people tend to overload their trailers, so gross weight is the number you plan by, and the challenge is to not overload the trailer.

If I was getting one of those trailers, I'd be planning a vehicle with 7000+ lbs towing capacity, and an allowed tongue weight of 900 lbs. Anything less, and you're asking for trouble.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: yanbkeept
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 12:00pm

Thanks so much for taking the time to repond. Appreciate all the input.

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2024 at 10:09am

In addition to the towing capacity concerns above, should you decide to move forward, make sure the Durango is compatible with a weight distribution hitch.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650

Posted By: yanbkeept
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2024 at 1:00pm

Thank you for the input. Will definitely be looking into a WDH.