Soon-to-be new owner

With the factory towing package, the frontal area consideration is 30 sq. ft. The base vehicle area is 20 sq. ft. Ford's towing guide says that exceeding the frontal area specs may decrease performance of the tow vehicle.  While the R-Pod specifications indicate that the frontal area is > 30 sq. ft, the shape should help. It isn't a vertical slab like some of the other options we looked at such as the Starcraft AR-One or the KZ Spree Escape, which while not vertical were much more so than the rounded shape of the R-Pod. This seems to be the best option for now, especially since we just upgraded the Escape and are in no position to trade vehicles.

I will certainly keep an eye on things and report how it works once we pick it up and get some real-world experience. Ford does recommend using premium gasoline when towing. I have been filling with premium in preparation for picking it up so the engine can develop the maximum power instead of being down tuned for regular gas.

I think if I can watch the weight, that will also help. The RP-179 has a dry weight of 2,630 lbs. If I can keep the loaded weight under the 3,500 lbs (well under, I hope), that should also help.

Vann,

Thanks. We go to Chapel Hill when my wife has appointments at the UNC Medical Center. It will be good to compare notes.

Edit:  I just looked at some of your mods. I have some ideas, but will need to get the R-Pod first and see what ideas I can use. I already know I need to add a 12 volt outlet. I also would like a shelf above the bed to hold things like my CPAP machine, our cell phones, etc. I need to find out how to mount a shelf.

We'll have to see how it performs. I appreciate the advice about the tanks. I was thinking of going light on the first trip. I already was thinking about using the T.V. for items. With an equalizer hitch, I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make.

Thanks. I was planning on hitting up scales at the first opportunity after we pick it up.

I personally never gave much weight to Consumer Reports automobile evaluations ever since they rated the diesel powered Oldsmobiles of the '70s over the Mercedes 300D and the Peugeot 604 for both value and reliability.  I've had no problems with my several Jeeps dating back to 1976.  IMHP Consumer Reports should stick to toasters.