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bruceb View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: towing MPG??
    Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 3:56pm
We are thinking of buying our first RV and it may be an RPOD.  I was wondering what you tow yours with and what mileage you get towing and not towing?
Thanks
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 4:23pm
Honestly, your gas mileage will be different. It depends upon your driving style and conditions. If you plan to buy a Pod, buy a tow vehicle that is equipped for towing and has a tow capacity of at least 5000. I have towed my 178 with a 2006 Silverado, a 2014 Silverado and a 2016 Colorado, all did an excellent job. Obviously I am a Chevy fan, but all the auto manufacturers make compatible vehicles. You'll need to do research for an affordable tow vehicle, that meets tow capacity, electric brakes and possibly a sway system. Do homework, and talk to folks that have done this awhile. I have seen folks hook trailers to tow vehicles and nothing about it is safe. Improperly operated tow situations are dangerous. For everybody.
Mike Carter
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 4:44pm
Towing an rPod with a modern fuel efficient vehicle is pretty much independent of what that vehicle is or what fuel economy it gets not towing. That is because the horsepower demand towing at highway speeds is dominated by air drag on the trailer. So, your mileage may vary, but mostly due to the speed you tow at, whether you're climbing hills or not. and if you have a headwind or tailwind. On flat ground with no wind you can expect to get around 15-16 mpg at 55 mph, about 14-15 mpg at 60, and down around 12 at 65 mph. 

So, get a tow vehicle capable of handling the fully loaded trailer that can also carry a realistic amount of stuff in the TV itself, and have a safety margin above that. Forget the trailer empty weight specs. Do not get FWD, and get a tow vehicle that is approved for using a weight distribution hitch. 

My Toyota Highlander fills that bill for the 179 or other similar sized rPods, but I wouldn't go any smaller than that. I tow at 60 and, sure enough, get 14 mpg under flat no wind conditions. I get a little better than the EPA book fuel economy with it not towing, around 19 city/24 highway. 
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bruceb View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 4:58pm
we currently have a 2020 1500 4x4 silverado with the 3.0 liter diesel.  Gets 27 MPG empty and 17 MPG towing our 4000 lb boat.  Can you make any estimate for MPG towing an RPOD?
Thanks
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:07pm
More than 10mpg and less than 20 mpg.

If you are camping on a strict budget and fuel mileage will make or break your ability to afford this, then buy a tent and a small car. 

Seriously, there are so many variables when towing...but a good estimate will be in the low to mid teens like nearly everyone else towing r-pods.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:15pm
Originally posted by bruceb

we currently have a 2020 1500 4x4 silverado with the 3.0 liter diesel.  Gets 27 MPG empty and 17 MPG towing our 4000 lb boat.  Can you make any estimate for MPG towing an RPOD?
Thanks

Its not weight related, its frontal area and speed related. 

Sure, I can roughly estimate it for you, if you provide a bit more info. What speed do you plan to tow at? Which rPod are you looking at? 
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:19pm
Bruceb,

Expect about the same as your boat.
Mike Carter
2015 178
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bruceb View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:19pm
lets say its a 192 at 70 mph.  I like to get there.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:52pm
OK I'd estimate around 11-12 mpg for your diesel towing that trailer at that speed. Flat ground, no wind, good pavement.  Your fuel economy is getting killed by the speed. Air drag goes up with the square of the speed so your fuel economy is only going to be about 75% of what it would be at 60 mph.  
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 8:10pm
Originally posted by bruceb

we currently have a 2020 1500 4x4 silverado with the 3.0 liter diesel.  Gets 27 MPG empty and 17 MPG towing our 4000 lb boat.  Can you make any estimate for MPG towing an RPOD?
Thanks
Towing a boat there is not nearly as much wind resistance, so I would expect a bit worse than that with an Rpod.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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