Tow vehicle fit for a new 178? |
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Q7-retired
Senior Member Joined: 26 Dec 2014 Location: Pittsboro, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 100 |
Topic: Tow vehicle fit for a new 178? Posted: 13 May 2016 at 2:37pm |
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JulieBoyles,
We tow our 178 ("OurPod") with a 2015 Audi Q7 TDI. With the tow package, it is rated at 6600 pounds, way more than needed. We get about 30-32 mpg when not towing, and ~17 mpg towing at 60 mph. The vehicle can seat four adults and three munchkins, very luxurious, fantastic visibility. I fitted a Tekonsha Prodigy controller to the pre-wired connector and am VERY happy. Picture attached. I realize a new Audi may be more than you wish to spend, so I recommend looking at used VW Toureg's. Basically the same platform, also shared with the Porsche Cayenne if you want a thrill! |
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Best regards, Jim
2015-RP178 TV 2015 Audi Q7 TDI and 2017 Ford F150 At home in "Our Pod" |
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Mountainrev
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193 |
Posted: 13 May 2016 at 2:18pm | |
I love it. Lots of torque and good mileage. A nice added bonus is that diesel is currently as cheap or cheaper than unleaded in most places. Diesels do require a bit more attention, maintenance-wise (e.g., oil changes are a lot more complicated and expensive, even if you do them yourself). But overall, I'm glad we got it. |
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2014 177
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." |
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outermostpod
Groupie Joined: 06 Nov 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 43 |
Posted: 13 May 2016 at 12:43pm | |
We tow our Rpod 178 with a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited (long wheel base version, not Sport). Came prewired. We did have to install the hitch. We use a Tekonsha Prodigy RF brake controller to solve some difficult brake wiring issues. This will be our 3rd season with this setup and everything works great. The Santa Fe is pretty good to drive w/o the camper as well, though it still is an SUV. 3 rows of seats and lots of features for the money. Engine has plenty of power for this camper. Gas mileage when not towing is around 22. We do use a WD/Sway control hitch and that works well. I have also added Sumo Springs to the rear of the Santa Fe to help with sag. I don't know if any TV is ever "perfect" there are always trade-offs, but we have found this combination pretty easy to live with.
Based on postings here I also looked at the Nissan Pathfinder and the Jeep Grand Cherokee - but ultimately went with the Santa Fe because of the 3rd row seats (which GC did not have) and concerns about poor reliability with the GC and Nissan. |
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julieboyles
Newbie Joined: 03 May 2016 Location: Please select Online Status: Offline Posts: 27 |
Posted: 13 May 2016 at 11:20am | |
Thanks so much, really helpful advice. It's only going to be a couple weeks and I'll be up and running. I laugh to myself when I see people say how they've researched/thought about it for a year or more because I can hardly plan a month ahead. Research, thinking, etc, one month and I'm on it. I've written down everything you all have helped with and I'm now more informed. Great links to those two articles as well, thanks.
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Craneman
Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2013 Location: Tokeland,wa Online Status: Offline Posts: 387 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 7:26pm | |
Look in introduce yourself, and look at all the different tow vehicles and prods, just about every combo you can find
Moe
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Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 6:31pm | |
that's a good one!
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 5:34pm | |
Well, I did a little research and found that there is only ONE vehicle on the planet that fulfills all of your requirements. This is it: Perfect tow vehicle I'm thinking...a trip through the car wash, 30 minutes with the Shop Vac & some Windex and you're good to go! Maybe you could skip the car wash because who can tell if it is clean or dirty? Just kidding! You might browse "Tow Vehicle Pictures" - in the "Introduce Yourself" topic and see if that gives you any ideas. I echo the thought of getting something with at least a 5000lbs. tow capacity. |
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johnmaci
Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 202 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 5:13pm | |
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john in idaho
Senior Member Joined: 04 Nov 2014 Location: Eagle Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 611 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 2:55pm | |
The longer wheelbase the better. Factory tow pkg important - don't just add a hitch to an existing vehicle. Tow package includes such things as a real spare tire, trailer plug wired, and usually a wire for trailer brakes, maybe different shift points on the transmission , transmission cooler etc.
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Mountainrev
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2014 Location: Eagle, Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 193 |
Posted: 12 May 2016 at 12:20pm | |
Ditto on the SUV w/factory tow package advice. I strongly advise you to get one that is rated to tow at least 5,000 lbs. More would be better. In my 25 years of towing campers, I have always had vehicles that were rated for more than my campers, yet I have often found myself wishing I had more power, and have ended up upgrading my TV.
Since the R-pod has electric brakes, make sure your TV has the seven-pin connector next to the receiver in the back. Hopefully, it will also have a plug-and-lay receptacle for the brake controller (which you will have to have). Some pickups come with a built-in brake controller, but I'm not aware of that with any SUVs. I may be wrong. You'll likely want to get some sort of sway control. Depending on your vehicle, you may need a weight-distributing hitch. Many WDHs have built-in sway control. Talk to the dealer you purchase the Pod from. They may include on in the sale price, or at least discount it and install it for you. As far as leasing vs. buying, I'm not a fan of leasing. The numbers don't usually work in favor of the lessee. I typically buy something used, often one that is only a year or so old (usually a program vehicle) that still has a few months and a few thousand miles of warranty left. |
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2014 177
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." |
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