New User and Question
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
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=4903
Printed Date: 07 Sep 2025 at 4:42pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New User and Question
Posted By: jacqqueandsusan
Subject: New User and Question
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2014 at 10:09pm
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Phew, all this information is overwhelming. I have to take small bites. We are Jacque and Susan in Spokane Washington and are the proud new owners of a 2014 177. This is our very first camping trailer. We've decided that at 50+ we're tired of tent camping for weeks at a time. So very much looking forward to our first trip. My first question so far is about towing. And feel free to direct me to another thread if I am mis-posting. We have a 2005 Nissan Frontier with the 4.0L V-6. It's a 4 wheel drive with manual transmission. Does anyone recommend a transmission cooler? It's towing capacity is around 6,500 pounds so we're well within it's limits. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to replies, meeting other and of course traveling. |
Replies:
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2014 at 10:18pm
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congrats on your new rpod. We have a 2012 177. Your towing capacity is well within limits. My FJ Cruiser has a 5000lb limit. I put a tranny cooler on mine just because couple hundred now is better than a couple grand later down the road. What ever would give you piece of mind is my thoughts... ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: jacqqueandsusan
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2014 at 10:25pm
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I'm all for peace of mind and tend to agree. Thanks! |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2014 at 11:14pm
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Be sure to join two FaceBook groups - R-Pod Owners and Northwest R-Pod Owners groups. Tons of good info there and lots of great folks to reference. Really active groups. And BTW, welcome to Podland. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 7:13am
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Welcome to the group!! We tow our 171 with our Grand Caravan and have never had a problem, we have towed in the Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire and the Pocono Mtns in Pennsylvania. With that capacity you should be fine, but Ron is definitely right, peace of mind is worth it's weight in gold! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2025 Ford Transit Camper van 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 8:06am
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Do manual transmissions need coolers? Fluid is different and performs a different function. ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 9:18am
No mechanic here but to me a tranny cooler is a tranny cooler... anything to keep your transmission from burning out. Like I said $200 now or $2000 later... Me... I don't like those odds....  ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: ahefner
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 9:44am
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Manual transmissions can't take a cooler. There is no transmission fluid to cool. However there is a manual transmission gear lube and a good quality gear lube would be a good idea. I personally like the synthetic stuff made by Amsoil. I know the automatic transmissions in the Nissans are very picky and I will only use Nissan fluid in my automatic transmission. Not sure if the manual transmissions are the same way or not.
------------- 2014 rPod 178 2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7 |
Posted By: jacqqueandsusan
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 10:41pm
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Great information! Thanks all. |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 6:09pm
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Most manual transmissions have no means to add a cooler as there is no pump to direct the fluid through a cooler or if there is a pump it is all internal with no place to tap in. However, some do have pumps and external coolers. Some do indeed use the same automatic transmission fluid as some automatic transmissions. I doubt your Nissan has the means to add a cooler but it might. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |